PLAY THE SONG LINKED ABOVE WHEN I INDICATE WITHIN THE CHAPTER

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The benevolent blanket of night surrendered to the bleeding hues of dawn much too soon. And by the time a soft rap on the barn door reverberated through the rafters, signaling Tofa and Kerr's arrival, neither Einar nor Vali were prepared to disentangle themselves from the passionate embrace they'd assumed hours earlier.

Despite the fact that they were as physically comfortable as they had ever been, finding a soul-resounding peace within the newly formed bond that thrummed through them like lightning, connecting Einar and Vali on a level that no one else could ever hope to comprehend, both males failed to manage a single wink of sleep throughout the much-too-short night.

How could they, when the grave promise of what was to come pressed down so heavy upon their newly-intertwined spirits?

It wasn't until the second round of anxious knocks rocked the rickety structure that Einar bolted up into a sitting position, the Alpha's wild mane of dirty blonde hair falling in waves over his face while – on sheer instinct – his thick arms sealed themselves even tighter around the waist of his Omega.

With his Alpha's sudden movement, Vali whined softly into the stuffy morning air, burying his face further into the warm flesh of his fated as if attempting to fully disappear into the powerful expanse of his chest.

"I must allow them entry before they are seen," Einar's infinitely deep voice, now encased in a particular grumble that spoke of long hours spent in silence, sent an involuntary shiver down the smaller man's spine.

Pushing out of his long-occupied position nested safely into the confines of his Alpha's chest, Vali stirred only enough to meet that brilliant, cerulean gaze that never failed to calm him. Then, blinking his own mismatched eyes sleepily as he released one hand from its firm hold on his fated's body, Vali gently swept back a few of the ebony and ivory curls that obscured his lovely face.

A drowsy little, "Hm?" escaped Vali's lips along with his movement, which drew a ridiculously fond smile from Einar, who now held his Omega even closer while his fragile heart skipped several beats at the adorable sound. Driven by a deep-rooted instinct that suddenly possessed him to his very core, the larger man found himself unable to resist placing a temperate morning kiss upon the mark he'd so lovingly bestowed upon his Omega's nape the night before – a symbol to the rest of the world that despite that, no matter the trials, Einar's love for Vali was unwavering.

Einar's lips met the tender, healing flesh, he tasted hints of dried blood that still lingered around the distinct, circular scars, and simultaneously, both men shuddered.

In a split moment, during which neither man could truly understand the depths of why such a simple act would render them both speechless, both Einar and Vali were overcome by a sensation so real, so... all-consuming that it left them both a shaking mess in one another's arms, eyes rolling back as the sensation of total oneness became them. And when Einar finally pulled back, lips glistening with saliva and eyes half-hooded, the shimmering string of light that now connected their souls was undeniable.

Their lifelines were now one, and as he pondered that thought, Einar stared openly at his Omega, taking in the overwhelmingly enchanting sight. How was possible it that this man – a physical manifestation of the Alpha's greatest fears and most desperate desires all contained within such a small, vulnerable form – was truly right there in his arms? His?

Determination shot deep, like shrapnel through flesh. And within an instant, Einar chose that no matter what this fateful morning was to bring – if it meant providing his Omega with a life full of all of the love and safety that he so deserved – he would fight until his lungs ached for oxygen and his heart pumped its last beat.

And that conviction began with fetching Vali's friend.

"Tofa and Kerr," Einar elaborated, forcing the words between lips which only wished that they could instead whisper his Omega right back into that soft, sleepy place he'd found within in his arms. "They are outside."

"Oh!" Vali sprang up with sudden alertness, eyes wide. However, as realization quickly settled in, that wide-eyed look immediately began to crumble, contorting instead into one of thinly-veiled sorrow. "... oh."

Quick to comfort, Einar's hands shifted upward to cup Vali's cheeks between his palms. "I will be quick."

Vali nodded, his gaze settling forlornly on the dusty floorboards as he moved out of the warm embrace of Einar's lap. Instantly, the morning chill overcame the small Omega, raising tiny mountains of gooseflesh across nearly every inch of his still-naked skin. And even in the dim light, Einar could still make out the dried remnants of their combined spend speckled across his Omega's lithe chest and stomach.

"There is not much water left to wash with. I will fetch you more as soon as I can. However, if I do so right now, our plan may–" Einar began, brows pulled together with worry as he moved to stand. However, his plea was cut short when Vali lifted his head from the place where he still sat, folded back on his knees on the floor.

The smile the smaller man offered was clearly forced, but it was the best that he could offer given their current circumstances.

"Don't fret over me," Vali's soft voice was a beautiful thing to behold at daybreak, and Einar couldn't help but wonder if this may be the last time he lay witness to such a wonderful sound. The Alpha decided that – as a precaution – he would commit the sweet caress to his long-term memory this very second. And maybe, if Odin were to be merciful, he would allow Einar to bring that one comfort into Valhalla with him. "I am content as I am."

Blonde brows furrowed once again, a clear manifestation of his discontent with such a response. The Alpha's footsteps, a symphony of floorboards creaking beneath his weight, reverberated through the space as he began to move. However, contrary to Vali's expectation of his Alpha's descent to the lower section of the horse house, the large man instead halted just before his bearskin.

The fur still hung there, limp and waiting on the rusted nail he'd deposited it onto on the very day he'd brought Vali to this place. In some ways, it bore a weighty reminder of the passage of days, which in their paradoxical blend of elongated hours and fleeting moments, seemed to stretch and compress the true amount of time that had passed. But now, all that mattered was the time that they did have left, time of which both men were horrifyingly aware was growing infinitely shorter with every passing moment.

Einar picked up his bearskin before turning, walking back from whence he came, and kneeling before his Omega.

"You are cold," the Alpha rasped, and Vali blinked as the warmth of the thick furs engulfed his entire, smaller body. Immediately, the uncomfortable chill that had threatened to settle into his bones whittled away to a comfortable lull, gooseflesh disappearing near instantly. "This will keep you warm while I am gone."

"B-but–" Vali stuttered, "Don't you need it while you fight?"

Einar's smile was one that reflected the love that shined within his soul when he replied, holding his fated's gaze. "All that I ever need is the knowledge that you are safe."

Such selfless words rendered Vali unexpectedly speechless, and when Einar finally rose to his full height, slipped on a pair of britches, and headed back toward the ladderwell, all that the smaller man could do was watch after him in awe.

It was oddly beautiful, the way Vali felt as he watched his Alpha disappear behind the deerskin door. It began as a fluttering, and then evolved into tugging before a distinct shock of discomfort stung along his sternum.

It wasn't... painful exactly, but more of an ache that he could tell stemmed directly from his inner Omega's primal needs. It was instinctual, biological, a distinct pining that rocked him to his very core, and as he sat there, stone-cold still as he impatiently awaited Einar's return, Vali wondered if his Alpha was feeling the same way, too.

Vali did not have much time to ponder on that thought though, as before he knew it, his unfocused eyes were taking in the sight of a rumpled Tofa, who squealed happily as he tackled his friend in a giant hug.

"Val!" The smaller Omega cried happily, pulling away from the tight embrace to take in the sight of his friend. Tofa took inventory of Vali's state with a quick scan, and based on the baffled expression that painted itself across his pretty features, Vali knew the very moment when his friend's gaze set upon the healing mating bite nestled onto his neck.

"Is that..." Tofa mumbled, stunned, "Y-'yer... mated?!"

Vali winced at his best friend's harsh tone, dipping his head low when a bit of shame wriggled its way past his meager defenses.

They both knew very well what it meant to accept an Alpha's mating bite, as well as the potential implications of the intertwined lifelines that mated Alphas and Omegas shared. Therefore, given the gruesome nature of what both of their Alphas were certain to endure today, Vali suddenly found himself bashful, preparing for a scolding.

What he didn't expect, however, was for his best friend to smile so brightly that even the quickly dawning sun would likely become jealous, a smudge of dirt arching high across his high cheekbones along with the wondrous expression. There also may have been a hint of something watery gathering along Tofa's lower lashline, but within the scantily lit loft, it was difficult to know for certain.

"Congratulations!" His friend cried out, leaning forward to press a gentle kiss to each of Vali's cheeks. Reaching between the front flaps of the bearskin that still hid his body, Tofa grabbed both of Vali's hands within his own, "Ya' deserve absolutely nothing less. May Odin bless 'yer new mateship, and if 'yer Alpha ever gives ya' a difficult time," He briefly glanced over his shoulder at Einar before whispering the rest so quietly that only Vali could hear, "Know that I'd gladly slice off his manhood and hang it to dry for jerky for ya'."

The laughter that gurgled its way from Vali's tight throat was unexpected, but he embraced it nonetheless as he squeezed his friend's hands, grateful for even such a brief glimpse of joy among the chaos.

"There is no need for such harsh punishments, Tofa. And frankly, I quite..." Vali paused, the pale left side of his face blooming into the color of freshly picked rose petals at the knowledge of what he was about to divulge, "I quite enjoy his manhood," The last word was barely more than a puff of air, but even so, Tofa's eyes widened.

"Oh!" The smaller Omega exclaimed, flashing his friend a knowing look, "I never believed that I would see the day! I must hear details!"

"Later," Vali urged, the redness in his cheeks deepening until it settled into a deep crimson.

"Of course," Tofa nodded, glancing over his shoulder once more as he was suddenly reminded of the Alphas who stood not far behind, looming over their interaction like gigantic shadows. "Once they return."

"Yes," The confidence in Tofa's voice was admirable at the very least, especially when Vali's own body shook incessantly with such intense, worried energy. "Once they..." try as he might, Vali knew that there was no power great enough to bring him to complete the sentence.

Tofa's fickle smile reeked of understanding. "We should wish our Alphas good luck. And then, while they are gone, I will help you with your morning wash."

"Alright." Vali's voice was not his own, more so resembling a pitiful, broken little thing rather than the steady chime that Tofa had come to know throughout their many years at one another's lonely sides.

With a fleeting smile, Tofa gracefully retreated toward his Alpha, whose massive silhouette seemed to merge with the darkness at the loft's far end, offering a semblance of privacy. And like a guardian's shadow, Vali's own Alpha emerged from the space Tofa left, his commanding presence undeniable even in the dim light.

Yet, for all his strength, Einar immediately assumed a humble position, sinking back onto his knees in front of his Omega. It was a mirror image of Vali's own posture, both Alpha and Omega bowing before emotions that felt just as weighty as the very floorboards beneath them.

"We could run," the words spewed like bile from Vali's mouth, a plea that tugged his spirit so deep into his gut that it felt like a buried secret, entombed six feet beneath the soil, abandoned by the honor of a Viking's pyre. "we could just go somewhere far, far away, vanish into the mountains and live our lives together somewhere where no one would ever find us," Vali's trembling hand found its way to Einar's rugged palm, clasping it with fervor.

The next word that escaped his Omega turned the Alpha's heart incredibly soft in an instant, the useless organ flopping around like a heap of clay in the summer heat. It was a wonderfully new sensation, and one that Einar wished to experience again and again and again at the hands of his fated.

"Please," The word hung in the air, as fragile as his very heart. And as if summoned by Vali's plea, a single tear graced his cheek, one that Einar gently brushed away with the pad of his thumb, the large man's expression softened by profound reverence.

Einar had entertained the very notion that his Omega now offered countless times – the two of them escaping into the wilderness, leaving their past behind to embrace an uncertain future. Yet, the more he let such dreams dance in his mind, the more he realized they were just that – dreams. He couldn't possibly bring his beloved into a life of perpetual fear with Guiscard's malevolent shadow still looming over them, relentless in his pursuit, his voracious desires for power and control left alone to fester.

Turmoil churned within Einar like a tempest at sea, torn between the adoration he harbored for his Omega and the inescapable reality of their situation. As he met Vail's wet eyes, that truth resided within Einar's cerulean gaze.

Einar's fingers, still entwined with Vali's, exerted a gentle pressure, transmitting silent reassurance through the simple touch. And as he did so, the Alpha's free hand that had once been used to wipe his fated's moist cheek, instead moved to tenderly brush a black and white curl out of those gorgeous, mismatched eyes that he could easily find himself lost in for all of eternity.

"My heart's deepest desire," Einar began, voice a low murmur, resonating like a gentle current, a secret shared only between them. Vali's tear-stained expression, so full of hope and trust, held him in a trance. "Your beauty alone is a force powerful enough to undo me. And I would give anything to keep you safe, to witness your true smile, unburdened by the weight of a world in which you can only exist within the shadows."

His fingers now danced along the delicate contour of Vali's jaw as he continued, tracing an intricate map there, "I have run my entire life. Run from emotion, shied away from connection, rejected the mere notion that anyone would ever find a reason to salvage whatever is left of the broken man inside of me," Vali's breaths hitched, a soft gasp escaping him as Einar's thumb brushed against his lower lip, "But now, amidst the heaviness of the air and chaos of the world, when existence seems like a fragile thing, I find strength in one thought. I have found purpose. And that purpose, my heart, is you."

For in that fleeting moment, the world stopped spinning, and the very heartbeat of the planet seemed to stall. And then, as if the earth itself could feel their pain, Vali toppled forward, his cry of anguish shattering the stillness.

His forehead pressed against Einar's as he clung to his Alpha with every ounce of strength that he possessed within his fragile bones, as if he could physically anchor his Alpha to this world.

"Come back," Einar's Omega whispered within the space between their lips, "You must come back to me. You must."

Vali's Alpha gripped him back with an equal, if not more ravenous passion, "Whether in this universe or the next, we are one,"

"Until the stars themselves grow weary of the sky."

"And for all tomorrows yet to come."

"I love you."

"As I love you."

And like that both men sat, hands clasped, foreheads pressed, until a soft sound from the other side of the loft indicated that the time had come – that there were still wars to be fought, challenges to be faced, and love to be won.

"It is time, my Ástvinur. I must go." Einar's words struggled against the resistance of an unwilling throat, each syllable cutting through it like shrapnel.

"Yes. You must go." Vali repeated, leaning back onto his heels. Although his actions directly contradicted his words, as his hands only tightened around his Alpha's.

Sensing Vali's inner turmoil, Einar brought his beloved's hands to his lips, planting delicate kisses onto each of the places where pale areas of skin divulged from the darker patches. "Yes. And for us to part, my heart, you must release me."

Vali's breath hitched, his bottom lip wobbling as his eyes flickered down to their still-intertwined fingers. It should have been a simple task to just let go, to open his hands and let Einar leave. But as tears blurred his vision once more, his grip only grew stronger.

"I– I can't," he sobbed, breaths picking up to a frantic rhythm, "Dear Odin, I can't."

Suddenly, Tofa materialized between them, the smaller Omega kneeling between the two males and placing his own hands atop theirs.

"It's okay," Tofa whispered, remnants of tears evident in his voice as well, "Hold onto mine instead."

With a reassuring look from Einar and the comforting pressure of Tofa's hands, Vali somehow managed to unclasp his fingers from Einar's, though his hands trembled violently during the exchange. It took time, a minute or two of struggling, but he did it.

Nevertheless, his hands still quivered within Tofa's, the action far beyond his conscious control.

"Good job," Tofa's voice was soft as Einar then stood, taking a step back so that Tofa could settle down into his previous spot. "Right now, just breathe. And then, we will wash up while we await their return, just like I promised."

"Yes," Vali's voice was brittle, distant, his gaze still fixed on his and Tofa's joined hands, afraid that looking up might confirm his deepest fear: watching Einar walk away, perhaps for good.

So instead, Vali closed his eyes tightly, attempting to shut out the sound of fading voices and the distinct creak of the ladder as the two Alphas descended.

"Breathe," Vali repeated to himself, like a mantra.

There were more low voices. Heavy footfalls.

The barn door groaned open...

Closed...

And then, nothing.

Although he'd experienced being alone in this space many times before, the loft's interior felt so much more cavernous and empty now. This kind of silence was suffocating, stifling in its wholeness, a heavy fog filled with poison gas ready to choke him. But yet and still, beside him, Tofa's continued presence remained a grounding force, the touch of their intertwined hands an anchor. And when Vali dared to open his eyes once more, he also found comfort in Tofa's gaze, a reservoir of understanding mixed into those sparkling, bright blue depths.

"We will get through this, Val. Ya' hear me?" Tofa murmured, the warm, resolute tone of his voice breathing a shred of hope into Vali's shaky veins. Breaking through the threat of yet another sob, the slightly larger Omega managed a fragile nod, his trust in his friend unwavering.

After all, what other choice did he have other than to hold strong and endure as he awaited the verdict of his fate?

The tinkling sound of dripping water caught his attention, and Vali shifted his gaze to witness the nearly-empty wash bucket at Tofa's side, one of the Omega's hands now free from their embrace as he squeezed out a wash rag.

"Let's start with 'yer arms, yeah?" Tofa gave a small smile, and all that Vali could do was nod again. Finally releasing his friend's other hand, Vali stuck both arms out through the open front flap of Einar's bearskin, offering up the skin without protest.

The coolness of the water felt wonderfully refreshing as Tofa began dragging the damp cloth across the inside of Vali's forearm, leaving behind a streak of wetness in his wake. Next to him, Vali watched on in quiet contemplation, the only sound being the tiny rhythm of water droplets as Tofa dipped the cloth back into the bucket. Thankfully, the silence didn't last long though, as Tofa's quiet voice soon filled the void as he moved onto the other arm.

"Only the heavens know how much finding you means to me, Val. When I first arrived here..." Tofa's voice trailed off. He re-dipped the cloth, moving up to wash Vali's neck and upper chest now. Vali's cheeks tingled with mortification, knowing that the evidence of his and Einar's... intimacy still lingered there. Yet, Tofa's touch remained steady and gentle, unwavering in its care,

"Of course, I felt the bond with Kerr, but..." he paused, "Truly, I was terrified, all alone in that cellar by myself from dawn to dusk, unsure of whether I was to live or die," Tofa's eyes twinkled, filling with tears that glistened but did not overflow, "The whole time, all that I could think about was ya'. My only friend, my only family. When you didn't come back for me back at the village, I thought..."

"I know," Vali whispered back once Tofa's pause lasted long enough to show that his emotions were getting the best of him, "I felt the same. It was some of the worst moments of my life, thinking that I would never see you again," Vali whispered his agreement, a sad smile tugging at his lips, "Thank you. For being here now, for looking after me. I know this isn't easy for you, either."

"'Yer right, it's not easy. Far from it, in fact," Tofa sighed, his gaze turning far off as he trailed the rag down along the inward curve of Vali's stomach, "But what I've come to realize is that easy paths rarely lead to worthwhile destinations. And no matter how horrible or terrifying, struggle gives depth to our stories and meaning to our existence," the smaller Omega paused in his ministrations to meet his friend's eye, "And through it all, our task is to seek out the treasures hidden amidst all that mess, and to hold onto 'em so tightly that it makes every step of this beautiful, terrible journey worth it."

Tofa's fingers began to move again as he continued cleaning Vali's skin, each stroke of the cloth a genuine gesture of care and compassion. After a few more moments of simply enjoying one another's presence, Tofa finally dropped the cloth into the bucket for good, shuffling back a little to take a glance at his masterpiece.

"That's the last of the water, so that'll have to do for now," he said, glancing around the loft curiously, "Do ya' have 'yer garments lying somewhere around here?"

"Yes. Well, technically it is Einar's, but–"

"Wearing one another's tunics now, are we? If I didn't know better, I'd think ya' two are serious about one another." Tofa wiggled his brows playfully, and Vali giggled softly at his sarcasm. He tugged the bearskin close around his shoulders before standing up to pad over to the place where they'd discarded their clothing in the heat of passion the night prior.

Shuffling around in the pile, Vali quickly found the discarded tunic, and Tofa assisted as he slipped the thin fabric back over his head, using a spare bit of rope to tie it up so that he wouldn't look completely absurd with his entire body swamped within the ridiculously oversized garment.

They'd just sank down onto the much more comfortable furs when the first piercing scream sliced like a blade throughout the valley, an agonizing sound that pierced not only their ears, but their very souls.

Every single muscle within Vali's body seized at once at the tortured sound, his eyes blowing wide as he leaned over to grab onto his friend. Tofa was evidently just as equally caught off guard as he mirrored the reaction, clinging onto Vali with a strength that spoke of shared unease.

"Could that be them?" Tofa whispered, as if speaking any louder might summon more horrors.

"I–" Vali started, blinking rapidly as his heart thudded painfully, "I am not certain. But... I did not feel any disturbances through our bond, so Einar must be..."

"Oh, thank Odin for that bond of yer's!" Tofa breathed out a breath of relief, "I nearly forgot that it'll let ya' know when Einar is hurt! Hopefully, Kerr is with him, and they're both safe."

"Surely they are. Surely." Vali murmured back.

Both Omegas had no inkling of an idea of how much time passed as they sat there, wrapped up tightly within one another's arms as the thunderous crescendo of war raged not only around them, but through them.

Vali's inner Omega jolted.

"No," Vali's voice was barely more than a breath, a fragile thread woven with both urgency and a distinct kind of distress. Tofa's brows knitted together as he looked up at his friend with curious regard. Vali's eyes appeared distant, as if chasing ghosts only he could see, and with a nearly automatic sort of grace, the sensation of him slipping away was almost like a whisper.

Vali shifted, finding his feet in a stumbling rush, and Tofa mimicked the action as a knot of worry tightened in his chest. His voice was laced with unease as he trailed after Vali, "What is happening? Are you alright?"

Despite his urging, Vali continued to move with a purpose that Tofa could not quite grasp, a cascade of panicked syllables still falling from his mouth in an unstoppable avalanche,

"No, no, no," His urgency propelled him to the corner of the room, muscles straining against the weight of a heavy trunk that he scraped across the wooden floor. And when he finally stopped, Vali climbed onto it, fingers dancing with unease as they sought out a familiar, loose wallboard.

After a few moments, his frantic touch found the rough edge he was looking for. And when he pushed it aside, glancing out onto that same village square he'd seen when he'd first discovered the hidden viewpoint, he stopped breathing entirely.

Vali could not count, but he knew enough to know that there were dozens of bodies scattered around the square, strewn about in a mosaic of suffering. Their forms ranged from contorted shapes – some still screaming in horror as they attempted to drag themselves to safety – to some who lay staring directly up at the sky, eyes devoid of the light that a soul provided, their guts spilling out onto the dirt.

And still, many large men – Kerr among them – still pushed on along the outskirts of the village center, the smell of blood permeating the air as their weapons severed flesh and hands shattered bone.

Hand flying to his mouth, Vali stifled a whimper-like scream behind his palm, the reality of their situation finally settling into the deepest recesses of his very marrow as a chilling realization sent icy shivers down the length of his spine.

Was this truly the life Einar had lived? If so, how was it possible that one single human being could bear such an immense burden of suffering?

Instantly, Vali's admiration for his Alpha skyrocketed to levels previously unknown.

It was then that he saw him.

Vali himself could easily overlook the sheer scale of Einar's presence and form, given his tender and careful demeanor whenever he was around him.

Yet, observing his Alpha now – monumental, furious, and fierce, splattered with blood that clearly wasn't his own as he dragged a man who fought and wailed from the imposing home adorned with a prominent 'G' rune – Vali was abruptly confronted with the unvarnished reality of his fated's identity.

His Alpha was a warrior. And not only that, one of the most imposing and formidable warriors he'd ever come to witness or imagine.

As if Odin himself were tuning into the inner workings of his mind, Vali's introspections were immediately confirmed as – before his very eyes – an arrow shot out of seemingly nowhere, striking Einar directly in his bare bicep.

Yet another one of those helpless sounds escaped Vali without his permission, and indescribable dread filled him as – within his mind's eye – he practically saw that single arrow taking down his fated for good.

But to his complete and utter astonishment, Einar simply glanced down at the arrow embedded in his arm with an uncaring scowl, as if it were no more bothersome than a roses' thorn. And then, with an almost casual air, he simply reached over to the bleeding wound, plucked the arrow from his flesh, and – turning to glare up at a previously unforeseen foe perched atop a nearby roof – launched the offending item right back from whence it came.

Less than a second later, a large body plummeted from said roof, a bloodied arrow pierced directly through their throat.

All of it was a remarkably gruesome sight to behold. But somehow, Vali found himself unable to look away from the sight of his Alpha's ruthless fury and raw, unbridled power, all released in the name of keeping him safe. Oddly, it stirred some sort of twisted pride within him.

"Do what you must, Alpha," Vali found himself whispering, wishing that maybe, Einar would feel him despite the fact that he was so far away, "I believe in you."

By now, Einar had hauled the man much closer to the center of the village square. And judging by the way garbled spittle flew from the man's mouth as he clawed furiously at Einar's wrist and forearm, Vali would guess that he was likely unleashing every conceivable vulgarity within his vocabulary.

And yet, in a heart-stopping instant before Einar reached what Vali perceived was his destination, a gasp caught in Vali's throat. As, from his vantage point, he could clearly see the hoard of men stampeding like a relentless tide from behind the large house marked with a 'G.' Arrows poised in their bows and swords gleaming menacingly, their charge was a relenting force aimed not only at Einar, but also, terrifyingly... for all of Einar's men.

A gasp, raw and stark, tore from Vali's lips, carried upon the wings of swiftly escalating panic.

"No!" that same word erupted from him as Vali's heartbeat spiraled out of control, "Alpha, watch out!"

As if he could really hear him, Einar's head snapped around abruptly, the blood-soaked tips of his blonde tresses skimming his shoulders. In less than a heartbeat, he cast aside the man he had been dragging as though discarding a mere wisp of air. And then, the Alpha began to fight.

It turned out to be a somewhat pitiful battle, really, as Einar mowed through the slew of men coming for him with a trained precision, an artist painting with the colors of destruction. His every motion held the grace of a deadly dance as he snapped swords with the same indifference as he snapped necks, tossing men into nearby tree trunks with enough force to sever vertebrae. And in a scene most brutal (a sight Vali admittedly had to look away from in hopes of preserving his stomach contents), Einar also forced his fist directly through a particularly frustrating adversary's back, the action carried out with enough strength that Vali speculated that he may have torn his spine out completely.

In the midst of the brutality of the fight – both Einar's and the rest of the Berserkrs' – the cacophony of clashing weapons and the anguished cries of men on both sides drowned out the faint rustle of movement above. Therefore, none were privy to the line of men who perched atop Guiscard's residence.

At least, not until all seven of their arrows flew straight and true, meeting their target with a pinpoint precision.

(A/N: LISTEN TO THE SONG NOWWW!!! If you don't, I will hunt you down and eat everything out of your fridge. Replay it if it ends before you finish the chapter.

- Song: Come Back to Us by Thomas Newman)

The impact was a collision of fates, a culmination of despair and retribution that unfolded within the blink of an eye. And from somewhere nearby, as a chilling echo of laughter seeped out of the shadows, Einar fell to his knees where he stood.

Einar's body convulsed, a dark, crimson liquid spilling from his lips as he spiraled into a fit of agonizing coughs, staining the already tainted earth below. And then, when his chest finally hit the ground, his breaths quickened, one of the seven arrows protruding from his back revealing its location within his lung.

Searing pain branded his chest – the sensation similar to the agony of the bright orange, steaming slave iron that had marked him as property long before he could even remember.

Somewhere in the distance, he thought that he heard Kerr's voice calling to him. But, focusing solely on his next breath as he lay there in the mud, Einar could only stare as a pair of shoeless feet approached him, stepping carefully over piles of gore just like they always did.

"Well, well, well!" a familiar voice goaded, and as Guiscard crouched down to clamp a fistful of Einar's hair in his fist, yanking his face up from the dirt, all that the Alpha could do was curl his lip into a feeble snarl, baring his bloodied teeth in warning.

Guiscard's facade was grave, and although Einar still heard the undeniable sound of war continuing to rage just beyond them, the presence of his master's fury directed toward him was enough to trigger some sort of deep-seated instinct, a reflex reinforced over decades of conditioning that had twisted his entire being into some grotesque parody of a man.

It was in that moment that he knew they'd lost.

It had been foolish to ever dream of freedom. It had been foolish to ever bring Vali here in the first place. It had been foolish to think that he would ever, ever win.

His Vali... his Vali...

Without notice, tears overflowed at the mere thought of his Omega.

He had failed.

He had failed him.

"Hah! And now 'yer cryin'?! Pitiful little shit, I oughta skin you alive for this shit ya' done tried to pull!" Guiscard's face was cortorted into one that barely resembled his true self, rage forming him into an even more grotesque version of himself. Each syllable bore down onto Einar, another lash of a whip against his already battered soul.

"Don't ya' see? 'Yer nothin' to me or anyone else, worth less than the dirt I step on, less than the pot I fuckin' piss in." The Beta chortled bitterly. "No matter what ya' try and do, ya' will always be mine. Now call off the rest of 'yer coward ass followers and maybe I'll think about going easy on ya' for punishment. Got it?"

Einar, still struggling for breath as his scalp screamed beneath his master's grip, closed his eyes. Apparently he did not quick enough for Guiscard however, as after only a few moments, the beta violently shook the Alpha's head within his grip, practically shrieking out his next words,

"I said call them off, you useless fuckin' swine! Do it now!"

Einar opened his mouth to speak, to show that he was the perfect slave, to fulfill his master's wishes even as he drowned within the metallic tang of blood that stained his tongue and trickled from the corner of his mouth.

Even as...

"Einar!"

Disbelief and desperation swelled within him, a silent plea to whatever gods might be listening.

'No,' Einar's thoughts screamed, 'Please, Odin, no."

But yet and still, there he was. His Vali had come for him with a heart so pure, so innocent that he truly believed that he could help, not knowing what kind of horrifyingly gnarled web of wickedness he'd just revealed himself to.

"No," Einar's voice was a thread of a sound, but he had to do something. He had to try. "Run. Please, Vali, run."

Einar had known cruelty, had felt its sharp lash upon his flesh and soul. He had thought he'd understood the depths of evil, thought he had touched the heart of darkness.

But this... this was beyond anything he'd ever been made to endure. This was a place where despair reigned above any and all things, a place were light dare not tread.

His plea fell on deaf ears, and before he could even finish, it happened. Just like that, the world twisted and Einar's greatest nightmare unfurled itself, a horror beyond his wildest dreams coming into fruition right before his very eyes.

Einar's fell back into the dirt when Guiscard suddenly released him, and with it, his body ached, his soul breaking as he watched...

Guiscard's grip on Vali's waist was an iron vice, and as the Beta sniffed along the column of Vali's neck, his eyes went wild with sickening triumph. Einar's heart sank as he placed a gleaming blade against Vali's rapidly beating pulse, pressing into his skin hard enough to draw a few droplets of blood.

He wished that he could move, that he could stand, that he could kill. But even as that surge of rage bloomed and stewed, a desperate, anguished urge to protect his Omega – his love – overcoming him, all that Einar could do was watch in helpless horror as his greatest enemy lay hold to his greatest treasure.

"This... is excellent. Oh, this is truly, poetically, perfect," Guiscard's smile was sadistic as he forced Vali backward until he was a far enough distance away from Einar for his liking.

The Alpha desperately prayed that Vali would find the apology that burned hot within his gaze, that he would know just how sorry he was within their last moments. But as he painfully craned his neck, dragging himself forward in the mud in an effort to ascertain a better view even as a outcry of agony riddled its way through him, the only emotion that Einar could clearly discern upon his beloved's face was undiluted terror.

Guiscard's grin widened. And with it, Einar's entire world crumbled.

"Now, we can really start making progress!"

__

AHHHHHH 😭 That's all that I can say.

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Xoxo, Alex ❤️