Yo here's an update. Apologies for the wait but least it's here :'(

"Den's a sloth when it comes to gatherings... but to his own wedding?"

"Perhaps cold feet. I mean he looked more shock than any of us after the news. It takes me back to my own ceremony in a way."

Aslaug and Eitri talked amongst themselves along with a crowd mixed with the eastern faction and their own faction.

An altar was prepared after the news of Den and Ito's engagement. It was finished after a few months of rest from the Ironstone's wrath. It was a fine mix of both their cultures in one as a sign of unions, all they were missing now was the groom and the bride.

"Shouldn't we look for him? I'd hate to keep these people waiting." She said as she looked over the large gathering.

"Alslaug... this is one of our greatest challenges in our life. All we can do now is wait for his answer." Eitri said as he partook of the buffet for the after party.

"Excuse me friends, you two wouldn't have seen my sister by any chance?" A shinobi asked the two Vikings.

"What does she look like?" Aslaug asked.

"She's similar to me but she's a bit shorter and her eyes are an emerald green."

"Haven't seen any women like that... sounds a bit familiar though."" Eitri said as he filled himself with some cooked boar.

"Well, let you know when we see her samurai." Aslaug assured him.

"I am grateful. I'm surprised she's about to miss her own wedding." He said which drew a gasp from Eitri.

"Wait... you're related to a woman named Ito?" Eitri remembered.

The man nodded.

"That's correct. It's rare not to see my sister in the morning even on her big day. I figured she was preparing but it seems some of her belongings are missing. I'm just really concerned for her that's all."

It seems that the two guest of honor have their hands full with something. It seems they have no choice but to be patient.

"Pass me a drink Eitri. We're gonna be here for a while."

In the forest

"Why must you run from me?!?"

"Why do you chase me!?!"

Den was sprinting through the forest at top speed followed by Ito who wasn't far behind. She quickly swung her chains towards him but he was quick to side step her attacks.

"We're keeping our families waiting... why must you resist?!"

"Don't ask questions you already know the answer to!?"

He continued to dodge her chain swings until he hid behind a tree. He peeked his head to see if she was anywhere nearby.

Like usual, she was nowhere to be seen.

Rustle rustle

He was prepared as he rolled away from the tree as Ito dropped to his position in an attempt to wrap him with chains.

"I only have the slightest clue to your behavior. If you communicate with me, we can come to a solution." She pleaded with him.

"That's the problem! I don't want anything to do with you!Yet, you still find ways to always be by my side. What gives you so much motivation to be this persistent?"

"Now you're asking questions you should already know the answer to.~" She teased.

The two stood their ground as Den prepared his axes and Ito retracted her chains.

"I know the answer to your fate shadow-walker!"

"So... this is what you understand?"

He said nothing as he cracked his neck and roared. He could feel the spirit coursing through him as he gripped his axes.

Ito sighed as she stood her ground but to his surprise, she sheathed her weapons and bowed to the forest floor in an act of surrender.

"What are you doing? Aren't you going to put up a fight like you always do!?"

"I refuse to fight you anymore. I'm tired of fighting the one I love. If your wish is for me to die than so be it... Farewell Den."

Den was shocked to hear such words of defeat. His grip started to lessen on his weapons as he responded.

"After all this time and you finally accept your fate. Are you prepared to leave this realm by my hand?I'll make it a quick one!"

She remained motionless on the forest floor as if she accepted her fate. The tension in the air began to rise as the two warriors stared into each other's eyes.

"...So be it! May the gods have mercy on your soul!!" He shouted as he ran towards her with his axes drawn. She made no motion as she closed her eyes and braced for his attack.

Slash!!!

She heard the sound of his weapon but didn't feel the cold grasp of death. She opened her eyes and saw Den's face only a few inches away from her's. Both of his axes were planted in the ground on both sides of her.

"What even are you." He whispered. "Ever since I met you in the forest, you've plagued my mind. I can't stop thinking about you and when you're around me it's even worse. These feeling and emotions I thought I could control but even now, I still can't bring myself to end your life."

He dropped to his knees in front of her in defeat. Even with the spirit of the boar, he was unable to even bring harm to her. A single tear slid down his cheek but it was quickly wiped away from Ito.

"Don't cry my sweet boar. I also feel the same way. It happened that night when I was dancing by myself in the forest and caught sight of you. I've never met anyone as free and wild as you. You're also in my thoughts as well."

Den lifted his head a bit to meet her emerald eyes. This green orbs of hers always did wonders for him in dire situations.

"What of us now?" He asked.

"Aren't you the man in this relationship~"

He chuckled a bit at that. It seems this is the best route for him take since it will aide both of the factions against the knights. Besides, he finally knows how he really feels about her.

At the altar

The voices of the crowd grew silent as they saw the expected guest have finally arrived. It was Den and Ito who were holding each other's hand as they walked to the altar. The priest began to exchange vows in both of their native tongues.

"It about time they showed up. It seems they've been quite busy."

"That's our Den for you Aslaug." Eitri said as he took a sip of his drink.

It was a lovely gathering that was finally coming to a conclusion... But a sinister plot was set in motion atop of the hill over the altar.

"You have sights on them." Howard asked Roxanne as she steady her crossbow on the couple.

"Which one should I go for?"

"Take out the Viking first. That mongrel has been a pain ever since we met him. The rest of our men will strike once you deal the shot. Remember, we're taking no prisoners this day."

The peacekeeper nodded as she set her sights on Den.

"Peri." She whispered as she pulled the trigger.

Garu could feel that something was off. He was always aware of the calm before the storm. He quickly scanned the area and caught sight of the glisten from the knights armor on top of the hill.

He was left with one option.

Click!

"Garu!!!"

Ito broke the silence in the air as Garu clutched the arrow in his chest. The shinobi writhed in pain as the other faction gathered around him to aide.

"Charge!!!!"

The voice of a Roxanne shouted as a small group of peacekeepers armed and ready as they ran towards the guest who prepared themselves with utensils and sticks.

It was a slaughter on both sides as the Vikings and Samurai faced off against the ambush. The beautiful altar prepared was but a memory as the gathering spilled blood and the sound of music and bells were replaced the howls of violence and the clanging of metal.

The knights caught the edge as the guest were ill prepared with the lack of real weapons. They began to advance as the Viking and Samurai fought for every inch of their lives led by Den and Ito and their allies.

It ended with knights retreating and heavy casualties on both sides.

"It won't be easy next time. You animals are good as dead!" Roxanne said as she fled deep into the forest.

"Damn that woman!" Den said in anger.

"Garu..."

Den turned towards the unlikely ally who saved his life in the arms of Ito... the same one who took the arrow to the chest. Den could feel his life fading away any second now as he bent down with his new wife.

"...Take care of her." Garu said as his eyes slowly closed forever.

To be continued