Halfdan glanced at the mysterious woman conjuring powerful lightning and smiled. Using the distraction to his advantage Baldur closed the distance swinging down his ax. With Halfdan's weapon already being engulfed in lightning, the frost magic was having a slowed effect. To battle the technique Halfdan increased the lightning's effects. Baldur winced from the surge flowing into him but chanted through the pain.
Wrapped around Baldur's arm was a tattoo of a serpent leading to the back of his hand. As it began to glow a transparent snake rapidly slid up his arm biting Halfdan. Even with lighting surging around from their battle Halfdan's arm was rapidly going numb.
Falling back Halfdan attempted to tear the serpent from his arm, but by the time it was destroyed half his arm was numb. Baldur rapidly chucked his ax into the dirt and conjured three more to hurl follow behind it. As the final ax struck the ground Halfdan was stiff as his body was encased in ice.
"Even if you dodged the serpent's venom would've taken its toll eventually. Winning in this way wasn't my intention, but you understand what's at stake here." Baldur said while turning his attention to the battle.
Across the battlefield, many soldiers were already out of commission on the ground being healed by the arena as platforms appeared underneath them. Henrik was leading a band of seven warriors against fifteen, and slowly gaining ground. Thyra was still engaged in a war against runes that were constantly launching from the earth to attack, or seal her.
'Thyra's strong enough to hold her own, and if we got surrounded after a tough battle we're both fucked.' Baldur recalled his axes to flank their formation.
"I have to admit that Skade is an impressive warrior, but all that muscle on your brother seems to go to be for nothing," Sven told Harald with a smirk.
"Is he gonna be okay left alone like that?" Madison asked.
"Maybe Yuki can weigh in on that." Ren teased.
Ren has walked in on the aftermath of Yuki's alone time with Zack. Finding Yuki asleep, and Zack thawing from a block of ice was a common occurrence. They all glanced at Yuki for her input meaning she would have to ignore the smirk on Ren's face. While Yuki was explaining the storm inside the arena was flaring chaotically.
"It seems Thyra will be having similar success." Sven boasted.
"That's not from her," Haruna stated.
"You said they would be helpless inside," Ren said while observing the barrier.
"That's usually the case for humans," Yuki replied with a puzzled look.
"Halfdan's mother comes from the heart of the neutral territory," Harald stated.
"Which tribe?" Haruna investigated.
"He never told me their name. Only that their warriors were giants, and capable of thriving where so many others perish." Harald replied.
Long ago their father went on a voyage to find new lands to settle. During those travels, he came across a tribe of warriors that towered over him. After they fought off a band of slavers they were impressed with his might. They offered him to join their festivities that night, and he became infatuated with a young woman.
Hafldan's mother wanted to be a warrior, but they had other duties to tend to in the tribe. The Vikings treated their women as equals, and it was common for them to be among their ranks. When she heard of this and was offered a chance to join him she accepted.
They returned to his clan, and once Halfdan grew up he learned of his heritage. When hearing of his mother's homeland Halfdan was curious to visit. Given his age, and desire to be a warrior she prepared him for the trial.
To be accepted as a warrior of their tribe you would have to travel into no man's lands. There stood two dungeons that have been unclaimed since they first breached the earth. The reason for this was the entire land surrounding it was filled with colossal species. Over the course of time, so many creatures have wandered into their depths. As the land began to fill with them a few descendants of the pack animals returned, and have since taken refuge in them.
The trial required Halfdan to journey to the center of this territory and retrieve a fruit that could only grow in its mana-rich environment. To reach it they would have to endure many challenges, but the greatest was waiting at the base of the tree. For its large stature provided ample shade in a harsh environment, and many colossal lions used its shelter.
Securing the fruit means you would have to do battle with the alpha. If you were fortunate enough to survive these events you would be granted the title of warrior. You would also reap the benefits of the fruit, and its effects on the body we're substantial.
Lightning was coursing through Halfdan's body and undoing the work of the serpent. Halfdan could be seen blinking in the ice ass it rapidly shattered. The time it took to thaw Halfdan's forces was decimated, and only two warriors stood along Skade. Even with all her runes in play, Skade could only do so much against their combined force.
"Breaking free was impressive, but it changes nothing. That technique your family uses is powerful but flawed." Sven said with confidence.
"Watch your uncle closely," Harald told his sons unbothered by Sven's taunt.
'Just you watch in two minutes our clan will stand triumphant.' Sven smirked as he returned his gaze to the barrier.
As the bolt of lightning struck Halfdan he immediately disappeared. Sven was waiting to see where lighting struck on the battlefield, but it never appeared. What he saw instead was his clansmen flying away with shattered armor. Halfdan had no weapon in his hand, and the lightning wasn't giving away his position.
"How is he doing that?" Sven asked.
"You weren't wrong when you said the technique is flawed. To ease the burden on the body we rely on channeling it through the weapon and moving with the lighting. My brother doesn't share this flaw. If their plan is to wait Halfdan out they will be receiving a nice surprise." Harald smiled.