In the distance, in a kingdom where gigantic tree trunks rose and a beautiful crystal-clear lake lay in calm repose, a blinding yellow glow appeared. Its light flooded the shadows of the trees, stirring the fallen leaves on the ground.
At the center of that glow stood a figure: it seemed like a divine being, descended from the heavens.
"What is this?" I murmured, looking around.
My hands, my feet, my entire body, were being consumed by the blinding yellow glow.Suddenly, the light disappeared, as if I had absorbed it completely.
My mind felt clearer, my body revitalized. I no longer felt exhausted; even the tear in my shoulder seemed to have healed.
"...Strong," I whispered to myself.
My body felt different, a bit more resilient... but not enough if I wanted to face a hundred men.I turned my head, searching for the man who was accompanying me. He now looked even more confused, with a hint of fear in his eyes. His blond hair blew in the wind.A comical scene.
"Since when did I start mocking others?" I thought.
I quickly glanced at the yellow window in front of me, which now displayed new information:
[Corporeal Shel: a lost martial art of the orcs, designed to provide physical and mental protection. (Passive Use)]
"All kinds of strange creatures, huh?"
—Hey, Svend.
—Yes? What is it, sir?
—Remind me, what's the name of this place? —I asked, shielding my eyes and looking far ahead, where nothing could be seen except towering trees.Svend had a perplexed expression on his face...
—Are you sure it's this way? —I asked as we moved through the underbrush.—Yes, sir... —Svend, now paler than before, seemed about to collapse, weakly leaning on my shoulder.
I didn't like the idea of carrying a potential enemy, but after all, I had been the one who mutilated his arm.
I had no other choice.
Besides...
A serious and dark look spread across my face.
I have other plans for him.
Thus, we approached the great lake, where, according to Svend, a monster hid.I thought about reasoning with the army, but with one of theirs dead and the other wounded — and carrying a letter from the royalty branding me as dangerous — I doubted they would want to listen to me.
And considering how my body had involuntarily reacted upon seeing the emblem they bore... I wasn't sure I could control myself if something went wrong.
Finally, we arrived at the lake: a mirror of crystal-clear water that tempted anyone to dive in."Whatever is in there... I hope it helps me".
I turned to Svend, looking at him seriously
.—Do you trust me? —I asked.
Wounded and trembling, he swallowed hard and slowly nodded. He truly had no other choice.
—Good. So do I. Wait here for your comrades —I said, leaving Svend propped up against a rock by the lake.
I ventured back into the trees.
According to him, the soldiers would come from the north, from the Kingdom of Camelot, and they would have to cross the lake.
The dry leaves crackled beneath my feet as I ran back to the camp, where something awaited that could decide the fate of this battle...
Svend remained there, leaning against the rock, mutilated and almost powerless. His metal armor looked dented, and his green eyes, dulled, twisted in pain.
"Shit... he's not going to leave me here to die, right?
Or does he want that monster to eat me...
No... it can't be... right?"Then, an idea crossed his mind.
Monster...
I'm... I'm bait!
That's why he asked for my trust. That's why he told me to wait for my comrades.From across the lake, the sounds of metal footsteps and low murmurs began to be heard."They're here! What do I do? Do I warn them?
No... I don't have to do anything.
Wasn't this why I joined the army?
I can stay here... and watch as those worms from the kingdom are destroyed!"
For the first time in a long while, Svend felt hope.
One by one, the soldiers emerged from the forest, their eyes fixed on him.
They approached cautiously, unwilling to disturb the lake.
It was then, when nearly a hundred men were gathered near the shore, that something rose into the air: a decapitated body.
The corpse landed with a dull thud, splashing a few soldiers near the shore. Some were confused by the scene, others took a defensive stance. But most, if not all, felt a shiver of terror toward the water disturbed by the corpse.
A chilling silence spread.
It wasn't the body that paralyzed them. It was what emerged from the depths, beneath the corpse:
A gigantic creature, with grotesque jaws, that devoured the body in a single bite.Its rough, cracked skin like stone concealed a brutal strength. Its jaw, long and voracious, seemed made to devour entire worlds. And its eyes, two dull spheres, gazed without compassion at the mortals who had dared to disturb its realm.
A titan of forgotten eras had awakened.