Deimos, Kratos, and Atreus continued their journey, heading towards a platform with a lever on its side. Deimos, knowing what to do, turned the lever, prompting the platform to ascend like an elevator.
"How did you know it would do that?" Atreus asked, seeing how sure Deimos was, despite this likely being his first time here.
"It's easy," Deimos said, explaining the thoughts behind his actions. "This bridge looks like it was built by someone who cares about details. Do you really think they'd just put this lever here for no reason?"
Atreus nodded, realizing the truth in his words and wondering why he hadn't thought of that himself. The moment the platform reached the top, they found a large horn displayed prominently.
"Whoa, a horn! Can we blow on it, Father?" Atreus asked, curious about the horn's function.
"Without knowing the outcome?" Kratos questioned, skeptical about using it since he didn't know its purpose.
Atreus, eager to blow the horn, turned to his uncle. "What do you think it was used for, Deimos?" Atreus asked, hoping his uncle might know.
Deimos, also interested in the horn, simply answered with a question to guide Atreus's thinking, "Think of it like this: what are horns used for?"
"For loud noises?" Atreus answered.
"And what are loud noises used for?" Deimos asked again.
"To ward off animals?" Atreus guessed, but it wasn't the answer Deimos was looking for.
"Yes, but what else?" Deimos prompted, giving Atreus more time to think.
"For a signal?" Atreus answered.
"Yes. So, with that thought in mind, what kind of creature lives here, or near here, that would require loud noises for a signal?" Deimos asked again, confident Atreus would understand now.
"For the World Serpent," Atreus answered, his eyes widening with realization and a smile spreading across his face. Kratos watched the interaction between his sons, amazed by how Deimos's mind worked.
"Correct," Deimos confirmed. "So, unless you have something to ask the World Serpent or know what language he speaks, I don't think it's a great idea to use the horn."
Atreus nodded in understanding. The trio continued across the bridge, encountering monsters along the way, which they dispatched easily. Atreus proved increasingly skilled with his bow, thanks to Brok's enhancements.
They then found another mural, this one depicting Jörmungandr and Thor.
"Look! It's the World Serpent! He's so much bigger than I imagined. Oh, look, he bit Thor! Or… will bite him, it looks like…" Atreus exclaimed, tracing the figures on the mural.
This prompted a reply from Kratos, who wanted to keep moving. "Let's continue. No more distractions," Kratos said gruffly.
Deimos, however, lingered for a moment, looking at the mural. It reminded him of the impending war they faced, making him anxious to complete his 'template integration' quickly.
They soon found themselves in the cave the bridge led into. While walking through, they encountered a strange plant.
"What is that? It smells awful!" Atreus exclaimed, covering his nose. The smell didn't seem to bother Deimos or Kratos.
"Poison," Kratos stated, charging his axe with ice. He targeted the plant and froze it instantly. "Your mother called them 'scorn poles'. Poison magic. She was the one who showed me how to disable them," Kratos explained as Atreus and Deimos both chuckled.
"Why do you both laugh?" Kratos asked, confused by his sons' reactions.
"It's just funny to think that Mother taught you something," Atreus said.
"Also, it would be a pretty interesting sight, knowing your temper and Mother's antics," Deimos added, chuckling again.
Kratos just grunted, now understanding why his sons were laughing. They continued their walk, which soon led them out of the cave.
As they emerged, they saw an area covered in thick fog. The wind slowly blew it away, revealing the landscape bit by bit, like a game map unlocking. Once the view cleared, they noticed someone nearby: another dwarf, the second one they had encountered in Midgard.
"Wow, another dwarf! Should we—" Atreus started to ask, but Kratos cut him off.
"No. He is of no consequence," Kratos answered, striding forward.
The dwarf in question was minding his own business, fixing something at his table, when suddenly his eyes caught sight of something he recognized. He approached Kratos, Atreus, and Deimos, looking like he wanted to say something.
"Excuse me, excuse me, but… how did you come by that axe?" the dwarf asked Kratos, looking intently at the weapon.
"That is my concern alone," Kratos answered, trying to walk past, but the dwarf blocked his path.
"And while I won't dispute that… I know that blade. It was one of ours. But we didn't make it for you," the dwarf countered with a strained smile and chuckle.
"Step aside," Kratos said calmly.
"I can't. See, the woman we made it for… I was, well, I am… quite fond of her. And I would be somewhat… displeased if it turns out that… you did something to her," the dwarf said, raising his arms slightly as if preparing to defend himself.
"It was our Mother's. She left it to my father before passing away," Atreus explained. Deimos looked at him curiously.
"Faye's dead? I'm… very, very sorry to hear that. She was a fierce warrior… and a good woman. Okay… I will make improvements to the axe," the dwarf suddenly declared. His abrupt shift confused Kratos and Atreus, but Deimos just laughed, drawing everyone's attention.
"'You're a funny dwarf, aren't you?" Deimos said to him.
The dwarf just looked confused. "'Uhmmm, why'd you think that?" he asked curiously.