2026-01-22 12:25:48Heinrich was not completely unconscious. He managed to turn his head. At the same moment, a second blow landed. Fresh blood streamed from his nose and the corner of his lips. His vision began to blur.
Without wasting time, the attacker dragged Heinrich away, pulling him into the forest while Jonas was still busy exchanging gunfire with another assailant.
“This man is dangerous. Tie his hands and feet so he can’t fight back,” ordered the attacker who had dragged Heinrich into the pine forest.
“What about Skarvik?”
“Leave him here. We have to get to the cabin and report to Vardr.”
“Alright.”
Heinrich’s hands and feet were bound like a hunted animal. A large-built man dragged him using a rope. They took Heinrich to a wooden cabin deep inside the forest.
Meanwhile, Jonas began to realize that Heinrich was gone. The enemy hiding behind the pine trees suddenly stopped shooting. The area fell into complete silence, as if Jonas were the only one left.
“Erik,” Jonas called. Not loud, but clear enough in the stillness.
He did not dare to stand up yet. He looked left and right, then crawled behind the car. There, he found Heinrich’s pistol lying on the ground.
“Where did he go?” Jonas wondered, pulling out a lighter. From the small flame, he saw a long trail, like something had been dragged.
Within seconds, Jonas extinguished the lighter. The dark-haired man remained still for a moment, making sure the situation was safe. The silence was absolute. Not even the sound of pine branches creaking could be heard.
“Is it safe now?” Jonas thought, then peeked toward the pine forest where the enemies had emerged earlier.
Jonas stared straight ahead. A heavy breath escaped his lips. It was too dangerous to force his way into the forest in the darkness, especially when the enemy knew the terrain far better. Jonas decided to wait until the situation felt more favorable.
Inside the cabin.
No one knew how long Heinrich had been unconscious. He opened his eyes slowly. His body was bruised, and fresh blood dripped from the wound on his forehead and the corner of his lips.
It took some time for him to fully regain awareness. His vision was still hazy. Dimly, he saw two masked men casually playing cards.
Heinrich sharpened his focus and looked down. His legs were bound together. His hands were raised above his head, tied with a special knot and hooked to an iron ring attached to the cabin ceiling.
Heinrich tried to pull the rope, but the bindings were too tight. “Damn it,” he muttered softly, more like a whisper. He lowered his head, steadying his breathing. Pain surged through his body, draining the strength he struggled to preserve.
His heavy groan caught the attention of the two men playing cards. One of them glanced over. “He’s awake,” he said.
The other man looked up and placed the cards on the table. He stood and walked toward Heinrich, studying the former sniper with a mocking gaze. “You’re tougher than an ordinary man,” he said.
Heinrich lifted his head, his stare cold. “Who’s your boss?”
A hard punch landed on Heinrich’s face, knocking him off balance. Unsatisfied, the man struck his stomach.
Heinrich immediately spat fresh blood, coughing violently. “You little bastard,” he hissed. Even in that condition, he refused to look weak.
The man was provoked. His brutality escalated. He grabbed a wooden beam and smashed it into Heinrich, making the former hitman cough up blood again.
Heinrich moved his head, struggling to stay conscious despite the dizziness from the blows. “Your masks can’t hide your stench.”
“You insolent bastard!”
Another heavy blow struck Heinrich. He had barely regained consciousness. No matter how strong his will, Heinrich was still human, with limits.
“Don’t die yet. I still want to play, and you’re going to enjoy it.”
The wooden beam came down again, this time onto Heinrich’s abdomen.
Heinrich’s eyes widened as pain exploded in his gut. “You damned bastard,” he hissed softly, grimacing.
The man was about to strike again, but his partner stood up and stopped him. “Enough, Odd.” He stepped closer. “Don’t cross the line.”
“He killed Runar and—”
“We weren’t ordered to kill him.”
“Then what do you want from me?” Heinrich asked.
Odd threw the wooden beam aside in frustration and turned away.
His partner stepped forward and grabbed the back of Heinrich’s hair. “If there had been an order, we would’ve sent you to hell already.”
Heinrich smiled faintly. “Why don’t you do it?”
“Because Vardr wants you alive.”
The man released his grip and stepped back, a thin smile forming on his lips. “Valkyrie will take you. But not to Valhalla.”
“Go to hell,” Heinrich muttered, his voice barely audible.
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Chapter 12 : Varnholt
“The vehicle reversed because there was no way to turn around in a narrow area like this,” Heinrich said, keeping his eyes on the tire tracks ahead.“Yeah, that makes sense,” Jonas replied casually. “Mind if I have one of your cigarettes?”Heinrich turned to him, studying Jonas with a sharp look. He was increasingly convinced there was something odd about the man beside him. Still, Heinrich said nothing and handed over a cigarette along with the lighter.“I have to admit, I’m impressed that you managed to survive such severe torture,” Jonas said after lighting the cigarette. He placed Heinrich’s filtered tobacco pack and lighter into the dashboard compartment.“Severe torture,” Heinrich muttered, then pressed the gas pedal and started driving.“Yes. It shows from the wounds on your body,” Jonas replied calmly. “You look like someone who’s trained to endure it.”Heinrich did not respond. He needed to focus on the road since he was unfamiliar with the terrain. “Does the fog always come
Chapter 11 : A Sign of War
“In Norse belief, Tiwaz is a sign that someone has chosen war and has no intention of returning. That means, if you want to find Valkyrie, you must follow that symbol. It is possible that she will send the next symbol as another clue,” Jonas explained calmly.“What kind of nonsense is that?” Heinrich shook his head briefly, then crumpled the paper into a wrinkled roll.“I am not asking you to believe it. I come from this land and I have studied Viking culture. To outsiders, it may sound like nonsense. That is fine.” Jonas walked away, heading toward the car, which was unlocked.Heinrich stood still for a moment before following him inside, still holding the rolled paper. The morning air was biting enough to make him hurry. He needed to change. Heinrich took his bag from the trunk, then pulled out a thick shirt and a jacket.After getting dressed, Heinrich got in and sat behind the wheel. The bearded man fell silent, thinking. A few seconds later, he unfolded the paper again and studie
Chapter 10 : Tiwaz
Heinrich turned, his gaze locked sharply on the radio transceiver on the table. He slipped the pistol into the back of his waistband and tightened his grip on the long-barreled rifle he was carrying.The radio crackled again. A few seconds later, the melody of Goldberg Variations filled the room. Classical music Heinrich often listened to while driving, sitting alone at home, or carrying out missions.Heinrich shook his head in confusion. Only Liv and Sergei knew about his fondness for that music.“What kind of game is this?” Heinrich muttered, his eyes dark with suspicion.He stepped closer to the table as the music stopped. He stared at the radio for several moments, then scanned the room. Heinrich was certain someone was watching him, though he did not know who or from where. One thing was clear. Whoever it was knew him well.“Sergei .…”Without hesitation, Heinrich grabbed the radio and headed for the door. Just as he was about to open it, he sensed a faint movement outside. Heinr
Chapter 9 : The Escape
The door was shut tight. Heinrich was left alone in the room.Heinrich closed his eyes for a moment. The pain from the earlier torture had drained his strength, though it had not vanished completely. He needed time to regain his energy. The only way was to ignore the discomfort he was enduring.In his half-conscious state, the image of Liv’s beautiful face appeared behind his eyelids. Her tenderness, love, and affection had turned Heinrich into a different man.Liv felt so real. She stood before him with her gentle smile.“Liv…” The name slipped out deeply. “I love you…”“I love you, Erik.”Liv’s soft voice sounded so clear that Heinrich blinked. A spark of strength emerged. He did not know where it came from, but suddenly it was there, inside him.“Help me, Liv.”Heinrich looked up at his hands bound to the ring in the wooden ceiling. He tried to pull them down. The rope was tied tightly to the iron ring. There was no other way for him to free himself except by relying on physical st
Chapter 8 : Taken Alive
Heinrich was not completely unconscious. He managed to turn his head. At the same moment, a second blow landed. Fresh blood streamed from his nose and the corner of his lips. His vision began to blur.As if unsatisfied, the attacker delivered a kick. This time, Heinrich truly lost consciousness.Without wasting time, the attacker dragged Heinrich away, pulling him into the forest while Jonas was still busy exchanging gunfire with another assailant.“This man is dangerous. Tie his hands and feet so he can’t fight back,” ordered the attacker who had dragged Heinrich into the pine forest.“What about Skarvik?”“Leave him here. We have to get to the cabin and report to Vardr.”“Alright.”Heinrich’s hands and feet were bound like a hunted animal. A large-built man dragged him using a rope. They took Heinrich to a wooden cabin deep inside the forest.Meanwhile, Jonas began to realize that Heinrich was gone. The enemy hiding behind the pine trees suddenly stopped shooting. The area fell into
Chapter 7 : Vokter's Ambush
Heinrich stared coldly. He turned around without taking off his jacket.“Hey, Ulv. Search him.” The man who had been banging on the car window earlier gave the order to his companion.Ulv was about to step forward to frisk him. But Heinrich spun around in a swift motion. He knocked the rifle’s muzzle upward, then kicked the man who had aimed the gun at him straight in the solar plexus, sending him flying backward.After that, Heinrich shifted his attack to the man named Ulv, who had been about to search him. A hard punch smashed into the man’s face as he moved in to strike.Seeing this, Jonas, who had been sneaking out of the car, immediately grabbed the rifle from the man still lying on the ground. He slammed the rifle butt into the attacker’s stomach and head before the man could get up. Not satisfied, Jonas kicked his head several times.After seizing the rifle, Jonas shot the attacker on the right, who had already prepared to strike Heinrich. A bullet tore through his chest. Jonas
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