/The Battle



Forth went the warbands resplendent in armour

Beneath our banners arrayed for fight

There to face dread demons assembled

Boldly we mustered, prepared to die



The enemy halted, again roared the challenge

Silent we stood, awaiting the foe

Then from behind us, roaring defiance

There came the Slayer, seeking her prey



Battle was joined in all its fury

Demons of darkness hurled at our shields

Sore were we pressed by minions of evil

Many companions, cast down by woe



But not only the righteous met their grim fate

Hearts true and stalwart we dealt doughty blows

Hel's lackeys faltered at our resistance

As we resolved dearly to sell our life's blood



Heroes there were, heroes aplenty

On blood sodden field, beneath the stars

Shieldwall unbroken, battle continued

As steely moon gazed, we fought and we died



Many the deeds of that night remembered

Now fill our halls with martial song

Proud are we then, to boast of our glory

Forgetful are we of fear and despair



Xander, the noble, wielding Braincrusher

The mighty mace, he swung side to side

Crushing and maiming, dark evil foemen

Enemies falling to his great blows



Wilhelm, the demon, dealt fierce blows

Scattering all before him like windblown chaff

Strong, finely muscled, delight of maidens

He proved he was worthy to wear hero's crown



So as night lengthened we fought the demons

Blows struck and taken but not a man quailed

All wounds to the front, betokened our honour

No man left the field, no warrior fled



Great were the deeds wrought by great heroes

And I was among them nor yet the least

Holding my ground, 'gainst warrior infernal

My axe, Nosebiter, did take awesome toll



Many the hour raged the battle

Until dawn's fingers appeared in the east

Then Demon Captain made his appearance

And then the Slayer strode forth from our ranks



Dark was his armour, black night reflected

Black was his sword, black was his shield

Earth shook at his coming, lightning and thunder

Assailed the heavens, doom was at hand



Small Slayer seemed before the monster

Small in stature but great was her heart

Smiling and laughing, there she did taunt him

Enraging the evil one, despite in his face



Then he smote a blow, a blow so fearsome

The Slayer trembled as it glanced off her shield

Again and again blows hammering upon her

Yet still she stood, a beacon of light



Ever he hewed and hacked at the Slayer

Ever she stood there, accepting blows

Her shield arm still holding its mighty burden

'Gainst all the power that demon wrought



Then stood she taller, eyes flashing like sapphires

Hair blazing golden, lips of ruby red

Her sword she unsheathed, fire ran along it

Then matching his blows, she began her attack



Dire was the struggle, as enemies mortal

Traded blows mighty with swords sharp and keen

Watched by the armies, all battle suspended

All of us watching, to await the end



Slowly the demon now overmastered

His blows ever weaker, fell back step by step

Joyful was Buffy, victory singing

Her voice bright and cheerful, gladdened men's hearts



Then at the end, a sword stroke of power

Pierced dread armour, the demon shrieked

His body sore wounded, his defence over

Blood gushing from sword blows, then his spirit fled



A cheering arose from our serried ranks

As forward we strode to finish the foe

Demons fled howling to darkness we sent them

And thus we preserved Midgard for light



With sun's ship rising, we halted the battle

The dark ones had fled, the field was ours

As twilight glimmered and starlight faded

Our banners we raised to honour the brave



Weary we stood, weary in body

Spirits exultant at our great deed

Evil was vanquished or so we considered

We lay where we stood, awaiting the feast