Chapter 8 8

There was tension amongst them. Kratos couldn’t take his eyes off Karthik. Lyra had gone still, Zephyr wasn’t relaxed anymore, even Thorne was watching carefully. Karthik took another step forward.

“I expected more resistance” he said lightly.

Kratos clenched his fists “You just walked into a place you’re not welcome”.

Karthik’s gaze shifted to him “And yet, here I am without invitation”. He chuckled.

Kratos didn’t like that answer. Lyra stepped forward “I said you’re not taking him”.

Karthik tilted his head slightly “I admire your loyalty but I don't care about that, do I?” he said.

Zephyr moved next, positioning himself slightly in front of Kratos “Let's see what you've got coward” he said.

Karthik looked at him “Siegfried blood” he murmured.

Zephyr’s eyes narrowed “You talk too much” he declared. Zephyr moved first and faster than Kratos had ever seen him move before. A strike aimed straight at Karthik, Kratos barely saw it but Karthik did, he raised a hand and he caught it, just like that.

Zephyr’s attack stopped mid-motion, like it had hit a wall. Kratos’s eyes widened “No way”.

Karthik didn’t even look strained “You’re skilled but predictable” he said calmly.

Zephyr was thrown backward, crashing into the stone wall with a heavy impact. He hit the ground hard and couldn't get up immediately.

Kratos’s chest tightened “That was… nothing to him” he whispered.

Lyra moved next. Her blade flashed fast, Karthik stepped aside, effortlessly. Her strike missed by inches,she attacked again and again, each movement was perfect and each strike was deadly but none of them landed. Karthik moved like he already knew what she was going to do.

“You're predictable too” he said.

Lyra became more furious, that was the first time she had an encounter with the monster herself but she didn’t stop; she was a very stubborn one and hated to lose but Kratos could see she wasn’t winning, not even close.

Thorne stepped forward “That's enough” he said.

Karthik’s attention shifted “Ah” he said quietly “The guardian” he added.

Thorne didn’t respond, he raised his hand and Kratos felt something different, not wild like his own power, not sharp like Lyra’s but ancient and powerful.

Karthik’s smile faded slightly “Now this” he said “is going to be interesting”.

Thorne moved, not fast but certain, the ground beneath Karthik cracked slightly as force met force.

Kratos leaned forward slightly “He’s holding him” but only for a moment, Karthik exhaled. Then, everything broke, a pulse of energy exploded outward, stronger than anything Kratos had felt before. Thorne was pushed back, not thrown but forced.

Kratos’s heart pounded harder “Even him!” he exclaimed quietly.

Karthik adjusted his sleeve calmly “You’re still strong, as expected” he said to Thorne

“I'm impressed too” Karthik applauded.

Karthik’s gaze returned to him “Now, shall we stop wasting time and let's get out of here?”

Kratos stepped back instinctively “No. I can't”.

Karthik looked at him aggressively for some seconds and said “You don’t understand your position”.

“I understand enough” Kratos replied. “I’m not going with you” he said firmly.

Karthik sighed “Stubborn. Very well” He moved closer to him, Kratos was on the ground before he realized what happened.

His breath left him instantly “What the…”

Karthik stood over him, Kratos tried to move but his body didn’t respond fast enough “Your strength is unstable and  your control… nonexistent” Karthik said.

Kratos clenched his teeth “I’ll deal with you”.

Karthik reached for the amulet and Kratos’s eyes widened “No!” he screamed lowly. His body reacted, Karthik’s fingers touched the chain and then the amulet flared brightly and violently. Kratos screamed, not from pain but from something deeper; like something inside him had been pulled awake. Karthik’s hand paused and for the first time, his expression shifted, he chuckled softly.

Kratos felt it again: that presence, that voice, that power was stronger and closer now. His body trembled “I can’t… control it” he groaned. The energy surged wildly and unstable, the ground beneath them cracked further, the walls shook and the entire chamber vibrated.

“Stop it” he muttered, but it didn’t stop and instead of stopping, it grew.

Karthik didn’t step back. He watched carefully “So… this is Arcus” he said quietly.

Kratos’s eyes snapped open, the energy exploded and this time, a burst of force struck Karthik directly. Kratos collapsed forward, barely catching himself, his breathing was broken “I…” He couldn’t finish.

Karthik looked at him “You’re more than I expected”.

Kratos didn’t respond because he couldn’t, Karthik straightened slightly then he smiled again, but this time, it was different “You’ll come to me eventually” he said, like a confirmation.

Kratos shook his head weakly “No, I won't” he declared firmly.

“You won’t have a choice” Karthik assured. Karthik’s gaze sharpened “Not for long”. He stepped back, everyone was tensed but he didn’t attack again. Instead “We’ll meet again, to finish this properly” He said firmly.

Kratos forced himself to look up “Next time…” He struggled to breathe “I won’t lose”.

Karthik’s smile widened slightly “I hope not, because next time I won’t be so patient and unprepared”.

The air felt cold and then he was gone. Just like that, silence followed. Kratos collapsed fully this time, his body gave out, the last thing he saw, Lyra rushed toward him. Zephyr stood again and Thorne watched, and the cracks in the ground were still spreading.

Two shadows were there with them but only Kratos could see them. Their voice barely above a whisper “So, it’s true”.

A small device glowed in their hands again and a  message was sent “He’s stronger than expected…but not yet strong enough”.

The light faded and the figures disappeared.