Bloodlines of the Ancient Pantheons

Chapter 486: CDLXXXVI. Gunnar Formation

The main tactic was to split at first, coordinating with the other warriors who were coming from the two Outposts and then coming together as the enemies began to succumb, preventing them from retreating or escaping.

"Gunnar!" Dag exclaimed unexpectedly, turning to the Master of Arms, who did not answer the call.

"C'mon, Gunnar no more resentment. Help Dag train our warriors, he's asking for your help!" Wrage said in a low voice, trying to convince his colleague to behave properly, under the severe eyes of Kranus, who waited impatiently for him to respond.

"Here I am, tell me" he replied, coldly, only to do Wrage a favor.

Dag, after realizing that he had gained his attention, approached him, while Freydis continued to teach her five new students how to use the spear to keep their distance from the enemies.

"The skill you used against me, 'Terror'. You have to teach it to these four guys" Dag continued, who had already hinted at that request the day before.

"Hahah... it's a joke... it's a joke, isn't it?" Gunnar asked to Wrage and Kranus, giggling with a closed eye because of the slightly swollen jaw after Dag's fist that had ended their fight.

"Teaching your personal technique is the basic requirement of the new setting of our army of recruits, Gunnar. You're going to do as you've been asked" Kranus said, in a serious tone, watching his Master's and waiting for a concrete answer.

"You have gone completely mad... first trust this stranger and then... then you force me to pass on a skill that only I know! What if I refuse?" he asked, looking at his commander in the eye, fearless.

"You would lose your role as Master of Arms with immediate effect" Kranus replied, exhausted that his subordinate would continually challenge him.

Dag looked down for a moment, not imagining that his request would generate all that chaos and waiting for the conflict between the two to resolve quickly.

"You just have to teach him your technique, Gunnar... it is obvious that it will belong to you forever and only you will be able to master it with ease. Master Dag told us that he had learned the personal technique of his Master... you can do it! Imagine the power of our young warriors with that knowledge!" Wrage exclaimed, trying to convince his friend not to do things he would regret, renouncing his pride for once.

Gunnar turned to Dag, drawing his gaze, and the two looked at each other without saying anything for more than ten seconds, in silence.

The Master of Arms' hate-filled gaze ceased, slowly turning into something calmer and more friendly, surprising Dag, who continued to say nothing.

"Explain to me what is this plan that you have devised and when my soldiers will have to use 'Terror'" Gunnar said, who after the threat of his commander was forced to turn a blind eye to the hatred towards Dag and evaluate his proposal.

"We will teach these young warriors to encircle their enemies. When the circle will be closed, the four leaders, arranged in front of everyone, will activate your skill and the Claws Of Fenrir will remain motionless. You can guess the rest. It's going to be a massacre. If they don't give up, they will die from the first to the last" Dag said, in an expression that made even Wrage shudder, rethinking the atrocious way in which the wolf warriors had slaughtered his men before Egill created the barrier and before he exterminated them activating Memory Of Mjllnir.

"All right, I accept. I'm going to do as you say. I will teach Terror to four of them. Let them come closer, I want to see who they are" Gunnar continued, taking a deep breath and waiting for them to come forward.

Dag turned to the soldiers and whistled at Kane, who just realized he had been mentioned and called the other three young leaders to approached the Masters' group with them.

With their heads bowed downwards, as a sign of respect to Commander Kranus, they stood in line in front of them, waiting for commands.

"After your daily training, the four of you will stay in the arena with me and I'll teach you Terror, my unique skill, which will be crucial to the new configuration of the army. All clear?" Gunnar exclaimed, without making too many turns of words.

From the gaze of the four warriors, the Masters were able to sense their happiness and the boys, honored to have to fulfill their duty of Berserkrs, bowed their heads again, proudly accepting the assignment.

"Obviously, the first few days of training will be more theoretical than practical and we will focus on breathing techniques in the form of Jotunns. When I'll get back on my feet, we'll proceed to the next step. Now you can go, go back to your training" he concluded, dismissing his students as Kranus watched him, proud that he had changed his mind.

"Gunnar formation" Dag exclaimed, out of nowhere.

"Uhm?" 

"What are you talking about?" Wrage and Gunnar asked, not understanding what the young Master was referring to.

"The Terror-based attack formation will have your name so that everyone can know where that powerful skill comes from." 

At those words, Gunnar hinted at a smile, appreciating the gesture of Dag, who had already thought about how to honor his identity, so as not to disperse the true origin of his unique skill.

"Commander Kranus!" a voice suddenly shouted from outside the arena.

Kranus turned to it, as did all the others.

"The warriors of Outpost 1 are at the gates of Tungvek and waiting to meet you!" the guard repeated, with his shoulders straight and the arms long at his hips.

"Well, tell them I'm coming. Let them in" the mage replied, happy with the news.

"They were fast! I didn't think they could reach Tungvek in one day only... they must have left as soon as they received the news! I'm not used to all this punctuality!" Dag chuckled, to slightly ease the general tension that had arisen between Gunnar and Kranus.