Blackbeard; The Legend

True Strength

A horrid screeching sounded as the metal pierced the flesh of the Beowulf, and it skidded to a stop, trying to shake off Asmund. The Viking dangled precariously, his grip tight on the handle  as he was swung around. He kicked at the Beowulf's face, causing it to vehemently shake, and it managed to throw him off. He tumbled in the snow, but he quickly got up, just in time to avoid the slash of the monster's claws. He brought down his axe on the beast's paw, and it bellowed furiously, and struck at Asmund with its other paw. In the last moment, he blocked it, but the force sent him flying. He thudded against one of the trees, and the wind was knocked out of him.

"We have to help him!" Akahana turned to Kanin.

"He has this." Kanin reassured her, but as the Beowulf sped towards Asmund, who was still  winded, nervousness began to build up in Kanin's eyes. Just as the monster reared up on it's legs, readying to crush him, Asmund regained his breath and swiftly dodged the attack, and the tree was shattered by the Beowulf. Asmund readied his axe as the Beowulf's striking amber eyes glowered at him, and it howled as it charged. Asmund raised his axe and rushed at the monster, yelling at the top of his lungs as he leapt at it.

WHACK!

Asmund was struck from the side by the Beowulf, and he was flung across the clearing, landing in the snow and skidding before he stopped. His axe landed a few feet away, thudding in the snow. The monster approached Asmund, a triumphant gleam in its eyes as the Viking struggled to get up, as blood streaking down his face. Without a moment to waste, she jumped out of the wagon and she dashed towards Asmund, ignoring the shouts behind her. She hastily grabbed a handful of snow and tossed it at the Beowulf.

"Hey!" She yelled, and the monster turned to her, huffing. "Come at me!" She shouted, and the Beowulf howled, and stormed towards her. She stood her ground, and just before the monster rammed into her, she rolled to the side. The Beowulf sped past her and into the trees, colliding into the evergreens with a loud crash. Akahana sped towards Asmund, who stared at her with bewilderment and fear.

"W-what are you..." He groaned as Akahana hoisted him up, struggling to carry the hefty Viking back to the wagon. She strained to hasten, as the Beowulf rumbled behind them,  but Asmund's weight was too much to carry alone, and she fell on her knees. 

"Come on..." She whispered to herself, trying desperately to lift Asmund up. Suddenly, some of the weight lightened, and she opened her eyes to see Ryota beside Asmund. He gritted his teeth, and with his help, the two of them raised Asmund off of the ground, and they began to hobble away slowly.

"Hurry!" Takahiro called, his eyes wide, and Akahana looked up. Suddenly, her foot slipped in the snow, and like that, the three of them fell onto the ground. Akahana risked a glance behind her, and her heart froze as the Beowulf rose up on it's legs--dazed, but not for much longer. Dread seeped into her heart as its stupefied eyes hovered onto her and the others. Then, amongst the whiteness of the ground, the gleam of metal caught her eye. Asmund's axe. Like a fire lit ablaze, an idea quickly formulated in her mind, and without another word, she sprinted towards the axe. Reaching it, she grasped the handle and tried lifting it, but it was much heavier than expected, and she nearly fell over. 

"Just get out of here..." Asmund feebly murmured, coughing. "Go!"

"And leave you here?" Ryota retorted. "Fat chance! Takahiro, can you please help?!" He yelled.

"I'm-ack!" Takahiro yelped as he wrapped his arms around Asmund's arm. "I'm doing my best but he's heavy!"

"Well can you try to do your best-er?!" Ryota shouted. "Akahana!" He called. "Leave the axe and help us!"

"No! There won't be time to escape!" Akahana grunted, gripping the handle tight, desperation and terror nipping at her heels as the Beowulf shook itself out its daze, it's amber gaze settling on her. "Come on!" She gritted her teeth, her anger reaching a boiling point as she tried and failed again and again to lift the axe.