My guys! Been a while but im back. Enjoy this little remake.

Dance is a true art form.

Its the heart of all things creative and expressive.

But dance could be so invigorating when you have someone to share it with...

"You're sending me to scout the marshlands!?" The boarish beserker couldnt believe what his warlord was asking of him.

"Den... I understand the work you've done for our family but i can't send anyone else. The Samurai have depleted most of our reaources and a few good men. It would be unwise to send someone not as skilled as you."

The Vikings and Samurai have had many battles spread across the swamplands for territory for years now. Its been a deadlock struggle between the two factions.

"You must hear my plea Erik!What about Helga or Eitri!? Surely there mus-"

Before he could rebuttal, the warlord raised his hand.

"I've already prepared your bag... Also be back here before the full moon. I can't risk losing any more good men." He said as one of the servants presented it to the warrior.

Den growled as he snatched the bag and made his way to the main gates out into the marsh.

"May the gods watch over me." He whispered to himself as he went out to the eerie swamps.

The hours felt like days as Den traversed through the rough terrain. The marshlands were occupied with tall grass, bushes and vines hanging from the trees. The fog started to gather along with Den's caution.

These grounds are perfect for an ambush.

The viking stopped as he approach a small pond. He bent down to grab some fresh water to pack for his journey.

rustle rustle

He froze. His ears perked up to the sound as he began to take a whiff of the cool air. One sniff was all it took for him to realize one thing.

He wasn't alone.

fling

He grabbed one of his axes as he quickly dodged out the way of the incoming kusarigama coming from the bush. He quickly recognized the weapon along with the wielder

"Damn shadow walker!"

The weapon zipped back into the bush. It didnt take long for more to be thrown his way.

fling fling fling

Den dodged and parried the incoming attacks as he quickly made his way to behind a tree. He prepared his other axe and contemplated his next move. He was at a bit of a disadvantage since he had to close in to his target.

He peeked around the tree before he slowly walked out into the open with both of his axes drawn.

"Come out demon! Your tricks won't work on me! Face me and end this here!"

His outburst was met with silence. He slowly turned to each of his angles where they would attack. Unfortunately, he forgot about the angle above him as he looked up to see a masked shinobi drop down on him.

He dropped his axes near him as he got pinned down by the unknown assailant. He tried to reach for them only to have the ninja's scythe inches away from his throat.

"What are you waiting for!?" He asked with a bolster of pride. From the stories he heard of these samurai, they never wasted their time on a kill.

The shinobi giggled

"You're cute~"

Den was taken aback. He didn't notice until now but the weight he felt on him along with the sleek frame, this was clearly a woman. The ninja was clothed in their traditional gear with only her eyes visible.

He was a bit lost in her emerald pools.

"I have no idea what trickery you're trying to pull but it will be the last for you!" He said which caused her to push the blade further into his neck. A bit of losse hair from his beard fell on the muddied ground.

"One strike and your head is removed. I wouldn't be so agitated if I were you."

Den gritted his teeth which warranted another giggle from his future executioner.

"Ah my sweet boar~"

Den kept his eyes trained towards her as he slowly reached for his axe. His rage grew hotter as he could feel the handle of his axe.

"Die Demon!"

Swoosh

He shouted as he swung his axe toward her throat. She bent her torso backwards as she back flipped to gain distance. Den quickly hopped back up and grabbed his other axe. The field was even now.

"You realize this is where you die?" He threatened as he sharpened his axes on each other.

The shinobi yawned as she wrapped her kusari gama around her wrist. She taunted him as she giggled once more.

In the blink of any eye, Den was face to face with her as he started his barrage of attacks. Each strike sliced either the wind or the ground as the ninja moved around gracefully with laughter.

Of all the combat Den has ever seen, never in his life has he fought with someone literally laughing at the face of death.

"Why aren't you fighting back!? I won't stop until you stop me shadow walker!" He shouted in fustration.

"We're not fighting... we're dancing~"

The movements of their fight was somwwhat a spectacle to watch. Each twist and turn followed by every strike and slash mimic that of dancing. Den was taken aback by that analogy.

He was then caught off guard by a swift kick to the face. He stumbled a bit but nothing he couldn't handle.

"Don't get sloppy on me now... we're just getting started~" She said as she swung her kusarigama to her hands. Den follwed her lead as he stood ready.

She threw her scythe towards him which he dodged and closed the distance. The ninja finally retaliated with a couple strikes of her own which Dem fended off against.

He finally saw an opening as she was about to bring both her weapons over his head.

He used his axes to glide between her attack. Sparks flew as he got to the position he needed to finish this.

"Got you!"

He exclaimed as he grabbed and threw her down. The impact knocked her mask down just a lil under her chin. She recovered but only to have axe to her neck waiting for her on the way up.

Den couldn't help but smirk with his victory. The gods have blessed him once again.

"Any last word demon?" He asked as he prepared his final strike.

"Farewell my sweet Den."

He was shocked. How did she even know his name? Who was this mysterious woman?

"DEN! Its eitri! Are you out here!?" A familiar voice echoed to their battle field. Before Den could answer, the ninja grabbed his face and pressed her lips to his.

chup

He quickly slashed towards her which was answered with a dodge. The shinobi slowly walked towards him as he raised his weapons.

"Lets finish this-!" His thought was interrupted as he felt his axe getting heavy in his hand, then he could feel his legs start ro give out. He was on one knee as the shinobi bent down to his face and smiled. The only thing Den could focus on were her green eyes.

"Until next time my sweet boar~" She winked as she quickly fled into the bushes.

Den finally collapsed on his back as the cries for his name got closer. The full moon was the last view he had as he closed his eyes.

"Wake up you dog!"

Aslaug, their resident shaman, patted Den on his face which abruptly woke him.

"It's time that you finally waken up! Sleeping on the scouting job I see." She mocked.

"Oh Aslaug... Now I definitely know im not in Valhalla." He said as his memories slowly started to come back.

A pair of green eyes flashed in his mind.

"I must go now. I need to let Erik know what I've found" He said as he got up only to be pushed down.

"You're lucky. Considering you were knocked out and Eitri found you just in time to bring you back. The lord will talk with you once you rest up a bit."

"Then why wake me you rabid dog?"

"Because you can rest in your own damn shack!" She said as she pointed him towards the door.

He got up and made his way out only to be stopped again.

"Oh and there's a letter waiting you at your shack. Don't know who left it, it was there before you got back."

Den quickly rushed over to his humble abode and saw the letter sitting on his bed.

He opened it up and read the contents.

With each passing word and phrase... he recognized who the writer was.

Tear

He tore up the letter and threw the scraps in a fire. A crazed look graced his face.

"We will finish this Ito."