When you’re taken by surprise, that split second decision is the difference between life and death. Nobody had snuck up on me ever since I didn’t need my eyes to see. So I wasn’t used to the experience. That almost got me killed. I would remember the feeling for a long time to come.

Nadim had his men spend their time patrolling the edge. When one of them spotted my assault of Jaakko and his men, he rushed to gather his companions. Then, they traveled to the edge of town and they waited for us to return. And then they outsmarted me.

They leaped down on us from the trees, just as we entered back into the neighborhoods. The roaring shocked me from my conversation with Faas, and I slowly turned towards the sound, even as everyone else darted. My boys were used to being snuck up on, so their reaction was everything it should be. But I stood there, staring at the charging forces, awe struck. Unmoving. They were grinning madly, as snowballs flew around my head. It was strange. I couldn’t move. Couldn’t grasp what I was seeing. Even as it rushed boldly towards me.

Demyan tackled me to the ground, just as a volley went towards my head. He stared down at me, “Wake up.” He said simply, before turning towards the enemy. It was even. Non Judgemental. Simple, sound advice. But I just layed there. Stunned and cold.

But this was only the first great realization I would receive today. Because as I laid there, unable to respond, the world moved on without me. This also took time to process.

Faas leaped over me, and started shouting commands, taking charge as easily as breathing. “We have numbers! Flank!” He roared, beginning the counteroffensive. Naturally, the two groups, mine and his, broke off. My boys went towards the left, as his to the right. He stood brazenly, daring Nadim to come for him. Which he did, as he always would.

I just layed there. There was little point to join the fray anymore. It’d most likely be over by the time I stood up.I sighed heavily and closed my eyes. I didn’t want to play anymore.

But closing your eyes doesn’t make the world go away. For me, it made it even harder to ignore. I could see it all now. Every staticky detail. Farther than when I focused. But hazy as a consequence. In that moment, I was the center of the world around me, and my vision flowed through it all. I could feel the nearby boys revel in battle, blood pumping with adrenaline. Feel the forest creatures move around, calm and natural. Peaceful, breathing with ease. And something deeper. Something beyond comprehension. Both inside me, above me, and around me. I could feel disappointment. Not in my actions, but in the following reactions. I forgot that this day was not about me. But now he reminded me. And I was lightning again.

“Need help up, feyerverk?” Came Artyom's voice. “You aren’t frozen are you?”

I slowly opened my eyes. Oblivious to the cold, even though my body had sunken slightly into the ground. Artyom and Demyan looked down on me, concerned. They were on either side of me. Dimitri sat cross legged, just above my head, waiting patiently for my answer. “No.” I respond simply. Emotionlessly, I rose with Dimitri, as Faas and Nadim approached, both grinning wide.

“Taking a nap, Hildr?” Na

dim giggled. “I can understand. Conquering two separate armies is tiring, I imagine.”

“Shocked and embarrassed you could sneak up on her, I think.” Faas answered for me, hands on hips, showing his teeth in his grin. “When’s the last time that happened I wonder?”

“Long enough I don’t remember it, if it has even happened.” I grumble.

“Well don’t worry about it.” Faas shrugged. “I’ll be sure to leave this bit out.”

I blushed as the two boys laughed. “No.” I say. “Leave it.”

“You sure?” Faas asked sincerely. “I usually only leave in the good bits. The boring bits are for books and classes.”

“Yes.” I nod, sharply. “That way, I can’t forget.”

“Suit yourself.” Faas said, already losing interest, as he looked around. “So who’s next?”

“Only one person left.” I responded. “Kacper.”

“So you already took care of Volym, then?” Nadim asked.

“No one cares about Volym. He barely counts.” I say, shutting my eyes to find Jaakko. “Oh gentle Sif why.”

Volym’s stupid, ugly, staticky silhouette was exiting the treeline nearby. Followed by his men. And Jaakko and Kacper. Wondering how the moron manages to open a door every morning, let alone how he captured both armies, I turned, frowning as hard as I could.

“Kacper for shame!” Faas laughed, as the two groups approached each other. “Why’d you let this dumb waste of labor beat you?”

“Not by fair means at the least.” Kacper begun. “He played dirty and-”

“Shut it.” Volym barked, while Kacper looked at him, very unimpressed. Volym turned back to us and continued to say very stupid things. “I have won.”

My eye twitched. “You’re an idiot.”

“Say that to my face!” He shouted, taking a step toward me, fist raised.

“I did.” I respond unmoving, adding for good measure, “Stupid.”

“We’re gonna be here all day aren’t we?” Nadim sighed.

“We already have.” Kacper said calmly, looking up at the sky. It was getting late. But I would not give in. I continued to stare dead at Volym. I continued to frown with all my might. The way Mama did. And she always wins. It’s magic.

“We will need to go to the hall soon.” Jaakko said simply. He always stated facts. That was his duty. “We don’t have time for a full, drawn out battle.”

“I will not capitulate.” I said, using one of Nikolais words. I was pretty sure I used it right.

“That’s not a real word!” Volym laughed stupidly.

“It is, if you're smart.” I spit venom back at him.

“We need to end this quickly.” Kacper tried, standing between us. “It was a fun game, but we must all go back to our parents. I think that we should just call it quits. We don’t need a-”

“No!” Volym roared. “This game will have a winner, and it will only end when there is only one king left!”

“I agree.” I say, stabbing daggers into Volym’s stupid, ugly, fat face with my shiny blue and orange eyes.

The other kings sighed. Kacper spoke up with their question. “What do you suggest then?”

“I challenge you, Volym.” I started, moving closer as I spoke. “Before Thor and before kindred I challenge you. Tonight, after the feast. Only one of us will be left. Chosen by the gods.”

We stood nose to stupid, misshapen, ugly nose now, as he smiled down on me, “I accept. The strongest will win the game.”

“Yes. They. Will.”

“Yes.” He said proudly, “I will!”

I punched him square in the nose. He cried out, and fell to his knees. It was dirty. But he deserved it. Stupid people that ruin everything get punched. This was not disputed.