Bound by the Elements |Kratos x OC|

Chapter 2: Fragile Alliances

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The grove was quiet as Elowen led Kratos and Atreus through the dense foliage. The flowers and vines seemed to part at her will, revealing hidden pathways beneath the canopy of ancient trees. The air was still thick with magic, but now it felt different—softer as if the grove itself was responding to Elowen's presence.

Kratos remained a step behind, his senses alert. Every movement Elowen made was met with his sharp, calculated gaze. The Leviathan Axe was always within reach, and he did not relax, even as the grove's serene beauty unfolded before them.

Atreus, however, walked closer to Elowen, his curiosity bubbling over with every question he asked. "How long have you been here?" he asked, his eyes wide as he glanced around at the glowing flowers and trees. "It feels... ancient."

Elowen hesitated for a moment, her fingers brushing against the petals of a nearby flower. "I'm not sure anymore," she admitted softly. "Time feels different here. It's as if the seasons change, but nothing truly changes."Atreus nodded, his brow furrowed as he tried to understand. "That must be hard. Being alone for so long."

Elowen gave a small, sad smile. "It is."

Kratos's deep voice cut through the quiet. "Why did Odin trap you here?"

Elowen glanced back at him, her pale blue eyes meeting his for only a moment before she looked away. "He fears my power," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can bend the elements—water, earth, fire, and air. But I've never learned to control them. My father... believed that locking me away would keep everyone safe."

Kratos's expression didn't change, but his silence spoke volumes. He understood too well what it meant to be feared for your power, to have it treated as a curse rather than a gift. But trust was still far from his mind.

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The Ruins Beneath the Grove
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As they walked further into the grove, the trees began to thin, revealing an ancient structure, half-buried beneath the earth. Crumbled pillars and shattered stone statues littered the ground, their once-grand forms overtaken by vines and moss.

Atreus's eyes widened. "Wow... what is this place?"

Elowen paused at the edge of the ruins, her gaze distant. "This was once a temple," she said, her voice laced with a mixture of sadness and reverence. "A place where people came to honor the elements, long before Odin claimed this land."

Kratos approached one of the pillars, running his hand over the worn carvings. The symbols were foreign to him, but there was power here, ancient and untapped. He could feel it in the air, humming beneath his skin.

Elowen knelt beside a small pool of water at the center of the ruins. The water was unnaturally still, its surface like glass.

"The magic here is tied to my powers," she explained, her voice soft. "This temple was built to harness the elements, to control them. But when Odin imprisoned me, he severed that connection."

Atreus crouched beside her, staring into the water's depths. "Do you think this place can help you regain control of your powers?"

Elowen's fingers dipped into the pool, sending gentle ripples across the surface. "Maybe," she said quietly. "But the magic here is old. It's been dormant for so long. I'm not sure if I can awaken it on my own."

Kratos stood over them, his gaze hard. "We don't have time for this."

Atreus looked up at his father, frowning. "But, Father, if Elowen can control her powers, maybe she can help us. We've already seen what she can do."