Astrom walked through the defending line that had crumbled. His eyes focused on behind them at the defending force that fought one another, but his eyes lingered on one man. His lips slowly curled up in a smile as he felt his blood pumping like it had never before.

Tyr pulled his axe out of one of the men and felt the eyes on him. They turned into narrow slits as he pushed past those who he should have been attacking. No one stopped him, his presence alone invoking dread. They watched him drag the axe, carving a line in the ground as he approached Astrom. The two looked at one another, the fighting around seemingly going still watching the two.

"Leif," Astrom spoke quietly, his grip on the claymore tightening. "Lead the assault." Leif understood instantly what Astrom wanted to do as he nodded, and pulled his men to run past Tyr, no one daring to stop their king from enjoying his battle. ’Where did she hide this one.’

He broke into a wild smile looking at Tyr feeling an excitement he had only felt once before. The excitement to face an equal, the excitement to challenge someone who was truly strong. Looking to the sky he smiled in gratitude. ’Bjorn, to give me such an opponent. Truly you must bless me.’ Astrom had always been compared to the God of War himself but never once had he felt worthy of the title.

But looking at Tyr he felt that when he won, finally he would be deserving of it. Astrom moved forward and so did Tyr. Dropping the claymore by his side Astrom readied himself as Tyr picked his axe up with both hands. No one dared to interrupt the showdown between the two, focusing on their own battles, but a clear distance was created around the two.

Astrom was quick. His weapon was massive but he made it seem easy to use, as he swung up throwing dirt towards Tyr. He let his sword fly over his shoulder, using his back to stop it, before swinging down.

Tyr didn’t react to the distraction and held his axe up catching the claymore. The sound of the two clashing weapons sounded like a small explosion as Astrom’s sword bounced off the axe. ’A metal hilt. Unusual.’ Astrom couldn’t linger on the point, as Tyr charged forward., slamming the butt of his axe into Astrom’s stomach.

Astrom let it hit him, air escaping his mouth, but didn’t fold, grabbing it with his left hand. The veins on his arm and hand bulged as Tyr tried to pull his axe free of the Astrom’s grip. Clicking his tongue, he slammed it forward, and headbutted him, forcing Astrom to take a step back.

Blood poured from his nose, but Astrom didn’t acknowledge it, swinging his claymore up. It intercepted the attack thrown at him throwing both men back as they returned to their positions. Astrom licked his top lip and smiled.

Walking forward, Astrom watched every move Tyr made. never had he been so focused in his life, as Tyr swung down. Grabbing the blade, he pushed out against it forcing Tyr back. In a quick motion, he pushed the claymore blade, into Tyr’s chest, a shallow wound being created.

Astrom didn’t let up, letting go of the blade and grabbing Tyr’s shoulder. He pulled him behind him, but Tyr expected this and removed his left hand from the axe. As he fell, he grabbed Astrom by the waist and brought him down with him, falling above him. Reaching behind him he tried to pull a blade out, but Astrom grabbed his arm.

The two wrestled, as Astrom let go of his Claymore and swung for the man’s chin. The strike dazed Tyr, and Astrom didn’t hesitate. Using the chance, he kicked him and called atop him. In a swift motion, he reached for his own dagger and stabbed down. Tyr still in a small daze, barely reacted, and lifted his arm to cover his vitals. The dagger pierced through his wrist, a growl leaving his mouth as he swung that same arm up, hitting Astrom.

It was an unexpected move, knocking Astrom off him, Tyr quickly rolling to the side and getting to his feet. Looking at his arm, it shook and he clicked his tongue. He tried to pick up his war axe but couldn’t get the strength to do it. Astrom didn’t give Tyr the luxury of waiting around, so he threw himself back up and scooped his Claymore up.

He quickly approached Tyr who was forced to dodge the strikes as his eyes darted around. Tyr closed the distance between the two as he pulled a dagger from his waist, using his good hand. Astrom was forced on the defensive, as Try got closer. ’His other hand is no good.’ Astrom grabbed the Claymore blade again, and butted Tyr with the hilt. The tall man was slow but dodged as he stabbed forward. Astrom narrowly moved to the side, but a large cut opened on his ribs and Tyr ran past.

He approached the ring of men that fought around them, dropping his dagger and grabbing a sword. Astrom ignored his wound, but the labored breaths coming from his mouth told of the pain he felt from it. He approached Tyr quickly. Tyr knew he couldn’t block the attack without his axe, and grabbed one of the fighters.

Not expecting it, he was unable to stop Tyr as he threw him as Astrom attacked, his arm being cleaved off. His screams met nothing to the two as Tyr moved forward, sung down; Astrom using all his weight to throw the Claymore back up. The two weapons hit, and Tyr lost out in the contest of strength as he was thrown back once more.

Catching the Claymor on his back, Astrom didn’t hesitate. He knew he should have kept his distance, but the battle was so thrilling that he moved forward. He grabbed the hilt with both hands a cunning smile spreading on his lips. If Tyr was still able to use his axe he may have acted differently, but with his wounded arm things were in his favor.

He swung down on his wounded side, forcing Tyr to dodge. Letting go of his Claymore, he grabbed the injured and squeezed hard, Using his other hand, he pulled the dagger from his waist again. Tyr screamed in pain from Astrom’s actions as he tried to sing his sword, down on his shoulder.

Astrom moved quickly expecting Tyur to do something like that in the situation, as he intercepted with his dagger. The attack was strong, Tyr using everything he had in the attack, and part of his sword cut into his shoulder. But Astrom was stronger. With his hand on the wound, he dug his fingers into it and pulled, ripping a chunk of flesh out of his arm.

Tyr’s cries were deafening as he pulled himself away, getting Astrom to smile. Using the small retreat, Astrom, threw the flesh and blood in his hand at Tyr’s eyes, blinding him. Taking a step forward, he stabbed deep into the man’s stomach and twisted the blade. He pulled out, and then quickly stabbed into his neck, not wishing to risk a slow death for the man.

Tyr looked him deep in the eyes, them screaming he couldn’t accept the outcome. He tried to talk but Astrom pulled his dagger out and kicked him in the stomach, forcing him to fall. Gliding his fingers through his wild hair he breathed heavily, smiling.

’I had to rely on a trick in the end.’ It made him chuckle, thinking he was becoming more like Torsten. The wounds he suffered bled and pain began to kick in, but it wasn’t heavy enough to stop him now. His blood was pumping as he looked around. "MEN!" AStrom cried out, "DO NOT FALTER! WE SHALL BE VICTORIES! BJORN IS OUR SIDE!"

A cry followed his words, as they fought more furiously, and Astrom tensed, getting ready to jump into battle once more.

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Helga, Frida, and Ketil ran to the port as quickly as they could. All around the screams, cries and cheers of people raged as the sound of fire created a backdrop for them. It had spread quickly and grown to an uncontrollable level. The smell was sickening to Frida, but she powered through, the alone thought in her mind getting the children to safety.

’How many have died in all this.’ The scene around her was depressing as she wondered what the point of war was. The sound of the men fighting was drowned out for her by the screams of the innocents caught in the battle. How much he wished she could save them, or even help, but she knew her limits. All she could do was save the two in her arms.

"HELGAAAA!" An enraged almost insane scream came from behind, stopping the three as they looked behind them. Rolf stood there breathing madly as he laid eyes on the woman who caused his misery. The woman who destroyed everything he loved. Gunnar and the old warrior grabbed his arms stopping him from charging in alone as he fought to free himself.

"HELGAA! I’M BACK YOU WHORE! GET OFF ME!" He threw the two but they refused to budge not letting him charge to his death. "FIGHT ME YOU COWARD! COME HERE! FINISH THE JOB YOU FAILED! I WILL SKIN YOU IN FRONT OF EVERYONE LIKE YOU DID TO MY FATHER! I WILL HANG YOUR ORGANS ON THE GATES AND SHOW EVERYONE THE INSIDES OF THEIR GOD!"

Rolf’s manic screams overshadowed everything as his eyes went bloodshot. He fought with everything to free himself from the clutches of the two. Frida took a step back in terror seeing the unfiltered madness and hate that radiated off him, but Helga just looked at him confused.

"Who even are you?" Her words seemed to cause something to snap in Rolf. His body shook uncontrollably as he looked at her, his teeth gashing making him resemble a beast more than a human.

His eyes shook in rage. "Let go of me. Let go of me. Let go of me. Let go of me." He repeatedly said it over and over to the two. Helga turned back around and continued to run to the port, Frida took a look at Brede and closed her eyes, following behind.

"Ketil. Hold them back." Helga gave her order and the man looked at the five and sighed but nodded with grime conviction. The man stood in the street as the fire raged around them, bouncing his axe.

Rolf watched Helga’s back vanish into the distance. Finally, he was released by the two and didn’t hesitate to charge forward. "Idiot." The old warrior said annoyed following quickly behind the rest doing the same.

Ketil watched the five charge him and frowned. ’I can’t win.’ He knew that unless a miracle occurred it was impossible but his job was to delay them. Looking around, he saw the burning buildings. Backing up quickly, he approached one, and with his axe, stuck it into the top of a burning support beam and pulled with all his might.

The housing was weak from fire damage and quickly came off falling across the road. Rolf stopped himself quickly not to be crushed as he watched Ketil back up even more. He didn’t hesitate and jumped over it running at Ketil.