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Our Circumstances
Kratos gasped, snapping awake. He sat up in a shot.
“We’re back outside!” Mimir noted.
Freya marched over with the Shield Maidens behind her. Kratos wasn’t used to the feeling of about to be chastised. But he knew this was one of those moments.
“You marched into Valhalla without even talking to us first?!” Freya shouted. “More, without talking to me!”
“Nice to see you too, my lady!” Mimir said as Sigrun picked him up.
“It was a personal matter,” Kratos said to Freya. “And I would not take you from your duties.”
“You breached Valhalla!” Freya argued. “Consider it worth my time. This entrance is secret! Who told you of this place?”
Kratos retrieved a letter from his pouch, then presented it to Freya, “Nailed to our door. Three days ago.”
Freya snatched the letter from his hands, “How many things are nailed to our door you haven’t told me about?”
“This is the only time.”
“It had better be.” Freya read the letter, “‘Kratos of Sparta, you are hereby invited to a challenge.’” She glared at Kratos, not even attempting to hide her disappointment or irritation.
Kratos couldn’t ignore either if he tried. Even Mimir and the Shield Maidens felt the danger in Freya’s glare.
Freya went back to the letter, “‘Face the past to face the future. Master Valhalla, master thyself.’ And… then directions here. No signature.”
“Who else knows of this entrance?” Kratos asked.
“Odin,” Sigrun answered. “And us. It’s likely a trap.”
Freya looked back at Kratos, “You’re thinking of going back in.”
“Would you join me?” Kratos asked.
Freya exhaled and shook her head. “I can’t. Unlike you two,” she motioned towards Mimir, “I’ve never died.”
Kratos looked at the gate again, “What happens if I return inside?”
“Well, that depends on you,” Freya turned to the gate. “Valhalla draws from the memories of those who enter. In there, you’re an open book.” She looked at Kratos again, “Are you sure you want to go back in?”
Grunting, Kratos nodded.
Sigrun walked up, “How did you even get past the gate?”
“I forced it open.”
Freya stared at Kratos in shock.
“With his bare hands,” Mimir added.
Freya rolled her eyes and threw her hand up, listlessly, “He forced it open!”
“There’s an easier way, if you insist on going back in,” Sigrun declared.
“Before that,” Freya looked at the Shield Maidens and Mimir, then motioned towards Kratos, “may we have a moment?”
After they all walked away, Mimir mentioning something to Sigrun that Kratos took note of, Kratos looked at Freya, “You’re angry with me.”
“Disturbed, yes. Angry… yes. In fact, I am.”
“Freya—”
“I’m not saying I don’t understand when you need your space. Time to yourself. After all… our relationship can still be considered new. But this? This… this is different, Kratos! Far different!”
“I know.”
“Valhalla is essential. Dangerous. And nothing to be trifled with. Marching here without so much as a conversation with me is… hurtful. In many ways.”
“I understand. And I apologize for my actions and how they hurt you. It was never my intention.”
Freya stared at him, placing her hands on her hips. “Do you know how hard it is to argue with you when you know you’re wrong, accept my anger, and sincerely apologize?”
“To a degree,” Kratos admitted.
Freya took a deep breath and exhaled. “Kratos…”
“I apologize for keeping this from you, Freya. But… the message. Its timing… I must see this through.”
“I understand that. And the absolute only reason I’m not stopping you… is because I trust you.”
“Thank you.”
“But I must know,” Freya continued, “why didn’t you just tell me?”
“I had to know why this message was sent,” Kratos answered. “And… if it was dangerous… I did not want to risk your safety.”
Freya exhaled and rolled her eyes.
“Freya…”
“I don’t blame you for seeking answers. I would probably do the same. I’m angry you didn’t tell me.”
“I understand.”
“And I’m more than capable of taking care of my own safety, thank you very much. But… it is… thoughtful… you care so much.” Freya sighed. She looked back at him. “Is this also by my proposal?”
“Yes,” Kratos confirmed.
“So, that’s what this is about? Does this mean you’re considering it?”
“It does.”
Freya exhaled. “Alright. I suppose… that can assuage my anger. To a point.”
“I am grateful.”
“I’ll let you continue to think. And eagerly await your answer.”
“Will my answer…” Kratos stopped, “effect… our circumstances?”
Freya couldn’t help but let a small smile appear on her face. She stepped closer and kissed him on the cheek. “No. That won’t change, regardless.”
A While Later.
“You’re saying he sent the invitation in first place?” Freya asked Sigrun.
Kratos awoke outside of Valhalla, getting to his feet.
“Yes,” Sigrun answered. “And look! I think Kratos may have survived that time.”
Freya turned to him, “So, it’s Týr’s game you’re playing? This is all his idea?”
“A game is not his purpose,” Kratos countered. “There is something here I must see through.”
“And what is that exactly?”
“A… process.”
Freya wanted to argue further but sighed. “Alright. If it’s helping. I trust you both.”
“We all do,” Sigrun added. “As we trust in Valhalla.”
“Even after what it did to you?” Freya asked her.
“I knew the rules and chose to break them. I regret nothing.”
Freya nodded, understandingly. She looked at Kratos, “A word?”
Kratos nodded. He handed Mimir to Sigrun. Kratos and Freya walked off to the side. They faced each other and Freya sighed. She took hold of Kratos’s hands. He looked into Freya’s eyes, seeing great emotion in them.
“Are you alright?” Freya asked, affectionately.
“Hrm,” Kratos grunted. “I… am slowly trying to determine that.”
Freya exhaled and nodded. “I know you have a great deal on your mind, much to consider. Whatever this process is… please, don’t forget that I am here. Whenever you need. In any way you need.”
“I know. And thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Do what you must. I’ll be here… when you’re ready.”
Kratos nodded.
Freya stared at him for a moment. “I know you don’t care for open affection and I’ve already broken that rule before. But…” She stepped forward and kissed him.
Kratos didn’t get upset. He felt no need to nor did he want to. Her affection was comforting.
Freya pulled back, gazing into his eyes and whispering, “I’m here.”
“I know,” he replied. “Thank you.”
Much Later.
Kratos exited the gate with the Leviathan Axe over his shoulder. He took the Axe in both hands and exhaled. He felt a peace he didn’t expect, one he never thought he’d have. He saw paths he didn’t know were possible. And a future he didn’t know he wanted until he could finally see it and all the good that could come with it. He placed the Axe back on the hook and headed for the shore, being congratulated by Eir and Gunnr along the way.
Sigrun and Freya looked up to see Kratos approach. “Look who’s returning from the gate for once,” Sigrun declared. “Something must have happened in there.”
“I take it this is a good sign?” Freya asked.
“Freya,” Kratos began.
Freya took note of Kratos’ tone. It was different.
“I will join you. I will join the council. I will try to be what the people need. And what you need.”
Freya’s eyes slowly widened.
Mimir couldn’t stop smiling.
“Well…” Freya tried to clear her throat and failed. “I…” She tried again, succeeding this time. “Good. I’m, uh… glad to hear it.” She exhaled in relief, “I’m very pleased to hear that… and th-that you found what you needed here.”
“I could not have done so without my friends.” Kratos paused. “Without you.”
Freya’s eyes widened again, and she couldn’t stop the blush from blazing on her face.
“I am grateful.”
Freya suddenly found herself unable to find words.
Sigrun smiled, knowingly, glad that her helmet prevented the smile from being visible. “Valhalla is at your disposal, Kratos. If you have more you wish to work out, now or later, we will heed the call.”
“Thank you, Sigrun,” Kratos nodded. He looked back at Freya. “May we speak in private?”
Freya nodded, almost absentmindedly, still dealing with the effects of Kratos’ compliment. Mimir was smiling, coyly.
After Kratos handed Mimir to Sigrun, he led Freya around a corner to another part of the shore, surrounded by rocks and away from prying eyes. While in Valhalla, there was one more conversation that took place between himself, Mimir, and Týr.
About Freya. And what she truly meant to Kratos.
Freya was still in stupor when she looked at Kratos. “What—uh… is something wrong?”
Kratos took a breath. “Wrong? No.” This time, he took hold of her hands.
Freya found herself, once again, unable to find words.
“Freya. We… have much to learn with our relationship and all that it entails. But… I want to make things clear.”
Freya was lost in the look in his eyes, nodding absentmindedly.
“I have much to understand within myself,” Kratos admitted. “Much to overcome. But… I want and need you to understand… that you have become more important than I can explain.”
Freya couldn’t even breathe normally. But for all of the right reasons.
“I love you, Freya. And I thank you… for everything. Including being patient with me. I truly wish for our love to grow.”
Freya couldn’t take it anymore. She rushed forward and kissed Kratos, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him closer. Kratos took hold of Freya’s hips, pulling her even closer. Their kiss lasted a while before they stopped. They kept their foreheads pressed against one another, taking deep breaths.
“Thank you, Kratos,” Freya whispered. “All you said… I’ll never forget it. It… if you only knew… how that made me feel. I… I’m… happy.” She smiled then laughed in relief and joy, tears beginning to fall, “By the gods, I’m happy!”
Kratos let a slight grin show on his face. “In this moment… so am I.”