Kratos and Odin: An Unpathable Journey

The sun rays had barely risen over the horizon, and the wind was just starting to pick up. On a quiet beach, a small wooden skiff came ashore, carrying two men.

One of those men was tall, broad-shouldered and sinewy. The other was equally large and even more broad, with a beard that seemed to be as wild and untamed as the man himself. Still, despite their differing physiques, they shared an oddly striking similarity: both men sported an odd array of scars across their bodies, as though they had been criss-crossed by some celestial barbwire.

"The sun is barely up yet, Kratos," said Odin from within his billowing coat. "What are we doing here so early?"

Kratos stepped out of the boat onto the sand and turned to face Odin. "We need to keep moving." He paused for a moment, his eyes peering into Odin's face. "There is something you must know."

Odin adjusted his glasses beneath his bushy eyebrows and shivered against the ocean breeze. "What's that?" he asked gruffly.

"You can no longer return to Asgard." Kratos' voice was stern. "Not unless you want Loki to learn about your time machine."

Odin started at Kratos' words - time machine? His eyes squinted noticeably as he tried to remember why they were here in Greece in the first place.

And then it clicked. He remembered now...

**

It was late at night in Asgard when Odin returned home from another journey abroad - one that took him through distant lands, strange dimensions and periods of time unknown to any being but himself. As he made his way into his study on the highest tower of Idavollr, he found himself quite surprised at what he found there: Mjolnir laying on the floor before him!

Devastated by this sight, Odin fell back against a nearby wall for support. After all these years of searching for it - what did it mean that Mjolnir was just sitting here in front of him? But then again... how did it get here? Did someone take it from its place in the armory? Had someone else managed to master summoning Gungnir or Naglfar without him knowing? Had whoever took it done so unintentionally? There were too many unanswered questions...

Odin looked at Mjolnir closely - there had been no scratches or dents in its metal surface; no signs of any struggle had occurred during whatever event had caused Mjolnir's appearance here now...

*

At that moment, there was a knock at the door of Idavollr - it was Kratos standing behind it! "My King," said Kratos with urgency in his tone, "I have returned with news!" With those words uttered by Kratos, Mjolnir began floating slowly towards Odin who stood still staring down at it while Kratos entered into Idavollr after opening the doors himself! "Kratos..." Odin spoke softly as he looked up at him with confusion in his voice, "What is happening?" Kratos walked towards him and reached out for Mjolnir which floated closer and closer until it rested gently within Kratos' hands!