Eternal

By Ryan K. Lindsay

Starting with a sword fight between Vif, the leader of the shieldmaidens, and an old man with a bald man swiping at her back, it then shows a boy, Grimr seeing a sword in a stone. Grimr asks if he must claim it, and Vif explains of it being the last of what he'd stood for, he wondering what his own legacy would mean, and Vif answering of he using the blade when necessary. Grimr wishes to be able to adventure without the side effect of fighting, but this coming hand in hand, and when they separate, Vif regarding 2 men in a shed, and Bjarte thought only the 2'd be enough for the camp of females, Vif announcing with venom of Bjarte being ignorant. Next, the girl is shouting empowerment phrases to the group of rowing women in reference to Bjarte being overthrown, and freeing their country.

Vif and her shieldmaidens had grown to appreciate war-making after their men had left for good. Vif leads with a violent fist toward any man getting in their way. As she shreds Bjarte's men, she taunts him to come forward instead of wasting his men's lives, and the sharpness of her blade, otherwise she'd have to kill him by hand. When Vif reaches Bjarte, he attempts to negotiate by telling how he could use his magic to use her into becoming powerful as a queen or god, she asking how he though this'd stop her or even get her to agree.

She shoves her blade in his chest, this bringing more issues, what with his magical ways, she taking his head, as well. Vif is next shown taking down a couple guys, and after is consoling Grimr, kneeling next to the sword in the stone, telling him the moments they had together could last, even if they didn't end up in Valhalla together. Time passes, Vif does farm work til winter returns, then is updated of some of the locals seeing something supernatural on the water, and whilst they had been given reprieve from enemies attacking, due to their growing brutal rep, Vif feels prepared for this new spirit enemy. When she goes after the ethereal being, he sword doesn't do damage, the creature, Bjarte, laughing, then urging her to come after him.

Vif then sees she'd connected her sword to the wrong body, Grimr dying, and Vif mourning him along with her actions. They lay him to rest by burning boat and she continues fighting, sees the sword still in the stone, and becomes upset once more. Later, she's made aware of black smoke in the distance, and those around her becoming angry alongside her, she going back to collect the sword from the stone, and has the others wait there, walking into the woods. The wolves don't bother her as she discovers the camp, and upon seeing the men, begins taking them down like always, taking a hit, as well, this time though.

Bjarte can't move on, and he no longer heard the "song" of his people, and doesn't know if his plan to break Vif had worked. Then, he hears words spoken to him about how he'd poisoned "the water of the world", and due to this, he was in between planes, this his burden, and everything he'd done would be forgotten. The true knowledge never being forgotten, though, Vif then slashing at him with her sword. Beautifully drawn, and philosophically written.

A quick, violently fun read. Lindsay writing it for Zawadzki, and it becoming longer because Zawadzki loved the story, and how he could explore it properly. (This definitely could've been a series!)