Ashfeld…

In the giant green fields of a plain, two figures could be seen walking side by side. One of these figures were just a bit shorter than the other but not a whole lot. The other was obviously taller and thicker in size. They both stood outside of an unknown castle wall made out of stone. The two figures could be seen clearly now. Both were wearing the black iron armor of their own design. The taller person in the black armor wielded a poleaxe large enough for his massive size. The smaller person wielded nothing other than their own words and wits. They then come to a halt.

The larger figure looked out into the open valley and pondered at its natural green beauty. He then spoke soft but harshly, "Master, why did you bring me out here? Was it to kill me?"

The smaller figure revealed as master responded to him, "No. If I had wanted you dead...we wouldn't have made it out all the way here and it would not be done by my hand. Instead, I have brought you out here because I notice you have been lacking the fightful spirit you had when I first saw you years ago. May I ask what's changed my rightful second?"

The tall stranger had nothing to say as a response until he thought of an answer. "I find no reason to fight in these lands or fight for this cause you have us set on. I only see death, murder, and slaughter of many warriors than a worthy cause. Master Apollyon I seek guidance for my purpose. I wish to find my new reason why I am here."

Now revealed by name of Apollyon it was clear now what this situation appeared to be. Apollyon faced her second, even with helmets on her second could definitely feel a dreadful stare being put on him. She then responded, "You showed me how to be the judge, the jury, and the executioner. I lose wolves all the time during a war but they never affected me on our mission to show who you all are. You, however, seem to be harder to lose for the first time in all my commanding ages. Ironic honestly. A Lawbringer, whose forgotten their own purpose and now seeks to find a new one. Your lucky I have an actual soft spot for you rather than anyone else."

The Lawbringer felt safe to speak freely yet unsatisfied. He places his poleaxe firmly in the ground to stand. He then faces his entire large body towards his master, kneeling before her. "If this truly displeases you master then don't hesitate to take my life since I seem to become an unworthy ally to the cause. Use my own weapon if you must."

A distasteful growl came from Apollyon when saying, "With that sheep-ish like attitude I just may. No! Rise Bonifaas today is the day I set you on a new path. A path that'll take you anywhere than here and to hopefully give you a new meaning. Hopefully, that new meaning is a cause for war."

Bonifaas was surprised to hear her spare someone as sheep-like like him. "D-Do you mean it, Master?!"

Apollyon gives him another dreadful stare along with a groan as she said, "I would not joke about this if I had no intention of hearing you out. Now go before I change my mind and decide to kill you where you stand."

Bonifaas took her last words, took his poleaxe weapon out of the ground, and then began to walk off into the distance. Bonifaas traveled to many lands where the knights of different masters ruled. He was ambushed many times by other legions of knights or thieves. He managed to always come out of it unharmed for such a skilled warrior as himself. So good Apollyon tested his own might against her in a duel and was close to losing against him. Her ruthlessness proved no advantage to their duel and came close to losing until she saw an opening from Bonifaas attacks. Apollyon used it against him and he was held from behind being choked by her own sword close to beheading. Bonifaas thought he was the one to die in that duel but Apollyon yielded the fight and called it a draw. Bonifaas never bothered to ask why she spared him that day or why to call it a draw and he probably never will.

Bonifaas traveled for many weeks turning into months. Meeting new strangers along the way. While Bonifaas made new friends he lost them as well. These events began to change him entirely into something that would strike fear into any man, maybe even Apollyon. While he lost so many of his new friends he became very anti-social. He then became a deadly silent warrior. For a Lawbringer that seems impossible but his name and terror spread across distant and local lands. Thief's never bothered him anymore when they saw him or he saw them. He was given the name, The Silent Judge. Even Vikings heard of his terror and took it as a challenge. So one stormy night Bonifaas sat under the covers of thick and thin trees. He had a fire going to keep himself warm during the night. While he sat comfortably he heard something rattling around in the bushes in front of him. Bonifaas ignores it as if it doesn't bother him. Until the rattling got more vicious sounding all around him. This then got his attention while surveyed the area he slowly reached for his poleaxe that mysteriously disappeared from where it lay.

Bonifaas jumps up out of surprise and shock but didn't stop him from going without a fight. While his back was turned he didn't notice someone jump out from behind and smashed a rock over his thick metal helmet. Bonifaas lost consciousness but the last thing he heard was a crazed maniacal laugh before he passed out.

Valkenheim, The Pit….

Bonifaas slowly begins to wake up. As he regained consciousness he heard someone loud and obnoxious speaking in an unknown language to himself but familiar by sound.

"Vikings!" he whispered to himself. Bonifaas looks over to the left and saw his poleaxe laying there beside him. He takes quickly and stands up and was greeted by a loud roar from the crowd he was surrounded by standing safely outside of his reach.

"Öflugur og banvænn Silent Dómari Ashfeld kom til okkar af einum keppinautum okkar í dag! Drekkið upp stráka í dag, við prófum kannski þessa svokallaða hæfa stríðsmaður! Sjáðu hversu lengi hann getur varað! Settu veðmál þín núna!" shouted the Warlord sitting in his chair like a king.

Bonifaas had no clue what he was saying but knew it couldn't be good. Then the gates to his left opened up and out on all fours came charging a Shaman. The Shaman purposely charged into the lawbringer like a bull. Bonifaas quickly dodged to his right safely straying himself from the Shaman. Little did he know the Shaman did a quick 360 and charged at Bonifaas unsuspectedly from behind. Bonifaas was knocked down from the sudden push from the Shaman, leaving him defenseless. While he tried to regain his stance the Shaman taunted him with her tiny crazy giggle.

Bonifaas heard her and got infuriated by how annoying she sounded. As he was getting up the Shaman behind him dashed towards him but Bonifaas was quick and smart. He quickly turned to face the Shaman he saw lunged at him like a wild mountain lion or wolf. Bonifaas saw she was holding a small ax in her right hand and a small machete-like knife in the left. He prevented her from stabbing him from either side by grabbing her wrists mid-air. Though this Shaman was swift and crafty in intense situations. When she noticed herself held back by her wrists she then decided to kick Bonifaas in the middle of his metal chest then when distracted by the weak kick she instantly headbutted his metal head. Of course, it hurt the Shaman more than it did Bonifaas.

Bonifaas was shocked by the fearsome retaliation the Shaman put up. The Shaman was dropped to the ground in aching pain and Bonifaas felt it was pointless to fight an idiot. Regardless of how deadly they're considered to be. Bonifaas took his poleaxe and hooked onto his back. He faces the warlord and says, "This is no fight! I will not fight an imbecile animal!" Bonifaas was angry and disappointed but the Shaman did not plan on giving in.

The Shaman made a loud growling sound that got the attention of her foe. Bonifaas turned to face the Shaman and out of shock, he was scraped by the ax she swung at him. Bonifaas reacted quickly and stepped back every time she swung at him. "Her swings are clumsy" Bonifaas thought. He then grabbed the ax from the Shaman when she swung again. Stopping her midway Bonifaas believed he had the upper hand until he felt himself get stabbed in the chainmail opening of his armor. Now he felt himself bleed from his armor. He tossed the Shaman away from him to check his wound. He was bleeding and this made him angry. He let out a low groan mixed with anger.

The Shaman noticed the blood and her senses enhanced and then became entranced by the sight of the dark red liquid. The Shaman got on all fours and lunged at Bonifaas once more. He was caught off guard by the Shaman nailing him down on the ground. Bonifaas did his best to get her off but she had way more advantage over him this time. Bonifaas tried to push her off but the Shaman was persistent. She took Bonifaas arm, forcing it down on the ground then impaled it there with her knife. Bonifaas ignored the pain while he focused on getting her off. It was no use as she got ahold of his other arm and then did something only a wolf or lion would do. Chew at his finger but thanks to his iro armor covering his hand she was unable to bite them off.

So Bonifaas yanked his hand from her mouth then went at her head. He caught two of the three ponytails she had on the back and pulled really hard making sure she felt the pain. The Shaman indeed felt something and yelped in pain as she was pulled back off of Bonifaas. Bonifaas pulled hard enough on the Shaman's hair to throw her back away. Giving him enough time to pull out her knife from his hand. Once he did he was then able to stand up on his feet. He saw the Shaman trying to ease from the pain she felt from him. Once she regained her focus she saw the Lawbringer and charged at him once more but this time on her two legs, running at him like some crazed disturbed person. Bonifaas remembered the knife he just pulled and had an idea come to him. He threw the knife at the Shaman and lucky enough it stabbed right at her shoulder. Now the Shaman was knocked down in pain trying to rip out her own weapon used against her.

The crowd around them spectating were roaring wild watching the intense battle between them. They drank mead and ate food that was given to them. Funny enough they placed their bets all on the Shaman because she was the one who dragged Bonifaas in the first place. But some spectators were beginning to regret their decision on who they betted on as seeing their contender was losing.

War Lord's POV…

"What in the Hel's name is going on?! We already started and the contender is losing?! No! Impossible! He should've been dead by now! No one has ever beaten the Shaman in my Pit! Or even lasted this long against her!"

The Pit…

Bonifaas took out his poleaxe and readied to use it. He slowly walks up to the defenseless Shaman who seemed outwinded. The Shaman clumsy like swung at Bonifaas out of breath. Bonifaas hit her directly to the forehead with his poleaxe shaft stunning her to the ground. Bonifaas then positioned himself to decapitate her but then seeing closely at the Shaman all he saw was a broken woman who seemed to lose her mind. She couldn't even seem to beg for mercy because she had no clue what mercy even was. Bonifaas felt it would just be shameful to kill her because of her illness. So instead he places his pole ax beside him standing up. Then he faced the War Lord drinking his mead.

"Is this how you celebrate?! Is this what you call civilized?! A broken woman left to fight for what?! Your enjoyment?! Where I come from this would be shameful! Even you sitting up there all nice and feeling safe makes you a hugleysingi!" Bonifaas shouted out to the top of his lungs pointing at the War Lord.

War Lord's POV…

"Hoc est celebramus quomodo ?! Hoc est, quid autem vocatis humanae ?! Contritum relicta pugnare pro ?! Fructus ?! Quo me venire ut reveles ignominiam? Etiam nice quod et tu sedens illic omnia sentiens ad tutum facit coward!" Shouted the Lawbringer pointing at the Warlord.

The War Lord choked on his mead after he heard exactly what the Lawbringer said. "Coward?! I will make you suffer those words you Black Stone dog!" shouted the War Lord grabbing his shield and sword from either side of him then jumping down.

The Lawbringer picked up his poleaxe quickly then saying, "Deinde veni in. Pugnare mihi!" The Lawbringer banged his poleaxe shaft against his metal chest plate as a sign of "bring it on" or "come at me, bro."

Bonifaas POV…

He saw the War Lord jump down armed with his sword and shield. "Ég drep þig!" said the War Lord angrily.

Bonifaas stood defensively ready for whatever the War Lord would come at him with. Then the War Lord laughed and pulled out a horn. He blew into it and all of a sudden minions, a Raider, and a Berserker came out to assist the War Lord. Rushing to his side ready to fight to the death. Bonifaas looked at the numbers of enemies he was about to fight or he thought he was and told himself he will survive or die to try. The War Lord laughed at the numbers of allies he had with him and decided to speak with the knight.

"Hey. Black Stone." the War Lord called out.

Bonifaas was shocked to hear him speak his language but kept his composure. "What do you want savage?"

"I'll forget what you said and keep you alive IF you let us take that wild animal behind you. She's got a lot to pay back and that won't come easy for bringing in competitors. I have a better plan for her to pay back her debt. So how about you step out our way and this won't be messy?" the War Lord attempted to swindle his way with Bonifaas.

Bonifaas did not respond with his words but his actions said enough when he looked back at the Shaman then back at the numerous of enemies in front of him. He used the other end of his poleaxe shaft to draw a line between him and the Shaman. "You wanted to see a fight right? Well, here it is!" Bonifaas said stepping towards the many Vikings and over the line, he drew in the dirt.

Angering the Vikings the War Lord sent the Raider and the Berserker in first. Bonifaas waited for them to attack first and surely enough the raider ducked down and came charging at him. He dodged to the side and focused on the Berserker that jumped up into the air with his two ax's slamming down towards him. Bonifaas parried his attack and retaliated with one top unblockable and cutting down on the Berserkers head. The Raider came at him from behind and Bonifaas knocked him back in the throat with the opposite end of his poleaxe. Stunned and coughing up a bit of blood the Raider became enraged. The raider swung his ax to the right then left but both times were blocked by Bonifaas. The third time the Raider swung his ax it was parried by Bonifaas. He then grabbed the raider by the throat, lift him up, then broke his neck. He then tossed the body to his side. He then returned his focus on the War Lord who began to worry. He nervously looked to his sides and sent his minions in.

Little did he know his minions were just cannon fodder for him to escape as he saw them all slowly getting cut down by the massive knight. He used them as a distraction to escape through the wooden gate behind him that was locked. He banged on the door and cried for help hoping someone would come and rescue him. Then suddenly a large shadow covered him and it was no one other than the Lawbringer himself, Bonifaas.

"Odin's beard!" cried the War Lord then he was picked up and thrown back into the open area of the arena.

"Fight me with honor coward!" Bonifaas demanded loudly.

The War Lord got up on his feet still armed with his shield and sword. "Why?! Why does that tíkur matter to you so much?!"

"Call it a soft spot," Bonifaas said proudly.

The War Lord disliked his answer and attempted to attack the knight where he stood. Bonifaas however just thwacked him in the head. Stunning and making the War Lord drop his weapons. The War Lord didn't bother to pick them up and went in for a punch. Bonifaas did the same thing again but this time he knocked the War Lord down on all fours.

The War Lord looks up to see his impending doom rain down upon him. "Wait!" he shouted at the top of his lungs before being decapitated by Bonifaas poleaxe.

It's over, Bonifaas thought to himself. He looked around to see a crowd no longer there with them to react to what just happened. Relieved that he made it through the day he looked back to the Shaman. "Now...what am I going to do with you? Hmmmm...aha!" Bonifaas said to himself aloud then came up with an idea.

Five hours later…Shamans POV

The Shaman woke up dizzy. She then noticed her surroundings were different than they were before.

"Valhalla?!" she thought to herself as dead.

But then her vision became clear she was sitting in an empty room by herself on the floor. A bed with a blanket and pillow and in front of her was a plate with food and a cup of mead beside it. Hearing her own stomach growl she was starving and was now given a chance to eat something freshly prepared. She dug right in like a hungry wild beast. Munching away at the meat she was trying to force down her throat. Then a thought came to her.

"Who prepared this?" she thought. Then the Shaman stood up on her two feet and headed towards the door ahead of her then was knocked off her feet by something tugging on her. She coughed a bit till she rolled onto her stomach and saw a chain leading up to her neck. She was imprisoned but by who? The Lawbringer she fought and thought to have lost to then walked in from the door. He bore nothing but his armor. Wielded no weapon of any sort. The only thing he had was a small silver key that goes to the Shamans chain.

"Im 'non certus si possis intellegere verbum ego autem non sum dicentes hic est nocere tibi." said the Lawbringer in a soft tone as he slowly walked closer to the Shaman.

The Shaman understood nothing the Blackstone knight was saying in his foreign tongue. She instantly crawled back in fear with bits of food still in her mouth. She went for her weapons but then saw them over at a table far from her reach. She knew the position she was in was difficult but she would not let her guard down.

"Nolite expavescere. Servavi animam tuam ne despexeris. Uti vellent tibi et prohibuit eam. Omnes occidit. Ego sum iustus trying ut sint vobis...vobis friend." the Lawbringer spoke again but this time the Shaman understood his last word.

"Friend?" she asked aloud confused.

Bonifaas got her attention now and knew he was getting through to her little by little. He nodded and put a hand to his armored chest and pointed back to the Shaman while repeating the word friend in her language. He knew their language barrier would be a problem but he tried physically to show he was not the enemy to her.

The Shaman tilted her head to the side as she swallowed the last bit of her food down. "You...are...friend?" she asked confused tilting her head. "Friend wears black metal," she spoke in a slightly raspy voice.

Bonifaas POV…

Bonifaas knew he was probably close to something as he repeatedly heard the word friend and assumed she was understanding the message he's trying to send. He pushed on, "Yes! Yes! I and you become vinir! I wish not to hurt you or become enemy. I will free you if we are vinir!" he says as he dangles the keys in front of the Shaman.

The Shaman still seemed confused until the sight of the keys to her freedom appeared before her. "Vinur myndi sleppa mér?" The Shaman asked pointing to the keys.

Bonifaas wanted to test her as he saw his plan seemed to be working. He hooked the keys onto his waist belt and reached over to her ax and knife. In both hands he held out them to the Shaman. The shaman slowly reached out for her weapons as she did her eye caught a glimpse of the keys hanging off the knight's waist just within reach. As one of her hands got ahold of her ax an idea popped into her head. She planned on killing the knight scum, take the keys and free herself, then go back to her lifestyle out in the wilderness hoping her kin would hear of her victory over The Silent Judge. She went for that idea and swiped her ax for Bonifaas head. She missed and her knife was yanked from her reach within seconds of her getting ahold of it too.

"I thought I could trust you?! Focus on yourselves and stab each other in the back huh?! I guess my master was right about you and your kin!" Bonifaas said angrily walking towards the door.

The Shaman was furious with her failure and seeing him walking away made her feel even worse. Out of her anger, she clumsily aimed and threw her ax at Bonifaas but missed again hitting the wall next to him. Bonifaas slammed the door behind him without even looking back to the ax thrown at him or even at the Shaman. Before he left he dropped the Shamans knife just in front of the door. The Shaman saw her knife and tried reaching for it just to be held back and choked by the chain she was still stuck with. An anxious whimper came from her mouth as she tried to think of ways to free herself.

Bonifaas sped through the wooden halls of the arena's barracks in anger and rage, grabbing his poleaxe that was leaning against the wall. He made his way out of the halls and onto the battlefield of the arena. He walked out more onto the field to look for a gate to leave from. Seeing he had no way to leave from the fighting grounds he turned back towards the way he came. As soon as he was facing the door he came through, there stood a tired and weak looking Shaman, chain still connected and now wielding her knife and ax. She looked exhausted but somehow managed to look terrifying at the same time. Bonifaas felt around his waist and felt the keys to the Shaman's chain. He took them off from his waist belt and held them out to her.

The Shaman saw but paid no attention to his offer. She was staring dead at him, her blood boiling for revenge. She crouched low and released a furious growl at Bonifaas. He saw this and knew his offer was nothing to the Viking savage until he or she was dead. But to make it fair he tossed the keys to her. The key landed just below the Shaman. She picked it up without looking and with one hand she freed herself from the chain. Now she could move freely without anything holding her back. Bonifaas unsheathed his poleaxe then saluted the Shaman to at least show a bit of honor before commencing the fight. He then holds his poleaxe above his head to guard it. The Shaman did nothing in response but heavily breathed as the anger within her burned like a fire. Then suddenly she releases a terrifying war cry then charging on both legs to Bonifaas.

As she got closer Bonifaas was ready for what he believed was going to push him back. He held his position like a giant stone rock. The Shaman then reached him and swung for a top heavy. Bonifaas didn't flinch or move and waited for the opportunity to parry her attack. Until shockingly the Shaman immediately switched her attack from a top-heavy to a sneaky side bleed with her knife. That hit surprised Bonifaas and made him back up to gain distance from the Shaman. When he did though the shaman on all fours lunged for him. Bonifaas dodged it once but the second time came at him as a surprise as she managed to knock him down then biting down on his neck as hard as she could. Breaking through his chainmail somehow and take a small chunk of his neck. Bonifaas screamed in pain and pushed the Shaman off of him.

The Shaman spat out the mixture of metal and flesh from her mouth but a huge gush of blood stuck to her mouth and teeth like paint. She looked more terrifying than before besides the fact she was pissed off. Bonifaas struggled to keep his stance as he felt his own blood leaking heavily down his neck to his chest and to the tip of his shoes. He begins to feel very light headed then his vision started to blur until he fainted landing on the ground. The Shaman saw the black iron giant fall lifeless to the ground and believed he died from her vicious attack. She carefully crawled towards his body to confirm her kill. A small puddle of blood formed in the cold dirt under his neck growing slowly bigger becoming noticeable.

The Shaman uses her knife to poke the still body of the knight. Out of fear she backed away expecting him to jump up and continue fighting. None of her imaginations came true and believed he had died. Shaman angry attitude changed to joy and began to prance around his body cheering in her victory. That is until she heard a loud choking cough come from the knight. She suddenly stopped and turn her focus to the knight who sat up but no further. The Shaman stood in her ready to pounce stance waiting for her moment to strike.

Bonifaas held himself up from the ground and saw the Shaman ready to finish the killing blow. He used a free hand to take off his helmet to get some fresh air. He felt the winter breeze brush against his face completely as he freed himself from the black metal like cage he contained himself in. A small drop of blood ran down from the corner of his lip. While he was sitting still doing nothing but staring straight at the eyes of the last thing he'll probably see creeping closer to him. The Shaman kept herself ready to whatever she might have to in case it was a trap. As she reached him she knelt on one knee leaning close to the knight. Bonifaas had a saddened expression on his face as he felt his life slowly slip away from him.

He then reached for something in his leather pouch and showed it to the Shaman. The Shaman saw the small object which he held and saw it was a spherical amulet with an engraving of a knights helmet and a sword between the two except the second helmet was designed differently than the other. It appeared simpler than the other in detail comparison.

As Bonifaas held it out he weakly said, "This is the oath I swore to uphold but… that oath was meaningless to me after I joined the Black Stone Legion. War. War was the only thing that meant something to us." he tightened his grip around the amulet almost crushing it as he continued saying, "But not to me. I wanted something far greater than war." He released his tight grip on the amulet and dropped it letting it fall to the ground.

He lost his strength to keep himself up and fell back to the ground. The Shaman got closer to see if he was still breathing. Bonifaas still was but slowly drifting further towards death.

"I wanted...peace.", Bonifaas said softly. He began to breathe shortly but intensely. "Go...take your victory and live on a warrior.", he said patting gently on the Shaman's shoulder.

Even when weak his "gentle" pat was enough to lightly shove the Shaman a bit. She was surprised he spoke to her completely in her language. Was it shock? Memory? She may never know as she then picked up his helmet stained in his blood. The Shaman gave one last look to Bonifaas in the eye as she held his helmet in her hands. She then spoke to him, "Friend will find peace. In Valhalla." She turned away and proceeded to leave the abandoned arena. On her way out she picked up his helmet.

Bonifaas began to see a white light as he gave his last breath of air before he passed. When he did he felt nothing holding onto him. No burdens, no regrets, nothing weighing him down. He then realized he got what he wanted, peace. Not the global peace but the feeling within himself. He closed his eyes and finally died peacefully not feeling any pain.

5 months later….

The Pit arena and surroundings were worn out and crumbled down to the ground. Deceased bodies of old fighters remained where they lay. Bonifaas armor appeared to be intact still but his body seemed to be decaying. Multiple footsteps could be heard approaching the arena floor. It was Apollyon herself in the flesh! She dragged along a small Viking minion towards the body of Bonifaas. Apollyon threw the small Viking beside the body and immediately wielded her sword putting it to the small throat of the minion.

"Is this him?!", she snarled at the minion pushing her sword closer then causing him to bleed a bit down his neck.

The minion hyperventilated but nodded in response in hopes she would not kill him.

"Good." , she calmly said then sheathing her sword. She then said to Holden Cross who traveled with them to kill the minion.

Holden lifted his mighty poleaxe and easily cut down the minion with one swing. Apollyon approached the body of Bonifaas and saw his body barely deceased but can see the progress in motion. She knelt down beside him and inspected the wounds on his neck.

"It's him alright." , Holden said planting his poleaxe in the ground then removing his helmet. "Poor bastard went out fighting it seems." , he added before continuing he picked up Bonifaas weapon, inspecting it. "It appears he didn't have to try that much."

"How so?" , Apollyon asked without looking away from Bonifaas.

Holden brought over Bonifaas poleaxe and showed her the wears and tears on the pole of the poleaxe. "It seems he mostly been on the defensive until he saw an opening," Holden explained while pointing out the battle scars on particulars areas of the weapon.

"What did this then?" , Apollyon asked pointing at the giant wound on Bonifaas neck.

"No way it's-" , he was cut off from the sound of a war horn off in the distance. "We need to leave master, now!" , he added in worry.

"Not without his body." , Apollyon said.

"Master we can't risk getting ourselves killed out here without reinforcements. His body will be deadweight for us." , Holden said beginning to freak out.

"Holden? If you fear being caught and killed by these savages, by all means, leave without me." , Apollyon said then lifting Bonifaas body over her shoulder. It was heavier for her than it appeared but she managed to lift up the body.

Holden saw his master pick up the large body and easily walk out the front door with it in hand. He followed and as soon as he caught up with her he took off the direction they came from. Not stopping for his leader. He kept going until he could not anymore and out of sight from anyone coming. Apollyon was as expectedly being weighed down by Bonifaas dead body but she did not let that stop her from bringing his body back. As she continued to push forward into the snowy forest she heard the bushes beside her rustle around. Suddenly a small pack of large wolves appeared from the bushes blocking Apollyon's path. Then came rushing out a Raider, and a Berserker. Their leader came out last and who better it be than the Shaman who killed Bonifaas herself.

The Shaman had Bonifaas helmet hanging on her waist belt along with other skulls or bones from her previous encounters. Apollyon and the Shaman met with each other's eyes, suddenly a burning anger sparked in her heart as she saw the helmet that belonged to her favorite sparring partner and considered equal, Bonifaas. She felt the anger flow through her veins seeing the savage murderer before her. If she was to bury her dead ally she would bury him whole with his armor. She gently dropped his body beside her in the ankle-deep snow, then dreadfully stare down the Shaman. The Shaman's eyes followed the body and saw it was the knight she had defeated in the arena five months ago. She shuddered in fear of the realization that before she was the Black Stone Legion master. The black armored warden deemed to be a demon that can't feel any pain from the sharpest of blades and daggers. She may not feel pain but she definitely felt the anger of losing someone she saw as an equal to her fighting skill.

The Shamans backup also reacted to realizing it was the great Black Stone Legion master. The said a few words to each other out of their own fear not knowing what to do. The two warriors look to their pack leader for a command, hoping she would have an answer for them. The Shaman said nothing but stared down basically death itself in human form. When her Raider and Berserker was given no command they look to each other and screamed one word, "Valhalla!" They then charged the black knight with the wolves to assist them. The Shaman, however, stood still as if she had frozen from the winter cold.

Apollyon quickly unsheathed her sword as she dashed forward towards the Berserker first bashing his head against the end of her swords handle to stun him. She then turned her attention to a wolf that lunged at her from behind. She put out a free hand to grab the large wolfs neck, strangling the large canine until she crushed its windpipe. Noticing another wolf coming in for an attack she tossed the now dead wolf to the other hoping it would hold it off for a bit. The Raider and Berserker both simultaneously attacked her from behind and in front of her. Apollyon knew they would try this and she simply parried their attacks. She went for the Raider, guard breaking him then shoving him against the Berserker leading them to topple on each other. As she was about approaching them she heard a silent rush of footsteps approaching from behind. She glanced back to see the other wolf she had tossed its dead friend at lunge again at her neck but this time succeeding in its effort.

Apollyon fought to keep on her feet as the wild dog viciously tried to rip apart her armor. While the wolf kept her busy the Raider and Berserker got back on their feet. The Raider quickly spoke to his ally beside him telling him to get far apart from him for what he planned to do next. His Berserker friend listened and got as far from him as he could but also not far from the fight. Apollyon fought hard with the dog until she got ahold of its leg, tossed it over her shoulder then impaling it with her sword deep down into its chest. Pulling it out she cracked her neck after that small confrontation. Then facing the two savage warriors behind her she was caught off guard when the raider was already close to her. The Raider charged at her low and fast like a bull. He caught Apollyon and rushed her directly into a thick tree stunning her. He backed up giving himself some room to work with then summoned his ally to attack her while stunned. The Berserker did, rushing in fast and close toward Apollyon, then swung a light attack. Not much damage was done but he did manage to leave a small scratch across her helmet.

The Raider then went in for a heavy attack from above. He landed a hit leaving a bigger scratch on her chest piece. They held back thinking they did a lot of damage to her. That's when Apollyon gets off the tree and slowly approaches the two.

"Heh." She chuckled mocking the two warriors before her.

They stood cluelessly as to what she was laughing at.

She then said to them which she only understood still softly laughing, "Is that really the strength of the Vikings?! You both could have done so much more than simply damage my armor."

"Weak!" She yelled then shoulder bashing the Raider. She unleashed a small fury of light attacks on him before shoulder bashing him again to an opposite tree.

Apollyon changed her focus to the Berserker. She dashed directly at him and swung from above. Landing the hit she followed it up by shoulder bashing him, landed some lights in different directions. The Berserker could not keep up with her speed to the point it became impossible for him to keep track. The Berserker went in for a heavy from the right of his guard just hoping to land one single hit. Apollyon parried his heavy then bashed him backward. Feeling the pain deep within his chest he dropped both of his axes. He fell to his knees in pain groaning out loud. Apollyon approached the fallen Viking watching him suffer. He was badly hurt and bleeding almost all over his chest. She then lowered herself down to his level and grabbed his throat, choking him as she lifted him up off the ground.

The Raider watched as his ally was about to be killed by the demon his people feared so much. He felt weak but with the last bit of his strength he got to his feet and tried to hurry over to save the Berserker. As all of this went down the Shaman haven't moved from her spot. She still stood where she has been the moment they arrived just staring at the reminder of her victory...and her soon downfall. As the Raider got closer he saw Apollyon doing something he could not see from his point of view. Until she turned around to face the tired Raider. He was left exhausted and terrified at what he was now seeing. His friend beheaded by the hands of the demon. Apollyon tossed the head down in front of the Raider. All he could do was endlessly stare at the head of his friend in terror. The feeling of loss overwhelmed him entirely. That soon ended as Apollyon got behind him then using both of her hands to twist and snap the neck of the Raider. His body dropped to the ground and lay still as his life faded instantly. Apollyon let out a relieved sigh then turned to the last person alive, the Shaman.

"Both of them. Sheep. The usage of wild dogs as help. Sheep. You standing there all dumb and in terror. SHEEP!" Apollyon shouted at the Shaman. She stood in front of the Shaman who then fell to her knees from her yelling. She did not understand anything being said to her but she thought the sight of submission would give her a chance of mercy.

"How could someone so helpless, nameless, weak, and afraid survive this long and yet able to kill...him," Apollyon said then pointing at Bonifaas body. "You killed a very high skilled warrior yet you don't even put up a guard when facing me?! Pathetic!" Apollyon continued to shout at the Shaman. She roughly takes ahold of the Shaman's bottom jaw then forces the Shaman's face to meet hers. "If you think that I'm going to kill you- then no you're wrong. I'm going to make sure you know how it feels to lose everything you ever loved. I will make sure I wipe out the very existence of your kind and make you watch each and every one of them dies slowly!" She said angrily.

Then from the corner of her eye, she saw a silhouette appear. Looking over she saw Holden return to her. "Ah! Holden. I'd like to introduce you to our new friend. The Black Sheep is what we'll call her from now on." She said gesturing to the Shaman on the floor. Holden saw the Shaman that was in fear for her life.

"Why call her the Black Sheep?" Holden asked confused before continuing, "Why not just sheep as all the others?"

"Because Holden, this one is an imposter, a liar to her own kind. She did not even try to fight me or with the others, she brought with her to their own slaughter. That is why of all the sheep-ish warriors I have faced she has proven to be the worst of them all. She's a rare special kind of sheep that should be punished and pushed to their limit." Apollyon explained.

"That bad huh?" Holden asked but not seeming to care. "So what do you plan to do with her then?" He asked.

"We take her back with us and make her a prime example of what I have been trying to show you all," Apollyon answered.

"Alright then," Holden said and without a moment to think he took hold of the Shamans arm before being stopped by his master.

"No. Carry Bonifaas body. She won't try to run after seeing what I can do." Apollyon said then nudging the Shaman with her foot to stand.

The Shaman stood thinking that's what she wanted from her and waited for another command. She then saw Apollyon point in the direction they wanted to go. Then like an obedient child, she walked in that same direction. Apollyon watched her shiveringly do as she was told. Then looking back for Holden she saw him approach from behind her carrying Bonifaas over his shoulder. Apollyon then walked on in the direction leading back to their small camp followed by Holden Cross and the Shaman.

Somewhere Dark and Empty….

Bonifaas wakes up gasping for air as he clenches his chest with his bare hand. He slowed the breathing and calmed down. He then realized he was somewhere he has never seen or been before. It was dark and empty. An endless void it seemed. He was confused and saw he was in nothing but his cloth pants. The top area of his body was revealed. He was a bit ripped and visibly athletic. His body also showed the many scars he previously had gotten in his life. From bruises to stab wounds, he has been through many of the situations to know what the pain felt like. He aimlessly looked around the area he was in and saw nothing that resembled a bit of life.

"Welcome, Bonifaas." said a mysterious deep demonic voice.

"Who said that?!" Bonifaas said worryingly still looking for some form of life.

"Someone who wants to help you." answered the voice sounding as if it moved to his other side.

"How do you know me?!" Bonifaas asked.

"I have been watching you for many years. Watching you grow from the tiniest of flesh into the lawful hand you have been claimed to be." answered the mysterious voice.

"I- I can't see you. It's too dark to see you." Bonifaas said not realizing he could see his hands very well as if in the sunlight.

"You wish to see my appearance do you?" asked the mysterious voice moving around again.

"Yes. I wish to talk to you face to face like noblemen." Bonifaas said as a request.

The mysterious voice let out a haunting laugh then said, "As you wish." Then strange noises erupted from behind Bonifaas. He turned to see what was making that noise only to see the face of no man but what appeared to be the devil himself. Bonifaas stumbled back in fear falling to the ground. The face of the devil got closer and said, "You wished to see me. But I am no mere nobleman you believed me to be." The demon had a wide open mouth smile but his lips did not move. His eyes were red the same as his skin color as they burned of fire, he had bone tusks on both sides of his lower jaw, teeth sharp like an arrowhead, two overly large bottom canines standing out mostly, rocky material jaggedly sticking out along his lower jaw and chin, two pairs of horns that take up most of his forehead but the top pair of horns is smaller than the ones below it. "You are afraid of me. As are all who see my appearance." said the demon lightly breathing out fire very close to Bonifaas face.

"I don't mean to be rude. I was just surprised by the sudden appearance but I assure you...uh sir that you are not terrifying to look at." Bonifaas said trying not to make the demon mad.

"Even after death you fancy a demon don't you?" said the demon with a small chuckle.

"Oh no no no. I wasn't trying to- " "Do not defend yourself I was only joking with you." the demon interrupted.

"Oh! Heh heh thank god I was- wait. Did you say after death?" Bonifaas asked catching what the demon had said.

"Did you forget that you had died? Let me refresh your mind." said the demon. The area they were both in suddenly blindly brightened up until it completely dimmed then showed them inside the arena Bonifaas fought in to survive. "This is The Pit. The arena you fought in until you died by the hands of a scavenger." the demon said showing Bonifaas himself the moment he and the Shaman fought.

"For a scavenger, she fought like a crazed warrior. She bested me sadly." Bonifaas said honoring the Shaman.

"NO!" the demon shouted angrily at Bonifaas, "You were not bested by a small weakling scavenger! You let her win!" the demon added angrily.

"You're accusing me of lying?!" Bonifaas asked defensively.

"I watched and you. LET. HER. WIN!" the demon shouted getting angry and spitting fire from his mouth.

Bonifaas knew if he kept this up he probably will be tormented for eternity. "So? Why does it matter to you?" Bonifaas asked with sass.

"I watched you for many years as I have already said before. You fought against your master warden, Apollyon." the demon said then continued, "You fought well and stood longer than any other opponent she's faced yet. Even managed to be on the offensive too. You have the spirit to protect yourself and others but not able to take a meaningless life when it comes to those that can't fight. You saw her as a tool. A tool being tossed around and used as a toy for others to play with. She wasn't a warrior but a survivor and for feeling sorrow on her you let her live and have the glory she did not deserve."

Bonifaas clenched his fist then angrily said, "I couldn't think of her being used for the filthy desires of those monsters they call themselves warriors. Killing her felt like a waste and she seemed broken enough from the way she moves around, the way she 'walks', and the way she fights. She was pushed to a point of becoming an animal to them and treated no better than one. I let her kill me yeah...but for her to see she has a chance at proving her people all wrong about her. She probably turned out to be one amongst them after knowing she killed me. She'll get the praise she deserves and gets treated better than she was before." He had confessed to the demon of his actions and still didn't feel regretful of his decision.

"What if I told you she did get what she deserved?" the demon asked Bonifaas.

Bonifaas stood up immediately and demanded, "Show me."

The demon then changed the scenery to show the current situation for the Shaman and it made Bonifaas take back everything he said. "Your actions have lead her to a world of pain and agony. Apollyon didn't need to try and capture her- she didn't even try to fight. The sight of her and your dead body meant only one thing in her head...vengeance."

Bonifaas walked across the frozen scene of Holden Cross carrying his body, then made it to the sight of seeing Apollyon tugging at the Shamans arm forcing her to move faster ahead of them.

"No…what is she going to do?!" Bonifaas asked fearingly.

The demon head appeared beside his shoulder and said, "She plans to use her as an example. Torture her to the mind-breaking point. I can tell you the future of what is to become of her."

"I've heard enough," Bonifaas said fastly walking away from the frozen scene.

"You want her to be tortured to the point that living is just a waste? Let her people suffer just for her torment?! I thought Lawbringers were honorable?!" the demon asked in surprise.

"I am dead! What can I do to help her and stop Apollyon from committing a massacre?! I am not of the old order the Wardens have pledged to." Bonifaas asked lashing out at the demons ghostly face.

"No. You are a Lawbringer. You stand to protect the innocent and punish the unjudged. THAT is the oath you have taken and to keep." the demon explained.

Bonifaas took in nothing that the demon had said and decided to sit on the black floor and turn away from the demon.

"Bonifaas. You wish to stop this yes?" the demon asked.

Bonifaas gave the demon no response but silence.

"I can give you the power necessary to defeat Apollyon and stop her conquest for war." the demon added.

This got Bonifaas attention and he responded with, "How?"

"Simplest of things. You must take an oath under me to receive the power. An eternal oath to ease my hunger." the demon explained.

"What hunger?" Bonifaas asked facing the demon.

"Blood. Kill who I say with no defiance." the demon answered.

"If I do I will have the power to stop all of this?" Bonifaas asked for confirmation.

"Yes." the demon agreed to sound anxious for his answer.

"Then I Bonifaas undertake your blood oath. I will kill thy enemies, satisfy your hunger, and kill all who threaten the innocent." Bonifaas said pledging to the oath.

"Good. Now you shall receive the power to seek out and kill Apollyon." the demon said before he was pulled into Bonifaas body completing the oath.

Bonifaas felt the power given to him surge through his soul and body. He felt so powerful that he believed nothing would stop him from getting to Apollyon. Then what seemed to erupt from the depths of hell was black iron armor. Arms with spikes on the elbow guard and the shoulder, plain black iron chest piece with a chain across with a medallion that has engravings of a skull, then the black iron legs with similar spikes as on the elbow guard. Then last but not least the helmet. It had a round cover shading the eye holes that were cut for Bonifaas to see perfectly out of. For fashion an ornament sat on top of his helmet, it was a red crimson crest.

"Perfect. Just what Apollyon has always seen in you. Now your weapon." the demon said pleased with the armor.

The weapon raised out of the black ground and revealed itself to them both. It was a jade crystal color mostly all over. The spike had red rubies inside it and the head ax had three short individual jagged blade tips.

"Does this weapon have a name?" Bonifaas asked the demon now in his mind.

"Artegal's Heart." the demon answered.

Bonifaas was pleased with the name but wanted to know its origin and how it got its name. "I'm ready," he said. Then without a moment's notice, the black armor attached itself to his body automatically putting itself together by some mystical force.

The armor locked itself together till it was complete. Once it was done Bonifaas moved around to test its flexibility. It was just like his old armor but this time more designed to look deadly. Once he was used to the armor he turned his attention to the poleaxe floating off the ground before him. He then reached out and saw it levitate towards him. He caught it then examined its very detailed structure.

"Enjoying your new gear?" asked the demon.

"Yes. I'm actually shocked to see this kind of design. I never have seen this ever before from any blacksmith." Bonifaas responded his breath taken away from the pale green glow. "How did this weapon gets its name?" Bonifaas asked curiosity tingling in his mind.

The demon saw his new 'partner' hypnotized by the weapon he conjured before them. "The Artegal's Heart earned its name long before you were ever a thought. Six hundred years ago a warrior such as yourself had to fall to another one's blade. Though the blade was from of his own men, Artegal. Artegal was a ruthless, coward who also killed those weaker than him. Anyone who didn't have the strength to fight, defend, or even care for themselves he slaughtered with no second thought. But then, a warrior, by a name long forgotten saw no reason to kill those below him. He believed in mercy, the second chance to those who couldn't fight. When Artegal saw the weak nature amongst his ranks he drew his sword on him. He butchered him to make an example to the rest of his men. In death he found something, a newfound purpose, became a spirit that sought vengeance." the demon explained to Bonifaas.

He continued, "He himself imaged the weapon of his own design. Crafted by him alone in a forge of hellfire. Once it was complete he then made the armor he would wear on his vengeful path. Pure black iron armor covered in spikes, armor that no man would ever be able to recreate. When he had all that he needed to begin, he sent himself back to the mortal realm. But he was no longer mortal, he was a bloodthirsty wandering soul that sought out Artegal. He reawoke on the battlefield he was betrayed on. Then began his long search for Artegal. Far and wide he traveled but he still had not found the traitorous snake. Until he arrived in a small village. The folk there saw the armor he wore and the weapon he bears. They were scared not of him but the thought that he might've been one of Artegal's men. Artegal had spread his terror across the land and controlled most of Ashfeld. He made it clear that anyone that did not prove their worth in gold, he would personally cut down. The broken spirit had to prove to the people he wished not to hurt them but instead find Artegal and kill him. He did, of course, rid the village that was housing any of Artegal's soldiers. In return of his service, they pointed him in the right direction where he needed to go. He traveled far until he reached Artegal's fortress. Like the phantom he was, he entered the fortress and killed any that stepped in his path from killing Artegal. He slaughtered many men and women that he used to fight along sides with. Until he finally reached the man himself, Artegal. The broken spirit would finally have his revenge as he impaled his mighty weapon completely through the warlord. Killing him, one thing left behind on his weapon was the poor bastard's heart, beating in its final moment."

The demon sighed as he finished up his story, "When he realized his job was done, he finally slept peacefully and rested in death."

"One man was capable of doing this, all for vengeance?" Bonifaas asked confused about the story.

"Yes. Now...feed me." said the demon with a yearning tone.

Author's notes: This is all just a fanfic and I have no ownership claims to For Honor. Please comment if you want to see the full complete fan story of the Artegals poleaxe. Tell me what you think of the story and if you want to see more.