Week of the Clashing Swords

This is the story of a boy who wants to be a great commander and his friends and the adventure through a competition where groups of kids fight each other in a 11th century like battle.

Week of the clashing swords

By Edward Monty

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

It was training time, could not think about my worries now because if we do not

start winning battles any time soon. My worries will never go away. I went over  

to the giant crowd of people and noticed them all scrambling for stuff. At first I had

no idea what they were scrambling for. I inched closer through the crowd. “Give me

that” and “No that’s mine” was said everywhere in the crowd. I reached the front of

the crowd and noticed two sixteen year olds sitting at a table handing out weapons

and armor one by one to random guys. Once they have their weapons it will be

theirs until the end of the their time in the battle.  Normally in most

battles there are battle axes, long swords, javelins, torsion catapults,

bows, arrows, and shields and anything else used by the Vikings and Normans for

war. But because this was a Viking/Norman themed battle, axes will have to do as

our primary weapon also with a round shield.

I then went up to the older student.

“Yo give me a sword” I said.

“No can do, you need special approval first” he said back.

“Let me guess those things are for the jocks” I said.

“Sorry man rules are rules, but here take this axe and shield. At least you get to go into combat unlike poor Peter” he said as he gave me an axe, shield and my armor.

I turned around and saw Peter carrying weapons back and forth between the inside

of the school and the weapons stand with his hands full of all sorts of swords and

axes.

“Lord Peter, we need more axes we have quite a crowd to deal with” said the teen at

the weapons stand.

“On my way” moaned Peter.

I did feel bad for him and I hope he can get into combat one day. After I saw Peter

run back into the school I started to look around but noticed that there was hardly

anyone I knew at the session. I started to feel a little awkward since those were the

only guys that I knew. But before I could really search for them. We all heard a very

loud and aggressive voice only found at a boot camp.

“EVERYBODY IN POSITION NOW” screamed a teenager.

Just like magic everybody stopped talking with each other and became silent as the

dark of night. Everyone looked forward like someone important was coming and I

think I knew who that somebody was.

It was Steven riding on horseback looking like he was the coolest thing ever to walk

on the face of the earth.

He stopped right in front of us and looked at us.

“Welcome you have joined me because you must be desperate and want to serve me if you want to be cool” He bragged.

Everyone took advantage of that by laughing.

“True” the guy next to me said.

“You are all here for a reason, to be part of this little army and not end up in non-combat duties like that little idiot Peter” Steven bragged.

“please don’t say that about him he seems nice” I reminded.

“Who was that” Steven then said in both anger and confusion

“Me, Eric Night wood” I proclaimed.

“Well, well, well if it isn’t that dork I ran against for the position of fort commander. Such an embarrassment you are still just a foot soldier nothing more. So shut up and do as I say” Steven snapped.

I felt anger grow inside me, he was around my age and is in the same grade as me

and he gets to boss me around like I was subhuman. I wanted to hit him so hard, but

doing so would result in me being transferred to

where Peter is stationed so I stayed silent. All I could do was squeeze my axe for a

few seconds.

“Okay everyone, take advantage of the training Team Thor is counting on us to help defeat Team Hel” He finished before riding to the bleachers.

Then finally we got to training.

Than after Stephen left, an older student who is in charge of our training came to us

in a tired state, possibly wishing he was at home instead of wasting his Sunday here.

He carried a sword with him and had a whistle around his neck .

“Look grunts all you have to do is once the bell rings for the battle to begin then all you have to do is run as fast as you can through the field and hit anything you see and do not stop got it and watch out for the iron fist because any Thor solider that has faced him does not survive the fight” He barked.

We did this strategy like that because that was going to be our opening plan of

attack, any sort of strategy is ether in other groups stationed on board long ships

waiting to ambush hel troops or in the middle of battle like stopping groups of

soldiers from breaching our line or by  flanking them in the middle off a crowded

battle field where people hit each other with their training axes and swords. Then

after that talk with the high school student, we were all lined up for a training battle.

But before the battle started, i found a message on twitter . I decided to open it up

just out of curiosity.

“The enemy is thinking of something, something that can change the course of the whole battle. If they do never stop fighting, never give up, and never surrender” it said.

I thought that was pretty good I do not know who wrote it but I know

that it was not Steven because he would often talk about crude stuff and who ever

wrote this definitely sounded like a better leader than him. Anyway we went

when the whistle blew.  We all ran like crazy like it was every man for himself some

of our team mates even hitting each other with our axes . For me, I was standing up

and falling down due to being constantly hit by axes the minute i came up close to

my opponent. It was crazy because we were all hitting each other without any sort of

tactics, and hard because I could barely get any hits on opposing troops with my axe,

all I did for most of the battle was to block any attacks with my shield. It was also a

bit painful for the first time since we do not fight with these weapons on a daily

basis. Throughout the training battle it felt like I was getting slapped constantly. It

did not help that Stephan kept throwing things like trash at us from the bleachers

for no reason, instead of  encouraging us during battle. I would went up to him and

beat him up, if it were not for the fact that by then I was very tired and

starting to get sore from all the hits I was getting. But then was hit by a sword all of a

sudden, out of nowhere and fell down. I felt like my face was on fire, I felt like I could

not feel anything. The writing was on the wall, i was too tired and sore to continue

fighting. So I

moved onto the sidelines and sat there declared dead until the next exercise.

Than Stephan came up to me all pissed off like he was having the worst day of his life

and looked at me right in the face like i just killed ten people.

“What are you doing get back in the fight weakling.” he scolded.

“I can’t I am too tired and sore to continue fighting.” I said.  

“Well go home I will not have stupid losers in my super awesome army.” Stephan ranted.

“I don’t think you can kick me out of the event for being a little tired.” I explained.

“Excuse me I thought I was in command, maybe you need a few manners in order you to understand my order that you will not be in this event. Timmy assemble a group of guys to beat this s**t head for talking back to me.” Steven said as he turned his head towards the group of kids who were still in the mock battle.

Then Stephan’s phone began to ring he picked it up in an angry state and looked at

it. It looked like he got a text message since he did not talk into the phone after

seeing the message put the phone right in his pocket.

“Alright Eric the peasants need me to check out the plans for the fort for the battle, consider this your lucky day” He said as he walked into the school .

Even though I was thankful that Stephan went away. But i still hated him with every

bone in my body.  

But I knew I had to continue training even though our commander was a big douc

bag. So for the rest of the day we continued with similar exercises like storming

beaches or destroying makeshift forts. Before we all were free to go home for the

day. We all had to hear something from Steven.

“Well guys, this has been a good day and I truly think we will give team Hel the smacking of a lifetime. They will totally wish they did not mess with us last year. You are well trained, well equipped and well prepared for tomorrow, dismissed” He said.

Even though Steven at the end of the day

said that “we were well trained”. I highly doubt that, but overall unsure about our

chances of victory until it was too late.

Chapter 3

On the very next day Monday, it was Battle day. At 7:00am I

got out of the van and like on Sunday saw a crowd of people, they were scattered all

throughout the field and were mostly male and putting on their armor. Once I

approached the field to have a closer look I saw John who was helping Ulysses with

his armor. While Rodrick was taking on the phone with someone. At last, people that

i know or at least ones with recognizable names. I walked in their direction, with

relief knowing that i was not going to be alone. I then started to hear their

conversations starting off with Rodrick.

“So wait I am not going to fight with you guys today, well who am I going to fight with. Out of all of the people I hang out with I hang out with you guys the most. Look thanks for the sword but screw you” Rodrick said before turning off his phone and putting it in his pocket.

I then approached them and proceeded to put on my leather armor and boots along

with putting on a blue armband on my right arm.

“Hey guys, Roderick what was that all about” I said awkwardly.

“My hockey team just told me I was not going to fight with them during the event just because they feel like I might slow them down. I mean are you kidding me right now, they say I am too slow for them and think I am a loser for playing too many video games. They would rather replace me with some out of town friend Steven knows.” Rodrick ranted.

“Man that sucks” i said with honesty.

“I know right, i have been playing with those guys for at least four year and they just boot me off their squad in order to make their team more badass” Rodrick ranted.

“I feel you man” I said.

“Anyway where’s Jessica and Cassie” I said in confusion.

“Getting their armor on inside the school” John said.

“Are they fighting with us or with some other chumps” Roderick said.

“They are fighting with us, most likely to find safety in numbers” Ulysses theorized.

“Aren't they archers this year, they are going to be with a ton of people already and besides they are most likely going to be in the rear.” i explained.

“Oh don’t worry, we are going to be in the same area as them.” Ulysses said back.

“Thats nice” i said in a pleasant way.

“Aw are you in love with them” John said.

“One i can only have a crush on one of them at a time. Two how do you know, they are just pleasant people to hang with, good for a stressful situation like today” i said.

“Well maybe i might date them for you, you know what i mean” Ulysses jokingly said.

“Oh who said i am not interested in them” i said before scruffing his hair.

John then turned towards me with a smile.

“Okay Ulysses hold still you still need to get your armor on” John said.

“Anyway where were you guys yesterday” I questioned.

“Oh we were watching over some little kids who were training to become helpers during the battle” John said.

“Did you know that ten year olds were considered adults in Viking society” Ulysses said.

“Shut up and hold still” John said.

When I heard what John said. I felt jealous I mean these guys have no interest in

becoming leaders and yet get more command roles then I possibly might ever will

even if what they were doing was looking after six and seven year olds who moan

about it being too cold outside. But I had to put my anxiety aside so we can win this

thing. So I proceeded to put on my light leather armor, put on my boots at put a

helmet on my head.

“No too tight” Ulysses complained.

“Okay” John said.

“Too loose” Ulysses said again.

“Okay” John said in a stressed out mood.

Then John puts his hands around Ulysses pants and pulls out his underwear, just as

when Jessica and Cassie were leaving the main school building and all set for battle.

All of a sudden they begin to chuckle to themselves.

“WHAT THE HELL” Ulysses screamed when he felt his underwear get pulled all of a sudden.

Ulysses looked like he was going to explode at that moment. His face got all red in

both anger and embarrassment and started to jump on John and started to wrestle

him, before two teens came into break up the fight.

“What’s going on here” one of them demanded once they arrived at the spot of the fight.

John and Ulysses froze and both of the franticly distanced themselves from each

other.

“Uh nothing, we were just practicing” John said.

“Okay, just don’t hurt anyone before the big battle unless you want to be a hel slave” the teen said.

After the fight Ulysses got up and looked at John with his face as read as a

strawberry.

“I sometimes wish you were on team Hel just so I can beat the crap out of you” Ulysses screamed.

“Guys at least we got our armor on big deal, what’s worse than that” I then said.

Then someone said “Time to get your sensors on”.

When I heard that, I cringed that moment, I have and will always hate that stupid

Sensor. It was so itchy and so unnatural to put on. But I had to because I would not

be able to fight without it. The sensor is this wire that runs all throughout your

body. It determines when you dead. It does this by beeping after being hit really

hard several times and it will not stop beeping until the students leaves the combat

zone, goes over to an adult, and is declared out. Once he is declared “dead”, the adult

will turn off the sensor and the student will go to a nearby public building for

recovery since normally by the time the sensor starts beeping, the occupant is

normally very sore and tired from all of the fighting. After getting the sensor on,

everyone immediately started to complain about the wire.

“I think it’s alive” John said.

“It feels like a creepy guy is touching me” Ulysses said.

“Is there a larger size” Jessica said.

“Oh so you do admit you are fat” Cassie said.

“Shut up” Jessica said.

We then heard the honking of buses, we all stopped, turned around and looked to

see ten buses driving in front of the school and stopping just in front of where me

and my friends were.

“Awesome, our rides here” John said.

We then walked towards the buses when suddenly we all heard screaming and

cheering as we saw Steven leading his team except for Rodrick in the charge for the

buses. We almost were ran over by them, but jumped out of their way as they ran

like bulls for the buses.

“See you at the battlefield Rodrick” the team arrogantly said.

Rodrick aggressively moved forward towards the jocks possibly to give them a piece

of his mind, but Cassie held him back as the team boarded the bus one by one. Once

they boarded the buses, we causally got on and took out seats. When we took out

seats, we saw the buses slowly fill up with students. There was very little room in

the bus and the air started to smell like sweaty gym socks. I saw Ulysses gag while I

just pinched my nose and prayed that I would live to see the battlefield with my own

eyes. We immediately then started a Farewell drive where all of our parents were

on the side of the road cheered for us as we Slowly drove to the battlegrounds. I was

annoying and awkward as hell since there was a smell similar to a dead animal in

the bus. While that jerk Steve just poked his head out of a window and waved like he

was the latest rock star. The ride was a little slow and tedious since we were going

at walking distance passed the crowd of people. The whole ride strangely felt like it

was all for show in order to glorify the Hockey players.

But what was worse about the slow bus ride other than the smell and the annoying

jocks was the boredom. Oh good god the boredom felt like a hundred tons just

crushing us until our brains got squished just from doing nothing. I moaned and

turned towards the window where all of the people were in an attempt to find

entertainment through the sight of the trees that were very close to blooming. While

Rodrick punched his seat every time he saw Steven and his friends. Ulysses however

tried to talk to Jessica and Cassie.

“So how’s life” Ulysses said.

“Fine, I can’t wait for the event at least we get a day off from school” Jessica said.

“The event is okay at least it is a historical battle, anyway did you know the real Vikings did not use catapults and instead focused on raiding as their main tactic” Ulysses said.

“Oh my god can you please shut up” Cassie said annoyed.

“Why” Ulysses say with a smirk.

“Because you are annoying as hell” Cassie said.

“Well you are beautiful as hell” Ulysses said.

There was a silence between them, she just looked at him and wanted to hit him

across the face. But it looked like she hesitated. In an almost natural instinct i come in between of them.

“Okay that's enough let's all try to get along now, this event is only for one day remember” I said.

Ulysses and the two girls then distanced themselves from each other. Ulysses then

tried to talk to Rodrick.

“I wonder why they even added elements of the Normans into the event, they are not from Scandinavia they are from northern France” Rodrick said in confusion.

“Well the Normans are direct descendants of the Vikings from what I saw in a article. The event at first was based off of solely the Vikings and the Normans were added into the mix from popular demand” Ulysses said.

“Oh that’s interesting” Rodrick said.

“See at least someone does not think I am annoying” Ulysses said as he popped his

head to see the two girls who have taken seats opposite to their male counterparts.

But slowly and steadily we got to the traditional battlegrounds 20 mile away. The

battlefield was in the middle of where the two sides live and close to where

Leif Ericson acutely landed in newfoundland. it was made up of forests, plains,

rivers, lakes, hills, and beaches and the whole battlefield was miles long both in

width and length. But now it looked like we were going to be on the south west part

of the map where many of the forests are along with a few smaller fields with

mountains as big as skyscrapers looking over everything below. But slowly the bus

then seemed to drive down a road in the forest along a dirt road. Everyone became

silent, we all knew we were almost there and thus everyone knowing that the big

battle is upon them. At the end of the dirt road there was a parking lot surrounded

by pine trees and looking like the edge of a national park, we have arrived.

“Alright everyone, don’t leave anything behind, get out of the bus as quietly as possible and good luck” the driver said.

Everyone cheered, and enthusiasm ran throughout the crowd. Slowly one by one we

left the bus with our gear and ahead of us was a trail, a very dark trail. It must be the

one that will show us to our fort. In a line we descended down the trail only having

the guy in front of us as a guide.

“I wonder what the fort will look like” Rodrick said.

“Most likely the one you have seen last year” John said.

“I sure hope we do not encounter the iron fist today” Ulysses said.

“Oh god damn it Ulysses now I will never get him out of my mind, man whenever anyone encounters the iron fist they normally do not survive long” John said.

“It will be alright guys, don’t worry everything will be fine” I said.

“LOOK IT IS THE IRON FIST” John screamed.

“WHERE” I screamed as I took out my axe and looked all around me frantically.

I felt my heart racing and my cool dropping as all I wanted is to know where he was

so I can fight him face to face.

“Got you Eric” John said.

When John said what he said, I turned from worried and scared to embarrassed and

humiliated.

“See what did I tell you guys pathetic” Steven said to his friends.

“Sorry, I am mostly a noob when it comes to that guy. I mostly spend the event in big crowds of people fighting each other” I said.

Then as we walked closer and closer to the fort down the trail. We could faintly hear

torsion catapults being used, the angry screams of men and the sound of weapons

clashing with each other. I knew that the event has truly begun. We then saw a big

squared structure ahead of us through the trees. We were almost there when we

finally got off of the trail and saw the fort for the first time. I noticed that it was a

Norman castle with a striking resemblance to the main building of the Tower of

London and surrounded by guys just waiting for Stevens commands.

“This is it just a giant box for a fort” Cassie said.

“Ya I thought our fort was supposed to keep people safe not depress us to death” Jessica commented.

“Come on ladies it could be worse” Ulysses said.

“Ya, I heard of forts much smaller than this on the coast and under a lot more fire then what we will most likely expect. Besides imagine having no fort and being on a stinking boat the entire time just raiding coasts, moving armies from one area to another and a ton a squeakers as your crewmates.” Rodrick said.

“I am going to go check out the insides, I will be right back” I said.

“Count me and Cassie” Jessica said.

“Okay see you on the battlefield” John said.

The girls and I then walked forward towards the castle. As an entrance there were

six feet tall doors, not drawbridges just two oversized doors that open inwards. On

the inside The fort is very small when it comes to interiors but from my years of

experience it is just about average size. There was a median sized room connecting

to four towers where archers could shoot from and a stairway leading up to the roof

where many archers fight. there is not much privacy.  I wish we could

have gotten nicer castle but no we had to stick to tradition. Like every other fort in

the event, it was made of peanut filled boxes held together with duct tape. The fort

overall really was not much and it does made me a bit glad the event only lasts for

about one day. Then

before the battle Steven is given a microphone by one of the soldiers shortly after getting off the trail.

“All Thor warriors at the fort please circle around me” Steven announced.

Just like a herd we walked out of the fort and met Steven twenty feet outside the

draw bridge. There makes the worst pre battle speech of all time.

“Welcome guys to this year’s battle, I know the training was rough but you will be ready for today. I have just received news from the guys at the coast that the enemy has landed an amphibious force and are making their way straight through here. Now as the storm comes across our peaceful land. We as a people have decided that we will not walk quietly into the night, we will not vanish without a fight. We are going to live on, we are going to survive. We are going to overcomb the odds and win the day just like Henry the 5th in English class. Now I want to give a shout out to my sub commanders for getting me a sandwich at subway. I also want to give a shout out to Peter for being such a good slave for not screwing up my breakfast order. I also want to give a shout out to Eric, who decides to humiliate himself by standing up against me. Okay here is what is going down the enemy is planning to land on a nearby beach and is preparing to face up, that is all I know. But I did hear faint rumors of the iron fist being parts of the assault force. Once this is over I will totally hire strippers for us all” He said.

I mean it was just bad not just because he called me a loser. I mean it sounded

exactly like he wrote and prepared the speech in under a minute. It did not inspire

me at all just bore me. My friends looked bored by it too, with long faces and

checking their phones every ten seconds. While Rodrick had the most interesting

expression with an angry face and holding his sword firmly throughout the speech

almost like he was going to take it out and hit Steven.

“I don’t think Henry the 5th would not be born until at least three hundred years after the age of the Vikings or the Normans for that matter” Ulysses pointed out.

After the speech I

walked over to where the Thor forces were going to start and confront the force that

recently just landed with John, Roderick and Ulysses. As I walked over to their

position, I saw Peter again was carrying fake weapons and looked like he was one of

the guys in charge of rebuilding the fort

when under siege. I felt bad because he has to be there because of his label and all he

wants is acceptance. Anyway i reached the rest of my 50 man group mostly males

ready to get dirty. While another 50 (mostly females like Jessica and Cassie) will

defend the fort. As I looked around I noticed that there was also an audience too.

“Man I wonder why they have a giant crowd for this. Seems like people have a fetish for kids beating up each other”

“ They allow the crowds because that is one of the reasons why the town allowed this battle to happen it brings in money. As long as no one ends up in the hospital this event is golden.” I explained.

It was a mix between parents who looked like they were going to disown their kids

if they lost the battle and reporters who just wanted to see some of the action.

They’re also tons of TV cameras everywhere with the big ones on the sidelines, and

the smaller ones mostly moving around a lot. Primarily behind the front lines and on

the sidelines. There are also people from Vice to CNN that arrived to watch two

Early medieval armies run for each other and slugging it out for a whole day.

Across from us there was the dreaded hel army with their yellow armbands and

looked more determined than ever to annihilate us this year. I look to my left and

people were nervous, i look to my right and even more people were nervous. I

myself was a little scared mostly because i got my butt kicked during training day

and i was most likely going to get my butt kicked here. But at long as i stood with a

decently sized force like the one i am in. It definitely gave me some confidence.

“Two, four, six, eight, we are better than you” We heard the enemy army shout.

“What the hell are they saying, that does not even rhyme” Ulysses observed.

“I am going to smack their teeth in” Rodrick said.

“Can’t wait for them to eat my axe head” John said.

“Well you're in luck because if we win this battle and captured anyone alive and their sensor has not been triggered yet. You can just hit them over and over until their sensor has been triggered. No need to have POW camps when you can mercilessly beat the crap out of people” Ulysses explained.

“Do you guys know why the enemy want to take over this fort for strategic purposes” i said.

“Maybe they are attacking this place as part of a pillaging campaign. Anyway let's not think about that, our job to smack people in the head with these axes” Roderick said.

“Shut up you're making me lose my focus” John said.

Then we heard the radio say “ready. . . . . .set,” during that time

everyone was ready to smash their shields into the enemy and could not wait for the

battle to begin. I myself was standing in battle formation, not moving a single inch. I

was not going to move until I heard that one word, that single holy word.

Then we all heard it “go”.

Just like magic everyone all of a sudden charged with all the energy they had as we

were ready to fight until we were taken out.

The charge was pretty epic with two armies ready to clash and it made me look like

a badass with my buzz cut look. For the rest of the army, the blood was pumping in

all of us, we were like mad dogs running like crazy to kill our prey. It felt like at the

moment we became savages. We felt like we were invincible, we felt like we have

drank tons of energy drinks. We just wanted to win the battle so hard and come

home victorious.

Then suddenly we smashed our shields into the other side. The sound was louder

then a bomb exploding. We then fought with everything with our axes, our javelins,

and our swords (if we had them), . It was chaotic all we could do during that fight

was block, strike overhead blows with our axes or if we had the space have duels

with the enemy soldiers. I kept getting hit a lot, but not as bad enough to trigger my

sensor. But at the time I was still sucking. I was like a punching bag to the enemy,

but if I was going to survive this day I have to do something. Then suddenly just like

yesterday I got hit in the head with an axe and fell down and just like yesterday my

heat hurt like hell. I looked up and noticed him and noticed a smirk on his face. That

I am better than you look on his face. That face just pushed my over the edge. So I

responded by using my axe is a short fit of rage against whoever hit me

sending the hel warrior to the ground in a single hit and then used an overhead

attack on another guy just seconds later. As the first few minutes became the first

few dozen minutes I was completely consumed by the heat of battle, almost like I

have spent my whole life within this one day. When minutes became an hour I felt

like I was honing in on my skills. Every time I saw an axe about to hit me, my gut

instinct would tell me to do the same thing, raise your shield swing your axe and

never lose your edge.  But after two hours of beating each

other up with our fake weapons. The enemy started to retreat for no reason, it was a

very strange move at first and i started to think about what they were going to

do. Could they have lost some guys and are retreating in order to regroup. Could

they be setting up a trap. Could it even be time for their snack break. At that point

we all did not know what the enemy was up to.

“What is happening” Ulysses said.

“Why are they running into the forest” another guy said.

“Maybe they heard the ice cream truck” John jokingly said.

But Steven nevertheless took no time to think about his enemies next move and

gave his new set of orders.

“Charge” he ordered.

His force then proceeded to chase the retreating enemy from the field and into the

pine forest without second thought.

I had suspicion that this was a trap but I since no one would ever listen to me,

Had no experience with being a leader, and was also always

suppose to follow orders from my commanders no matter what I decided to go

along with Stevens plan. So the entire attacking force ran into the forest after its

enemy.

“Spread out and whatever you do, don’t stop” Stephan ordered.

The force then proceeded to spread out a bit with hardly anyone behind me yet an

endless row of people beside me. Outside of the people next to me, there was hardly

anything to see other than pine tree after pine tree covering the entire forest in a

blanket of darkness.

Then after, just 30 minutes and a ton of sprinting, I started to get really tired, I

thought my limbs were going to fall off at any moment. It was also hard with the

annoying sensor which felt like a snake strangling me. I thought I was going to faint.

But I still thought we had the enemy on the run. I thought they were going to be

pushed back to the beach and once they are done with we can focus on some other

fronts. Hell we might even win the day.  I was even starting to think about a giant

victory party. I started to grin a bit at that thought.

But then we saw him, as we were running through the forest and all of the pine and

brush that came with it and noticed more and more of the forest instead seeing

darkness ahead. It was like he appeared out of nowhere, almost like he teleported

there. The Iron fist on top of a cardboard tower and just standing there silent. But

strangely did not attack us he still was a creepy sight to see. He had grey face paint

all over his face, thick but flexible breast plate armor, a large helmet covering his

face with big horns on it, and a grey cape. When I first saw him, I suddenly became

paralyzed with fear and extremely frightened by the sight knowing something was

going to happen. It was not a question of if, it was a question of when. The other

guys in my group looked just as terrified.

“It is the end” one said.

“We are all going to die” another said.

“Somebody hold me” one of the younger kids said.

Then Rodrick notices the enemy moving to one of our sides in an

attempt to surround us.  

“Steven incoming hel troops, Steven sir we need a plan” Rodrick said.

But he fled upon sight of the iron fist.

“Hey Steven, where are you going” I shouted.

“Fall back, retreat, we will all take a ten minute break then think of something else” Steven said back as he ran for dear life.

The enemy closes in on us while a couple of the physically handicapped kids rode in

as Calvary bust through the middle of our group splitting the army in two. Knowing

that our army is breaking up I realized that we had to do something and fast . All the

while as the enemy try to throw javelins at us and hit us with overhead swings from

our axes and we deflect them with our shields inadvertently creating a wall of

shields just like what the Greeks would do. Then I heard a faint voice from the fort

and I noticed that it was Jessica’s voice.

“Everyone get to the fort now” Jessica screamed from one of the window.

“Let’s get back to the castle, in a single group no one gets left behind” I said.

“Well there is nothing better to do, so lets get the hell out of here” Rodrick said.

So we in one group at started to make a run towards the fort while the enemy

chased us back, picking us off one by one. It was a very scary trip back but by now

Everyone looked really tired from chasing the enemy and many decided to just stop

and make a last stand. It was a awful sight to see as fewer and

fewer people by your side as they are cut down by Hel soldiers. But I had to keep

going as I tried to get to the fort as best as I could with the energy I had, even though

I was really tired from running at this point. When we ran out of the forest I started

to feel a cool breeze that made things a little better. But what was better was that

the fort was directly ahead we were almost there.

“Come on guys we are almost there” I said.

But as we got closer, I started to slow down a bit to catch my breath, I took in huge swaths of air in and out in order to cool myself. I then got another beep on my phone. I was surprised that it did not fall out throughout the run so I took it out and this time.

“They are coming and they are close, you are almost there, run” It said.

So I did, when I first started running again I at first jogged. But then I could hear the

battle cries of enemy warriors and started to go faster and faster towards the castle.

It was a very tough run indeed, but fortunately me, my friends and some

other guys made it to the fort. When I finally reached the fort and through the big

doors just as they started to close I fell down and kissed the ground it was such a

relief to be safe and secure. But it would not last long so there we

prepared defenses.

“Okay guys doors are secure, Warriors barricade the doors with crates, archers cover us in the main room, in all four towers and the roof” a teen ordered.

Just like that I ran all the way here only to do more hard work by making sure

nothing gets in or out of this place. As I moved crates from different parts of the

castle to the door. I could hear that battle cry again. I went up on of the towers and

saw an entire army storming over the hill and prepared to bash the fort as they

surrounded us. Meanwhile, inside, we bunkered

down with our soldiers surrounding the doors. To counter this the guys started to

get out their axes and swords and defended the front and sides of the doors while

archers aimed their arrows at the door and were ordered to shoot at anyone coming

in.  So we waited but our moral slowly to drain knowing that the end was upon us

and there was no escape. It also did not help that it felt like it

was 80 degrees inside this castle.

“Did you hear a noise” one said.

“SHUT UP” another said.

“No you shut up” he said back.

“Quiet do you want to survive this and win or not” John said.

“Quiet, quiet, quiet I think I hear something” one said.

We all stood there not knowing what was going to happen next.

Than we heard Whoosh,

Whoosh, Whoosh, when we heard that we all got even more quiet, not even a little

kid made any noise and knew that something was coming to get us.

Then suddenly tons of catapult balls start to tear the castle apart. In an instant

everything started to come apart, giant holes start to appear in the castle, and entire

floors of the castle  were crashing down. Than tons of enemy soldiers start to

swarm through the mighty doors of the fort at a steady pace sending the pile of

crates we made at the door crash down like an avalanche.

“S**t” One screamed as boxes started raining down onto the ground below.

Many of us tried to fight back but we were all so cramped since we were all in the

castle that all we could do was swing our axes and swords back and forth. We were

steadily pushed back at first to the middle of the room, then to some of the ladders

and towers and finally to the roof of the castle where we saw tons of catapults and

soldiers flooding onto the field to finish us off.

But throughout that time Steven was nowhere to be found. Seriously I

have asked everyone about Stevens whereabouts while of the roof and no one could

give me an answer. It felt like Steven just disappeared just as we needed him most.  

Then all of a sudden one of the arrows hits me in the helmet. It was a very sudden

shock going throughout my body as quick as a thunder bolt. My head started to ring

like a bell and my head felt like it was swelling up. I fell down and

prayed to overcome the shock and keep fighting. I then see in horror a storm

of arrows and catapult balls flying towards the fort. From my observation, I think

everyone knew at this point it was the end for them. People looked up at the swarm

of balls and arrows like a doomsday meteor about to hit the earth.

“This is the end, oh my god” People were screaming.

But I closed my eyes as the artillery hits the fort like an asteroid hitting the earth.

But as I fell down a force grabbed me inside the fort and felt a flash before the force

disappearing. Once inside I then

rested as the fort crumbled to the ground as towers, the main room the roof and the

walls collapsed around me as if they were made of playing cards. I eventually

blacked out suddenly due to tons of exercise after fighting the enemy for hours now.

As I laid, there I thought to myself “don’t worry the battle is over for me but we may win for now you must rest when you wake up you will be in the gym”

I was wrong.

Chapter 4

When I woke up after I got hit. I finally got my eyes awake but very slowly and

realized something was weird.

I said to myself ” I am supposed to wake up in the gym what the hell”.

But for some reason it's doesn't look like the gym usually there are mats for

everyone to lay on to recover from the event. But to me now it looks more like a

caved in room. I found out it was a caved in room. The room looked like a pile of

rubble all around with not a single visible hole to the outside world and dark as a

moonless night. I must have fallen into here when the fort started to fall apart.

“HELP, HELP, HELP” I then screamed fearing the worst.

Then I heard Jessica coming from somewhere inside the room.

“Is that you Eric, are you alright” screamed Jessica.  

“Where are you guys” I shouted.

“We are here, I think we are close” Jessica screamed.

“How close” I said.

I walked in a random direction within the room in order to find any clue on where

my buddies were. When I hit a wall I would turn around into another direction. I felt

like I was blind. Until BAM all of a sudden I felt my head hit something. I fell down to

the ground.

“OW WHAT THE HELL” Jessica said.

“Is that you” I said.

“Ya it is me, here let me get a light” Jessica said.

I then saw a bright flash of light, I was blinded for a sec and turned my head away

from the light.

When I turn back forward, i then saw Jessica and met up with her along with

Roderick, Ulysses, Elizabeth and Cassie who must have fallen in here as

well.

“How long have we been down here?” Cassie said.

“Oh don’t get me started we been down here for a long time mostly waiting for men from our side to find us.” Roderick said.

“Women, and women” Cassie corrected.

“Men, women, whoever is going to save us.” Roderick said back.

But then I looked at my watch and was surprised, I could not believe it. The even

but should be over by now. We should be cared for, but instead it looks like we ether

might be still in the game or that the adults have not found us yet.

“We have been down here all night it's now Tuesday 8:00 am” I explained.

“But at least it is good for the people watching and good for reality tv. “John said

after realizing our situation.

While everyone chuckled a bit about the joke.

I was still stunned I thought “this cannot be happening” over and over.

“Wait isn’t the battle is supposed to last for about a day, sometimes a full twenty four hours.

“ Yes, but there is really no time frame on the big battle, events like this are suppose to be uncommon and there are plans in the event this situation occurs” Ulysses said.

When i heard Ulysses say those words, i could not believe it That means it is still going it is like we are in a war instead of a battle. I felt

like before I was just going to spend a day in this Viking/Norman world. But now we

are trapped here like prisoners. What is more surprising is that despite being hit

hard by an arrow and falling down a castle before collapsing on me. My sensor still

did not go off.

“Well what’s your plan” Ulysses said out of the blue.

Everyone then looked at me waiting for the slightest noise my mouth makes. I froze

a little bit mainly because Ulysses was the one with the biggest brains of the

group, he would have most likely have figured something out by now, so I sat there

to think. During my thinking many ideas went in and out of my head, should we

escape, should we hide, fight, find other people or perhaps even surrender. There

were many things I considered with the finals being ether an escape plan or hiding

here until the battle is over. I then

we heard movement mainly the footsteps of leather boots, the crushing of grass and

some of the rubble being toppled over. It may have been hel forces moving captured

people to their doom, to their execution.  It was horrible hearing the sounds of

people getting beaten up and the beeping noise was all around common during that

time. But all we can do is sit there and stay silent in fears of being found.

It was very scary and now we knew what can happen to us if we went out there.

“Well we are screwed if we go out there we will totally be slaughtered the minute we go out there.” Rodrick concluded.

“Rodrick’s right besides we have no idea if anyone else is still out there because we have been down here since the fort collapsed on us and have not been able to make contact with anyone else on the outside.”  Jessica said.

“Don’t give up please I kept seeing messages on twitter about hope for a victory that we might win the battle if we stay here it is pointless.” I said.

“A twitter tweet really” Rodrick said.

“The guys who typed it might maybe be out there” I said.

“well if you got a twitter message does it include a plan to escape” Ulysses said.

“No but I have an idea if we can get out of this wreck of a castle and then run into the forest when the soldiers outside are not looking.  We can find other people in this event and continue to fight if there is still an event left” I planned.

“How will we know exactly where the enemy will be exactly” Jessica said.

“How are we even getting out of here, the doors now look like crushed paper” Rodrick said.

“There should be a weak spot where we can dig out of here” I replied.

On the outside it looked like a solid plan. But inside I still knew this might

fail. But i was very confident feeling like this was nothing more than a test of what

I am made off.

“What are we going to do about food” Ulysses than said.

“or even getting out of this place” John said to continue the discussion.

“John's right pushing on a random wall is not going to get us out of this place” Jessica than said.

“Any ideas” Cassie than said.

“Knowing that the fort

caved in on us like in a mine there must be a wall  still mostly intact but a little weak, we

then get some food if we can find some in the fort and head out” I said.

“Let’s do this” John said.

Just like that everyone started to search for the weak wall of the wrecked

fort. With that one move I became the commander, the leader, the

great person I try so hard before to be. The whole plan may look decent on the

outside, but inside I always had this thought that if might not work and we might be

trapped here like prisoners for the time being. To make things worse Cassie came to

me.

“There was no food to be found in the fort

since we did not plan for the battle to be no more than 1 day” she said.

“Okay, so we will ration the granola bars we had until we could find more food” I said like it was no big deal.

But once I get out of this fort, I have no idea what to do I would just have to see.

But that did not stop me, so I went up to John and Rodrick who are pushing against

the wall like it was a car. So I decided to help and pushed and pushed with all my

might. But the wall would not move like it was made of stone.

“UGG I can’t move this thing” I reported.

“Well I guess we are stuck here forever” John said before letting out a fart.

Within seconds the air started to become toxic. The air became more uncomfortable

to breath. I then realized that if we did not get out of here fast we were all going to

be puking. I could already see Cassie starting to gag.

“OH MY GOD, WHAT DID YOU DO” Ulysses screamed.

“I am not dying down here, Eric we have to do something now or we will all die” Rodrick said.

At that point out options were running low, I had to find a way out of this place and

fast before we all vomit because of John’s farting. I felt like there was no other option

but to put up with the farts and ever growing humidity inside the room. Until I

looked down for a second and found some boxes that were like

keystones to the wall. Then I removed them the wall collapsed and an opening

appeared, there was light and all of a sudden fresh air filled the collapsed room thus

letting the farts free. It was a massive relief seeing the light of day again after hours

in the fort. Everyone cheered like it was a holiday and knew they can continue in this

fight.

“We did it” Ulysses said.

“Aw I was looking forward to see Ulysses inhale my farts” John said.

Ulysses then looked at John with a stern face.

“Enough of that chit chat let's get the hell out of here” Rodrick said.

Then just as we were about to move out quietly to find survivors we then noticed

enemy warriors just looking at us with surprised looks on their faces. John waved hi

in order to be funny, but everyone else looked at me. Scared for a little bit I did not

panic but my heart started to throb and there was a deafening silence around us like

something was about to happen.

“Run” I then all of a sudden in a quick sort of way said.

We then bolted from where we crawled out down a treeless path going straight

through the forest, the hel warriors proceeded to follow close behind.  

Chapter 5

While we were running for our lives all of a sudden with just one word from me we

bolted like bullets. I feel like people are starting to look up to me and it feels weird in

this situation because if I failed who would I turn to, nobody that’s what. During that

moment I only wanted to do the best I could do and pray I don’t screw up.

But I had no time to think about it. It was beyond tiring just like training, it was

pure torture, it was kind of like long distance track running it was just that tiring. I

had never felt like this since swim class. It was also hard with the annoying sensor

attaches to my body. As we ran I felt a beep on my phone, I then took out the phone

and noticed a message.

“If you are out there

search the battlefield particularly Thor castles for any signs of survivors” #valhalla.

As we were running through the arrows sent by archers all of a

sudden, even though the whole chase gave great fear in all of us. The arrows flying

past us, narrowly missing us however gave me a little bit a thrill almost like I was an

action star. The situation was mixed until a thrown spear hits Jessica and falls to

the ground. Just as we thought we could possibly outrun these guys if we did

everything right

“Jessica no” I yelled.

It was a blow seeing your friend fall to the ground because you had the choice of

leaving them to their fate or risking yourself to save them. It was a tough moment for

me. But it was also a tough moment for Cassie as well.

“Jessica, no we cannot leave her” She said.

“No, we have to for our own survival” Rodrick said.

“She would do the same for possibly you” She said back.

“Eric, what are your thoughts” Cassie said.

I really did not have an answer, with archers firing at at and warriors not far behind,

I knew we had to do something and fast but what. It was ether escape and leave

Jessica, or go back for her and risk annihilation..

But during that it looked like Ulysses saw a ditch, one just big enough for all of us to

fit in. I had to time to think at that point and ran in Ulysses direction in an attempt to

get to safety.

“Over here” he said.

I stood still looking to my friends in the ditch and Jessica laying there as warriors

came our way. It was here that things started to unwind for us at this moment.

“What are you waiting for, we are already one man down” John screamed.

“We can’t just leave her” Cassie argued.

“Do you want to go out there and get taken out, cause i don’t, after all it's only a game” John said.

“Sometimes you can be so selfish, this is more than a game, this is at least an entire weekend on the line, do you understand ” Cassie said as she peered out of the ditch only to have arrows fly very close past her.

“Whatever, your totally going to feel weird when this is all over” John explained.

“Well we are only preteens so no, we are not going to take a possible defeat lying down” Cassie's fired back as she charged towards Jessica.

When that happened she ducked and covered for a moment before heading back to

the ditch. As for me was starting to become more confused than a dog trying to

choose a color dotted path. I wanted to help Jessica with the javelin hit, but Hel

soldiers were closing in, with archers pinning us down evermore. I

could hardly breath in the situation. It was like a bomb ready to blow up at any

moment. It also did not help that I felt my sensor was going to attack me at any

moment because i feels so unnatural with it. I really felt like this was the end for us

since we were getting chased by hel troops and starting to get picked off one by one.

But then a band of soldiers came in out of the forest and attacked the enemy

Warriors.

“Take out the archers first, they are a bigger threat then you realize” the commander said.

“What about the warriors” his subordinate said.

“We will hold them off” he said back.

Five of them proceeded to throw javelins at the archers. While the rest clashed with

enemy warriors with their shields and axes.

I was shocked. I could not believe it there were other soldiers.

“Reinforcements” I then said.

So I pressed forward using every once

of energy I could to survive. As I started to get to the ditch and one of the soldier

ran up to me, short of breath.

“Get to the field they need you in Valhalla” he said.

As he and his men start to get beaten

back by enemy soldiers.

“Thanks” I said.

“No problem” he said as he got Jessica up and brought her to the ditch with my friends.

 “Why you are helping us” I questioned.

But it was too late to get an answer from them since they were getting too busy

getting constantly whacked with fake weapons like there was no tomorrow. I

wanted to help them, but I needed to lead my guys out of here before we are all done

for. It was sad and heroic to get beaten up and taken down so others can escape but

at least there is hope that others are out there. But i was also confused, why would a

group of guys risk their time in the game for just a bunch of kids. I never saw that

with a lot of the other kids during day one back at the castle especially Steven.

“Follow me” I whispered.

I then left the ditch and made a run for it with my group following me. While the

enemy warriors were distracted. But I wondered how long the enemy would be

distracted, would it be a minute, five minutes maybe even twenty minutes if those

guys that saved us back there were total bad asses. But I had no idea what might

even happen when we reach some of the other forts. Maybe they were alright and

were holding strong or maybe it could be the campsite of tons of warriors ready to

tear us in half. All I could do is just run to the coast and see.

Then after five minutes of jogging, we then finally reached some of

the other castles in our army. After tons of running we finally made it to the other

castles near the coast and just like the castle I was stationed at, they were all

completely destroyed.

I was shocked, i had no idea that the situation was that bad.

Every castle was just a giant pile of rubble with maybe a few rooms still intact, but it

honestly felt hopeless.  My friends and I just stood there looking at all of the bases

destroyed right in front of us and thought what happened. Our armies were about

the same size on day one and now from what I saw It was all gone. Just piles of

rubble remaining, just caved in forts, just nothing.

“Oh my god, we totally got our butts kicked” Cassie said.

“Look at this place, it looks like the sites of ancient ruins more than fortifications

“Sure hope Steven did not survive all of this” Rodrick said.

“I doubt” Ulysses said.

“John, Ulysses you check out east of our position. Cassie and Jessica will check out the castles to the west, I will keep watch” I ordered.

“What should we look for in particular” Ulysses said.

“Dig around the ruins for anything, food, survivors and weapons” I ordered.

But there was no sense of life anywhere near these ruins

But as we search castle to castle, looking through rubble after

rubble, and position after position. There was nothing different,  just the same thing

as before wrecks after wrecks after wrecks like this place has been destroyed by a

nuclear war. Every castle had the same damage features like caved in rooms and

battle axes everywhere. What ever happened here, it must have been massive and

devastating. After ten minutes we all met at the spot where we first encountered the

wrecks to report on anything we found.

“Guys I think there is no one else left, plus there is no food in sight and we all just ate some of our energy bars” Rodrick reported while looking around for people in a fort.

“What are we going to go” Ulysses said.

“Should we surrender, it looks like we might be the only ones left” John said.

“Do you have any idea what they will do to us if they win” Rodrick said.

“Well what does Eric think we should do “Jessica said.

Then everyone started to look at me like i was Santa claus, Jesus and The

Prime minister combined. I felt like there was no

one else and that the guys back at the ditch were the last soldiers we will ever see

besides my classmates. Then I got another Twitter message that

“search the coast for a sign of hope” #Valhalla, the hashtag noted.

“ We fight as hard as we can and as long as we can searching for people along the way we cannot just give up there are others out there I know it maybe the guy who sent the twitter messages to me Is out there with a tons of people now let’s go.” I declared.

“You heard him guys we have to keep going forward” Roderick ordered.

Everyone then split up to continue looking, with Cassie and Jessica looking through

the insides of each fort while Ulysses, John and Rodrick kept their eyes peered on

the outside of the castle for not only survivors in castles, but to find any signs of a

Thor camp. However at the same time we started to get more and more tired.

“Man, this is killer” John said.

“Just nothing but piles of cardboard” Jessica said.

“Let’s keep looking, there must be something here” Ulysses said.

But sometime feel like sometime that event is already over and people

are really sending search parties after us but continued searching none of the less. I

felt like I was about to give up until I noticed Ulysses decided to climb to the top of

one of the castle ruins. He must have seen a lot from that height. But what was most

intriguing was that on a small beach with a thin sand line and bordered by line of

thick trees, we saw soldiers who had escaped the wrecks from nearby castles

preparing a Viking like boat made from duct tape.

“LONGSHIP, LONGSHIP” Ulysses shouts out to us.

“Let me see if it is really a longship let alone a friendly one” I said.

So I climbed up to Ulysses and peered at the coast and spotted just what he

reported, a long ship looking like it was made of duct tape.

He was right; not only that but it was a friendly one as well.

with tons of cargo it looks ready to go find other people or go somewhere that is

much safer than here. I could not believe it, I was filled with relief and joy, hope is

still out there it may feel dim but it is still out there.

“They must be starting to leave any minute now” Ulysses noticed.

“I think you are right” I said.

I then looked down towards the rest of my friends.

“Guys I think we have found some hope after all a long ship right ahead” I said.

“Oh my god, we got to move now” John said.

Just like that we dashed for the boat without a second thought of hesitation through

the wrecks and eventually through the line of trees separating us from the beach. We

were sprinting like we have never

sprinted before. We must have been running twice as fast as we did back at the

ditch. But never slowed down, as long as we saw that sand with the boat we have

hope. When we did reach the beach, I jumped out of the forest and onto the sand. By

then they were just about to set sail. They must have thought we were enemy

combatants.

“They are leaving what are we going to do” Rodrick screamed.

“Don’t leave us we are coming” I screamed at the top of my lungs.

But they started to row instead.

“If Steven is on that boat, i am going to kill him” Roderick bursted out loud.

“Still thinking about Steven, you know that thinking about someone constantly is a common sign that you love them right” Jessica said.

“Hey, that was my job” Ulysses whined.

“What, I am sorry I cannot understand you” one guy said.

“Come on, I heard the iron fist is around here” their captain said.

Then I saw a whole army of enemy soldiers ready to

beat the living crap out of me and my group came charging, almost like they

appeared out of thin air.

“We need to move, now that is an order” the captain said.

“What about the guys on the beach, we could have a use for them” one guy said.

“Well they will have to run a lot if they want a ride” he said back.

It was a terrifying sight, seeing a force large enough to capture 3 forts come onto us.

The stress in my mind started to reach absurd heights and my head felt like it was

going to explode. But I was not ready to give up. Even I was so tired i could just drop

on the spot. I ran with all the energy we had left for the boat.

Even going into deep water with all of our equipment just to catch the boat. When I

first entered the water. It was freezing, it felt like I could get frostbite in just about a

minute. I hesitated a bit before embracing the water and move slowly towards the

boat. But as we went into the water after the boat, i then saw the iron fist walking

slowly out of the forest and casually onto the beach towards us.

“S**t it’s him, we need to move now” John said in terror.

We all knew it was now or never at this point since the iron fist can beat anyone in

combat. So once the boat was in grabbing distance we then with the little energy

I had left jumped on board the ship. Then finally we could rest even if it is for a

little bit we can rest. But oh my god my body hurt everywhere like one giant

cramp. If the guy who sent us the twitter messages was here I would hug him so

hard he would be begging me to stop. When we got one I realized that the boat was

very small since it was thirty feet long and ten feet wide, oars all over the sides and a

giant sail towering over us. But the boat was full with crates of supplies and 30 men

aboard which made things very cramped. As we got on we

saw hel soldiers running into the water after us while troops on the beach started to

unveil and fire their catapults just outside the forest but at the same time were not

on the beach. I could see round after round be fired and feel hit after hit the boat

sustained from the catapults. It felt like we were sailing out of a storm of catapult

balls.

“heads up” John said as he ducked and put his hands over his head.

As we tried to sail out we had to be very careful we would not get hit by the

catapults. It was scary as the boat rowed as fast as we could, splashed all around

us as the boat swayed from left to right all we could do was hope and hold on.

Some people even started going over the side and puking due to the boat rocking so

hard back and forth. What made things worse was that some Hel guys reached the

boat and tried to grab us. I took out my axe and hit them over the head like I was

playing whack a mole in order to keep them away from the boat.

“OW, OW, OW” one screamed.

“My head” said another.

Fortunately I was able to push them off before they could

get a real foothold onto the boat. But there were some losses, as I hit them with my

axe in order to get them away from the boat. They suddenly grabbed one of the guys

by his armor, restrained him and started to carry him back to

shore.  They threw him to the ground and started to beat him up without mercy or

hesitation. All he could do was scream, but it was too much for me it was almost like

torture hearing one of your own scream while you do nothing during his hour of

need. We all knew that there was no turning back now. So I covered my ears and

prayed his screams would die. As we got farther and farther from the shore

things started to get safer but by then I was frozen with fear fearing the worst was

going to happen. But finely slowly and steadily, we made it out of range of the

catapults with everyone in the group aright. Slowly my stress level started to drop

and I started to feel safe once again on this boat.

“Hooray” Everyone on the boat shouted.

“Don’t get too cozy we are going to pick up more people along the coast , before

heading off to Valhalla a bit south from here” the captain said.

“Valhalla, what the hell is that” John said.

“I think it is some sort of rallying call on Twitter” I said.

“Correction, it is a rallying symbol. I really do not know much however according to rumors primarily through #Valhalla, surviving members of our army are assembling there for some sort of counter attack” The captain said.

“Well all we can do is hold on for as long as we can” I said.

Chapter 6

After me and my group left, we spent the rest of that day after our escape to

finding surviving members of our army and then head down the closest and safest

route to Valhalla. We were all given life vests to wear incase anything

happened out at sea.  But now it was Wednesday and we were heading up north. For

the place now known as Valhalla for a possible counter attack. By now I

felt a little like I can be a leader after all I did lead my guys to this boat and now in

charge of overseeing duties on the ship like getting survivors or getting boxes on

board. It honestly does feel a little weird, having everyone look up to you and you

having no one you can look up. I still felt a little confused and devastated about what

happened to most of our army. I can still feel the guilt flying all over my mind. I just

wanted to know what happened and what we can do to avoid it in the future. But

even though we might lose this battle, at least i would

feel like I accomplished something here and that I do feel like I can be a leader like

the kings and chiefs in the middle ages. Anyway we were on calm waters with a

quiet atmosphere with a distant view of the coast. There was nothing at all to hear

except the wind and the paddles from the long ship going into the water. The

company i had was the crew and my group. It was kind of nice having them around. I

have been so used to being by myself that being with other people was not a

constant occurrence. We were all eating lunch, we mostly just ate energy bars since

that was all we had. As I ate my bar I constantly looked at my phone just waiting for

the next message from #Valhalla. My friends looked at me like I was on some sort of

drug.

“Are you okay Eric, ever since lunch started you have stared at that phone and it looks like you are not doing anything with it” Cassie said.

“Yeah, unless you want your phone to run out of juice you should probably turn it off” Ulysses said.

“I do not really care because the guy who writes this stuff clearly knows what he is doing” I said.

“Whatever, anyway captain where were you when all hell broke loose” Cassie said.

“Oh me well, me and my crew were originally assigned to raid enemy coastal forts. After we heard that there was this decently sized amphibious landing in our territory, my ship was sent there along with four other longships in order to trap the enemy. The whole thing was a mess, they were more of a threat to us then we were to them. They fired onto us with their catapults and once their ships were finished off shoring their guys, they turned around and attacked us. I had no choice but to order a retreat for my ship. I hoped that the others would follow me but to no avail. By then many of them were swarmed by the enemy and capsized. Those who survived were ether captured and taken out or escaped and fought alongside the guys on the coast as their forts were being pelted with bombardments of catapults and crumbling. My ship survived, but took damage, we had to stay hidden for a little bit until repairs. We thought everything was over until we heard about #Valhalla, he said to go to the coast, so we arrived where we last where when the fleet sunk and waited for anyone that survived the first day. We rescued some, but there were those who wanted to stay behind in hopes of slowing the enemy down” The captain explained.

“That’s unique since we are in this boat thanks to #valhalla” i said as i looked up and noticed Cassie right next to the captain in a very comfortable way.

“Do you know any other knowledge about Valhalla” i said.

“I don’t think a lot of people in our situation know a lot about Valhalla. But i did hear that it did go through enemy attacks” the captain explained.

“Do you think they might have fallen” i questioned.

“Maybe, maybe not” the captain said.

“Hey guys, i think i hear something” Jessica said.

“Those are just the paddles” Ulysses explained.

“Yes i know they are paddles but the noise they are making sounds too uneven to be coming from a single boat. I know this from sailing.” Jessica explained

Then we all started hear something more and Jessica was right, it sounded

Like the sound of paddles going into the water. They started to get louder

and louder.

“Guys, stop rowing” the captain said.

“What are you talking about it is us” Rodrick said.

“No, sounds like there is more than one boat in the area” he said back.

“Stop all rowing” a crew member said.

We all stopped rowing and still heard the sound of rowing, so we

started to get a little scared. I swear some of us looked like they were going to jump

overboard. Has the enemy's presence been that bad on the guys where they would

just run at the possibility of the enemy encountering us.

“Oh s**t their coming and we are going down” one of the crew said.

“It could be anything cool off” Ulysses said.

“Let me take a look” the captain said.

The captain then went to one of the boat's sides and looks around to try to see

what is happening and saw three enemy long ships coming behind us. They had red

striped sails, filled with warriors and came at such speeds almost like they have to

do this or die.  When he saw those

boats he looked like he was petrified out of his mind because to him it looked like

death was sailing out of a mist and planning to kill everyone on board.

“

” He then shouted at the top of his lungs.

“Oh my god, we are never going to make it” one guy said.

“Cool off, let’s get the hell out of here” Rodrick said.

So we all got to any oars we could find and rowed as fast as we can.  At the same

time one of the long ships starts to get ahead of the other ones and prepares to

attack us. I knew that something was not working and that we were only delaying

the inevitable.

“They are still coming forward” I said.

The Captain started to freeze as the ship kept creeping closer and closer and there

was nothing we can do to our run them. If we rowed twice as fast, the hel fleet

would row even faster. Some of us started to shiver as our chances of being boarded

started to increase every second. I started to feel my heartbeat all throughout my

body and my only thought was “What will come next”. As they got closer and closer

we started to prepare for the worst especially as the ships try to surround us and

spears start to fly left and right.

“Look out spears” Rodrick said.

“Ow, I think one hit me” Cassie said.

“You alright” Roderick said.

“I think so, my sensor is not going off” Cassie said.

“Everyone prepare for a boarding party, guys prepare your weapons, girls try and fire at the enemy ships” The captain said.

We knew we had to make our final stand now so we

got whatever weapons we had, primarily axes and shields and then enemy warriors

start to leap onto our boat and charged at us so we got our axes and started to clash

with the enemy crew. After the first few attacks by the enemy countered by our

shields, the battle itself quickly became chaotic as

bows fire foam arrows, people were getting knocked left and right and eventually

the ship start to rock. At first it was slight tilts but then the ship got more and more

rocky like we are about to capsize at any moment. I could not believe it how can I get

any worse. But they did because the constant rocking led one side to dip too deep

into the water and the ship starts to sink slowly. At the time the ship was not

underwater by a lot. I could definitely feel that I was closer to the water line then I

was for example yesterday when escaping that army.

“S**t it’s the end now” John screeched.

“John relax, It looks more like a ton of water on the bow section of the boat” Ulysses explained.

“Lets cool off and try to survive this whole thing” I said.

“Abandon ship, abandon ship” the captain said.

“You go, me and my friends will stay here and fight these guys off” I said.

The Captain then proceeded to give me a stunned look almost like I just killed a

person.

“Are you crazy boy, they will tear you apart” the captain said.

“Just go” I said in a loud voice.

At this point the boat was really starting to go down with the front of the bow

already completely underwater. However a boarding party had not yet been loaded

onto the ship. The most likely want to wait until the time is right to send a boarding

party. Maybe they do not want their guys to drown or maybe we kicked their butts a

little bit. At the crew began to grab onto anything that floats and jumped off the ship

one by one. Me and my friends mostly tried to fight off the hel fleet by throwing

spears at the opposing boat because it was all we could do since the long ship was

designed for beach landings and not naval battles. Then eventually one of the ships

gets very close our sinking boat and sends out guys to finish the crew still onboard

off.

“Okay let’s do this as fast as possible. I do not want to drown today” their commander said.

Once they got onto the boat, they started to rush us and take us down one by one.

“Everyone, stick together” I said.

We all then stuck together like a big blob as the enemy tried to hit us over and over

with their axes.

“If these guys start to overwhelm you, retreat a little to the back of the ship” I said.

That is what we did, but that could not last forever. They started to slowly to make

their way to the back of the boat, at that point

everyone put their phones in the plastic bags to avoid them getting damaged by the

water and prepared to get our hands dirty. As the party began moving from bow to

stern we then start fight, first by pushing people in the water; I then after pushing

some people in the water proceeded to swing my axe wildly at people, Rodrick hit

five people and threw them into the water before getting into a long fight with their

commander. Two guys were about to fire at me but, Cassie

hit two guys with arrows and saved my skin in that moment. But eventually

this boat started to sink at a faster pace now.

“Uh, Eric I think it is time to leave” John said.

“Why we have to hold out as long as possible then escape” I said

“We have to get away right now before we all get captured or worse right now” Ulysses said.

I knew that I had no choice in the matter, if we do not leave now like what Ulysses

said it could be the end for us.

“Abandon ship” I ordered.

But by then the ship already started to go down like half

the ship was already underwater at this point and the bow was up at the 30 degree

angle. I could already feel the cold water get to me even though I was still onboard.

It was scary, watching the water slowly make its way throughout the boat. I truly

because this could be the end for me, but I had to keep fighting as hard as I could

until we reach Valhalla. So before I go down with the ship, I grabbed onto a crate on

the boat and prepared to jump.

  “Come on we got to move” Jessica says.

So I did with one epic leap I jumped with as much equipment as possible all in a

black hard plastic crate. When I

did I spend a little time in the air almost like everything was in slow motion. When I

hit the water I only spent a second underwater until I bobbed to the surface, thanks

to the life vest I had. It was just in time too since the ship at that point was

starting to take on water badly, but was

always visible on the surface because almost everything on board floats (since a lot

of our gear is made from ether hard foam or rubber). Only part of it is still above the

water. But we were sitting there in the water all holding onto a crate, we were

helpless. What’s worse is that we see most of the

crew start to get captured and taken on to the enemy boats. They were just grabbed

out of the water with little care for their safety and started to mercilessly beat the

crew up. OW, OW, OW We all heard over and over. I was horrified I started

to feel cold inside not because of the water. I felt like a coward just

leaving them behind. But I had to keep going forward, there is

hope out there, somewhere and I am going to take it. So we started to swim with the

crate as fast and as quietly as possible to avoid detection. It was a scary moment

because at any minute now enemy troops could finish capturing the rest of the crew

and head on over to us. It was a very slow and tense procedure. I then saw a few

enemy warriors looking like they were going to spot us. So using hand signals, I

signaled everyone to duck underwater and swim out of the area in order to avoid

detection having only the crate on the surface at all times. After a few seconds we

would all slowly rise out of the water and swim out of the area. But thanks to a

miracle we were able to lose them, due to hel warriors being distracted with

capturing the crew.  So after we all escaped the battle floating on a crate possibly full

of useful stuff like weapons and started taking turns swimming to shore. It was not

as bad as running from that wrecked castle but the water was so cold I wish I was

running like hell like yesterday. So i knew from the bottom of my heart It’s going to

be a long trek even when we got out of the water without being captured.

Chapter 7

Even though we escaped captured back where the long ship sank. There was still a

very tense feeling for all of us. We were all silent, and had to be silent in order to not

draw too much attention. So i used hand signals to guide our way to the shore.

It also did not help that I was starting to feel the coldness of the water. I swore to

god that my balls were about to freeze off. Eventually the fleet that sank our boat

has left with its bounty of prisoners. While we were all starting to get tired from

all this swimming, but at least we had a floating crate to keep us afloat.

But that could not defuse our biggest enemy during our time after our escape, the

killer boredom. There was nothing to do out there except swim and nothing to see

but miles of water surrounding us. I even started to daydream about another enemy

attack just to kill the boredom for even an hour.

“How’s the water” John said.

“Not funny, once i get to land again, i am not swimming for a long time” Cassie said.

“Just trying to stir up some conversation, anyway still planning to smack Stevens teeth in for not letting you into their little group” John explained.

“I don’t need him for this battle, but i cannot wait to see the look on his face when he finds find that i survived longer than him” Roderick said.

“Do you really think he is still out there” John said.

“Doubt it, no one could have escaped from that fort on that day, not with guys surrounding the place” Ulysses said.

“I might have to correct you on that since he was not there when the fort fell like Eric said” Cassie hypothesized.

“Anyway what have you guys been up to lately” Ulysses said.

“What have we been up to lately. Dude we have spent the last few days fighting people and being on the run, i think that is what all we were up to” Rodrick said.

“No i mean before all of this” Ulysses said back.

“Well, i slept over at Cassie's house and checked out what was going on online” Jessica said.

“Really that’s all, not much else, no drama or anything” John teased.

“Not much, as long as i am with Jessica, i am happy” Cassie explained.

“Are you guys lesbians” Rodrick said.

“No, get your mind out of the gutter” Cassie jokingly said.

“What would happen if you guys are seperated like one of you guys is taken out” i questioned.

“OMG, i would not have went on with this event without her. Speaking of which i never thanked you for rescuing Jessica from that spear hit, Eric.” Cassie said in fear over the mention of the idea.

“No problem, i would do anything for you guys now. I think we are starting to get a little closer then ever before and i would totally hang out with you guys once this is all over.” I declared.

“I think she likes you” John said.

“John” Cassie said.

“Anyway how far is shore” Jessica questioned.

“About a mile away” Ulysses said.

“Good god we are all going to die in this freezing water, all for a stupid event” Cassie said.

“Guys, relax we are floating on a crate. Not to mention we all have life vests on” I said.

“He is right, not come on let’s keep swimming. If we keep this up we might be able to be on land by nightfall and you do not want to be in deep water at night” Rodrick said.

We all swam faster than ever before hoping to reach land. But I was still worried,

what if we did not make it to shore and something happens to us. The cold was

killing me so it might not be a far off concept. However about 30

minutes swimming in the water, i started to notice something

that was barely visible before. It was trees, and rocks and a bit of sand, it was the

shore we finally reached the shore. I was finally relieved that we were not going to

die out here.

“LAND, LAND” Ulysses shouted.

“Thank, god almighty” John said

“Well let’s keep going, I cannot wait to dry up” Jessica said.

So we all paddles with the crate as fast as we could. With every minute we swam we

could see hope get ever more larger in the form of land to rest on and to think about

what we were able to do next.

“I just hope that this is no mirage” Rodrick said.

Fortunately it was not because when we were

close enough, we started to get swept by the waves on their way to shore. It was as if

mother nature was giving us a hand and we started to feel land again. But I was

too tired to think about that right now, I was just glad to be safe. When I felt my

body get washed over on a beach. It felt so good almost like I was in heaven. Until i

my friends as we washed onto the beach.

“Ow” John said exhausted.

“Sorry” I said in a chill manner.

“No it is alright Eric, we can finally rest now” He said back.

There we rested on for about 10 minutes trying to catch our breath even as waves

splashed into our faces.  When we all caught our breath, I started to stand up and

everyone else just looked at me. What’s like we have a lot of questions to talk about.

“Where are we and how do we get to the rallying point” Jessica then say.

Even though I am considered the group’s leader now, I am just confused as anyone

and once I caught my breath after swimming 30 minutes later, I sat down to think of

what to do next. What stuff do we still have so far, is Valhalla even still standing and

what can we do for now as long as this fight was still going on.

“Do you think everyone else on our side is out by now”. John said

“I say we keep looking if we found some troops there is always more”. Rodrick said

“Should we surrender” Ulysses said

“No way have you seen what these guys are capable off especial last year” Rodrick said.

“Well we might be the only ones left in this whole thing. I am just saying we should consider it” Ulysses said.

“Not on your life, what does Eric think” John said

“Let’s check out what’s in this crate and survive as long as possible if everyone is really gone then maybe we could start a guerrilla war against hel forces” i than said in a tired state.

“After all Vikings were known to be quick, efficient and retreated before reinforcements come” Ulysses said joining my argument.

So we decided to open up the crate for anything important. We unlock the

crate and opened it inside were some spears, 3 bows with quivers filled with

arrows, a map with a star on the mid left part of the map with the word Valhalla

on it, some food, some storage bags and 6 sleeping mats which would be useful

because it was late afternoon right now. I knew that we were not going to arrive in

Valhalla till at least tomorrow, maybe even later. The length of the journey from here

to Valhalla was definitely never going to set my mind at ease, not until i see the place

still standing. Nevermind what could possibly be out there.

“At least all of this stuff is better than nothing” Ulysses said.

“Uh guys, we may not make it to our destination by the end of today.” i explained as the bearer of bad news.

“Well at least i don’t mind camping” Roderick said.

“Oh god not the mosquitoes” Jessica said in dread.

“Oh relax, they are not out yet, it is only early spring after all” Ulysses said.

“Thanks, that's a sigh of relief” Jessica said.

“Okay now let’s go before someone finds us. I got a feeling that from all of these adventures that they are most likely an entire army looking for us” i said.

“How do you know” John questioned.

“It’s just that everywhere we have looked so far there are always guys there. Now we have got to move.” i said.

“Okay” John said.

So i took one of the spears and put it in my bag and

we started to head northeast this time by land. We first left the small rocky beach

and into the forest nearby. Then we heard the crackling of branches nearby.

“John was that you” Rodrick said.

“No I did not step on any branches in fact there are none in our path” John explained.

“Well where did that noise come from” Ulysses said.

We all stopped for a second and wondered was it

an animal or a soldier because in my situation in the event I must be aware of my

surroundings 100% of the time . We all froze, I hope that the enemy did

not follow us in order to finish what was left of the uncaptured crew off. It was a

tense time, a scary time. My ears became like radar tracking any signs of movement.   

“we’ll have to move out now” Ulysses said in a scarred state.

“why” John said.

Then suddenly 10 enemy soldiers pop out of nowhere from some of the trees and caught us by surprise.

“Busted what’s like you are trapped ” said the arrogant sounding soldier.

It was a surprising moment, even though we faced similar encounters multiple

times. It never gets less scary in fact it might get more scary for someone because

they start to get paranoid fast all the time. But unlike the last few times instead of

running and ending up being caught.

“Guess it is time to fall back and find another route” Jessica said.

“No we have to fight until one side remained” I said.

I then charged at them with a yell with Rodrick following close behind me, soon we

were creating one hell of a fight there were arrows flying everywhere left and right

hitting us from all sides. Swords hitting each other so hard some people had their

weapons knocked out of their hands. But as the soldiers start to advance and started

to fire a constant fire of arrows trying to take us down. Along with people with axes

and swords ready to give us the beating of a lifetime. Then we realize it was

pointless to continuing holding out any longer. If we do not get out of here now we

will never reach Valhalla.

“Retreat, retreat” I screamed.

“No we can hold them off” Rodrick said after he pushed an enemy warrior to the ground.

“There’s too many” I said.

“Well we are in a war we have to fight” Rodrick said back.

“If we stay here we are done for and will never get to Valhalla, now let’s go” I said.

So we immediately started to move out after Jessica and Cassie pushed some of the

warriors to the ground. But we still did not know where to go next, but just

needed to be away from the enemy.

Then another twitter message appeared on my phone, I was so relieved and took

out my phone out of the plastic bag and checked it out.

“Head to the canyon to your right” #Valhalla it said.

“Everyone follow me, we are heading towards a canyon in the east” I ordered.

“How far is it” Rodrick said.

“I think like 50 meters according to the map” I said.

“Good enough for us” Ulysses said.

We than started the head to the stone canyon east of us. If we could reach the

canyon we can go to Valhalla with minimum risk of contact with the enemy. But we

had to be careful since if the enemy knew where we were going, this chase would

hardly ever end. When we finally first saw the canyon I noticed that is was a very

small canyon only about 13 feet tall and had a small stream at the bottom. But at

least it was better than nothing. Then out of nowhere enemy

soldiers started to cut us all off from each other. Just as we were about to make a run

for the canyon Then all of a sudden a hand grabs my armor, my thin

foam armor and started to drag me away.

“We got someone” one said.

“Good inform The Iron Fist he will be most pleased” another one said.

They most likely were planning to capture

and execute me. It was a scary feeling knowing that you have become so close to

reaching your goal, only to be caught and tragically taken down. There were many

times before where I said that it was going to be the end for me. But I mostly said

that stuff because there was already a decent chance of the enemy capturing me. But

at that moment, when I was being grabbed and taken away, it really felt like the end.

At least back on the boat or on the battle grounds we had a fighting chance.

“ERIC” John screamed

“Just get out of here” I said .

“No way” Ulysses said

My heart started to throb like I was going to be murdered. I felt like this was it for

me and my story here will become a tragic one. But if I was going down it would not

be without a fight. So then I started to fight my captors hitting them with my shield

and striking an overhead blow with my axe over and over while

my friends escaped knowing that the Hel soldiers were distracted . Than in one

moment of rage I release myself out of the enemy grip with the help of my axe and pushed my captor to the ground.

“Why you little” he said.

He then got hit by an arrow fired from Jessica

“Oh you are so dead” he said.

“Run now is your chance run” Jessica said

I started make a run for the canyon with hel troops coming right behind me I knew

it was now or never. I

jumped with everything I had into the canyon  and ran off and lost the enemy

soldiers. Then I finely meet up with the rest of the group at the bottom.

“You totally owned those guys good job” Jessica said.

“Thanks for saving out butts back there” John said.

also “I will have to admit that, it was truly epic, how you overcame those guys and came down here” Rodrick said.

“Thanks for all of this but we need to move now” I said.

“Agree” Ulysses said

So we quickly ran for ran down the canyon and we had to do it fast if we did not

want to lose hel troops.

Chapter 8

After we escaped the group of enemy soldiers. We walked down the canyon

I felt really scared due to the easy silence that towered over us at all time while in

the canyon. It was almost like a guerrilla War, your enemy knows where

you are but you don’t know where they are just like this event right now.

It was now evening, the sun was setting and releasing an orange light as it

disappears into the night. Ulysses stops and turns around.

“Guys the sun is going down, we need to set up camp” Ulysses said.

“With only a few mats” John said.

“It’s not much but we need some good sleep in order to reach Valhalla” Rodrick said.

“I don’t know if I can sleep yet, just look at that sunset, just like in the movie” Jessica described.

“You said it” Cassie added.

“Okay we will set up camp here, we take turns watching our backs for hel troops” I said.

So we got some of the mats out laid them down on the rocky dirt floor on the canyon

along the stream and rested with me taking first watch. As the orange sky turned to

black, my job started to get harder because I had to constantly look out for enemy

soldiers especially when they use the darkness to their advantage. It also did not

help that the job became insanely boring. All I had to do was scan my eyes to the left,

then to the right, then behind me and last but not least back in front again. I had to

do that for hours. I considered going to sleep many times but I thought If I did not do

this, we could be captured by soldiers at any moment. Then when it was about

9:00pm I thought that maybe the enemy was calling it a day and sleeping. So I got on

to the ground and closed my eyes hoping that I can enter dream land.  I tried and

tried to sleep, but I felt like something is watching me I feel darkness all around me

trying to intimidate me, scare me and trying to make me feel small. I opened my

eyes and got up, but I try to keep my cool mainly because I was the reason why

everyone is here right now instead of taken out. I felt like the minute I went to sleep

the enemy would creep in and butcher us. So for a little

while I stayed awake acting like a human radar for any signs of movement.  Then

after a hour awake I started to get some sleep. But during my nap I hear the cracking

of branches, the movement of rocks and the grass getting crushed. I immediately

realize that something is going on.  My heart started to throb again and I was

starting to sweat like crazy. I just had to find out what was happening and hope it

was one of my friends going to the bathroom. So I then open my eyes and in horror i

suddenly saw black figures coming slowly for me and my friends with weapons of all

types and most likely looking for a sneaky way to kill us. It was like death

coming to get me. The moment was even scarier than when we encountered

the hel fleet back on the long ship. So

I woke everyone up with such haste like tapping Jessica rapidly or screaming in

Johns ear. “run there coming run” I shouted.

“Who, who is coming” Jessica said as she faintly opens her eyes.

“Team Hel, they are coming” I said.

“S**t, it’s the end” John screamed as he suddenly woke up.

So in an instant everyone else awoke like they awoke from a nightmare, got up ran

for their lives, even leaving the mats behind. It was a nightmare truly a nightmare

with warriors kept swinging their weapons at us. So I

Started to swing my axe and took out a few. While Rodrick kicks another solider

In the balls before taking him out with a sword. While Ulysses got some soldiers

axe and threw it back at enemy troops.  One guy hit me from behind with his axe. I

fell down, he was preparing to hit me again, but I rolled away from his axe. I

responded by taking out my axe and hitting the enemy warrior with several

merciless, overhead swings until he was on the ground and his back sore. We were

holding our own pretty good for the most part possibly the force sent to take us out

was not as big or tough in battle as other troops I faced. It was possible because

the enemy looked just so tired, it looked like their moral was very low at this point

and I thought we might win this fight. But then i see artillery balls fire from the sides

of the canyon, fly across the moonlight sky and shelled the very daylights out of the

earth.

“Holy crap catapult balls” Ulysses then screamed in terror.

 Ulysses responded by getting on the ground and covering himself with dirt.

“Ulysses, what are you doing” John pointed out.

“Hiding, we have no choice” he replied.

“Can’t we just run” Rodrick said just before a few more balls came smashing into the ground.

“I do not think, we have much of a choice” I said as I started to follow Ulysses and hid in the dirt.

Everyone else followed suit. It was dirty and gross, but at least it was hard to spot

us.In the aftermath of the battle the enemy must have thought we ran off. So they

picked around the area looking for us. They searched the whole area in the canyon

from top to bottom looking for us, we all felt like it was only a matter of time before

they find us. My heart started to throb more and more and they became closer and

closer to finding me. “Could it be” I thought to myself, could it be our turn to get

captured. I mean I did get temporarily captured before but I was lucky that that time

to escape. There was no water to go under, and we were not in a position to defend

ourselves, It might just be it. I could feel the warriors walk closer and closer to our

position and closer to finding our dirty bodies. As the search for us continued one

guy turned towards me and had a suspicious look on his face. He knew something

was fishy and I thought we were done for.

“Hey guys I think I found something” he said.

“What is it another” said back.

But before we were we spotted by the rest of the group, a dark figure pop out from

the top of the canyon and threw javelins at the soldiers. He looked very agile with

those javelins almost like he has been training every day for the past year just to use

those things against his enemies. It was very sudden, like an angel showing up to

save us.

“Who is that guy” one said.

“I do not know” another said back.

“Well fire at him, he might be connected to this so called Valhalla” he said back.

As the enemy started to fire onto the figure I was so relieved, not just because he

saved us but he might lead us to Valhalla, to safety and to glory. But I knew I could

not just sit there and let this guy be taken out. So me and me alone rose from my dirt

pile and charged at my enemies and hit them in the side with my axe and the rim of

my shield.

“Retreat, Retreat, we will get these guys tomorrow morning” one of them said.

So they did and they did very quickly might I add possibly because they were too

tired for another fight since it was the

middle of the night at this point. Meanwhile the rest of my friends rose from their

dirt piles with very confused looks on their faces.

“Who was that person who saved us” I said.

“I don’t know some crazy hobo” Ulysses said.

“Ulysses” Cassie said in a stern voice.

“Only time will tell” Jessica then said.

“C mon let’s get out of here” I said.

We then all ran out of the area by continuing further into the canyon. But

throughout the night I was thinking who that guy was. Until we all started to get

very tired again. We all knew that it was time to rest and plan for the next day. So we

finally stopped and immediately laid down on the cold, hard rocky floor and went to

sleep.

Chapter 9

We all woke up on Thursday, I personally was tired with everything

hurting everywhere. It felt like I was dying the minute I stood us, but I had to keep

going forward.

“Come on guys, we got to move” I said.

“Can we please have five more minutes” John said.

“John’s right we were up for a long time last night” Ulysses said.

“No we have to move out and fast, we can rest when we can reach Valhalla” I told them.

Slowly one by one they started to rise with big yawns being taken by all of us. Once

everyone else fully woke up, they picked up what is left of our gear.

“Should we go after the mats” Rodrick said.

“No, we cannot afford it, the enemy most likely has them by now. We have to keep going forward, besides if we keep our pace we might reach Valhalla by the evening” I said.

“Okay guys listen to the boss, we have to move because I do not want to spend another night in the wilderness” Jessica said.

Finely we

continued on to Valhalla. At this point i was tired of feeling scared about being

captured by hel troops who then will take me down before, but I will make sure they

will not take me down now.

But I always think “why am I still in the battle why am I not captured”.

It’s very unusual because a good chunk of the entire Thor army is considered out in

the event, but despite that me and my group are still around. We were walking

slowly down the canyon. Our weapons were drawn out in the event of another

surprise attack then we hear stone being stepped on, dirt being crushed, branches

being snapped, we heard footsteps. Fortunately it sounded like it was only one

person. We all froze

“Did you hear that” said John.

“It’s foot prints duh” Ulysses said.

“Definitely a scout” I said.

“Let’s take him own, show no mercy” Rodrick said before taking out his sword.

Then we saw a person pop his head over the side of the canyon.  He wore very

similar armor to us. He did not have a shield and all he was armed with were a

couple spears and javelins. The minute I saw those javelins I knew that was the

person who saved our lives last night.

“come with me” He then said, in a serious voice.

“Should we follow that kid” John said.

“No way could it be a hel trap set up by the iron fist” Ulysses said.

“How do we know” Cassie said  

“Because at this point anything can happen at any time” Rodrick said.

“Well lets go in but keep our guard on like we always do” I said.

“Fine I will keep a watch on him” Ulysses says.

We then followed the boy as he ran forward with Ulysses always keeping an eye on

him like he is an enemy instead of a friend. He ran and ran along the edge of the

canyon until we approached a hole a dark hole in the side of the canyon. It was a

cave, a very dark cave. Once we all reached the cave the boy then jumped from the

side of the canyon and into the cave. We all stopped and i got a little worried for a

second, things just did not feel right. A few seconds go by and the boy walks out of

the cave and swings his arm at the cave entrance, he wants us to go in

“I think he is trying to put us into a trap” Ulysses said in a worried mood.

“How do you know that” John said.

“I know, we have all seen enough action to know if something is a trap or not” Ulysses said.

“Eric I think we should go in and leave Ulysses to keep watch and cover us in the event this is a trap” Rodrick said.

“Great idea, let's follow the boy, Ulysses stand on watch” I said.

“With pleasure, good luck in there” Ulysses said.

 

So we head into a cave in the canyon, It was very rocky and very moist , but

surprisingly clean for a cave. I then saw the boy again, Rodrick then unsheathed

his sword. We proceed to take out our weapons.

“Who are you” I said I a demanding attitude.

The boy responded by taking out a javelin, and prepared to throw it at us.

The situation got tense very fast, but despite this none of us exchanged fire. There

was a brief silence everyone was just waiting for someone to use their weapons first

but no one did. I could feel my heart beat very loudly. I could hear my instincts

telling me to use my weapons and take him out once and for all.

“I saved your live multiple times and this is how you repay me” He said in a confused way.

From there I knew it was the person who saved our lives last night. Something

changed inside me I started to feel both calm and like I made a mistake i proceed

to put our weapons away knowing that he was an ally.

“Guys put your weapons down, he is one of us” I said.

“Are you sure” Rodrick said.

“Ya, so unless you want to get taken out by someone from your own team I suggest you put your sword away Rodrick” I said.

“Fine” Rodrick said before putting his sword away.

Everyone else then put their weapons away and thus the situation was defused.

“That’s better anyway I am Peter remember back

from the fort you were first stationed at. ” He said.

“You know this guy, Eric” John said.

“Ya I know him, Peter is a very smart kid in my school but has Asperger’s and because of his label his teachers got worried he would freak out if someone touched him. So he was assigned to serve combat solders instead of fighting out in the fields” I explained.  

“That’s correct, I try to get away from Ms. Vickers every opportunity I get, now come sit” he confirmed.

We all sat down on the caves to stretch and relax for a bit. I took the opportunity to

take out an energy bar in my pocket and ate a little. It was nice

because for the first time since I left the fort I felt like there were no soldiers

hunting me down. It’s like they just disappeared just for a little bit.

“Look this may sound strange to you but I have been an important

asset in your journey to Valhalla. You see I saved you more times than one. It was I who contacted Steven telling his to check the equipment I was responsible for saving you from being kicked out of his army. I saw you from one of the castle towers being kicked around and abused by Steven and decided to do something about it since you were one of the few kids who did not treat me like a second class citizen. So I called Steven and told him to come to the castle thus saving you from being kicked out of the event. I was also the one who saved you from that bombardment that destroyed our castle. You see during the first battle my assignment was to rebuild damaged parts of the castle and do any non-combat duties I could like getting new weapons out or giving archers and catapults ammo. When we all had to retreat up to the roof of the crumbling castle. I than saw you get hit pretty hard with one of the arrows. I could not just leave you so I was the one who grabbed to and put you somewhere safe in the castle where no solider could find you. It was a good thing you were not awake when the castle came crashing down because it was a scary sight people were falling, tons of debris was falling on top of people and the worst thing was the after math, when many of the soldiers were captured and were treated horribly by the Hel forces. People were getting kicked, teased before they were beaten till their sensors beeped like crazy and beaten in the face and kicked in the balls even before they started to beat them to trigger the sensors on them on orders of the iron fist. You think Steven is bad you have not seen these guys especially the iron fist. All I could do was hide in the rubble and watch what was happening. I was eventually also one of the few people who escaped our fort after Hel forces left to hunt down any survivors and was one of the guys in our now weakened army who formed the rally point at Valhalla” Peter then said.

“Why did our army get so weak what happened” I then said.

“I overheard our side’s commanders talking to Steven while carrying weapons inside the school on Sunday. I heard that the fort we were assigned to was vital to our side then mainly because it helped push back coastal attacks. It protected multiple other forts at once and allowed us to attack multiple forts from that position. That fort was basically a keystone in Thor’s operations. Steven did not tell everyone in our group because he thought we could push back any coastal attacks if they ever got a foothold. But the enemy side’s leader the iron fist knew our every move mainly because both sides keep using the same tactics over and over again. So he improved his army to work together more and using more useful tactics instead of making them do brutal exercises like Steven did with us and thus defeated us.” Peter said.

“Why was Steven given such an important fort” i questioned.

“I heard that he pestered some of the older commanders to get the command position. His position as a hockey captain may also play a part on why they trusted him” Peter explained.

“Speaking about rallying people against this threat I keep getting these

messages on my phone that have kept my spirits up during this whole thing” I said to him.

“Oh those were from me I was just doing my job with #Valhalla” Peter said.

“Prove it” I demanded.

“Okay here is a picture I took of your unconscious body after you were hit by the arrow in the castle” Peter said.

I took the photo from him and he was right it was a picture of me looking like I

drank a ton of booze. I was stunned because I did remember a flash after I was

dragged into the castle. When I looked back at him, I did not look at him like he was

an outcast but a hero.

“I owe you everything for what you done during this event when this war is won there should be a party for you” I said proudly.

“Just win this battle for us all alright” Peter said like it was nothing.

I then heard footsteps, one after another in a quick manner. It sounds like someone

is running in here. I took out my axe just to be sure, until I realized it was Ulysses

running in here possibly with something huge.

“It’s a trap enemy soldiers are coming we need to leave right now” Ulysses yells after he bursts in the room.

“It’s okay Peter is on our side there is proof don’t worry” I said.

We all then sat there and did not say anything for a second hearing for any signs of

movement like always. A few seconds went by and we started to hear sounds of

running, equipment being swung back and forth.

“Show no mercy” the crowd screamed.

“Yes, but your friend is right you have to leave now” Peter explained.

“Saddle up let’s get out of here, Ulysses, Rodrick cover us.” I said.

But then we heard a BAM, BAM, BAM, I knew then someone has found us, those guys

in the valley must have followed us here and are now making their strike. We

prepared to fight getting out our axes and spears.

“You should go there’s a shortcut that will lead you to the site head north west and you will find Valhalla now go there is a second entrance to this cave take it and flee into the forest” Then Peter said.

Then a raiding party busts in with all kinds of weapons

and try’s to surround us inside the cave. “Here we go again” I thought to myself.

We all get of our weapons once again and

prepare to fight them off. Rodrick starts off by charging at the enemy warriors and

hitting several guys with a couple of swings. Resulting in several people falling to

the floor. Ulysses meanwhile almost gets hit by an axe but deflects the blow with his

shield. He then proceeds to hit his opponent back with his axe. But nevertheless the

enemy just keeps coming in and flooding the cave with their numbers.  But we try to

hold out as best as we could

with whacks from mainly our axes and with other weapons we got from that ship.

But it was really starting to get desperate fast with troops starting to close in on us,

it was scary knowing this would be our final stand .

“Go they need you leave without me I did my duty, now do yours” Peter ordered while throwing a javelin at enemy warriors.

“How are we going to get out we are kind of trapped” I said not wanting to leave Peter.

Peter then proceeds to turn around in the direction of a pile of rocks and proceeded

to push them away and once the pile was cleared, we saw a dark hole that must be

the way out.

“There is your way out” Peter said.

“Let’s hope you are right” Ulysses said.

“Wait we are not leaving Peter” I demanded.

“You are not leaving anyone behind, I am covering your escape” Peter said.

At first I did not want to consider what Peter said. He has helped me and my group

so much. He deserves to survive this whole event and he deserves to be called a

hero. But as the enemy pushed us back into the room and started to grow in

numbers. I knew that it was not going to happen, I had to let Peter hold his ground.

“Well Peter this is it, good luck” I said.

“No good luck to you Eric” Peter said.

After we said our goodbyes, my friends and I proceed to run for the hole. It was

more dark and dirty then back at the room but at least there was a way out. I then

started to feel the fresh air fly all around me, it was nice and cool. I took a moment

to feel the fresh air, it was so nice. We then looked ahead we saw a light. We knew it

was the way out and so we ran, and ran, and ran hoping Peter was not already

overrun by the enemy. We then ran out of the exit and immediately upon out exit of

the cave. We saw the end of the canyon and a dense forest ahead. We ran for it

without any hesitations, we started to feel dirt underneath us instead of rocks, we

start to see pine trees and bushes all around us and we started to feel the coolness of

the shade the trees gave off. Then all of the sudden we heard yelling and the clashing

of swords and axes. Could the warriors already be on to us.

We all stopped just outside the forest near a couple of bushes.

“Drop down, to the ground” I barked.  

So we did near a couple of nearby bushes. We then heard footsteps draw closer and

closer to us we were dead silent. But to our surprise we saw Peter come out of the

cave. When we saw him again he was already deep into combat with a couple of  

warriors. It looked like he ran out of javelins to throw and was armed only with

captured weapons. He was armed with a shield and an axe. We saw his push an

enemy warrior to the ground then turning to use an axe against another warrior. He

first used a heavy overhead swing, then proceeded to hit the warrior in the side,

immediately taking him out. We all saw that Peter did do his

duty but eventually he was captured and taken out.

It was one hell of a last stand, at least 20 enemy soldiers burst through the exit with

anger in their eyes, while brave peter swung one overhead swing after another and  

took hit guy after guy with his axe. One guy

tried to grab hold of his he simply loosens himself and hits them with his round

shield.  He swung his axe and shield with everything he had and taking a few more

guys out before he became too tired to

even lift his arms. The remaining warriors quickly discovered this opportunity and

quickly grabbed him.

“Get back up, he have him” We heard from the enemy.

But he was still so tough to capture with him shaking back and forth so rapidly in an

attempt to free himself. Eventually they had guys all over him restraining his every

movement. What was more scary then that was that we saw the iron fist once again

slowly walking outside the exit where Peter laid before him, all completely

restrained, he must have been closely following his solders hunting down the

remnants of the thor army . The iron fist then slowly took out his sword and

prepared to finish him off, all while Peter showed no sign of feeling scared. I have

never seen such a warrior as him. But now we could not help him now we are on our

own. Even if we did try to help with would risk us being captured too. We had very

little choice in the matter, we all knew this. I then turned at John and tapped him on

the shoulder, turned around at the depths of the forest and crawled in

that direction as quietly as possible. John proceeded to follow close behind while the

rest of my friends knew what I was doing and followed me into the forest where we

can evade attention. But nevertheless we cannot let Peter's sacrifice not go in vain as

we head out to our next stop Valhalla.

Chapter 10

As we ran through the forest after that skirmish at the cave. I started to feel a sense

of regret. That kid was fighting all of those guys, some of them bigger then him and

we just hid in a bush while he became a sort of a personal punching bag for The Iron

Fist. But I needed to be strong so I kept forward.

Every step, every time I raised my foot means one step closer to our goal. But it was

scary sometimes because at any moment Hel troops could just pop out and attack

us. But for some reason we could not sense any of them. It is like if they all just

disappeared out of thin air. There are trees upon trees upon trees everywhere. They

towered over us with their size and darkened everything with their shade. It is

almost like the forest has eaten us and we are being digested by its darkness.

“How much farther” John said.

“I don’t know it’s so dark I cannot see anything on the map” I explained back.

“Maybe we are lost” Cassie said.

“Maybe, maybe not, but I know that Valhalla is close” I said.

“I hope we find it soon I am not sleeping in dirt again tonight” Ulysses complained.

“Let’s just do what we can” John said.

As John and Ulysses talked, I saw something in the distance. It first I saw a sign a

wooden sign more visible than most places within the forest with some sort of

carvings in the distance.

“Guys I see something” I reported.

“Better not be a trap” Ulysses said.

We walk towards the sign, as we approach the sign we then

start to see a wall, not a giant wall but still a wall made from cardboard with a giant

door in the middle of it.  It was not long till we started to see guard towers, hear

people talking and stuff being moved all over the place. It was like a fort, but was

not like the classic forts that I saw on day one where they were all castles. It was

more like a village more than fort instead of a single castle, it was located in a field

with a river on the left and just outside of the forest my friends and I were in. As we

walked closer we stumbled upon the sign that we first saw in the

forest it had the word Valhalla inscribed on the sign. I could not believe this was the

place just this simple village, but it was a miracle we found this place.

“We found Valhalla ha, ha, ha, ha,” I screamed with enormous amounts of joy.

“Eric are you alright Rodrick said”.

I said “I am more than alright for the first time in a long time we are here. I told we are not alone”.

After days in this event going days without seeing

standing buildings and on some days even other people on my side besides my

friends. I was just so glad we made it. Maybe there was more food, safety or better

yet a chance of winning this thing. We then noticed a guard tower with a couple of

guys on top of it. It had a very basic design with 4 legs, some cross structures, a

ladder and a platform.

“Hey, we are on team thor just look at us” I shouted.

One of the guards noticed us and looks down on us.

“What’s the password “The guard said.

“Just let us in we are on the same side” in an irate mood I said, a little annoyed.

So he did by releasing a rope and a draw bridge came down. Anyway when we

entered Valhalla, I thought it was a nice village on the inside of the walls,

buildings which looked more like long huts more than anything else.

“Well for what our team can scrounge us this looks really nice” Cassie said.

“Sorry guys I got to check this place out, be right back” I said with excitement.

I ran ahead of my friends and peeked inside

one of the huts and saw crates lots and lots of crates. There was one crate full of

food, one crate full of axes, one crate full of catapult ammo and one crate full of

enough food to make you never walk again. I then popped my head out of the hut

and saw tons of guys going back and forth between huts with hands full of crates,

guys training possibly for hours on end on how to use their weapons to maximum

effectiveness and even saw some guys looking like they are part of a documentary

crew or the associated press filming everything in sight and interviewing every

person they could. It was nice to see a lot more troops on my side here, in fact I have

not seen this many guys in one spot since day one of the event.

“I hope you like it it’s the last major fort on our side but at least the majority of enemy soldiers do not know of its existence” a voice said.

I turned around and saw a teen behind me wearing the standard armor.

“Jamie, my name is Jamie” He said.

“I am Eric” I said.

“I know who you are, now follow me we have lots to talk about” Jamie said

“Pleasure to meet you sir” I said

I then shook his hand.

“Eric, hey Eric” a voice said

I turned around and saw my friends run up to me.

“Eric where were you, and who is this.” John said.

“I never knew you had a boyfriend” Rodrick said.

“Shut up that is not true” I said.

“Jamie my name is Jamie, I may go to a different school but is on the same side as my

school. I am a commander of Valhalla ever since our big loss on Monday we have been only a few Thor forts remaining and definitely by far the biggest. We have also fended out against at first big but now small enemy attacks and have been scouting for survivors ever since now walk with me.” Jamie said.

So we did walk with him. But i thought it must have been weird being in his position.

As being commander of the only fort not completely destroyed by enemy attacks.

While other Thor forts and the rest of the army around you were completely

destroyed. But he seemed like a nice, daring and inspiring guy. The walk was very

short but we did see a lot of different stuff we saw little kids as helpers going back

and forth with fake weapons and practice targets and complaining that they were

slaves (in reality they were more like squires), physically handicapped kids as

Calvary, riding throughout the fort as internal security and sticking to their horses

like a teenage male sticking to his ladies underwear magazine when no one was

around and a few “Lords and Ladies” hanging out with their aides closely watching

them. We eventually arrive the largest building in the village after a minute of

walking. It was kind of a large one floor house and was made out of the same

material as the forts. Inside there was one massive room connecting to ten smaller

rooms for defense with guys armed with bows and arrows inside. The largest room

meanwhile looked like it was 20 feet tall and had a TV screen playing a 10 hour

video about a fireplace burning and a very large dining room table with wooden

chairs surrounding the table with one big chair in front of the fake fire place. Inside

were several guys sitting down in wooden chairs waiting for us with pencils and

paper.

“How did you escape your fort” one of them said.

“Did you see any signs of a massive buildup around here” another said.

“Any advice for our scouting parties” another guy said.

I stepped inside the room and smirked.

“What’s like you guy had tons of questions and I had tons of answers to tell” I reported.

We then sat down in the wooden chairs and talked about what happened to my

group over the last few days. It only took about a few minutes, but from the looks on

their faces it looked like they wanted me to keep going on.

“Wow that is an impressive story, most kids your age would scream and run away in all directions” One guy said.

“Thanks, anyway enemy warriors were crawling all over the place, they control the seas, control nearby canyons, forests and areas where our forts once stood and possibly are sweeping the nearby forest in front of this place” I said.

“Nice to know where your enemy is, we need any advantage we can get” He said.

“Glad I can help, but I have a question. Did you have any connections with a boy on our side named Peter”.

Jamie then stood up and of his big chair while we all sat there.

“I sent him on scout duty most people were against that because they thought he would blow his cover but I thought he was a good soldier since he managed to get here all by himself. Anyway his cave was a base and you met up with him. Anyway I must tell you something during the village's existence we faced constant bombardment from enemy catapults. It lasted for hours with many buildings getting destroyed by the devastation. We never even knew at the time how many people survived out there. Many thought we were done for but I knew people on the outside knew of the forts existence. But many thought they would not make a difference. But then one day I got reports outside that enemy soldiers were being diverted to find any survivors of our army. At first the news did not make the situation better. But then came guys like you, your friends and everyone outside the fort who refused to become slaves again and distracted many soldiers long enough for us to do some small counter attacks which is now why to end this battle once and for all we will fight them face to face and not stop until they are all down. So now I thank Peter the crew of your long ship, your friends and most of all you for leading the effort on keeping hel troops distracted long enough for a turning point in the battle so I say on behalf of the entire thor army thank you” Jamie said.

He then picked something up from underneath him, I wondered what he was

picking up. I was both confused and thrilled at the same time. But what was he going

to give me.  He then got out of his massive chair and walked over to me with

something long and covered with a blanket in his hand.

“Just a little appreciation gift” Jamie said.

I took the gift, took the blanket off and a sword to use in the counter attack, a nice

short Norse sword as a form of respect and gratitude. I was excited, I felt like I just

got accepted to the college of my choice, I might still use my axe but

this is enormous I never thought I would ever get to use on in combat. But i could

not believe it for the first time in a long time I get real respect

from other people in this army in this battle besides my friends. I knew that if we

can win this battle we may have a chance of winning the whole event. For the first

time in a long time I actually had hope for the future  knowing that I can be a leader,

and knowing that we will not be slaves again and get

a happy ending. I can feel both excitement and an urge to use my sword in combat

moving all around me before eventually relaxing a bit in my chair. Then we heard a

big boom sounding like it was from a drum, a few seconds later another boom and a

few seconds after that another boom.

“I think that is the bedtime drum” Jamie said.

“Who is going to watch the base” Ulysses said.

“Don’t worry everyone gets a turn at guarding this place around a 24 hour cycle, we will all be safe especially with the new info” Jamie said.

We all then got up from our chairs and headed out the doors. We then saw that the

sun was almost gone and everyone was heading to their assigned huts.

“We better get moving” I said.

“You guys will be heading to hut 10, near the center of Valhalla, like to keep the new guys close until I know of their true strengths and weaknesses” Jamie said.

“Thanks” I said, I then started to search for hut 10. But just as I turn my head around

I noticed that it was closer then I thought. It was just like the other huts just with a

big cardboard sign that just had the number ten. My friends and I went inside laid on

the ground and tried to get some sleep. As I began to fall asleep I heard “good night

Eric get a good nights rest we need a good man like you for upcoming battles”,

I looked up it was Jamie. But before I could say anything he then walked out, from

there I went back to sleep.

But two hours later “everyone quick the enemy is here, along with the iron fist” a soldier screamed.

My friends and I were at this time already really tired and just wanted to sleep. But

in this case we had to do something. So without even  communicating with each

other we all started to get up. It was tough getting the proper energy to even

stand up let alone fight. My eyes were struggling to stay open, I could hardly feel my

limbs and I could barely notice anything, I was like a vegetable. But slowly we were

able to get our strength back and proceeded to slowly stand up. I could hear

groaning as we got up but we had to do something. What we did next was get our

weapons, we all put our weapons right next to us right before we slept. Each of my

friends each got just an axe and shield while I got out my sword, put my axe in a

nearby bag and strapped it on my back and took out a shield. The second we were

ready we all rushed out of the hut in order to face what was ahead. I then stopped

suddenly and noticed the chaos around me. I saw people running all over the place

making sure everything was secure. I saw kids carrying piles or crates as big as

them full of supplies only to have older kids just take those supplies for the defense.

I saw catapults being brought out, pointing in all directions and starting to get

loaded.

“Eric what are you doing, we have to go” Jessica said.

I looked at Jessica then at my sword and knew what I had to do Valhalla was under

attack and it was not time to go into combat again, this time with an epic sword.

“Coming” I said

We then proceed to get to wherever needed defenses and preparation for a possible

attack. Normally in this scenario I would be scared, I would panic and I would get

out my weapon as fast as I could without a plan whatsoever. But since there were

others like me ready to fight till their last breath, I felt like I was ready for anything.

I also noticed even more of a battle ready atmosphere despite everyone running

around like chickens without their heads.

But still everyone was running all over the place securing everything from the walls

to crates of supplies.

“Where are we supposed to go” John said.

“I don’t know just wander around” I said.

But then we noticed a large group of people heading in the direction of the

entrance.

“Do you see what I am seeing there are a ton of people heading for the entrance” Ulysses said.

“Could they be fleeing or possibly deserting on mass.” I said.

“I doubt that no after what the enemy did to us last year” John said.

“I say we go in that direction and kick some a*s” Rodrick said.

“Agree, let’s go” I said.

So we then went with the crowd to the entrance after a minute of walking we all

suddenly stopped. I started to get curious about what was really going on. I hear no

sounds of battle not even the sounds of people screaming, something was going on

here, something unusual.

“I heard The Iron Fist is here” one guy said.

“Are you sure cause we would be all taken out by now” another said.

“Just got word from the wall, they have spotted the Iron Fist” one guy said as he ran from the main gate.

“What did you see” another said back.

“Just brief sightings but strangely the front wall of the fort has been teepeed” he said

back.

“Then it is not confirmed” another guy said.

Then we heard Jamie shouting.

“I need a group of guys to come to the gate with me now” he said.

Seconds after Jamie said his orders no one complied. We then started to feel a push

on our backs, so we moved forward, we felt another push on our backs again we

moved forward until I realized we were the guys going to stand with Jamie to guard

him. We all started to get shivers since we were about to be face to face with the iron

fist and possibly fight him.

“JAMIE FACE YOUR ENEMY AND SEE THE FACE OF THE GUY WHO WILL TOTALLY DESTROY YOU” we all heard from The Iron Fist.

That did not help for us, we all got more and more nervous.

When I got out of the massive crowd at the front gate and finally saw Jamie with the

Iron Fist everything was completely different. When I first saw this person on day

one we though he was going to have more in common with Darth Vader. But on that

night it was anything but, he acted like he was the greatest thing ever like he was a

Viking god or something. He was so spoiled he gave Steven a run for his money in

the d********g department. But it was kind of funny seeing him screaming at Jamie

to approach him since he combined the looks of a scary warrior with the attitude of

a little kid. He also had a decent force but they looked like they were not attacking

nor surrendering. All the while the iron fist shouting like a little kid.  We then saw

Jamie talking to the iron fist, I personally decided to get a little close to him while my

friends stayed behind me at the head of the crowd.

“Weaklings you will never win and after I destroy your puny army I will destroy your fort and you will learn a lesson about resisting your superiors” The Iron Fist than said.

“Well who is going to, make us, we will fight to fend off this anti soda menace and your aka community service for those you which is really slavery” Jamie said.

“Slavery no we were teaching you skills, it is like an internship” The Iron Fist said back.

“Yes well is abuse, pushing people around and making us sacrifice our good time just to do your dirty work” Jamie said.

“Well that is what an internship is sometime” he said back.

“Come on man, don’t be too hard on us, the area we live in just made an anti-sugar law targeting kids like us. We sometimes have to be ruthless because they said that if we win, the law will be loosened” a hel warrior said.

“That does not excuse how you behaved at the party last year” I said.

“Okay I think you are talking about some of the jocks” he said back.

The Iron Fist then walked in front of his guys even more in a pompous manner.

“Stupid fool once you lose one more big battle you will wish you never said those words because I knew our prize for winning which is indentured servitude for a whole month surviving so good luck chaps” The Iron Fist threatened.

“How do you know you are going to win if you only brought 20 guys with you while we have many more within these walls” Jamie than said.

The Iron Fist then stood silent and went to his second in command further back into

the forest. After they went Behind a nearby tree he started to screamed at his

second in command. All I could hear was some high pitched screaming and a lot of

the word you.  He was most likely talked to his second in command about not

getting the rest of his army to where Valhalla was fast enough.

John and some of the others in the crowd started to chuckle quietly for a bit.

“Yes you may have a ton of troops in these walls, yes this is not the whole force, and yes everyone is a little busy dealing with resistance. But just you wait when this is over you will not be laughing anymore” The Iron Fist than said.

“We didn’t say we were laughing at your childish face paint and armor” John said.

“What did you say” The Iron Fist then said in a serious voice, as he reached out for his sword.

“Guys just go to bed we are all not in the mood to fight over the iron fists childish looks” Jamie then said.

The Iron Fist then angrily walked away along with the rest of his men. Just like that

things were quiet and we all walked back  to our barracks and then back to sleep.

But that does not means we are not scared for what is to come especially after

seeing the iron fists true self.

Chapter 11

It was Friday finely four days since the first battle. We all woke up at 7:00pm inside

our huts.

“This was it” I thought to myself.

When I got on my armor and all of my weapons, I walked out of the hut first while

my friends focused on putting their armor on. When I got outside I noticed other

people outside ready for the day and a little kid holding a ton of large bags and

handing them out to every person without a bag.

“Everyone take this, you will need it” He yelled.

He then threw a bag to me just as my friends were leaving the hut.

“What is that kid handing out to people” Ulysses said.

“I don’t know he said that you will need it, let me see”  I said before opening the bag.

Inside I saw freshly cooked bacon, an apple and some orange juice. I felt like I was in

Heaven since I was so used to eating energy bars and their crunchy taste. I begin the

crack a smile at the joy of seeing actual food in front of my face.

“Jackpot guys” I said as I showed my friends the content of the bag.

“Oh my god, i want a bag please” John said.

“Me too” Jessica said

“And me” Roderick said.

When we all got our bags we all then heard a drum.

“All Team Thor members we are moving out, you can eat breakfast on the way to the field” an announcer said.

The crowd in Valhalla then began their walk to the gate and eventually to the field.

“Come on guys we gotta move” I said.

We then joined the crowd and started our trek to the field. As I passed the gate

before taking a right and going down a narrow and steep dirt trail, I felt

strange because it is highly likely the next time I see that gate again things will be

different for ether bad or worse. As we walked down I opened my bag again and

drank the orange juice like someone who finds water after crossing a desert. I

definitely did miss the tangy taste.  I then took out the bacon and ate it all with one

big bite. I normally got a little annoyed with the salt, but here that did not matter

now. After about five minutes of walking we arrived on the field with forests to the

south and fields to the north 50 feet

away from Valhalla. Where the deciding battle will take place. As our side began to

fortify our side of the field with catapults and observation towers. We all stopped to

catch our breath, while I personally looked at the field to see anything our side can

exploit.

“Wonder where this field is” John said.

“Really, you do realize we have a map” Rodrick said.

“Well I mean that we have done so much these last few days that I am starting to forget exactly where we are since the landscape is so similar with tons of pine trees, a few fields here and there with some nice views of mountains if you are in the right spot” John explained.

“It is on the north east part of the map and if we win the battle

we would be in striking distance of hel castles in the north” Ulysses explained.

“Okay thanks man” John said.

“No problem, anyway Eric how did that talk go with Jamie, I heard the guy likes you” Ulysses said.

“Well even though we distracted a big chunk of the hel army and were praised for it. I am still in the same position in the army I was on day one except I was given a bit more respect” I said with both disappointment and excitement.

“How were you given a bit more respect” Rodrick said.

“He gave me this” I said as I took out my sword.

“Oh my god that’s so awesome did he give it to you today” he said.

“No I got it yesterday didn’t you see” I said.

“Must have been too confused about last night” he said back.

When the conversation ended I looked around me and the sight of the preparations

was amazing. There were big crowds of people armed with all sorts of weapons,

supplies moving back and forth between Valhalla and the battlefield like blood

circulating through the body and commanders deep into battle planning and what

the enemy might do. But what looked the most interesting was that on the other

side of the field behind a thin layer of trees. I saw a massive structure, I had no idea

what it was. But I mostly assumed that it was yet another destroyed castle.

I then look straight to my starting position twenty feet away and I was just about

start walking to my starting position for the upcoming counter attack with my

friends. Then I saw Jamie arriving on horseback with another commanders right

nearby the catapults. At first I did not know who it was until the other commander

turned at me and then saw a face I thought I would never see in this time. It was

Steven riding with Jamie, I cannot believe it I was shocked. I thought he got taken out

on that first battle. But also angry since many people sacrificed themselves for the

good of others like Peter, while he is still here acting like the next pop star. If he

really was a good leader the event would be a lot faster with us as the winners. Then

I walk alone towards Jamie with questions flying about through my head. How did

he survive day 1, why did he not get demoted, and how did he even reach Valhalla.

“Is that Steven how is he still alive through all of this war” I said.

“Oh he arrived here a day before you did. You see after your fort fell he and 10 other guys fled the fort before it fell. When he arrived here he looked like he was in a hurry to get here. So since of his status I made him one of the commanders at the fort” Jamie said before leaving us in order to check out the catapults.

“Kid we have a desperate battle to win. So can you please get a move along and let us do our jobs” Stevan then said in a brash manner.

“Jamie and I were talking, did you have to interrupt” I snapped back at Steven.

When I said that Steven’s cheeks started to turn red, his eyes sharpened and looked

like he was going to scream at me.

“I know you, you are that geek you though can be a better leader than me, well you can see i was one of the founders of this army that is now preparing for a counter attack so f**k off nerd” He scolded.

“Well several guys and I have kept a big chunk of the enemy army occupied and help make this counter attack possible so how about you f**k off” I said as a comeback.

“How dare you say that to me Captain of the hockey team and commander of you and your fort” Steven then said in a deep and angry voice.

“Your fort, you abandoned that fort right before it was destroyed” I said.

“There is a saying in war called living to fight another day and that’s what I did” Steven then said.

“In that case that is just being a Coward, I do not even know whose side you are on sometimes” I scolded.

Jamie then noticed our little fight and rode towards us.

“What’s going on” he said.

“This little brat thinks he can talk back to me” Steven said.

“I am just saying the truth, that you abandoned that first fort and everyone under your command when they needed you most” I explained.

“Guys I do not have time to deal with this, now we have a battle to win here so I want to guys to your positions, no if’s, and’s or but’s do you understand” Jamie then said.

“Yes sir” we both said.

So Steven and I parted ways and got to our battle positions, I tried to find my friends

and he rode to a nearby temporary command post, but i could not believe it

he abandoned the fort in its time of need and because his

actions almost cost us the event again. But at least when this battle is over, Everyone

will always know that Steven is no god like we once played him out

to be. I have learned to be a leader that will be way better than Steven will ever be.

But I sure hope we can win this battle. It is like a second chance, a redo, a

time where we have learned our mistakes. But i hope Steven will not run away

again. Anyway when I got to my friends.

“What did I miss” I said.

“Oh nothing, but you should really take in the view of the hel army” Rodrick said.

I then turned 90 degrees towards the other side of the field and there was the hel

army with a similar size and similar weapons as Team Thor. I could notice that they

looked like they were a little cheated, looking angry but not I am going to kill you

angry, but more like everyone is such an idiot angry since a lot

of guys were distracted in finding survivors primarily me and my friends. But then I

notice crowds of people clapping and cheering from the sidelines. I was honestly a

little surprised to have a crowd. There must have been thousands in that crowd,

well they are totally going to get one hell of a show.

“Who are those guys” I said.

“Oh those are just the guys who are already dead cheering their respective teams on” Rodrick said.

“If those guys could find us then the rest of the Hel army must not be too far behind” Cassie said.

“Well if the guys on the other side know about our counter attack, their friends definitely know of it too, they are most likely getting together to provide reinforcements” Jessica said.

“So if this battle becomes even a tight stalemate we are screwed” John said.

“Possibly” Ulysses answered with absolute certainty.

I then started to get a little nervous again, what if those reinforcements do come

during the battle, what if they do cause a lot of damage to my group. If that happens

it will be like day one all over again. If that happens the entire Thor army would

once again be in tatters and once again we will have to face yet another humiliating

defeat. Just thinking about that scenario alone caused my face to turn pale grey.

I tried to distract myself from those thoughts in order to focus on the fight. So I

looked at the crowd on the side lines and tried to count how many were from my

side and how many were from the enemy side. But then in the giant group of people,

I saw Peter, he looked as he was hiding in the crowd possibly

to make sure no one sees him and call an aid to look after him, but he still gave me a

little smile possibly as a way to wish me good luck. Just seeing him again was

amazing for me like a spirit of someone looking after the living after he dies.

Before the battle began Jamie walked in front of us loud and proud and gave us a speech like it was directly to us instead of to some random crowd like Steven would.

“Everyone I know it has been a scary week facing capture at every turn. I know that sometimes things do not start out the way you want them to start out as. But now we can unite against the hel forces. We can now have a chance, just one chance to maybe, just maybe change our luck for the better. I can still remember last year when the enemy side won and were given for their stupid wild parties while we were treated like dogs all for their amusement. I can still remember their idiotic laugh as they run around like complete animals and i can still remember what they are capable of. But let there be no mistake there is hope for the future, there is hope for tomorrow. But we have to take it or else it will be lost forever. Now you will get your chance to stomp on these bullies now let’s fight” he proclaimed before unsheathing his sword and raising it in the air like a great conquer.

Just like that everyone started to cheered like they have won the world cup, I can

see moral within the army rise through the roof and were ready to fight to the end.

They knew it was the

final battle and they knew this was do or die. For myself the thoughts of us losing

due to enemy reinforcements quickly evaporated like water under a thousand

degrees of heat. We then all heard a whistle, we all knew the time was coming, the

big deciding battle was coming. We all started to prepare our weapons, put our

shields in front of us and hoped for the best.

“How did a referee get here” Ulysses said.

“Some of the media that we saw filming Valhalla, probably told him we were going to have yet another giant battle and just wants to make sure everything is fair and to possibly decide who will win this whole event in general” John said.

“No time for talking, let’s do this” Rodrick said as he bashed his shield.

We saw the referee casually walk along the sides of the battlefield all the way until

he stopped in the middle. We all watched his every move, when he turns to look at

both armies, when he coughed and finally when he took out his megaphone and

tested it to see if it was properly working. We all watched, we all waited and we

were all ready to turn the tide of the event and end this once and for all.

“Ready. . . . . set . . . . . . .  go” Screamed the referee.

slowly. Then in seconds everyone was mad ready to strike. Everyone raised their

weapons like they were crazy serial killers. We ran faster than ever

before just wanting some payback for all that has happened to all of us weather it

was what happened last year or on the journey to Valhalla, We were thirsty for

revenge.  Then just like that like the first day all of a sudden BANG the shields strike

the enemy team. Almost immediately swords, axes and javelins started to be used

wildly, people were even jumping onto their enemies. I saw a kid get hit in the head

with an axe. I saw someone block a hit from an axe only to strike back at his

opponent and sensors going off everywhere and their buzzing filling the battlefield.

The whole thing was crazy, but we were all so much motivate to win much more

then when Steven lead us. As I fought by trying to smash my shield

into the enemy. As people get crushed or “killed”, I kept fight on hitting one with

my axe and another with my shield all the while making my way through the

battlefield. I did not retreat, I did not fall back, I went forward and hoped that others

have done the same. Then I felt a hard BAM from someone, at first I thought it was

just accidental and that it was not for me then I felt several more BAMS, I

immediately knew things were going to get interesting. I then saw a

hel soldier bash and ram his way into my sight and knocks the sword from my hand

suddenly and without any warning. I went into shock for a little bit, in that moment I

was going to get the smack of a lifetime by this guy and get taken out by him.

Without even thinking I grappled the axe he was using and we wrestled for it on the

ground with already tons of fighting around us. I felt like I was fighting a body

builder, I started to feel squeezed by his strength, I felt like my bones were going to

shatter at any moment. He then proceeded to knock the axe from my hands

and ending up on the ground. I knew this was my opportunity and I was not going to

throw it away like a piece of unwanted garbage. So I reached out with my arm for

the axe trying to latch onto any bit on it before it got tossed aside due to all of the

fighting about. I then touched the head of the axe, swung it around so I could hold it

right and hit him back right in the face. I then proceeded to hit him exactly ten more

times with each hit more devastating than the last and the finally the sensor broke

and he was out. Once I had dealt with him I tried to find my sword during the chaos.

I searched everywhere at the place I dropped it but it was really hard to find. At the

time I thought i better not have lost that sword for good or those jerks will totally

pay then. I then tripped onto something, it was very odd since I have never tripped

on anything during this stage of a battle like this before. I looked down and noticed a

sword, it was my sword. I then slowly picked it up, took a deep breath and ran

wildly after the enemy chasing some of them back to their side and screaming a

battle cry all the way, hitting as many guys as I could while I make my way across

the battlefield.

“FOLLOW ME, FOLLOW ME” I screamed.

“What is he talking about?” One of the Thor Warriors said in confusion.

“Does it matter, look at him it looks like he is in a hurry” another Thor guy said.

While I was smacking down one guy after another like I was slashing through a

jungle. I suddenly felt my sword feel a bam. I then noticed that it was another hel

warrior who blocked my sword with his shield. I was just about to do another strike,

underneath the shield and hitting his legs until I noticed Rodrick within the mess

that was the heat of battle. He then pushed the guy with the shield and sent him

flying. He then used the sword he had to hit the enemy warrior right in the face

causing it to swing to the side. He then continued to beat him with the sword like it

was a baseball bat.

“Come on I think he’s got this let's go, it might be our only shot”. Rodrick suddenly

said after he finished whacking an enemy with his sword. After I met up with

Rodrick. Me, Rodrick and some other Thor guys for a breakout assault out of this

mess and after anything in our path, possibly Catapults, archer positions and maybe

even some enemy leaders. We all ran at a steady pace instead of sprinting like we did

on the first day under Steven and moved as one going through the battlefield almost

like a snowplow. Throughout the charge i thought to myself “Why is the enemy not

doing a fake retreat like last time”. Clearly they do want to destroy any hope of us

winning after all. Than during the charge we slowly start to see the other side of the

battlefield. We started to see less and less guys ahead of us and more and more of

the field. We started to run faster than ever before. When we were just about to get

out of the crowd we all slammed into the last few guys in our way. When we did that

much to our surprise we all saw a castle possibly the

largest one I have ever seen throughout the whole week, it looks almost like the

castle William the conqueror ruled from. It was at least twice as big as the castle I

previously was assigned to. It most likely had four giant towers with archers firing

nonstop upon Thor forces. With the walls of the castle as tall as pine trees and three

times as wide as the canyon me and my friends went through. Had

an army of archers firing from all around the walls with only one giant drawbridge

as the entrance. I was very stunned by the sight. Seeing the castle for the first time

was just too much for words. It was most likely the reason why the enemy did not do

a fake retreat like last time. Something important was here, something they could

not afford to lose.

“Castle incoming” i said in a loud but calm manner.

The rest of my men were stunned and still for a few moments.  

“Holy s**t were done for” One guy screamed.

“The Iron Fist must be in there and I am not dying today let’s get out of here”  another guy said.

“We need to regroup or we are going to get picked off one by one” another guy said.

I had to do something because any move we make in this battle

could determine the outcome of the whole event.

“Fall back to the tree line, but not any further, catch your breath and we will reorganize” I demanded.

We then all darted to the thin tree line in order for us to regroup, process what we

are dealing with and make a plan.

“We can’t strike it, it’s too powerful” one guy said back.

They did have a point, if we took the fort alone we would be beaten up like piñatas

the minute we get inside. But also had worries “We could not all completely fall back

since if we did the enemy would never give us another chance at taking the castle

down” I said.

“Then we are screwed, I am sorry Eric but without massive firepower we can’t take the castle” Rodrick said.

But as Rodrick pleaded his case I immediately got an idea popping in my head.

“Maybe we can, tell you what I will run back to Valhalla alone and report our findings to Jamie, Rodrick you take command”. I then said with growing optimism.

“You sure about this, you might not come back and I have never led anyone into battle before” Rodrick said with concern.

I then started to sprint back to the thor side of the field without even thinking about

what route I was going to take.  While the rest of my guys hold their ground. I did

feel a little worried about them, but they will be just fine. But before I ran back to

the heat of the crowd I turned around at my men.

“Don’t worry help will shortly arrive” I then yelled before running towards the battle once again.

Chapter 12

When I started to run back to Valhalla after my encounter with the hel castle. I

noticed that despite my breakthrough, the

battle has not yet turned towards either side even by a little bit, as both sides

desperately tried to counter the other. I even saw people punching each other in the

face during the onslaught. What did change however was the field itself was

becoming less and less visible. Instead of blades of grass everywhere there were

guys fighting each other. Even the crowds of people watching us had to leave their

spots and could only get a safe spot at the edge of the forest. So that meant there

was only one way and that was through the crowd. I took a huge breath and

sprinted right into the crowd. I was expecting to use my weapons, take a few blows

here and there and even use my fists in order to reach my destination. But as I made

my way into the crowd, I surprisingly saw myself not encountering any obstacles.

“Go man go, take those b******s down” some hel guys said.

But little do they know they just encouraged an enemy to continue his journey.

Eventually I started to see some of my own again, really busy in deep combat of

course. I then saw a eleven year old from my own side with anger in his eyes and

rage in his heart swing his axe at me in one overhand swing. I blocked it with my

shield and fell to the ground. When I looked up I noticed that he made a mistake. No

longer filled with hate but filled with regret.

“Oh my god are you okay, I am so sorry it is just that you were coming from the enemy side” He said.

“That’s okay, just help me get to Valhalla and to Jamie” I said with urgency.

“Wait a sec, are you a spy, you do realize it is against the rules to both sides to spy on each other” he said with suspicion.

Did he really think I was a spy, I mean If I really wanted to help take down Team

Thor I would have done so already by beating up all of my friends.

“No why would I ever be” I said.

“Okay I will come with you to Valhalla, but I have my eye on you” he said.

“What is your name” I asked.

“I’m Tim and you” he answered back.

“Eric, my name is Eric” I said.

“Hey you are the guy who just arrived, life in the wilderness must have been hell” he said.

“It sure was Tim, it sure was” I said back.

We then proceeded to continue to walk through the crowd of people with more and

more familiar faces as a walk forward. When I finally walked out of the crowd with

my buddy. I noticed people running into the crowd and people with their sensors

beeping like crazy being carried out. It was crazy, everyone was busy, everyone had

a job to do and everyone was wearing out from everything the battle throws at

them. But for me and my buddy we walked calmly towards Valhalla like nothing was

happening. When I finally did reach Valhalla, the place was like a ghost town, all of

the supplies in the buildings were gone most likely at the battlefield by now and we

walked in without having to remember some stupid password. The only sort of

guards at Valhalla were right in front of the main building. They were protecting

something, something important.

“Our men are being worn out and all of our supplies are being used for the battle. If we do not win, we lose everything including some of our Friday nights to those stupid parties the enemy throws. We need to win now before enemy reinforcements arrive.” I heard within the building.

I then turned around to Tim.

“Well this is it, thanks man” I said.

“No problem and good luck” he said back.

I then rushed for the door and opened it wide open. There I saw Jamie and some of

his commanders going over tons of plans in order to counter the enemy. I noticed

Steven was in the room but looked like he was not part of the conversation. It was

very strange to see him in this position.

“Jamie, Jamie, Giant castle ahead, I rallied a group of guys, broke through enemy lines and ran into the castle, I know how to destroy it but I need you help and we need a plan fast my men are waiting for me and might be taken out at any moment” I than scream.

“Kid we are trying to win this event, just go back to the battlefield and deal with it” one of the commanders said.

“Wait I wanted to hear Eric talk now please be quiet. Anyway what’s your plan.” Jamie said.

“Here’s the plan I need more troops for this since the fort is heavily fortified. If we have me, my friends and about 50 to 100 guys punch a hole through enemy lines and finding the best way inside. Then we damage the fort from the inside out before calling in a catapult strike.” I said brilliantly.

Jamie then looked at me with a poker face, I had no idea what he thought about my

plan or even thought about the castle. I got confused for a bit, but all I could do is

wait for an answer. After a brief period of silence Jamie finally spoke up.

“Okay I will let you be one of the people leading the attack but Steven is in charge” he simply said.

I froze, I could not believe I was once again under that butt holes command.

“What how can you do this to me he was responsible for us almost losing this battle” I said in a shocked state.

“I know, but almost all of his guys are wiped out now and is waiting for new orders. Just give him a second chance besides in return I will reassign you to second in command and your friends to low ranking command positions for the mission” Jamie said trying to compensate me for the outrageous arrangement.

It was outrageous how can this guy let a d****e

bag like Steven take command over me again despite being partly the reason why   

we lost so many men on that first day. But I had to follow what Jamie said and also I

needed every person I could get for the siege because if we lose this battle we lose

everything everybody on Team Thor have worked so hard on these last few days.

“Fine” I said regrettably.

Steven then walked up to me with a stern look on his face. It appears that we have

agreed to disagree. I do not like him and he does not like me.

“Follow me” he said.

I followed him outside the main building and we both stopped just outside.

“Look Eric, I know that we have a tough time getting along and I do take responsibility for our loss on day one. It was not just you that lost people because of the defeat but I lost all of the guys you saw me with on day one over the course of the week. I swear I had no idea of the enemy's trap. I did what I had to do to make sure we can win this. It is what I learned while on the hockey team. Now please trust me” Steven explained.

I looked at him with a cold look on my face. This guy could be lying to me and I am

like 80% sure that Jamie scolded him for what happened on day one and that he had

to be nice to me. But if we were going to win this I had to trust him.

“Okay Steven, I trust you, now let’s rally some guys” I said.

So we walked out of Valhalla and down towards the battlefield. I was a quiet walk

down, both of us did not say a word. We just wanted to take that castle down from

the inside out. But as we arrived at the outskirts of the battlefield I see the soldiers I

left at the castle laying down instead of staying put over there. They were just sitting

there underneath a tree possibly waiting for me. I grew disappointed in them, they

had one job to do and they failed.

“What the hell guys are you retreated” I shouted.

“We had no choice sir, the iron fist has us in his sights, we would have been done for besides you did not give us any real defense strategy to hold out until you came back if you came back” Rodrick explained.

“That’s it time to show these guys a lesson” I said wanting to set an example.

“No Eric, they had to retreat we will figure something out” Steven said.

“But they disobeyed my commands” I said.

“Yes but give them another chance” he said.

“Okay fine I will pardon them if they can find John, Ulysses, Jessica and Cassie” I demanded.

“Yes Eric” One of them said.

They proceeded to run into the crowd and a minute later came out with my friends.

As the group emerged from the battle i imagined a simulation running in my head of

Roderick and Steven arguing about what happened on Monday. I got slight anxiety

since in fighting does not end well for anyone. But excited at the same time of just

the thought of Steven getting his butt kicked. When Roderick and Steven did see

each other for the first time in almost a week. They stood there and there was an

awkward silence despite the sounds of people getting hit filling the air. Until it was

broken with just a few words.

“Hey Steven” Roderick said.

“Hey Roderick” Steven said.

“How was the battle for you” Roderick said, possibly to start a conversation.

“Could have been better” Steven explained.

“And your buddies” Roderick said.

“All gone, got caught out in the open while roaming through a field in the middle of the night. Only me and a bunch of helpers and warriors made it to valhalla. They really wanted to make sure we were all taken out” Steven explained.

“I know, sucks you had to go the entire way by land. My guys here had a boat that took up partly thee way there” Roderick said.

“Nice to see a familiar face” Steven confesses.

After overhearing their discussion, i approach one of the guys who recovered my

friends.

“Good work now rally any guys who are on break behind the lines to join us in the attack” I said.

“Okay, you two with me” one of them said before taking two guys to look around the camp for any volunteers.

“Eric, what is going on” Ulysses said.

“We are attacking a castle on the other side of the battlefield, we are going to take It down from the inside out. If we do destroy the castle the battle just might turn in our favor” I said.

They all started to look at me funny like I was a drug addict. Even Roderick looked

at me strangely instead of at Steven.

“Well what the hell are we going to do to accomplish this” John said.

I then walked a few feet in front of my men to the crowd and stopped. I wanted to

see for myself what was happening now. It was still the same old giant crowd

beating each other up and at first thought that John was just exaggerating. Until I

noticed huge balls coming from the enemy side crashing into the crowd crushing all

those in their path including many of their side. I knew that going into the crowd

was suicide. I went back to my men and noticed that their numbers have grown

instead of twenty guys it looked more like fifty guys. All of them standing in

confusion and had little ideas what to do. My hope was that Steven briefed them on

the situation.

“Oh my god John is right, the enemy is now starting to use catapults now we do not have a lot of time. Okay how about we go into the forest as a shortcut.” I explained.

“What if we get spotted running into the forest. The catapults are pounding the battlefield right not and can easily turn on us and even if we make forced to fight off pursuing hel troops and tire us out before we even get to the fort” Ulysses said.

“We charge through the middle of the battlefield until we reach the castle. Besides i am sure the Iron Fist has men in the woods just waiting for anyone who goes in there.” Steven declared.

“That’s suicide the reason ordered my guys to charge before was because there were only few hel soldiers in our way, not an entire army” I said.

But Steven completely ignored me and ran off into the fighting even if I was his

temporary second in command, and  as I saw him, I knew I had to chase after him

and follow his orders despite this being a bad idea.

“Come on guys we have to follow Steven, stick close to me, push everything in your way and do not stop running” I screamed as i once again started to run towards the crowd.

“Come on guys let’s do this” Rodrick said as he followed close behind me leading everyone else behind me.

But it was not easy. We first had to run through the battlefield which was at this

point a complete slaughterhouse with people not only hitting each other with their

swords, axes, their arrows and even their fists. But catapult shots hitting the ground

all around us and the noise they made echoed throughout the field. So it was much

harder to get to the other side of the field like last time since the enemy learned of

my push through their lines and focused themselves especially in the middle of the

field where Steven was running through. Then after what seemed like

a very crazy battle where I had to jump, kick and head butt enemy troops while

with sprinting through them like in the Olympics all the while having to stick close

to each other. In order to do this I even grabbed one of my men by the shoulder just

so that I would not lose them in this mess. Until John

started to notice something and I noticed curiosity in his eyes. He rushed ahead of

me to investigate.

“John no you cannot face that castle alone” I warned.

I go faster in order to find him.

“Ow, Eric you are going to fast, I think I am going to lose you” Cassie said.

“Don’t worry we are almost out of this, just hang on” I encouraged.

When we did make it out I saw John right in front of the castle just looking terrified

out of his mind. He possibly saw nothing like it before, but he was not alone. Many of

the new guys had felt shivers when we first saw the castle knowing we would have

to fight possibly an entire army stationed inside. The front part of the castle was

possibly the most intimidating part of all. There were catapults on the roof of the

castle firing at anyone and anything below. Just below was about thirty archers,

firing arrows like they were machines instead of men and most likely a whole army

of people inside the castle just waiting to pounce on any invaders.

“Okay, anyone with a bow or a set of javelins on me we are going to attack the castle drawbridge” Rodrick ordered.

“But Rodrick we cannot go into the castle that way, it is too heavily defended” I said.

“We can find a shortcut, he can buy us time” Stevan said.

“No we stick together, we can find another way” I said.

But it was no use, Rodrick and his men began firing upon the archers in an attempt

to weaken them. The enemy archers took cover within the castle before turning

their fire upon Rodrick once they started to notice him.

“Watch out for enemy archers, they are on to us” Rodrick ordered.

But despite their best efforts, the drawbridge just would

not be breached. Despite constant bombardment from the archers above his

endurance never got weaker. Both sides slugged it out with neither side gaining a

foothold, The archers were distracted.

“We got the front but its strong find an entrance I got their main defense” Roderick said.

“Come on, the distraction is working, I cannot believe that it is working, now follow me we are going around the left side of the castle” I ordered.

“Be careful when you yell, the enemy might notice you” Steven said.

“Sorry” I said before we all moved upon the left side of the castle in an attempt to find a weak spot.

So we began looking for another way in order to flank the enemy positions

So I began looking for a way inside for 10 minutes. During that time I was desperate

out of my mind. I mean this fort was well constructed I should have known or even

considered that a big castle was going to have tough defenses on it. Maybe there is

no real weakness, maybe this castle really is like a tough nut to crack. I just wanted

to find something, anything that can get us in. But the windows were too high up to

reach, many of the walls were as hard as the stone it is supposed to look like and

guards so intimidating from the towers they look like they can eat solid wood and

ask for seconds.  But then almost by chance after running around looking for any

way to get inside. I tripped and fell down . I hit myself against the wall of the castle

only for the part of the wall to be pushed into the castle by a half inch.

“Eric come on we have to move” Steven demanded.

“Steven, wait I found something, it is a weak spot, if we can push into it with our strength we can get into the castle” I said.

Stephan proceeded to laugh.

“That is the dumbest idea I have ever heard. There is no way that is going to work” Stephan giggled.

In the moment once again I wanted to punch Stephens perfect teeth in. But I had to

obey him and at the same time prove him wrong.

“Okay I will prove you wrong” I challenged.

So I approached the weak spot and started trying to get into the castle by rushing

towards the wall and slamming

my body into the cardboard box wall over and over again. Each time I could feel the

force of the wall push against me and my shoulders started to get sore after the first

few shoves. But I did not give up despite the force, despite the soreness. But

one by one more people joined me like John, Ulysses and eventually everyone except

Stephan who just watch me like a hawk as we all

pushed against the box wall together.

“Oh my god, who knew cardboard could make such a tough wall” Ulysses complained.

“Good thing Rodrick is not here, he would totally tell you to shut up” John said.

“John please be nice, we have a job to do” I said as a slammed my body into the wall.

But after a minute of slamming ourselves into

a wall, we started to feel the boxes getting looser and looser. Our morale started to

soar even if our arms hurt like hell.

“We are almost there, let’s finish this” I said.

With three powerful pushes the boxes were pushed all the way into the castle and

fell over, creating a giant hole. I could not believe it, we finally got inside the fort.

“Okay guys we are in, guys get your weapons out we are going in, girls cover us” I said.

“Well I guess you were right” Steven said before taking out his sword and prepared himself.

We then rushed into the hole like there was a mountain of candy in there. It was

epic, when we entered the spot, we noticed that the room we busted into had

some reserve troops resting, playing cards and most likely thinking that the battle

was far away from their position. When we finally got inside some looked like they

pooped their pants while others rushed to pick up their axes to fight us.

“Oh s**t” One of them shrieked.

But they did not stand a chance as we rushed in like snow during a blizzard and just

whacked them without hesitation or strategy. No moves like overhead blows or

blocking, just swinging our axes and swords black and forth until their

Sensors became triggered in a matter of seconds. When we finished the reserved

guys off they rushed out of a nearby door to find an adult to report to. It was then

when we finally saw the inside of the forward defenses, now distracted by Rodrick

and I was kind of impressed. It makes what my side built

look like it was made by little kids. The castle was very huge, I have never seen so

many people with their bows and javelins all firing all at one direction before in a

castle before. The entire castle had a giant atrium bigger than my entire first castle,

with at least three different floors on the rear and sides of the castle connecting to

four very large towers with platforms and defense positions going all

through the wall with multiple platforms and ladders where people can go for good

defensive positions all made out of cardboard like the other forts were. When we

first entered the complex, The enemy

never saw it coming. They all though the attack was coming from

the front. But this time they have fallen into our trap.

“CHARGE” I screamed.

We then rushed into the atrium with the boys going in first with the girls covering

us. There a gruesome firefight

had begun. It was very intense even though many soldiers were caught off guard

that did not mean they lacked in fighting skills. There were soldiers everywhere left

and right hitting us with their axes and whatever close quarters weapons they

had. But I knew we hit them with all we had because if we take this place down once

and for all the battle could be won and if

the battle is won the whole event can turn in our favor due the size of the castle and

the number of troops stationed here. So not letting this opportunity slip away, I

knew what I had to do. So I started off by

crashing myself into soldiers after soldiers after soldiers with my shield causing

them to fall to the ground and be finished off by my sword. But at the same time

trying to find a weak spot where this massive castle can come crashing down with

the help of some catapults of course.  I was looked everywhere for this spot, looking

left and right searching for any clues whatsoever.

“Eric look out” Ulysses screamed.

I turned around only to see an axe about to hit my face. By pure instinct I ducked

down to the ground causing the axe to miss me. After the axe missed me I looked up

to see Ulysses slam my opponent in the way of some stray arrows with his shield.

He reached his hand out for me and I took it.

“What are you doing there man” Ulysses said.   

“You know that potential weak spot I told you about” I said.

“Ya what about it” Ulysses said.

“Well the weak spot I am looking for is where a good

chunk of the castle weight is rested upon in the form of wooden pillars and well

placed cardboard boxes. Most likely below the main room in the castle” I said.

“Okay will keep my eye out” He said back.

But despite help, It was very hard since I

had to both fight off dozens of hel troops and look for anything that looked like the

weak spot. At that point I wished I was a super solider so this could be much more

easier. But come to think of it they would not let me participate in the event if that

happened since that would be an “unfair advantage”.  Anyway it almost started to

get annoying to fight off these soldiers since all I needed to

was to hit them enough times to trigger their sensor.  So it just took a few hits and

a couple of slams with my shield and boom they were considered out for the event.

Once they were down continued looking for the spot. While looking for a weak

spot I noticed a ladder to the top floor about ten feet tall leading into a square

entrance to the top. It was just standing there just a little bit from the draw bridge.  I

thought to myself that maybe I could get a better view if I reach the top floor. But

there was one little simple problem, it had archers and guards everywhere up there

despite being distracted by firing nonstop upon Rodrick and his men. This was a

very daunting task, throughout the whole raid I was perfectly calm and just wanted

to get the job done. I have seen enemies before and I knew how to deal with them.

But this was different, it looked like a third of the castle's garrison was up there

guarding the dozen or so catapults now raining hell upon their foes. I started to

freeze a little feeling like there is some sort of demon possessing that ladder and had

to avoid it at all cost. But I knew I had to do something. I rushed to the ladder and

climbed up as fast as I could without even looking down. Along the way, I started to

get nervous that archers might notice me, shoot me down and leaving me falling ten

feet to the ground only to be finished off by the enemy below. But I was able to reach

the top floor. I got up quietly and took my time preparing my sword for the big blow.

Fortunately the archers and catapult guys were too busy ether on the front wall or

reloading a catapult, focused on Rodrick and have not yet prepared for their enemy

below. Then one of the archers turned around.

“I am getting more arrows be right back” He said as he left his post to get more arrows located in the middle of the top floor just in front of the catapults.

When he looked around and noticed me, he flipped out and fell to the ground. He

must have been petrified, he thought that the enemy was a ways away from them

down below where they can shoot them with little risk from their nice spots.

“ENEMY ON THE ROOF, ENEMY ON THE ROOF” he screamed in terror.

Half of his friends noticed me along with some of the guys manning the catapults.

“Oh my god he is right, everyone kill it, kill it, kill it” one of them said.

The catapult guys got off their catapults and raised their axes to confront me while

the archers that were facing me started to fire upon me. I charged the archers first.

They responded by firing their arrows at me but I deflected them with my shield,

before hitting them left and right with my sword. I knocked the bows out of their

hands, with no other weapons with them I start to hit them with my

shield and whack them with my sword. It was very backbreaking, but at least it was

easy. The archers stood no chance as they were taken out one by one. As I finished

off the last of the archers, the catapult guys proceeded to rush at their foe. I became

a one man army as I held my own against so many. I first held off their first attack

with my shield. I felt a giant blow from their combined force. I then got out of their

way and hit them in the back with my sword. The ones who got hit turned around

hoping to face me. But those who were not hit and started to look confused on why

some of their guys were breaking formation.

“What are you doing” one of them said.

“What are you doing standing there doing nothing” one of the guys I hit said back.

They were distracted, I had to take advantage of this moment 100%. I dropped my

shield and took out my axe which I had not used for a while and hit them over and

over again like a punching bag.

“OW,OW,OW get out of the way, you are making things worse” one of them said.

“No you move” another said back.

“Ow, an arrow hit me” one of them screamed.

“It is those pricks down below, just hold them and this kid off we got this” one of

them said.

It was Rodrick, he was helping me out. I felt so glad, I started to feel a little invincible

as I took these guys out. It went on and on until I started to hear beeping. I knew

that they were starting to go out. As they started getting taken out one by one, I only

felt stronger and they felt weaker.

“THANKS A LOT JERKS” some of them said before rushing down the ladder in defeat.

Eventually I started to take a lot of them out to really make them enemy scared.

“We got to get out of here” one of them said before rushing down the ladder

followed by the other survivors.

Finally the catapults were silenced with those manning them ether out or too small

in numbers to make a difference, I was tired but satisfied. I approached the

front part of the roof. Below I saw Rodrick and his men cheering.

“Thanks for the help, I would have not done it without you” I said.

“Are you kidding you were a monster up there, we have it all on video if you want to see” Rodrick said back.

“I will later got to go, WAIT RODRICK LOOK OUT” I said.

I started to see twenty arrows fire from the windows at Rodrick. They must have

known that the guys on the top floor were done and were moving to another

location. Many of the arrows hit my men at the drawbridge, and when the arrows

completed their flight all I could hear was a beeping. I knew someone was out but

who. I froze there waiting for any news that awaited me and my heart began the

throb in my chest again. But it was not as bad like earlier in the war. Maybe i have

gotten use to being in risky situations all the time that this is just every day.

“What are our losses” I said.

It is me Eric, I am sorry I cannot help you anymore” Rodrick said before leaving to the side lines as fast as possible.

I thought to myself “No this cannot be happening, one of my comrades that I have

been in close contact is gone. Everything started to feel different like something was

missing. Just one thing no more, no less and that thing was Rodrick. I felt really

awkward from that moment knowing that my group was not at full strength. I knew I had to take this castle down and win this thing. I rushed towards the ladder and slid down the rungs. As I slid down I noticed a door, a small very hard to see door positions towards the back of the castle but it could not be a back door since on the opposite side was the drawbridge. I think I might have picked up the scent of the weak spot.  Once my feet hit the ground, I started to run down to the main foundation of the castle and since these castles are only temporarily the foundation was pretty weak by regular building standards but strong as steel by this events standards. So I began weaken the pillars and pulling out every last piece of structure with my bare hands and hoping everyone is doing their job. I was nervous down here unlike on the roof or in the main room because I came here to this

spot all on my own while everyone is too busy fighting off enemy soldiers . It was

not easy I had to knock down each pillar of wood and then push it out of the way in

order to keep doing the mission with the constant threat of being taken down or

being crushed. Over time I started to get anxiety I suddenly turn around out of fear,

there was nothing, so I started to become more calm and so turned back around to

find none other than the iron fist staring right back at me. It was a very scary sight to

see him, it was almost like facing death himself.

“Now prepare to die” The iron fist said as he took out his sword.

I then remember last night where he screamed and acted almost like a little kid.

“Hey kid nice Halloween costume” I said back.

He then started to look irate and charged at me with a deafening screech. I blocked

his first strike with my shield and distanced myself from him. Then I took out a

spear I got from the crate back on day three on the beach that I still kept and threw

it at the iron fist and threw him to the ground. He then started walking

slowly swinging his sword back and forth very fast towards me. I than use my shield

to block the hits before grabbing the shield and throwing it to the ground.

“How were you able to destroy my army on day one, did Steven tell you guys” I then said.

I knew this was a do or die situation now, so we clash swords for several minutes. I

started to get tired at this point from all this fighting. I was sort of like Peter during

his last stand where my arms feel like they are about to fall off. Then BAM I was hit

in the face with his sword and then hit in the torso with his shield. I fell to the

ground thinking this was the end for me, I was too tired to do even a minute more of

fighting.

“poor fool it was stupid of you to face me alone now prepare to face your fate” The iron fist taunted.

“Look a supermodel” I said out loud without much thought.

“Where” The iron fist said before turning around to see.

This was my chance, my only chance I could defeat him. So I than used all the energy

I had stored and hit him several times before knocking his helmet off of his head and

realized his true self. When I first saw his face, it was very young looking, like it

looked like it belonged to a little kid. His face also started to turn really red in

embarrassment since he thought he was hard core with his helmet on.

“What the f**k you hit me too hard” The iron fist complained.

“Well this war (well sort of) so suck it up” I said.  

“You don’t hit a ten year old that hard though” He screamed back.

I was not surprised that he was ten at all, I knew something was fishy since last

night. But that did not mean that I had a lot of questions for the lad.

“Wait you are ten, than why are you in a command position” I asked.

“Because I am at the top of my class at my school and know everything about military strategy. When the anti-sugar laws came in my side started to become very open to anyone with potential. So I wrote my name down and the rest is history ” He answered.

“Oh well good for you” I complemented.

I then looked at my tail battle axe and knew what I had to do. With the Iron Fist

distracted with our little chat. It was a moment I just could not even think about

throwing away.

I than took out my axe and threw it as fast as I could in the middle of our discussion.

He had no chance to react since he was still recovering from his hits and talking with

me and the axe hits him right in the center of his armor. When the axe hit the floor

we both could hear a beep, beep, beep. When that happened we both knew what

that meant, he is finally out.

“WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME, DO YOU REALIZE HOW MUCH TIME I DEDICATED TO THIS EVENT. IT WAS THE ONLY THING THAT GOT ME RESPECT AT SCHOOL. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE TREATED LIKE A PEASANT JUST BECAUSE YOU LIKE READING ABOUT ALEXANDER THE GREAT'S TACTICS, DO YOU. I WAS JUST ABOUT TO BRING GLORY TO MY SIDE AND YOU DESTROYED ME WITH YOUR CHEAP MOVE. CHEATER, CHEATER, CHEATER” he screamed before he ran out of the castle as mad as a hatter.

So I than continue destroying the weak spot as calm

as ever. After two more minutes of taking down pillars a messenger arrived.

“Eric, I come from Valhalla, Jamie sent me here have you weakened the castle yet” he said.

“Almost, but The Iron Fist is down and tell Jamie to call in a catapult strike on the castle” I ordered.

“Yes sir, oh my god I cannot believe it, he is done, I cannot believe he is down” the messenger said joyfully.

When the last support pillar came down all of a sudden I felt a massive

shake like something was wrong. I felt several platforms and floors falling to the

ground I heard the sound of falling boxes and collapsing rooms. It felt like a giant

earthquake just happened. I then knew that it was time to leave this place and fast. I

quickly picked up my axe and darted out of the room with the now toppled pillars

towards the exit. When I finally saw the atrium again, I noticed that it was quite

different then it was when I last saw it. The of the upper floors above excluding the

roof have now collapsed. There were tables and crates tipped over to make

temporary barricades and a much smaller enemy force then I last saw the place.

Then all of a sudden I heard the whoosh sound of catapult balls

heading towards me like on day one. It looks like Jamie have already ordered

a massive bombardment on the castle to finish the job. Almost immediately, CRASH,

CRASH, CRASH I saw the first balls, smash through the front wall of the castle before

falling limp to the ground. I was shocked and was standing still looking at the

projectile coming. I was petrified, nervous, trying to think of something anything.

Everyone else’s reaction was no better as screams filled the castle and people

started rushing in random directions.

“GET OUT NOW, GET OUT BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE” someone screamed.

The enemy and ally alike were running like mad men pushing and, shoving each

other and all trying to get out. So I decided to get out as fast as possible. But as i

began to make my way towards the exit, I see

the fallen of both on my side and the enemies sides troops not getting up. They were

struggling, they were being disregarded and even trampled on yet did not have their

sensors triggered. They were still in this and it was like they were being wasted.

At the same time hel warriors tried to release the drawbridge, but had a tough time doing so.

“What is going one , why isn’t the drawbridge down yet” one of them screamed.

“We are trying, but the rope is stuck, we must have done our job at sealing the place up too well” one said back.

“Really you call this a secure place, the whole castle is falling apart. Just hide somewhere until this is over, if you can” He ordered.

But what sickened me the most is that Steven the highest ranking guy in the whole

operation just running for his life pushing and running over anyone and anything

out of his way.

“OUT OF MY WAY, OUT OF MY WAY, I AM A GUY WITH A HIGH RANK, GET OUT OF MY WAY” Stephan shouted as he ran for the hole we first made when entering the castle.

It just made me mad, and I was just starting to consider giving him a second

chance. How can someone who trains us super hard for the purpose of

being tough now runs out like a little girl even though he did run out on us before,

that moment made as mad as ever at him. So I then knew what I had to do i

had save these men. Even if it risks me getting killed according to the games rules.  

So I waved at my friends and try to signal them to get out of the castle while I  

attempt help every last one of my men out unlike Steven who runs away when his

men need him the most. But i notice all of them pausing just outside of the door that

leads to the hole.

“Eric, come on we have got to move” Cassie said

“THERE IS AN EXIT AT THE LEFT ENTRANCE, LEAVE THERE” I screamed not just to her, but to everyone who hoped to escape to fight another day.

“What about you Eric” Cassie said.

“Nevermind me, we already lost one guy, one very skilled guy and i will not see more go” i ordered.

“I will see you on the other side Eric” John said.

“Come on guys we need to leave, this event isn't over yet, go go go” Ulysses ordered.

My friends started to head for the exit one by one. It felt like i was in one of those

cliched action movies where one of the guys sacrifices himself. Now it maybe was my

turn i guess. In my mind i immediately started to think about many different

moments. I thought about the guys at the ditch, i thought about the guys on the ship,

i thought most of all about Peter. At that moment i understood why they did what

they did. They did so in order for others to live to fight another day even if it was for

one more day. I knew what to do, i started to focus on nothing but the people

trapped in this castle about to be pelted even if i am taken out. After all, it is just

something a bunch of kids play after all.

I started to notice people listening to me as more and more people went for the

hole. I picked up one of my guys, laying there from a catapult strike. Another comes

to my aid and takes over for me. I turn around in order to find more people and

make sure they get out of this alright and the same thing happened, another person

took over, another person saved. After helping get several people out. It felt almost

like an addiction, an investment, something that i just could not stop now.

“Come on the exit is this way, we do not have long” one said.

It was a good feeling to help others in a time like this. I did not leave until at least the

majority of people got out of the castle. But after everyone escaped there was then

no time to save myself. At first I doubted my choice of staying behind. Was it worth

it I mean, I helped people but what about me, what about now. However unlike most

times I have encountered trouble. Fear consumed me and tried to destroy my very

soul. Instead I felt calm, I felt cool, I felt confident, and I had to do something and

now. So I looked around a bit, around the now destroyed and partially collapsed

room and noticed a table, not as big as back at Valhalla but looks like I could tuck

under it. I knew it was better than nothing so i hid under the table  waiting for the

collapse of the castle. Turns out I got to the spot just in

time It was a lot smaller than where I found my friends back at my first castle. In fact

it looked like it could barely hold one guy. I started to feel a little cramped, but I had

to stay here in order to survive. So I got in just in the nick of time when tons and

tons of balls fly in like angry bees after their nest was destroyed. I started to feel the

impact and get slightly hit. The attack was like a waterfall of pain.  It destroyed

everything in its path, walls toppled over like sand castles, the few floors left in tact

finally fell as the last supports around them were shredded. The ceiling started to

rain debris, some bigger than me. As the castle

started to fall apart so did my safe spot it felt like as it felt like it was getting smaller

and smaller and started to feel like I could not breath. Then suddenly i got

hit directly in the face with one of the balls. It must have been like being hit in the

face with an axe. My face hurt everywhere, when I tried to touch my face I could not

feel anything. I covered my hand over my face to protects it from anything else. I

then looked up and saw a thin pillar, one of many holding the platform where the

archers fired on Rodrick after I took out the roof. It was very unstable and I knew it

was going to fall. I could notice it wobbling left and right before falling down. I had

no time to react, I was still recovering from that ball that hit me. But unfortunately

when the pillar came down, I was right in the way and got crushed by it, I blacked

out. The last thing I remembered is that I temporarily gained consciousness. I

remember people from my side going through the debris like they were looking for

their favorite toy in the toy chest and recovering me.

“Hurry we got to move, enemy reinforcement will be arriving in a few minutes” a voice said.

“Don’t we have Team Hel surrounded on the field after some guys took out this castle” a voice said back.

“Yes but we need to keep fighting, there may be hope of a victory, but we have to keep fighting” the voice explained.

At that point, I was in so much

pain and so tired from days’ worth of fighting, I sort of blacked out again not

knowing what happened next. I did not know about if we won or not at that point, I

just wanted to rest and see what is next.

Chapter 13

When I finally woke up I did not think about a lot of things like the outcome of the

battle or what really happened to me since I was mostly unconscious

after the destruction of the castle. But with the little sense of my surroundings I

truly thought I was going to be buried alive in the castle ruins again. I had no other

fates that I could come up with because I hardly remember anything after the castle

was destroyed and I was in my hiding spot. I thought I was just going to wake up get

my weapons, get my shield and continues with the event weather it was being in

large battles or evading the enemy for as long as I could. When I finely started to

sense awareness again and regain conscious. I felt almost like a vegetable being very

groggy and hardly noticing anything. much to my surprise, I was in the gym. When I

first started to wake up But what I could notice was that the gym was full with tons

of kids recovering from the event with mats and people running everywhere, it was

like an army hospital. It felt a little weird since I was so used to waking up in the

outdoors to various sounds of battle. But now things were calm, the environment

was still active. People were recovering and helping those who are out in the

event instead of attacking others or destroying forts. But as I started to become less

groggy and confirm that I am in the gym most likely at my school. I then started to

notice that there were tons people around me. I saw Jessica and Cassie looking at

their phones currently on a charger for the first time in a long time. While John and

Rodrick were showing Ulysses how to play poker and were just a few feet away

from me. I could hardly understand what any of them were saying. They might as

well have said Blah, Blah, Blah while they were waiting for most likely me to wake

up. John then proceeds to look at me with joy and pride. As John noticed my I smiled

a bit and started to get more energy and I have started to feel more and more awake.

“He’s awake” he said alerting my friends to be around me.

They were the first words I could fully understand since back at the castle. All of my

friends began to surround me and where I was resting. They looked like they have a

lot to tell me. All I wanted to know is what happened. Why am I here, how is the

Thor army, what was the aftermath of the battle. These questions dominated my

mind and could not be tamed until I got a proper answer.

 “We found you in a small hole no bigger than under a table it was hard to get you out but we did and oh bad news you died” Cassie said.

When I heard that I hardly cared. I did not feel bad about it. Mostly because I when I

woke up in the gym I definitely knew that something did happen to me. But I was

still very curious about everything did we win, did we lose and what is going to

happen to the losers.

“Well what happened you guys?” I said.

“We ran out just like you ordered, if it went for you we would be taken out too.” Roderick said.

“Well now it's over with us victorious and it is all thanks to our attack ” Jessica said.

“how, how did we win the whole event” I said.

“You know how our castle was important for protecting other castles. Well that castle had the same function. In that attack we took out a lot of enemy soldiers in that battle. When enemy reinforcements arrived after we won the battle on the field. Jamie ordered all catapults and archers to fire onto the enemy. When that happened it leveled the playing field for us. When that happened we started to go on the offensive as one army and captured castle after castle and without their king The Iron Fist we took out Team Hel. Yes it sucks that you died since after the battle Jamie was going to promote you” She said.

“Oh my god you should have been there for that ending battle. It was just like a battle in a post apocalyptic wasteland minus all of the cool guns everyone has. It was in the middle of the night, there were destroyed castles everywhere, catapults firing in all directions and tons of warriors fighting each other all over the place to top it off.  When it was all over we had this massive party with a bonfire and everything.” John said.

“Oh my god, I needed that party” Cassie professed.

When I heard that we won, I could not believe it because for the last few days I

was thinking that the enemy was going to win. But what makes it more surprising is

that me and my friends were important factors to the victory. But now what will we

show mercy or get our revenge

“So what’s the winning side going to do now that the enemy side is at its mercy” I asked.

“Well they may ban forced community service during the aftermath of the event, reinforce the anti-bullying rules and let soda and sugar in again as long as there is a health program all that stuff instead of unfair rules, stress, bullying, and discrimination” Jessica explained.

“It’s all right you saved us you are the true hero in the battle maybe our greatest heroes start out from not so great starts after all“ Jamie said just as he popped in see me.

Then one of the kids noticed me, it was Tim and looked really happy.

“Hey look it’s the hero of the battle Eric” he said.

As people started to look at me all of a sudden cheers were everywhere as they

noticed that a hero was in their presence with  a couple of kids on my side, holding

up posters saying “lead us to victory again”.

It was the greatest thing ever. I felt like I was some famous celebrity and during that

moment I kind of was. But it was amazing, I felt my spirit soar to new heights and

felt like I can do anything. Throughout all of this

time I tried to be a great leader, a hero someone who can give Steven a run for his

money. In the end I kind of did I won respect, but I couldn’t have done it without my

friends, Jamie, Peter, the long ship crew and most of all the foot soldiers in the battle

because even though we may be overshadowed by the commander on horseback

we are all in this together.

Chapter 14

Epilogue

“It has been about one year since the event and everyone is going crazy about what is happening next year. So Eric, can you tell some fun facts about your experiences outside of what has been circling the area for months now” an interviewer for the school paper questioned.

We were both sitting in a six feet by six feet classroom designed for one on one

teaching. I was about to transfer out of middle school and into high school. At this

point i have been asked by so many about my story and my adventure. By the time i

sat down to do that interview, i was hardly the nervous kid who ran everywhere he

went. But instead, i felt calm and relaxed. While the reported was looking down on

his notepad every few seconds, making sure he had every bit of info about me. I can

understand that, how despite doing everything you can there is always a fear of

messing things up.

“Well, the last thing I remember about anything involving that event now being one year ago was that I headed back home after about an hour I woke up in the gym. I felt glad because I can rest after a week of fighting” i answered.

“Now, ever since we won that massive battle. The week long battle it became an obsession for us for a little while. Starting with a week of things dedicated to the battle like youtube movies, writing prompts, paintings, even go out to the battlefield and get artifacts. What are your thoughts about these things” the interviewer asked.

“I think it is neat. There are some that really look cool. Like there is this one painting that i like that shows a group of warriors charging against the unknown enemy. I loved the use of shadows and the look of the warriors as they are going on a do or die mission with the battered looks of their faces, i really liked that part especially” i described.

“Never knew you were such an art critic” the interviewer observed.

“What can i say, some of the stuff people made looks awesome. Anyway remember how we got some cool party’s but we did not go over the top like what happened the year before the event I just finished talking about. Now what are your thoughts on that, since you look like you went into this at some point or another” i asked.

“ Yes i do remember interviewing some of the hel warriors about this. For the losing side they were pretty angry they lost to who they call inferiors but eventually our side showed them there are other ways to combat their problems like loosening the anti-sugar rule and also creating a new rule saying that the winning side can no longer require forced servitude for the losing side”the interviewer answered.

“I would think i would say this about any rule, but i am glad to see that rule added. Anyway, i do remember a ton of journalists who were all over the battlefield when it was finally over. What was that like? ” i added.

“For the battlefield due to the carnage of the event it took a long time before it was ready for next year again people did stuff like removing catapults,arrows, fort and even recovering shipwrecks. Like the longship you were on that sunk that was recovered the following week and brought into a show of all the things my school did this year before summer broke out. But anyways, now it is my turn to ask the questions. What can you say about your companions during the fight”. the interviewer asked

“Well, for Jamie he ended up being promoted to one of the guys in charge of our side in next year’s fight. My friends and i, especially Roderick and me were promoted greatly and were in charge of tons of Warriors in this year’s battles and beyond. For Steven I heard that he was demoted one of the junior commanders for this year’s battle.  For Peter from what I heard in the papers, he will go into combat and will lead other soldiers on raids from long ships. He still remains as one of the most determined people I have ever met” i described.

“Wow, quite a change for the better for you and your group. So as

“Commander, just call me commander Eric. But anyways for now the event is

once again around the corner and as I talk more and more about the event. I begin to

worry about the legacy Team Thor and I have accomplished in last years battle.

After all we will always will that the events are not just simple battles anymore their

Wars. But I know like last year, we will fight like hell even if hope seems at its lowest

point and might even come out in victory. Me and my guys will always make sure to win every last one of them or get taken out trying”. i declared.

“Well commander thanks for the interview. It was nice to hear a bit from you. I hope to see you again on the battlefield” the interviewer concluded.

We then both left the room and went our separate ways. As i walked down the

hallway. I thought about that day in the car and the conversation between me and

my mom and all i could say was that she was mostly right. Things did change for the

better and look at me, i am an official leader. But none of what i have achieved would

have happened without at least some work. During that moment i thought about

what i said during the interview about how “Me and my guys will always make sure

to win every last one of them or get taken out trying” and that we were only able to

win because of the sacrifices of many people including myself. These thoughts grew

on me very fast until i could think about nothing but those words, over and over

again as i walked out of the building and into my future, where we will win or get

taken out in the coming war.

Author's Note

Be honest when reviewing me and especially talk about what you think of the characters and how i describe everything in the story.