Pantheon Online

Chapter 183: Ragnarok Gathers

Bjorn's great hammer sung as it swung through the air. Aiming to smash Randa's body to a pulp. However, Randa lightly stepped back. Allowing the hammer to pass inches from his face! Bjorn grunted to slow his momentum as Randa moved in for the kill. His blade lunged forward, aiming for a gap in Bjorn's armour. A slight grin appeared on his face as he felt his blade slide through the softer material.

But his blade came to a sudden halt! Confusion flashed across his face as Bjorn stepped forward and head butted him. Stunning Randa momentarily as he brought his hammer back for another swing. Randa barely recovered in time to avoid another fatal blow, a deep frown settled on his brow as he studied the tip of his blade. Only the slightest bit of blood could be seen on it.

'What happened? There should be a hole in him!' Randa's gaze fell on where he had struck Bjorn, but there was no sign of any blood flowing from the area. Bjorn laughed as he caught sight of Randa's confused expression. Sending chills down Randa's spine.

'What gift did he receive from his God? Whatever it is, it is not perfect. He can still bleed! I just need to cut him more!' Randa's expression turned grim as he made his move. Bjorn's hammer swung through the air in front of him, but Randa was aiming for his rear! His blade let out a metallic sound as he cursed. The small, black squares of metal on Bjorn's coat deflected the blow. Leaving him unscathed.

Randa grit his teeth as he retreated from Bjorn who could be heard laughing. 'That's why he swung in front of himself! He's confident I can't hurt him any other way...' Beads of sweat appeared on Randa's face as he considered the task before him. How many cuts would it take to bring this skardian hero down? How many times would he have to avoid that deadly hammer? And how many times did his opponent have to get lucky enough to hit him?

Randa did not like the look of those odds. Especially not with Skovi keeping an eye on the battle. Screams, angry shouts and the din of metal striking metal rang out around them as the battle wore on. Bjorn stood there full of confidence. Ready to swing his hammer the moment he lost sight of Randa.

"Well? What are you waiting for?" Bjorn chuckled as he started to walk towards him.

Randa's body shook when he heard the taunt. He struggled to slow his breathing and smother his pride. "Maybe next time!"

With those final words, Randa disappeared as he fled towards the rear lines. Bjorn's eyes went wide before he started cursing loudly. "Damn coward!"

Harik let out a sigh of relief. The whole time he had been sat in the snow watching the nerve wracking fight. Too exhausted to even stand. "Bjorn... What happened with your group?"

"Hm? Oh, they're fine without me for now. As soon as I broke their front line our warriors were able to cause chaos. You can see them fighting from here." Bjorn scratched at the side of his helm absentmindedly. "But never mind that. You need to fall back and rest a bit. We'll hold out until you return."

Harik nodded at Bjorn's advice as he helped him to his feet. He slung an army over Skovi as the wolf helped him to a safe area where the injured were gathering. 'This can't go on for much longer. Reinforcements need to arrive soon!'

As Harik lay on the ground among the injured. several warriors came to guard him. His exhaustion finally got the better of him as he fell asleep.

'Master... Jarl Harik is out of the fight for now.' Skovi reported through his mind link once he was certain Harik was fast asleep.

[Is he hurt?]

'No master. Just exhausted from fighting a hero.'

[Hm, keep an eye on him for now. Once the others get here you must rejoin Ania.]

'Understood...'

As the connection between them cut off, Skovi curled into a ball beside Harik. Saving his strength for when he would be needed again. Thovok took command of Harik's group in his stead as Bjorn returned to his own men. Bodies piled up as the fighting continued long into the day. With Thovok in charge, not an inch of ground was lost on Harik's part of the battlefield. While Bjorn thoroughly crushed wave after wave that came against him.

With the help of Exile's miracles when needed, a charred mound had slowly appeared around Ania. Finally, the sun began to set and the warriors separated as they moved to prepare their camps for the night. Exile sighed as he stood alone on the ground between the two sides. 'Even when I used my Miracles there was no reaction from them. What is Parthus thinking?'

He stroked his beard as he peered across that blood stained land towards the Sommerdan camp. If Parthus had set out with the other Gods there then he would have certainly have lost. 'It can't just be some mistake on his part. There's definitely something more to it.' However, he could not imagine what was forcing Parthus to hold back.

'Hm?'

Exile turned his gaze to beyond where the skardian army was camped. He could feel several auras approaching and a smile appeared on his face. 'Took them long enough!' Clay, leading the others from Ragnarok soon appeared. A lot of head shaking could be seen when they saw the piles of bodies being prepared for burial or cremation.

"This doesn't look so good..." Clay sighed as they approached Exile's position.

"No, they had it rough. But luckily the enemy didn't make any big moves yet." Exile cocked an eyebrow as he glanced at Clay. "And why did it take you so long to get here?"

"The journey was longer than we thought. Plus, we didn't want to seperate so we could only move as fast as the slowest in the group." Clay shrugged as a few stares were aimed at Midas who looked slightly embarrassed.

"I see... Did you see any reinforcements on your way here. Harik's group won't be able to hold this battlefield for long on their own."

"Sorry..." Clay sighed, telling Exile all he needed to know.

"So, it's unlikely we'll see reinforcements through the night. Which means it's likely the earliest we'll see anyone now is midday tomorrow." Exile squinted as he stared at the stars through the dark clouds above. "Everyone will need to spread out. Use Miracles only when you have to. We don't know exactly how long we will need to hold this place. Clay, take our old group and Beans to give support to Bjorn's group."

"Winter, Midas, Josa, Neapolm and Harlot's group are with me. The rest of you will shore up the center section where Harik is in command. No matter what, we can not lose here!"

A chorus of cheers sounded as the players felt anticipation for the battle they would be joining. Little did they know, their gathering had attracted the gazes of the faithful amongst Harik's army. Those who could not see them, gazed at their position. Certain of their presence. While those whose faith ran deep enough to allow them to lay eyes on the Gods saw a bright, golden glow where they all stood.

The sight washed away their fears and concerns for what the future held. The warriors began to offer their prayers to their preferred God in that moment. Asking for victory and to return home safely. Of course, there was no telling if the Gods would actually listen. Ania, sat before her fire marvelling at the scene of the gathered Gods. 'Tomorrow is sure to be a good day...' A sad smile swept across her face as she thought about those they had lost.

Meanwhile, Harik was cursing in his tent with Bjorn, Skovi, Thovok, and various captains around him. He could not forgive himself for sleeping through the majority of the battle!

"Forget it Harik! There's no point fretting about it. It's only natural to be exhausted after fighting a hard battle where your life was on the line with every move you made." Bjorn shrugged as he downed a horn full of ale.

Voices of agreement soon followed, as everyone attempted to console Harik. They understood the pressure he was under. As well as the fact many had noticed his absence for much of the battle. Of course, they had done their best to hide that he was merely exhausted. Spreading news that he had survived a battle with an enemy hero.

"Hm, forget it then. But we need to discuss what we will do tomorrow. With our casualties we need to reorganise our groups. They will definitely hit us much harder in the morning than they did today!"

"Let's not forget that their hero is still alive... and all of those troops they kept in reserve. They'll be nice and fresh in the morning compared to our lot..." Bjorn stated as a dark look crossed the faces of the others...