A year had passed, and the Skuggulfr clan now faced yet another trial. Reports of stealth attacks carried out by rebel elves echoed across the kingdom of Rune-Midgard. These elves—survivors of the fall of Geffenia—had become desperate and dangerous, launching vengeful raids on human caravans and settlements.
The sky was already tinted gray when the clan set out that morning. Their mission was clear: locate and neutralize the group behind the attacks. Among those who left were Dagrík, Kjetil, and Einar, the scout, whose stealth made him perfect for tracking. Thanatos, now eight years old, remained behind at the camp under the vigilant care of Liv, who had chosen not to join the mission, preferring instead to rest beside the young apprentice.
By nightfall, a fine rain began to sweep through the camp. The campfire flickered in the wind, and Liv, seated at the entrance of her tent, stared thoughtfully into the darkness. Thanatos sat beside her, playing with a small wooden toy that Kjetil had carved for him.
Suddenly, Liv's instincts flared. A nearly imperceptible sound cut through the whisper of rain—light, deliberate footsteps. Rising to her feet, she gently placed a hand on Thanatos's head.
"Stay here," she whispered, drawing her longsword and stepping toward the sound.
From the shadows, four figures emerged, their silhouettes only visible when lightning split the sky. They were elves, and their eyes gleamed with hatred. The one leading them stepped forward, sword in hand—its blade engraved with the emblem of Geffenia. His name was Aerendil, a tall and imposing knight. Behind him stood Lindir, the archer; Cailan, the swordsman; and Velaris, another deadly archer. Aerendil's eyes locked onto Liv's, and a storm of restrained fury crossed his face.
"I remember you," he said, his voice seething with resentment. "You were in Geffenia. You're the one who killed my younger brother that day."
Liv tightened her grip on the sword but kept her expression firm."I don't know what you're talking about. Take what you want—I'm not looking for a fight."
"You don't know?" Aerendil spat the words with contempt. "I remember your face clearly. You destroyed lives. My brother's among them."
Liv knew there was no room for negotiation. She quickly turned to Thanatos and shoved him in the opposite direction."Run, Thanatos! Now!""But Liv…""GO! I'll hold them off!" she cried, urgency burning in her voice.
Hesitant, Thanatos dashed into the dark forest, his small legs struggling to move through the mud. Cailan immediately broke formation to pursue him.
Liv raised her sword, her stance solid and unwavering. Aerendil charged with his blade gleaming in the rain, while Lindir and Velaris took strategic positions and fired precise arrows to cover him.
Aerendil's first strike was brutal—a thrust that Liv barely managed to block in time. The impact made her blade tremble in her grip, but she stood her ground and countered with a sweeping slash that Aerendil deflected with expert grace.
An arrow from Velaris grazed Liv's shoulder, cutting deep. She gritted her teeth, spun on her heel, and slashed in a deadly arc that forced Aerendil to retreat. Another arrow—this time from Lindir—pierced her leg, dropping her to one knee.
"You fight well," Aerendil mocked, stepping forward. "But you can't win."
Ignoring the pain, Liv lunged forward, catching the knight off guard with an upward strike that tore into his side. He roared in pain but kept his stance and countered with a brutal punch that threw Liv to the ground.
She struggled to rise, but the rain of arrows kept her down. Blood streamed from multiple wounds, and her strength began to falter. Aerendil raised his sword overhead, preparing the final blow.
Meanwhile, Thanatos ran through the forest, breath ragged, heart pounding wildly. The rain made the ground slick, and he stumbled often, the cold mud clinging to his skin.
Behind him, Cailan advanced steadily—like a predator closing in on its prey. Thanatos heard the elf's footsteps and tried to hide behind a fallen tree, but Cailan spotted him and approached, sword ready.
"You can't escape, boy!" Cailan shouted.
Thanatos grabbed a nearby rock and threw it in desperation. It struck Cailan in the face, causing him to hesitate—just for a moment—but it wasn't enough to stop him. Thanatos ran again, tears mixing with the rain on his face.
At that moment, Einar, returning from patrol with Kjetil and Dagrík, heard Thanatos's cries."It's Thanatos! He's in danger!"
Without hesitation, Kjetil and Dagrík rushed toward the sound, weapons drawn. They arrived just as Cailan raised his sword over the boy. Kjetil charged with a roar, his blade slicing through the air and severing the elf's arm. Cailan screamed, and Dagrík finished him off with a sword thrust through the skull.
Thanatos, trembling, collapsed into Einar's arms."Are you okay, brother?"Thanatos nodded through sobs."Liv... they stayed behind with Liv!"
The group raced back to camp—only to find Liv on her knees, bloodied and broken, as Aerendil lifted her by the collar of her armor. Her sword was embedded in her abdomen, and though her eyes had dimmed, they still burned with resolve.
"LIV!" Kjetil roared, charging forward in a fury.
Aerendil tried to respond, but Kjetil was faster. His sword slashed into the knight's arm, forcing him to drop Liv. She collapsed to the ground as Kjetil and Dagrík unleashed vengeance. Kjetil snapped Lindir's neck with a savage blow, while Dagrík chased Velaris down and cleaved her in half with a single strike.
Wounded and cornered, Aerendil was soon surrounded by the rest of the clan. Kjetil crushed his legs, and after a brutal interrogation led by Dagrík, the knight was decapitated—ending the bloodshed of that grim night.
Thanatos fell to his knees beside Liv's lifeless body, sobbing uncontrollably. He held her bloodied hand as if willing her to come back."Liv, don't go… please don't leave me, mom," he murmured, his voice a dagger in the hearts of all who heard.
Kjetil knelt beside her, pressing his forehead to hers, tears flowing freely down his face."Forgive me, Liv. I should've been here. I should've protected you…"
Even Dagrík, hardened as he was, placed a firm hand on Kjetil's shoulder and spoke with a solemn voice:"She died fighting. May the gods welcome her into Asgard with the honor she deserves."
The rain kept falling, washing the blood from the battlefield, as the clan gathered in silence. Liv was gone, but her memory and her sacrifice would remain forever etched in their hearts—especially in Thanatos's. That night, he swore he would never again let someone he loved die without giving everything he had to protect them.
The night Liv died was a turning point for Thanatos. The loss of his adoptive mother carved a deep scar in his soul—but also ignited a fire of resolve within him. The next morning, with the embers of the campfire still glowing, the boy approached Dagrík, eyes steady despite his grief.
"I want to train," he said, voice shaking, but firm. "I want to fight. I want to protect the clan—just like Liv did."
Dagrík, taken aback by the boy's sudden determination, remained silent for a moment. He looked at Thanatos's rigid stance, clenched fists, and the spark in his eyes. Finally, he nodded.
"If that's your will... we begin tomorrow."