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Fenrir

the wolf reborn in Helheim

Fenrir was the beloved wolf of Kratos and Atreus, who died of old age and whose soul Atreus unknowingly carried in his knife. Transplanted into the body of the realm-tearing hound Garm, Fenrir was reborn as a giant wolf and a loyal ally during Ragnarök.

By Joe Garratt

Fenrir was the old and ailing wolf kept by Kratos and Atreus. When he died, Atreus unknowingly cast a spell that drew the wolf's soul into his knife, and that soul was later transplanted into the body of the realm-tearing hound Garm, resurrecting Fenrir as a giant wolf who aided them through the events of Ragnarök.

The wolf at the cabin#

During the long winter of Fimbulwinter, Kratos and Atreus took in Fenrir, along with the wolves Speki and Svanna, and the boy grew deeply fond of him. Fenrir was already old, and his age left him in failing health. Atreus believed that with enough care he would recover, but the wolf only worsened. In the end Fenrir died in Atreus' lap as the boy did his best to comfort him, never realizing that in those final moments he was drawing the wolf's soul into his own knife. Grief-stricken, Atreus buried him in the woods.

The soul in the knife#

While the two were together in Ironwood, Angrboda sensed that Fenrir's soul rested within Atreus' knife, something the boy had no knowledge of. Despite his questions, she felt it best not to tell him whose soul it was, saying that he would come to understand it in time.

Reborn in Helheim#

Fenrir was brought back to life in Helheim. There Kratos and Atreus faced Garm, a soulless and seemingly unkillable hound that could tear holes in the fabric of the realms. Remembering what Angrboda had taught him about souls, and how he had once placed a giant's soul into the body of a snake, Atreus drove his knife, which carried Fenrir's soul, into Garm's head. The wolf fled in pain and confusion until Kratos and Atreus found him whimpering in a cave. Atreus had hoped the soul would only temper Garm's destructive nature, but to his surprise Fenrir's gentle soul overtook the body entirely. Recognizing the wolf by the color of his eyes, Atreus called his name, and Fenrir emerged to lick the boy's face and obey Kratos' command to sit. He at once revealed his new power to tear a rift in the realms, opening a way back to Midgard. Atreus soon entrusted his care to Angrboda, better suited to handle the now-giant wolf.

Ally in Ragnarök#

During Ragnarök, Fenrir carried Angrboda into battle, scattering Odin's forces and destroying the dwarven-built war machines, and was seen tearing apart and devouring a dragon that blocked Kratos and Atreus' path. When the new Valkyrie queen Gna swept in to attack Angrboda, Fenrir opened a rift and carried Gna away through it. He returned with Angrboda to rescue Kratos and his allies as the fire giant Surtr prepared to bring down Asgard. In the days after, he was seen at rest in Jötunheim in Angrboda's company.

A giant reborn#

As a giant Hel-hound reborn, Fenrir was among the most powerful beings in the realms. He inherited Garm's vast strength, enough to wreck Odin's war machines and kill a dragon, along with his great durability and his power to tear rifts between the realms and travel instantly from one to the next. He carried the usual loyalty and intelligence of a dog, obeying commands with ease, though he mastered the rift-creation power with no training at all. He also gained Garm's ability to loose blasts of ice. His original grave could still be found in the woods of Midgard, and in the days after Ragnarök it bloomed with a bed of flowers.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Fenrir in God of War?
Fenrir was an aging wolf kept by Kratos and Atreus, found during Fimbulwinter alongside the wolves Speki and Svanna. When he died of old age, his soul was unknowingly drawn into Atreus' knife, and he was later reborn as a giant wolf.
How did Fenrir die?
Fenrir was already old when Kratos and Atreus took him in, and his age left him in failing health. Despite Atreus' care he only worsened, and he died in the boy's lap, his soul drawn unknowingly into Atreus' knife.
How was Fenrir reborn?
In Helheim, Kratos and Atreus faced Garm, a soulless and seemingly unkillable hound that could tear holes in the realms. Atreus drove his soul-bearing knife into Garm's head, and Fenrir's gentle soul overtook the body entirely, reviving him as a giant wolf.
What powers did the reborn Fenrir have?
As a giant Hel-hound, Fenrir inherited Garm's vast strength, great durability, the ability to loose blasts of ice, and the power to tear rifts between realms and travel instantly between them. He mastered the rift-creation power with no training at all while keeping the loyalty and intelligence of a dog.
What did Fenrir do during Ragnarok?
During Ragnarok, Fenrir carried Angrboda into battle, scattered Odin's forces, destroyed dwarven war machines, and devoured a dragon that blocked Kratos and Atreus' path. He carried the Valkyrie queen Gna away through a rift and returned to rescue Kratos and his allies as Surtr prepared to bring down Asgard.

Sources

  • WikiFenrirGod of War Wiki entry

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