The end of God of War (2018) contains a mysterious mural which may portray what awaits Kratos in the future. Throughout the game, players are able to uncover a variety of paintings and tapestries which reveal lore and backstory alongside in-game sequences. These rune-filled carvings provide a visual storyline of events that took place before and during the game itself, but the final painting at the end of God of War hints at a sinister future.
This article contains major spoilers for God of WarRather than focusing on Greek and Roman mythology, God of War (2018) is centered on exploring the vast pantheon of Norse gods, worlds, and legends. Players follow the story of Kratos and his son Atreus as they journey to Jötunheim where they plan to scatter the ashes of Faye, Kratos' wife and Atreus' mother. Once they reach their destination, the two explore a vast room filled with murals of prophecy, where many secrets are revealed. Atreus leaves, and Kratos is left alone as a red curtain is blown aside to unveil a hidden part of the mural: Kratos' death.
The Jötunheim Wall of Prophecy shows Atreus holding up Kratos' dead body as a swirl of runic letters and words pour out of the boy's mouth. Throughout God of War, it's made clear that Faye's prophecies have all come true, so it's implied to be etched in fate for Kratos to die in the hands of Atreus. How that will occur is unknown, but will likely be an important detail in God of War: Ragnarök. Check out the scene below from Zanar Aesthetics on YouTube:
The runic words around the image reveal more information. J.L. Hilton translated the runes surrounding Atreus at the end of God of War, spelling out "Death," "Father," "Mourned," and "Betrayal." It's clear that Kratos is dead, not simply wounded, but the "betrayal" portion of the mural presents a more sinister tease of what might happen to the God of War.
Atreus May Kill Kratos
It's possible that Atreus will end up killing Kratos. Children killing their fathers (and vice versa) is a recurring motif which occurs throughout all the God of War titles, and is directly tied to Kratos himself in multiple ways. In God of War (2018), there is a side quest which involves the murder of a bandit by his own child, a point which lingers with Atreus for a long time. In turn, Kratos later admits to the killing of his own father, Zeus. While Atreus is an overall sweet character, he has had moments of rage-induced violence. Given that Kratos killed his own family in Greece through his own problems with uncontrollable rage, such impulsiveness seems to run in the family.
However, there is nothing in this mural which directly states Kratos' wounds are caused by Atreus. The swirl coming out of the boy's mouth could represent some sort of healing magic or incantation, a song of mourning or a lament, or even a revival spell of some kind. It's possible Kratos was wounded in battle by a close friend, perhaps someone players have already met or will meet in God of War: Ragnarök.
Kratos May Die During Ragnarök
In Norse mythology, Ragnarök is the central apocalyptic event. At the end of God of War (2018), it's revealed that Fimbulwinter is coming, a dreaded three-year winter before Ragnarök unfolds. An additional post-credits scene shows the arrival of Thor standing outside Kratos' home surrounded by snow and ice, and a later trailer for the sequel shows the two gods in combat. Given the information and videos released for God of War: Ragnarök so far, along with the title itself, it seems clear the next game will be picking up right at that scene and the start of Ragnarök. Check out the latest official trailer below:
Kratos is notorious for defying his fate, so whether he will truly stay dead as the Jötunheim Wall of Prophecy seemingly states is up in the air. Thor and Odin both likely aren't too happy with Kratos after his actions in the previous game, and the line "Death can have me when it earns me," certainly feels like it is foreshadowing his eventual demise. What lays in store for Kratos and Atreus is largely unknown, and the boy is clearly hiding something from his father, but if the mural in Jötunheim is true, Kratos will be facing his permanent end in God of War: Ragnarök.
Source: J.L. Hilton
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God of War
- Released:
- 2018-04-20
- Developer:
- Santa Monica Studio
- Franchise:
- God of War
- Genre:
- Action, Adventure
- Platform:
- PlayStation 4
- Publisher:
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
- ESRB:
- M
