It was colossal, a nightmare made flesh. The monster's skin was a mottled gray-green, slick and unnatural under the faint moonlight that filtered through the canopy above. Its massive frame towered over Ravyn, standing thrice his height even as he stood at 6'7". The beast had a grotesque, malformed body, thick, powerful limbs that seemed built for brutality. It moved on all fours, but when it rose to its full height, it was an abomination, a hulking titan in the moon's sickly glow.
The ground trembled beneath its weight as it took slow, deliberate steps, and Ravyn stood still, his sword gripped tightly in his right hand. The long sword was a perfect match for him—its long white blade gleaming, almost ghostly, against the darkened landscape. The hilt, wrapped in brownish-blue leather, felt familiar against his palm, the golden cross guard shimmering in the darkness like a promise of death. His eyes, black as the abyss, never blinked, locked on the monster as it growled low and guttural from deep within its throat, an unsettling sound that vibrated through the bones of the earth itself.
Ravyn exhaled. He felt no fear. He didn't know what fear was anymore. He hadn't for a long time.
The beast lunged.
Its claws swiped down with a speed that betrayed its size, cutting through the air with a ferocity that would have torn most men in half. But Ravyn was not most men. His body was a weapon, forged in fire and blood, hardened by everything he had endured. He sidestepped the strike, the air whooshing past him as the claws raked the earth, leaving deep gouges in the stone-like ground. Without hesitation, Ravyn surged forward, sword raised high.
The blade sliced through the air with ease, aiming for the creature's thick neck. But the monster was quick, faster than expected for such a hulking thing. It twisted its body, bringing its massive arm up to block the strike. The sword met its skin with a sharp, metallic ring, but the blade didn't penetrate. It bounced off, barely leaving a scratch. Ravyn's eyes narrowed.
The monster let out a roar of frustration, then dropped to all fours again, charging forward with a terrifying speed. Its maw opened wide, revealing rows of jagged, broken teeth, sharp as razors. Ravyn didn't flinch. He met the charge head-on, running to meet it.
At the last second, he leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding the snapping jaws. The beast's body collided with the ground, shaking the earth beneath Ravyn's feet. It roared again, turning to face him with an animalistic fury, its eyes wild, bloodshot, and primal. This was no mere beast—it was a predator, and Ravyn was its prey.
But Ravyn wasn't about to let it win.
With a growl that echoed through the trees, he sprinted forward, his sword swinging low. The blade cut through the air like a whip, aiming for the monster's legs. The strike landed, and the beast staggered slightly, but the skin was tough—too tough. Ravyn gritted his teeth and adjusted his stance. He had to hit harder, find its weak spot. The monster's massive arm swung at him again, but Ravyn was already moving, his body a blur of motion. He ducked under the arm and came up behind it, bringing his sword down in a brutal arc, aiming for the back of its knee.
The sword sank deep into the muscle, and the beast howled in pain. Blood, thick and dark, splattered across the ground, but it wasn't enough. Ravyn's strike hadn't been deep enough to cripple the monster. It lashed out with its other arm, catching Ravyn across the chest with a strike so forceful it sent him flying backward. His feet left the ground, his body slammed against a jagged rock, and a sharp pain erupted in his ribs. Blood leaked from his mouth, staining the ground beneath him. He wiped it away with the back of his hand, stood, and wiped the blood from his lips. He didn't have time to bleed.
The beast charged again, and Ravyn, though winded, was already moving. His body seemed to act without him thinking. He dashed forward, closing the distance with speed that belied his size. The beast swung its claws, but Ravyn twisted his body, dodging the attack with a fluid motion, and with a swift slash, his sword struck the beast's arm, cutting deep into its flesh.
But it wasn't enough.
The monster was relentless. With a guttural growl, it swung around, its tail like a massive whip, crashing into Ravyn and knocking him off his feet once again. He hit the ground hard, feeling the impact rattle through his bones. But even as the pain lanced through him, Ravyn was already pushing himself up. He had to keep moving. He had to fight.
The beast moved in for the kill, its massive jaws opening wide, aimed straight for Ravyn's throat. At the last moment, Ravyn threw himself sideways, narrowly avoiding the monster's bite. His sword flashed, and for a moment, it looked like he had succeeded. The beast's eyes widened in surprise as Ravyn's sword found its mark.
But the strike wasn't enough. It only angered the monster more.
With a deafening roar, the creature's claws slashed again, this time catching Ravyn across the side. Blood sprayed from the deep gash as the claws raked through his flesh, but Ravyn didn't even flinch. His vision blurred with the pain, but the fight was far from over. He wiped the blood from his face, his breath shallow and steady, and met the monster's gaze once again.
It wasn't enough to break him.
With a deep, guttural sound, Ravyn stepped forward, sword raised high. The monster was already charging at him again, but Ravyn was faster. He sidestepped, driving his sword into the creature's side, deep into its ribcage. The monster screamed in agony, its blood pouring out like a river.
And then, with one final strike, Ravyn drove the blade through the beast's heart, piercing its chest with a force that sent the creature crashing to the ground, its body convulsing as life drained from it.
Silence.
Ravyn stood above the fallen monster, his sword dripping with its blood. His chest heaved with exhaustion, but his eyes were cold, empty. No pain. No triumph. Only the quiet hum of the world around him.
He wiped the blood from his sword and sheathed it. The battle was over.
But for Ravyn, it was just another step toward something darker.