Now I have been asked on where to from here. Bare with me. This isn't finished. 

Enjoy.

~~~~~

You wake up in Stella's bottom bunk as you look to your side. Stella using her arms to wrap around you for comfort. Her head on your stomach. She adjusted as you picked yourself up. The both of you turning over to catch another wink but no point in doing so. Finally turning back around to greet yourselves with a morning kiss. 

"Morning."

"Hey Babe. I heard your phone vibrate. You should get it."

That's weird. But must be important. "Alright. Thanks." You reach behind the pillow and grab your phone. Open it to see that it's from Mom.

< Hey Honey. So glad to have heard that you are clear to start everything again at one-hundred percent. It will be so nice to see you out there and glad you didn't have to stop because Sune had to ruin things. But I can imagine that you need to get back into routine again. When you are ready I have a task you maybe interested in. Erick Von is doing open challenges again. So far he is 4-0 in them. Do not be afraid. You know what he is and you can learn. Train. Rehab. Film. Prepare. I love you.

-Mom >

"Son of a bitch..."

"What is it?" Stella snuggled back up to you. 

"Erick Von open challenge."

"Babe, you aren't ready for combat. You just got well again."

"I have no plans to go back to Denmark unprepared and not in my fighting shape. That will serve no purpose whatsoever. I have to train, work hard again, watch film, and prep. The tournament is finished, but I have my priority one set."

Stella glared at you. "Better not be reckless mister. I'll be upset with you." For a hot woman, that was actually pretty cute. 

"Best thing for me to do is change and get into gear. You coming?"

"Not for ten kilos Dummy."

"Three and shoot for five tomorrow. I have to start somewhere. Otherwise I'll be behind. I basically went on an extended vacation as is." You are doing your best to reason with Stella. 

Though she cannot stop you. Completely that is. If she wanted to she could firewall your path. But not one cinder. Shaking her head and leaning over to be forehead to forehead with you. 'Like lovers do'. "Go to your dorm, say hi to Elise, get changed, and meet me back here. Drink your water."

"Sure..." Even though you can't be any closer, Stella still makes you blush just a little bit. 

So you end up going home and there Elise is having some muffins with girlfriend. You get in and wave hello and go right to your dresser. "Hey girls. How goes it?"

"We should be asking you. Rubbing that butt all night over there? Fondling the dirty pillows to that eye candy?" Teased Elise.

"Geez Elise. And you think men are disgusting. Sheesh."

"Well is that a no on the pound town?" She was forward this time.

"Yes. And I have to get back to training."

This is when both girls were worried. Even Elise's girlfriend. "You just got better? Sune gave you that concussion."

"Yeah. My half brother got expelled that way. And now my father is doing open challenges. I have to accept. In order for me to fulfill my destiny I have to train again. Be the best I can. Without you two, Ikki, Stella, and our friends I can't do this. I have to begin somewhere. So I'm starting with my running. I'm cleared and haven't had any symptom in over a week. It's time for me to start small and work it off. I've lost too much muscle and endurance as is."

Elise felt sorry for you. "Erick Von must go down." She sighed.

"I may never be able to wield a massive axe like my father or brother, but I am faster, smarter, better mannered, wiser, and not arrogant. Those men outside of power in combat are useless. Not all Vikings are savages. They built ships to travel by water. Weapons were constructed with precision. Erick Von may be my father, but I am not mindless." You grab your sweats and go into the closet to change. Your blood is pumping just by the thought. It's anger is gaining you focus. 

Stella walked in the door. "Hey girls. He getting changed?"

You get changed and are about to rush out the door. "Stella?"

"Hi." She waved with a straight face.

"Let's go."

"Ut! Guess what mister man?" She tapped her foot.

"What? I'm ready. Let's run. Ikki can do his own thing after we're done."

She cleared her throat. "Forgetting something Darling?"

"My focus? My pants?"  Pointing to your pants that you got dressed. "The right shoes are on. What the hell?"

"Your water you big dummy!" Barked Stella.

"Ohhh..." Talk about feeling like you had just instantly lost height. Running that distance with not having taking a single sip of water all morning and not much last night? Not a good idea. Would do more harm than good. 

She sighed. "Danish density strikes. One moment." Stella patted your head twice before going to the fridge to get you a cold water bottle. "One now and one later."

"I am so sorry. And as you would think I feel ever so stupid."

"Are you sure that body isn't hypnotizing you?" Asked Elise.

"Every night."

"Stella!"

"What? Come on Babe, you make it obvious sometimes. Staring at me when we cuddle."

"How can I not? You're my loving girlfriend. Don't I get a little of a pass?"

"Of course you do (FN). If you didn't look at me with those eyes that just means that something is wrong. Am I correct?"

Didn't take much of you to think about that one. "This is true."

"We're lovers. No need be flustered." Then the giggle turned into a serious face. Placing both of her hands on your shoulders. "But mainly need you to focus. I wish we could face each other in the Seven Star Tournament, but you have something that I can't do. I can't beat your father for you. Erick Von is your enemy. Not mine. He's an ass, but he is your rival. If you want him struck down, then you are going to have to do it yourself. And he even be on the lookout for the HOKO technique. Sune went home in disgrace. He likely saw the match too somewhere. Hasn't reached out correct?"

"Nope. I plan on getting in top shape as I did before, spend three days there, challenge, and take one day to soak it in before coming back."

Stella's face grew a little closer. "Shut'em up for me Babe."

"Yes Dear." You kiss her. Dreadfully nervous on this path, but fate is going to make its way towards it one way or another. Time to rock.

~~~~~

This is troubling for you. Challenging your father. This is a true test. You beat Sune, time to move on up.

-Rel