Not as I do...

"No." Tiella said placing a firm hand on Eriks arm, and then to the hulking shaman. "What will you do with him if he submits?"

"End his misery." Orom said simply.

"You mean kill him, like you did with the others that lived here."

"It is what must be done." the giant confirmed.

"Why?" Dyvia demanded.

"The blood lust will rise and he will bring death to all, both friend and foe. I see the truth of it in your eyes brother."

"And what of you?" Tiella demanded, "You are free of this curse?"

Oroms laugh was bitter and rose in volume until he threw his head back shifting to a wail of despair.

"Foolish children of Midgard, the call of the blood is within all Jotun. We were born to battle the gods themselves. We stood upon the threshold of Asgard and brought the Valkyrie legions to their knees. We raged throughout the nine worlds as the Ragnarok tore the world tree asunder. It is not a curse it is our reason for being."

"This!" he stabbed his finger towards Erik and then himself, "This is the curse. The torment of control the pain of guilt. We were born to be free, to be wild. There is no place for us in this broken age."

"And why do you get to live on." Dyvia demanded, "If your brothers must be put down like rabid dogs then why not you? Why should you not be put to death."

The smile he returned to that question was terrifying, "Because, Dwarf I have met no creature in this realm or any other who can and it is not within me to submit willingly to death."

"Yet you ask it of me." Erik growled, disliking the hypocrisy in this.

"I do not ask." Orom hissed, "I demand it."

"You are insane." Balar said and the blazing light of Oroms eyes as he glared down at them gave truth to his words.