Zelos smiled at Sindri before taking a small step forward, deciding to introduce himself as well as his family.
"I'm Zelos. This is my younger brother, Atreus, and this is our father, Kratos," he began, gesturing toward each of them in turn.
"The axe in my father's hand belonged to our mother. Atreus and I gave it back to him before she passed away." Zelos's voice was calm and respectful as he explained the situation, making sure Sindri understood why they were there.
"Faye… is dead?" Sindri asked quietly, his expression changing from mild curiosity to visible shock. His usually quick and cheerful tone faltered. "I… I'm very sorry to hear that. She was a fierce warrior… and a good woman."
He looked down for a brief moment before straightening himself again. "Alright then, I'll make improvements to the axe."
As Sindri began muttering to himself, deep in thought about the possible repairs, Zelos and Atreus exchanged a glance.
"Well, that makes sense," Zelos said in a slightly sarcastic tone. "You knew our mother, therefore, you must improve her axe. Perfectly logical. Not confusing at all."
Atreus snickered at his brother's comment, while Sindri glanced up, slightly offended but too polite to respond harshly.
"Well, knowing your mother," Sindri said as he rubbed his hands together, "she would have insisted that I repair the damage caused by my brother's constant vandalism. She never did like his rough work."
His voice carried both respect for Faye and mild irritation toward his brother.
"The blue one is your brother?" Kratos asked, stepping closer to Sindri. His towering presence caused the dwarf to tense slightly, his eyes darting nervously upward.
"Yes, yes, that would be Brok," Sindri replied quickly, his voice growing tight. "But my skills are vastly superior—no boasting, I swear on Freya's name."
Kratos continued to stare at him silently. Then, without a word, he pulled the axe from his back and extended it toward Sindri.
Sindri flinched slightly, misunderstanding the gesture. "Ah—uh—could you maybe set it down over there instead? The handle looks… filthy." He forced a smile, trying to hide the discomfort in his voice.
Kratos did not move. "No."
That single word froze Sindri in place. His mouth closed instantly. Zelos couldn't help but smirk a little as he witnessed one of Kratos's famously short answers in action.
"It's alright," Zelos said, stepping forward. He raised his right hand and channeled a faint magical glow. "Here, let me."
A gentle wave of green light passed over the axe, cleansing it instantly. The dried blood and grime disappeared as if wiped away by invisible hands. Even the faint scratches on the handle were smoothed out.
"It's thoroughly cleaned now," Zelos explained, lowering his hand. "You don't have to worry about it. Even the smallest traces of dirt or microbes are gone."
Sindri's jaw dropped slightly. "You have got to teach me that magic," he said, looking at Zelos with wide, pleading eyes.
Zelos smiled and walked closer until he was standing right in front of the dwarf. "Consider it a fair trade," he said quietly.
Then, without further explanation, he extended two fingers toward Sindri's forehead.
"Wait, what are you—" Sindri began, but before he could finish the sentence, Zelos's fingertips touched his forehead. A bright flash appeared for a brief moment, and then Sindri froze in place.
A surge of magical knowledge entered his mind all at once, overwhelming his senses. His knees wobbled, and he almost fell over, clutching his stomach as if he might throw up.
"There," Zelos said with a small grin. "Consider that a payment for improving our axe."
Sindri leaned against his workbench for a few moments, breathing heavily until the dizziness passed. Then, out of curiosity, he activated the spell he had just learned.
A faint glow enveloped his body, and immediately he felt cleaner, lighter, as if every speck of dust and impurity had vanished. His eyes widened in amazement.
"You are a lifesaver—literally!" Sindri exclaimed. Kratos and Atreus exchanged glances, thinking Sindri was merely acting like his usual germ-fearing self.
But Zelos, who understood exactly what kind of relief the dwarf had just experienced, said nothing. He simply smiled, letting Sindri enjoy the moment.
"You're welcome," Zelos said quietly.
Rejuvenated, Sindri confidently took the axe from Kratos, holding it carefully before setting it on his table.
He then used the new cleansing spell once again—this time casting it across his entire workshop.
The room shimmered faintly as every tool and surface became spotless, cleaner than it had ever been.
After finishing his preparations, Sindri began upgrading the Leviathan Axe, adjusting runes, reforging its edges, and muttering enchantments under his breath.
While he worked, Atreus walked over to Zelos, his tone a little annoyed.
"Why couldn't you teach me magic like that?" Atreus asked, crossing his arms.
Zelos turned to him calmly. "Because there's a difference between learning something through mastery and copying it,"
he explained. "When you master a spell, it becomes part of who you are. It turns into second nature. You don't just know it—you understand it. Isn't that right, Father?"
Kratos gave a simple nod in agreement.
"But," Zelos continued, "if there's a spell you want to learn that doesn't involve combat magic, tell me. I'll give it to you myself."
Atreus's expression softened. "Alright. That's fair enough."
Their conversation ended just as Sindri finished his work. He turned, holding out the upgraded axe with both hands. "All done," he said proudly.
Kratos accepted it and immediately sensed the difference. The weapon felt sharper, sturdier, and somehow more balanced in his grip.
"What did you do?" Kratos asked.
Sindri began explaining each adjustment in detail—how he had reinforced the internal runes, corrected a few of Brok's mistakes, and improved the elemental channels that regulated the axe's frost power.
When the explanation ended, Kratos gave a small nod of acknowledgment. Without another word, the three prepared to leave.
Sindri waved as they walked away, calling out his thanks once more—especially to Zelos, who had given him the spell.
The group continued their journey through the mountains, eventually reaching a steep section of rock that required climbing.
Before Kratos could even begin, Zelos raised his hand, lifting them gently into the air with magic.
"I already know what spell I want you to give me," Atreus said excitedly once they reached the ledge. "That flying one. Or floating. Whatever that was."
Zelos smiled faintly and extended his hand again. Atreus, eager and impatient, waited with a grin—until the magic connected.
A sudden rush of knowledge filled his mind, overwhelming him.
Atreus's eyes widened before he dropped to his knees, clutching his head.
"Bluegh! You could have warned me first!" he said between dry heaves.
Zelos tilted his head in mild confusion. "Didn't you see what happened to Sindri?"
"I thought he almost puked because you touched him! You know… dwarf stuff!" Atreus protested.
"You thought wrong," Zelos replied simply, watching as his younger brother slowly recovered.
Once the nausea passed, Atreus stood and tried the new spell. His body lifted slightly off the ground for a moment before he lost balance and fell back down.
"See?" Zelos said, smiling again. "Mastery is better than copy."
Atreus glared at him, irritated, and Zelos finally decided to stay quiet—at least for now.