How Did Laufey Die in God of War? Faye's Death Fully Explained
Laufey (Faye) died before God of War 2018 even begins. Here's exactly how she died, what killed her, and why her death drives the entire Norse saga.
Laufey — known to her family as Faye — is already dead when God of War (2018) begins. Her death is the reason the entire game happens. Here is the full explanation of how Laufey died, and why it matters so much.
How Did Laufey Die? The Official Answer
Laufey died of a terminal illness — a natural, mortal death.
The exact nature of her illness is never specified in the games, but several things are made clear:
- She knew she was dying well before her death
- Her death was not caused by gods, monsters, or combat
- She died peacefully enough to have a prepared funeral pyre
- She had time to make elaborate plans for after her death
This is confirmed in God of War (2018), which opens with Kratos and Atreus performing her funeral rites — burning her body on a pyre as per her wishes.
Why Faye’s Death Feels Suspicious
Despite dying of illness, Faye’s death carries enormous weight because of what is revealed later in the game.
She was not a simple mortal woman. Faye was a Jötunn — one of the last surviving Giants of Jötunheim — who had spent years hiding her true nature from Kratos and even from Atreus.
She was Laufey the Just, a legendary Jötunn warrior who:
- Had fought Thor in Vanaheim, holding her own against the God of Thunder
- Carved the path of Kratos and Atreus’ journey into the walls of Jötunheim prophetically
- Chose every tree in the forest around their home deliberately
- Named Atreus after a Spartan boy Kratos once knew
Her death, while natural, was planned around. She knew what was coming — Ragnarök, the fate of the gods, her son’s role in it all. Her illness simply determined the timing.
What Faye Knew Before She Died
The most shocking revelation of God of War (2018) is that Faye had foreseen everything. The giant prophecy mural in Jötunheim depicts the entire journey Kratos and Atreus take — including moments that hadn’t happened yet.
Before dying, Faye:
- Burned the marked trees — to force Kratos to travel through dangerous territories that would awaken his old nature
- Chose her funeral pyre location — on the highest peak in the Nine Realms (Jötunheim)
- Left instructions for Atreus — she told him his real name was Loki
- Prepared Kratos — by revealing her true nature only in death, she forced him to confront his past
In essence, Faye’s death was the first move in a long game she had been planning.
Faye vs. Freya: Why This Matters
Many players confuse Faye with Freya. They are different characters:
| Faye (Laufey) | Freya | |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Jötunn (Giant) | Vanir goddess |
| Relationship to Kratos | Wife (deceased) | Ally, then enemy |
| Relationship to Atreus | Mother | None (initially) |
| Role in story | Guides from beyond | Active antagonist in Ragnarök |
How Her Death Connects to God of War Laufey (2026)
The new game God of War Laufey picks up directly from this premise. Instead of staying dead, Faye awakens in the Everywhen — the afterlife of the gods.
The game’s premise states:
“Death was supposed to be the end. But for Laufey, a new adventure is just beginning.”
Her plans to protect Kratos and Atreus, made before her death, are now at risk. Something in the Everywhen threatens to unravel everything she worked for — and she must fight through an afterlife full of gods to stop it.
Her death, in other words, was not the end of her story. It was the beginning of a new chapter.
Timeline of Faye’s Life and Death
| Event | When |
|---|---|
| Faye leaves Jötunheim | Years before GOW 2018 |
| Faye meets Kratos | Unknown |
| Atreus born | ~11 years before GOW 2018 |
| Faye begins to fall ill | Unknown |
| Faye burns the marked trees | Shortly before her death |
| Faye dies | Just before GOW 2018 begins |
| GOW 2018: Kratos and Atreus scatter her ashes | Game’s main quest |
| GOW Ragnarök: Faye’s full plans revealed | 2022 game |
| GOW Laufey: Faye awakens in the Everywhen | New game (2027) |
This article covers lore from God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök. Last updated: June 3, 2026.