16 Please
"Of course! The apprentice blacksmiths sell their wares on the eighth floor. You should be able to find something there," Hestia says, clasping her hands before her.
Her eyes trail to Kratos', and she meets a deathly gaze, piercing her very soul, "Uh... W-well, I have to go back to work! It was nice meeting you two!" Hestia says with a bead of sweat rolling down her forehead. The petite woman scrams, disappearing through the door she came through.
"Is she okay?" Atreus asks with furrowed brows, staring up at his father.
Kratos stares at that door for a moment, turning towards the elevator, "That woman is a goddess," he says with short words.
Atreus raises his brows, catching up with Kratos, "Really?" he asks.
Kratos grunts, stepping in front of the elevator and opening the metal gate, "Yes... There was a... Flame," he says, his words trailing off as Atreus presses a green button that reads "8". The elevator shakes, ascending once again after a moment.
"A flame? What do you mean by that, brother?" Mimir's question echos through the shaft.
"I do not know... The woman had an aura, and in that aura, I saw glimpses of a great flame," Kratos responds, his mind roaming to a flame that had helped him in his lust for revenge, ages ago.
"Hmm, that is quite weird, brother. I don't think these gods were born here, so maybe it has something to do with her early life? I dunno," Mimir says.
"Mmh, It is none of our business," Kratos says.
The elevator dings and the metal gate gives way to Kratos' burly hand. The trio step into a dim hallway lit by small lamps lining the brick walls. This floor seems to be crowded with adventurers looking through weapons and armor, and others behind counters preaching the quality of their works.
"Woah! These are so cheap! Father, we can get something here for sure!" Atreus says, pointing to a sword with a tag that reads "1,500 Valis". His eyes roam to shields, armor, and other accessories, each one bringing a new layer of excitement to the boy.
Kratos nods as his son looks up at him, "Find something that you would like to use, and I will confirm it. Look for quality and weight. A heavy weapon can be useful, but one that cannot be lifted is useless," he says.
"Yes, Father," Atreus says, returning to his search like a child in a candy store.
Kratos follows behind his son as the boy oohs and ahs and different weapons and armor, and the man's own eyes roam to some armor lining the walls. Kratos steps away from Atreus for a moment, standing before a cuirass painted black. The shoulder pieces are connected by a small metal flap, and the armor overall seems to be about the size that the man needs. In the midst of the fine lines that create pectoral muscles and a ripped abdomen, a symbol in engraved in the middle of the armor. Two crossed hammers with a flame behind them.
Kratos finishes his inspection as his eyes trail to the price tag, "10,000 Valis". His rough fingers rub across the cold metal, and Kratos takes the armor. He turns, his eyes roaming to find his son, but the boy is nowhere to be found.
"He disappeared to another aisle, Brother. It seems the boy is keeping his options open," Mimir suddenly says.
"Mhh, good," Kratos responds, stepping towards the aisles arranged before him. The Greek God walks to the back of the room, finally finding his son. Atreus holds a double-sided spear in his hands, inspecting the weapon closely.
"Atreus," Kratos calls, and the boy jolts.
"Oh, sorry, Father. I just got absorbed by the search," Atreus says, his eyes returning to the spear.
Kratos hums, "...You said you wanted a sword?" he says.
"Yeah, I know... I just like this for some reason. I don't really know why," Atreus responds, his voice almost inaudible from the chatter in the room.
"A spear is a great weapon. Range, armor-piercing, nimbleness... It would be a good choice," Kratos says.
"Really?" Atreus asks with raised brows, spinning the spear between his hands and stabbing the air, "I can move around easily with it. Does that mean it's a good weight?"
Kratos nods, "Good weight depends on the one in possession of the weapon. It may be too light for me, but a good fit for you," he says.
Atreus nods, inspecting the spear one last time. He brings the weapon closer to his face and squints his eyes, "Dante Vorli," Atreus mutters, "Is that who made this?"
"Possibly," Kratos responds, "Is that your decision?"
"Yeah, I think so... I wonder if we'll ever meet Dante?" Atreus says.
Kratos turns with a grunt, "It is possible," he says, stepping forward as Atreus follows close behind. The duo finds one of the counters and sets the armor and weapon down. A young man with spiky brunette hair smiles up at Kratos, "Is this all?" he asks.
Kratos nods, and the young man peeks at the tags attached to the items, "...That'll be 12,500 Valis!" he says.
Nodding again, Kratos gives the required Valis to the young man, and suddenly, the chatter that had plagued the room ceases. Kratos furrows his brows as the young man suddenly stands static, holding his arms tight to his side.
"It's Hephaestus..."
"She never comes here..."
Whispers echo through the room, and Kratos turns with furrowed brows. What enters the man's vision causes his furrowed brows to deepen. A beautiful woman steps light through the dim room, her eye roaming to the items displayed. She has short crimson hair draping to her neck, a black eye-patch covering one of her red eyes, a white dress shirt with the top button open, and black pants stretching across her long legs. Just as all the gods Kratos had encountered since coming to this world, the woman has a massive aura enveloping her body, a deep crimson just like her short hair.
The goddess, Hephaestus, stands before Kratos, "Are you finding everything you need?" she asks with a slight smile.
Kratos nods, "We are... It is a good thing to have the apprentices selling their wares," he says.
Hephaestus scoffs, "Sometimes I wonder if it is... I just wanted to see how everyone was doing and make sure all the items here are up to par with my standards. I'm glad you've been able to find what you need though," she says.
"Um... Do you know who Dante Vorli is?" Atreus suddenly asks.
Hephaestus's crimson eye meets Atreus' blue, "Of course, he is one of the many apprentice smiths in my familia. Why do you ask?" she responds.
Atreus holds up his spear with a smile, "Will you tell him thank you for me? He made this spear," he says.
The goddess giggles, her fingers covering her smile, "I'll do just that... What's your name?" Hephaestus asks.
"Atreus. And this is my father, Kratos," The boy responds, gesturing to his father.
"...I'll tell Dante that Atreus thanks him for his work... Well, I'm afraid we must end our conversation here. I have to make sure these hooligans are not smearing my name with low-quality work. It was nice to meet you two," Hephaestus says, glancing at Kratos.
Kratos nods, "Come, boy," he says.
The duo walk away from the goddess with Atreus following close behind Kratos, drawing envious eyes from the adventurers and blacksmiths standing close by.
"Wait!" Hephaestus suddenly exclaims with a hand reached out towards the duo.
Kratos turns with furrowed brows, "What is it?" he asks.
Hephaestus stares at the weapons on Kratos' back, "Those blades... They are incredible. You have to tell me who made them," she asks.
Krato clenches his jaw as he stares at the goddess, "I do not have to tell you anything," he turns to walk away, "Come, boy. It is time to leave."
Suddenly, fast steps echo through the room, and Hephaestus stands before Kratos with her hands clasped before her, "Please..." she says, her lips quivering.
