Hermes Death

Lore & Background

In the Greek pantheon, Hermes was revered for his speed and cunning, often serving as the intermediary between the divine realm and humanity. However, when Kratos sought to exact revenge on Ares, he learned that the gods had abandoned him in his time of need. Driven by rage and a desire to expose their hypocrisy, Kratos targeted Hermes first, viewing the messenger's speed as a challenge to his own growing power. The encounter was brief but brutal; despite Hermes' divine agility and ability to fly, Kratos used the Blades of Chaos to drag him down from the sky.

Reader's Guide

Kratos's journey begins with his service to Ares, which ends in tragedy when the God of War manipulates him into destroying his own family. Consumed by guilt and rage, Kratos seeks a way to kill Ares but is told he must first prove himself against other gods. Hermes becomes the first target because he represents the gods' refusal to aid mortals directly; he had likely carried messages of abandonment or indifference. Kratos intercepts Hermes on his path through Mount Olympus, utilizing the environment and his own newfound strength to counter the god's speed. The battle ends swiftly as Kratos overpowers Hermes, killing him and claiming his soul. This victory serves as a catalyst for the rest of the game, proving that even the swiftest Olympians are vulnerable to a man driven by pure vengeance.

Did You Know?

• Hermes was originally designed for God of War II by Andy Park and appeared in the final cut scene of that game.
• For God of War III, Andy Park updated the design and painting of Hermes, wanting to create a character that was 'sly, cunning, and a bit comical in both appearance and personality'.
• Park imagined Hermes would be 'much like a dancer' in his movements.
• Hermes' death in God of War III is part of Kratos' rampage against the Olympian gods, which eventually leads to the destruction of Mount Olympus.