THE GREAT BATTLE

BOSS: ODIN ON HORSEBACK (PHASE 1)

Either before or during the battle, some characters would have to exchange a few words, particularly granddaughter and grandfather because of the awkward situation they find themselves being on opposite sides. Thrúd might try to talk some sense into Odin by saying something like "Please, you can still stop this!", to which he might reply "You disappoint me, Thrúd. It's a shame... Your parents have neglected you, they are not even capable of raising their children properly... How could you let yourself be fooled by those who are trying to destroy our home?". Plus some cutting remark from Odin about his son's recent failure to stop the besiegers from breaking through the wall.

This combat stage would initially take place on that main sloping road, not too wide and limiting the cross scrolling. The main enemy being Odin with his proper boss bar, the player would try to gain ground against the Einherjar (and even some monsters), having to move forward and get along a relatively narrow corridor. While the All-Father gallops and charges with his steed from side to side, also using magical ranged attacks; Vidar would be kept more busy with Atreus and Thrúd, occasionally attacking Kratos melee, resulting in brief "semi-cinematic" encounters.

Note: Odin's eight-legged equid, Sleipnir, would also have the same ability as Garm to tear through the fabric of reality with his galloping speed and travel through portals. Which would make Odin on horseback a somewhat elusive and annoying adversary.

Like some of the previous ones, this confrontation and the following ones in this "Great Battle" are considerably atypical in their design. Characters and NPCs come and go everywhere, while the combat terrain changes at the same time as the movements of the main opponent.
At the beginning of the battle, only Thrúd, Atreus and Kratos face off against minor enemies, as well as Vidar and Odin. But little by little, as the player progresses in combat, other contenders appear. And, in fact, the fighting area expands as the surroundings are destroyed. Gradually turning from a straight and reduced level to a circular and wide one in the traditional arena style, but things are constantly happening around that even interfere with the gameplay.

With the boss's health bar at 75% or so (the situation seems very unfavorable for the protagonists), Fenrir and Angrboda appear from a portal, followed by Gná. Shortly after, at 50%, Freya appears with considerable reinforcements of elves and other Freyr's entourage.

And when everything starts to look really chaotic, as the boss bar is lowered to 25% or so, Thor and Jörmungandr finally reappear from underneath the debris, causing a loud bang and flying off into the air. In a last and mighty strike of the Aesir, he drops a huge thunderbolt on the snake that makes him disappear for good (sending him to the past as in the game, of course). 

The massive blast makes everything tremble, causing a moment of pause in the battle and creating an earthquake that, opportunely and somehow, separates the parties (allow me the license). A moment when both sides glance at each other and exchange a few words. Even (as in the game) Freyr appears bruised and a bit exhausted, who informs that Ragnarök moves slowly but surely. Kratos instructs him to continue trying to hold him back.

Meanwhile, a furious Thor lands next to his father. It is then that he sees his daughter on the other side and with bloodshot eyes he shouts "Thrúd, what are you doing there, get away from them right now!". To which she replies "No, Dad, you have to listen to me! They're not the bad guys!". Thor answers back with "I've had enough of you two!" –addressing Kratos and Atreus–. "You've gotten into my daughter's mind! Get away from her!" –and with that said, he is the first to take the initiative and charge from both sides, rushing like lightning at Kratos.

BOSS: ODIN ON HORSEBACK (PHASE 2)

As Thor lunges at the Spartan, both leave the frame shot while demolishing buildings in the distance. So, this time the player takes control of Atreus again. Odin's boss health bar is filled again.

Now, even more than before, everything becomes extremely chaotic. In the background, individual confrontations are scattered throughout the city more and more. While Kratos is seen busy with Thor, Freya can be seen dueling with Gná.

Odin then begins to ride quickly and loosely through the area casting powerful spells, to which Atreus ends up responding by mounting Fenrir alongside Angrboda and chasing after him. Leaving behind Vidar, with whom the wolf and the Jotun were engaged, who is left at the mercy of Thrúd, Hildisvíni and some elves.

In this moment Fenrir is directly controlled with some movement agency. With a couple of attacks at disposal, he razes every Einherjar in his way trying to reach the fast and elusive Sleipnir, which makes it very difficult to hit or damage the All-Father.

Eventually, the young giants notice that Sleipnir has soulless eyes, as did Garm and other animals in Ironwood.

So they devise a plan. When they manage to reach the horse with the wolf's claws, immobilizing it while keeping Odin busy, Atreus takes the chance to jump on it. And with one of the marbles containing the soul of a Jotun, given at that very moment by Angrboda, he casts (this time alone, without help) the spell that inserts him into the animal.