93 XCIII. The Red Executioner (1/2)

Brann stood there, standing still and watching the scene.

After a few seconds, his younger brother Eirik's hand sank into the glowing red liquid.

Brann looked to the floor. A tear fell from his eyes, evaporating immediately as soon as it touched the boiling ground.

He turned to Vegard.

”Now, old man, do what you have to do” he said, with an evil expression.

Vegard, without answering, approached the magma.

He bent down towards it and plunged his hand into it.

Brann looked at him in amazement as he pulled his arm unharmed from the lava pool.

In Vegard's hand, there was a ruby-like red crystal.

He gently placed it over the axe, precisely above the metal deer head between the two blades.

The ruby remained in balance.

Vegard seized a large iron hammer, leaning beside the anvil.

Strongly, he began to repeatedly hit the ruby, which at each stroke emitted red sparks. The sound of the hammer banging on the crystal was loud and rumbled all over the room.

On the fourth shot, the red crystal shattered and as if by magic it embedded perfectly in the eyes of the metal deer head.

Vegard wiped the sweat from his forehead and put the hammer on the ground in his position.

Brann approached the anvil, pushing the old man to the side.

He seized the weapon and raised it high, admiring the work.

”The Red Executioner. That's going to be your name. Together, we will conquer this planet”.

...

”What?! His brother Eirik's soul was embedded in his weapon, unlocking its hidden potential?!” asked Dag to Asa, with a terrified gaze.

”Yes. You wanted to know Brann's real story. Here you go” Asa said.

”I'm shocked. Why did you know all these things and you never said anything?” continued Dag, looking at Asa with disappointment.

”What would have changed? I named my son Eirik in honor of Brann's brother. Stein liked this name, but he never knew the real reason for my choice. Every time I call him by his name, I remember that story” Asa said.

”The axe. Is it still here?”