The Aftermath of Godhood’s Demise: What Happened After Kratos Killed Each God?
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Kratos, the Ghost of Sparta, carved a bloody swathe through the Greek Pantheon, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in his wake. While the immediate consequences of each god’s demise differed, the overarching result was a cataclysmic unbalancing of the world, leading to its near-total ruin. Let’s delve into the specific fallout following each significant divine slaying:
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Ares: With Ares’ death, Kratos ascended to the throne of the God of War. While he initially believed this would quell his nightmares, the torment persisted, fueled by the lingering guilt and the manipulation of the remaining Olympians. His reign was marked by relentless war and destruction, ultimately leading to his downfall.
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Poseidon: Poseidon’s demise triggered a massive flood, engulfing large swathes of Greece and causing widespread devastation. The seas turned turbulent, and countless mortals perished in the ensuing chaos. The world’s natural balance was severely disrupted.
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Hades: The death of Hades released the souls of the Underworld, unleashing a plague of darkness and suffering upon the mortal realm. The boundaries between the living and the dead blurred, and the world descended into a state of perpetual twilight.
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Helios: When Kratos extinguished Helios, eternal darkness engulfed the world. Without the sun’s light and warmth, plant life withered, and the world froze. Animals and humans alike struggled to survive in the perpetual night.
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Hermes: The death of Hermes, the messenger god, resulted in a complete breakdown of communication. Travel became perilous and slow, hindering trade and isolating communities. The flow of information, vital for a functioning society, ceased.
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Hera: The death of Hera ushered in an era of extreme winter. The world froze further and crop yields plummeted. Her death signaled the complete collapse of the environment.
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Hercules: Although not a direct cause of environmental disruption, the death of Hercules removed a major source of order and control. His strength and heroic deeds were lost to the world, leaving it more vulnerable.
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Cronos: The death of Cronos resulted in his body falling from the sky where he was sent by Zeus.
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Zeus: Zeus’s death, the culmination of Kratos’s vengeance, had the most profound impact. It unleashed the power of Hope (as well as Fear), which Kratos then released across the world. However, it also removed the King of the Gods, the supposed protector of Olympus, leaving the world completely vulnerable. With Zeus gone, the remaining gods scattered, and Greece was left to crumble.
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Athena: Though Kratos did not intend to kill Athena, her death had immense implications. When he fatally wounded her, she revealed that he had been carrying the evils of Pandora’s Box inside of him the entire time and that by opening the box, Zeus had become evil. The death of Athena ultimately led to the destruction of the world of Olympus.
In essence, Kratos’s quest for vengeance inadvertently triggered a domino effect of ecological and societal collapse. The deaths of the gods, who were intrinsically linked to the world’s balance, created a vacuum filled with chaos and destruction. The Greek world became largely uninhabitable, paving the way for Kratos’s journey to the Norse realms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Kratos’s Journey After the Greek Saga
Where did Kratos go after destroying Greece?
After the devastation of Greece, Kratos journeyed North, eventually settling in Midgard within the Norse realms. He sought to escape his past and build a new life.
Did Kratos retain his powers after leaving Greece?
While weakened and attempting to suppress his godly nature, Kratos still possessed considerable strength and abilities inherited from his godhood. He retained the Blades of Chaos as a reminder of his past, and slowly learned how to use his abilities once again.
The Fate of the Greek Gods and Mythology
How many Greek Gods survived Kratos’s rampage?
The article states that 11 gods survived. This information adds a layer of complexity to the ending of the Greek Saga.
Where do gods go when they die in God of War?
There’s no definitively stated “afterlife” for gods in the God of War universe. The article mentions Hel, Valhalla, and other potential destinations but the exact fate remains ambiguous, mirroring the varied interpretations of death in mythology.
Are there any repercussions for killing a God in the God of War universe?
Yes. In the God of War Universe when Kratos kills gods that were tied to parts of the world, those parts of the world start to deteriorate with the death of that god.
Kratos’s Guilt and Redemption
Does Kratos feel remorse for his actions in Greece?
Absolutely. The Norse saga heavily emphasizes Kratos’s regret and desire for redemption. He acknowledges the innocent lives lost and strives to prevent Atreus from repeating his mistakes.
Does Kratos ever apologize for killing the Greek Gods?
While he doesn’t issue formal apologies to specific gods, his actions in the Norse saga – protecting the innocent, teaching Atreus restraint – are a form of atonement for his past sins.
Atreus and the Future
What is Atreus’s role in the God of War narrative?
Atreus serves as Kratos’s moral compass and a symbol of hope. He represents the possibility of a future where the cycle of violence and vengeance can be broken.
Where did Atreus go after Ragnarok?
After learning of his destiny and the role the Giants play in the grand scheme of things, Atreus goes in search of the rest of the Giants.
Broader Lore Questions
Why does Kratos hate the gods?
Kratos doesn’t hate all the gods; his hatred is primarily directed towards Ares and Zeus, who manipulated and betrayed him. The other gods he “disliked”.
Can Kratos truly die?
While theoretically possible, Kratos’s divine nature and resilience make him incredibly difficult to kill permanently. He has survived situations that would obliterate lesser beings, even suicide.
Why is Kratos no longer a god in the Norse saga?
This is a simplification. Kratos is still a god; he’s the son of Zeus, however the beginning of God of War 2 is when Zeus strips Kratos of his godly powers. He actively suppresses his godly nature and focuses on being a father.
Is Kratos immortal?
Kratos is basically unkillable; however, he is not immortal, and ages.
Connections and Easter Eggs
Will Kratos ever go to Egypt in future games?
The God of War: Fallen God comic series suggests that Kratos did travel to Egypt. Whether this will be explored in future games remains to be seen, but the Norse saga ended so Egypt is more likely.
Character Insights
Why did Kratos cry at the end of Ragnarok?
Kratos cried because he saw a mural depicting him as a revered and respected figure, a god of hope and help. This contrasted sharply with his past as a god of war and destruction, demonstrating he achieved the person he wanted to be.
In conclusion, the demise of each god at Kratos’s hand unleashed a torrent of consequences, forever altering the landscape of the God of War universe. Understanding these aftermaths provides a deeper appreciation for the complexities of the narrative and the profound impact of Kratos’s actions. This exploration shows how games can tell meaningful stories about the impacts of war, the journey for redemption, and overcoming great obstacles. You can learn more about the educational value of gaming at sites such as GamesLearningSociety.org.