As the three continued walking toward the deeper parts of the forest, Zelos could not help but appreciate the calm beauty that surrounded them.
The autumn colors painted the trees in warm shades of red and gold, the air was cool, and the faint scent of fallen leaves lingered with each breath.
The forest that Freya had made her home in was unlike any other place they had seen in Midgard.
Even from a glance, Zelos could sense the layers of enchantment surrounding it, subtle but incredibly powerful.
The magic flowed naturally through the ground and trees, cloaking the entire area from any outside perception.
It was a spell so strong that even his own eagles, who normally could see through barriers and illusions, could not detect anything beyond the edge of these woods.
It was a perfect ward for protection, and Zelos silently admired the skill behind it.
Freya continued walking ahead of them, moving gracefully as though she had walked that path countless times.
Atreus followed closely behind her, full of energy and curiosity, constantly looking around at the glowing plants and faintly shimmering roots beneath their feet.
Kratos, in contrast, remained quiet, his eyes carefully scanning the environment. His posture was that of a seasoned warrior entering unfamiliar territory, cautious but controlled.
After several minutes, the group arrived at a massive tree that towered above the rest of the forest.
Its trunk was so wide that it could have taken ten men holding hands to encircle it. Atreus stopped and stared at it in awe.
"You live in a tree?" Atreus asked innocently, tilting his head upward to take in its size.
Before Freya could answer, Zelos noticed faint movement at the edge of the clearing. Several draugrs were shambling toward them from between the trees.
Without speaking, Zelos extended his hand, summoning several Zoltraak spell circles in the air.
They appeared with a faint hum, then released bursts of concentrated plasma light that struck the approaching draugrs instantly, vaporizing them into ash before they could take another step.
Freya glanced at him momentarily but said nothing, only turning back to Atreus with a calm smile.
"Not in it," she said gently. "Below it."
Freya then looked toward the giant turtle resting beneath the tree. With a soft command, the creature stirred and slowly lifted itself, revealing a wooden cabin built beneath its shell. \
The door and windows became visible as the turtle rose, and Atreus gasped in amazement.
Once inside, the cabin felt warm and alive, its interior lined with herbs, bottles, charms, and ancient carvings.
Freya began moving about, collecting ingredients from shelves and containers, clearly preparing something. However, after a few moments, she paused and frowned slightly.
"It seems I am missing something," she said quietly, turning toward Atreus. "Would you help me gather it? I need a plant called Lamb's Crest. It has white petals and grows just outside in my garden."
"Of course," Atreus said quickly, eager to be helpful. He left the cabin without hesitation.
As the door closed behind him, Freya walked toward Kratos while Zelos remained near the corner, examining the various relics on the wall.
Among them, he noticed a pair of wings carefully preserved and mounted.
They were unmistakable—the wings of a Valkyrie. Even without touching them, Zelos could feel the faint divine energy still lingering on their feathers.
He realized these were Freya's own wings from when she was still the Queen of the Valkyries. Titles could fade, but symbols like that remained forever.
While he observed the wings, Zelos heard the tone of Freya and Kratos's voices begin to rise slightly. He turned his attention toward them.
"That is none of your concern," Kratos said in his deep, commanding tone.
Freya crossed her arms. "The gods of these realms do not take kindly to outsiders," she replied. "Trust me, I know. When they find you—and they will—they will make things difficult. The boy will ask questions you may not be ready to answer."
As Freya spoke, she caught Zelos looking at her. Her voice trailed off slightly.
"Do not worry," Zelos said calmly. "I already know what Father is, and what that means for me."
Freya blinked, a trace of surprise in her expression. "You told your other son, yet kept it from the younger?" she asked, glancing at Kratos.
Kratos said nothing, but Zelos stepped in again before the silence could stretch further. "He did not tell me," Zelos explained. "I can see the true nature of things.
The flow of energy, the essence of beings—it reveals what they are, even when they wish to hide it."
Both Freya and Kratos froze for a moment, watching him. Kratos's voice rumbled low. "What do you mean?"
Zelos turned slightly and gestured toward Freya. "She is a goddess, Father. From the aura she carries, the wings displayed here, and the traces of Vanaheim's energy surrounding her, I can tell she is Freya, the Goddess of Love and former Queen of the Valkyries."
Kratos turned toward Freya. "You are a god?" he asked.
"I was," Freya answered softly. "Once the leader of Vanaheim, but no longer."
Kratos shifted slightly, his body tensing in readiness, but Zelos raised a hand lightly. "There is no need," he said. "She cannot harm anyone. She is bound by a curse—one that prevents her from causing injury"
Freya's eyes widened. "Yes. How did you know that?"
"I can see the chains," Zelos replied. "They bind your essence tightly, woven into your spirit. It is an elegant but cruel spell, designed not only to restrict your actions but to confine your soul within Midgard itself. You cannot leave this realm, can you?"
Freya's expression softened, tinged with sadness. "No. I cannot."
Kratos looked at her, his voice calmer now. "Who would do that to you?"
"The Aesir," Freya answered. "Their king, specifically. I warned you—they do not take kindly to strangers. Let this serve as a warning for you and your sons."
Hearing this, Kratos's expression eased slightly. He understood too well what it meant to be chained by power beyond one's control.
"We will take your warning seriously," Kratos said firmly.
Freya gave a small nod, then turned her attention back to Zelos, noticing how his eyes glimmered faintly for a brief second before returning to normal.
There was something in his gaze that she could not read, something ancient and quiet.
After a short while, Atreus returned. His steps were slower this time, and his expression carried a faint sadness. He held the Lamb's Crest carefully in his hand and offered it to Freya.
"What's wrong?" Freya asked, noticing the change in his demeanor.
"I lost something," Atreus admitted quietly.
Kratos walked over and handed him the small knife. "You dropped this when chasing the boar," he said.
Atreus took it, his shoulders drooping. "What's wrong with me? I should have been more careful. If I had lost it—"
"You did lose it," Kratos interrupted bluntly.
Atreus fell silent, lowering his head in embarrassment. Zelos sighed lightly and stepped forward, taking the knife from Atreus's hands.
He whispered a few words and a faint magical symbol glowed briefly on the blade before vanishing.
"There," Zelos said. "Now it will always find its way back to you. If you lose it again, I can summon it from wherever it ends up."
Atreus's mood brightened instantly, and he smiled as he tucked the knife away.
Meanwhile, Freya used the Lamb's Crest to create a glowing mixture. Zelos quietly listened to the incantations she spoke under her breath, studying the structure of her spell.
The magic was ancient, tied to nature and divine protection.
"This will help protect you and your sons," Freya said as she approached Kratos.
Kratos regarded her for a long moment before giving a small nod. Freya placed her hand on his neck and traced a glowing mark that slowly faded from sight.
Zelos felt Kratos's aura shift—the man's presence dimmed slightly, as though he had become harder to sense.
Freya repeated the process for both Atreus and Zelos, completing the spell with practiced ease.
When the enchantments were done, Freya walked to the window and gave a quiet command. The great turtle beneath the house began to lower itself, revealing an opening below that led to a tunnel.
"There is a shortcut beneath the house," Freya explained. "It leads safely out of the woods. Follow the path downward and continue until you see daylight."
"Will we see you again?" Atreus asked hopefully.
"As much or as little as you wish," Freya replied with a small smile. "Now go on. Leave this place before the magic fades."
Her voice carried a tone of gentle amusement at the end, almost playful. Kratos grunted softly in acknowledgment and began walking toward the exit.
Zelos followed right behind him, and Atreus hurried after them as Kratos called his name, reminding him to keep pace.