༻𝑬𝒖𝒑𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒂༺

𝑬𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻

"What is love?"
~✥~

The sound of boards being placed across the ship's edge were heard. Athena could feel Thorfinn shaking out of fear. Suddenly, a loud rawr flew through the air.

It was Bjorn. He smashed into the boards set aside the ship. Athena watched in astonishment as Thors jumped through the air onto the ship. Pirates cowered in fear.

Thors took his and swung the blade, breaking the boards. "Yeah! Go, Father!" Thorfinn cheered, excited. Athena chuckled a bit along with Thorfinn as the pirates fell in the water.

'So, the woman has a sense of humor. How interesting.' Askeladd thought. He hated the sound of their laughter, but Askeladd couldn't help wanting to hear it again.

"Listen. You've already lost half of your forces. Leave now, and I won't take your life." Thors threatened, bit Askeladd couldn't help laughing. Thors really thought no one was going to cross upon death.

"Be gone, pirates. You cannot defeat me." Thors growled. The men wanted to help Thors fight, but Leif held them back. They were the amateurs in this situation.

Athena looked up, noticing arrows pointed straight at them. She began to worry about Thors safety and Thorfinn's. They were surrounded. "Are you their leader?" Thors pointed towards Askeladd. "I challenge you to a duel."

"Athena, did father just challenge their leader?" Thorfinn whispered, worried. Athena rubbed his head. "It is respectful for leaders to fight amongst one another. Thorfinn, you must understand? Your father is a true warrior." She said, smiling reassuringly.

"Can I ask you something? Why do you think I'm their leader?" Askeladd asked. Thors looked on with a straight face. "I can smell it." He responded.

Athena could hear the sound of Askeladd's laughter. Finally, she made a step forward to Thors. She was the only woman on board, so her appearance was noticed. Thorfinn held on tight to Athena as she walked.

Askeladd watched closely as she walked towards Thors. "Thors, be careful. That man isn't a normal warrior." She whispered. Thors nodded in agreement.

"Keeping secrets from us, gem." Askeladd smirked. "Come on, join in the fight. I want to see Thrain's brat fight." He finished. Athena ignored his attempts at intimidation. Askeladd noticed her ignorance towards him. It annoyed him that she wasn't responding to his advances.

"Grr. Fine. I accept the duel." Askeladd said, still irritated by the woman. "I, Askeladd, son of Olaf, swear in the name of Odin." He finished.

Askeladd jumped onto the ship. "You have the same smell as me, Troll of Jom." He said. Thors raised his brow at the comment. 'Floki.' He thought. Athena noticed a flicker in Thors eyes.

Floki planned this all along. He had planned to bring Thors to his death. 'How could Floki do this?' Athena thought. She had once called the man, friend. Thrain had called him, brother.

Thors figured it out right away, when Askeladd revealed he knew his name from the past. "Did Floki do this?" Thors asked, calmly.

Suddenly, Thorfinn jumped from Athena's arms and ran in-front of his father. "My father isn't bad like you. My father is strong. Die, pirate!" He yelled. Askeladd smirked at the boy. "What an energetic boy. Is that your son?" Askeladd asked.

Athena grabbed Thorfinn back towards her body warmth to calm him. "Sir, Askeladd? You asked, why I don't fight?" Athena said. Askeladd was amazed by the woman talking to him. She had a sweet voice.

"I made a promise long ago to never fight again. Thrain never wanted that life for me." Athena finished. Askeladd stayed silent at her response to his earlier question.

"Askeladd, do you have a wife or children?" Thors asked, respectfully. Askeladd shook his head, silently. "Though, I would like to make a request if I win." He asked.

"What?" Thors said.

Askeladd raised his finger behind Thors. Athena's eyes went wide. "I want her." Askeladd smirked.