For All of You, I

After their return, Eiric’s group has trained every day in preparation for battle against the protector of Yggdrasil.

Eiric’s training continues with Astrid. His swordsmanship has improved, almost as if he inherited Astrid’s skill. Still, he is nowhere near the power of his mother and every exchange ends in his defeat.

“I’d say this is a good time to rest.” Astrid said.

“Not yet.” Eiric struggles to his feet, “Just a little longer.”

Astrid raises her blade. As a mother, she should force Eiric to rest. It is what any loving and caring mother would do. As much as she wishes to do just that, what they will face in the coming months, what Eiric will face on his journey will not give any mercy.

“Do your best not to die, Eiric.”

Eiric’s body freezes. Astrid holds two swords of magic with six more floating behind her body, the magic around her heavy enough to make it difficult to breathe.

Astrid strikes, Eiric blocking the tip of her blade but sent flying backwards. He recovers, refusing to allow fear to hinder him even against the strongest opponent he has ever faced.

Eiric strikes back, using light step to close the gap but Astrid is able to parry all of his strikes with ease before kicking Eiric up into the sky. The swords of magic behind Astrid follow Eiric but give him little trouble as he parries each.

“Prir Light Trap.”

A maze of light beams surrounds Eiric as Astrid jumps to reach him. More beams of light appear; each met with a spin or flip as Astrid uses her floating blades to propel off of and close the distance on Eiric.

Eiric prepares his blade but loses sight of Astrid.

“Don’t stop Eiric.” Astrid kicks Eiric down.

Eiric crashes into the ground but recovers within a second to meet Astrid’s next strike. A prolonged exchange of sword skills begins; their fighting takes them across the training field, past the others well into their training, over the wall of Sanctuary, and into the roads just outside the village where Eiric is forced to take a knee.

“Incredible. Eiric, your improvement is just incredible. I think you’re well on your way to surpassing me and your father one day.”

“I will. Then I can keep you all safe.” Eiric mutters before fainting.

“How was training?” Freydis said.

“Better. But dad got a good hit on me when I was distracted by Eiric.” Vilgur said, rubbing his head where Keldan landed the blow.

“Haha, I was distracted as well. I’ve never seen him fight like that.”

“He’s improving faster than before, but everyone worries he may be pushing himself too hard so Sigrun forces him to rest afterward. She’s likely with him now after training with mister Torsten.”

“You should rest as well; your body needs time to recover.”

“I’ll say the same to you. Ms. Brynja said your magic is fearsome.”

“I would agree if I could control it. I’ll master it one day, then we can really give those angels a good beating!” Freydis shadow boxes, only stopped by the sudden surge of magic enveloping Sanctuary.

Freydis and Vilgur rush over to the outskirts of Sanctuary where a practice blot ritual is performed by Leif. Known for his delicate control of magic, Leif was chosen as the one to perform the ritual, but even he struggles to complete the ritual without issue.

Leif slams his staff on the ground before falling to the ground.

“Another failure.” Vilgur said.

“Are there some who wish to use the ritual?” Freydis said.

“A couple. Some don’t want to and are younger so they hope we can return in time. But those who are older fear turning. Still, their parents fear the effects we don’t know of after using the ritual. They wonder if the kids will remain the same.”

“Do you think it is worth it?”

“I’m not sure. I’d like to give them another choice. We’ll do everything we can to do so.”

“You’re right.”

“Ahem.” Vilgur takes a deep breath, “Freydis, I know this is sudden. We have a special event coming up, I wanted to ask you to be my date. Only if you want to of course, it’s not nece-”

“I’d love to.”

“To come to the event?”

“To be your date.”

“Oh. Oh! Great, I’ll tell you more about as the day gets closer then.”

“Ms. Sigrun! Mr. Eiric! Good luck on your journey!”

Eiric and Sigrun walk through Sanctuary holding hands, a sight now common to everyone in the village. Although young, Eiric and Sigrun, alongside Vilgur and Freydis, have become the hope of Sanctuary.

Torsten and the other captains remain their trustworthy protectors now taking a long overdue rest after years of protecting blessed children around Mithold. But it is the youngsters that will set forth to bring them the future the captains have fought for.

Before leaving, Eiric and Sigrun train and spend plenty of time together. Even after years of doing the same, they never tire of each other’s presence. No, they only yearn for it more. Their souls call for one another.

“When we return, we should buy a house.” Sigrun giggled as she bought ingredients for dinner.

“We should, Freydis did say she would reward me handsomely for all the help.”

“Darling! You should have gotten your reward before she left the throne!”

“You’re right, I wasn’t thinking about it. I’m sorry.”

“Of course not.” Sigrun grabs Eiric’s hand, “Your mind is always focused on others, it’s one of the many things I love about you.”

“Like this.” Astrid teaches Freydis how to cook, just as she did for Sigrun over the years.

“Oh! I’ll give it a try.” Freydis said.

“Careful now, Ms. Astrid makes using a blade look easy.” Sigrun said.

“Want me to help?” Vilgur said.

“No! Go have a seat mister, I’m making this for you.” Freydis said.

It’s difficult to copy Astrid’s mastery with a blade, but Astrid always said they’ll be just fine with the right condiments and mixture of ingredients.

“Trust me, no man can stay mad after a good meal.” Astrid winks at Torsten who holds Eydis.

“She’s got me there. Keldan, how do you feel about our chances in this upcoming battle?” Torsten said.

“We’re stronger now. A lot stronger. But this is a battle we must survive, our children may need our support in the near future as well. So, I am confident that we will win.” Keldan said.

“Really now? What is the difference? I’m sure the monster will be just as strong if not stronger.” Leif said.

“We have them now. They will be alongside us in this battle. I guarantee that we will showcase strength unlike ever before because of it. Back then, I didn’t have as much hope for this world either. It was Nattlina and my children that gave it to me, that will give me strength.”

“Well said Keldan!” Brynja laughed, “He’s right. Back then, we were fools just looking for riches. We fight for everyone here now, for a better future. Isn’t that right, Alvis, Ingrid?”

“To think we’d share a meal like this again. I won’t say you’re wrong, we all have our reasons for fighting that thing. Mine aren’t as pure as your own however.” Ingrid said.

“Ingrid is just shy; we all want the same. This time, the worst generation will give that thing hell.” Alvis said.

Eiric watches the room become livelier as he stands by the door of the house. Despite their awareness of the days to come, their hope overshadows it all. Their friendship overcomes the strife they have faced against each other over the years.

After Astrid joins the table, the remaining of the worst generation shares a laugh as they reminisce over their past journeys. Torsten covers Eydis’s ears as Ingrid recounts some of the more devious troubles Astrid and Torsten managed to get themselves into over the years.

Across from them, the youngsters continue to bicker as they finish cooking for everyone.

They are at peace.

“And one day, we will make days like this common. Everyone. For all of you, I will destroy this world.”

Eiric joins the table, allowing himself to enjoy the moment with them. Even with the plethora of memories flowing into his mind of similar scenes, none are as sweet as that which he experiences himself.

Soon, Sigrun joins his side alongside Vilgur and Freydis. The group is able to enjoy their delicious meal together and cheer for their success.

Sigurn squeezes Eiric’s hand. Each understanding the many results they have seen of the upcoming days.

“We will win. This time, we will win.” Sigrun said.

“We will.”