Kratos had entered the clearing, following a ringing phone, prepared to yell at Yuan (and maybe punch him). . .Ā
and instead encounters fate once more.
Yuanās goddamn cloak is lying spread by a pile of ashes.
And that goddamn phone is still ringing.
Kratos stomps on it viciously, breaking it into pieces.
āYuan, yod goddamn idiot.ā
He shouldnāt have walked away that time. Why did he walk away? He should have tried harder, instead, he ran away like a coward. Again.Ā
. . .it seems all he can do is add to his regrets.
But now he thinks he might understand why Yuan was so angry with him. Because Kratos is pissed off that Yuan went and died and left. When Kratos was the one who was leaving, it was hardāone of the hardest things heās ever done, up there with fighting Mithosābut itās nothing compared to this. A complete feeling of powerlessness and regret like whenā
. . .what is he going to tell Mithos?
Those scientists. . .
theyāre like Kvar and the Desians. Acting like peopleās lives mean nothing, like others are inferior to themāonly creatures fit to be experimented on for their own sick amusement and gain.
He needs to find Mithos, now.
Still, Kratos takes the time to sink to one knee and drape Yuanās cape over his ashes and mark the spotāthe only act of respect Kratos can think of as thereās no body left to bury and no possibility of a more permanent grave-marker.
āRest in peace, Yuan. You, at least, have earned it.ā