Bound by the Elements |Kratos x OC|

Chapter 3: The Weight of Control

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The sky above the grove had darkened, casting long shadows across the ruins as the trio moved further from the temple. The air remained heavy, still charged with the remnants of Elowen's failed attempt to harness her powers. Despite Kratos's gruff words and the tension in the air, they continued their journey deeper into the woods.

Elowen walked a few steps behind Kratos and Atreus, her shoulders slumped under the weight of her own failure. She had come so close—so close to reconnecting with the elements, to proving herself useful—but it had slipped away in an instant, like water through her fingers. Her fingers absentmindedly traced the vines stitched into her sleeves, seeking some sort of comfort from the familiar touch of the enchanted flowers woven into her braid.

"I'm sorry," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the rustling of the trees.

Kratos didn't stop walking, his gaze fixed on the path ahead, but his response came without hesitation. "Sorry won't keep us alive."

Elowen winced at the harshness of his words, but she couldn't deny the truth in them. She wasn't used to relying on others—she had spent so long in isolation, with only the grove for company. Now, with her powers unpredictable and her past still tangled in Odin's web, she was more of a liability than an ally.

Atreus, however, slowed his pace and fell into step beside her. He offered her a small, sympathetic smile. "You're doing your best," he said quietly, his youthful optimism cutting through the tension. "You've been trapped here for so long. It's no wonder things are... hard."

Elowen's heart softened at his words. His kindness, his unwavering belief in her, reminded her of what she had lost—connection, trust. "Thank you," she whispered, though her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

Kratos's voice cut through their brief moment of peace. "Focus."

Atreus sighed but picked up his pace, moving to walk alongside his father again. Elowen watched them for a moment, feeling the gulf between her and Kratos widen with every step. She wondered if he would ever see her as anything more than a burden.

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A Battle in the Woods
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The group had barely ventured deeper into the forest when the calm of the grove was shattered by a low growl in the distance. Kratos's hand immediately went to the Leviathan Axe strapped to his back, his muscles tensing as he scanned the treeline.

Atreus knocked an arrow, his bow at the ready. "Father, I hear something."

Elowen felt it too. The magic in the air shifted, and darkened, and her fingers tingled with the warning pulse of elemental energy. Something dangerous was nearby—something that did not belong to the grove's natural harmony.

Without warning, a massive beast charged through the underbrush, its hulking form crashing into the clearing. Its fur was matted with blood, its eyes wild with fury as it roared at the intruders. It was a creature of pure rage, driven mad by some unknown force.

Kratos stepped forward, his axe gleaming in the fading light. "Stay behind me," he growled to Atreus and Elowen, his voice steady despite the looming danger.

Atreus was already drawing his bowstring, his eyes narrowed in focus. "I can help!"

Elowen's heart raced as the creature lunged toward them. She could feel the elements stirring beneath her skin, desperate to respond to the threat. But her hands trembled, the memory of her earlier failure fresh in her mind. What if she lost control again? What if her powers spiraled out of her grasp, putting them all in danger?