War

“Ernak. Ernak. How did it go?!” Sigurd asked hopefully but just from the glare and the heavy breathing Sigurd immediately muttered, “Okay Ernak. Okay! Let’s just take a breath” “I’m sorry that you couldn’t reach an understanding Ernak. I really am!” Forde spoke in his traditional confident manner, “When I fulfil my prophecy I will remember this sacrifice!” “MY. NAME. IS. LOGOS! God of decay and rot and you are no one like the rest of these vermin. I should let you die from your own stupidity for what you did. Fucking humans. Can’t believe they were right!” “Logos. They weren’t! You know it! You can’t help their stupidity!” Torvi urged speaking as Adara and storming up to Forde it was a group from Sigurd’s Clan who grabbed him and pulled him away, “You all don’t deserve freedom!” Logos growled overpowering those trying to restrain him before more jumped him, “Ernak please!” Lagertha cried and looking at her spat, “And you are the worse of all. You used me, my feelings and my skills; got my hopes up to only throw to the floor like those who bullied me. Now it’s my turn!” Ernak growled and breaking free once again drew his axe and flung it into the nearest warriors of Sigurd back, “How does it feel to have the tables turned. Come on get, you mongrel. You piece of filth. Maybe I should drag you in front of your wife and remind her of all the times she threw stuff at me!” the room watched in shock when Ernak grabbed him by the throat and watched the black lines crawl up his arm.

The crowd stood there frozen especially Lagertha who knowing the pain and anger he was suffering; something that had never left since they first met was stopped from trying to calm him by Artemis who rushing past the groups rushed to Ernak and muttered holding grabbing Ernak’s head to forcefully look at her, “Sssshhh. Sssshhh son. Calm down. Calm; you are just feeling Ernak’s pain” “They deserve it. Zeus was right!” “No. You were right. They are primitive but don’t deserve the punishment you would harbour against them. Please just calm down!” “No.” Artemis groaned before grabbing a knife muttered, “I’m sorry!” “Artemis wait!” Alfhild screeched but stabbing him in his arm Artemis muttered, “Calm yourselves. It’s just something to calm himself down. I needed the knife to pierce his thick skin. Don’t worry about it, just remember for temporary he will be calm, hopefully return to Ernak part of his mind!” “Artemis…” Alfhild pleaded and nodding said, “I will explain it to you all later. Let me make sure he is calm first” Lagertha nodded looking over to Artemis who crouching down said, “We really need to find Freyja. She will sort this out!” “You are looking at it. The way she acts, the way she calmed me. The way she was **** to marry someone else due to her family’s plotting! And she threw me away twice!” Artemis looked back at Lagertha before turning back to him said, “You knew the risk of not everyone wanting to go back to their god life’s, some may enjoy the human life more!” “So she lied to me again. Like she always did. Will it never cease!” Artemis heart skipped a beat and gulping heavily she grabbed Ernak’s hair and spat, “She isn’t worth it son but the other Freyja is. She doesn’t want you then fine. We will get the other version; we will find the version who didn’t know you were coming back for her, didn’t know how much you loved her and when we find her; we will all leave the humans to suffer” “And…” “And if she doesn’t want you then we rebuild, together as a family! Torvi go with him!”

“What in Odin’s name is going on here!” Forde snapped and pointing at him Artemis yelled, “If you were actually a god and not just some pretender you would know. Can’t believe it. We changed ourselves to adapt to YOUR world when we SHOULD HAVE just RECLAIMED it for ourselves. You’re all too primitive to think for your damn selves!” “You are trying my patience woman. What is going on?” “I will not explain ourselves to you. I will however explain it to his adopted human parents and Lagertha; who is involved in this more than she knows. If she chooses to explain it to you then that’s her business.” Forde sighed and nodding admitting they wouldn’t get anywhere otherwise, Björn and Ivar retook their positions when the group re-entered the room.

“What is going on Artemis?” Alfhild worried and sighing Artemis pondered on how to explain it so they would understand it, “Imagine 2 people in one body fighting for control or a balance. Instead of becoming one person Logos was letting Ernak adjust and naturally adopt his memories and abilities… this takes a lot longer and requires a lot more defence for the host before he learns the Isu power. What happens? Ernak stresses or gets: annoyed, panicked or frustrated and Logos takes over to defend him and take care of issues. He feeds off Ernak’s pain. I was able to calm him purely by introducing a concoction that will both slow his heart rate and nerves. His skin is a lot thicker as you may noticed due to his transformation and therefore I had to stab him forcefully to introduce the concoction into his body.” Sigurd nodded as he queried, “And is he Ernak or Logos?” “Should be Ernak until he gets worked up again. My suggestion is to leave him until the fight and then stay out of his way. He will get the victory and then we move on from there” “Where to? How? Is there anything I can do?” Lagertha asked and shaking her head Artemis said, “Go away and never look back. If what he thinks is true then I don’t want her near my son. You hear me, Freyja you piece of shit” “But she isn’t…” “Shut it human. I’m talking to Freyja who lays dormant in your body. You are lucky you aren’t awake. You know what he went through and you do this to him. I would kill you where you stood!” “I know what Ernak went through, I was there every step of the way and him reacting like this… it hurts me! Maybe I could…” “No stay away. Your help like this “King” of yours is never welcome. When we are done with this I will help him find the second copy and hope she is willing to accept who she is” “Maybe Lagertha could open her mind up to Freyja’s memories?” Alfhild offered but shooting the idea down Artemis explained, “She does that and Freyja will probably take over completely; she really didn’t like humans at all. This would result in war, **** and no good coming out of it. I really wish Freyja would have been just an ordinary girl but no like always she has to be the most beautiful one in the land” “There has to be something we could physically do now!” Sigurd asked and nodding Artemis replied, “Drinks. Drinks and more drinks. Also just leave him alone. Tell Forde to not antagonise him and the rest to not talk to him” “But…” “No but’s Lagertha, it’s over for you. You deserve the live you refused to fight against!” Lagertha looked down but in surprise hearing Alfhild’s defence, “We choose her fate not her” Artemis said, “Then she really isn’t anything like Freyja. She was thrown around endlessly for the gods politics and fought back when Logos came. Defied to powerful Isu family’s and only pushed Logos away when she knew of her fate in Ragnarok. He came back killing everyone in his way to get her back he found out the truth and she took the plunge to defy fate and followed him South. That is the woman he needs. NOT her!” Lagertha nodded disheartened by Artemis’ disapproval but nodding once more said, “When you hunt for her let me know. I will spare as much resources as I can to help the search!” “Don’t bother it’s not welcome! Go back to soothe your husbands ego whilst I try and stop Ernak from punching a wall in!”

Artemis left the three and looking down heartbroken for Lagertha Alfhild tried to muster, “Lagertha I…” “Don’t bother. None of us deserve to be around him. If I am getting blamed for what is happening to Ernak then you two should be to” “Where are you going?” Sigurd questioned and shrugging she spat, “The only thing I am good for… to soothe Forde’s pathetic ego. We all know he isn’t a god and we know if it carry’s on Ernak will butcher him. This is the only gift I can give Ernak” Alfhild tried to offer her comfort but failing to think of any watched as the Freu looked down defeated and Alfhild to glare at Sigurd heard him say, “Don’t say a word. I hate this entirety of this from day one. I did it for the Clan like my father always preached. Was I wrong? Yes! Do I care about the result? It hurts me deeply. Everything has fallen apart for the “Clan” and I am sick of it! Now if you excuse me I want to speak to Ernak. Maybe I can at least get his preferred ale right!”

Artemis glared at Sigurd who nodding for her to leave watched as Ernak paced back and for and punching the nearest shield every few mini laps, Sigurd himself stared in shock to see the wood splinter from each blow, getting harder and more powerful. “Ernak’s?!” “What!” he fired back so taking a step back to ensure he wasn’t in striking range said, “You need to take a breath and calm down until the battle. What drink do you prefer?” “I don’t want a drink. I just want to fight and kill people. Tell the other side to hurry up before I do it myself!” “Ernak… you know it’s not as simple as that. Negotiations are being made!” “There better not be!” Ernak yelled landing another blow on the shield, “Ernak stop!” Alfhild yelled, “Why should I?!” “Because… your knuckles are broken” Sigurd challenged and holding his hand up they watched as they clicked back in automatically and then punching Sigurd Ernak yelled, “The day I stopped listening to both of you is the day you let her go to Ragnor” “Ernak what happened. Please let us understand!” “Thanks to you, Lagertha is gone. What made her Lagertha is dead and what’s left is purely a mindless fool that thinks she owes the clan everything when in truth they did nothing for her. All they care about is themselves. That’s what all the beatings and insults taught me!”

The townsfolk who had joined Sigurd’s war band looked down embarrassed and acknowledging he was right Sigurd said, “We acknowledge we have failed but please don’t let this hatred define who you are!” the nearest townsfolk stepped forward but before they could apologise they heard him growl, “Is it too much to ask that you all die in the war. Just die and leave me alone like I pleaded when I was child?!” Sigurd’s head dropped and seeing how the frustrated man seething still from everything that had built up sheepishly tried to say, “I… after this… I always did care for you even if you don’t believe me. I can’t fix any of this and I don’t even deserve **** for what I did to you but I don’t want you to spend the rest of your life wounded; hurting and lashing out the world for what it did to you. You deserve better than that, you are entitled to better. Don’t stay in this cesspool where out there is a life better than us; all of us and yes there will be women just like Lagertha and when you find the one; kill everyone who stands in your way!” Alfhild gasped but looking over to her Sigurd plainly said, “Yes Alfhild I did love my son. I just had to be tough so he wouldn’t roll over and die! After this Erik and I will have words and the Clan. It’s about time I cared for my family over it!”

An hour later and gathered in the room to discuss the plan. Well all of them argued except Ernak who focusing more on sharpening his axe, choosing to ignore their talks and instead focus on his task. “Look if we hit them straight on…” Forde started but ignoring them Erik replied, “Too many die if we…” “Who put you in charge?” Sigurd yelled no longer hiding his anger. “Maybe we should try and attack on the flanks?” Ragnor offered and looking to him Alfhild yelled, “Shut up. The actual adults are talking!” Ragnor growled as he snapped back, “Why are you even here mother? To see Ernak?” “I AM part of the Sigurd’s war council. I have a right to be here, you are merely a guest!” “Then why is Ernak here? He isn’t part of the war council?!” Ragnor retaliated to which she yelled back, “Because HE is a damn God! Why wouldn’t we take his advice?” Ragnor scoffed and ignoring this Alfhild carried, “He is also valued here for his advice. Yours is stupid!”

Ragnor growled once more as Ernak rolled his eyes at the scene before him. He checked his axe before sheathing it to start checking his arrows stopped when Lagertha yelled, “Just shut up all of you. You are all clueless. Why not just let the guy who is going to win this war for us plan?” they looked over to Ernak who mentally being pulled back into the room shrugged and as he retaliated, “I don’t give a fuck on who survives and who dies. The more who perish the better!” the room’s head dropped and being met with an now eerie silence Lagertha whimpered looking puppy eyed at him, “Please. For the sake of the horses at least?!” he sighed before studying the map said, “Forde forces attack head on, Sigurd’s forces with attack from the East after the forces have met and engaged and from there hold. Leave them to retreat, make it easier for us if their backs are to us. Ivars will attack from the West and will aim to attack with ****. Try and push them towards Sigurd. Squeeze them up and **** them out. Forde will simply join in push them further into the box” “Will it work?” Forde questioned, “If it fails I will just butcher every single one myself!” “I will help son!” Artemis offered but refusing Ernak pointed at Lagertha and said, “You will make sure she sits there on her throne and does not move. I’m not having her get in my way or pleading for their mercy. Even if you have to tie her down; she does not move!” Lagertha’s head dropped as she threw her sword to the floor whilst returning to her seat, “Anything else Ernak?” Sigurd asked and nodding Ernak barked, “One more thing. Stay out of my way if you want to live!” the group nodded taking their leave except Ernak who studying his sword watched as began to glow something that even Lagertha was amazed to see, “Ernak…” he looked up and immediately sheathing the blade she smiled lightly seeing how he on times still had his nervousness to him or more like caution, “It’s alright Ernak I won’t tell!” “It’s not that. Humans see the power it has and want it. Anything that glows humans must have it! Never mind, you won’t understand; never will.” “Ernak I…” “What do you want? Is it another “I’m sorry” talk?” “No. I just wanted to say thank you!” he turned his back to her and walking away said, “Don’t bother. It doesn’t mean anything to me; not anymore!” she sighed and Brynhild seeing this encouraged her to sit and continue their talk.

The war began and engaging like they should, Forde’s forces were starting to get overwhelmed but the surprise of Sigurd’s bands attacking the right allowed Forde’s both some rest-bite but also an advantage as the opposition now had to turn their attention to Sigurd’s forces and with the lack of order a lot of the warriors didn’t know who to fight meant easier for Forde’s to kill the enemy. However Forde, wanting the glory decided to attack and push forward, breaking the Norwegians but also splintering their own and from there meant the trap was broken and the Norwegian’s seeped through the holes and getting around Forde’s forces boxing them, Forde realising his mistake looked head down when they heard a loud growl as Ernak’s group joined the fight. Ernak growled storming forward snapped, “MUST. I. DO. EVERYTHING. MYSELF!” “Order?” Ivar asked and charging forward Ernak replied, “Get his forces out. Create a path for them to regroup and block the Norwegians from leaving.” “And you?” Björn asked, “It’s time for me to do some work!”

Ernak walked forward and firing an exploding arrow to gain the enemy’s attention, didn’t move or run instead nailing each with a quick arrow; dodge any who got near him and flicked his wrist to kill them in a quick kill. When the king realised he was the biggest threat ordered his men back to support him. However, in one raise of the sword the sun shone off it as he threw his arm forward as if he was ordering the men forward; however what actually happened was the floor started to shake and from his person started big splinters of rock shot out from it impaling them in it’s way. Then in one smooth swipe a black mist shot out covering those in front of him watched as they fell to the floor in pain whilst their skin and later bone withered away. A one man wrecking crew; he was storming through the army being untouched as he butchered anyone in his way and even when he threw his sword instinctively through someone he would simply raise his hand and watch as his sword; often through someone else return to him. Even without his blade they failed to get near him; he used spears to kill multiple, shields to bludgeon and axes to carve up the forces. This proved an distraction and the opposition to lose all organisation to their formation. Ernak pushed past Forde’s forces and continuing **** laughed seeing more charge towards him and all falling. Blood stained the battle field but not giving in the king yelled to a cloaked figure, “You said you would win us the war. Do it!” the figure groaned before throwing its hood off and revealing the figure of an red headed woman, tattoos covering her arm and nodding Ernak knew what he would be dealing with; an northern Isu.

She stormed forward and holding out her hand, Ernak watched as the hammer returned to her hand, “This will be fun!” the woman smirked and nodding Ernak stated, “Let’s see what Mjolnir has against Fthorá” the woman eyed him up cautiously before launching her attack summoned a bolt to be shot in his direction but smoothly stepping to the side the woman rolled when he summoned a black beam towards her and instead taking out a group fighting behind them out, she tried another attack but being met by his counter growled seeing her cloak start to fray. She threw it off and seeing Ernak throw his cloak off she began to understand what she was in turn fighting. Her marking glowing blue and his own golden black lines illuminated his body. She charged forward summoning electricity in both her hands and on her hammer was met by his sword blocking it, glowing stronger than before, pushing her backwards in a thud. He rebalanced and taking his own chance to launch and attack, aimed to successfully keep her off balance and on the defence; she hoped for an counter but feeling his power begin to build, raised her hammer in an attempt to raise up and create some distance and height. He grabbed her leg and pulling her down dodged her swing from the hammer before tripping her, stabbed his knives in her hands preventing from being able to summon Mjolnir and kneeling he asked, “How did you manage to wield the big dummy’s hammer? Hmm?” she looked at him and eyes widening cried out, “You can’t be? Logos?!” “How did you… Wait? Thrud? Thrud Thorsdottir?! How…” “Help…” she muttered signalling to the knives and pulling them out she moaned nursing her wounds and helping her up smiled warmly seeing that she wasn’t alone in this world anymore, “So where is everyone else?” she asked and throwing his axe into someone who got too near to him he replied, watching her kill her own target, “The Southern version was more calculated. We set an date that we all wanted to be roughly around, the Northern version for “security” spits everyone out at any time. You were just awake like me; too early” she nodded as she asked, “Anyone else awake?” “My family. Freyja is but it’s complicated for a lot of reasons…” she nodded noticing his head dip but smiling when he offered, “No other thing for it… come and live with us!” she nodded however before she could respond they were confronted by the Norwegian king and a fair chunk of his forces who now yelled, “Defeat him damn it. You promised us victory or shall we kill you instead?” she laughed before laughing, “Look, Logos would butcher me if he wanted to. He’s the better fighter than me and is far more powerful than me!” ”Useless then. Give me that hammer!” he barked attempting to reach for it but seeing it return to her hand he groaned annoyed that he waited soo long to try and take it, “Kill her!” Logos pushed her behind him as he yelled, “This is a win-win for me. Save Thrud and kill bastards!” Thrud charged up her attack and pushing Logos’ hand down growled, “Together. Let’s kill this ravel together like it’s sport!”

Ten minutes later Thrud slammed the kings head with an Mjolnir and falling back onto Fthorá; Thrud leapt up to send a devastating blow onto his head Logos’ hidden blade shot straight through the Kings throat. The Norwegians turned around and attempting to flee Ernak raised Fthorá and slamming it into the ground watched as they were caught by puddle of black tar that pulled them to the ground and in one raise the murky liquid began to swallow them spitting out blood and bones to warn those on what would happen if they dared to challenge him. Brynhild watched from afar and gasping as the two who had duelled now stood together slaughtering the enemy and now the remained being sucked into the ground leaving on the odd sign that there was ever a battle. “He really is a god” she muttered and smirking Artemis proudly spoke, “There is a reason he was feared by the Greek Pantheon and the Aesir. Vanir loved him though, well mainly because he was Freyja’s lover.” “He’s really that powerful?” she nodded before replying, “Decay… you can’t stop it; it always gets you one way or another” Lagertha looked out and seeing Logos simply sheath the his blade and walk away with the new woman adjusting her hair before nudging tried to hold him back as he made his way towards Forde who hurriedly retreating, she groaned, “Brynhild get all the men you have. This will be a blood bath!”

Moments later and Forde getting punched through the door Brynhild hurriedly sent her group to try and separate the pair but Forde trying to punch back felt another blow from Ernak who punching him repeatedly not caring anymore, Forde only felt it cease when a large number pushed Ernak away from him. Bleeding Forde wearily got up as he tried to maintain balance, “Ernak stop it please?!” Lagertha pleaded but shaking his head he grabbed Brynhild and Lagertha by their dresses and snapped, “Your bastard didn’t even listen. He was too upset that I showed him up that he refused to follow the plan. Soo much more blood of your own people is on his hands. This “god” is nothing more than a selfish, arrogant bastard that is as incapable as he is stupid” “Watch it?!” Forde snapped and breaking free Ernak walked up to him and snapped, “Or what?! Make a move I dare you!” Thrud raised her hand and watching Mjolnir arrive in her hand she spoke as the electricity began to build up, “Just give me the word Logos!” “Okay… let’s just calm down; Logos or Ernak whoever it is, you said you wanted the humans dead… this just gives you what you wanted!” “He still didn’t listen, wanted the fame!” “And the people now know of it… it’s up to them to decide what they want done!” Ernak growled before taking a breath Lagertha smiled seeing more blood was avoided and he still had some sense of himself remaining. “Thank you!” Lagertha spoke pushing Forde further away and standing in front of him asked, “Did you get hurt?” “You know me, it doesn’t matter. It never does! Thrud; let me show you the family” the red headed woman nodded and glaring at Lagertha ordered, “Do me a favour and go back to playing with your fantasy; leave us alone!” Lagertha sighed before slumping against her throne muttered to her husband cries of pain, “Next time there may be no one to stop him!”