12 Strange Absence

A goblin screeches with its jagged teeth baring towards a certain boy, quickly met by an arrow between the eyes. Atreus stands and turns, looking back at his father, and the Loki Familia in tow. Kratos nods as Atreus looks to him, "Good. You are learning quicker than before," he says.

With a balloon of pride rising within him, Atreus smiles, "Thank you, father," he responds.

"So... Why do you want him to fight alone? That seems a little dangerous," Riveria says, stepping forward along with Kratos.

The party follows behind with Atreus leading them. Kratos glances at Riveria, "A warrior must learn to fight alone... The boy will have a never-ending battle with all manner of danger, and I may not be present during those times," he says with brown eyes set to Atreus.

After Atreus had decided to try and talk his way out of the dire situation on the thirteenth floor, Riveria and the rest agreed, opting to guide the duo to the Twilight Manor, the home of the Loki Familia. Though a certain Werewolf seemed less than happy to bring the gods to their home.

Riveria nods as Kratos finishes his words, "That is... Wise. I don't know if I would be able to do the same with my own child," she says.

Kratos hums, nodding as he walks along the first floor of the dungeon. The group soon reaches the looming entrance, traveling along in silence as the collection of boots to stone echos through the room. Kratos and Atreus walk before the Loki Familia, and the entire party stares at one thing.

"What're you wankers staring at?" Mimir says with vexation leaking from his voice.

"…It talks?" Ais says, her head tilted to the side.

"Maybe it's some kind of resurrection magic? I didn't think that existed though," Riveria chimes in with furrowed brows.

"It's none-of-your-damn-business magic!" Mimir retorts, earning a collectively bewildered expression from the ones before him.

"It must suck to not be able to piss!" Bete cackles alone.

"It must suck to have a superiority complex, wanker!" Mimir retorts again.

"What did you say? You fucking severed head!" Bete is held back by Ais as he attempts to attack a man that has no way to defend himself.

Mimir wheezes as he watches the Werewolf struggle against Ais' hand, "That's right, you dog! I haven't even had a conversation with you and I can tell you're a sorry case!" He says.

Suddenly, Mimir feels a hand on him. He's brought before the furrowed brows of Kratos, "Quiet, head. Do not antagonize these people," he says.

Mimir scoffs, "Sorry, brother. It's just so easy," he says, "The intelligence level in this world is... abysmal."

Kratos hums, replacing Mimir as his hip. The Celtic Faerie's eyes suddenly meet the brown eyes of Tiona, "So... Who are you?" she asks, leaning forward with her hands tucked behind her.

"My name is Mimir, ma'am. Smartest man alive," Mimir responds.

Tiona giggles, "Smartest man alive?" she says.

"Mhmm, I can tell a few stories if we have time," Mimir says.

Suddenly, a mischievous smile plasters to Tiona's face as she glances at the boy walking before her, "Atreus, listen to a story with me!" she snatches the boy and wraps her arms around his neck.

"Uh... Okay," Atreus says, feeling the Amazonian's hot skin like a furnace on his back and neck.

"What kind of story would you like to hear, Little lady?" Mimir asks.

"One with a hero!" Tiona responds, her grip on Atreus tightening slightly.

Mimir chuckles, "Ah, There's not too many stories like that. Hmm... Let's see, how about the story of Bergelmir, King of the Giants?" he asks.

"Ooh, I know that one!" Atreus says with a smile.

"I wanna hear it!" Tiona responds.

Mimir cackles, happy to have so many listeners interested in his story, "Well, this story begins in an ocean of blood..." The very first Frost Giant, Ymir, was stabbed by the treacherous Odin. The Aesir god wished to rule over all of creation in Ymir's place, and his solution was murder. Ymir's guts spilled so violently, they threatened to flood all of creation, and in that endless tide of blood, the Giants faced extinction, all of them wiped away... save for two.

In the husk of a tree, floating along in the ocean of Giant blood, Bergelmir and his wife endured the flood. They sailed for weeks until they happened upon a new land, one they called 'Jotunheim'. For years, Bergelmir and his wife worked to rebuild the giant population, using their new land to nourish their children with no master but themselves. He took no revenge upon Odin. His revenge was to live and prosper, "...Bergelmir died at peace, a legion of his kin to mourn him. He would forever be known as Bergelmir the Beloved..." Mimir finishes his story as the party exits the dungeon and enters Orario. It seems to be the next day as the sun peeks over the buildings, a dewy mist flowing through the streets.

"That was great! I've never heard a story like that... Is it real?" Tiona exclaims, jumping up and down while holding onto Atreus' shoulders.

Mimir chuckles, "...Maybe in another world," he says.

With the story of Bergelmir and his giants simmering in their minds, the party trudges through the city, inevitably attracting countless gazes. Some of the people walking along the stone street had seen Kratos and Atreus and felt the two-ton pressure flowing from the tattooed man. Though, to see them traveling with the most prominent members of the Loki Familia was quite an eye-opener.

"Here's the guild..." Riveria says, stepping up beside Kratos as they arrive before the large building, "...We need to exchange our magic stones before we head to the Twilight Manor. I'm guessing you need to do the same?" Riveria says, glancing at the bulky knapsack hanging from Kratos' shoulder.

Kratos nods in silence, watching as the Loki Familia members enter the double doors. Atreus feels Tiona's arms detach themselves from his shoulders, her fingers creating goosebumps as they rub gently across the back of his neck. She smiles mischievously at the disturbed boy, waving as she follows her party into the building. A primitive heat gathers in Atreus as his eyes linger on her backside, twitching with each of her light steps.

"Come, boy. We will do the same as them," Kratos says, glancing at the red hue of Atreus' cheeks, "...Are you alright?" he asks.

Atreus jolts, "Y-yeah," he wipes a hand over his face. Kratos nods, walking through the double doors with Atreus stepping up beside him. The boy looks up at his father, seeming to be confused by something, "Father?" he calls.

"Hmm?" Kratos hums, his eyes scanning the guild and the adventurers bickering before him.

"I've been getting this weird feeling... It's like, every time I see Tiona I want to do something. But I don't know what..." Atreus says, a hand to his chin as he genuinely tries to understand this feeling.

Suddenly, Mimir wheezes, cackling uncontrollably, "HAHA... Oh, Brother, HA... The boy is hitting puberty!" he exclaims.

Atreus steps back, staring at Mimir with furrowed brows, "What's so funny, Mimir?... And what is 'puberty'? Mother mentioned it once, but when I asked, she would always say I'll tell you when you're older," he says.

Mimir chuckles again, "Oh, little brother. I believe that's a conversation for you and your da'," he responds, chuckling harder, "Oh, man. I can't wait to see the god-slayer struggle with that one!"

"Quiet, head," Kratos ends the conversation, annoyed with the thought of explaining the birds and bees to his son.

Atreus stares forwards, his eyes trailing to the Loki Familia that stands at the counter. The father and son duo stand a few spots behinds in the line, "Father... Thank you for agreeing to this," Atreus suddenly says with pursed lips.

"To what?" Kratos raises a brow.

Atreus sighs, "...Talking with.. them. I know we will meet this Loki god, and I also know how you feel about gods," he says.

Kratos grunts, glancing at his son. The line moves up, and the Loki Familia walks past them, "We'll see you outside," Riveria says, exiting the building with the rest of the party.

"...You said that you could fix this... And I expect you to," Kratos says, "I will humor these gods just this once, but know this... If your 'talk' does not fix this, then I will take matters into my own hands."

Atreus nods, "Yes, father... I understand," he says, his shoulders drooping slightly.

The line moves again, and the duo arrives before a girl with shoulder-length pink hair and large same color eyes, "Hey! It's you two! Coming back from the dungeon?" the girl, Misha Flott says.

Atreus puts his hands on the counter with a smile, "Yep!..." his icy blue eyes scour the guild employees before returning to Misha, "...Where is Ms. Eina?" he asks.

Misha purses her lips, "I don't know... She didn't show up today, which is... Strange. Eina has never missed a day of work unless she's falling over dead," she says.

Suddenly, a large knapsack slams to the counter, causing Misha to shriek. The girl raises her brows as she studies the bag with the contents quite literally bursting from the bag. Misha's eyes switch from Kratos and the bag, "Um... What floor did you two reach today?" she asks with a curious eye.

"It does not matter. You will exchange these, yes?" Kratos responds with a nonchalant stare.

Misha sighs, quickly regaining her peppy aura, "Of course!" she says, picking up the bag with some effort, "Gosh, this is heavy," Misha walks awkwardly, towing the bag through a door behind the counter.

"What do you think is wrong with Ms. Eina?" Atreus asks, staring at his father.

Kratos hums, "I do not know... We must not assume things. There may be an urgent matter she must attend to," he says.

"If you say so," Atreus responds with the worry in his mind not at all alleviated.