Red Glass

12.

Chaos trembles through the veins of Vatala, it's heart gushes panic and despair. Defenders cannot cease the giants demolishing all in their path like a wildfire, consuming what falls in its blaze. A butchery from which all try flee, each running only for themselves. The western tower bell outcries for help. The city shakes as spears, swords and amour march to its aid halting in a disciplined, condemning formation.

The pack laughs at the threat, watching the sky fall red. The city's western forces all gather outside the clock placed by strategic advantages. The Titans stand proud before swordsmen, spearmen and archers like wolves surrounded by sheep. The sun falls under the moon's mighty presence. Reflections of white gaze through the dark, scolding and vicious.

"Throw down your shields and kneel, last chance or by God we will strike you down!"
Commander Victor demands atop his steel dressed steed.

The outsiders laugh and begin to hit the ground in rhythm using their shields as drums.

"Draw!" Commander Victor commands his men.

The taunting continues...

"Loose!" A thousand arrows are set free, blacking out the sky!

"Shield wall!" Agnaar howls As loud as the bell tower.

The pack close in, forming an impenetrable shell of rune colours.

"Draw.
Loose!"

A second wave pounds full might, imbedding itself inside a wall of shields and growling laughter. Victor knows a third wave would make no difference against such an immovable force.

"Units One, Three and Five - Forward!" Commander Victor commands, pointing with his hand.

"Let them bring their heads to us. Death will not save them from pain this day."

The moon illuminates the city, glimmering off the infantry weapons and armour. Synchronised forward they match ready to seize or execute as ordered. The laughter turns demonic. Moving closer, behind the shields painful groans and roaring slow the approach. The units advance ever cautiously. Seeing their fear, the Commander knows what to do..

"All units. Forward!"

50 suits of armour crusade towards the tower. Close they come...

From Hel arises the a roar. "Attaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!!!!!"

Hounds of Hel pounce from the runed shell furious and wild. Three white and one black-hide monstrous beings cursed, eyes burning white, enlarged fangs of the wolf. Like a tidal wave they crash and smash against the bladed ship of steel. Arrows, swords and spears blunt against beast hide.

Clawing through armour and flesh gashing out insides, tearing with teeth pieces of meat devouring what they take. Limbs scatter, faces tear and throats gush blood like the fountains in the square. Galloping through spears and swings, running along walls leaping through crowds. Gnawing on the most terrified between nooks of armour.

Towering over puppets and the brave, crushing under mighty paws bursting skin with broken bones. Hounding down all who try to run from a fray they cannot escape. Howling wild, screaming thunder and panic erupt within the walls.

Victor's watch captures all atop his steed, horrified for his men. Dismounting and unsheathing, removing his shield from the saddle. Victor walks slowly, fully aware of the importance to reserve strength for the fight of his life. Walking into battle he recites the same prayer he teaches all under his command;

"South of the stars,
North of the brave,
With courage and honour we fight this day."
He finishes the prayer with a kiss to his wedding ring and confidently marches towards the massacre.
"Oooiii!"
Victor yells, piercing through the screams of steel.

Agnaar identifies, moving faster than the charging wind to destroy his challenger. Victor can see his enemy clear now, under the light of the moon. Far greater than a bear, as muscular as a prized stallion, head larger than an ox's, claws as big as heads.

Scars around the left eye suggest the possibility of victory. Agnaar pounces ferociously against Victor's side step and counter strike slam with his shield followed by a low swing up but Agnaar rolls aside equally as fast and growls. Agnaar had never faced a Commander before. Rising on his back legs, the same mistake will not be made twice. Striking hard, Victor struggles to hold his ground and shield against such unnatural power pounding against his shield but flat against the wall is no defeat. Releasing his shield Victor sinks to the ground sliding under the monster and thrust his sword behind himself but no blood falls. Agnaar lifts Victor from the ground high in the air and snarls but Victor stares hard.

"C'mon! C'mon!!!"
Victor challenges with the last breath of strength in his lungs.

Agnaar's fangs are presented in full, Victor throws the hardest punch his body allows him in the scared face. Agnaar drops Victor from high, stumbling back.
Victor falls to the ground. Turning his right hand he realises his silver ring was lucky all along.
Victor throws an uppercut from the ground into the monstrous beast again at the same eye. Steaming crimson stains the stone.
Victor's left hand reaches into his armour and he yanks the silver crucifix chain from around his neck, wrapping it around his left hand. In a boxing stance of unshakeable confidence.

Agnaar swipes his huge claws against this warrior, weaving and ducking every attack with a rapid counter harder than any normal man. Agnaar lowers himself into his primal essence and surges against Victor switching angle of onslaught in the last instant.
On his back and snapping fangs in his face, he can see the silver wrapped around his fingers burning the beast he's holding back. Letting go with his right he moves it away rapidly throwing it back in but Agnaar catches Victor's attack with his mouth. Victors hand is crushed through the piercings of the metal gauntlet, feeling the wet warmth of his hand and pain of destroyed bone.

Agnaar locks on Victor's skull, shaking viciously and howls for his pack. They charge to the gate's weapons cache, recover their weapons and leave the city a bleeding graveyard. Shields on their backs, the children of Loki leave the towering gates.

-

Outside the western gate the voice of a woman whistles in a pitch unbearable for those able to hear it...