The walk to HQ wasn't short, but nobody really complained. It was just quiet. Not awkward—just… heavy. Like everyone had a lot on their minds.
Kratos walked at his usual pace, calm but alert. Shinobu kept sneaking glances at him. She wasn't exactly afraid, but curious. And cautious.
His skin looked almost stone-like—pale as marble. Big red tattoo running down his body. Muscles like boulders. Scars everywhere. Not the kind you get from training or the occasional demon slash—these were war scars. Deep ones. Old ones.
Shinobu finally asked, voice light but serious, "Umm... hope you don't mind me asking, but... are you even human?"
Kratos didn't even look at her. Just kept walking. "No."
Atreus glanced at his dad, then turned to answer instead. "My father… was a god. The God of War."
Giyu actually stopped walking for half a second.
Shinobu blinked, her usual calm expression slipping just a little. "Wait—a god?"
"Former," Atreus said, quick to correct. "Kratos. The Ghost of Sparta."
No one said anything for a beat. Even the forest went quiet.
"…And you?" Shinobu asked, looking at Atreus now.
"I'm his son. Atreus. Half-giant. Half-god. Technically a demi-god, I guess."
Giyu didn't respond. His hand twitched near his sword hilt, but it wasn't a threat. It was reflex. Awe, maybe. Wariness.
They kept walking.
Eventually, the trees thinned out, and the HQ came into view just as the sun dipped behind the hills.
The second Kratos and Atreus stepped through the gates… everything changed.
People stopped.
Voices died mid-sentence. No one screamed or gasped. They just stared.
Kratos towered over everyone, covered in worn armor and animal furs. His red tattoo, pale skin, and sheer presence made it clear—he didn't belong here. Not because he was unwelcome, but because he looked like someone carved out of a myth.
"Who… the hell is that?" someone whispered.
"He kinda looks like the Slayer…"
"He feels even heavier…"
The Hashiras, wherever they were, turned. They felt it. Like the pressure in the air had just shifted.
Tanjiro, standing near the steps with a tray of food, froze. Zenitsu tripped over nothing and caught himself on a pillar.
Inosuke? "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!" he blurted out, eyes bulging.
Tanjiro narrowed his eyes. "He feels… like the Slayer. Not exactly, but close."
Inside the main building, Kagaya already knew something was up.
But before anyone else moved, Gyomei stepped outside—and the moment he sensed Kratos, he dropped to one knee. Hard. No hesitation.
"This man…" he said loud enough for everyone to hear, "isn't human."
Everyone tensed.
"He's a god. A God of War."
You could hear the collective inhale from the crowd. Not fear—just straight-up shock.
Kratos looked at Gyomei, almost tired. "Former," he corrected. "Former God of War."
Shinobu stepped forward quickly. "They saved a village. It was overrun with hellspawn. If they hadn't shown up, it would've been wiped out."
Atreus added, "We're not trying to pick a fight or anything. We just wanna know where we are and why we got dragged here."
Kagaya finally stepped out to greet them, that peaceful smile still on his face.
"Then we welcome you, Kratos. Atreus. You may have arrived in chaos—but you've brought peace to those who needed it."
Kratos nodded once. "We'll stay. For now."
Far away, deep in the shadows, Muzan stared at the reflection in a crystal-like surface.
"…They're not from this world."
Kokushibo stood nearby, arms folded. "I saw them. The boy is dangerous. But the father…"
Muzan narrowed his eyes. "He could rival the Slayer."
Doma, lounging on a throne-like rock, giggled. "Ooooh~! New players! Isn't this exciting?"
Akaza clenched his jaw and didn't say a word. But his eyes were locked onto the image of Kratos.
Things had just gotten a lot more interesting.