Bjorn heaved a deep breath as he fell to his knees. Blood pooled around him from the hole in his gut. 'At least I killed the beast!' Skourj lay dead beside him with Bjorn's spear pierced through its eyeball and deep into its brain. 'It's a shame I won't get to enjoy the glory, but I'm glad I could be of service to Lord Exile...'
Bjorn collapsed onto his side as he began to feel cold. His eyelids fluttered as a smile crept across his face. 'Still, I'm sure I'll be remembered for this... I hope they remember to take the body back. The beast's fur would make an excellent armoured coat...'
The light patter of paws sounded on the floor behind his head. Causing Bjorn's eyes to go wide! 'Don't tell me there's more than one!' If that were the case, then his victory would seem hollow as the surviving one could still deal a lot of damage and pose a significant threat!
"Hm, you did well, Bjorn..." A familiar voice full of growls sounded in Bjorn's ear as warm air was breathed on him. "You shall not die today... It seems Exile was right to choose you..."
Bjorn suddenly felt a comforting warmth spread through his body, starting from the hole in his stomach. "You... You're the beast from the cave..."
Bjorn barely managed to say with his weak voice. Skovi eyed him carefully, unwilling to outright admit or deny it. However, Skovi was busy focusing on healing Bjorn's wounds. Although he was supposed to protect those close to Exile, he had heard his master declare that Bjorn was to have no help in slaying Skourj.
However, now that the beast was dead, as far as he was concerned, he was not breaking any of his master's rules by saving Bjorn now. 'He shows great courage... For a human...' Skovi reevaluated his thoughts on humans after witnessing Bjorn's desperate battle.
Seeing that Bjorn was no longer in danger of losing his life, the wolf turned to leave. Bjorn desperately struggled to turn over and get a look at his saviour. He was certain it was the same creature as before, but he had not seen what it looked like in the darkness of the cave.
"Wait! What is your name? Please! Tell me that! I must thank Lord Exile for sending you!" Bjorn's memory snapped to what the creature had said in the cave when the lightning storm struck and just now, with it mentioning Exile outright.
"Silly human... This was your trial... My master did not send me this time." Skovi paused for a moment before glancing back. Bjorn had failed to turn and get a look at him. "But for your service and bravery today, I will grace you with my name..."
Bjorn took a deep breath as he strained to make sure he did not miss it.
"I, am Skovi... And you... I give you the name of Bjorn Ironhide for your achievement of slaying Skourj. I feel it will become more appropriate once you receive Lord Exile's blessing..." With those words, Skovi vanished into the cold air outside.
'Bjorn... Ironhide... huh? That's a good name... Worthy of a legend...' Bjorn passed out after thinking that. Even though his wounds were almost completely gone, he had still used a lot of energy in the fight. With the tension now gone, the accumulated fatigue took over him.
"Quick! The sounds of fighting are over!"
"We have to check if Bjorn survived!"
"Hurry now! Didn't you see that shadow that rushed out! What if he survived, and it finished him off!"
The warriors who had come to witness the deed had felt disappointed when the battle took place out of view. However, they had heard the clanging of metal and the beast's mighty roars from outside. But it had been quiet for a while now. Sensing that the battle was over, they had to confirm the outcome.
However, they did not expect what they saw. Bjorn, lay alive on the ground with hardly any wounds. Yet the massive bear lay dead beside him in its own blood. The warriors froze as they glanced at each other. None of them could find the words to describe that creature. Its metallic fur and imposing mass would terrify even the most courageous of warriors!
"Did he... Really fight that thing?" One of them gulped nervously as he walked around Skourj's body and felt its fur. Letting out a yelp as his finger was pricked by the metallic fur.
"It would appear so..."
"No wonder Lord Exile said whoever slew it would be a hero. Have you ever seen anything like it?"
"I guess that's what happens when the malice of the gods is turned on you..."
"We should be grateful Lord Exile told us about it and sent Bjorn on this quest. Imagine the damage it would've done if it reached Eraldsfen..."
The warriors grew quiet at that statement. None of them wanted to think about the tragedy that would have unfolded. They nervously glanced from Bjorn to the bear.
"Should we take it back with us as proof?"
"Definitely... This creature's body is Bjorn's prize after all. He may have plans for it besides using it as proof..."
"I think I'll pray to Exile when we get back..."
The others nodded their heads in understanding when they heard that. It definitely seemed like they should probably pay more attention to the gods after this. They could only hope that in the future they would get the chance to earn such glory and their place in history.
"Quick! Create two sledges for us to carry Bjorn and the carcass back! He needs some proper rest and a good celebration! Everyone will soon know Bjorn's name for this achievement!"
At that moment, they all froze as they heard the howl of a wolf in the frigid air. But they shivered at what they thought they heard within even that.
"Am I crazy.... Or did that howl sound like it was saying Bjorn Ironhide?"