Loki

Chapter 30 (End)

~Two Days Later~

Enchessa leapt at Sif, blade raised, teeth bared in a feral snarl. She was nimble and swift, and Sif just barely managed to evade her attack, rolling away on the golden floor.

Sif scrambled to her feet and raised her spear, only to dive to the floor again as Enchessa twirled around and sent a blade of ice slicing through the air where Sif's torso had been mere moments before. Enchessa's twirl left her momentarily off-balance, and Sif leapt from her position lying prone on the floor to take advantage of her brief window of opportunity. Enchessa blocked Sif's spear with an ice blade just in time.

The two warrior-maidens stood deadlocked for a moment, pushing against each other with all their strength, glaring into each other's eyes for some hint as to when the other would make her next move.

Sif gave Enchessa a small smirk, then maneuvered her spear to disarm the Jotun. Enchessa released her weapon without resistance and leapt back, creating an icicle spear as she did so that was almost identical to Sif's (minus the decorations).

The lack of resistance was unexpected, and Sif stumbled, almost falling entirely to the floor again. She barely recovered in time to block Enchessa's counter attack, then took a step back to give herself some room.

The two warrior-maidens began a quick succession of attacks, blocks, and counter-attacks that gave neither of them any leverage. After about a minute of this, Sif realized she had to strike out to break the pattern, and she made a bold lunge at her Jotun opponent.

It was the moment Enchessa had been waiting for. She nimbly sidestepped the attack, then struck Sif's spear with enough force to send it skittering along the floor and knock the Asgardian maiden off her feet. Sif rolled over to push herself up, but before she could, Enchessa planted a foot on her chest and swept her blade up to just under Sif's chin.

Sif lay completely still on her back, Enchessa's icicle spear to her throat, searching for some way out. She couldn't find one.

She was silent for a whole minute, then finally sighed. "Very well," she said; "I concede defeat."

Enchessa smiled and released Sif, tossing her icicle spear to the side. Then, she offered her hand to her fallen opponent, covering it in ice so she wouldn't burn the Asgardian with her frost touch. Sif begrudgingly accepted the help and stood.

From a safe distance away, Thor, Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg, and Yardaff, along with several other Jotuns and Asgardians, applauded.

"I did tell you, brother, that no one could best my lady," Yardaff said to Thor.

"So you did, brother, so you did," Thor agreed.

Yardaff smiled broadly as Enchessa walked over to him. "That was well done, My Queen," he told her; "you've done our realm proud."

"Did you doubt me?" Enchessa teased lightheartedly.

"Never," Yardaff said, still smiling.

Thor smiled at Sif as she rejoined her friends. "Well fought, Sif," he said.