Zeus (God of War)/Synopsis

This article's content is marked as Mature The page contains mature content that may include coarse language, sexual references, and/or graphic violent images which may be disturbing to some. Mature pages are recommended for those who are 18 years of age and older. If you are 18 years or older or are comfortable with graphic material, you are free to view this page. Otherwise, you should close this page and view another page.

Villain Overview Synopsis Gallery

The story of the legendary Zeus from the God of War series.

Background

Zeus' Past

Baby Zeus

According to Gaia, Zeus was the youngest son of Cronos, but before he was born, Cronos was forewarned by an Oracle that his own children were going to turn against both him and the other Titans. So Cronos tried to prevent this by imprisoning all of his children in his stomach. When it was time for Zeus to be imprisoned, Zeus' mother; Rhea could not bear to lose another child. So to protect her child, she decided to trick her husband. Rhea summoning an eagleand tasked to it carry baby Zeus to a place that Cronos could not see. She then used a stone and wrapped it in a cloth to replace baby Zeus. Cronos did not suspect a thing and ate the stone.

The Eagle sent baby Zeus to an island where he would be raised. The island was revealed to be Zeus' grandmother; the She-Titan; Gaia. Gaia raised Zeus to the beast of her abilities, but as the years went by, Zeus found out that his father imprisoned his older brothers and sisters in his stomach, (it is unclear how he found out, but it is likely that Gaia told Zeus that his brothers and sisters were inside Cronos stomach).

Young Zeus

Because of learning the truth, Zeus became enraged and filled with hatred of the Titans. It was also revealed that Zeus had been planning to release his brothers and sisters when he was a child, as there are carvings of him rescuing his siblings from Cronos near Gaia's heart. So when he grew up, Zeus left Gaia, seeking to rescue his siblings. Zeus eventually found Cronos and rescued his older siblings from their imprisonment in Cronos' stomach. After which the six, along with a few other Gods, join forces and fought all the Titans, which started the Great War.

The Great War

Zeus during the Great War.

According to Atlas, bloodlust consumed Zeus, which made him determined to rule all and end the Titan's reign. He, along with his brothers, Hades and Poseidon, and the other Gods of Olympus, was fighting all the Titans with little to no effort.

Zeus on the verge of creating the Blade of Olympus.

Determined to end the Great War once and for all, Zeus created a weapon made from the Heavens and the Earth; the Blade of Olympus. He then processed to use the Blade to wipe out a huge portion of the Titans. The ones that survived, were all banished and chained into the deepest, and darkest pits of Tartarus and were left to rot. However, Zeus decided to give Cronos a much worst fate than the other Titans; he decided to torture his father for devouring his brothers and sisters. Zeus punished Cronos by forcing him to wander the Desert of Lost Souls forever. The harsh sands would forever rip the flesh from his bones until the day he dies.

Zeus ending the Great War.

After which, the Gods came to power, and Mt. Olympus emerged from the chaos, Zeus became known as both the God of Lightning and King of the Gods. It was also suggested that Mt. Olympus grew to power, Zeus assigned Poseidon to be the God of the Seas, and Hades to be the God of the Underworld. Zeus also married his sister Hera, and the two had two sons; Ares, who became the God of War, and Hephaestus who became the Blacksmith God. Zeus also had other children, who ended up becoming either God of Olympus or Demigods. These included; Athena, Apollo, Artemis (, who took part in the First Great War), Pollux, Persephone, Hermes, Hercules, Aphrodite, Perseus, King Minos, King Rhadamanthus, King Aecus, Peirithous, and two other Demigods.

Creating Pandora's Box

Shortly after the Great War ended, and the Gods of Olympus came to power, Zeus became concerned. After the Great War ended, Evil started to spread. Zeus did not want any of the evils throughout the world to spread any further, so he commissioned his son Hephaestus to create a container to imprison all the evils. After Hephaestus managed to finished the Box, which Hephaestus called it Pandora's Box (, which was named after Hephaestus' adopted daughter; Pandora), Zeus placed all the evils inside the box, but what he did not know that Athena placed a weapon inside the Box should anyone open it and release the evils; Hope.

Hephaestus then recommended to Zeus that he should create a fortress to place Pandora's Box in. So Zeus and the Gods assigned the great architect, and loyal servant towards the Gods; Pathos Verdes III and his family to create a temple so they could keep Pandora's Box safe. Pathos placed various deadly traps and obstacles to make it near impossible for anyone to acquire the Box. After the Temple was completed, which also resulted in the death of Pathos and his entire family, Zeus chained the temple on top of Cronos' back and then placed the Box inside the Temple, where it could be safe, thinking that no one could ever reach Pandora's Box.

However, as the years went by, rumors started to spread about a container that if found and opened, could grant mortals untold power, so many mortals went to Pandora's Temple to find Pandora's Box and acquire this untold power. Many have tried, and all (, but one,) have failed. When the first mortal failed to retrieve the Box, Zeus and the Gods decided to punish him, by making him an undead immortal. The nameless mortal, now known as the Body Burner was forced to burn the corpses of those who failed to retrieve Pandora's Box, as well as be the one to open the main doorway into Pandora's Temple.

Tormenting Prometheus

Cronos was not the only Titan that Zeus decided to torture. He also tortured another Titan named Prometheus. He considered Prometheus a traitor after he attempted to take the Flame of Olympus to the mortals. Instead of killing Prometheus, Zeus thought that torture would be more efficient. Zeus started by stripping most of Prometheus' power, making him mortal. He then chained up Prometheus on the arm of another Titan; Typhon. Not only would Prometheus be outside in the freezing cold, but every morning a white eagle would swoop in, and then processed to devour Prometheus' liver. And when the sun goes down, all of Prometheus' injuries, including his liver, would be instantly healed, preventing him from dying, and to be forever tortured.

Making a Deal with the Furies

After Zeus' came to power, he eventually came across the Furies; Megaera, Tisiphone, and Alecto. Both he and the Furies made a deal with each other that if anyone betrayed the Gods of Olympus, they would be captured and tortured throughout eternity. The Furies accepted Zeus offer. He also made a blood oath with another Titan; Aegaeon but was eventually tricked and betrayed by the mighty Titan. Enraged, Zeus sent the Furies to capture and torture the mighty Titan. The Furies managed to capture Aegaeon and tortured him until his body became a prison for the damned. It is likely that Zeus sent some of his enemies to this prison to be tortured throughout eternity. It is also likely that Zeus did not know that the Furies were working for Ares and that they were planning to overthrow Olympus.

Searching for the Marked Warrior

While all of this was going on, Zeus had multiples affairs with many mortals, much of Hera's dismay. One of them was a female mortal named; Callisto. Together they end up having two sons; Kratos and his younger brother; Deimos. But after their children were born, Zeus told Callisto not to tell them who their real father was, left them, and returned to rule Mount Olympus. While ruling Olympus, Hera, for unknown reasons, wanted Zeus to kill Kratos, or what she called another bastard child, but Zeus refused to kill his son.

A few years later, Zeus was eventually warned by an Oracle. The Oracle warned him that someone was going to bring the destruction of Olympus. The only thing that the Oracle said was, that the destruction of Olympus was not going to be done by the hands of the Titans, but by the hands of revenge, by someone known as The Marked Warrior. To prevent that from ever happening, Zeus went on a search for the Marked Warrior. When he saw one of own his sons, named Deimos had a large birthmark covering a majority of his body, he immediately thought that Deimos was the Marked Warrior that he was warned about, and decided to take action. He did this by sending both the God and Goddess of War; Ares and Athena to capture Deimos. After Deimos was kidnapped and taken to the Domain of Death, it is likely that Zeus told Callisto not to tell their son Kratos where Deimos was and tell him that Deimos was dead. It is also likely that Zeus placed a curse on Callisto that if she did tell Kratos that Deimos is alive, she would turn into a mindless monster.

God of War: Comics

Zeus was implied to be disguised as a mysterious healer, Kratos encounter while searching for Ambrosia. A major hint was when he called The Spartan his son, before supplying him with Apollo's flame.

God of War: Ascension

Zeus' Statue in God of War: Ascension.

While The Furies were trying to kill Kratos, Megaera infected one of Aegaeon's hand. As it attacked Kratos, a Prisoner begged the Gods to spare him. Just as the infected hand was about to kill the Prisoner, a bright light illuminated the Prisoner and teleported him to the Rotunda of Olympus. When the Prisoner entered the Rotunda of Olympus he spotted four statues of four God of Olympus; Poseidon, Hades, Ares, and Zeus. The Gods decided to make him a warrior. The Prisoner, know dubbed The Redeemed Warrior had to chose which God he wanted to submit their soul to. If the Redeemed Warrior wanted to submit their soul to the God of Lightning Zeus, The warrior is granted with a giant sword.

Aiding Kratos

After Kratos committed so many sins against the Gods, one of them being killing his own wife and daughter, he asked forgiveness to the Gods of Olympus. Zeus and the Gods made a deal with Kratos that if he did whatever the Gods task him to do, they would forgive him of his sins. Kratos accepted Zeus' deal, however, Kratos also asked Zeus that if he did whatever the Gods told him to do, they would wipe out his memory and nightmares, though the Gods never said anything about agreeing to that. For 10 years of Kratos' life, Kratos did whatever Zeus and the Gods of Olympus assigned him to do.

God of War: Chains of Olympus

Put into a Deep Sleep

When Helios was kidnapped and the sun disappeared, the God of Dreams; Morpheus decided to take the advantage. He did this by creating a Black Fog that can put both mortals, and the Gods of Olympus to sleep. Zeus was one of the Gods that was put into a deep sleep. When Kratos found out it was Persephone that was responsible for the kidnapping of Helios, Kratos fought and killed her. After Helios was rescued, Morpheus retreated, and the Gods awoke from their slumber. It is possible that when Zeus woke up and found out about Morpheus' treason, he either punished Morpheus for his crimes against the Gods of Olympus or the latter escaped.

Zeus' Denial

Despite saving both the world and Mt. Olympus from Persephone and punishing Atlas even further, the Gods denied Kratos from reuniting with his daughter, which further Kratos' resentment for the Gods.

God of War

Zeus, in translucent form, about to grant Kratos Zeus' Fury.

On the 10th year of serving the Gods, Kratos was finally going to get what he asked, and all he had to do was kill the God of War; Ares. While Kratos was on a mission to kill Ares, he eventually came across Zeus in a translucent form. Zeus offered Kratos a magic ability called; Zeus' Fury, which granted Kratos the ability to throw lightning bolts at his enemies.

The Grave Digger

Zeus as the Grave Digger.

While Kratos was roaming around Athens, he comes across a mysterious figure known as the Grave Digger (later revealed to be Zeus watching over Kratos). The Grave Digger seems to know about Kratos' goals and kept referring to Kratos as his son. Kratos asked what he was doing digging a grave in midst of a battle, to which the Grave Digger said it was his duty. After Kratos asked who was it for, the man replied that he was digging Kratos' Grave to the Spartan's shock.

After Kratos acquired Pandora's Box he was unfortunately killed by Ares. When he died, Kratos was sent to the Underworld but refusing to accept his fate, Kratos tried to find a way to escape. As he continues his search to escape the Underworld, an anchor with a chain attached to it dropped right in front of him. He climbed up the chain, and ended up back in Athens, where he emerged from his grave, and encountered the Grave Digger again. It turns out he was right about the grave being meant for Kratos, as it was actually a portal from the Underworld to Athens.

The grave digger commented on him arriving late for the battle when its almost over. When Kratos was asked him who he was, the Grave Digger was about to answer before an explosion was heard and told the Spartan to go. Kratos then asked how he knew of his goal as the man gave a vague answer and told him "Athena isn't the only god keeping watch on you Spartan" before he disappeared, without a trace.

Opening Pandora's Box

When Kratos obtained the power of Pandora's Box, he opened the box in order to gain the power necessary to slay Ares and avenge his family. But when Kratos opened Pandora's box, Kratos thought all the powers in Pandora's Box would surge into him to slay a God, instead, he accidentally unleashes all the evils the Box had hidden within it, these evils swept across the land and infected the gods of Olympus, including Zeus - turning many of them insane, and corrupted by a current evil.

Zeus, as the king of the gods, was arguably corrupted the most by this event and became infected with the evil of Fear as he saw how Kratos had slain Ares (and presumably witnessing the Furies, Persephone, Ceryx and Thanatos being slain by Kratos) and feared that the Ghost of Sparta could do the same to him. Zeus became convinced that Kratos would slay him just as Zeus had once tried to slay his own father (Cronos): Zeus' paranoia grew into hatred for his mortal son and he devised a plan to kill him and thus ensure that his reign as king of Olympus could never be challenged.

Brutally Beating Up Hephaestus

Sometime after Kratos found and opened Pandora's Box, Zeus also found out that his son Hephaestus lied to him, and that placing Pandora's Box on the back of Cronos would be the safest place. So Zeus brutally beat his son up until he gave the key to Pandora's Box. What little did Zeus know is that the key acquired life as a young girl name Pandora. For punishment, Zeus took Pandora away from Hephaestus and banished him into the realm of Hades to be forever tormented. Zeus also tortured Pandora simply because she was not an actual living being. It is likely that Zeus retrieved the Box and placed it in the Flame of Olympus to keep it safe from anyone, even himself.

Imprisoning Pandora

Sometime after Zeus took Pandora, he demanded the mortal Daedalus to construct a prison to keep Pandora away from the Flame of Olympus. He also promised Daedalus that if he completes the labyrinth, he would see his son again. After the Labyrinth was nearly complete, Zeus imprisoned Pandora in the Heart of the Labyrinth. It is also likely that he learned of the key that unlocks the labyrinth; the Boreas Ice Storm, Zeus placed implanted the key inside the guardian of the labyrinth to protect it.

God of War: Ghost of Sparta

Warning Kratos

The Grave Digger in Atlantis, warning Kratos not to continue his search for Deimos.

After Kratos destroyed Atlantis, and caused it to start sinking to the bottom of the ocean, he comes across the Grave Digger, again and looks a little beaten up (probably due to the effects of Pandora's Box starting to take effect). He told Kratos that the Gods of Olympus are not going to be happy once they find out that he sank Atlantis. He also warned Kratos to stop searching for the other one because it would end with nothing but despair. However, Kratos refused to listen and pressed onward to find and rescue his brother.

Burying Deimos and Callisto

After his brother, Deimos was killed by Thanatos, and Kratos managed to kill Thanatos, the Grave Digger reappeared again, telling Kratos who was carrying his brother that he had actually dug up two grave sights. One of them was used as Deimos' grave. While he was burying Deimos, Kratos walked off to the bluffs, briefly considering suicide but relenting and asked of nobody in particular what he has become, to which the Grave Digger replied, "Death..... The Destroyer of Worlds". After that, the Grave Digger had disappeared when Kratos turned to look at him. Shortly after, the Grave Digger had Kratos' mother Callisto, in his hands. He then placed her in the second hole which turns out to be her grave. As the Grave Digger was burying Callisto, he proclaimed to himself, "Only one remains," which probably meant that he realized that Kratos was the Marked Warrior that the Oracle had forewarned about and not Deimos.

Bonus

Grave Digger changing into Zeus in the God of War: Ghost of Sparta bonus.

In the Temple of Zeus, after Kratos unlocks all the objects, a secret room opens. When Kratos enters the secret room, he comes across the Grave Digger's shovel. When he picks it up, the Grave Digger becomes unlockable and can be used in the Combat Arena, but when the Player plays as the Grave Digger, lightning strikes the Grave Digger to reveal his true form; Zeus. Zeus fights with lightning attacks, the Blade of Olympus, and the Gauntlet of Zeus.

God of War II

Tricking Kratos

Zeus' Eagle form.

Knowing that Kratos would be too powerful to deal with thanks to his newly acquired Godly powers, Zeus devised a plan to kill Kratos. Zeus gave life to the Colossus of Rhodes and sent it to battle Kratos. He did this by draining a huge portion of Kratos' godly powers and then giving Kratos' godly powers into the giant statue of Helios. Zeus then processed by tricking Kratos. He stated to Kratos that if he drained the rest of his godly powers into the Blade of Olympus, Kratos would become unstoppable. After Kratos drained his Godly Powers into the blade, Kratos became mortal, which meant that Zeus was successful. After Kratos managed to kill the Colossus of Rhodes, he was ultimately crushed by the hand of The Colossus, nearly killing him.

Killing Kratos

Zeus threatening Kratos.

“	Even now, as you draw your last breath, you continue to defy me!? Everything you have ever know will now suffer, because of your sacrilege. You will never be the ruler of Olympus. The cycle ends here.	„
	~ Zeus after stabbing Kratos with the Blade of Olympus

Weakened and nearly dead, Kratos attempted to reach the Blade of Olympus so he could regain his Godly Powers. When Kratos was close enough to reach the Blade, Zeus intercepted and took the blade for himself. Zeus told Kratos that he did this because Kratos' hand had enough blood from multiple gods on his hands, and that Zeus did not want to suffer the same fate as they did. Zeus also decided that he would be generous enough to spare Kratos' life, but he must bow down before the King of Olympus and swear his allegiances. However, Kratos refuses, by proclaiming that the Gods of Olympus are weak, pathetic and foolish. After proclaiming to what he thought of the Gods, Kratos attempted to fight Zeus for the Blade of Olympus, even though he was severely injured.

Zeus stabbing Kratos to death with the Blade of Olympus.

Despite his best efforts, Kratos was easily defeated and was brutally impaled by Zeus with the Blade of Olympus. After impaling his son, Zeus shows his corruption as he accuses Kratos of plotting against him and mercilessly murders hundreds of Spartans out of apparent malice. After Zeus managed to "kill" Kratos, he then casts Kratos into the pits of Hades before leaving the area.

However, Kratos was not to die so easily, for the Titans decided to intervene and use him in their own quest for vengeance against Zeus and the gods - sending him on a quest to undo the actions of Zeus. When Kratos was revived by the Titans, they sent him to the Sisters of Fate, so he could turn back time to the point when Zeus betrayed and killed him since he would be at his most vulnerable.

Destroying Sparta

Zeus destroying Sparta.

While Kratos was trying to reach the temple of the Fates, Kratos encountered the Last Spartan who he unknowingly fought. It turns out that Zeus was not finished with making Kratos suffer. After Kratos accidentally (but fatally) injured the Last Spartan, who told Kratos that Sparta was destroyed by Zeus. He told Kratos that Zeus appeared under the cloak of darkness and wiped out nearly everyone in Sparta in a matter of seconds. Everyone who lived in Sparta begged for their God of War to save them, but Kratos never showed. All except for the Last Spartan were killed by the God of Lightning. Zeus then returned to his throne on Olympus, thinking he was done with Kratos.

Fighting Kratos

After Kratos killed the Sisters of Fate, Kratos turned back time and returned to the moment Zeus betrayed him and prevented Zeus from killing his past self. Emerging from a portal, Kratos pushed Zeus away from his past self, as Zeus was shocked to see a second Kratos. He expressed surprise at the thought that the Sisters of Fate would aid him, to which Kratos who took the Blade of Olympus out of his other self, coldly replied that they're dead. Zeus admitted he underestimated Kratos and intended to not repeat his mistake before charging at the Spartan and the two took their fight through the skies.

Zeus confronting Kratos in his giant form.

Zeus stated he would show Kratos the true power of a god before he grew over 50 feet and summoned some Sirens to aid him in battle. After killing some of the Sirens, their screeches harmed Zeus. When Kratos stunned Zeus, he stabbed Zeus with the Blade of Olympus, causing Zeus to shrink down to his normal size. Zeus constantly tried to take the Blade of Olympus away from Kratos and use it against him. However, Kratos took the Blade back from him, stating he had come to kill Zeus and he would not let him destroy Sparta as he managed to stab Zeus with its full power, twice.

Irritated by Kratos, Zeus grew to 50 feet again and attempted to electrocute Kratos to death. Kratos shouted out that he surrendered and that he wanted to be released from this torment, Zeus proclaimed that even though he would kill Kratos, but stated his torment would not end. However, it turns out that Kratos tricked Zeus, so he could lower his guard and try to kill Zeus with the final blow, intending to kill him the same way he was killed in Rhodes.

Zeus Retreated

Kratos stabbing Zeus with the Blade of Olympus.

While Kratos was stabbing Zeus, Athena appeared and attacked Kratos. With that distraction, Zeus retreated and warned Kratos that he just started a war, a war that he could not win. To try to kill off Zeus before he could retreat, Kratos tried to stab Zeus with the Blade of Olympus, hoping it would kill him. Just when he was about to kill Zeus, Athena intercepted and was stabbed with the Blade, killing her instead. Zeus managed to a fly away after Kratos accidentally stabbed Athena. Before Athena died, she told Kratos that the reason why Zeus tried to kill Kratos was because of fear, a fear that drove Zeus to kill his own son, just like Cronos tried to kill Zeus.

Meeting of the Gods

Zeus convincing the Gods of Olympus to help him kill Kratos.

Later on, Zeus' injuries left him weakened but still desperate to kill Kratos, and wanting to prevent the Oracle's prediction from coming true, Zeus called for a meeting with all the Gods of Olympus. He asked Hades, Poseidon, Helios, and Hermes to help him kill the mortal Kratos, to which, they all accepted. While this was going on, both Kratos and his new Titan allies had already begun an assault on Olympus to take down the mad gods.

God of War III

“	Petulant Child! I will tolerate your insolence no more!	„
	~ Zeus

By the time Zeus managed to convince the other Olympians to help him kill Kratos, and the Titans were beginning to ascend Mt. Olympus, Zeus' madness intensified. He sent his full wrath of Olympus down on Kratos by sending all the Gods, and some of the Demigods, of Olympus to do battle.

Attack on Olympus

Zeus during the attack on Olympus.

At the very beginning, Zeus convinced the Gods of Olympus to help him kill the fallen mortal Kratos. While that was going on, Kratos and his Titans allies were ascending Mt. Olympus. Zeus ordered his son Hercules to send the undead army of Olympus to attack the Titans. Zeus was still weakened from his previous battle with Kratos, so he watched the other Gods of Olympus fight the Titans. While Kratos was fighting Poseidon, Zeus managed to acquire Golden Aegis of Zeus, so he could kill Kratos. After the death of his brother Poseidon, Kratos and Gaia managed to reach the top of Mount Olympus.

Zeus striking down Gaia with a powerful lightning bolt.

Kratos confronts Zeus, mockingly acknowledging him as his father and how he could not hide behind Athena. The mentioning of his daughter causes Zeus to irritatingly say she was dead because of Kratos. Just when Kratos proclaim he would have his revenge, Zeus angrily declares that he would not tolerate Kratos' insolence any longer. Zeus then processed by striking down both Gaia and Kratos with a huge bolt of lightning, both decimating Gaia's left arm and nearly killing her, as well as causing Kratos to fall into the Underworld, where Hades was waiting.

While Kratos was searching Zeus throughout Mt. Olympus, Zeus eventually found out that Kratos was after Pandora's Box again. Zeus tried to stop Kratos from hindering his progress. Zeus sent waves of creatures loyal to Olympus to kill Kratos, and even threatening that he would kill the Key of Pandora's Box; Pandora if he does not cease his quest.

Battling Kratos

Battle for Pandora's Box

Zeus threatening Kratos that he will kill Pandora if he does not cease his actions.

Ultimately Zeus would wage battle with Kratos four times. The first time is when Kratos and Zeus were right near Pandora's box. After Kratos and Pandora managed to reacquire Pandora's Box, Zeus appeared out of nowhere, grabbed Pandora by the neck, and threatening his son that he would kill Pandora if he did not stop his action. Zeus even said that the world's in chaos because of Kratos' action. But Kratos only responded that he only saw what he came to destroy. Kratos demanded Zeus to put Pandora down, to which Zeus did what he wished. Zeus then processed by confronting his son in hopes he can kill him. Despite this, Kratos managed to temporary knock out Zeus by causing debris to fall on Zeus. During this, Zeus' Golden Fleece gets destroyed.

Zeus after Kratos opened Pandora's Box.

After Kratos emerged victoriously, Kratos witnessed Pandora attempting to sacrifice herself, so Kratos can use Pandora's Box. Zeus tried to convince Kratos not to let her into the Flame of Olympus, but during that, he called Kratos' life useless and pathetic. With that, Kratos decided to sacrifice Pandora's life so he can kill Zeus. Just when Kratos was about to kill Zeus, a powerful flash of flame knocked both Zeus and Kratos out. When they both regained their consciousness, both of them noticed that both the Flame of Olympus that was protecting Pandora's Box had burned out, and Pandora was nowhere to be found. Zeus then witnessed Kratos about to open Pandora's Box. After Kratos opened Pandora's Box, it was revealed that the box was empty.

Zeus watching over the Chaos before confronting Kratos.

Zeus then proceeded to laugh maniacally after he found out it was empty, to which he proclaimed to Kratos that he had failed yet again. Enraged, Kratos was about to confront Zeus, but Zeus retreated by teleporting toward the Battle Arena. When Kratos finally caught up with him, Zeus was watching the whole world in utter chaos, and proclaiming that he has much to do after he kills his own son. He agreed with his son on ending their conflict for good.

In the Battle Arena

Zeus talking to Gaia about the other one.

“	Your pawn has failed you, Gaia. Perhaps you should've chosen the Other One.	„
	~ Zeus

The two continued their fight at the peak of Mount Olympus. While they were continuing their confrontation, Gaia, who was believed to be dead, was climbing to the top of Olympus. The fight was interrupted when Gaia made herself known and was angry that Kratos and Zeus destroyed her world. Zeus told his grandmother that her pawn has failed her and that she should've chosen the other one. Irritated, Gaia proclaimed father and son would die together, she started to crush the battle arena, as both Zeus and Kratos jumped into the hole in Gaia's chest.

Near Gaia's Heart

After Kratos fell into Gaia, he went to search for Zeus, following a trail of blood until he made his way to Gaia's heart. Kratos attempted to kill Gaia for betraying and nearly killing him. However, in the middle of his attempt, Zeus flew down and continued his confrontation with his son. While Kratos and Zeus were attempting to kill each other, Zeus managed to absorb some energy out of Gaia's Heart, which not only healed most of his injuries, but it also granted him the ability to multiply up to 10 weaker clones of himself. Desperate to kill his son, Zeus attempted to steal the Blade of Olympus away from Kratos and attempted to use the Blade to kill Kratos.

Kratos stabbing Zeus (and Gaia) with the Blade of Olympus.

But Kratos managed to out-strength Zeus, and, with full power, Kratos stabbed both him and Gaia's Heart, killing Gaia in the process, and presumably killing Zeus.

Final Battle

Zeus' Dark Astral Projection.

It seemed that Kratos finally killed Zeus and exacted his revenge after he killed Gaia. After Kratos saw the "dead" body of Zeus, he pulled out the Blade of Olympus out of Zeus and walked away from the "corpse".

But just as Kratos thought it was over, a dark astral projection of Zeus emerged out of Zeus' body. With one powerful jolt of lightning, Zeus managed to destroy nearly every weapon that Kratos acquired, with the exception of the Blades of Exile. Zeus then processed by strangling Kratos and using fear to try to kill him. After Kratos completed his inner-psyche and unlocking to the power of Hope, he managed to break free from Zeus' grasp and used to Blades of Exile to cut Zeus' astral projection to pieces.

The Evil that infected Zeus: Fear.

After Kratos defeats Zeus' Astral Projection, Zeus was temporarily revived, but unfortunately Kratos threw away his weapons and ran right towards the scared Zeus. The Ghost of Sparta proceeded to beat him to death with his own bare hands. Just before Kratos unleashed his fury on Zeus, however, a dark vapor spewed out of his mouth, which is most likely the evil that infected him. Curiously, he never tried to put a defense to stop Kratos from attacking him, likely he realized the pain he caused him and accepted death. Kratos continued to beat the God of Lightning to death even when the blood blocked his vision.

Zeus dies at the hands of Kratos.

After he was finished, Kratos found a dead Zeus right beneath him. After Zeus was finally killed, Kratos' chains fell off him and Zeus' body turned into a giant white light shot up into the heavens, plunging the world into utter chaos. However, with his passing, Kratos was able to finally make the sacrifice required to give humanity the one weapon even the gods could not rival: that of Hope.

God of War (2018)

Many years later after the destruction of Olympus, when Kratos ended up in the Norse world. He saw an illusion of his father in Helheim first as a huge head, telling Mimir of their relation and later as a ghostly enactment of his last battle against his father in Helheim along with his son Atreus.

Kratos' relation to Zeus, as well as his annihilation of the Greek pantheon was made known to the Norse Gods. Very soon, Kratos relayed this story of how he killed his father to his son who realized that Zeus was his grandfather and learned why his father was secretive.