The blue-skinned dwarf standing before them was none other than Brok, someone Zelos recognized almost immediately.
That distinct skin color was unlike anything found in these realms.
Draugrs had bluish bones, but their flesh was lifeless gray, not vivid blue. Brok's color stood out, and it gave Zelos a sense of familiarity he could not ignore.
His gaze then shifted toward the nearby trees, where the large creature that Brok had been yelling at was half-hidden among the shadows.
"Get up and move your ass! I'll kick you square in the ringer if you don't move! C'moooooon! What're you waitin' for? C'mon already! Let's go! Move!" Brok shouted with irritation, smacking the creature's hindquarters with a loud slap.
His voice echoed through the forested ruins until he finally noticed the group approaching from the trail.
"Can't get this sloe-eyed cocklump to cross the bridge!" Brok grumbled, glaring at the creature while wiping sweat from his forehead. He gave it another slap, though it barely reacted.
"It's because it's scared," Atreus said after observing it for a moment. "Something's hiding in the forest."
He turned toward Kratos to say more, but before he could, Zelos raised his hand calmly.
A faint glow formed around his fingers as he whispered a word. A bright Zoltraak shot forward, striking the creature cleanly in the head.
It collapsed instantly, its massive body hitting the ground with a thunderous sound that shook the planks of the bridge.
"You were right," Kratos said to Atreus, his deep voice steady, as he looked at the fallen beast.
Brok, still holding his whip, turned to them with a puzzled expression. "You must be smart or somethin', boy. You are a boy, right?" he asked, squinting at Atreus.
Atreus simply nodded, unsure what to make of him, while Zelos stood by quietly, watching the exchange with mild amusement. Brok then turned toward Zelos, raising an eyebrow.
"And you," he said, "you're a strange one too. Ain't never seen magic like that before."
Zelos chuckled lightly. "Probably because you don't use this kind of magic."
"Ahhh, must be," Brok replied with a grunt. He turned back toward the creature, giving it another kick. When it still didn't move, Atreus took a step closer.
"Vera Logn," Atreus whispered. The words flowed with quiet confidence. The creature suddenly stirred, rose to its feet, and began walking across the bridge without resistance.
Brok blinked, slightly impressed, his mouth hanging open for a second before he nodded.
"You've got some tricks, kid," Brok muttered. Atreus smiled faintly, patting the creature's neck as they walked together.
Kratos and Zelos followed closely behind, their eyes scanning the surroundings.
"Does it have a name?" Atreus asked, glancing at Brok.
"I don't know. The rude bastard never asked mine, so I never asked hers," Brok replied, his tone half-serious and half-joking.
"Well, what's your name then?" Atreus asked.
"Brok," the dwarf answered proudly. The name carried a weight of craftsmanship and stubbornness.
The group continued across the bridge until Brok walked up beside Kratos, his eyes falling on the axe resting on Kratos' back.
"Say, you're not gonna believe me, but that axe you got there—it was me what made her. Me and my brother. One of our best works, that one. Don't let anyone else mess with her except the two of us. You gotta handle her special, or she'll break beyond fixin'. I can enhance her for you right now, if you'd let me. So, what do you say?"
Kratos kept walking until they crossed the bridge before finally responding. "You are right. I don't believe you." He gestured to Atreus and Zelos. "Come."
Brok frowned, muttering under his breath, then spoke louder. "There's a rune in the shape of a fork—under the grip. Look for it." He raised his hand, showing a faintly glowing symbol burned into his palm.
Kratos paused, turned the axe slightly, and found the exact rune Brok mentioned carved into the handle. His eyes narrowed slightly.
"That was our brand," Brok said, tapping the mark on his hand. "My brother and me, before we split. I got half of it right here. See? Look. You want me to upgrade her or not?"
Kratos studied him for a long moment, then finally said, "Very well. I expect improvement." He handed the axe to Brok, who received it with quiet pride.
As Brok began inspecting the weapon, Atreus stepped closer, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Where's the other half of the brand?"
"My brother's got it," Brok answered, his chest puffed out. "When we split, he took his half, but I got all the talent."
Zelos chuckled quietly, shaking his head. "You're the Brok of the Huldra Brothers, aren't you?"
Brok stopped his work momentarily and looked up. "What do you know about me and my brother?" he asked, curiosity replacing his irritation.
"Not much," Zelos replied. "Only that you two forged Mjolnir, the hammer wielded by one of the Aesir."
Brok smirked slightly. "Yeah, that one. One of our greatest works, but the problem wasn't the hammer—it was the one swinging it. Still, a fine weapon." He struck the axe with his hammer, infusing it with a faint blue glow that coursed through its runes. The weapon shimmered briefly, the edges sharper, the aura stronger.
Kratos accepted the axe back, inspecting it with care. Even without testing it, he could feel the difference.
Zelos nodded approvingly. "A weapon is never evil by itself, only in the hands of those who misuse it. And by the looks of you, it seems you've paid a heavy price for your craft."
Brok blinked. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Zelos turned his eyes toward him. "You're missing part of your soul," he said simply. "That's why your body's turned blue. You share the same hue as the undead, though you still live."
Kratos and Atreus both looked at Brok, visibly surprised. Brok, for his part, froze. "Are you serious?" he finally asked.
"Yes," Zelos said. "Every living being has four parts of the soul. You have only three."
Zelos was about to elaborate further when a low growl echoed from the trees. The same type of creatures they had fought earlier burst from the forest, surrounding them.
Kratos gripped the axe tightly, testing its new edge, while Zelos began casting his spells. Atreus fired his arrows in precise succession, covering his father's flank.
The battle didn't last long. Kratos' swings were sharper, his strikes faster. Zelos' magic lit the battlefield, each Zoltraak vaporizing whatever it touched.
When the last monster fell, Brok stood silently, his expression thoughtful. He had seen Zelos fight, had seen the kind of control he possessed over his magic, and something about it gave him an idea.
As the group began walking away, Brok suddenly called out, "Wait!" He ran toward them, causing Kratos to turn instinctively, though Zelos raised a hand slightly to signal there was no danger.
"Can you complete my soul?" Brok asked, his tone surprisingly earnest.
Zelos smiled faintly. "For a price."
"Name it," Brok said without hesitation.
"I want to learn the magic your kind uses to travel between realms," Zelos said calmly. "As a dwarf, I assume you know it."
"That's it?" Brok asked, surprised by the simplicity of the request.
"That's it," Zelos replied. "Unless you'd like to offer more, but my price has already been set."
Brok crossed his arms, thinking for a moment. His eyes shifted to Atreus, who stood nearby holding his bow. "Alright," Brok said finally. "Complete this job for me, and I'll rework this boy's bow so it doesn't need arrows anymore."
"Then we have a deal," Zelos said, summoning a large circular pattern of light beneath their feet. The intricate design resembled a transmutation circle, its lines pulsing with energy. Brok and Zelos stood opposite each other, one on the northern line and the other on the southern.
"I, Zelos, vow to restore Brok's missing soul in exchange for his teachings of dwarven realm magic and the enhancement of Atreus' bow," Zelos declared. His side of the circle began to glow.
"I, Brok, vow to teach Zelos dwarven realm magic and enchant the boy's bow in exchange for the return of my soul," Brok said firmly. Half of the circle lit up, and the light converged in the center before expanding outward. For several moments, the glow filled the forest, then faded completely.
When it was done, Zelos raised his right arm, revealing a glowing mark etched into his skin. Brok removed one of his gloves and saw the same mark mirrored on his palm.
"The vow is sealed," Zelos said calmly. "It will remain until our agreement is complete. The mark also allows me to sense your soul, ensuring it doesn't wander too far. Farewell for now, Brok."
Zelos turned away, and Kratos began walking as well. Atreus lingered for a moment, giving Brok one last glance before following them down the trail.
"I can't believe you got a dwarf to enhance my weapon," Atreus said as they walked.
"It was unnecessary," Kratos replied bluntly.
"I know," Zelos said with a small smile. "But I wanted to help him. After all, he forged the weapon that mother passed down to you father."
Kratos fell silent, saying nothing more as they continued their journey beneath the quiet canopy of trees, their footsteps fading into the distance.