19. The Summit of Sacrifice

BOSS: ZEUS

Now it's time to finish that battle from earlier where Zeus had an unfair
advantage. For this battle, Kratos will have the Blade of Olympus equipped.

Attacks (Phase #1):

Tremor: Zeus holds both arms out to the side then pounds on the side of the
platform creating a tremor throughout the entire platform.

How to avoid: Double jump and glide.

Thunderbolt Toss: Zeus tosses a thunderbolt directly toward either the middle
or one of the side areas of the platform. The resulting tremor from the
thunderbolt is the portion of the attack that can actually hit Kratos.

How to avoid: Roll or jump.

Platform Pound: Zeus will slam his hand into the platform after being stunned
by a Siren.

How to avoid: Roll or jump.

The battle will start with Zeus in giant form. He will place both hands on the
summit that you are on and summon Sirens to attack you. Little does he know
that the Sirens will be used to Kratos' advantage. Weaken the Sirens with
Cronos' Rage or just use Trembling Earth with Atlas Quake to quickly make the
icons appear over their heads. Grab a Siren to finish it off. As Kratos kills
off each Siren, its piercing scream will stun Zeus and make him pound the
platform. Keep in mind that the shockwave from the platform pound can hit you
so be ready to jump or roll. Run up to his hand and hit it with the Blade of
Olympus. The Sirens can really cause you to take damage if they stun you with
one of their screams, so always try to defeat them quickly.

Keep in mind that magic is not an issue during this battle since the Sirens
will release blue orbs upon death and Zeus will release blue orbs after being
stunned from a Siren scream. Kratos is invulnerable during the Siren's death
animation (once he grabs them) or during the use of Trembling Earth with Atlas
Quake, so be sure to use these factors to your advantage.

Once Zeus's arm falls to the platform and an icon appears rush up to him to
start an action sequence.

Attacks (Phase #2)

Punch Combo: Zeus rushes toward Kratos and performs two punches to the gut then
holds both hands upwards and lets loose an earth shattering overhead.
Sometimes he will perform a sliding punch to start this combination.

How to avoid: Block (first 2 punches of the combo only), roll, or deflect
(first two punches only).

Sliding Punch: Zeus leans over and charges a punch then slides toward Kratos
with a punch to the gut. If this connects, he will go right into his punch
combo.

How to avoid: Roll or deflect (You CANNOT block this).

Thunderbolt: Zeus holds up a thunderbolt in his hand then hurls two
thunderbolts at Kratos.

How to avoid: Roll or deflect (deflection is highly recommended).

Thunderbolt Wave: Zeus holds up both hands and collects lightening charge from
the heavens then pounds the ground in front of him before sending out a
thunderbolt wave.

How to avoid: Block (thunderbolt wave only), jump, roll, deflect (thunderbolt
wave only)

Zeus will shrink down to Kratos' size for this battle, but he is much more
deadly this time around. His attacks are very quick at this time and only some
portions of each move are unblockable. When he darts in with a combo, block
the first two hits and roll away from the ground pound. When he collects
lightening from the sky, back off and block or jump over the thunderbolt wave
that he sends toward you. Kratos can deflect his normal thunderbolts and gain
some orbs in return; otherwise, get ready to roll away and possibly get hit as
Zeus throws them. Keep in mind that his thunderbolts will be his main move
when you are mid distance from him. Deflection MUST be used on higher
difficulties.

Zeus will be dodging back and forth the whole time between attacks. It is a
good idea to place Cronos' Rage orbs around the area to stop him from his
dodging then hit him while he is stunned. You can literally trap him with this
magic so Cronos' Rage will be your best magic for this battle. Have it maxed
out if you have the spare red orbs. Zeus is still fairly easy to hit even
without the use of magic, though you must watch as he prepares an attack since
normal attacks will not stun him that often.

Zeus will eventually unleash a whole bunch of orbs then he will grab Kratos and
steal the Blade of Olympus from Kratos' grasp.

Fun Fact: Zeus has to hit Kratos with his sliding punch in order to steal the
Blade of Olympus from him. If you can continue to dodge this move, he will
keep performing his sliding punch in an attempt to steal the blade.

Attacks (Phase #3)

Sword Swing Combo: Zeus will swing the Blade of Olympus twice as he moves
toward Kratos (one upward swing, one horizontal swing).

How to avoid: Block, roll, or deflect.

Lightening Slice: Zeus will hold his sword toward the heavens and charge it
with energy then swing it downward at Kratos as it unleashes a lightening wave.

How to avoid: Roll.

Jumping Overhead Swing: Zeus will jump toward Kratos and perform an overhead
strike that sends a wave of lightening at him.

How to avoid: Roll.

Lightening Shot: Zeus extends his blade toward Kratos and holds it in place for
a few seconds then swings the blade and sends a lightening shot towards Kratos.

How to avoid: Roll.

Kratos is forced to use his Athena's Blades during the bout. It doesn't matter
though, because Cronos' Rage will still keep Zeus just as stunned as it did
back then. All of his moves except for the blade combo require Kratos to roll
in order to avoid taking damage so I would recommend that you keep your thumb
close to that right analog for this portion of the battle. Zeus will block
while he has the blade in his grasp so you will be forced to hit him while he
recovers from his moves a bunch in order to hit him most of the time, but this
is not always required. When he weakens, he will stagger forward and swing the
blade blindly (this can hit you) then a O button icon will appear above his
head. Run toward him and press the button to steal the Blade of Olympus back
from him.

Action Sequence

Kratos grapples the Blade of Olympus then flips over Zeus while still
holding the blade and >>STRUGGLES<< to break the blade from Zeus' grip as
he talks to the Zeus.

Kratos will kick Zeus into the pillars off to the side. Run over to the set of
pillars that Kratos kicked Zeus into and press R1 near the shiny portion of the
pillar to the side of Zeus.

The battle will continue the same way it was at the beginning with Kratos
fighting Zeus at normal size while Kratos has the Blade of Olympus. The same
tactics work here as they did in the prior battle with the Blade of Olympus.
Zeus will once again steal the Blade of Olympus after he releases several orbs.
He will summon lightening spheres around himself and these will hit Kratos if
he comes in contact with Zeus or if he tries to hit Zeus. Unleash Rage of the
Titans at this point and attack Zeus. Zeus will release several orbs once
again and stagger. An icon will appear signaling you to press the O button
near him. The same Action Sequence will appear as the last time (with a
different ending mind you). Zeus will fly toward the pillars on the other side
of the platform. Rush over to the shiny pillar during that time and press the
R1 button to finish this phase of the battle.

Phase #4

Kratos will be free to move once again as Zeus flies off the platform and
emerges in giant form once again. When Zeus starts to electrify the entire
platform an action sequence will trigger.

Action Sequence

Kratos >>STRUGGLES<< to maintain himself against Zeus' overwhelming power
and eventually gives up and surrenders with the phrase "I lay down my
arms, Zeus!" Zeus is shocked in Kratos decision as he shrinks back down
to Kratos' size. Kratos sticks the blade into the ground then turns and
walk away as Zeus descends to the platform. Kratos gets down on his
knees with his back turned to Zeus as Zeus lands behind him. "Release me
from this torment of mine", Kratos says as Zeus picks up the blade and
replies "I will release you from your life my son, but you're torment is
just beginning". Kratos [CLICKS] at this point as Zeus raises the sword
but Kratos turns to quickly deflect the blade with his Golden Fleece as
he steps toward Zeus and [GRABS] the back of his head then stabs Zeus in
the chest with an Athena's Blade. Kratos pulls the blade out of Zeus'
chest and kicks him toward a pillar then [WALKS] over to him and grabs
Zeus hand that holds the Blade of Olympus. Kratos breaks the arm of the
god making him release the blade then drives Zeus' head into a pillar and
smears his head into another. Zeus lifts up his head and starts to reach
for the blade, but Kratos [GRABS] Zeus' hand and holds up an Athena's
Blade then stabs the god's hand as it falls against a piece of debris,
confining Zeus' hand to the wall. Kratos quickly stabs Zeus' other hand
into the wall with his other Athena's Blade. Kratos picks up the Blade
of Olympus and starts to walk away then, as Zeus starts to break free
from his confines, Kratos readies the Blade and starts to plunge it into
Zeus' chest. Zeus' grabs the Blade of Olympus with one arm and starts to
>>STRUGGLE<< with Kratos. Zeus manages to knock away the blade slightly
but Kratos quickly responds by driving the blade right through Zeus'
chest. Kratos jerks the blade inward and outward as the stab he has
waited so long to deliver has finally found its mark. Kratos continues
to grasp the blade while looking down at Zeus and is most likely thinking
to himself, "Your powers are weak, old man".

A cutscene will start right after the action sequence.