Continuing immediately from God of War II, Kratos, the Titan Gaia and other Titans climb Mount Olympus to assault the Gods of Olympus. The Olympian gods launch a counter-assault, and Poseidon is killed by the combined efforts of Kratos and Gaia- his death causing the oceans to flood. Kratos and Gaia attempt to attack Zeus, but are driven back and plunge from Mount Olympus. Gaia clings to the side of the mountain and refuses to save Kratos, stating he was nothing more than a pawn.
Kratos falls into the underworld, losing the Blade of Olympus. Kratos lands in the River Styx, and the souls of the underworld weaken Kratos and ruin the Blades of Athena. After exiting the river, Kratos is confronted by the spirit of Athena, who provides him with the Blades of Exile and states that to destroy Zeus he must quell the Flame of Olympus. After several battles, Kratos locates the Three Judges of the Underworld and the Chain of Balance that maintains the equilibrium between the Underworld, Earth, and Olympus. After a conversation with the spirit of Pandora, Kratos recovers the Blade of Olympus. Kratos encounters the Olympian blacksmith Hephaestus, and later kills Hades. Hades’ death releases the souls of the underworld and exacerbates the chaos caused by Kratos’ assault on Olympus. After exiting the underworld, Kratos travels to Olympia, where he encounters a wounded Gaia. Kratos ignores Gaia’s request for aid and severs her arm, causing her to fall from Mount Olympus to her apparent death.



