It was the day of the ritual; a human sacrifice would be given to Odin for strength and a blessing to win the upcoming war against Itzvar. Ragnar and all their allies gathered outside the city and encampment to celebrate and rejoice in the sacrifice and Odin's blessing. Sophia was among the people as she held the infant child, who was quiet and looking at his surroundings. Eric was fed before arriving at the sacrificial event; it was something Sophia did not want to see. She was used to the bloodshed and killing, but sacrificing to the gods was a bit much for her. It was difficult for her to understand why gods needed sacrifices to be pleased if they created everything. 

A wooden stage was built with two wooden poles; Golm stood before the crowd as his face was painted, and he wore a long-sleeved white shirt and undergarments. Liv and their sons also stood on the stage but afar from the patriarch; Sif was at home resting. They, too, had their faces painted. Golm raised his hands as he looked at the crowd. "My people and friends, thank you for participating in the sacrifice to Odin. With the sacrifice we are about to offer, Odin will bless us with the strength to win this war to end Itzvar's tyranny!"

Everyone cheered; Ragnar stood apart from the group as he listened to Golm's speech, but his mind was occupied as he saw Sophia holding the infant Eric. His thoughts were interrupted when there were cheers again; he and everyone saw the one who was to be sacrificed. It was a man in his mid-twenties with a thin figure; his light brown hair was neatly brushed. The young man's face was nicely shaven and looked smooth; he wore elegant clothing since he offered to be a sacrifice. 

The man stood between the two poles as his hands were tied so he wouldn't back down from his choice; the man looked unafraid. Golm walked to the young man and stood before him like his wife, Liv. Liv then gave her husband a large knife and returned to her sons. The musician standing on the stage's left side began to play music. Golm looked at the young man. "You have chosen to be a sacrifice to Odin, the All-Father. With your sacrifice, you will not only help us to destroy our enemies, but you will soon rejoice in Valhalla. Do you still accept?"

"Yes, I am not afraid, for I will soon join the All-Father in Valhalla."

Golm then got the knife and pressed it on the man's chest. With one swift, the knife was pierced into the man's chest. Blood splurted from the wound, his mouth and nose. The man struggled to breathe, but his eyes turned backward and limp. Only the ropes were carrying him. The crowd cheered as the sacrifice was made and went to the man to put his blood onto them for its blessing and luck. 

Estrid and Sophia watched but did not go with the rest of the crowd. "What an awful sight."

Estrid raised an eyebrow. "I am surprised you would think this; you are used to such violence, so this should not surprise you."

"I may be used to violence since one kills swiftly and does not care about the enemy. However, this is where one sees one die slowly; one sees life parishing. It just feels odd to me. I know the festivities will be after this, but I don't feel like going. Could you please watch over Eric? I need to go to the river to refresh myself."

"Of course, it seems that little Eric here is used to my presence."

Sophia gave the infant to Estrid; he looked at her and gurgled in happiness. "Thank you, I will return." The young woman went far from the people and where they would have their festivities. Arne watched as she walked away. He wanted to go to her but noticed Ragnar going in the same direction. Arne bit his lower lip as he looked at the people getting some of the sacrifice's blood. The man would be given a proper funeral for his sacrifice.

Meanwhile, Sophia got to the river and sat by it, looking at her reflection. Even though it was night and dark, a full moon lit the earth. While looking down, she saw another figure in the reflection. "Ragnar, I'm surprised you are not with the others."

Ragnar stood behind her and looked down at her. "I saw you walking away and how the ritual made you feel. It is difficult to see life wither away before you, right?"

"We think alike. Sometimes, I can't understand why the gods need a sacrifice so that we can be blessed."

"The gods are selfish, Sophia. No gods are perfect, for we also reflect their nature. It is because we created the gods themselves; they are an image of us."

Sophia slowly stood and turned to look at him; Ragnar's eyes never waivered from her. Ragnar slowly walked toward her, got a hold of her face, and motioned her to his. He kissed her, and Sophia returned the gesture to him. Their arms and hands were on one another as their bodies touched each other. They separated from the kiss and looked at one another; they said nothing. However, Ragnar got some strings from her dress and undid them, which undid the upper parts of the dress. Sophia then undid the strings from his shirt and took it off. 

Ragnar's body was filled with scars from his many battles; he then motioned Sophia to the grassy ground as he slowly undid his pants and footwear until he was nude. The young woman watched as he removed all his clothes until he was in glory. He slowly motioned himself down and helped Sophia remove her dress and other undergarments until she was nude. Ragnar motioned himself down and kissed her. Their kiss became passionate as they touched each other's bodies.

They heard the music echo and people celebrating the sacrifice, praying to Odin and the gods. Then, Ragnar's lips trailed down from her lips to her neck, chest, and breasts. He suckled on each nipple, sending pleasurable shocks throughout Sophia's body; her womanhood also became excited as she felt the tip of Ragnar's erection on her right leg. Once he was done sucking her nipples, his lips trailed down to her stomach and then to her entrance. He licked her entrance repeatedly as Sophia's moans and groans escaped her lips. Her body moved in excitement as she was in euphoria. "R-Ragnar..." She moved her head sideways as his tongue entered her; she had never felt like this. "I-I-I feel that..."

His tongue went faster and more profound; he felt her walls clenching onto his tongue. When Ragnar took out his tongue, Sophia released her juices. The young woman was breathing heavily and barely noticed Ragnar stroking his erection; some veins were noticeable. "You are wet enough. Once we begin, I will not be able to contain myself. I want to be reassured that this is what you want."

Sophia retained her breathing as she separated her legs, making her entrance more accessible. "I have never been with a man. Show me how a man makes love to a woman." Her answer was imminent, and Ragnar motioned his erection to her entrance, where he massaged the tip of his cock to her, earning him a groan from Sophia. "Please, stop teasing. I want you now."

The Viking smirked and chuckled as he stopped massaging her, but he then put the tip of his cock into her entrance and slowly entered her so that Sophia could get used to his size. Sophia stilled as she felt his cock slowly going inside her. She felt her vaginal walls pushed aside to adjust to his staggering size. However, the more he entered, the slight pain she felt. The young woman wasn't used to having a man inside her; it felt foreign but exciting. With one quick swift, Ragnar entered his entire length inside her.

"EEK!" A painful sting was felt inside her as her walls were trying to adjust to Ragnar. Meanwhile, Ragnar felt his cock being clenched by her wall; it was painful yet pleasurable at the same time. It took all of his willpower not to take her then and there; he wanted Sophia to feel the same pleasure he was, so he waited. Eventually, the pain subsided; Sophia gave Ragnar the sign to move. His movements were slow initially, but when Sophia's moans were released, it motivated him to move faster. 

Sophia arched her head back as she felt Ragnar's cock ravaging her. She wrapped her legs around his waist to deepen himself into her. Her breasts bounced with every movement, and then Sophia motioned Ragnar off of her, confusing him but pushing him to the ground. That's when he knew what she wanted.

Sophia got on top of him and slowly put his cock inside her again as her juices trailed to him. She began to move her hips in upward and downward movements. The pleasure was immense as Sophia felt his cock impaling her. Ragnar got a hold of her waist as he helped her move onto him and motioned his waist upward. Her breasts bounced whenever they collided, which excited the Viking even more.

After what seemed like an eternity, they were at their limit. Sophia came once again, and Ragnar was close to his release. He motioned her back down as his movements began to pace even faster. Both called each other's names as the music from afar echoed. Ragnar let out a loud groan as he released inside of her. Sophia felt his semen enter her; they were catching their breaths as Ragnar slowly took his cock out of her and lay beside her. The young woman got close to him as Ragnar wrapped his arm around her. "We must bathe so no one finds out," said Sophia.

The Viking chuckled. "They will find out either way, but it is best that we don't go out with a stench." The couple got to the river and helped bathe one another. 

However, from afar, someone watched everything unfold in the shadows. "Soon, everything will come to an end."