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The Ambush – A Monster from the Old World
The air shifted—a deep, unnatural silence fell over the battlefield.
Modred halted mid-step, his crimson eyes narrowing as the shadows around them grew thicker, heavier. The Valkary stood among the ruins of the fallen kingdom, their victory over its soldiers swift and decisive.
And then—the ground rumbled.
A deep, guttural growl echoed through the valley as something enormous stirred beneath the ruins.
Then, it emerged.
The Elder Erebos.
A beast gifted by the gods, a monster beyond nature itself.
It was colossal, its body an amalgamation of horrors—thick, demon-like limbs covered in jagged runes, a serpentine tail covered in scales that shimmered with divine power, and four chimeric arms, each one pulsing with grotesque strength. Its face was hidden beneath a rotating ring of bone, jagged teeth grinding together with a sickening sound, its hollow eyes glowing with an unnatural golden light.
Lucan exhaled slowly. "…This is bad."
Then—more creatures arrived.
Lesser Erebos ogres, their hulking forms tearing through the ruins, descending upon the Valkary.
Dante clicked his tongue. "Figures. The gods don't like losing."
Fenrick cracked his knuckles, his golden eyes gleaming. "Then let's show them how we play."
As the squad moved to engage, Xeraniel stepped forward.
His silver hair shifted in the wind, his violet eyes narrowing as he stared up at the Elder Erebos.
"This one's mine."
Modred gave him a brief glance. "…Handle it."
Xeraniel grinned, stepping into the battlefield alone.
The beast let out a deep, guttural roar, and the battle began.
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Xeraniel vs. The Elder Erebos – The Warping of Gravity
The Elder Erebos moved first.
Its chimeric arms swung down, the sheer force of its attacks shattering the ground.
But Xeraniel didn't move.
Instead, the space around him bent.
The air condensed, forming an invisible barrier around him—a gravitational field so dense that it distorted light itself.
The beast's attack struck the field… and stopped.
Like time had frozen.
The force of the blow rippled against the gravity, but Xeraniel stood still, untouched.
"Pathetic."
With a simple flick of his wrist, the gravitational field collapsed outward—sending the beast flying backward, crashing through the ruins.
But it didn't stay down.
The rings of bone around its head spun faster, the runes on its arms glowing bright.
Then—its form began shifting, adapting.
Xeraniel narrowed his eyes. "So you can adjust, huh? Then let's make this hurt."
He raised his sword.
The very air around him collapsed.
Gravity itself twisted, condensed, forming sharp, invisible edges.
And then—he moved.
Faster than the eye could track.
His blade cut through the fabric of space, altering gravity mid-swing, causing his slashes to curve, distort, and accelerate unpredictably.
The Elder Erebos howled as its body was torn apart—limbs severed, bones splintered.
And yet—it regenerated. Instantly.
Xeraniel gritted his teeth. "Oh, come on—"
The beast countered.
A sudden pulse of divine energy disrupted the gravity around him, forcing him off-balance for a fraction of a second.
And in that moment—the Erebos struck.
A massive claw smashed into Xeraniel, sending him hurtling backward. He crashed into the ruins, debris collapsing over him.
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Modred Steps Forward – A King's Arrival
The battlefield fell silent.
The Elder Erebos stood tall, its wounds already healing, its head tilting as if mocking its fallen opponent.
Then—a gust of wind swept through the ruins.
Footsteps echoed.
The Erebos froze.
And then—it turned.
Modred walked forward, his black cloak billowing in the wind, his sword gleaming in the moonlight.
His crimson eyes glowed, burning like embers in the darkness.
And then—he smiled.
Not his usual indifferent look.
No—this was something else.
A slow, amused smirk. Cold. Calculated.
Like a demon had just found its prey.
The Elder Erebos hesitated.
Even a god's creation could feel fear.
Modred slowly drew his sword, the steel singing as it left the scabbard.
Then, he rolled his shoulders, his cape flowing as he tilted his head slightly.
"You look tougher than the others."
His smirk widened.
"Let's test that."
The Elder Erebos roared.
Modred vanished.
And the true battle began.
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