Conqueror

We stare at the door in shock before turning and looking each other in eyes. The silence continues on as tension builds. I stare at him evaluating how to win.

"He is bigger and stronger than me. So I will have to strike first and make it count" I think as Uthred's training takes over.

My father is a harsh man, both on himself and others. He expected all of his children to be skilled in survival, combat, and in leading others.

He would beat into us that there is no fight that you can't win, only fights you let yourself lose. He would break bones, and leave me covered in bruises from his "training sessions".

I act like I'm reaching for the pail of water to drink, and throw it in Wylf's face. I follow that up with two strikes to the face before I rip I strip of cloth off and coil it around my hands before garroting him and choking him with all my strength.

Wylf tries to roar as he stands up and punches me in the face. The blows make my vision dim, but I continue to choke him before sweeping his leg and slamming him into the ground. I growl, and kick him in the ribs, feeling something crack.

Straddling him, I start sending hard punches to his face, my swollen hands screaming in pain from the impacts. He tries to tie my hands up so I break it at the elbow. He screams in pain as I go numb inside.

I continue to send heavy punches to his face, the squishy wet sound echoing in my head. The smell of blood fills the small room as I keep hitting him as my vision goes red.

....

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...

Wylf has stopped making noises but I pounded his head in. I finally stop and try to wipe my eyes to clear my vision. Finally, I manage to do it. I look down, and what I see makes me vomit.

Wylf's entire face is covered in blood, it's misshapen, doesn't even look like an orcs head anymore. I can see broken pieces of his skull coming out along with his brain.

I crawl away from him and stare at my swollen, blood-soaked hands. The skin on my knuckles has been torn off repeatedly. I can see a hint of my bone poking through. I sit in that dark cold room for hours, numb from shock.

I remember the first time Uthred spoke to me about killing. He said that killing is a terrible, cruel act that kills a part of you when you do it. He also said that when it comes time not to hesitate, and to make it quick if I could.

Starting at my blood-soaked hands I can feel my rage at Bloodymaw, and the slavers for putting us in this situation. But also at myself, the only reason I was alive is that I tricked Wylf.

I used an underhanded method to gain the advantage and then pressed that advantage until I killed him. The sick part is that Uthred would be proud of me in a way.

Clenching my fist, I growl and swear that I will do whatever I need to do to get out of this hell, and personally cut that albinos head off and piss on it.

Hours pass by or so it seems. Eventually, the door opens and light pours in. Squinting I look and see Bloodymaw grinning at me.

"Ha knew it would be you, no way would a son of Uthred Drakeslayer die that easily. Your dad would have brought you back from the dead just to kill you again if that happened" he says, his hideous face smirking at me.

I glare at him, not even trying to hide my rage.

"You know my father," I say,

"Everyone knows Uthred Drakeslayer, Slayer of Kukulkan. But you are right, I was once very close to your father. In fact, at one time we were sworn brothers in arms. At the time I went by a different name. I went by Njal Giantkiller" he says, his voice turning grim.

I stare at him confused, For some reason, I know that name. I remember it being whispered when I was younger. I remember going to a funeral for someone by that name when I was really young.

Bloodymaw stares at me, his face unreadable. Several seconds pass by with us just staring at each other.

"You don't know who I am, do you?" he asks quietly. I shake my head no, not sure what's going on. Anger fills his eyes before he says.

"My father's name was Harald Brokenshield" his eyes searching my face.

I nearly jump up in shock, Harald Brokenshield had been Uthreds father.

"Uthred is my half brother"