WAR OF ICE AND STONE

Part II: Cry Havoc…

By Kristi Manchester

“You dare to attack fair and noble Asgard?! cried out Thor. “Thou wouldst bring battle to the doorstep of he home of the Gods?!”

“We would little Godling, we would dare all that and more!” the troll emissary said, stepping forward into the room with his host of trolls accompanying him. “We hath come to burn your precious city down to naught but ashes!”

“Doth thou forget the last war between the Aesir and the Trolls and Giants of Jotunheim?” Odin said while brushing himself off and striding forward to stand before the troll. “A war which nearly left thy race decimated beyond recovery.”

“Aye, All-Father, we remember well the last war,” the emissary said, his emerald eyes narrowing. “Twas a costly war but we learned from it.”

“If thou remembers the grave cost of making war upon the Aesir then why hath thou done so now?” Odin said, his noble voice filled with power that caused the gathered trolls and even the two giants who had stepped forward to take a step back.

“We did not wish for this war All-Father, ye hath brought this storm to yer own doorstep,” the Emissary said, drawing forth from his belt a wand of cold iron. “Though we did not wish it we will do what must be done to pay ye back fer what ye did to us.”

With that said the troll brought the wand up and with a word in an ancient language thought known only to the Gods activated the devilish devices power. From its tip exploded a blast of ruby energy that engulfed the All-Father Odin in an aura of energy. Screaming out in sudden agonizing pain the All-Father released a blast of energy as he was repelled away from the trolls. The blast struck many of the Gods who had been near him upon release, this included Hermod, Vidar, Hod and the last of the guards. All were flung back to crash into the walls or into piles of debris, their bodies smoking from the unexpected attack. Odin’s flight had sent him crashing into the far wall where he lay trapped and unconscious.

“Odin!” screamed out Frigga as she rushed to her fallen husbands side.

“What hast thou done?!” yelled Tyr, who looked around slowly at the fallen Gods and captive All-Father before pointing his sword threateningly at the Emissary.

“Removed Odin and others from yer ilk from the field of battle!” cried the Emissary troll. “Now attack! Destroy the Aesir and all who side with them!”

On command the massive trolls charged in while the Giants pulled large chunks of Gladsheim free, casually tossing them away so that they were able to enter the fight faster. Their confidence showed clearly in their wide grins. After all, with Odin down, the Asgardians were already without their most powerful warrior but the All-Father was not alone in the ranks of might and their charge was quickly countered. With a cry of “For Asgard!” Thor led the way with Mjolnir, his powerful arm launched the Warhammer forward sending it crashing through the forward ranks as if they were naught but paper. The Uru metal mallet shattered bone, and crushed limbs as it passed through and again on its return. The numbers of the trolls were great as this did little to break the charge. Beside him on his right noble Baldur clashed steel to steel with a powerful troll but only for a moment as a hard quick kick to the knee dropped the Troll and a swift stabbing thrust with his sword finished the beast. The blade came free quickly and a cross slash met the next two trolls in line, cutting them open to the cool air. On Thor’s left, Sif matched Baldur’s skill with the blade easily, though dressed for the feast she was more fleet footed than the favored god and her blade wove through the air faster. This left little in the way of defense for those trolls who had charged as they could not penetrate her defense or move fast enough to block all but the feint. The god of war, Tyr, rammed bodily into the ranks of barbarians, slamming one aside with his metal clad stump of a left hand and spearing through another with his blade. Hogan and Fandral moved as one like lightning through their enemies, blade working quickly parrying and countering attacks as if it were second nature Fandral dispatched many while Hogun in much the same way as Tyr bashed each charging Troll in his path away, his mace pulping armor and shattering shields. Volstagg simply used his great size to blunt the charge, his powerful hands grabbing up trolls and tossing them into the remaining walls.

Behind the Warriors Three, Frey summoned forth a great bow of curved wood and emerald green vines. Leaping upon the table, he began to fire arrows into the invaders, his accuracy perfect. With unexpected speed, he swung his bow up and launched two arrows straight at a giant who had stepped inside. The arrows punched through his eyes and punctured deep enough to bury into the giant’s brain. For a few moments his body kept moving but quickly he fell back to crush many trolls under his massive weight. Thiafli ran through the ranks, his deadly blade weaving bloody ruin but his speed was halved by the lack of room and he had to dodge often. Perhaps the most devastating attack by the Asgardians came from Frigga who with a gesture formed ice blue threads of magic, weaving them into a circle of azure runes before with a narrowing of her eyes fired a blast of frigid blades of ice into the midst of the Trolls. The blades cut through all protection they had and served to block parts of the opening.

“Idunn, see what thou can do for mine father and our brothers! Hod and Frey, protect the All-Father and Idunn with thy lives!” yelled Thor as he blocked an attack with his gauntlet and swung Mjolnir in from the side crushing it into the Troll’s side. It crumbled, ribs shattered under the impact. “We shall break their charge and show them true Asgardian power!”

“Of course, Thor!” Idunn yelled as she and Hod moved to Odin’s side beside Frigga. Frigga, Frey and Hod formed a defensive formation around the fallen King of the Gods.

The battle was fierce as Uru hammer and Asgardian metal met dark steel in a crash that echoed through what remained of the great hall. The strength of the counter charge was showing but not nearly as much as such a counter-assault should have which showed to the embattled gods how massive the army of trolls really must be. It was these vast numbers that caused the gods to further split up into smaller groups with Thor, Sif and Baldur pushing the deepest in the swarming mass of orange skinned trolls. The Warriors Three, and Tyr were cut off together, Thiafli raced throughout the crowd but became bogged down while Frigga and Frey remained in their formation near Idunn, the fallen Odin. The trolls continued to pour in while the giants worked to pull apart the rest of the building, their great size keeping them from taking a larger role in the attack.

“There are so many, Odinson!” cried out Baldur over the din as he speared his blade through a foes chest, kicking the body back after a moment to free his blade in time to block an axe head. “They will bury the hall with their dead. Tis that thy plan monsters?!”

“Hah! Even that plan tis beyond Troll thinking Baldur, thou art being to kind to them,” Sif said as she took the head from the shoulders of a burly troll before dodging under a cudgel and stabbing her blade deep into its gut..

Thor smiled grimly at his allies’ bravado while he backhanded an enemy back into its own ranks, flooring three of them. As they fell he pointed Mjolnir forward and unleashed a blistering blast of lightning that tore a ragged line through the mass of bodies. The blast of electricity shredded the powerfully built trolls, blistering skin as they fried and rending armor open. The bodies still smoking were trampled over as more trolls surged in nearly shoulder to shoulder stopped only in places where ice had blocked the opening.. Though they were holding their own, Thor knew that he, Sif and Baldur would be overwhelmed as would the others due to the seemingly endless tide of enemies. What they needed was space, space only Thor could provide for them as he was the master of not only the thunder and lightning but of the rain and the wind as well. With another mighty swing of Mjolnir he momentarily cleared the area before him while Sif and Baldur held the enemies to their sides back with intricate sword work. Letting his grip slacken on Mjolnir he let the Warhammer slip free slowly only to catch it by the leather strap. With the hammer before him he began to whirl Mjolnir in a circle, the mighty hammer going faster and faster and from it rose a cyclone of wind that slammed back the army of trolls. The powerful winds pushed a great many back through the vast opening that they had created.

“Back, villainous dogs! Back before the power of the storms!” Thor yelled out, the winds echoing his rage at the audacity of the trolls to think they could destroy fair Asgard. “I will not allow thee to taint this hallowed hall!”

The wind he had summoned had given Thor room to move once more but though many were pushed away still others pressed in from the sides. Thor ran forward quickly, Mjolnir striking out as he moved keeping his path clear.

“These foul miscreants will face the full fury of the storms this day!” Thor yelled back, swinging wide to force his way deeper into the regrouping monstrosities. “Sif! Baldur! Hold thee back the treacherous trolls while I deal with the giants of Jotunheim.”

With a mighty throw, Mjolnir was hurled straight forward once more and smashed aside dozens of foot soldiers, nothing could bar its way and behind it came the Thunder God. His fists led the way, smashing into the wide jaw of the lead Troll who had not been left mangled by the hammers passing. Teeth burst from the ruined mouth, bone shattering, and as the troll fell Thor followed the first punch with a second to another Troll, its hauberk and its chest caving in. Thor backhanded another Troll away then caught one by the wrist and pulled him in, taking hold of him by the chest plate. His fingers sunk into the metal, his anger increasing his strength and with a growl he raised up the troll and then slammed him down to the ground incredibly hard. The impact sent a shock wave out knocking dozens off there feet and it was then that Thor made it out of the hall. As his hand caught the returning hammer his blue eyes took in the truly terrifying sight before him.

Arrayed before him was a vast host of Trolls, hundreds perhaps even thousands strong were moving forward toward the hall where what was now a simple skirmish continued on. They raced forward, armored in emerald and deep blue tinted cold iron, heavy weapons of the same metal were held in their huge hands and many in the front of the attack wore dark blue war paint. Their true numbers could not be easily seen as they flooded out from around buildings and the roads filled. Not only Trolls faced them of course as had been proven by the two giants, one of which had turned now to face Thor but he and his brother were not the only to come. Dozens of giants made their way through the city, their footsteps echoing and the ground cracked under the weight of those very booted feet. All wore heavy chain mail armor, helmets of cold Iron and carried massive weapons that could easily carve a number of men in twain with just a slash or crush them to bloody pulp with a simple swing. Cruel menace was written on their broad heavy faces through their broad toothy grins and hate filled eyes.

It was lucky for the Thunder God and his fellow Asgardians that the city proper had yet to see the return of all its peoples. There were very few people in danger and there were very many dangers at the moment. Throughout the city a horn was blowing signaling guards who had nearly all retired to the many drinking halls, soon they would be assaulting the enemy but Thor doubted that would be enough to stop this. Without his father Odin, the Asgardians were going to be sorely pressed to push back such a force but repel it they would. Clenching his hand tighter around Mjolnir, knuckles whitened and Thor’s eyes flashed brighter in concentration. The trolls surged toward him, the giant next to him grinned broadly with its axe raised to strike, his mind filled with thoughts of glory won with the death of the son of the All-Father. A crack of thunder louder than any heard before split the air, and rain began to pour from the sky as if a hurricane were coming.

“To all who attack Asgard there tis naught but death!” cried out Thor, his voice echoing out as streaks of lightning struck the giant and the oncoming horde, shredding them before they could reach him.

Inside Gladsheim, Moments earlier

“At least we hath room to fight eh Fair Sif?” said Baldur as he sidestepped to avoid a slash from an axe before slashing across with his blade, taking the trolls head off in just that one swing. Slicing toward his shoulder a second axe cut in but was blocked and then deflected by the swift sword of Sif who followed the deflection with a stab through the chest. To free her sword she braced her foot against its stomach and pushed the dead troll off her blade with enough force to knock him back into his allies. The two stood back to back now and Baldur looked back. “You hath my thanks m’lady but I wouldst have had him!”

“Of course, if thy plan were to lose thine arm then yes, you had him.” Sif remarked dryly while slapping aside the weak attempts to block by a stumbling troll. She easily whirled her blade around his well worked sword, keeping him from maintaining his grip and she knocked it from his hand. Before her surprised opponent could react she swiftly drew forth a dagger and plunged it into his throat. As it fell back she pulled the dagger free. “I see the brilliance in such a scheme; after all wouldst not thou blood blind the foolish trolls?”

“Thou sees nothing, mine plan would be genius unparalleled as the Trolls would be lulled into a false sense of security and then I wouldst strike…Duck!” Baldur cried out before both he and Sif ducked down, a large two handed cudgel passing over their heads. As he moved Baldur slashed across splitting open the foul beast’s stomach and loosing its entrails upon the floor. Coughing loudly as he heard Sif take another Troll out at the legs. “By Odin…the smell alone could very well kill us!”

“How true brave one,” answered Sif, finishing the troll she had dropped with a stab through the heart. “I think we shall run low on Trolls shortly!”

As if in response to her remark a mighty fist smashed through the side wall and through the torn whole more Trolls piled in followed by the Giant itself, a mighty sledge in its hands.

“Didst thou hath to say that?” Baldur said as they pivoted to face the new threat. His tone was light but until the new arrivals Sif had been right as the numbers of Trolls inside Gladsheim had dwindled to small group as the flow had been cut off by Frigga and the Thunder God’s assaults. He knew though that none of them could readily see outside and could not even guess the enemies’ numbers but damned would they be to let Trolls and Giants take Asgard now. “Protect the All-Father!”

Nearby the Warriors Three faced off against most of the remaining eight or so Trolls from the first charge. Fandral led the charge with a flurry of stabs intending only to keep the front Troll’s on the defensive while letting his comrades better position themselves. To that regard Hogun raced forward and launched himself over Fandral, his mace held over his head and as he fell he brought it down with mighty force, force enough to crack the ground. With such a blow he knocked aside the next few Trolls and though his landing left him open Volstagg who had moved to flank the enemy charged into their ranks, smashing them to the sides. Mighty is Volstagg, his strength fueling punches that ruined armor and crushed once strong Trolls. Any who escaped his charge were crushed under a powerful mace blow, skulls caving in and shoulders snapping with loud snaps. The front line though had seemingly escaped the two warriors wraith, but on came Fandral again, blade weaving in deadly patterns of strikes and feints.

“Unlucky Trolls, thou face Fandral the daring and though I intended to delay thee, now I wish to slay thee!” Fandral cried out, his blade slicing out thrice and with each stab he took the life of another troll. The attacks were too swift, each wound lethal but clean and for moments the Trolls blinked in shock before falling forward dead. Blood pooled under them. “See creatures of Jotunheim how easy we slay thee!”

“If they die so easily Fandral then why art thy foes not all dead?” Hogun said with a sigh and swung downward, smashing apart the head of a stunned troll. “Look out arrogant one!”

“Hm!?” Fandral said before dodging to the side as he caught sight of the rising troll behind him, it’s wicked barbed mace cutting down and though the strike was swift Fandral proved the swifter. Spinning about to finish the foe he thought dead he aimed his blade up but was stopped when he watched an arrow head punch through between its eyes, dropping it forward where it would have landed on him if he had not moved again to the side. With a gentlemanly wave he thanked Frey who responded from beside the imprisoned Odin with a nod. “Thank thee for thy timely assistance mine friend!”

“Do thou think these Trolls will allow us a break to eat?” Volstagg asked, hoisting a troll over his head and throwing him bodily into two more who dared to assault Odin. “It wouldst seem only proper for them to allow us a bit to eat aye? After all they should be truly afraid now, seeing mine powerful and imposing form in the battle lines!”

“I doubt they will large one,” growled out Hogun as he looked toward the multitude of Trolls who had just entered. “Now shut thy mouth and battle on!”

Nearby the God of War eyed the newly arrived giant with a hungry glint in his eyes. Pulling his sword free from the gut of a troll he had just slain he raced forward, his mighty metal cudgel swinging out to knock a blocking troll to the side while his muscled legs propelled him quickly forward toward the massive Giant. Using those very legs he launched himself into the air, his sword leading the way and his fierce metal “hand” pulled back to strike. The Giant turned and blinked, stunned at this stupid little creatures audacity but his shock passed quickly and he drew forth a mighty hammer of worked stone while moving to block. He was a fraction to slow, Tyr’s blade cut deep into his gut, pressing in nearly to the hilt but to the giant it was not so grave a wound. Tyr though used his Metal club like left hand to begin to bash the Giant’s armor to broken shards around the wound. The Giant himself grunted in annoyance and with it’s free hand grabbed the God of War and wrenched him free, the blade slicing up as he pulled but none to fatally. The massive man slammed Tyr down into the ground, shaking the whole of Gladsheim and with a wicked grin swung its hammer down upon the War God who was all but crushed under such a fierce attack. Tyr screamed out loudly, his armor cracking as did his bones in his chest but due to his Asgardian abilities and amazing durability was he spared a painful death. The Giant prepared to raise the hammer once more but as if from the ether frozen shards of ice tore through him, piercing his arm, slicing his large hand off while others punctured his chest and neck. He dropped with barely another sound on a few trolls unlucky enough not to have moved. Thiafli moved quickly and half dragged, half carried the God of war away from the fight and back to Idunn.

“Thiafli!” cried out Frigga, faint ice crystals flowing about her slender hands. “Once thou hath pulled Tyr to safety thou must rally the troops or they shall be routed straight away!”

“Yes my Queen.” Thiafli said, setting Tyr beside Idunn and within moments ran off, out a small hole to find and gather the guards of Asgard.

It was then that the blue-white lightning blasted down from the heavens outside Gladsheim.

Outside Gladsheim, Now

Thor looked out over the field of battle, ragged scars covering the broken streets and what seemed like hundreds of burnt ragged corpses lay all about. Smoke rose from the bodies of the dead Trolls, blood pooled all around and the smell of charred flesh filled the air. A few Giants had also been caught in the savage attack, armor torn asunder and still burning as if from within, the bodies smoldered under the stars. Weapons lay shattered or burnt all about, the Giant’s weapons stood like monuments but even after such an incredible attack the Troll and Giant army still were seemingly without number and were already rallying.

“Damn thine eyes!” Thor yelled out, clenching Mjolnir tighter while glaring at the remaining horde. “Doest thou wish to die today!? Then come beasts so that Thor may finish thy foul threat once and for all!”

In answer to his challenge they raced forward, a giant leading the way was hit with a powerful throw of Mjolnir which all but caved in the warriors face and dropped him back to land in his ranks, crushing dozens under him. Thor raced forward, hand outstretched to catch Mjolnir as the mass of fighters reached him. Using the momentum of the weapon’s return he spun in a circle, the hammer held by its leather strap and the mighty Uru hammer smashing aside the front ranks of Trolls, then the back and on, sending bodies in all direction. For though the Trolls were mighty they were no match for such power as the Aesir could bring to bear, let alone the power held within the mighty muscles of the God of Thunder himself. With the immediate area clear for the moment he tossed Mjolnir forward once more to crush into the shield of a massive giant, causing the shield and bone to splinter and break with a heavy snap. In response the giant slashed out in pain, his golden trimmed war blade cutting a bloody swath through the ranks of trolls around him as well as cutting another giant off at the knees. The legless giant fell in a heap with a savage scream and out of revenge more than anything bashed its fist into the side of the massive giant who had cut it down, taking him down as well.

Thor gave little heed to the plight of the two giants as he swung a hard back hand, smacking the horde even further back before retreating under cover fire of a caught and then re-thrown Mjolnir. He raced back to the body of a fallen giant and hoisted it over his head, and with a warrior’s cry he flung it into the massed trolls, crushing a full three ranks deep and bowling over even more behind them. Catching his mystic hammer, Thor turned to grab another giant corpse but a massive piece of rock crashed into the ground beside him, sending the Thunder God flying through the air to hit the still standing wall of Gladsheim which he hit with a hard thud only to bounce off and land a few feet away. He quickly rose to his feet but not quick enough to avoid being piled upon by the on coming trolls.

Elsewhere by the Palace

Loki had stalked the streets of Asgard without incident, his cloak flowing out behind him and a wicked smirk on his face. His destination the palace and though there was an attack on Asgard he had little to concern himself with besides getting past the mighty doors. His step was light and almost gleeful, the sounds of battle reached his ears and he chuckled softly in response.

“What wondrous sounds of blood letting and humiliation!? How they doth seem like soothing music to mine ears!” Loki said, grinning broadly as he reached the Palace Odin himself, looking up at the majestic sight with a sneer crossing his lips. “Oh how perfect, oh how beautiful this tribute to the All-Father! Oh the joy in mine heart at the sheer thought of tearing all of his down and rebuilding it to the glory that is Loki!”

With a glance about he quickly climbed the steps to the great doors, studying them with a practiced eye and taking note of the many runes that lined its outer edge and across the iron bars that crossed its massive width. With a dangerous hungry gleam in his eyes Loki held his hands out, palms toward the doors. Emerald and gold wrapped around them before flowing out in the form of energy like webbing. It flowed out, slipping over the doors and to the beginning of the walls before slowly pushing into the cracks of the polished stone, winding their way inside like water.

Loki tilted his head slightly and around him flowed out a shield of emerald energy and after a moment he smirked, pulling hard on the web of energy he held in his hands. With a loud scraping and cracking sound the wall and doors exploded outward, pulled forward by the magiks he had unleashed. The door was still whole due to the runic protection but the wall had been destroyed. The rumble hit the shield, sending out ripples before falling away to crash on the ground. Loki let the doors hit the field before letting his web go and casually waving his hand to repel them off to the side where they crashed into the road with a heavy thud.

With the door gone and nothing to guard his prize Loki dispelled his shield and walked through the opening he had created…

Inside Gladsheim

Baldur backed up a step, heavy blade working quickly in a woven pattern of parries and quick slashes but it was not his sword but a weapon he had liberated from one of the many Trolls, his own blade broken and lost. He parried and countered as best he could, the balance of the weapon though surprisingly good was not forged for an Asgardian. Beside him Sif danced nimbly out of the way of three clumsy stabbing thrusts from a stout looking spear wielding troll, she countered by cutting the spear head off and followed it with a hard kick that sent him flying backward. The pair were fending well though Trolls continued to trickle in over the fallen Giant and were pressing in. Behind him Frigga and Idunn continued their attempts to dispel the magik that held Odin fast. Beside them Frey continued his barrage of enchanted arrows, each one accounting for at least one Troll. The wounded had been lain out near the back corner and already their wounds had begun to slowly heal. Dozens of troll bodies covered the once beautiful floor; blood ran out in thick pools to mingle with entrails and weapons as well as icy water.

Through the giant blocked opening another Giant bulled his way in and lifted the torn apart body of his kin to throw it to the side. His first steps inside was met with a fiercely flung Hogun who with a savage battle cry slammed his bloody mace directly into the giant’s face. The impact of which was thunderous and what once was a face was now a mess of shattered nose and hick blood. The massive body fell and was swiftly finished off by a cut from Fandral, slicing his throat open.

“Hah! We will have these fiends on the run shortly!” Volstagg cried out as he hoisted up a pair of trolls, crushing them together incredibly hard before slamming them into two more who had turned his way. “Once they know that they face the Lion of Asgard, The only option is retreat!”

“Spare us thy bragging mouth fat one.” Hogun snarled out, throwing his mace, its flight straight and true let it strike a Troll in the back of the head, knocking him flat. “We wouldst be lucky if the horde before us retreated, tis as if they art without number.”

“The more they have, the more we must kill,” remarked Fandral, his tone light but a serious look filled his eyes. His blade taking the hands from a foe before a stab from his dagger silenced it forever. “How does thou think Thor is faring amongst our foe?”

“Worse than us, I am sure…” Sif said concern in her eyes as she looked around at the dwindled Troll forces, barely numbering a dozen now. The three Giant corpses along with the jagged ice had all but sealed the entrances opened by the enemy. “We must hurry to his side as quickly as we art able.”

“We shall not let him battle on alone fair Sif!” shouted Baldur who dispatched another troll while two more were accounted for by Frey and another by Fandral. “To Thor’s side mine friends! To battle!”

Forming up the assembled Asgardians began to finish off the remaining trolls, though brave their voices worry was etched in their words over the fate of the Odinson.

Outside Gladsheim

The pile of trolls on top of the Thunder God had grown larger, fists and weapons crashing down upon the embattled son of Odin. On the fringes of the dog pile were a number of Trolls, laughing loudly as they waited for their kin to finish so that they could take part in the death of the thrice accursed Thor. From under the attacking trolls the sound of a fierce battle cry though muffled could be heard and with a show of amazing strength by the God of thunder the horde of trolls were thrown outward, exploding away from the powerful form of Thor as he broke loose and rose to his feet. His armor was ruined, cracked and torn away in places. The left shoulder guard had been wrenched off, the chain underneath bared and broken. The armor on his right arm shredded beyond repair, as was the right gauntlet and along his legs and side smaller tears had appeared. The elaborate design on the chest plate was dented and ruined, and the gold soiled. Thor’s helmet was once again gone letting his now dirty blonde hair fall into his face and what remained of his majestic cloak was little more than scarps. Part of the golden chain skirt was torn off but Thor stood tall and strong, hand clenched tight around Mjolnir.

“I say thee enow!” Thor bellowed, looking around at the assembled giants before dropping to his knee. He slammed Mjolnir down thrice upon the ground, lightning playing out over its Uru head and around them the wind picked up. “Tis time thou take leave of fair Asgard villainous curs!”

Quickly the winds grew faster and faster, seeming to push out from Thor and they began to buffet the Giants with increasing force. Though they stood their ground the winds picked up bodies, shrapnel that had been weapons and armor and debris. Each piece cutting, or smashing into the Giants, their massive forms holding up well to the attack but only for a moment as the wind reached a fevered pitch, with hurricane force building up the three mighty humanoid creatures were lifted off their feet and thrown with surprising force outward to crash into empty buildings, homes and shops alike. Some to be merely knocked out while another was impaled on the wreckage. Trolls were caught in the hurricane and were smashed against those same buildings or cut apart by debris. As his foes fell Thor slammed Mjolnir down once more to end the fierce attack which had destroyed dozens of enemies but had also damaged a number of buildings, some beyond repair.

“Luckily there art no people yet in these buildings…Were there then such an attack wouldst hath been unthinkable.” Thor thought, looking around slowly. Before him though foes without count had been felled the Troll army was hardly beaten, hundreds, perhaps more were arrayed against them still, giants marched forward still ranging near fifty or perhaps more. “Has the whole of Jotunheim come against us this day?!”

Behind the Thunder God the defenders of Gladsheim had begun to exit the heavily damaged hall and from all around the building appeared the warriors of Asgard, armored and armed with strong Asgardian weapons. Thiafli led them in their charge and soon Thor was flanked by the men-at-arms and his fellow Gods.

“You hath our apologies for the delay Thor,” Sif said, stepping up beside him. “We wouldst have been here sooner hath the Trolls given us a moments breath.”

“Do not concern thyself with such thought Sif,” Thor said, looking his kin over. “We art not finished with this horde of dogs just…!”

Before Thor could finish a massive object slammed into the ground behind them, shattering a small crater into the ground and knocking the Gods as well as the guards back a few steps. Before they recovered a massive fist clad in a large cold iron pounder shot out, savagely smashing into Sif’s back. The surprise blow caught her flat footed and sent her crashing into a giants armored corpse with a loud heavy thud. She fell limp to the ground as the other Gods watched in shock. This powerful being stood tall amidst them, a massive troll whose limbs were corded with muscle beneath his orange skin. This troll had hands that seemed capable of crushing the skull of a God. A cruel sneer crossed his broad face and he cracked his neck loudly. There was no doubt that the champion of the Troll’s had taken to the field of battle, Ulik had joined the assault on Asgard.

“Sif!” Thor cried out, turning to race toward his injured beloved but with surprising speed that belied strength, Ulik moved into his path and with a hard back hand sent Thor flying back into the debris his attacks had made.

“No Thunder God, ye should be worrying about thy self,” bellowed Ulik, grinning all the wider as he regarded the stunned Thunder God. “Going to crush you and all yer lot.”

Baldur and the Warriors three moved quickly to flank the mighty troll champion but against his fabled power none but Thor could stand.

“Sif…” Thor said, standing slowly, gripping Mjolnir tight as he glared at Ulik, hatred in his eyes. All he could see was Sif’s body laying broken and his rage increased ten fold. With only a bellowing cry of anger to herald his attack, Thor launched himself forward and slammed into Ulik, and sent them both crashing into a damaged home.

Baldur ran to Sif’s side, kneeling down he checked her breathing and with fear filled eyes cried out, “Thiafli, to my side!”

“Men hold them here…and set up the ballista’s!” Thiafli commanded while racing over to Baldur. “They are upon us brother, but we shall hold…Fair Sif…what has that beast done to thee?!”

Using the time that Ulik’s assault had bought them, the armies of Jotunheim charged forward with fierce war cries to crash into the defensive line of the Asgardian warriors, who may very well have buckled if not for the Warriors three at the center.

“She is badly hurt mine brother…get her to Idunn now,” Baldur said, turning back to the battle at hand. “We shall make the Trolls thrice curse this day.”

“What of Thor? We will need his aid for this battle…” Thiafli said, gathering up Sif in his arms.

“Thor battles Ulik now, and he will battle no other till the foul troll is punished…Thor is no longer facing this Horde,” Baldur said, running back toward the line before continuing on in a whisper. “I fear he hath been taken by the warrior’s madness…”

With those last words Baldur joined the Warrior’s Three and the valiant guards in the thick of the battle while Thiafli took Sif into the hall and to Idunn.

NEXT ISSUE: The Mighty Thor versus Ulik Champion of the Trolls! The Asgardians versus the armies of Jotunheim! Loki’s prizes’ location revealed!