God of War established and continues the story of Kratos and his son Atreus. Their relationship is much stronger after their powerful and somewhat spiritual adventure in the previous game, which saw them going to great lengths to fulfill the wish of Faye, Kratos’ wife, and Atreus’ mother, to have her ashes scattered from the highest point in all the realms. Now in God of War Ragnarok, the father and son dive into a tense struggle to prevent prophecy and stop Ragnarok.
[Warning: This article contains story spoilers for God of War Ragnarok.]
The story of god Kratos killed in God of War. She has attacked them repeatedly over the years and does so again when Kratos and Atreus return home from a hunt. She nearly kills Kratos, but they ultimately escape to the safety of their home.
God Of War Ragnarok Spoilers - Atreus Can Shapeshift Into Animals
When the pair return home, Atreus rushes to check on one of their pet wolves, Fenrir. Fenrir is very old and sadly es away in Atreus’ arms. Kratos notices a strange blue light that leaves the wolf’s body, which will be important later in the story. Shortly after this, Kratos and Atreus fight as they disagree about what they should be doing. Kratos wants to continue training to make sure Atreus is protected, but Atreus wants to explore to learn his purpose as the Jotnar god Loki. Unbeknown to Kratos, Atreus has been sneaking out on his own to investigate Jotnar shrines, hoping to find answers about Loki.
Atreus heads out alone to bury Fenrir while Kratos goes to sleep. He dreams of his wife, Faye, but wakes abruptly to Mimir’s calls. Atreus has not returned, so a panicked Kratos rushes out to find him. When he does, he discovers Atreus has shapeshifted into a bear in his grief and frustration. Later on in the story, Atreus learns to control this new ability, being able to change into a wolf at will.
Odin & Thor Visit Kratos & Atreus Early In GoW Ragnarok's Story
Odin shows up at Kratos’ home to propose a peace agreement. If Atreus promises to stop investigating the Jotnar shrines and cease his search for Tyr, the giant Norse god of war, Odin will leave the two alone. Kratos declines, and Thor attacks him. During this fight, Thor manages to kill Kratos but uses Mjolnir to revive him and continue fighting. Eventually, Thor decides to leave, and Kratos hurries back home to save Atreus from Odin with the help of Brok and Sindri. Atreus is safe and says Odin invited him to Asgard and offered to help him find the answers he was looking for.
Atreus tells Kratos of the hidden doors behind the Jotnar shrines and reveals a prophecy that indicates Tyr is alive but imprisoned somewhere. Neither of them trusts Odin, so they determine that the best course of action is to find Tyr, as he could be important to Ragnarok. Kratos and Atreus travel to Sindri’s home in the Realm between Realms and make it their temporary home, as it is the only safe place from Odin. This proves to be a grave mistake.
GoW Ragnarok Spoilers - Tyr Is Rescued, & Atreus Becomes A Playable Character
Kratos and Atreus travel to Svartalfheim, the realm of the dwarves. They find Tyr imprisoned in a labyrinthian dwarven mine. Tyr agrees to them in fighting against Odin, but only if they pursue peace. The Norse god of war has vowed to no longer participate in violence. They all head back to Sindri’s home to consider their next moves. Atreus, on the other hand, cannot rest without the answers he seeks, so he sneaks off to Midgard to speak with the World Serpent, Jormungandr, as well as Freya, the once-speculated villain of God of War. The trip doesn’t go as Atreus planned, and he returns to Sindri’s house empty-handed.
Kratos, Atreus, and Tyr travel to Alfheim, the realm of the elves, next to investigate the Jotnar shrine of Groa, the god who foresaw Ragnarok. In the door behind the shrine, they learn that the Ragnarok prophecy she told Odin wasn’t true. The real Ragnarok doesn’t end with the destruction of all the realms; it ends with Asgard’s destruction and Odin's death. Once again, they return home to consider the next steps.
Atreus Goes To Jotunheim & Meets Angrboda Midway Through GoW Ragnarok
Atreus wakes up in a hidden sanctuary in Jotunheim called Ironwood. There he meets one of the last remaining giants, Angrboda, who was revealed before GoW Ragnarok launched. She is responsible for the paintings in the Jotnar shrines across the realms. She says it is her destiny to show Loki the prophecy foretelling Kratos’ death, and he panics when he learns this. He makes it his mission to prevent Ragnarok to save his father’s life. He returns to Midgard to find Kratos angry at his long disappearance, but their argument is cut short when they are attacked by Freya again. However, she does not kill either of them. Instead, she commands Kratos to her in Vanaheim so she may lift the curse Odin placed on her, and Kratos agrees to help.
Kratos & Freya Reconcile While Atreus Goes To Asgard
Kratos and Freya speak about Baldur’s death on their journey to lift the curse in God of War Ragnarok. Eventually, Freya agrees that Odin is their shared enemy and the real threat to the realms. She doesn’t forgive Kratos for Baldur’s death, but Freya makes up with Kratos in Ragnarok in order to defeat Odin. While in Vanaheim, they reunite with Freya’s brother Freyr, who is leading the fight against Odin in Vanaheim, and agree to forces for the battle to come. Kratos and Freya return to Sindri’s home to question Atreus about his whereabouts. Atreus loses control of his emotions and flees, determined to head to Asgard.
When Atreus reaches Asgard, he is ruthlessly hazed by Heimdall before being rescued by Thor, who brings him to Odin. Odin reveals that he genuinely doesn’t want Ragnarok to happen. Instead, he needs Loki’s help to open a realm tear he discovered that could grant him infinite knowledge. To safely peer into it, a mask must be repaired and its runes translated. Odin gives this task to God of War Ragnarok's distinctly un-Marvel-like Thor.
Kratos Visits The Norns, The Sisters Of Fate In Norse Mythology
Accompanied by Freya for the majority of God of War Ragnarok, Kratos travels to the Well of Urd to find the Norns, so he may ask about where Atreus has gone. They tell him that he already knows he’s gone to Asgard, but what he doesn’t know is that Heimdall will kill Atreus, and Ragnarok will begin. When they return home, Sindri and Brok say they need a new weapon to defeat Heimdall. Brok takes Kratos to Svartalfheim to see The Lady, a mermaid blacksmith. She crafts a magical spear called Draupnir, which can overwhelm Heimdall’s senses.
In Asgard, Loki travels to Helheim with Thrud, Thor’s daughter, to find another mask piece. However, they fail to find it and instead free Garm, a massive hellhound will the ability to create Hel Tears across God of War Ragnarok. Overwhelmed and embarrassed by his failure, Atreus reunites with Kratos, and they set out to defeat Garm. Instead of killing Garm, Atreus puts Fenrir’s soul into the massive wolf to calm him and bring him to their side.
Kratos Kills Heimdall In God Of War Ragnarok
After the Aesir forces in Vanaheim abduct Freyr, Kratos and Freya go to rescue him and encounter Heimdall on the way. Freya goes on to find Freyr while Kratos battle Heimdall. He initially doesn’t want to, but God of War Ragnarok sees Kratos end up killing Heimdall. They are worried this will break the peace that Odin has unusually honored so far, so Atreus suggests he return to Asgard to find the final mask piece and steal it from Odin.
GoW Ragnarok's Huge Twist - Tyr Is Revealed To Be Odin In Disguise
Atreus makes it home with the mask, and the group shares relief, knowing they have the upper hand against Odin. However, God of War Ragnarok's Odin was hiding in plain sight the entire time. Tyr announces that he will finally lead their armies into war against Asgard. Brok chimes in, pointing out that something isn’t right with Tyr, as he’s been acting weird. Frustrated, Tyr stabs Brok and reveals himself to be Odin. Odin tries to escape with the mask but leaves it behind. Brok sadly dies in Sindri’s arms. Kratos and company now decide that Ragnarok must begin so they can defeat Odin. Freya moves to unite their forces while Kratos and Atreus travel to Muspelheim to recruit Surtr.
God Of War Spoilers - Ragnarok Begins & Odin Dies
Kratos blows Gjallarhorn, signaling the beginning of Ragnarok, and leads their armies into Asgard. Once Hrimthur’s Wall is destroyed, Kratos makes his way to Odin’s home but is stopped by Thor. The two battle it out, and Kratos’ Leviathan Axe outmatches Thor’s hammer. Rather than killing him, Kratos spares Thor to demonstrate that he is no longer the ruthless god he was in Greece. Odin arrives and kills Thor himself in anger. Atreus breaks the mask, which then gets pulled into the realm tear and forever closes.
Then Freya, Atreus, and Kratos all take on Odin in an epic fight. Odin is defeated, and Atreus traps his soul in a marble. The group discusses what should be done with him, then Sindri shows up and kills Odin’s soul, getting revenge for Brok. However, Surtr’s Ragnarok form remains and nearly kills everyone, but Freyr steps in to hold off the giant and perishes in the process.
Kratos & Atreus Survive God Of War Ragnarok's Ending
Angrboda helps the survivors of Ragnarok to a shelter in Midgard. She also shows Atreus and Kratos a hidden Jotnar shrine similar to God of War's. This painting reveals that Faye destroyed the mural in Jotunheim so Kratos and Atreus would not know the fate the giants wanted for them. In doing so, she enabled them to choose their own destiny. Then Atreus tells Kratos that he must go on a journey alone to find the other giants. Kratos gives his blessing and tells Atreus that he is ready to take care of himself now.
After Atreus leaves, Kratos discovers a painting on the other side of the shrine. It depicts a golden statue of Kratos being worshipped by the masses. God of War Ragnarok finally gives Kratos the happy ending that he thought he could never have. He meets up with Freya and Mimir, and together, they set out to repair the realms after the events of Ragnarok.
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