Kratos is the protagonist of the God of War series, a popular action-adventure game franchise that spans across Greek and Norse mythology. He is a former Spartan warrior who became the God of War after killing Ares, the original god of war. He is also the father of Atreus, a young boy who accompanies him on his journey to fulfill his wife’s dying wish.
But what happened to Kratos’ wife? Who was she and how did she die? In this article, we will explore the mystery of Faye, Kratos’ second wife and Atreus’ mother, who appears only as a corpse in God of War (2018), but plays a crucial role in the story.
Who was Faye?
Faye was not her real name, but a disguise that she used to hide her true identity from Kratos and Atreus. She was actually Laufey, the Last Guardian of Jotunheim, one of the nine realms in Norse mythology. She was also known as Faye by Kratos and Sindri, one of the dwarven brothers who forged Mjolnir, Thor’s hammer.
Laufey was a fierce warrior who fought against Odin and his Aesir army, who wanted to conquer Jotunheim and use its secrets for their own benefit. She also helped many giants escape from Thor’s wrath by using her Leviathan Axe, which could cut through anything. She was respected by both gods and giants for her courage and compassion.
However, Laufey also had a dark side. She was obsessed with finding out what would happen if Ragnarok, the end of days in Norse mythology, occurred. She believed that she could prevent it by sacrificing herself and preventing Odin from traveling to Jotunheim again. She also wanted to protect her son Loki from Odin’s wrath.
How did she meet Kratos?
It is unknown when or how Laufey met Kratos, but it is likely that they met during one of his travels across different realms. Kratos had killed many gods in his quest for revenge against Zeus, his father-in-law and former king of Olympus. He had also lost his first wife Lysandra in battle against Ares.
Kratos may have encountered Laufey during one of his visits to Jotunheim or Midgard (the realm of humans). He may have been impressed by her strength and skill as a warrior. He may have also felt lonely after losing Lysandra and wanted someone to share his life with.
Kratos may have fallen in love with Laufey at first sight or gradually over time. They may have married secretly or openly depending on their circumstances. They may have faced many challenges and dangers together as they tried to escape from Odin’s pursuit.
What happened to Kratos Wife Faye?
Laufey died at home before God of War began. The exact cause of her death is unknown, but it could have been related to Ragnarok or some other threat from Odin or Thor. Her death left Kratos heartbroken and devastated.
Kratos buried Laufey near their home in Midgard under a birch tree that he had marked with runes before he left for Jotunheim with Atreus. He hoped that he would see her again someday in another realm.
However, Laufey had one last plan for Kratos and Atreus before she died. She instructed them to cremate her body and scatter her ashes atop the highest peak of the Nine Realms: Yggdrasil , the world tree that connects all realms.
She believed that this would reveal her true identity to them after death: that she was not just an ordinary woman from Midgard , but a giant from Jotunheim , their mother , their protector , their friend . She hoped that this would help them understand each other better and bond as a family.
What happened next?
Kratos followed Laufey’s instructions after he returned from Jotunheim with Atreus . He burned her body on an open field near their home while Atreus watched silently . He then took some ashes with him as proof of what he saw .
He later told Atreus about Laufey’s true identity while they were traveling through Midgard . He showed him some runes that he had carved on trees along their way , which spelled out “Faye” . He explained that Faye was not just his wife , but also their mother .
Atreus was shocked by this revelation , but also curious about his mother . He asked Kratos why they never met before , why they never knew about each other , why they never said goodbye . Kratos told him that it was because they were both afraid , afraid of losing each other , afraid of hurting each other , afraid of facing their enemies .
He told him that they were both warriors who fought for what they believed in , but also suffered for what they did. He told him that they had to learn from their mistakes and grow from their pain. He told him that they had to honor their mother’s memory and legacy by living their lives with courage and wisdom. He told him that they had to find their own path and destiny in this world.
He also told him that he loved him, and that he was proud of him.
Atreus hugged Kratos and thanked him for telling him the truth. He said that he loved him too, and that he was sorry for being angry and stubborn. He said that he wanted to know more about his mother and his heritage.
Kratos smiled and said that they would find out together, as father and son.
They then continued their journey to the highest peak of the Nine Realms, where they scattered Laufey’s ashes and paid their respects. They also discovered that Laufey had foreseen their entire adventure and left them clues and messages along the way. They realized that she was always watching over them and guiding them.
They also learned that Atreus was not his real name, but a name that Laufey gave him to hide his true identity from Odin and Thor. His real name was Loki, the god of mischief and lies, the one who would play a key role in Ragnarok.
They were shocked and confused by this revelation, but also intrigued and curious. They wondered what it meant for their future and their fate.
They decided to keep it a secret for now, and return to their home in Midgard. They hoped to find some peace and happiness there, but they also knew that their journey was far from over.
They knew that they would face many challenges and dangers ahead, but they also knew that they would face them together, as a family.
Conclusion
Kratos’ wife Faye was a mysterious and powerful woman who had a profound impact on his life and his son’s life. She was not just a mortal from Midgard, but a giant from Jotunheim, who had a secret plan to stop Ragnarok and protect her family. She died before the events of God of War, but she left behind a legacy of love and hope for Kratos and Atreus. She also revealed her true identity and their true identity to them after death, changing their lives forever.
FAQ
- Q: Who is Kratos’ first wife?
- A: Kratos’ first wife was Lysandra, a Spartan woman who married him when he was a young and ambitious warrior. They had a daughter named Calliope, who suffered from a plague. Kratos made a deal with Ares, the god of war, to save his daughter’s life in exchange for his servitude. However, Ares tricked Kratos into killing his own family in a fit of rage, and then cursed him with the ashes of his dead wife and child, turning his skin white. This drove Kratos to seek revenge against Ares and the other gods of Olympus.
- Q: Who is Atreus’ mother?
- A: Atreus’ mother was Faye, a woman who married Kratos after he left Greece and settled in Midgard. She was actually Laufey, the Last Guardian of Jotunheim, one of the nine realms in Norse mythology. She was also the mother of Loki, the god of mischief and lies, who would play a key role in Ragnarok, the end of days. She died before the events of God of War, but she instructed Kratos and Atreus to scatter her ashes atop the highest peak of the Nine Realms, where she revealed her true identity to them.
- Q: What is Ragnarok?
- A: Ragnarok is the final battle in Norse mythology, where the gods and the giants will fight each other and destroy the world. It is also known as the Twilight of the Gods, the Doom of the Gods, or the Fate of the Gods. It is prophesied that Odin, the king of the gods, will die by the jaws of Fenrir, the wolf son of Loki. Thor, the god of thunder, will kill Jormungandr, the world serpent, but will die from its venom. Loki, the god of mischief, will fight against Heimdall, the guardian of the rainbow bridge, and they will kill each other. The fire giant Surtr will set the world on fire, and everything will be consumed by flames. Only a few gods and humans will survive and rebuild the world from the ashes.