Thick white blankets coat the ground with no end in sight. After Baldur's death the snow hadn't stopped falling. The dwarf Brok and the head, Mimir, truly believed that the legend of Ragnarok has come into fruition. This was the start of Fimbulwinter. Atreus thought the two of them were right. Sindir on the other hand continues to believe it's just a normal winter setting in, he was a bit in denial. Even Kratos took Mimir's warning of food shortages seriously. For the last couple of weeks, the two have been hunting none stop. There were a lot less animals near their home that normal. To his plight it seems all their prey were replaced with draugrs. They've been coming out of the woodworks lately. Like an infestation of rats. Those creatures were a nuisance and appear at the most inopportune times. It became a routine that the young boy was getting frustrated by. They hunt, kill some draugrs, come home, prepare the meat to jerky or pickle, then Atreus would start on dinner. Tonight, would be no different.

Atreus sat by the hearth as their meal bubbled away in the cauldron. It's delicious contents wafted around the room. Atreus's eager stomach rumbled at the tantalizing smell. It was torture! He barely ate today since they were so busy stocking up. Plus, the draugrs came at them none stop. Mid bite of his lunch this afternoon one even attacked him from behind! Like come on! So. His stomach was keenly focus on substance. Inside the pot cooking away were parts of a deer they hunted today, along with foraged vegetables. It wasn't anything that fancy, but nothing really was since his mother's death. She was the one who normally cooked for them. Now that she was gone his father often order him to do the cooking instead. Boy, go prepare the meat. Boy, tend to the fire. Boy, do this. It's was exasperating! He love his father, but sometimes he wish could tell Kratos to cook for himself. He was tired of doing it all the time, and...Really Atreus just didn't like it. It reminded him of his mom. He missed coming home to her standing by the fire. Her silhouette cast on the nearby wall while she hummed a melody. She would eagerly call him over to teach him how to do things in the kitchen. Now she had nothing more to teach him. She was a gone…

With eyes lingering on the fire Atreus replayed those memories in his mind. His mom's laughing expression as she taught him how to skin a rabbit. His face scrunched up in disgust at the sight. She would do the most bizarre things to help break the tension.
"It's not that bad little wolf. Look." She then proceed to move the mouth of the bunny while making a squeaky voice
"See, little wolf. I'm nothing to be distressed over"

"Mother you are so gross!"Atreus stuck out in tongue and move away from the table. "No wait! Little wolf! Help eaaaaaaaat me~".

She started to follow her son. Aterus made another displeased face. He took long strides away from his mother. Faye was quick to follow suit behind her son. The dodging of her attempts only added fuel to the fire. Determined, Faye was now chasing her son in the small cabin with the rabbit. The poor creature asking to be devoured. "Mooooother! Stooop!" Helplessly Atreus cried out. It was all in good fun though. The two were both laughing up a storm. However, the moment was gone in a flash. In the doorway stood the giant ashy man he knew as his father. The sight was something else. His mother had snake her arm around Atreus mid section while the rabbit hanging above him. Atreus's laughter immediately died in his throat. The atmosphere always felt different when his father return. At the time Kratos presence was daunting to the boy. However, Faye burst into a full blown fit when Kratos walk in. Unafraid of her beloved husband.

The huge bearded warrior glance at the sight before him. His family was frozen like deer for a solid second. Before his wife left go of Atreus. She threw both of her hands in the air like she had been caught doing something bad. There the rabbit just dangled in her right hand "I can explain" she said in the rabbit's voice.

Faye bit her lip trying to contain a giggle, but failed.. "No wait, I can't".
Faye then let out a giant snort. She double over while gripping her side and shaking her head. Tears were forming in the corner of Faye's eyes. Meanwhile, His father just stared at his wife with the same look he always does. Kratos place his axe by the bed before sitting down at the nearby table. He never took his eyes of his family.
Faye was trying to recompose herself but ended up laughing harder. Atreus shifted uncomfortably under his father's stare. His mother was always relaxed near him, but Atreus felt awkward when his father came home. There was this lack of connection between them. He didn't feel like he could act normal around Kratos.

"Wife" Kratos said while studying her closely.

Faye held her side while gasping for air. It took a minute before she could stop since every time she saw his face she would laugh harder. Kratos would simply keep staring. Unbeknownst to Atreus the glimpses of humor dancing in his father's eyes. After calming down his mother just gave him the brightest smile. She walked over and placed a tender kiss on his cheek. He did not smile back but Kratos did brush his hand against her palm. Faye grin broadened at such a small gesture before resuming making dinner.

Atreus never understand how his parents ended up together. His mother was more on the playful side while his father was so serious. A small sad smile etched onto his face. Those fun moments were forever gone. He really missed her...Inside his chest he could feel the familiar grip of loss in his heart. He swallowed hard to dislodge the lump formed in his throat. Then blink against the burning of his eyes, tears threatening to fall. Quickly, he pretended the fire's ashes were getting the best of him. With a wipe of the eyes Atreus distract himself by stirring their simmering stew.
Nearby his father sat on his bed with his normal stern presences. Today Kratos was less talkative than normal. Only responding when he had to with noncommittal grunts. Something about the air today felt off. Deep in thought Kratos pondered that fact.

Atreus studied his father for a moment. As if that could unlock the complex puzzle that was his father's thoughts. His appearance was normal. Hard facial features mix with a salt and pepper beard that hinted at his true age. He even wore his normal spartan like clothing, if you wanted to call it that, since it was just leathers coverage in the chest area. Kratos preferred armor displayed all his scars and markings. That Atreus never could get. Bare chest armor looked like hell in Midgard.

The young boy didn't understand how his father could stand the bitter cold. It was freezing away from the fire and not even once did Kratos show any discomfort. Hell, during hunting he has seen his father stand still for hours without a complaint. Even if he was a god Atreus was baffled by his pure constitution.

"..Father..aren't you cold..?" Atreus inquired.

Kratos snap out of his thoughts and grunted "I never said I wasn't boy"

"Yeah…." Atreus's attention turned to the ground "But, you don't have to be. We have plenty of fu-"

However, the conversation was cut short by an unfamiliar sound. There was a light tapping at the door. Kratos simply glanced in that direction.

"Who'd come here this close to dusk?" Mimir mutter from his spot on the dining table.

Mimir took the words right out of Atreus's mouth. Nobody really ventured this close to their home. Last time they had any visitors was after his mother died. And that didn't end too well…

"The door boy."

Atreus cautiously went up to the door. The knocking was becoming louder. He could hear from beyond the wood a soft voice. It could be a revenant. He's heard them mimic human voices before. It seems like his father had the same thought. Kratos grab his axe which laid against his bed. Standing nearby his son in case of trouble.

Atreus grip the handle of the door waiting for his father's mark. He could feel the cool metal against his skin. Goose bumps form on his arm. Near the entrance is where the cold was most noticeable. Kratos gave his son a nod. Atreus swung the door wide open. The two could never be prepared by the sight awaiting them. There stood a young girl. A mere child younger than even Atreus. She stood in front of the cabin wearing only a thin piece of fabric. The elements berate the tiny figure. Flicks of snow dance across her dark hair. Her skin kissed blue by Fimbulwinter, and in vain tiny arms rub against shoulders in hopes to get some color back. It came as no surprise that the strange was shaking like a leaf. Atreus was sure this stranger was suffering from the beginning signs of frostbite. Soon the kid would die if they didn't find shelter soon. That...might be a problem.

"..Are you lost?" Atresus ask

"Πατέρα;;; Πατέρα, είμαι σπίτι!" The girl replied

"What?" That was a language he had never heard before in his life.

Her clothes already hinted towards the idea that she wasn't around here. Not a speck of fur was seen in her outfit. Instead the child opted for layering thin fabric around herself. Thick hide boots had been replaced by sandals that didn't protect from the ice. Everything about it was impractical for this environment. It was odd. No one in their right mind (besides his father) would be dressed like that during winter.

"Father what should we-" Atreus turned his attention to his side only to be startled by the sight of his father.

Kratos could feel ice running through his veins. It had been many years since he last saw visions. His head was swimming. There was a distinct feeling that he wasn't in control of his body. It couldn't be a nightmare. So clearly he could feel the wood end of his axe against his calloused palm. Even Atreus was responding to her. But, no she was there. He stood there frozen in place. Unable to move.

"...Father….?" Atreus was frightened by his uncharacteristic state.

The girl bolt forward into their home before Atreus could register what was going on. Tiny familiar arms latch themselves onto Kratos's side. It was a sensation lost many years ago. The last time he felt this way was another time. Another world. Kratos slumped backwards. His hand looking for support from a table set by the entrance. Only for the warrior to miss. His massive weight build smack against the hard floor. Kratos was laying on the floor not moving.
Quickly his son reacted by grabbing his bow and pointed it at the little girl. He pulled the string tightly back. Ready to shoot her in the throat. She was looming over Kratos's still body. Big fat tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Πατέρα! Είσαι καλά;!"Again, She spoked in that foreign language.

"Step away from my father" Atreus spat out while motioning with the bow at the girl

With wide eyes the child look to Atreus to Kratos. Clearly conflicted on the right course of action. The girl shouted out a couple of words. Her eyes hardening at Atreus. The look uncomfortably familiar. However, Atreus wasn't sure from were.

The two children looked at each other for a couple minutes. Each refusing to make the first move. Only when a small groan escape Kratos's mouth did the spell broke. The stranger snapped her attention to the huge man. She shook his forearm in an attempt to wake him while saying more weird words.

Mimir's voice rang out from the kitchen table "Come on now laddy. Clearly she's as frighten as you are. Put the weapon down"

Lowing his bow as well as his guard Atreus listened to the voice of the decapitated head. If the girl was a threat then a battle would of already broken out. With a huff he placed his bow by Mimir's head. It was such a strange sight to see. This kid was all over his father like he wasn't a big scary look man. Instead, she was hiccuping in distress.

"...Try some water lad? That might get the be fellow up"

"I...don't know about that.."Atreus glance at the pitcher on the table However, what option did he have? Directly shaking him awake just screamed bad idea. He seen his father almost take his mother's head off before when she tried to wake him from a bad dream. It was just a reflect Kratos had.

Well, he couldn't just leave his father on the floor. Atreus plucked up the pitcher and stood over his father a safe distance. His arm extended out with the contents ready to spill. At the last minute he hesitated. He had a flash vision of how utterly upset his father would be. The verbal scolding he would get...didn't sound worth it. Instead, the best option would be to let his father wake up by himself. The strange girl did the job for him. Snatching the metal vessel from Atreus hand the brave (or more likely stupid) kid stood by Kratos's head and proceed to dump the icy contents all over his face. For a second Atreus looked as pale as his father. All color drained from his face. His deep rumbling voice rang out

The satisfying sound of screams echoed in his ears. A quick lunged with the blade torn limb from flesh. Fire raged outside the temple. Smoke bathed every inch of his body. The heat of battle put madness in his eyes. Pure pleasure rumbled through him. The lustful rage leaving his presents. There he stood among numerous lifeless bodies. His conquest for Ares another tight grip of chains dropped from his hand. Recognition hit him. There laying among the masses were two familiar figures. One so tiny. Blood sprayed across the ground, on his chest, and face. Their blood. His eyes flung open.

"NO!" he lurked up. Water dripping down his rigid face. His chest heaved in rhythm with his pacing heart.

The booming voice made Atreus and the girl leap from their spot. Both did not expect such a violent reaction. It was a bit childish, but he quickly pointed to the girl. "It wasn't me! She did it!"

"Quick to defend yourself aye?" Mimir teased from his spot.

Atreus cheeks redden by his comment, but he believed this action was never raised his voice unless it was something serious. It seemed like he was very upset, and Atreus wanted it to be know that he didn't cause it.
Kratos craned his neck towards the child. He brought up a shaking hand. It reached for the tiny figure with such uneasiness. The girl took a step forward as if eager to closed the distance between them. The two knew each other Atreus realized. There was such a high tension in the air.

"Τι ψευδαίσθηση είναι αυτή;" in a dark tone Kratos spoke the same langues.

Behind the girl's eyes flicker a hinted of hurt. She took a step back from the upset man.

"Όχι, πατέρα, γύρισα! Δεν είμαι πλέον νεκρή."

"Πώς;"Kratos demanded.

With a small trembling voice, the girl spoke "Δεν θυμάμαι. Ξύπνησα μπροστά σε αυτό το σπίτι, αλλά ήξερα ότι ήσουν εκεί"

Kratos looked at the girl with his normal stoic look. However, his eyes betrayed the conflict and turmoil within. Here stood the thing he lost forever. The very life his selfish desires stripped away. His daughter Calliope.

Translation:

Πατέρα;;; Πατέρα, είμαι σπίτι!
(Father, I am home!)

Πατέρα! Είσαι καλά;!
(Father! Are you ok?!)

Τι ψευδαίσθηση είναι αυτή;
(What illusion is this?)

"Όχι, πατέρα, γύρισα! Δεν είμαι πλέον νεκρή.
(No, father, I am home! I'm no longer dead)

Πώς;
(How?)

Δεν θυμάμαι. Ξύπνησα μπροστά σε αυτό το σπίτι, αλλά ήξερα ότι ήσουν εκεί
(I do not remember. I woke up in front of this house, but I knew you were there)