That ain't a boulder 🙀 - chapter 2
The dirt path wound through jagged hills, shadows from the setting sun stretching like claws across the ground. Ethan's shoulders loosened a little - they were close. He could almost feel the camp's safety.
"Another hour and we're home," Enlight said, keeping her bow low. "No monsters, no trouble. I might actually-"
The "boulder" in the middle of the road twitched.
Ethan frowned. "Hey, was that rock... breathing?"
The "rock" rose, shedding dust like an avalanche. Two enormous hands - each bigger than Ethan's torso - slammed into the dirt, and a single yellow eye blinked open in the center of its forehead.
"Oh... that's not landscaping," Ethan muttered.
The Cyclops roared, the sound rattling his ribs. It charged like a freight train, tearing up the earth.
"Scatter!" Enlight shouted.
Ethan dove left, but the thing was faster than it looked. A massive hand swatted him mid-roll, sending him tumbling like a ragdoll. His sword clattered away.
---
[Mid-Fight]
Ethan lunged for his sword as the Cyclops stomped forward. He swung up - metal meeting skin with a clang - but it was like trying to cut a tree trunk. The blow only made the Cyclops grin.
"Uh... Clarita? Little help here!" Ethan shouted.
"Eyes, Ethan! You always go for the eyes!" she yelled back, already nocking an arrow.
As enligh said"yk the arrows ain't for free Clarita stop missing"
The Cyclops lunged, and Ethan tried to meet the charge - only to feel a snap in his wrist as the giant's hand crushed his guard. Pain exploded up his arm.
"AGH-!"
The Cyclops tackled him into the dirt, the weight crushing the air out of his lungs yet Clarita saved him in moment of fear that cyclops just reminded her of something she hates to remember.
Enlight's arrow whistled - thwip! - striking the beast's lone eye. It bellowed, clawing at its face.
"Move!" Enlight shouted. "I'll blind him, you cut the knees!"
Ethan scrambled up, switching his sword to his left hand, legs shaking.
The Cyclops flailed blindly, smashing boulders into dust. Its foot came down inches from Enlight, who rolled aside saved by Clarita.
"You're welcome!" she snapped, loosing another arrow"I am convinced it's the mark of Athena"which Enlight nodded"I thought it's just a rumour"
Ethan then asked"what is the mark of Athena exactly?"as clairta
sighted"stupid rumours that students of Athena dies in unknown circumstances I mean a lot of them disappear without anyone knowing
but here is the thing-"enlight cutted her
"Athena didn't train her which is nice"
here clairta hitted him"what nice about it idiot? If the mark won't kill us the big Buffoon would"as the cyclops hit the ground shattering it trapping clairta leg inside which Ethan shouted"clairta noo"
Before Ethan could move in, a figure stepped out from the trees - pale skin, black coat fluttering in the wind, a sword so dark it seemed to drink in the light.
Marco del Vale.
Without a word, he darted in low, his blade carving a deep cut across the Cyclops's ankle. Black ichor spilled.
"Who-" Ethan started.
"Less talking, more stabbing," Marco said flatly.
With the Cyclops off-balance, Marco hooked his foot around Ethan's and shoved him forward. "Go."
Ethan's sword plunged into the beast's knee. Enlight's final arrow slammed into its ruined eye. The Cyclops let out a pitiful roar before collapsing like a felled tree.
Dust settled.
Ethan leaned on his sword, breathing hard. "Wooh... that thing was strong."
Marco glanced at him, expression unreadable. "If that's strong... wait till you meet the dude we have at the camp. Wouldn't surprise me if he eats Cyclopes for dinner."
Ethan blinked. "...That's... reassuring?"
Enlight slung his bow over his shoulder. "Not really."
Marco started walking. "You'll see soon enough. Just... try not to make him mad."
As of course Clarita said"how did you even though that was a boulder?"which Ethan said"for my defense it looks like one in the dark"which enlight joined in"
yup It's kinda my fault for not using my lights magic"as then they make a small camping place making bonfire and a camping tent(yup they have one you ask how? Firstly Clarita was knowing her mission would take long so she brought one before she was kidnapped and dragged into that pile of stupidity)the camp/shelter close but far