As the objectives in the realm of Alfheim were finally completed, the group of four decided to make their way back to the platform with the sand bowl and return to Midgard.
With Atreus' bowstrings now infused with the Light of Alfheim, their journey back became noticeably easier.
The radiant energy flowing through the bow allowed them to activate light bridges that were previously unusable, granting them access to several shortcuts.
Because of this, Zelos did not need to carry them by flight anymore, which was a welcome relief for all of them.
"I'm a bit disappointed that our time together will be cut short. You're not planning to join us on the rest of our journey, are you?" Zelos asked Freya, walking beside her while Kratos and Atreus led ahead.
The father and son were having a quiet discussion of their own, and both Zelos and Freya instinctively slowed their pace, sensing the faint tension between the two.
"We will meet again, I am certain of that. Besides, you and I still have our discussion about magic waiting, do we not?" Freya replied, smiling faintly as she reminded Zelos of the promise they had made not too long ago.
"I'm looking forward to that," Zelos said with a grin that seemed both genuine and tired.
"Once our mission is over, perhaps we can spend some time together properly. I'd like to understand you more, and maybe learn something that isn't written in any grimoire."
Freya chuckled softly at that, her eyes briefly softening. "Then I suppose that is something to look forward to."
As they continued their walk across the light bridges, they began encountering groups of Dark Elves marching in formation. They seemed to be parading in victory, which made it clear that the war had reached its end.
Many of the Light Elves were still alive, though their numbers were significantly reduced, and most were captured and bound.
Atreus watched the scene with visible discomfort, his hands tightening on his bow, but he chose not to speak. His silence carried more weight than his words could have.
Eventually, they reached their boats. Kratos and Atreus boarded one, while Freya and Zelos took the other.
As they began to row through the glowing rivers of Alfheim, Freya shared some of her past experiences in the realm—stories of when she last visited, and how the balance between the Light and Dark had once been more stable.
Zelos listened quietly, occasionally asking questions, but mostly allowing her to speak.
Meanwhile, in the other boat, Kratos and Atreus had a much heavier exchange. The tension that had been brewing between them finally broke.
Atreus had asked if his father had seen his mother within the Light, a question that Kratos answered coldly, his tone carrying nothing but restraint.
"Not that you care anyway," Atreus muttered bitterly, his voice loud enough for both Freya and Zelos to hear across the faint distance.
His tone was sharp, filled with resentment and frustration. He truly believed that his father didn't care about anything—that Kratos' silence meant apathy.
"MIND YOUR TONGUE, BOY!" Kratos roared, his patience snapping as he grabbed Atreus by the shoulders. The raw emotion in his voice startled everyone, even Freya, who looked over briefly. Atreus froze, his anger quickly turning into fear.
Kratos' grip loosened, and his expression shifted. He took a slow breath, forcing his tone to calm. "Until our journey is done, one of us must remain focused. Do not mistake my silence for lack of grief. Mourn in your way, and leave me to mine."
The sudden change in Kratos' tone silenced the boy. His father's words pierced through his anger, leaving him with realization instead.
"I'm sorry… I didn't realize," Atreus said quietly, guilt in his voice.
"No. Why would you?" Kratos replied, his voice steady now. "You do not know my ways. This journey has not been easy, and you are not the only one who feels the loss of your mother. But I have a duty to see our mission through."
His words lingered in the air, sinking deep into Atreus' heart. Zelos, who had been listening silently, lowered his gaze.
He could see the truth that Kratos carried—the weight of years spent suppressing emotion, the heavy grief buried beneath duty.
It was a reflection of something Zelos understood far too well. He too had lost something that had changed him slowly, over time, until the person he once was no longer existed.
Freya noticed the shift in Zelos' expression and reached out, gently taking his hand. He looked at her, momentarily startled, only to meet her warm and understanding smile. It offered him a small comfort, one that words could not.
The rest of the boat ride continued in silence, a calm but heavy quiet that no one wished to disturb.
Atreus sat beside his father, contemplative. Kratos kept his eyes forward. Freya enjoyed the serenity of the moment, while Zelos allowed himself to relax, appreciating the stillness before their next trial.
After several minutes of rowing, they finally reached the shore near Sindri's workshop. As they stepped out of the boats, Sindri greeted them in his usual wary tone, though his attention quickly turned toward Freya.
He noticed something different in her essence—something subtle yet profound. Being attuned to the workings of energy and essence himself, he sensed a quiet transformation within her.
Sindri gave her a knowing smile before his eyes shifted briefly toward Zelos, recognizing another layer of power that wasn't there before.
The four continued walking until they reached the Bifrost bridge. Kratos approached the central device without hesitation. The bridge was already open, its structure dormant but ready. He took out the crystal that contained the Light of Alfheim and placed it carefully into the slot, just as he had done before.
The bridge responded immediately, absorbing the energy that radiated from the Light.
The mechanism came alive with a low hum, and the runes began to glow as the bridge powered up, its ancient magic weaving itself through the chamber.
Kratos turned the wheel to adjust the destination, setting it toward Midgard.
As the bridge began to spin, the world around them started to shift once more.
Freya and Zelos exchanged a final glance—hers calm and reassuring, his mixed with gratitude and curiosity.
Then, as the light faded and the familiar cold air of Midgard returned, the roots that formed the bridge guided them to the exit door.
When they stepped through, they found themselves before Brok's workshop. Kratos, Atreus, and Zelos approached the dwarf, while Freya quietly turned away, heading toward her cabin without a word.
She did not want to say goodbye, especially since she hoped this parting would not be their last.
Brok looked up from his workbench, his expression as foul-tempered as ever. "What the fuck do you lot want now?" he said, his gravelly voice echoing across the forge.
Zelos couldn't help but let out a small laugh under his breath. They were finally back in Midgard.