The people of Aztlan were shocked and stricken with fear by the dead bodies laying around the village - no one knew the cause of their death, well because everyone was at the festival. The only people that wasn't in a state of confusion was the cursed lass and her friends, for they knew what killed those people and also knew the killer was not coming back.
"It was absolutely horrifying, I almost died out of fright" Aurora told her friends, who were seated on a chair, listening to their friend narrate her experience of the previous night. Aurora was good at telling stories, especially those that she experienced.
"That creature was gigantic, it was about this tall" she stood on her feet, and hung her hand up above her head - showing them just how tall that creature was.
"Impossible" Annika said with bewilderment.
"I'm serious," Aurora informed and continued. "I was so sure that I will die, because I ran - which was a very stupid move" she said, "But then, suddenly someone came in sight - a male, and he started attacking the beast"
"No way" Annika said with enthusiasm. She was clearly into Aurora's story.
"Aye, it happened so fast, I couldn't catch it all. But i think that they was another male, well I'm not entirely sure" she said before she continued. "And then, the beast fell with his head rolling out of it's body"
"Yes!" Annika stated happily. While Amberly simply rolled her eyes.
Aurora grinned, seeing the happiness in Annika's face.
"Do you know who he is?" Annika asked.
"Nay, not at all. He told me that he is a hunter and that he has been tracking that creature for a while. I have not seen anyone like him" Aurora said.
"What do you mean?" Amberly asked, suddenly interested.
"He looked...unreal" Aurora replied barely in a whisper.
Annika and Amberly looked at each other.
"I don't understand" Annika admitted.
"He is..." She paused and said, "how do I explain this?" she pondered and then after a while she continued. "He is unexplainably dashing, his features were so striking. And he was very tall, he spoke with an amazing accent. I have never heard such utterance before, and -" she was cut off immediately by Amberly.
"By the gods, Aurora stop exaggerating" she said as she stood on her feet.
"I am not" Aurora answered because she knew what she saw.
"Aye, you are. There is no possible way that one male could possess all those qualities" and then she added, "Stop being delusional"
Aurora sighed harshly. Before Annika asked. "Why are you doubting her?"
"I have every reason to doubt. What she just described now, is clearly in her fantasy" Amberly said, "Aye, you were attacked by a gigantic creature, I believe that part. What I don't believe is that a strikingly handsome hunter saved her"
"Why won't you believe it?" Annika asked again.
"Because she made it up" Amberly said.
Aurora turned her gaze at her, "I did not" she answered sharply.
"Yes, you did" Amberly said.
"Woe betide me if I did" Aurora said.
After a while Annika said, "I think Amberly is jealous"
"What!" Amberly snapped, "Me? Jealous? Never"
Aurora exhaled heavily as she sat back on her chair, her legs were starting to ache.
"You are jealous because you were not the one saved by that -" she paused. "Well according to Aurora, he is highly attractive"
"You are crazed" Amberly remarked.
"Oh, am I?"Annika asked.
"Aye, I have thousands of young men that would do anything for my hand. So pray tell me, what makes you think that I am jealous of Aurora's fantasy savior, that does not under any circumstances exist" she said lastly before she stormed away from the living room.
"Leave her be" Aurora said, "My story does sound a little unbelievable" she said.
"I believe you" Annika told her, with a smile. "Tell me more" She added happily, only for Aurora to laugh.
*************************
AXIS MUNDI.
The third battalions training field was vast, some say that an entire kingdom could be built there - well in an exaggerated manner.
Zander had thousands of men - well trained men, they were rumors that the third battalions increases in number everday. In all the seven realms Zander owns and controls the most powerful army ever known - waging war with them was like signing a death warrant.
The training field was noisy as expected, because of the numerous activities that went on.
In the sparring grounds, the great impaler was amongst his men, and loud laughter was heard.
"My lord, we have grown rusty" one of his men admitted.
"We need you to spar with us, My lord" another said, his men has been pressuring him to spar with them, so that they may learn something new from their master.
Zander was a great swordsman, it was nearly impossible to defeat him - that was the outcome of being trained at the city of bones. The third battalions needed their lord to spar with them today, because he does not train with them - no one knows where he trains actually. T'was only Ian, the second in command that trains along with them.
"I'm actually feeling a little bit sore," Zander said, but only for his men to complain noisily they knew that he was lying - but actually he wasn't, Zander suffered a shoulder injury the night they visited Aztlan, it appears that the Valkyrie was very strong.
Zander smiled - his men were complaining like princesses. "Alright, you all win. I agree to spar" he said and a loud cheer followed it.
"But just this once" he added, and the cheering turned into a disappointed murmurings.
"Alright, line up" Zander ordered and immediately the third battalions did as they were asked.
"My lord, your injury is quite serious" Ian reminded from behind.
Zander removed his black coat and gave it to his right hand, "You worry too much" Zander said.
Ian took the coat, "It's part of my duty" he said and Zander looked at him, with a smile - the great impaler hardly smiles, so it was pretty rare to see his dimpled smile.
"Hand me my sword" he told Ian, who brought it immediately, the heaviness of that iron sword had stunned and bewildered many. Zander took the sword by its hilt, before he leaned the blade across his shoulder.
"Listen up" he said loud enough and immediately everyone became silent. "You all have one chance, to spar with me. If you win, I will gift you" he said and his men cheered loudly.
"But, if you lose" he said and everywhere became silent again. He chuckled softly, before he said. "Then may Great Rao have mercy on you" he said with a serious face.
Ian saw the fear in the third battalions faces and that caused him to smile. The only god that was capable of impacting fear on the mighty third battalions was their lord - whom they would not, under any circumstances underestimate.
The sparring began immediately, Ian stood by the side watching as the third battalions failed woefully one after the other, they were not even putting up a long fight, Zander defeated one almost immediately. Ian smiled again he knew his lord well enough and he was aware that the third battalions wouldn't stand a chance. Not even he himself stands a chance.
"Oh, that is going to hurt" Ian whispered as he continued to watch.
Zander defeated the next one, before he said, "Wait, all of you come at me once" fighting them one after the other was boring and tiring - his men hesitated a bit, wondering if they should imply.
"Now!" the great impaler loudened, his voice spurred them all into action and without delay they all charged at him.