As the three of them began climbing toward the summit of the mountain, Kratos did not permit Zelos to fly directly upward, even though Zelos could have reached the top with little effort.
Kratos had seen something faint and distant that only he and Zelos seemed capable of perceiving, and because of this, he did not want Zelos to move too far ahead or attract attention.
Zelos, who was floating slightly above the ground while they walked, began noticing the unusual magic gathering near the summit.
There was a presence that shone like the sun, so bright that it was almost blinding, even to him.
Along with that brightness, there were two other presences that felt unstable, like a storm that was slowly building up and preparing to release its strength at any moment.
As they got closer, the three of them started hearing the faint sound of voices echoing from the very top of the mountain.
Zelos reacted immediately and cast a concealment barrier around them, along with a protection barrier layered on top of it.
The concealment made them silent, invisible, and even undetectable, while the protection would lessen the risk if something reached down from the summit.
"Do you two hear those voices?" Atreus asked, lowering his voice even though he was unsure if it mattered.
"Quiet boy," Kratos answered with a serious tone.
"Do not worry. We are inside my concealment spell. Even if you shouted at the top of your lungs, none of them would be able to hear anything," Zelos said. Atreus, curious and wanting to test it, raised his voice and shouted loudly. The spell held, but Kratos was angered by the unnecessary risk.
"Boy," Kratos said sharply, with a glare that made Atreus end his testing immediately, although Kratos did not scold him further.
As they climbed closer, the voices became more audible.
"You know why we are here. My last visit managed to loosen your tongue?" said a voice that Kratos immediately recognized.
The tone, the way of speaking, and the manner of the words all matched Baldur, the same man they had fought and defeated earlier. Kratos turned his head toward Zelos, who floated quietly beside him.
"That sounds exactly like the man who came to our house. I thought you handled him already?" Atreus whispered.
"That is what I thought as well," Zelos answered in a low voice. Kratos made both of them stop speaking so he could focus on the conversation happening above them.
"I see you brought company this time. It must be important if the sons of Thor are willing to show their faces. Tell me, are you two still tripping over yourselves trying to impress your father?" another voice said, and Zelos recognized it immediately as Mimir.
That confirmed that the two other presences watching the summit were Magni and Modi, the sons of Thor.
'An old friend,' Zelos thought, remembering how long it had been since he last talked with Mimir. He had been too busy during their previous journey to speak to him.
"The tattooed man. Tracks show he now travels with another child, not just the magic caster. Where would they go next?" Baldur asked Mimir.
"And why would I know that?" Mimir questioned, clearly annoyed.
"You are the smartest man alive, aren't you?" Magni said to Mimir.
"Smarter than all the dead ones too," Mimir replied in a dry and sarcastic tone.
"You help me, and I will help you. Tell me where they are, and I will talk to Odin about your situation," Baldur said, trying to strike a bargain. Mimir cut him off before he could finish.
"Your father will not release me, Baldur, and he will not let you kill me. You have absolutely nothing to offer. So take your threats, take your questions, take these two worthless wankers, and go away." Mimir insulted all three of them without hesitation, knowing that none of them could harm him without Odin himself allowing it.
"When no one is looking, we will come back for your other eye," Modi said, making a threat that sounded more childish than intimidating.
Baldur looked disappointed with the two brothers and insulted them for their lack of usefulness as the three of them began preparing to leave.
Zelos floated upward to scout them, watching as all three disappeared from sight through a summoning of crows. Zelos recognized that magic instantly.
It belonged to Odin. Because of this, he resummoned several eagles and sent them flying outward, targeting the ravens that were observing the summit.
He then cast a large barrier across the entire area, which served as an anti detection spell, hiding the summit from Odin's ravens and other forms of surveillance.
Kratos finally reached the top, with Zelos and Atreus landing near him once he was safely on the summit.
Mimir, still bound and unable to move, sensed something strange but could not understand what had changed in the environment.
Zelos had improved his concealment magic to such an extent that even someone with Mimir's eyes, knowledge, and awareness could not detect it.
Zelos then released the concealment spell, allowing them to be seen once more. Mimir looked surprised as he noticed the eagles circling around, creatures he had not seen for several days.
"Ah, the very topic of conversation. The tattooed man traveling with a sorcerer child and another child," Mimir said, nodding toward them. Kratos turned toward Atreus, who stood silently beside him.
"Boy, check their trail and be certain we are alone," Kratos ordered. Atreus tried to argue, but Kratos raised his voice, leaving him no choice but to obey. Zelos remained beside his father, watching quietly.
"He does not know what you are," Mimir said to Kratos, already understanding the unspoken tension between Kratos and Atreus, while giving Zelos a knowing look.
"And I would keep it that way. Who are you?" Kratos asked.
Mimir cleared his throat, preparing the same introduction he had always used. Zelos rolled his eyes slightly, recognizing the familiar routine.
"Me? I am the greatest ambassador to the gods, the giants, and every creature in the Nine Realms. I know every corner of these lands, every language ever spoken, every war ever fought, and every deal ever made. They call me Mimir, the smartest man alive, and I have the answer to your every question." Mimir announced proudly.
Before Kratos could reply, Zelos spoke first.
"You still have not changed, Mimir," Zelos said. Mimir turned toward him and smiled.
"Ah, my friend, it has been far too long. I must say, your true form being a child was not something I expected. It surprised me quite a bit," Mimir replied warmly.
He knew Zelos was the one he had communicated with through the eagle form, and realizing that the child standing before him was that same presence amused him greatly.
Kratos looked between the two of them, confused, as Zelos and Mimir spoke with each other in a way that only old acquaintances would.