The Chase Through the Palace
Jeruca moved quickly, weaving through the narrow corridors of the palace. The Lord's panicked footsteps echoed ahead, his desperation evident. Guards rushed in to stop Jeruca, but they were poorly trained—no match for his skill.
Steel met steel as Jeruca cut through them, forcing his way forward. The palace's structure funneled him toward the back, where the air grew cooler. Then he saw it—the vast cliffside, the deep abyss below.
The Lord had mounted a dark stallion, its hooves kicking up dust as he urged it forward.
Jeruca cursed and rushed after him.
Maingan Joins the Hunt
Not far behind, Maingan arrived at the clearing. He saw Jeruca emerge from the palace, blades slick with fresh blood, his eyes locked onto the fleeing Lord.
Too far.
Jeruca spotted a discarded bow on the ground. Without hesitation, he picked it up, nocking an arrow and taking quick aim.
Release.
The arrow soared, striking the Lord's left shoulder. The man cried out, his grip on the reins slipping, but the horse pressed on.
Maingan, however, was already moving.
With a burst of speed, he became a blur, dashing ahead of the fleeing horse and appearing directly in its path.
The Lord barely had time to react before Maingan's sword was at his throat.
Jeruca took his opportunity—another arrow loosed, this time piercing the Lord's right shoulder. He slumped forward, his grip failing, and Maingan grabbed him before he could fall.
A Sinister Revelation
Dragging the Lord back to Jeruca, Maingan threw him to the ground. Blood dripped from his wounds, but his face twisted into a chilling grin.
Then he laughed.
"You fools," he rasped. "You are dead now."
The earth trembled.
A deep, guttural rumble spread through the ground, growing in strength. Then—
A monstrous hand erupted from the dirt.
Another followed.
And then, they rose.
The Giants of the Nephilim
Ten massive figures emerged, towering above them, their skin like hardened stone. Six of them bore a single massive eye, their gaze burning with unnatural energy. The other four had two piercing eyes, but when they opened their mouths—
A deafening, soul-wrenching scream tore through the land.
Jeruca staggered, clutching his ears. "This bastard has allied with the barbarian nation of the Nephilim!"
The giants' presence alone made the very air feel heavy.
Maingan's breath sharpened. His muscles tensed. His power surged.
His eyes gleamed with brilliant intensity as his body shifted, adapting to the challenge before him.
Then—he moved.
The Battle Begins
Maingan shot forward like lightning, his blade cleaving through the air. The first giant swung its massive fist, but he evaded with ease, leaping up and slicing through its wrist. Blackened blood sprayed as the beast howled in rage.
Jeruca fought as well, engaging the strange creatures that had appeared alongside the giants. They were grotesque, twisted things—mutated forms of men and beasts, their bodies stitched together unnaturally.
Steel met flesh, arrows struck true, and the battle descended into chaos.
But even as they fought, the land continued to tremble.
And somewhere, beyond the battlefield, something else was awakening.
Something far worse.
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