The 2018 soft reboot of God of War masterfully wove a deep and intricate narrative steeped in Norse mythology, leaving players with numerous compelling mysteries. One of the most enduring riddles occurs during the emotional mission titled The Sickness, where Kratos must desperately rush an ailing Atreus to Freya's hut. Along the journey, a deep, resonating blast echoes across Midgard, indicating that someone has summoned Jörmungandr, the massive World Serpent. Although Mimir acknowledges the sudden sound, the game never explicitly identifies the culprit, sparking intense debate across the global gaming community.
The Timeline and Context of the Mysterious Blast
To understand the weight of this event, players must look closely at the specific sequence of events unfolding in the game. Kratos is entirely occupied with saving his son's life, meaning the protagonist and Atreus are completely removed from the Lake of Nine at that moment. The summoning of the World Serpent requires a specific horn located on Tyr's temple, which is normally inaccessible to ordinary travelers. This narrows down the potential suspects to individuals who possess both the knowledge of the serpent and the physical means to reach the platform.
Furthermore, the World Serpent only responds to those who speak the Old Tongue, a language known to very few characters in Midgard. Because the giant snake reacts peacefully rather than attacking, the individual who blew the horn likely did not harbor immediate malicious intent toward the creature. This subtle narrative clue has led many analysts to rule out mindless monsters or random scavengers inhabiting the realm.
Top Fan Theories and Major Contenders
Among the most popular theories, many players point toward Baldur or his nephew deities, Magni and Modi, as the likely figures searching for the Ghost of Sparta. Director Cory Barlog later dropped a fascinating hint on social media, asking fans to consider who would be actively walking in the duo's footsteps during that exact timeframe. This has led many to believe that a vengeful Modi or a scheming Aesir god was tracking the heroes to ambush them. However, none of these characters are ever shown to speak the ancient language required to converse with Jörmungandr properly.
Another fascinating perspective looks toward the future, suggesting that a time-traveling version of Loki or Kratos might be responsible. The game explicitly states that the battle between Thor and the World Serpent during Ragnarok was so violent that it splintered the World Tree, casting Jörmungandr backward through time. If the serpent could travel through time, it stands to reason that future versions of the main characters might have done the same to ensure history unfolded correctly.
Mythological Implications and Future Context
Looking at classical Norse mythology provides another layer of depth, pointing directly toward Heimdall as a potential candidate. In traditional lore, Heimdall carries the legendary Gjallarhorn, a powerful instrument whose sound can be heard across all the nine realms. While he does not make a physical appearance in the 2018 installment, his heavy ties to the overarching narrative make him a logical background actor. The blast might have been an early warning signal or a tactical movement by the Aesir to gauge the strength of the giants' greatest ally.
Ultimately, leaving this question unanswered was a deliberate piece of world-building by Santa Monica Studio. It reminds players that Midgard is a living, breathing world where other powerful entities are executing their own hidden agendas simultaneously. Whether the truth is ever explicitly revealed or left to the imagination, the mystery of the horn remains a brilliant example of environmental storytelling that keeps the community engaged years after release.
