Lezard's Triumph

Explosions rang in Lezard's ears, the light of the fires reflecting off the panes of his glasses. He cast ether about his body, forming a protective shield around him, the ether pulsating with energy, quick to block any attacks lobbed his way. For now it merely protected him from the shrapnel, the jagged pieces of rock that flew through the air, remains of the stone giants he had destroyed.

He sighed as Gungnir hurtled through the air, slamming into the chest of yet another giant, the creature having turned from it's task just in time to be hit with the spear. As the ringing in his ears faded, he could make out the sounds of cheering, the einherjar ecstatic to see their lord and master out on the battle field. Lezard paid them no mind, finding all this fighting, one sided though it may be, to be nothing more than a boring chore.

To the left of him, Loki shot out a beam of red and black ether, cracking open a giant's face. The giant went down screaming, dying a slow death, writhing in place in the grass. How many giants did this make now? Seven, eight? Lezard had lost count, moving towards the wall, picking the creatures off as though they were mere insects. Numbers were inconsequential, results were what mattered, Lezard seeing the wall was almost clear of giants on the Asgardian's side.

"Get into position..." Lezard ordered, turning to glance at Alicia. It was jarring to see the princess in full Valkyrie regalia, seeing her determined face as she nodded her head. It amused him to think she was now his servant, a new toy he could use to help him in this war to regain Lenneth. Walking behind Alicia was a number of einherjar, soldiers he had collected from the battle field, still in prime health and ready to lay their lives down for him. Their ranks were now close to thirty, just a small party that would serve as a diversion for Alicia to reach the bridge.

"All right..." Alicia said, moving to step towards the wall. Lezard grabbed her by the arm, the girl spinning about to fix him with an annoyed look. He tried not to smirk, knowing she didn't like him touching her.

"Not you..."

"But I thought..." A frown was on her face, Alicia's eyes confused.

"You will go out after the einherjar. I'll not risk you falling in the first sweep towards the enemies." Lezard told her, seeing her glare.

"I can't just sit back and do nothing!" She snapped.

"You have a part to play, as do these warriors." Lezard said, speaking to her as though she was slow to understand. "Do not let their sacrifice be wasted." She pursed her lips together, a thin line of disapproval that showed what she thought of his plan.

"Fine." Alicia hissed, yanking her arm free of his grip. With a petulant pout, she walked over to the wall, leaning against it behind the group of nervous einherjar.

"Lord Lezard." Loki's voice in his ear, the trickster clearly worried and dismayed about this plan. "Are you sure about this? There's still time to back out. I would be happy

to go and retrieve the Lady Lenneth in place of the Valkyrie."

"No Loki, my mind is made up." Lezard said. "I need you to lend me aid on the battlefield. You have powers of destruction, you know how to wield ether as a weapon. You will be far more valuable than that girl can ever hope to be."

"If you are sure..." Moodily, Loki moved away from Lezard, the God wondering what was behind the annoyance the trickster had not been able to conceal completely. Loki was on edge ever since arriving in Valhalla. He kept trying to find excuses to leave the battle field, reasons Lezard didn't buy. If anything, Loki's fervent desire to take a moment to himself left Lezard more determined than ever to keep the God by his side. If only to keep an eye on him!

Lezard spared a moment to wonder about Forseti, feeling something akin to gratitude to the God. If his information proved correct, the dead God would be responsible for reuniting Lezard with Lenneth. Lezard couldn't wait to see her again, finding the separation from her near unbearable. He vowed to make all who had conspired to steal her away pay, be they Gods, giants, or man. All would know his wrath, all would quake and cower and most importantly learn, you did not mess with Lezard Valeth's

woman.

With that thought in mind, he strode forward, sure his eyes must be gleaming with a malevolent hue. The einherjar looked a little taken aback at seeing the grim smile on his face, Lezard pausing only to repeat his plans. "Wait until my signal...Loki and I will drive back the giants on the other side of the wall. Once they are clear of it, you are to hurry to get through the opening and into the camp. Take out any who get near you, but head for the bridge. Let the Gods guide your feet so that you may be swift, and that your blows strike true."

"Yes, Lord Lezard." The appointed captain of this hastily put together squadron of einherjar said.

"Do not fail me." His last words were ominous, a murmur of unease going up from the gathered warriors. "Come Loki..." Lezard said, and with a gesture he lifted up into the air, hovering in place. He could hear Loki sighing, the trickster slow to move. But eventually the God joined Lezard in the air, the two flying fast towards the top of the wall. Einherjar were on it, and they did not pause in their appointed tasks, laboring with the oil barrels as they tried to dissuade the giants from attacking the wall.

A cry from the enemy camp, the giants spotting Lezard and Loki. With a smirk on his face, Lezard threw down Gungnir, blasting apart one of the stone creatures. He could hear the sound of ether dispersing, Loki shooting off blasts, hitting critical points on a giant. Arms flew off, and legs shattered, Loki merciless and cruel as he slowly dismembered the beast. Lezard tsked, finding Loki's methods took too long, Lezard preferring to do a quick killing of his opponents.

The giants were torn between staying to attack the wall, and backing away in retreat. Lezard showed them there was no hope for those who ran, aiming Gungnir at the back of one of the stone men. Screams filled the air, the enemy camp was no longer quiet, people panicking as they tried to figure out how to contest the might of two such powerful Gods.

More power was discharged by Loki, Gungnir helping to drive back the giants. Little by little, the stone creatures moved away from the wall, until there was enough space to risk opening it. "Now!" Lezard shouted, giving the hand signal the einherjar had been waiting for.

The door in the wall opened, the einherjar charging out into the enemy camp with wild yells, and excited whoops. Lezard gesture for Loki to follow him, the two going past the wall, flying over the einherjar, ready to lend support from the air.

Alicia and her two companions were the last to emerge from the doorway, moving swiftly as they brought up the rear. On the top of the wall, archers were arriving, readying their arrows to lend long distance support. There was more than just stone giants out on the field, the frost giants were up, risking passing the bonfires to see what was going on.

Monsters prowled the field, rushing forward to meet the first wave of einherjar. Lezard could see swords swinging, hear war cries bellowed as axes were slammed into bodies, spears prodding back sides, maces smashed in faces. As the einherjar battled the monsters, the second unit of einherjar swarmed past them, pushing forward to the next batch of monsters that were arriving.

Flaming arrows were lobbed at the frost giants, the archers quick to take advantage of their weakness. Lezard called Gungnir to his hand, flying right up to one giant, smashing the lance into him. He was getting caught up in the battle, not quite laughing, but feeling exhilarated as he pounded his weapon into the giant again and again.

The third and final wave of einherjar began combat, and though victories were won, already there was losses, several warriors being overwhelmed by the sheer numbers they faced. Lezard finished up with the giant, smashing him into pieces, and flew through the wreckage. He came out the other side of the smoke, surprising a group of chimeras, letting loose with a spell.

Loki was somewhere to the right of him, hands punching the sky, as he shot ether blast after ether blast at his opponents, sending bodies bouncing against the turf. Behind him he could hear Alicia's voice, raising above the cries of the einherjar, the princess fighting valiantly. He didn't turn to watch her progress, concentrating on the enemies in front of him. They were regrouping, slow to approach, unsure of what to do. The einherjar continued to battle the ones who could not retreat, slow but steadily bringing down the monsters.

The bridge was in sight, Lezard gave another signal, Alicia responding. She and her two companions surged forward, running for the bridge. A few monsters broke formation to chase after them, einherjar shouting out a warning. Lezard was in the midst of destroying a frost giant, a scowl on his face. Where was Loki, why wasn't he giving Alicia's advance support?

"Loki!" Lezard snarled out his name, Gungnir singing as it impaled itself into another giant's chest. "What are you doing you fool?!"

"Forgive me Lord Lezard!" Loki called back, tone apologetic. "I am having my own difficulties fending off the beasts!"

"Useless!" Lezard spat, left hand raising to blast ether towards the monsters chasing Alicia. The girl was turning, ready to face them. She swung out her sword, slashing upwards, the point of it driving across a chest and the lower half of a demon's face. That fool Dallas was trying a summoning spell, the shadow servant driving it's claws into a harpy's chest. The archer was quickly depleting her stock of arrows, trying to keep anymore monsters from getting near.

"Stop wasting time on these fools and make a break for it!" Lezard screamed, and pointed a finger at the group. "Animate Earth!" The runes appeared under the monsters' feet, the spell targeting them. They screamed as they were blasted, some dying, other gravely injured. Either way they were distracted from Alicia's party, the princess nodding her thanks at Lezard before turning.

He couldn't spend time watching her disappear over the bridge, he was too busy trying to keep her pursuers away. Loki dispatched the foes he was battling with, floating to Lezard's side. "We should fall back! There are too many of them!"

"No! Hold your ground!" Lezard ordered. "They must not be allowed to pursue the Valkyrie!"

"The einherjar are falling." Protested Loki. "At this rate we will be overwhelmed, and even our powers won't be able to save us!" Loki was steadily falling back as he spoke, still shooting out his ether blasts, but making sure to progress towards the wall. Lezard let out a profane curse, summoning Gungnir back to his hand. He made ready to lob the divine lance at another giant, seeing the monsters torn between attacking the more pressing threats, or going after Alicia.

A few stepped onto the bridge, casting nervous looks at their companions. It was obvious to all who watched that the whole point of the Asgardians attack had been to gain access to the bridge. They had no way of knowing what the reason behind this tactic was, but they seemed determined to make sure Alicia and her companions failed. Gungnir came crashing down in their midst, an explosion of light erupting around them. Bodies went flying, the number of dead increasing, the giants making a decision.

They charged towards Lezard and the einherjar, hoping to overwhelm them with their size and numbers. They were cautious of Lezard, the God easing back as Gungnir returned to his hand. He counted minutes out in his head as he fought, trying to buy Alicia more time. At last he realized he could do no more, not when he was down to only five einherjar.

Lezard gave the signal to retreat, the screams of the dying warriors chasing after him, only outdone by the cheers of their enemy who followed in hot pursuit. Lezard sped towards the wall, feeling the wind tug at his clothes, spotting Loki already perched on top of it. The trickster was still lobbing ether blasts at the enemy, offering cover for their retreat. Lezard joined him on the wall, watching the einherjar make a desperate run for it.

One by one they started to fall, until only three remained, hands scrabbling for the door. Desperately they got it open, and fled back into their camp, slamming it shut behind them. Others were waiting, laboring to put a heavy iron bar across the door, locking it securely so that the monsters couldn't follow. Healers approached the ashen faced survivors, ready to offer ambrosia and comfort as they led them away to the recovery tents.

Lezard idly tossed a few ether bombs down at the enemies who were back to pounding against the wall, testing it's stability. He knew it wouldn't be much longer before the wall fell, and the two sides met. But for now it would hold, Lezard casting a side glance at the highly agitated Loki.

"Someone set up watch." Lezard told the einherjar on top of the wall. "Keep an eye on the bridge for the Valkyrie's return. I want to be notified the instant her party is in sight."

"Yes Lord Lezard." A female soldier said, bowing her head to him. "It shall be done."

"Good." Lezard said, and with one last burst of ether at a chimera, he turned, gesturing for Loki to follow him. The God was all too eager to leave the wall, glancing curiously at Lezard. The former human offered him a weary smile, hand raised to adjust his glasses. "Ah Loki...what say we pay the dungeons a visit?"

"The dungeons?" Loki frowned. "There's no one there of any importance except for..." His eyes widened.

"Thor." Came his answer, confirming Loki's train of thought. The God was staring, his brow furrowed in worry. "Come Loki, don't look at me with such a face. I think it's time to offer Thor a deal." A slow smirk on Lezard's face. "I am sure Thor will be most eager to take it."

"But he betrayed you!" Loki exclaimed, trailing after Lezard. "He tried to kill you."

"And he may attempt it again." Lezard retorted. "I am all too aware of that. However, I will make it clear to him that this time should he fail, death will be the only option." He continued to smirk, wondering if the proud former God had been brought low enough to consider working for Lezard now. Casting ether about, he decided it was time to find out.

--

Lenneth knelt on the ice cold floor of her prison, her skirt pulled back to reveal the lower half of her legs. In her hand she held a piece of wood, the leg of the table she had broken off. It's ends were all splintered, the Goddess handling it with care as she poked and prodded at the metal band fastened around her foot. The inscribed runes were glowing, agitated by her constant prodding.

A current of electricity trickled over her body, making beads of sweat dot her skin, Lenneth enduring the pain as she tried to figure out a way to get the metal band off. So far all her attempts had failed, the Goddess being forced to stop and rest, panting from the pain.

She was getting desperate, Lenneth knowing it was futile, knowing it was only succeeding in hurting her and the baby she carried. Pain zapped up her arm, Lenneth gritting her teeth, pulling back the wood stump. Immediately the runes calmed down, cutting off the ebb of energy in return for her obedience.

She snorted in annoyance, leaning back against the wall, wood clutched in her hand. Lenneth wondered how much time had passed, how long had she been kept prisoner. The days seemed to blur into one entity, leaving her confused at time's passage. She wondered about the baby growing inside her, her hands going to her stomach, caressing her belly nervously.

She had so many unanswered questions, wondering how developed the child was. Right now Lenneth would give anything to see Eir's comforting smile, wanting the woman to reassure her that all the abuse, all the deprivations her body had gone through had not damaged the baby.

With a sigh, Lenneth stood, walking over to the door. She had been trying unsuccessfully to get it to open. But she knew with her powers sealed, even if she got it open, there was little she could do. Where would she go, how would she survive the cold wildness of Jotunheim? She had no weapon, no sword to stave off the ice wolves that prowled the land.

She was left to pray, pinning all her hopes on Forseti evading Loki's murderous intents long enough to get word back to Lezard. Lenneth prayed for Forseti, prayed he was hale and healthy, prayed the wound had only been superficial, hoped he was able to keep one step ahead of Loki.

Shaking her head no, Lenneth resumed poking at the metal. It was after all, the only thing she could do, the only thing she had left to occupy her attention.

--

Her feet pounded the pavement of the bridge, metal greaves clanking loudly as she moved. Her sword was in her hand, stained with fresh blood, and about to get dirtier. There were monsters on the bridge, in hot pursuit of Alicia and her two companions. They tried to keep ahead of them but the beasts were steadily gaining on the party, Alicia casting a nervous look over her shoulder.

Asgard was already a distant blur in the background, no aid would come from that direction. They were on their own, just the three of them against the creatures that stalked them. Dallas was panting, a fine sheen of sweat on his face, the mage doing his best to keep up with the two fleet footed women. At the rate they were going, he would be the first to fall, done in by living a life of softness, Dallas not used to such exercise.

"We stand and fight!" Alicia decided, skidding to a stop. Lydia and Dallas moved past her, getting into formation. She could hear the creak of the bow, Lydia drawing back the string as she sighted her arrow towards her chosen target. Dallas was breathing heavy, not having the voice needed to start chanting his spells. That was okay, Alicia would cover him until he recovered and could be of use to her.

With a roar, the monsters reached them, demons and chimeras eager for the fight. Alicia dashed forward, trusting her armor to protect her, ready to fend back the press of their attackers.

"Pulverizing Storm!" Lydia shot off an arrow, the shaft glowing, splitting into numerous arrows of light. The barrage swept past Alicia, torpedoing into the enemies' bodies, striking them fast and hard. Screams were heard, a chimera dying, the other bouncing back but refusing to fall. The demon's armor protected them from most of Lydia's attack, drifting forward to meet Alicia's sword.

She screamed, driving her arm forward, trying to impale a demon in the chest. It brought up gauntlet covered hands, sparks flying as her sword struck the metal. "Thunder Storm!" Dallas had recovered enough to cast a spell, a black storm cloud swirling into being over the monster group. Lightening flashed down, shocking them all, zapping their energy.

Another arrow from Lydia, the girl not wasting her energy on her signature attack. Instead she focused on the remaining chimera, arrows embedding into it's chest and head. An arrow was sunk right between the eyes of the beast, the creature going cross eyed as it fell forward.

"This should do it!" Alicia said, leaping up high to smash the hilt of her sword into the demon's face. It rocked his head back from the force of her blow, Alicia quickly brining her sword down to slice open his armor plating.

"Explosion!" Dallas' spell hit the exposed skin of the demon's chest, ripping the monster apart. Blood and gore showered the bridge, Alicia careful not to slip as she went to deal with the last demon. Lydia's bow sang, arrow after arrow being shot off in rapid succession, penetrating whatever skin wasn't covered with armor. The demon tried to catch Alicia with it's claws, the girl dropping down to her knees, sweeping out her foot in a kick.

The demon's footing was knocked out from beneath it, stumbling backwards as Alicia leaped up, sword tearing into the armor on it's chest. Dallas quickly followed up her attack with a spell of his own, casting explosion once more. The demon didn't even have time to scream, being torn apart.

No time to breathe a sigh of relief, the bridge was shaking as something heavy approached them. From out of the smoke of the explosion, came a fist, fingers trying to catch Alicia around the waist. She jumped backwards, narrowly avoiding getting grabbed.

"Oh no..." Dallas muttered, Alicia understanding his frustration. It was a giant who now chose to do battle with them. Towering over the trio, menacing and made of jagged rock.

"Lydia!" Alicia cried out the archer's name, twirling her sword about as she considered her options.

"I'm on it!" Lydia called back, walking backwards as she took careful aim. The arrow did not fly, the giant was holding one hand in front of his face, ready to block the arrows. It seemed they had finally learned to guard their faces, leaving the archer unable to get a clean shot at the eyes.

Alicia tensed up, preparing to unleash all her energy in a desperate attack. She had seen how well a spear to the chest had worked for Lezard, Alicia praying that as Valkyrie she now had enough strength to back up her own such throw.

"Gather crushing ice!" Alicia shouted, hand held with the palm facing the giant. Photons emitted from her hand, freezing the giant in place. Knees bent slightly, Alicia jumped straight up into the air, feeling her wings form, flapping to hold her aloft. She felt the power flow to her hands, the princess summoning a spear, an imitation of the divine lance Gungnir. It was larger than her, it's length almost twice the size of her body. And yet, it felt light to her hands, Alicia easily drawing it back.

"Finishing Strike!" She flew towards the giant's chest, seeing the ice was starting to crack, the giant in the midst of breaking free of it's prison. Her wings flapped hard, driving her forward with the speed of a stallion, the tip of the spear aimed for the chest of her opponent. "Nibelung Valesti!!"

She scored a direct hit just as the giant roared back into life, arms raised up high as it broke free of the ice. The spear impaled itself through the stone, tip emerging the other side. Alicia held onto it, glancing up at the stunned giant's face. For one instant time seemed to still, the two opponents just looking at each other. And then, with a mighty groan, cracks began appearing on the giant's body.

Alicia used her feet to push off the giant, flying backwards to hover over Lydia and Dallas. With a scream, the giant exploded, stone parts going flying off the sides of the bridge. Relieved, Alicia floated back down to the ground, her wings evaporating in a shower of light.

"Let's keep moving." Alicia said, not ready to sheathe her sword.

"Right." Dallas said, looking anxious as he view the way back towards Asgard. "We don't want to dawdle. Who knows what may come at us next."

"I'll face them all down." She was not boasting when she said this, Alicia deadly serious. She'd take on any opponent to reunite with Rufus.