The Heartbreaking Truth About God Of War: Ragnarok's Eyes Of Odin
There aren't too many backstories in "God of War" lore that are filled with joy or positivity. However, the origin story of the Eyes of Odin is particularly heartbreaking and bleak.
During "God of War Ragnarok," an optional quest outside of the main story involving the Eyes of Odin is available for the player to complete. For those unaware, the Eyes of Odin are small glowing ravens that are responsible for spying on Kratos and his companions for Odin, the main Norse god. Whenever you encounter these small spectral creatures, the first task will be to destroy them in order to prevent them from spying on you.
Kratos will gain a seed that grants him access to Niflheim. In Niflheim, there is a tree where the Eyes of Odin are gathered and sing songs together. These are the souls of the "freed" Eyes of Odin that you've already found and destroyed. It is in these songs where the Eyes' backstory is described. And be warned, it's not for the faint of heart. Be warned: Spoilers ahead.
The Eyes of Odin are actually sacrificed children
As noticed by Reddit user u/jakehieu, the Eyes of Odin are more than just spectral birds the Norse god uses to spy on Kratos. According to its Fandom page, they have a much darker origin — they represent children who have been sacrificed by their parents in order to satisfy Odin. Upon their souls leaving the realm of the living, they were collected by an Odin loyalist, the Raven Keeper, who forced them into their spectral raven shape and into the task of spying for Odin.
This tragic backstory is borne out by the various creepy nursery rhyme-like songs the Eyes of Odin sing with each visit Kratos makes to Niflheim. The worst by far, however, is one that is so bad, Mimir actively questions if he heard it right. "Mummy and Daddy tied the noose tight, to send us to Odin to bask in His light," the rhyme goes. The rhyme is preposterously morbid and paints a dark picture of the things people have done in order to be in Odin's favor. And if other songs are to be believed, the Raven Keeper was just as devoid of any kind of pity or mercy.
Yes, this backstory is rather grim. However, if it's any consolation, Raven Keeper is one of the many bosses in "God of War Ragnarok" that you can defeat.