I woke up in the Berserkers camps barracks sighing at being awoken from my dream of home by my own inner clock I looked at the mirror each trainee was allowed to have. Two years have gone by since I was recruited to become a berserker and I have learned a lot. I have done combat training with both real and wooden blades almost every day while learning about how us berserkers can enter a rage state in which we feel no pain or fear by consuming a mushroom known only to the berserkers. I looked at myself in the mirror , my blood red hair had gotten long and I used my seax to cut it into a messy mohawk. I also had a small beard which I cut to become clean shaven as I looked at my face which since I was now seventeen I still looked young though the baby fat had been lost from the combat training.
My body which was still skinnier compared to some of the other kids had gotten muscular from the combat and survival training though I remained shorter than the other trainees. Getting on my linen shirt and pants I remained barefoot as my feet had become tough enough that I did not wear shoes anymore. None of us did the instructors forbade it as they just hindered us in combat and in running. Walking out into the training ground I waited for an hour before the others woke up and the instructors walked out. "Berserkers! This day accounts for your final year of training! This year you will be sent on a mission in which you wil experience real battle as a rite of passage to solidify your position as a Berserker! This final year you may die but the strong will survive. You will be given weapons and armor as well as a stash of mushrooms. Now none of you have actually used the mushrooms." I could see Yarim smile as he paused " So have fun trying them in battle! " he yelled and a cheer arose from us before we broke up into our groups of three. I then grabbed the gear which had been made for me. I put on a gambeson and grabbed the bear cloak which had finally been made. It went around my shoulders the bears legs and paws draped over my shoulders and onto my chest as the head of the bear took the place as a hood which I could place over my head of needed.
Then I began to walk toward one of the longships with Jarsom and Hasirir in tow. We set off toward a small war brewing in England our survival packs nuzzled safely on the longship and our mushrooms and weapons also. I was the skirl of the ship and as such steered it for half of the day before switching off with Jarsom. This cycle continued for weeks with Hasirir manning the sail before we reached England. Upon getting to England we met up with the English troops and were taken to see the lord of the land. "They sent three children? " were the words that were translated to me instantly when the noble laid his eyss onto us. "We may be children but a berserker is worth fifty men." I said back in Norse a translator relaying my words. "Well if what you say is true then do not disappoint in this battle." The noble said his words once again being translated to me. Nodding in response I walked out of the tent and to the longship were I decided to get some rest before the battle.
The next day I woke up to the sound of war drums and grabbed my axe and a mushroom tucking the berserkers shroom into my collar. After praying to Odin for protection I walked to the battlefield and took my place in the front lines. Staring at the enemy I filled my lungs with air then yelled out a warcry beating my hand against my chest. A horn sounded the beginning of the battle and I sprinted toward the enemy before bringing my axe down onto the man's neck cleaving his head from his shoulders. With a savage cry I turned around headbutting a rival warrior before digging my axe into their side. I felt invincible as the blood lust took hold of me before I felt a shield slam into my face causing me to call and feel a ringing in my ears.
One year ago.... "C'mon get up!" I heard my instructor who was a man with a medium build and long brown hair tied behind him in multiple braids. " When one falls in battle they must get right back up and fight with twice the ferocity. We do not have time to simply lay there! ". Listening I also prepared my self for the next attack. Back in the present.... I saw the warriors sword descending on me and I rolled the right before standing up and using my seax to stab him in the throat. Surveying the battle I saw Jarsom blocking with his shield and Hasirir using his twin swords to cut down another man. Despite this we were at a slight disadvantage and the enemy was pushing us back, wresting the mushroom out of its position in my collar I shoved it into my mouth and ate it. 'I will make it back home' I thought before my mind was enveloped by a rage and I released a roar akin to a bears.
Grabbing a warrior with unnatural strength I tore out his throat with his teeth before smashing another's face in with my bare fists. I only felt a blinding rage and urge to kill as I took a man's sword from him and began to cut through multiple soldiers taking a arrow in the shoulder but shrugging the pain off as I broke the shaft. From what I can barely remember I fought like a madman using anything and everything available to before coming back to my senses as I was smashing a man's face into the ground multiple times. Breathing hard I looked at the pile of corpses and searched for my axe which was recognizable by the four leaf clover design carved into the blade. I also removed my seax from the man I had killed neck and cleaned both weapons.
"Great work!" The translator would tell me as I once again stood in the lord of the lands tent. "You three were truly worth fifty men even more perhaps!" The noble said to us through the translator. "Take a break we will continue to the next battle in the morning." The noble said to which we nodded and walked outside to our longship. " ohh I need a drink" Jarsom said with a yawn which made me and Hasirir crack a smile as we cracked open a small cask of mead we had brought. That night we got drunk and praised the gods after telling stories of home until we passed out from exhaustion.