Returning from the hunting trip, and the encounter with the trolls and draugers so close to home. Kratos watched a quiet Atreus walking ahead to the cabin while glancing at Elio who was snapping his fingers to make fire from the sheer boredom, he noticed Kratos's stare as he flinched, stopping putting his hands in his pockets. Once they made it to the door, Kratos stepped ahead, opening the door.

Kratos: Inside boys.

The two slowly walked in, as Kratos walked to the now burnt and ashy grave he gave his loved one, reaching into his back pocket, he pulled out a satchel gathering all the ashes of her that he could fit in the bag, tightly closing it. As he looked at her grave making what looked like a sad face, one of mourning letting himself kneel in front of the fire for a bit.

Inside the shed, Atreus threw his bow on the bed, as Elio put his chained swords on its holder as he stretched, noticing Atreus wiping his eyes.

Atreus: It's not fair.

Elio noticed this sitting next to him but keeping a distance from him.

Elio: Come on, spill it out for me.

Atreus (Glanced at Elio): You know why I'm mad, I was just trying to defend us and this is what I get?

Elio: I get that bud, but at the last minute you lashed out on a dead body, dude was already finished man. (Gently pulls Atreus close) You just gotta better control those emotions, know what I do about those things?

Atreus glanced up at him as Elio smiled a bit.

Elio: Whenever I feel that rush, it's better to put that aggression in the back of the mind, and only use it when I'm fighting, but in a creative way. Like if I get angry when fighting, I'll get sloppy and then boom get another scar, so uh maybe try to put that into fighting but not in a reckless way.

Atreus: So, control them and only let them out in a safe way?

Elio chuckled, messing with his hair, making his brother grunt a bit.

Elio: See, you're finally learning.

Atreus and Elio shared a light chuckled together, when the door opened. Kratos walked in as the two stopped messing around, Kratos stared at Elio as he sighed standing up getting out of his way chilling on his bed.

Kratos: You lost control.

Atreus: T-that thing was trying to kill us, it's not like you don't get angry in a fight.

Kratos: Anger can be a weapon, if you control it, use it despite your brother explaining it to you, you clearly can't control it. When you lose-.

Atreus: I haven't been sick in a long time, I'm fine.

Kratos looked at Atreus nodding his head a bit, as he got low making eye contact with Atreus, then he put his hands up making them flat, Elio's eyes widened a bit knowing what this was.

Kratos: Come on then.

Atreus: You want me to hit you?

Kratos: I want you to try!

Atreus shrugged, balling his fist going for a punch to one of Kratos's hand but it was suddenly slapped away.

Atreus (Groaned): Ow! What are you-?

Kratos: Try again.

Trying to calm down, he tries to swing at the other hand but once again, it is slapped away making Atreus stand up frustrated.

Atreus: Why are you doing that?

Kratos: Too slow, try again.

Atreus threw a faster punch, but Kratos slapped it away again.

Atreus: Cut it out!

Kratos: Too weak! Again!

Atreus put his more speed and strength into the punch but still got his hand slapped away.

Atreus: Stop it!

Kratos: Again!

Atreus put his all into his last punch but Kratos moved his hands out of the way as Atreus stumbled onto the ground coughing hard holding his stomach a bit, Elio was about to get up but Kratos stopped him firmly grabbing Atreus's arm.

Kratos: Your anger, you can get lost in it. The path ahead is (Yank Atreus looking into his eyes) difficult! And you Atreus are clearly not ready. (Glanced at Elio) Meet me outside, we will finalize your training.

Elio: Y-yes sir.

Kratos let go of Atreus who was furious about the situation, Elio felt a bit bad for his brother, but part of him knew it was for his lesson, he was about to grab his swords when the house began to rumble.

Atreus: What is that?

Kratos: Quiet,

Then a loud knocking sound was heard from the door, Kratos marched over to the door but kept his distance, as Elio got in front of Atreus in a protective way.

???: Come on out, there's no use hiding anymore. I know who you are

Atreus: What's going on, do you know him?

Elio (Sarcastic): Oh yeah, because our father totally knows someone who made the damn house shake!

???: More importantly, I know what you are!

Kratos: Boys, underneath the floor, now!

Atreus: But you told us to never go down there! Who is that!?

Kratos: I do not know! Elio, watch over Atreus, I will see who this stranger is!

Elio: G-got it.

Kratos moves the rug away and lifts the floor below revealing a secret hidden hiding place as he looks at the two.

Kratos: Get in.

The two jumped in as Kratos closed the door and threw down the rug back down hiding his sons. Standing up, he marches to the door cautiously.

???: Just tell me what I want to know, no need for this to get bloody.

Kratos twisted the handle and swung the door open revealing a man with tattoos on his body. Kratos stood near the door, looking closely at this skinny stranger.

Stranger: I'd thought you'd be bigger, but you're definitely the one. Long way from home, aren't you?

Kratos: What do you want?

Stranger: You already know the answer to that.

Kratos: Whatever it is you seek, I do not have it. You should move on.

Stranger: Here I thought your kind was supposed to be so enlightened, so much better than us. So much smarter. Yet you hide out here in the woods.

Kratos got close to the strangers in his face being the taller person.

Kratos: You do not want this fight.

Stranger: Oh, I'm pretty sure I do.

The Stranger slapped Kratos with a nasty backhand. Kratos endured the slap and just glared at him.

Kratos (Stern): Leave. My. Home.

Stranger: You're going to have to kill me for that to happen.

The Stranger then punched Kratos in the face, then in the stomach and chin. Kratos notices another punch and grabs it, twisting the fist.

Kratos: I warned you.

Stranger: Finally.

Kratos then punched the Stranger hard knocking him back rolling on the ground groaning but also sounding disappointed, he mumbled and words like no and how were heard from him.

Kratos: You would not listen!

Kratos then walked over to the stranger who just continued to mumble even when Kratos grabbed the stranger's arm picking him up.

Stranger: Fine, my turn.

Before Kratos could even react, the Stranger performed an uppercut on Kratos's chin knocking him high into the sky over his own house into the backyard.

Stranger: Check the house, I'll handle the "ghost".

The Stranger jumped over to where he launched Kratos as a while water like tendril crept to the house.

Kratos recovered from the blow, shocked that the stranger hit harder than he expected. He looked up and rolled out of the way avoiding a knee to the face regaining his footing.

Stranger: How incredibly disappointing, Come on then!

Kratos kept his cold face and took out his axe analyzing his foe, The stranger moved at a fast zig zag movement which Kratos reacted to using his shield to block and Spartan kick the Stranger into multiple trees making him skid on the ground, The Stranger recovered, and glowed blow and an ice shockwave made its way to Kratos who dodged to the side only to get punched in the face sending him into the boulders behind him. He groaned and threw his axe at him going deep into his skin, yet he didn't go down so easily, this man had great speed, strength and was durable enough to take a blow from his leviathan axe.

Stranger: You bore me!

Kratos growled in annoyance and blocked another punch from the Stranger, called back his axe and used it to strike the stranger launching him in the air and then grabbed his leg and threw him into a boulder. From the dust the stranger punched Kratos across the face.

Meanwhile, in the house, Atreus looked nervous which Elio noticed thinking for a bit.

Elio: Hey, don't worry man. Dad's got this. (Hears Kratos grunting outside) Just might uh take a few minutes.

Atreus: I-I know, just worried I guess.

Above them, the water-like tendril hovered into the house scanning around like it was looking for something, when it heard mumbling under the rug, it quietly floated to it slowly taking off the rug.

Elio: Look, as long as I'm with you, nothing will happen. I got your bac-

Suddenly, the water tendril shoots through the top and wraps around Elio as he was pulled out of hiding only for Atreus to watch in horror. Elio was thrown into the wall, then pulled out onto the snowy ground, Atreus quickly grabbed the rug from the hole covering him. Elio groaned, shaking his head standing up, feeling the water whip unwrap around his leg, before seeing the person in front of him, he wore what looked like black and dark blue armor, with a metal mouth mask, and sharp blades on his arms.

Elio (Notices water whip): Oh, just my luck. First strange dude now I gotta fight a water boy.

The boy just stood there, before turning his whip into icicles daggers throwing them at Elio, he dodged the first one, then grabbed the second one burning it with his palm. He balled his fist, as fire burst from his feet as he launched himself at the Water boy kicking him in the chin, then making a fire blast from his palm launching himself above the water boy kicking him at the top of his head making him tumble into a tree. Elio lands on the snow looking at the recovering foe.

Elio: See, now you done fucked up!

Elio made two fireballs, throwing them at the figure, who made a orb of water, throwing it faster than Elio expected as he moved his head out of the way, only for the orb to completely destroy the tree behind him. He glanced at it, before looking forward seeing a ice dagger about to stab him, but he grabbed the wrist, twisting it as he jumped into the air going for a fire kick, but the foes twisted wrist, regenerated back making a water shield, blocking the kick, as he pulled Elio close shooting a water beam on his chest sending him flying to the back of the house, as the figure turned into water following Elio.

Kratos was launched to the top of the roof with the stranger trying to choke him

Stranger: Tell me what I want, and the pain stops real soon.

The Stranger tried to punch Kratos in the face but missed and broke the roof of his house making a hole. The stranger notices three beds yet only remembers Kratos.

Stranger: Why are there three beds and not just one

Kratos yells and manages to overpower the Stranger by getting on top of him and pounding his face in getting blood on his fists with this skinny boy trying to block the blows from Kratos.

Kratos: Leave. My. HOME!

Kratos smashed the Stranger through the roof, the Stranger recovered and picked up Kratos, suplexed him and then kicked him away near a tree.

Stranger: Struck a nerve, did I?

Kratos used the broken tree and smacked the stranger away and then rammed him all the way into another boulder, but the Stranger used his elbows and slammed them into the back of Kratos making him bend on his knees.

Stranger: Slow and Old, you should have never come to Midgard.

The Stranger slowly started to heal from his injuries and lightly chuckled.

Stranger: Care to try again?

Kratos: You talk too much

Kratos managed to land a punch to the stomach and ribs, The Stranger switched them around unleashing a flurry of weak yet oddly strong blows and then dodged a blow to the head and knocked Kratos deep into a pile of rocks.

Stranger: You won't talk?! Fine, maybe that orange haired kid of yours will tell me who's in that house.

Kratos felt a powerful anger rise inside him and unlocked his spartan rage bursting through the rocks and punched the stranger into a tree, punching him hard enough to break the tree, Kratos grabbed the man and tossed him to the side, used the already broken tree and used it as a spear to ram it into the Stranger and making him go through many rocks taking their battle elsewhere.

In the back of the house, Elio was lifted into the air by a water whip, then was thrown through three trees. He stopped looking up seeing a barrage of ice arrows aimed at him, as Elio made fire blades, dodging the ones he could, and the ones that got too close, he cut them with his blade, getting closer to the foe, they quickly tried to shoot water at him, but Elio pushed the hand down kneeing him in the face. He lands on the ground as they start boxing, Elio blocking two jabs, leaning away from a right hook, going for a kick that the foe blocks, as Elio spins his body getting his elbow blocked, quickly turning around, they throw punches at the face and stomach that they either block or dodge, as Elio blocks an elbow, pushing him back, blocking a knee as the two clash kicks multiple times, before they turned around, Elio's fist coated in fire, and the foe's coated in water clashing fists making a huge misty explosion, once it cleared, the two's fist collided still enveloped in their elemental power.

Elio: What the heck do you want from us, what did we ever do to you!?

The foe said nothing, actually now that Elio had a better look at him, his eyes seemed lifeless, dull like it wasn't actually him fighting, Elio's eyebrow raised.

Elio: That doesn't look right.

The foe made a second water fist, that Elio leaned under, putting both hands to the ground kicking him in the stomach stunning him, then spun in the air kicking him into the back of the house, he saw Elio running at him as he dodged his fist, putting his hand on Elio's chest and made a ice shard stab him in the stomach, Elio grunted before being grabbed by the face and thrown into the air, with a water blast launching him tumbling onto the ground. Elio saw blood dripping from his chest, as he took a deep breath allowing him to heal as the wound would slowly close, he dodged another water blast. Hiding behind a tree, trying to make a plan.

Elio: Can't risk being too far from him, but he doesn't really handle close combat. Just gotta get in close.

Elio's hands caught on fire again, as he turned around grabbing the tree picking it out the ground, swinging it, but the foe leaped over it, turning around seeing four fireballs coming at him as he makes a water shield to block the attacks, small mist appearing around him, he lowered the shield glancing around for Elio, seeing a shadow move in front of him as he thrusted his ice dagger at him but ended up stabbing a log, Elio appeared behind him, making a fire hammer bashing him in the side of the head twisting his head as he spun launched into a boulder. Elio panted seeing him down, as he wobbly stood up wiping his mouth.

Elio: Yeah, hahaha! Aw yeah suck it you kiddy pool jackass!

Elio let out a few more laughs before calming down, walking up to the body. Seeing just how far he twisted his neck, he turned around readjusting his shoulder, when he heard movement, right when he turned around, a water fist smashed with his face launching him onto the roof to the cabin, he groaned holding his nose, stumbling to his feet as he glanced down seeing the snap his neck back into place and his dull eyes stared into Elio's.

Elio: What in the actual fu-.

The ground shook as the two glanced over to the mountain where Kratos and the Stranger are fighting.

Elio: Dad!

Elio gritted his teeth, when he glanced back down to his main foe, he looked frozen as his dull eyes made contact with Elio as he turned back into water and flew past Elio flying off away from the fighting. Elio wipes his mouth as he quickly jumps off the roof and runs back into the cabin, lifting the rug looking through the hole, Atreus unharmed.

Elio: Lil bro!

Atreus: Elio! (runs to the hole) w-what was that thing?

Elio: Eh, little water boy. I handled him no problem heh.

Another loud boom went off as Elio glanced back out the door, he glanced at his chain swords before looking back at Atreus.

Elio: Imma go help father, you stay right here.

Atreus (Getting close to the hole): You know father will be mad right.

Elio: Eh, already got my ass kicked earlier, his scolding will be a small risk lil bud. (Grabs the rug) Be back soon.

Elio threw the rug on the hole, as he grabbed his chain swords, putting them on his back, as he used his fire to fly to where Kratos and the Stranger were.

Kratos dodged a right hook from the Stranger and countered with his axe swinging hitting the chin of the stranger and then pulled him to him and grabs his face slamming him to the ground punching him multiple time in the face and then threw him into the air, grabbed his leg and slammed him multiple times on the ground. The Stranger recovered and delivered a right hook to the jaw. He kicked Kratos in the chin, then leapt into the air and kneed him in the nose, trying to tackle Kratos. But before he could, a fireball knocked the stranger back, Kratos on the ground looked confused when he saw Elio through his blurry vision.

Elio: Father, Father are you okay?

Kratos (Confused): Boy, what are you doing here?!

Elio: Oh well funny story, I was getting my ass kicked by a water dude who I'm guessing is friend with (Points at the Stranger) that guy and I checked up on lil bro, he's okay, then came to you and saw you getting pieced up and boom here we are. (Thinks) T-that's about it to be hone-.

Kratos: This is my fight boy, go back home.

Elio: Oh, so those lil blood spots are just for show. (Gets in front of Kratos) Besides, I'll just slow him down long enough for you to finish it.

Before Kratos could argue, the Stranger ran at Elio, who did the same as he flips into the air bringing his foot down, putting his hand back to boost himself to the Stranger for an axe kick that gets blocked.

Stranger: Oh, but your father is right boy. You might have the power to fight. (Grips foot) But not much experience.

The stranger then slammed Elio to the ground, as the boy quickly turned around, sending fire to the Strangers face, yet he looked unaffected, throwing Elio into a wall. He looked up seeing a punch coming his way as he dodged it, kneeing the stranger. Then put his hand on the stranger's chest making a fire blast making him slide back, as Elio took out his chain swords thrusting the left one at him, stabbing into his chest, pulling him close for a double kick to the face.

Stranger (Bored): Nothing, still nothing!

Elio was about to question him when he was pushed back, only to be grabbed by the face and slammed into the snowy ground, only to get hit with a right hook, all the way to a ten-piece combo. He put his hands u Kratos finally gets back up seeing his son getting cooked, he let balls his fist sprinting, the Stranger turned around to see Kratos glaring at him activating his spartan rage delivering a right hook to the chin and unleashed a flurry of punches each on breaking the Stranger. One right hook sent the Stranger to the ground and Kratos slid down and put his hand on the stranger's head getting ready to snap it.

Stranger: I thought out of all the people I've faced, you would be the one who would make me feel something, but you can't.

Kratos had enough and simply snapped his neck "Killing" The stranger, he pushed him off the cliff making him fall to his death. Kratos panted tired from the long fight, he slowly got up limping to Elio who slowly rose from the snow, with a bloody nose, and blood leaking from his mouth, he stood up wiping the blood off.

Elio: See, that wasn't s-so bad.

Elio stumbled a bit but Kratos gently held his shoulder helping him walk.

Kratos: That was reckless. Don't ever do that again, I might not be there to save you. (Recalls his axe) You need to think.

Elio (Sighs): Yes Father.

Kratos and Elio limped back home as the wounds they had slowly healed.

Kratos (Thoughts): Feye, what do I do? Atreus is not ready. Elio barely won his first real fight and still lacks some training. I fear that we are not ready. I do not know how to do this without you.

Thw two slowly made it to the house, as Elio put his hand out opening the door as they both entered, Kratos went to the hidden floor, removing the rug and opening it showing Atreus. Atreus came out relieved to see his brother and father, relieved that they were okay.

Atreus: I heard your screams, and I thought you.... I-I'm glad you both are alright.

Kratos: Yes, we're alright.

Elio: Hey, I told you I would bring father back safe and sound. (Pats his head) And I delivered.

Kratos: Boys, grab what you need, we're leaving.

Atreus: What? I thought I wasn't ready.

Kratos: You aren't, but we have no choice now.

Elio: But if we stay here, more of those strange powered freaks might come back. So, best to just go on the road.

Elio said, picking up his water flask as Atreus picked up his bow, the two walked to the door as Kratos just the rug back down on the hidden room.

Kratos: (Looks at Atreus) Prove me wrong.

Atreus: Yes Sir!

Kratos stood up as his two sons walked outside, Kratos stood by the entrance taking a deep breath before sighing and opening the door as he set out along with his sons as the screen goes black.

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Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter, expect TMNT updates soon.