Chapter 61 - New friends?

"Um... Can we enter the cabin? I'm sure it'd be best for all of us to stop standing in a storm..." Ryu said awkwardly. He was still in shock from talking to a literal god. "..." The god seemed to ponder his request, but then the red-haired teenager beside him chimed in.

"How did you get past our barrier? It should keep anyone other than father and I out," The teenager questioned with curiosity. He noticed that Ryu didn't have any bad intentions, but that was still quite suspicious in his eyes.

"If I knew how I got here, I'd have told you. I just... Appeared here. It wasn't intentional or anything," Ryu replied. "Hm... Well, that's suspicions. I mean, you do realize that, right?" The teenager raised an eyebrow. "Well, yeah, but that's literally what happened. Do you think I have the balls to lie to a pair of gods?" Ryu chuckled.

"Wait, you're a mortal?" The teenager inquired in surprise. "Um, yeah? Is that surprising?" Ryu asked in a confused manner. "Well, yeah. Even the most seasoned warriors didn't survive Fimbulwinter, much less a child." The teenager said.

"I'm... A special case. By the way, can I know your names?" Ryu questioned. He could find out on his own, but he didn't want to seem any more suspicious. "I'm Atreus, and that's my father, Kratos. There's also Mimir, but he's in another room right now. I'll go get him in a bit," Atreus said. "Nice to meet you all, I'm Ryu," Ryu introduced himself.

"Let's go inside, father. I don't think he's with Odin, his reactions look genuine." After the god grunted in what Ryu assumed was agreement, the cheerful teenager entered the hut and motioned Ryu to follow him.

"You had questions," Kratos interrupted their conversation as he sat down at the table opposite Ryu. "Um, yeah. First of all, are there any more gods around here?" Ryu asked with a voice full of curiosity. "No," Kratos answered simply. "Are there a lot of gods?" Ryu inquired. "Yes," Kratos answered again. "Is there a god of blacksmithing?" Ryu asked in excitement. "There was," Kratos said, much to Ryu's disappointment.

"So if the god of blacksmithing is dead, is there anyone else that's as good as him?" Ryu inquired. But this time, Kratos stayed silent as he examined Ryu. "There are Sindri and Brok, they are amazing smiths. I'm sure you won't be disappointed with their products," Atreus said enthusiastically. "Oh, I don't want to buy weapons. I'm a blacksmith myself, so I hoped to learn how they make weapons here. And if they have a similar ability to a god, I'd like nothing more than to meet them," Ryu replied.

"I'm sure they'd love to exchange tips with you. Brok and Sindri would love to meet another smith after all this time," Atreus replied. "Alright! Where are they?" Ryu inquired. Just looking at the ax in Kratos' hands made him drool.

"Well... We don't know. But maybe you can stay with us until they come to visit." Atreus said while sneaking a glance at his father. "No," was Kratos' simple response. "I can cook for you. You don't really seem to have any fresh ingredients, so I'll make you some good food," Ryu spoke as he waved his hand and summoned three bouls of Ichiraku Ramen. Tempted by curiosity, Atreus tasted the dish.

Atreus gulped down the Ramen at an amazing speed. Just how desperate was he for good food? Intrigued, Kratos took a small sip of the Ramen's broth, and after a second of hesitation, he began slowly eating the dish. "You will stay," was all Kratos said after finishing the Ramen boul.

"What magic was that? Those bowls appeared from thin air! With food!" Atreus exclaimed in surprise. Conjuring bowls wasn't anything to write home about, but summoning food? That was something else. This magic can help them through Fimbulwinter!

"Oh, that? Just a trick of mine," Ryu chuckled at Atreus' expression. "Can you teach me?" Atreus inquired. "I doubt you'd be able to learn it," Ryu replied. "Why is that?" Atreus questioned. "You're not suitable both physically and mentally. It can cause you some serious harm if you can't handle the information," Ryu spoke.

"How can knowledge hurt?" Atreus got confused. "Believe me, it's a good thing you don't know," Ryu shuddered as he remembered the searing pain he felt as knowledge about the very fabric of reality was forcefully pushed into his mind.

"...Alright. Anyway, can you do other stuff with that magic of yours? Like maybe bring new things to the cabin?" Atreus asked. If Ryu could summon food, maybe he'd be able to do other things. "You want me to upgrade the cabin? Sure," Ryu said as he snapped his fingers.

The small and messy cabin transformed in a heartbeat into a grand wooden house. It was made from beautiful maple wood. It had gorgeous carvings all over its exterior and interior depicting countless stories. The furniture was majestic as well, featuring breathtaking tables, chairs, beds, kitchen utensils, and everything in between. The mansion had four rooms, one for each member, and a large dog house for the wolves.

"WHAT IN THE BLOODY-" A shout in a thick Scottish accent spread throughout the house. "Is that Mimir?" Ryu guessed as he suppressed the need to chuckle. "...Huh? Oh, y-yeah," Atreus stumbled as he went to get Mimir.

"...Do you like it?" Ryu asked Kratos as the two waited for Atreus. Kratos grunted in reply, and Ryu was really confused about its meaning. Maybe he'd be able to use his Mangekyo to read Kratos' mind, but if the god would know Ryu did something of the sort he may lose his head.

Maybe he has some godly power that warns him from stuff like this? Maybe he knew Ryu used his Mangekyo on him before but let it slide since Ryu didn't poke around? Ryu decided not to use his Mangekyo abilities on the duo until he has a better grasp on their abilities. Plus, it was a very disrespectful thing to do to someone who showed him hospitality.

"Here's Mimir," Atreus announced in a dazed voice as he looked at the new house. "IS THAT A SEVERED HEAD?!" Ryu exclaimed as he saw Atreus dangling some old man's head with two horns. "You just created an entire house, is a severed head really that surprising?" Atreus asked in a confused manner. "I'm sorry, did you compare me making a house to you carrying a 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝

around like a damn wallet?! And the head's 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞?!" Ryu said in absolute shock.

"...Yes?" Atreus replied weakly.

But Ryu didn't have time to think about his absurd situation as a deafening thunderclap shook the house and bright lightning flashed outside. Kratos took his ax and opened the door, and Ryu saw a fat red-haired man standing outside with a one-handed hammer on his belt. Ryu didn't know who the man was, but he felt extremely threatened. And out of instinct, he used his Mangekyo to learn about the figure standing before him.

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If you're wondering why Thor and Odin arrived at a different time, I believe that they knew for some time where Kratos and Atreus lived, but Odin wanted more info before going in. But now Ryu did quite the spectacle, and Odin felt pressured to act. BTW Fenrir isn't dead yet.