Why God of War Ragnarok's Atreus Wants To Learn About Loki
David Mccullough Atreus is still in the dark about his identity. He knows that he's half god, but the other half is still unknown and that could tear him apart. Again.
The reboot of God of War reveals a great deal about its characters, especially Kratos' son Atreus, who gets a revelation before the game's end that speaks to his identity and heritage, and his name to the Jötnar, or Giants - Loki. This relates not only to his mother, but deals with his relationship to his father as well.
[Warning God of War spoilers below.]
In the final moments of God of War, Kratos and Atreus come across a sprawling cave painting that depicts their journey up to that point and beyond, and this reveals Atreus' name, Loki. Atreus learns a lot about himself over the course of God of War's story, but he never has the time to truly process it. The biggest and most notable revelation is that he is a god, which causes an immediate change in him. However, this revelation comes after nearly dying while still grieving his mother's death, so it immediately goes to his head because it made him feel strong and untouchable. Kratos is able to reel that in and because Kratos is the source of Atreus' godhood, it's safe to assume that he has been exploring it with Atreus in the time between God of War and Ragnarök.
However, Atreus knows that this is only one part of the mystery regarding his identity. Not only is his mother Faye gone, but as far as they know, all the Jötnar are dead as well. Without the presence of those who know the other half of who his story, Atreus is likely struggling to see himself and Loki as one in the same. While the struggle of accepting one's identity is hard enough, God of War already set a precedent for what this does to Atreus in terms of his physical well-being, and with his powers revealing themselves, he is likely scared as well.
Not Knowing Who Loki Is Could Destroy Atreus
Ever since Atreus was young, he's been plagued by a "sickness," which is revealed to be his internal struggle around identity, a struggle that's literally tearing him apart. Due to believing he was mortal, Atreus' godhood and the powers that come with it were uncontrolled and volatile, but Kratos will likely be able to help him control those powers. However, Loki isn't known by the Norse pantheon for his "Spartan Rage," so there still seems to be something unknown in Atreus that continues to eat away at him.
Atreus already knows that he has an innate understanding of language, and depending on one's interpretation of in-game powers, the ability to summon magical animals and other beings. Like the Aesir, the Jötnar have unique and powerful abilities, one of the most important being their precognition. Faye was a gifted seer, as this skill was how she was able to not only see the journey they would take after her death, but also their roles in the events of Ragnarök. This specific ability is important to Atreus because God of War's secret ending revealed that he has inherited her precognition when he saw Thor's arrival in his dreams.
More and more powers are awakening in Atreus and he can only learn so much from Kratos. Atreus is clearly becoming frustrated with his lack of knowledge about this part of him and if he doesn't find any answers or get any help in controlling these new abilities, it could destroy him. Hopefully God of War Ragnarök will provide Atreus with the answers he wants - perhaps even needs - before it's too late.
