Just outside Svengard, hidden….
Apollyon looks to her left and saw someone unexpectedly.
A small young boy.
He came out crawling backward from the bushes. Stopping to catch his breath. Apollyon saw he had a smile on his face. He must be playing with his friends, she thought. Seeing he hasn't noticed her she used this advantage to sneak up on him. She stood up carefully trying to not make any noises. Then quietly, she started walking over to the unexpecting small boy. As she made it successfully her shadow covered the boy. The boy looked up to see who or what it was giving him shade. The terror on his face was priceless to Apollyon. It was like the boy had seen the devil himself, wearing all black armor.
As soon as he tried crawling back where he came from, Apollyon grabbed him by his arm and pulled him up off the ground. The boy then started screaming for his life. She remembered they were extremely close to the fort and Mercy has yet to return. She immediately covered the child's mouth and muffled his screams. Although it wasn't enough to prevent her cover being blown as someone else rushed out from the bushes. The Shaman.
She heard the child scream and was quick to locate him but unfortunately found him in the hands of someone she was least expecting. Apollyon and the Shaman's eyes met each other. Apollyon sinister smile returned and the Shaman shared the same fear as the boy did.
"How unfortunate," Apollyon says proudly as she held the boy in her arm.
The Shaman knew this was a bad situation and knew she had to do something quickly. She held out her hands as if surrendering and said, "Horfðu á mig! Allt verður í lagi, ég lofa. Vertu bara rólegur og rólegur!"
"Coming to beg for his life? Or yours?" Apollyon asked but didn't care if the Shaman understood or not.
"Láttu strákinn fara! Ég bið ykkur! Það er ég sem þú vilt! Ekki meiða hann, takk!" the Shaman begged now looking to Apollyon.
Apollyon continued holding onto the boy. She held the boy in her arm that covered his mouth and approached the Shaman. "I was beginning to think I wouldn't find you here. Almost worried that I would have to burn everything down just to find you but… here you are. Playing with someone just as weak as you are. Don't worry I won't hurt you, yet." she explained and gently began to pet the Shamans head, playing with one of the three ponytails.
The Shaman shuddered in discomfort as she felt the cold armored hands of a woman who hurt her caress her head. She could not understand what she was saying but knew it might've been something gentle as she was speaking softly. But then found out she was wrong as the hand tightly gripped one of her ponytails and yanked it up. Lifting her off the ground she was forced to face Apollyon.
"I just want to make sure you hurt first," Apollyon said softly then throws the Shaman back onto the ground.
The Shaman reaches for her head as the pain throbbed a bit. Looking back up to Apollyon, she saw someone who had no mercy, no regrets in her actions. Apollyon made sure the Shaman was looking before she used her free hand to grab onto the boy's shoulder and then twist his head and body in opposite directions, snapping his neck. For a second you could've heard the boy's cry for help and then suddenly nothing. The Shaman watched in terror as Apollyon dropped the body. Her whole world shattered. The only friend she managed to make in such a short time, killed. She couldn't move her body, like that day when she first met Apollyon and watched as her entire pack killed by her and she did nothing.
Apollyon got the reaction she wanted out of the Shaman. She smiled from actually enjoying the sight of someone else's pain. She approached the Shaman again, grabbing her by the ponytail. At that moment, Mercy returned. To a scene, she was not expecting.
"What hap-" Mercy paused as she felt her foot trip on something and looked down at her feet. She had tripped on a child's dead body. She was too now terrified but had no idea what happened.
"Did you gather any information useful?" Apollyon asked.
"Y-yes!" Mercy answered but could not stop looking at the dead body of a child.
"Then let's head back. We need to prepare for what happens next." Apollyon said and started walking back as she dragged the Shaman by her hair back with them.
Mercy was entranced by the dead body. Couldn't take her eyes off until, "Mercy!" She then took off catching up with Apollyon. She had questions but was beginning to think she didn't need to ask anything. Her suspicions were already on Apollyon.
"What did you find out?" Apollyon asked without looking either to Mercy or the Shaman.
"I didn't see any exploits on their wall but one thing we may use to our advantage is their archer vantage point. We could use our new bridge launchers to force an early entry without the use of our ram." Mercy explained.
"Good. Go on and tell them to prep for the attack." Apollyon said pleased.
"But Master I am afraid we might be expected." Mercy said.
"How is that?" Apollyon asked slightly glancing to Mercy.
"I don't know but I heard screams not so far from the fort and suddenly saw the gate opening. A Raider rushing out to investigate." Mercy answered.
"Well, he may think that was someone else and not us. At least we got out of there in time. Now go." Apollyon said calmly.
Mercy obeyed her master and ran ahead to give the details and commands to the army.
"Soon you'll get to see everything you care about burn down in front of you and you get to be a part of the experience too. Since I know how much you like to taste blood." Apollyon said maniacally and pulled harder on the Shamans ponytail.
Svengard….
The room was heated with arguments as Gudmundr interrogated Eir until the gatekeeper arrived, entering through the door. "Ah look who is here. Your savior or your executioner I wonder," said Gudmundr.
Eir looked back and quickly asked, "You saw me and the Samurai walk out together with no one else right?!"
The Raider looked at Eir, a bit shocked to see her injured. He answered gently in his rough voice, "Yes."
"See!" Eir shouted to Gudmundr.
"But you weren't the only ones who left." the Raider added.
"What?" Eir asked looking back to the Raider confused.
"Hmm go on," Gudmundr commanded gently in his deep voice.
"She and the Samurai were the first to leave but not the only ones. There was another pair, the Shaman and a small boy at her side." the Raider answered. "I was hesitant at first to even think it was a good idea to leave the boy with someone as vile as her but when I remembered you two were the first to leave, I thought if anything bad were to happen you both would know," he explained.
"Well in your poor reasoning, the boy and his father died. Leaving a motherless widow." Gudmundr said in a scolding tone.
The gatekeeper looks to the side of the room and saw a woman crying, she was the wife. Looking down depressed he said, "I am sorry my Jarl. I pray to Odin that I die in hell for my choices."
"No. Stop. You couldn't have been able to know. It was a risk and now we know the truth thanks to you." Gudmundr said calmly.
"Now do you see it wasn't us?! It must've been the Shaman. We had left her back at the room and she was still asleep when we left too." Eir said angrily.
"Mind your tone Eir. Do not forget that it was I who allowed you to stay here after finding out you can speak with the Samurai in their tongue. I can take that away and have you killed where you stand now." Gudmundr said harshly.
"I am in pain. I am a victim. Yet you threaten me?! Did you forget that I helped you drug the samurai only for your plan to imprison him fail?!" Eir asked angrily. "If that's how it is then I'll tell you this. I had shared a night with a Samurai! I killed my own father when he found out that I did! I spent the last few years of my life dedicated to no more violence, but to heal the wounded and sick! And this Samurai, the champion?! He never wanted to join our clan! You and all of your ideals sicken him and now me too!" Eir explained.
The room was filled with a gasp.
"All of this is true?" Gudmundr asked shocked.
"Yes!" Eir answered angrily.
"Kill her," Gudmundr commanded in a disappointed tone.
Eir was hurt still but the adrenaline kicked in and she was already up on her feet when a Berserker rushed her. She took out her shield first when the Berserker jumped up to slash her with both axes. She parried his attack and pushed him back, then reaching for her spear. "By the grace of the Valkyries, I'll die fighting than surrendering to it!" Eir shouted.
Just when the Berserker rushed in for another attack, the door behind them was kicked in. Everyone stops to see who it was. The sun shined on them, hiding their identity for a second before coming into the shade. It was Orochi. He was glistening with sweat and appeared tired. He looked around the room and saw a situation awkwardly occurred.
"だいじょうぶですか? " the Orochi asked Eir in his native tongue.
"はい。" Eir answered a smile forming on her face.
"あなたは何かを落としました。" the Orochi said as he tossed Eir's helmet to her.
"ありがとうございました。" Eir said.
"You're alive?!" Gudmundr questioned in shock. "How?!" he added.
Eir looked to the Orochi with a smug face. "He sure is surprised to see you," she said.
"I'm guessing you know what this is all about?" the Orochi asked.
"Yeah, but you're not going to like it," Eir said.
"Why?" the Orochi asked.
"Well story short, that mutual allegiance may be something to regret," Eir answered.
The Orochi was surprised when Eir said that. This somehow involved the Shaman and he didn't know why yet. "What happened?" the Orochi asked.
Eir was going to say but bit her tongue to prevent herself from saying it.
"Eir?! What happened?!" the Orochi asked worryingly.
"The boy… he was found dead," Eir answered sadly.
The answer stabbed Orochi through his heart. He felt his chest become heavy. "That girl? She did this?" he asked angrily.
"It's what we came up with so far. But you survived the fall. Does that mean his father is alive?" Eir asked.
"No. He wasn't so lucky as I was." the Orochi answered.
"Damn it!" Eir said angrily.
"Your problems are only to get worse though." said the Orochi. "The Black Stone Legion is almost here."
Eir was shocked and like instinct, she informed Gudmundr, "Jarl minn! The Black Stone Legion er næstum hér!"
Everyone but Gudmundr gasped in fear.
He stood up from his chair and shouted, "Hljóðu hornin! Setja upp varnir! Læstu niður öllu á veggnum! Má Odin vaka yfir okkur og gefa okkur styrk yfir þessum illa anda!"
The gatekeeper turned around and ran back for the gate. Everyone else in the room followed out and went to prepare to defend their home. Gudmundr stomped down from his throne to meet Eir and Orochi.
Looking to Eir first he said, "Þú og Samurai eru ekki velkomnir hérna lengur! Týntu þér áður en ég byrjaði á mínum körlum. Mig langar aldrei að sjá annað hvort af þér aftur!"
"En Jarl, við getum hjálpað!" Eir exclaimed worried.
Gudmundr said nothing and walked past them to join his men before the Black Stone Legion arrives.
"What did he say?" the Orochi asked.
"We're on our own." Eir answered sadly.
"What about your people?! The Black Stone Legion will slaughter them all! You must help them!" the Orochi exclaimed.
"No!" Eir shouted.
"No?" the Orochi asked shocked.
"If we interfere, he'll have us fighting two armies. We must leave if we hope to survive through this!" Eir explained putting her shield and spear on her back then picking up her helmet.
"Where do we go?" asked the Orochi.
"I have an idea but we may die for it," Eir answered.
"Not liking this plan already." the Orochi said.
"My people alone cannot survive an attack like this by themselves. Unless we get them to unite the other clans. All will turn on each other." Eir explained.
"Because no one likes to serve one another?" asked the Orochi.
"No, because if this place falls to the Black Stone they will starve us out. Forcing the other clans to raid and pillage each other for what food remains." Eir explained grabbing the Orochi by his shoulders.
An odd sounding horn was blown out. Signaling the entire village of Svengard to prepare defenses.
"We must leave while the chance is still here!" Eir said worryingly and grabbed the Orochi by his hand and forced him to run out with her.
They come out to see villagers and the warriors running around. The villagers running for to back of their home to escape. Warriors of Svengard running to the front to guard the wall. Eir and the Orochi followed the villagers to the back of Svengard to look for a way out. They followed everyone all the way to a cave that led out to their harbor holding boats. When they reached the entrance everyone looked up behind them when they saw a shadow cast over them. A catapult had launched. The shaded figure soon shined red on them. The Orochi pushed Eir out of the way as he then ducked away from death.
The catapult boulder landed and caused a fiery explosion. The Orochi's ears went deaf from the close impact of the explosion for a brief moment. He got up and it was suddenly dark. He couldn't see where he was or where he was going until someone had lit a torch and began helping whoever was alive in the cave. The catapult had closed off the entrance for anyone who was stuck on the opposite side. He got up and his hearing slowly returned. He was suddenly approached by the man with the torch. He was saying something but could hardly hear. He looked around him and saw many people were crushed under the collapse of the cave. Severed limbs and splattered pieces of people.
A terrible sight but no time to waste as he was shoved forward to reach the exit of the cave. At the end of the cave, the sunlight shined onto him again. Blinding him for a split second before he saw the harbor filled with ships, waiting to be used. People were already filling up the ships and some were already taking off. There weren't that many lefts. The chance to get out was right there in front of him but, he couldn't. Eir wasn't there beside him to join in this chance. She was stuck on the opposite side of the cave that had collapsed. Now she and countless others were stuck in this mess.
She experienced the same thing only she quickly crawled back when she felt the intense heat on her skin. She saw the flames burn at corpses of people who were victim to the catapult. Soon she was able to hear again and started hearing other explosions in the background as well as screaming and crying. It was a nightmare came true. Death all around her. She saw a few of her people were still alive with some injured like she was. She began helping them up and gathering them together to get a head count. She was taking care of fifteen people who survived the explosion. She knew if they stayed here the chance of another catapult hitting them were extremely high.
"If you can help yourself, help the wounded. Gather whoever and whatever is left with you and follow me!" Eir commanded.
Quickly some women and children helped some that were hurt or severely wounded. A few men helped carry the wounded while the others carried their belongings. Eir led them back to the front of the village where the fighting could be heard. She took them all the way back to Gudmundr's throne room. She held the door open long enough for everyone to get in before shutting it behind her once inside.
Everyone who made it was tired out but at least they were safe for the time being. All they could do now was sit and wait for this to go by fast. But Eir knew they wouldn't survive this fight. So her plan now was to keep the surviving group comfort until, the end. She was forced to endure the endless question scenario as she heard some children with their mom or dad where is the other parent. She knew what happened but that was not her business to interfere with.
The Orochi was almost on a ship until something made him look back. Look back to see an opening giving him a clear sight at the battle being fought. He asked himself, what if Eir is in there alive? He couldn't just leave her when she was one the one who had a plan. When he returned his sight on the ship just a foot away from him, he saw the many terrified people on board. Some were scared of him and yet their home was being destroyed. He would have nowhere to go if he hopped on. He made his decision and begun sprinting for Svengard. The people on the boat were confused but wasted no time to kick off and sail away. That was the last ship to be boarded on.
The Orochi sprinted for the opening that allowed him to watch the battle and used it as a short cut. Once through, he watched as strange devices were launched, making a bridge to a small opening of Svengards wall. He ran through enemy and ally fire as arrows were flying left and right. Only getting hit once in his arm, he quickly pulled it out. Him running through everyone began drawing attention from the Black Stone Legion. Even Holden spotted him and saw where he was going. The Orochi knocked down a minion and took his short sword. He used it to slash his way through minion after minion until he reached the makeshift bridge. He ran up the wooden wobbly trail until he made it to the top. Once he hopped off, he turned around to see minions following the same trail he took. The Orochi unhooked the bridge and watched as the minions fell to their death.
More were coming and he needed to find Eir before it was too late. The Orochi ran through some Vikings, dodging their attacks and continued to push forward. Then he made it back inside Svengard when he jumped down from a short ledge leading back to the front of the wall. He saw many minions and Officers that were of Black Stone fighting the Viking minions and Officers. He was struck by the fighting that he didn't notice Holden Cross hop down and grab him. The Orochi was lifted off the ground and tossed back. When the Orochi hit the ground he landed on his back, he closed his body to roll backward and land on his feet.
"Si ergo iterum conveniant champion," Holden said to the Orochi.
"You sound familiar." the Orochi said then dodged back when Holden slammed his poleaxe towards him.
"Quod esse delicatus si posset intelligere, nec loqueris ad me," Holden said then tried to stab the Orochi with his poleaxe.
Dodging to the side, the Orochi reached for the sword that was on the ground. It wasn't big thankfully but it wasn't made for his size like his katana. He held it as if it was though. Holden held his poleaxe to his side and swung for the Orochi. The Orochi put the sword above his head as he slid under the poleaxe and deflected his attack. The Orochi had a short window but he spun around and without looking back he shoved the sword behind him. Thinking he got Holden, he spun back around and saw him still standing without even a mark on him.
"Really hate short swords." the Orochi said as he looked down at the sword in his hand then threw it at Holden.
Holden leaned to the side as the sword just missed his head and was stuck into the wooden surface behind him. Annoyed, Holden approached the Orochi cautiously holding his guard close to his side.
Holden slammed his poleaxe down at the Orochi again, but was dodged with ease. The poleaxe landed on a dead Raider's body and got stuck. Holden struggled to pull it out but right before he could the Orochi swiftly ran across the pole and kicked Holden in his head. Pulling his weapon out and stumbling back he caught himself. The Orochi put up his fist at his mid-section. He then held up his extended arm and gestured to come at him.
Holden charges low with his poleaxe. The Orochi stands his ground as Holden comes in for an attack. Holden extends the reach of his poleaxe and then the Orochi moved. He dodged slightly to the side then grabbed the pole of Holden's weapon. Using the momentum, the Orochi high kicked nailing Holden under his chin. He was knocked back and let go of his poleaxe. As Holden landed on his back from the force of the kick, he quickly tried to get up. But when he was halfway up his own weapon was now turned on him. The spike pointed to his chest and the Orochi using most of his strength to hold it.
Holden witnessed the skill of the Emperor's champion. He was swift and agile in his movements. He took down someone larger than he was and turned their own weapon against them.
"Si deus vult mortem meus hic, et facite ea." Holden said softly.
The Orochi still had no clue what he was saying but his own motives said to kill him or run while he has the chance. Quickly the Orochi decided to kill him as he struggled to lift Holdens weapon. But just before he could do anything, the gate of Svengard fell. The gate fell off its hinges, giving complete access to the Black Stone Legion. The Orochi and Holden looked towards the gate and who do they see? Apollyon leading the massive army behind her and dragging along the Shaman still by her hair.
The Orochi was shocked at the sight of Apollyon. He looked back down onto Holden and dropped his weapon. He fearfully backed away when he felt as if Apollyon was staring right at him. When he remembered about Eir he turned and ran deeper into the village.
Apollyon approached Holden with the Shaman in hand. "So the Champion has joined the fate of the Vikings, has he? I never took him as someone to run and hide." Apollyon said in a calm tone.
"He went back into the village. Unless everyone else escaped, he has nowhere to run or hide." Holden said.
"If you find him, capture him and put him with the rest of the survivors," Apollyon commanded.
"Yes, Master," Holden said quickly standing up and grabbed his poleaxe and darted further into the village.
The Orochi ran through the fire and destruction of Svengard. All the way down to the cave he had entered but was forced to leaved Eir. He saw the area around it was clear of anyone alive. Burnt corpses remained under the debris and fires began spreading. He turned around and started to run back to the room they were given. The whole building was connected too was on fire. No way to get in. He then checked the last place he thought she was in, the throne room. Running back towards the front of Svengard he was running back to all the chaos and towards Holden. Who was running at him.
The door to the throne was right there and so was Holden closing in. The Orochi was fast and quickly entered the building that was beginning to catch fire. Closing the door behind him and blocking it with a chair he made it just before Holden could open it.
He looked back and saw a group of villagers huddled together in the back of the room guarded by Eir. "Eir!" the Orochi exclaimed happily.
"You're still here?!" Eir asked shocked. "I thought you would have taken off with the ones who made it to the ships!" she added.
"No. I wasn't going to let you die. And I need someone to help me through the mountains." the Orochi said jokingly.
"Well I'm glad you decided to come back but you honestly shouldn't have," said Eir.
"I know. But I couldn't let you die here. It wouldn't settle with me." the Orochi said.
"What happened out there?" Eir asked.
"You were right. The Black Stone Legion broke through and are gathering up whoever is left." the Orochi answered.
"And Gudmundr?!" Eir asked.
"I don't know I didn't see him." the Orochi answered.
Suddenly the door to get in made a very loud banging noise. They were trying to break in.
"They found us?!" Eir asked.
"Followed me through one of their own actually." the Orochi answered.
"Erum við að deyja ?!" a woman holding onto her child asked in terror.
"They are afraid," Eir said to the Orochi.
The Orochi looked back and saw the fear on all of their faces. They were trapped and only one way to get out which was the same way to get in. But as soon as he looked back he saw the door that leads down to the baths. "Get them down below to the baths!" he said.
"Why? What do you have planned?" Eir asked looking at the Orochi confused.
"Nothing. I just don't want them to be a part of this." said the Orochi.
Eir listened and started guiding the survivors down into the baths area where they should be safe. She gave the universal quiet gesture before closing the door behind her. A few whimpers and whines erupted from the civilian group before quickly quieting down. Eir approached walked up to the Orochi's side and watched the door he blocked off continued to get bashed. The wood on it splintering and breaking apart from the force of whoever was hitting it.
"This is where we die, isn't it?" Eir asked subtly.
"Have anything to say if it is?" asked the Orochi similarly.
Eir looked down and saw her helmet right at her feet. She has soiled the name and meaning of what it means to be a Valkyrie but, if this was going to be the end for her then she will die with that secret as a Valkyrie to be remembered. She kneels down to pick up her helmet. Staring down at its plain and simple design, she spun it over and put it on correctly. "I'll die knowing that there was at least one person who understood me better than anyone, and I'm glad to have them fighting by my side," she said proudly.
The Orochi was touched by her words and felt he should say something in return. "I lived in this world for a long time believing there was no chance at trusting anyone besides my own people. I am glad I was proven wrong. Now may our souls rest in peace and may we find ourselves again in another life." said the Orochi.
As the door was almost completely broken down, half of the door shattered and the rest dropped to the floor.
"Sorry I do not have a weapon for you," said Eir.
"Do not worry I came prepared." said the Orochi as he pulled from his waist belt the larger handcrafted kunai. He twirled it with his finger, with a semi-smug under his mask.
Suddenly Holden, followed by Stone, entered the room. They had together bashed down the door. Holden and the Orochi were paired up again to fight one another. While Eir was paired with Stone. Menacingly Stone let the ball of his mace drop down. He then put up his guard and began to spin his mace in large circles.
This was going to be an intense fight until Apollyon accompanied by some other troops walked in. She still had the Shaman in her grasp by the hair. She then dragged her to the front as a means to threaten them, one of them at least.
"Videamus, quid ei accidit si involvere." Apollyon said almost lifting the Shaman off her feet.
"Ekki hafa áhyggjur af mér. Drepa þetta skrímsli áður en hún drepur okkur alla." said the Shaman as she groaned from the intense pain on her head.
"Það var það sem ég hafði fyrirhugað áður. Þú borgar fyrir það sem þú gerðir við þennan litla strák!" Eir shouted angrily at the Shaman.
Holden heard what they were saying and was awestruck of what they were talking about. The Orochi also noticed the way she spoke was a bit heated.
"What is she saying?" the Orochi asked Eir quietly.
"Nothing." Eir quietly answered.
"Strákurinn? Ég drap hann aldrei. Djöfullinn á bak við mig gerði það." said the Shaman.
Eir was now too in awe and Holden was now certain of one thing, Apollyon is insane. She is a force not to be reckoned with. A warrior with no sense of mercy. A murderer. He looked back to Apollyon and couldn't look at her the same way anymore. He was on the wrong side.
"Eir?" the Orochi called, curious as of what happened.
"S-she…." Eir was lost for words as shock took over.
"Eir?!" the Orochi called a little louder worried.
"She didn't… kill him." Eir answered softly in terror.
"What are you talking about?!" the Orochi asked confused.
"It wasn't her. She didn't kill the boy. It was her," Eir said pointing with her spear at Apollyon.
The Orochi followed the direction of the spear and saw it pointed at Apollyon. The locks on his demons broke off. The self-composed and well mannered Samurai assassin lost his temper. His head began to throb as he began to heat up inside. His breathing picked up hard and he looked angrier than ever. Without warning, he dashed straight for Apollyon. No one was ready for it, not even Apollyon. He was too fast to keep watch making it easy for him to reach Apollyon. He zoomed right by the Shaman, closing in on Apollyon herself. The Shaman felt a sharp swift gush of wind blow right by her face. The Orochi let out a war cry as he was just on top of Apollyon and threw in his fist directly for her face as hard as he could. So fast the air around them was cut apart by his fist as it flew by.
It landed square on the bottom jaw of her helmet. The force of his punch knocked her back flying to the wall behind her, taking down a few of the spare troops that came with her. She was stunned by the punch and she released the Shaman, luckily without sending her flying back too. The Orochi was quick to switch his targets and finish off the remaining minions standing. A few swift punches and a killing blow with the kunai through a poor soul head he finished them off without a sweat.
Apollyon was on the floor, slowly getting back up. She coughed as she said, "Skilled as ever I see! Except one punch won't do you any good."
The Orochi suddenly lunged for her for another powerful punch but missed as she rolled out of the way.
Standing up slowly, she turned her head to the Samurai. "That's it. Show me your true potential. Unleash the wolf inside you." Apollyon said eagerly.
"私はあなたが立っているところであなたを殺します!" the Orochi said furious.
"I hope you're threatening me. I need something kick in my adrenaline every now and then!" said Apollyon.
The Orochi ran at her again for another punch. He landed one in, then quickly landing another and another until he started throwing fast punches almost unable to be seen. Apollyon stood there, taking it all in until she got bored of it. She grabbed both of his wrists stopping him from punching. The Orochi quickly used his legs to climb partly onto her thighs to equal their height differences. Without thinking he tried headbutting her armored head. She was knocked but laughed it off and threw it back at him only much harder. The Orochi hit the stone wall then hit the floor. Apollyon sped over to him and grabbed him by the back of his neck tightly.
The assassin struggled for air as he felt his throat being forced in on itself, tightening every minute.
"So this is the Emperor's champion?! A short burst of energy and then nothing?! I expected more out of this!" Apollyon shouted displeased then threw the Orochi down to the ground again but not letting go. Slowly rising him back up she said, "The Samurai are skilled warriors. One is worth ten to twenty men alone! You, however, disappoint me!" She slammed him back down. "An embarrassment to your own people," she said as she rose him up again. "You're like an insect. Harmless and just annoying. Die just as easy from a boot." she added then slammed him down for the last time.
The Orochi's fire and anger died as soon as he hit the floor this last time. He got bruised and a red mark of a hand from Apollyon's grip. Apollyon turned her attention to the cornered Valkyrie as the Orochi appeared dead still. As soon as she took one step away from the Orochi he put his hand under him to help support himself back up. He groaned out loud from the pain dealt by Apollyon and she heard him. Apollyon stopped when she heard him and turned around surprised. As he struggled to get up Apollyon stomped her boot right on his back, forcing him back down. This made her chuckle lightly.
Eir backed herself in the corner of the room close to the door they hid the survivors. Stone and Holden cautiously closed in on her. Stone kept swinging his mace carefully keeping his guard close by. But when they got too close to Eir she jumped back. She put her shield up and crouched low to give herself an advantage. Then like a bull, she charged right in between them. Holden managed to dodge the charge but Stone was knocked down. Eir quickly spun around to face them and now she had them cornered, or so she thought. Stone quickly got back on his feet and put up his guard. Spinning his mace again he started getting close again. Eir shot her spear forward to stab Stone but this time he was waiting for it. Stone threw his shield down and block her attack. Leaving her open for a hard uppercut swing of his mace. She was then bombarded with a few light attacks from Stone until she managed to block the fifth one he threw. Stone didn't pay any attention to notice it as he spun around to throw his mace above their heads and swing down hard onto Eir. She used this chance as an opportunity to get him where it hurts. When his mace came down she dashed right for it. She used her shield to deflect it and stab him right in the shoulder. Making him bleed.
Holden then decided to jump in and assist Stone after he witnessed him get stabbed. Now the two were attacking together, putting pressure on her. But everyone forgot who else was there, the Shaman. She knelt there, unsure of what to do as everyone around her fought until the scent filled her nostrils and whispering voices began to ring inside her head. Telling her to silent them, feast on the blood. She tried to ignore them but when she did they only got louder. Begging, pleading, wanting her to silent them by feeding on the victim. She hit her head a few times to make them stop but it was no use. The voices started screaming in her head. She must feast on the blood but she did not want to. It wasn't right but it helped sooth the never-ending voices when the sight or smell of blood consume her. Her senses kicked up a notch and she was ready to kill. The voices continued yelling in her head, do it.
She charged like a wild animal on all fours at Stone who did not suspect anything. Once she was close enough she lunged at him. Knocking him down on the ground, she started to struggle with him. He dropped his shield and mace when he was knocked down. He started fighting for his life as the Shaman slowly managed to hold his hands down under her weight and position herself to his neck.
"Get off me bitch!" Stone shouted out loud.
Holden had just knocked Eir back with his poleaxe. He heard Stone and when he saw what was happening, it was too late. The Shaman threw her head down at his chain-mailed covered neck and used her inhuman jaw strength to crush it all and puncture all the way down to his bare skin and muscle. She viciously ripped a piece of his neck off but it wasn't clean. She ripped off some of his neck with some of his skin peeling off towards the bottom of his ear. Stone was screaming his head off through it all, his own blood squirting out from the tear of his flesh from his neck. The Shaman kept the metal and flesh in her mouth and dizzily turned around to Holden. Eir and Holden stopped their fight as they saw a bloodied face Shaman face them. Blood dripped from the flesh she tore off and some of it still attached to Stone's neck. The Shaman then quickly grabbed the string-like piece of flesh hanging on and pulled. This time she ripped it off completely and killing Stone. The screaming stopped and all eyes were on the Shaman, literally.
Apollyon, the Orochi, Holden, and Eir witnessed the sickening act of the Shaman. You knew she was cannibalistic when she suddenly spat out the flesh and metal, tore off the stringy part from Stone's neck and ate it with a few crunching bites before swallowing it all. The rush, the feeling, the adrenaline, all of it, she wanted more. The voices told her to feed more as she threw began to feed on his blood that continued to squirt out. Like someone who is dehydrated, she tried scooping up blood into her hands and drink it all. She even slowly rubbed her face in whatever was left of it. Blood dripped from her fingertips as she stood up again. Her face drenched in Stone's dark red blood. She craved for more now just as the voices did.
"A wolf in sheep's clothing…" Apollyon quietly said.
"Af guðum! Hvað ertu?!" Eir asked scared stiff.
The Shaman looked Eir with a seductive look in her eyes, then stuck out her tongue to lick off the blood on her fingers. She smiled creepily towards Eir and Holden. She and the voices wanted their blood too. Just as she was about to ready herself and pounce at one of them an officer walked in at the worst timing possible. He poked his head in to see what was going on. Instantly Holden tried to shout at the soldier to leave but the Shaman was too quick for his reaction time and another victim was claimed for her.
He was tackled and held down, the Shaman again bit into a neck, ripping and tearing off the flesh and metal with her jaws. It was a horrific sight as every knight standing outside and Viking prisoners forced to sit and watch what unfolded near them. More blood and screaming for the Shaman to enjoy but this time she ended the screaming officer with a quick twist of his head, killing him. Mercy was quick to take arms and rush the Shaman while she was busy. But Apollyon rushed out just in time to stop Mercy.
"Wait!" Apollyon commanded as she grabbed Mercy's hand with her small dagger. "Let us see what happens when you unleash a starved wolf," she said softly.
Mercy obeyed and ripped her hand out from Apollyon. The Shaman did the same actions as she did to Stone's body. Drinking the blood of her kill before thirsting for someone else. The Shaman slowly looks up to see Mercy and Apollyon standing beside her. She quickly lunged again, this time at Mercy. Knocking her down but not fighting for control but examining her. She was getting blood smeared all over Mercy's outfit as she aggressively inspected the knight assassin. Feeling her body all over, touching her face, and then finally sniffing her neck like she's trying to find something specific in someone. Then her eyes lay on a Berserker whose hands are tied up. The two pair of eyes meet, unfortunately for one of them. Eagerly she crawled over quickly on all fours to the Berserker. She held him still by his bottom jaw and began to examine him. It must've been the right choice as she leaned his head to the side and slowly lowered her mouth to his neck. Just as she was about to slowly bite down onto the defenseless Berserker, a whimper caught her attention. She looked up, still having her mouth gaping over the Berserker's neck, she saw what appeared as a teenage village girl tied up beside what could only be her dad.
The Shaman slowly lifted her mouth away from the neck of the Berserker and eased her way over to the girl. The girl saw she was slowly creeping her way over and then the father noticed. He quickly put himself in front of his daughter to defend her but, the Shaman used one hand to simply push him out of her way. Now in front of the girl, the Shaman carefully felt the girls face. Her bloody hand leaving small streaks of blood on her cheeks. The girl shuddered in her breathing and was shaking from fear instead of the cold. The Shaman had a calm, peaceful look on her face. No sign of distress or desire, just relaxed. This new Shaman was interested in something of the girl just as she was in the two going to be three victims to her powerful biting strength. This was a different interest though. Unclear but certainly something of interest about this girl.
The father tried to get in between them again, this only angered the Shaman. The Shaman grabbed him by his neck and growled in his face like a wolf showing dominance.
"Vinsamlegast ekki meiða hann! Hann er allt sem ég hef skilið eftir." the girl spoke out through her cries.
The Shaman looked back to the girl. Her red face and the running of tears got her. She threw down the father again. He coughed a bit from the lack of air but not seriously injured.
Back inside the throne room, Holden and Eir's fight stopped completely as Holden was standing beside Stone's body, looking down at it. Their relationship wasn't so much friendly as it was mutual. The painful end to Stone definitely unsettled Holden. He now knew what he saw that day when finding Bonifaas body and what happened. This small Viking girl, the Shaman, killed Bonifaas with the biting force of a wild animal. Holden knelt down on one knee, holding his poleaxe up beside him. He gently laid his large armored hand on Stone's chest.
"May God help you find peace, friend," Holden said softly then stood back up without looking away from Stones body. Suddenly a spear tip was at his back.
"This is for all the hell you've brought upon us, Black Stone," said Eir in her native tongue.
Holden understood her and prevented what she planned to do next when he responded in her language, "I may be Black Stone but hell is not what I brought with me this day."
Eir jumped back a bit when she heard him speak to her but didn't drop her guard. "You can speak the language of my people?!" Eir asked.
Holden turned to face her and said, "Yes."
"W-Well, either way, you're going to die," said Eir nervously.
Holden stepped forward putting the tip of the spear a bit into his chest armor. "You say I brought hell this day. Yet did we both not see what happened?! Is that not hell enough for you?! Is that what you call living here?! Ripping off the necks of others?! Drinking their blood?!" Holden said angrily.
"N-No," Eir said.
"Then what is hell for your kind huh?! If I remember correctly hell for you is only for the weak! I didn't see any weakness here, did you?! I just saw one of the devils spawn jumped out and feast on my friend's neck! Call me a murderer, call me a liar, call me anything you'd so damn like but I never have brought hell onto anybody!" Holden said basically shouting at Eir angry as hell. Holden ripped the spear away and out of Eir's hand. "You want to know someone who really dug up hell for you all?! Apollyon," he added.
"It wasn't just her. Your entire legion has brought nothing but pain into everyone's lives. The blood on her hands… it's on yours too." Eir said calmly not even worried about her spear.
"You think I don't know that?! I've lived with this knowledge for a long time now. I was too late to realize I was fighting for the wrong person." Holden said angrily.
"And you're going to pay for it. 今すぐ！" Eir said looking behind Holden.
Holden was surprised and confused about how she was able to speak in Japanese. He didn't ponder long when suddenly he felt a powerful force behind him throw him down onto the ground face first.
Eir had dodged out of the way when the Orochi ran in and kicked Holden. He had lost grip of Eir's spear when he fell. She got it back and pointed it at Holden, guard up and everything. The Orochi was severely beaten by his encounter with Apollyon and only had the strength for that one kick. He couldn't land properly due to his injuries and fell flat on the floor.
"大丈夫？" Eir asked walking over to the Orochi while keeping her guard towards Holden.
The Orochi manages to roll onto his side and give her a nod. But they both knew that wasn't true. Eir put her weapons on her back and help the Orochi on his feet. By the time she had him standing and his arm over her shoulders for support Holden was already back on his feet too.
Eir knew the Orochi couldn't by himself anymore but she had to take care of the obstacle before them.
"So you can speak with the Samurai huh?" Holden asked in her native language.
"I can. Move before I make you." Eir threatened.
"Make me then but what will you do if you can't? I can hold my own and I won't need to fight back. I just have to hold you off so others can join in and assist me." Holden explained.
Eir was verbally backed into a corner. She knew it would take too much time to try and fight for a way out.
"But then again," he paused and moved away from Eir and the Orochi, "I have been fighting on the wrong side. Hurry before someone comes in."
Eir was surprised by what she was hearing and seeing. A knight giving them a chance at escaping? It couldn't be possible but it was. Eir gave Holden a nod of thanks and limped over to the bath's door with the Orochi by her side. She opened it and had the group she left in there come out. They were scared when they saw Holden but Eir reassured them he wasn't a threat. She leads them to another door on the opposite side of the room where the Orochi laid after his fight with Apollyon. Opening it she let the villagers go first. One by one they quickly scurried out. Once the last few left Eir and the Orochi exited the room. Holden now was by himself and what awaited him would a world of pain and suffering. But what he did today, he has no regrets.
Eir still carrying the Orochi rushed to the front of the group. She had to lead them away from Svengard through the woods but most importantly out of Black Stone's reach. When Eir reached the front of the group there was already another obstacle, the Warden. He stood before them in the cold open air and at his feet was the body of Gudmundr. Around him where he stood, multiple bodies of wolve's also dead. Eir handed the Orochi over to a villager who took the responsibility to carry him. Eir reached over her shoulder for her shield. She used her other hand to reach low and behind her for her spear. She then put her guard up readying herself to defend the group of survivors she had. The Warden knew they saw him as a threat but he wasn't. He did what Holden did, he stepped out of the way and let them pass by. Eir was once again surprised by these actions but wasted no time to take advantage of this and get the group to rush by.
Eir was able to get her people and the Orochi away safely without a single fight to stop them. Today was the fall of Svengard, the mighty storehouse fortress, home to the Wolf Clan. Apollyon got all the remaining surviving warriors and villagers lined up for only one thing, execution. Holden still has to answer to his Warlord what happened when she left the room and why they missed the Samurai again. The Warden has one more shot to get Mercy to leave with him for her friend Amada's sake. The Shaman was now consumed by the voices shouting in her head. They sought silence through her victim's blood. Anyone and anything could be her next target.