Chapter 33 Bone and ashes

" Fine by me. My name is Erik."

Erik gave out his name, recognizing him as a worthy foe to face. He acknowledged that this man had the capabilities to become a great warrior. Perhaps, someday one of them would be named as one of the greatest Vikings.

" Yandal the Grey Wolf. I was an orphan from birth and don't know my parents."

Yandal nodded his head, giving his name to Erik. Both warriors took a deep breath and stood tall while thinking about what to do at the next moment.

Erik didn't wait for a moment before attacking him since he lost one of his weapons, so he had an advantage over him. With a swift motion, his sword met Yandal's sword as the latter calmly looked into his eyes.

Erik swung his axe to his face to deal a deadly blow. However, Yandal grabbed his wrist before he could do so. After being blocked by his hands, Erik kneed his stomach which made Yandal frown a bit due to force. He stepped backward from the force but he didn't let go of his ferocity.

Instead of going back, he turned his sword around and pushed it with his two hands which made Erik tumble from the sudden shift of balance. Then he kicked one of his legs as Erik let go of his axe.

" This is fair."

Yandal kicked away his axe, looking at Erik with a calm face. Erik looked at his empty hand with a speechless face, not knowing how he managed to knock off his axe from his hand.

" I guess you are right."

Erik has to admit that Yandal was an extremely cunning warrior. He perfectly saw through his weakness and used it correctly which made him lose in a short confrontation.

However, he also sacrificed some of his sword's durability as it chipped in some places.

Vikings were great blacksmith with advanced technology but their sword had a tendency to be chipped since it was made in mostly cold environments unless they were famed swords.

This time Yandal took the lead, attacking him without a word. He swung his sword with all might like it was a club, the screeching wind met against a stale water-like sword. Both of them made a crackling sound from the force.

" You are intending to destroy both of our weapons?"

Erik could tell Yandal was aiming for his sword instead of his head because he had a slight advantage in physical strength.

" Correct."

The two swords broke down from the pressure, shattering into the pieces as both of them grabbed each other.

Erik threw Yandal from his shoulder but the latter refused to budge as he swung him down to the ground.

" Ugh*"

Erik felt all his organs were shaking from the impact, feeling dizzy in his head. His eyes spun around from the concussion but he gritted his teeth and pulled one of his feet down.

This made Yandal lose his balance and he fell to the ground. Erik who saw the opportunity, searched for his axe and found it when it was a few meters away.

He got up from the ground with a swift motion, rushing toward his axe with his all might. However, Yandal wasn't a fool who would watch this happen, he also rushed for his hatchet which was near the house.

Both of them got their weapons and they didn't hesitate to fight again before one of them could catch their breath.

" Die!"

Yandal swung his hatchet down to his face while Erik did the same. Both of them tilted their heads to avoid the blows as they exchanged blows one after one. The intense sound of metal clashing could be heard in the streets while both of them were feeling drained.

Even the strong men would struggle to move after this intense battle. Their bones and muscles were screaming with pain from the exhaustion and overuse but neither of them refused to give up.

" I won."

Just as Erik was about to strike Yandal who was kneeling on the ground with his axe, a sword pierced from his back.

Drip*

The blood dripped from his chest as he felt his consciousness fading into darkness. The bitter smile formed on his face, knowing he would die soon.

" Remember the promise."

He muttered the last of his strength, looking at Yandal who was in shock from the disbelief.