Sword of Berserk

"I will give you one chance." Fred said. "Lay down your arms, and I may spare your lives."

One lunged at Fred from the right. It wasn't even obvious Fred moved. The man fell into pieces. Blood streamed down Fred's sword. The man's severed head gave a final twitch of agony.

"You bastard! Get him!"

Attackers drove toward Fred from all directions. The first five died at once, falling to shreds. A sixth jumped from the left. Fred grabbed his throat. He spun him around as the victim howled. His flailing legs knocked two more down the cliff. Their screams of anguish echoed as the rocks tore their flesh. Fred threw the victim to follow them. A rusty mace clipped Fred's forehead. Then an iron chain swung around Fred's wrist. Fred pulled hard, throwing the chain-fighter into the maceman. They fell into a pile, which Fred then stabbed through. He pulled his sword out to stab another incoming foe. Younger than the others. Dropping his knives he screamed like a little girl. Fred twisted his sword and pulled it out. Inestines splattered on the ground like giant bloody maggots.

Blood trickled from Fred's forehead. The remaining eleven enemies hesitated.

"Is he a demon?!"

"He fights like one."

"I... I'm not about to die like this!"

"Fool! The Overseer will kill us if we run!"

They lunged again. The chain was still around Fred's wrist. He swung his hand back. The chain tensed - tore out of the dead man's hand. Fred whipped it forward, breaking a skull open. An enemy grabbed the end of the chain. He poised to throw a knife. Fred took a half-step forward and chopped his head off. The chain was free. Fred whipped it around the neck of an enemy on the right. One twist - and the man fell. His neck was torn off almost completely. Another came in from the left. He had an axe held high as he screamed. Fred dropped the chain and took his sword two-handed. Two quick slashes - and the axeman had no arms. He grunted like a stunned oxen before dropping. Blood pooled on the floor. Two more enemies were coming. A throwing knife stuck Fred's shoulder. Fred pulled it out. A quick throw - and it lodged in an enemy's brain. The foe, who had been hiding in the back, collapsed. Then the two coming in were ripped apart by Fred's sword. They fell into quivering masses of butchered flesh.

The remaining four started edging back.

"No way!" one gasped. "No way!"

Fred spat chewing tobacco juice.

The four screamed in horror and ran. Suddenly they stopped and fell to their knees. Another group of enemies was approaching. They were led by a massive half-ogre. The twelve foot tall creature held a club. An executioner's hood covered its face. Its gigantic naked belly was blanketed with hair.

"Spare us, Overseer!" screamed one of those kneeling. "He's not human!"

"Die! Cowardly worms!!" the half-ogre roared. Its club flashed once, twice. All that remained of the four was a bloody paste.

Fred counted the newcomers. Ten... twenty... thirty. Perhaps more.

The half-ogre looked at Fred's victims. "A good fighter! But I will bash you and eat your bones!!"

Fred heard a splash. Turning, he saw Alex, barefoot on the bloody ground. Her hands trembled.

"Get back in the carriage." Fred said.

"You are wounded, my lord." Alexandria said softly. She picked up a knife. "I will fight beside you."

1. Throw her back in the gondola and send her down.
2. Let her try her hand at war.
3. Throw her back in the gondola - and go down with her!

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree