The battle had been raging for minutes. Young Va’ was holding is own against Sigvaldi. They were both down to one shield, and one weapon. Sigvaldi held a great sword, keeping the shield strapped to his arm. Va’ carried a massive axe, his massive axe. Sigvaldi came in close and swung low, but Va’ jumped over it and at Sigvaldi, aiming to smash his opponents face with the butt of the axe. The handle smashed Sigvaldi’s nose open, blood and snot spraying Va’s hands. Va’ sneered as Sigvaldi backed up. Then, Sigvaldi drew up his sword and faked high. Va’ fell for it and went to block high. Sigvaldi’s sword came rushing in at Va’s stomach, and he tried to deflect it. Again, Va’ feel for the ploy. Sigvaldi had expected him to decipher the first one, but didn’t realize he was that fast. Either way, Sigvaldi knew he had one. Va’s axe came down to block the sword, and just as it did, the sword jerked out and up suddenly. Va’ stood in shock as he realized his last weapon was just thrown aside. Sigvaldi laughed and threw his arms up triumphantly.

Va’ looked at his hands, confused. They had betrayed him? No, not his hands…his weapons. Weapons? His hands…they were weapons. The people began to cheer for Sigvaldi and Va’s blood boiled. Va’ gripped his shield and walked up behind Sigvaldi. Va’ grabbed his shoulder and spun him about. “I am a Viking! And I will never fall to defeat!” And as Sigvaldi realized he was still under attack, he was hitting the ground. Va’ had backhanded him with his shield. Sigvaldi looked up and rubbed his jaw.

“Damn boy! Give up! Your beaten. I have a weapon!”

“I have weapons too, old one!” Va’ laughed.

“What in Helhiem are you talking about?” Va’ laughed as he brought his hands up to his stubbly chin. Sigvaldi looked at him incredulously. “Alright boy, if you want to lose them, then we can fight some more” he finished as he climbed back to his feet, standing a full head over Va’.

True Va’ was a big man, an immense man with muscles as taught as steel. But compared to most Vikings, Va’ was a runt. These men challenged seven feet, and gravity. Although the giants to the north in the mountains were much larger, they still felt rivaled by these tremendous men.

Va’ braced himself for Sigvaldi’s onslaught. Sigvaldi wheeled his sword around and arced it over fast. Sigvaldi was expecting a block. Instead, Va’ dived and rolled away. The sword cut deeply into the ground. Sigvaldi yanked it free as Va’ hit him in the head with the shield again. “You know boy, that shield is what is keeping this fight going, and unless you want to lose by smashing it over his thick head, I suggest you try something different” called a voice from the side.

Va’ glanced over long enough to see it was his father. His father reeled back and Va’ knew to duck. Sigvaldi’s sword nearly decapitated Va’. Va’ looked over at his enemy. Sigvaldi’s eyes were full of rage and malice. Time to end this, he thought. Sigvaldi came in for another high arc. This time, Va’ only sidestepped it and actually helped to drive the blade down. He cut his own fingers on the double-edged sword, but the sword was embedded deeply. Sigvaldi tried to wriggle it free, but Va’ pounced at him. The two were on the ground, Va’ on top punching away at Sigvaldi, and Sigvaldi was desperately trying to break away. Va’ finally stopped and stood up. He grabbed Sigvaldi and began to lift. Some of the onlookers laughed, Sigvaldi was a big man.

Still, Va’ hoisted Sigvaldi up over his head and threw him into the crowd. The bunch of unfortunate victims grunted heavily as they received the gift. Then Va’ grabbed the sword and yanked it free in one quick tug. He walked over to the nearly unconscious Sigvaldi, and raised the sword. Some people actually grew some fear, and others began to feel ill. The sword came crashing down, and what was once Sigvaldi’s shield, was no more.

The battle had been won by Va’ and Sigvaldi, his opponent, was still trying to regain consciousness. The people looked at each other confused. Then they all began to yell out “Va’! Va’!” He smiled widely and walked into the crowd, who hoisted him onto their heads. This is what he lived for, this was why he was a Viking. At long last, he would now earn the honor of becoming a Jomsviking, he would earn his title this very evening.