Mithra knelt beside Kratos, her voice trembling but sincere.
Mithra: "Thank you. For… giving me a chance to see my father again.
When you held me… it felt safe. Just like when he do."
She hesitated, then wrapped her small arms around him.
For a moment, Kratos froze — uncertain. Then, gently, he set his massive hand on her shoulder, patting twice.
the figure, seeing this, mirrored the gesture — touching Kratos's shoulder too, before trying to lean in for an embrace.
Kratos sighed, pressing a single finger to her forehead, pushing her back slightly.
Kratos: "Best keep your distance."
Her eyes widened comically, lips quivering as if about to cry.
Kratos rolled his one eye.
Kratos (muttering): "...Fine. But if you speak of this to the boy, I will Melt you again."
the figure let out a soundless giggle, leaping in delight as she hugged both him and Mithra.
Kratos exhaled through his nose, half-amused, half-defeated.
"Never felt so embarrassed in all my life," he muttered under his breath.
The Farewell
(Soon, the path ended. Before them stretched a vast chasm, frozen winds howling from below. Across the gap, a high ledge gleamed with faint light—Mithra could feel it. That place would help her sense the others.)
(She looked at Kratos. His eyes narrowed, measuring the distance. Too far for a leap.)
(The figure stepped forward. Its eyes glowed bright blue as it pressed its hands to the ground. Ice cracked, spiraling outward, forming a shining bridge across the abyss. The glow illuminated the frozen dark like moonlight.)
(Kratos and Mithra exchanged a look—perhaps there was more to this creature than illusion.)
(But the moment was shattered. Eon's voice thundered through the frozen realm, vibrating in their skulls.)
Eon (furious, echoing):
"Iselia! How dare you defy my will!"
(The figure froze mid-step, trembling. Its eyes widened, blue glow faltering under the weight of its master's wrath. It turned its head slightly, as if ashamed—then looked back at Mithra, clutching her hand tighter.)
(Iselia staggered, clutching her chest as fissures of red light spiderwebbed through her icy body. She gasped voicelessly, her form splintering piece by piece. Mithra lunged forward, grabbing her hand, voice breaking with desperation.)
Mithra (pleading):
"No—don't! Please, fight it! Stay with us!"
(Iselia looked at her—then at Kratos, whose grip tightened around the Blades, his eye burning with grim recognition. For a heartbeat, the fear in her trembling frame softened. A faint, gentle smile touched her mirrored face.)
(She raised her free hand, resting it against Mithra's cheek. For the first and last time, her voice echoed—soft, melodic, carrying like wind through glass.)
Iselia (gentle, fading):
"…Thank you… for seeing me… not as his weapon, but as something more."
(Her body cracked further, scattering icy sparks into the air. Her voice grew weaker, but resolute.)
Iselia:
"Please… release us… from this monster's grasp…"
(She squeezed Mithra's hand one last time before her form shattered completely—bursting into a swirl of blue-white sparks. They drifted upward like fireflies, carried away on the freezing winds. Mithra collapsed to her knees, tears streaming silently. Kratos placed a steadying hand on her shoulder, his voice low, heavy with meaning.)
Kratos (quiet, solemn):
"She chose her path. Just as we must choose ours."
(Mithra nodded weakly, wiping her eyes, her expression hardening into quiet resolve. The sparks of Iselia's fading light drifted ahead of them, forming a faint trail across the broken ice bridge—guiding them forward.)
Mithra (soft but firm):
"…Then we won't let her sacrifice be in vain."
Eon's Throne
(Far above, in the heart of the void, Eon reclined on his shattered throne of constellations. His many eyes shimmered with cruel amusement as he observed the fading sparks of Iselia's sacrifice.)
Eon (cold, mocking):
"The spirit of ice… choosing defiance. Foolish. Pathetic. Why would anyone defy the Loom of Fate itself?"
(He leaned forward, fingers steepled, his fractured grin widening.)
Eon:
"…It does not matter. All threads weave as they should."
(His gaze shifted, countless eyes focusing downward—toward the blazing realm where Atreus and Asura struggled against their own trial.)
Eon (darkly amused):
"Let us see… what fate has in store for the others."