"I never expected you to look this young. Usually, anyone who can master magic at the level you display is already thousands of years old. Magic requires constant refinement and long periods of trial and error. Yet here you are, barely entering adulthood but already standing among the strongest magic users I have ever seen," Mimir said to Zelos, still watching him with curiosity as if trying to fit every piece together.
"Hahahaha, that mouth of yours will eventually cause trouble for you. Many would take those words as nothing but empty praise. Not me, though. I appreciate compliments when they are genuine," Zelos replied, and the two of them shared a laugh that felt a bit too natural considering the situation. Kratos then walked toward them, and both Zelos and Mimir slowly turned their attention to him once they realized they had been talking as if he was not even there.
"Forgive the rudeness. It has been a long time since I spoke with my friend here. I did not expect the child you travel with to be a god, although I suspected something. No creature across all nine realms can control magic on such a massive scale as easily as he can. You must be proud, brother," Mimir said to Kratos, who then looked at Zelos with a stern expression.
"Explain," Kratos said, clearly bothered that things had been happening without his knowledge.
Zelos calmly nodded. "Do you remember when I told you that I constantly summon multiple eagles and owls to search every part of Midgard, since new angles help me understand magic better? Mimir was the only one who could detect me. It caught my interest, and I started talking with him. He was not exaggerating when he said he was the smartest man alive. He helped me refine one of the most complex spells I have ever attempted. In exchange, I have been searching for a method to free him from these bindings he is trapped in."
Mimir smiled at that memory while Zelos continued explaining, both of them briefly falling silent as they recalled the long process of experimenting and exchanging ideas. After a few more moments, Atreus finally returned, looking somewhat tired but attentive.
"No one out there. I told you already," Atreus said while catching his breath. Kratos did not respond, instead turning toward Mimir, who looked at him with the kind of expression that suggested he already expected to be asked questions.
"Their mother is dead. She wanted us to…" Kratos began, but Atreus finished it for him.
"She wanted us to spread her ashes on the highest peak of all the realms," Atreus explained. Mimir's expression shifted into something softer, almost sympathetic.
"Oh. Then you came to the wrong place, little brother. The highest peak is not here in Midgard. It is in Jotunheim, the realm of the giants," Mimir said. Kratos and Atreus both stiffened with frustration.
"That is not what she meant," Kratos said, trying to deny it, but Mimir pressed the point.
"Take a look. This is the last known bridge to Jotunheim. That mountain over there, the one shaped like a giant's fingertip scraping the sky, that is the real highest peak of all the realms. Not this one." Mimir showed them the mountain through an illusion.
"Why can't we use that bridge? We have the bifrost," Atreus asked.
"When the giants destroyed the other bridges, they locked this one away with a secret rune. If the rune still exists, only a giant would know it," Zelos said as he stepped in, making it clear he already understood the situation.
"But the giants left Midgard long ago," Atreus replied.
"True. Yet today, fate has stirred up something unusual. Only two living beings can get you where you need to go. Fortunately for you, my schedule is empty," Mimir replied, making both Kratos and Atreus feel even more confused.
"Two? Who is the second one?" Atreus asked. Zelos answered immediately.
"Me. Mimir is referring to me. I am one of the few who can speak the obscure tongue," Zelos said.
"Obscure tongue? Wait… do you mean…" Atreus began.
"Yes. I can speak with the World Serpent," Zelos replied. Atreus looked shocked, while Kratos only seemed mildly surprised but clearly thinking through the implications.
"Why did you not speak to him earlier? And why did you not tell us?" Atreus asked.
"First, I had no reason to speak with him. Should I disturb him just because I can? Second, I did say something earlier that should have made it obvious. I said that since neither of you speak the obscure tongue, you could not understand him even if he spoke. I assumed that was enough, but apparently not," Zelos said.
Kratos then asked, "What do we need to do, Zelos?"
Zelos looked at Mimir, then back to Kratos. "Can we bring Mimir with us? Having someone knowledgeable is better than guessing our way through everything."
Kratos studied Mimir for a moment before finally answering. "Fine. What must be done?"
Zelos nodded in satisfaction while Atreus and Mimir both reacted with excitement. Atreus immediately began asking Mimir questions, while Kratos stood in silence, still processing everything.
"I will handle it. Mimir, are you ready for your freedom?" Zelos asked. Mimir froze, eyes widening with disbelief.
"You mean you discovered it?" Mimir said, barely able to keep his voice steady. Zelos nodded, and Mimir nearly jumped in joy, though Kratos and Atreus were once again confused.
"What is going on?" Atreus asked.
"Mimir is bound here by Odin. No weapon, not even Thor's hammer, can free him. When I met your brother, he began developing an anti binding spell. It seems he finally finished it," Mimir explained.
Atreus looked at Zelos. "You two know each other?"
"I will explain later. For now, I will free him," Zelos said. He then raised his hand and summoned complex circles of magic around the tree.
The circles glowed before breaking apart into countless small butterflies, each one landing upon the runes carved into the wood.
Every butterfly absorbed a portion of the magic that held the bindings in place. The more butterflies that appeared, the more the magic weakened, and cracks began forming on the surface of the tree.
Zelos was analyzing everything as it happened, every fragment of absorbed magic processed and stored in his mind. The wood eventually split apart entirely as the final runes collapsed.
In the next moment, Mimir fell forward, freed from a curse that had bound him for so long. His form was exposed, and Zelos immediately conjured clothing for him. Mimir stood in disbelief, touching his chest and arms as if still expecting the restraints to remain.
For the first time since the three arrived at the summit, Mimir was completely free, alive, and able to stand on his own.