After two hours of travel, Rodrigo and the goddesses finally reached the city of Aros, which was under siege by Sweyn’s forces.

  Arrows rained from the sky, fire swept the battlefield despite the biting cold, and corpses lay scattered—pierced by spears and arrows. From the top of a hill, they looked down upon the massacre.

  The city of Aros was protected by walls made of carved logs and timber, quite different from the stone fortifications of European cities. From there, archers unleashed volleys of arrows to keep Sweyn’s men at bay.

  Sieges were usually dull affairs: armies encamped around the city, cutting supplies while hunger and disease slowly broke the defenders.

  But Sweyn—guided by Loki—was desperate for a swift victory.

  Many of the prince’s enemies were not killed in combat; instead, they were captured and hanged near his encampment. Several trees around the battlefield were decorated with dangling corpses, swarmed by flies and crows.

  Prince Sweyn looked imposing in full Viking general attire: a silver metal helmet covering his eyes, chainmail armor, and a purple cloak—rare and expensive imports from Constantinople, capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.

  Around him stood Vikings wearing similar armor. On his helmet, two stylized wings were carved to emphasize his authority.

  Behind the prince sat a man in grey robes on a black horse.

  (Image created with Gemini AI for illustrative purposes only)

  “We’ve arrived,” said Athena.

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  “However, I will not intervene in this battle. Just one request: don’t kill Loki. Let me speak with him first.”

  “Why won’t you fight, Master?” Ana asked.

  “I want to see your combat potential. You understand, right?” Athena answered.

  “I’m fine with that. I just want to find that giant and kill him,” said Tania.

  “I’ll do my best not to let you down this time,” added Epona.

  Ana turned to Rodrigo.

  “Rui, stay with Master Athena. We’ll take care of this,” she said with a worried look.

  “I’ll fight too,” Rodrigo replied.

  “Rui, you don’t have a totema. I can’t let you fight!” Ana snapped.

  The freckled goddess glared at him, determined not to let him put himself in danger. Rodrigo felt guilt twist in his chest—remembering how Ana had nearly sacrificed her life to protect him.

  “Let him fight,” Athena said calmly.

  “I can’t do that, Master!” Ana protested.

  “Ana— if I don’t fight, I’ll never know my limit, and I’ll never be able to protect you in the future.

  Besides… you’re not the only one who’s angry,” Rodrigo said, eyes firm.

  “He won’t die, Ana. Stop babying him,” Tania said.

  “Don’t you trust Rodrigo?” Epona added.

  Ana gritted her teeth, turned her back to Rodrigo, and muttered:

  “Do what you want.”

  Athena dismounted her horse, summoned a table, a chair, and some wine with her magic, and sat comfortably.

  “Well then, good luck, kids. I’ll watch from here,” she said with a sly smile.

  “Let’s go,” Tania said.

  Rodrigo and Epona nodded.

  The four of them descended the hill, searching for Loki—but found no trace. The god had hidden his divine presence and could appear as any human.

  Corpses, maimed soldiers, severed heads—the stench of death was overwhelming. Rodrigo felt sick, reminded of his devastated hometown.

  “Is this really all humans know how to do…?” he wondered.

  A group of soldiers spotted them. They drew their weapons and prepared for combat.

  “What business do you have here?” they asked in Danish.

  Rodrigo and the goddesses couldn't respond—they didn’t know the language.

  “They must be spies from the R?misches Reich! Kill them!” another soldier shouted.

  The soldiers charged—when suddenly, a voice stopped them.

  It was the man in grey robes, riding the black horse.

  “I have business with these children. Stand down,” he said, and the soldiers obeyed instantly.