The two days of preparation passed in a flurry of activity. The village bustled with determination as the villagers worked tirelessly to ready themselves for the coming battle. Barricades were reinforced, weapons sharpened, and strategies discussed late into the night. Gabriel observed everything with a calm intensity, offering guidance when necessary but keeping his thoughts focused on something greater—a way to give the warriors an edge against the overwhelming numbers of the barbarian horde.
By the second morning, Gabriel stood near the center of the village, his pale eyes scanning the rows of warriors who had gathered at his request. Bjorn stood at the forefront, his imposing figure a steadying presence for the warriors behind him. Sigrun and their daughters, Astrid, Liv, and Eira, stood nearby, their expressions a mix of curiosity.
Gabriel raised a hand, his voice cutting through the murmurs of the crowd. "Thank you for coming. I've watched you all prepare with unwavering determination these past days. Your dedication is admirable, but the odds we face demand more than strength and courage."
Bjorn frowned slightly, stepping forward. "What are you planning, Gabriel?"
Gabriel met his gaze evenly. "Something that may change the tide of this battle. A blessing—not upon your weapons or your walls, but upon yourselves."
The crowd stirred uneasily. Murmurs spread through the ranks as the warriors exchanged glances. Blessings on weapons and fortifications were one thing, but to bless an individual was unheard of, a tale reserved for myths and gods.
"Is that even possible?" Sigrun asked, her tone cautious but curious.
"I do not know," Gabriel admitted, his voice steady. "But I believe it can be done. I ask only for your trust."
Bjorn nodded firmly, silencing the murmurs with a single gesture. "You've earned our trust, Gabriel. Do what you must."
Gabriel stepped forward, his white robes catching the morning sunlight. He extended his arms, and a faint, radiant light began to emanate from him. The warriors straightened, their unease replaced with quiet anticipation as Gabriel's voice carried over the crowd.
"Stand together," he said. "Line up before me."
The warriors complied, forming a single file that stretched across the village square. Bjorn and his family stood at the head of the line, their expressions resolute. Gabriel began walking slowly down the row, stopping briefly before each warrior. With a gentle touch to their foreheads or shoulders, he let the light flow from his hands.
As he moved, a faint glow surrounded each warrior, their expressions shifting from confusion to awe as the energy coursed through them. Some clenched their fists, feeling newfound strength, while others shifted their feet, marveling at their increased speed and balance.
Astrid was the first to speak, her voice tinged with amazement. "I… feel lighter. Stronger."
Liv nodded, testing her grip on the bow she carried. "It's like I've been training for years in just a moment."
Eira grinned, bouncing on her toes. "I could outrun a deer with this kind of energy!"
The warriors behind them murmured in agreement, their doubts melting away as they felt the effects of Gabriel's blessing. Even Bjorn, who rarely showed emotion, flexed his hands thoughtfully. "This is… incredible."
As Gabriel reached the end of the line, he turned back to face the group. Many of the warriors, overwhelmed by gratitude and awe, began to kneel before him, lowering their heads as if in reverence.
Gabriel raised his hands quickly, his tone firm but gentle. "No. Do not kneel."
The warriors froze, looking up at him with a mix of confusion and respect.
"I am not your god," Gabriel said, his voice steady. "I am here to protect, to guide, and to fight alongside you. But your strength comes from within. This blessing is merely a spark—it is your effort, your training, and your will that will carry you through the battle ahead."
Bjorn stepped forward, his deep voice cutting through the moment. "You heard him. Stand tall. We fight as one, side by side."
The warriors rose to their feet, their resolve renewed. They had already been prepared to defend their village with their lives, but now, with Gabriel's blessing coursing through them, they felt unstoppable.
To make full use of the newfound strength and speed, Gabriel spent the remainder of the day overseeing additional training sessions. The warriors sparred with vigor, their movements sharper and more precise than ever before. Techniques that had once taken weeks to master now came naturally within hours.
Astrid was among those who trained the hardest, her spear a blur as she practiced new combinations under Gabriel's watchful eye. She paused briefly, glancing at him. "You've changed everything, Gabriel. We're ready for this."
Gabriel nodded, though his expression remained thoughtful. "The battle will test us all. But remember—strength and skill are only part of the equation. Unity will win the day."
Liv and Eira joined them, their faces flushed from their own training. Eira twirled her dagger, a grin spreading across her face. "If the barbarians knew what we've got now, they'd run for the hills."
Liv chuckled softly. "Let's hope they don't."
The next morning, the village awoke before the sun had fully risen. The air was thick with tension as warriors donned their armor and prepared their weapons. The barricades stood strong, their edges gleaming with frost, while the trenches stretched out like jagged scars along the village perimeter.
Gabriel stood near the outer wall, his pale eyes scanning the horizon. The faint energy of the barbarian horde was unmistakable now—closer, stronger, and brimming with chaotic intent. He folded his wings tightly against his back, his expression calm but focused.
Bjorn joined him, his broad shoulders clad in heavy fur and leather. "They'll be here by midday," the chief said, his voice steady.
Gabriel nodded. "Are your warriors ready?"
Bjorn glanced back at the village, where his people stood gathered in disciplined ranks. "They're as ready as they'll ever be. And with your blessing, they're stronger than they've ever been."
Gabriel's gaze remained on the horizon. "Good. Because this battle will not be easy."
As the morning wore on, the villagers finished their final preparations. Gabriel took a moment to himself, walking along the wall and observing the faces of those he had come to protect. Each warrior carried a mix of determination and fear, but none faltered in their resolve.
He paused briefly near the training yard, where Astrid stood with Liv and Eira. The three sisters turned to him, their expressions serious but calm.
"We'll fight with everything we have," Astrid said, her grip tightening on her spear.
Gabriel inclined his head. "I know you will."
Eira smirked, though her voice was softer than usual. "Just don't forget to leave some barbarians for us."
Gabriel allowed a faint smile to touch his lips. "I'll do my best."
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the distant sound of drums echoed faintly across the frozen landscape. The barbarian horde was near. The villagers fell silent, their eyes turning to Gabriel, who stood at the forefront of their defenses.
Bjorn joined him, his axe gleaming in the sunlight. "They'll see our strength soon enough."
Gabriel's wings unfurled slightly, his radiant presence a beacon of hope for those behind him. "And we'll show them what it means to stand united."
The day of the battle had arrived, and the village was ready.