Tension filled the air. Bystanders held their breath at the sight of Sitros' abrupt challenge.
"...Bahahaha! Now this is what I call interesting!" [Kafma]
He stuck his sword into the ground, crossing his arms with confidence.
"Fine, I'll bite. How are we doing this?" [Kafma]
"A monomachia." [Sitros]
A look of disbelief crossed Kafma's face, only to turn into amusement.
"Ho~" [Kafma]
("A monomachia?") [Adam]
"To go to such lengths… Are you truly sure that you want to do this?" [Kafma]
As if to answer, Sitros conjured a dagger out of ice and slit his thumb.
"Hmph." [Kafma]
In response, he also slid a finger across The Giant slayer.
"With the sky as our witness, may our souls be guided in this dance of death." [Sitros] [Kafma]
The cuts on their fingers closed instantaneously and Askyros felt a force push him back. As if to set the playing field, the corpses in their close surroundings vanished into thin air. It felt like the two were unapproachable, singling them out in the middle of a raging battlefield.
"What… is this?" [Askyros]
He tried to step closer, but his body wouldn't move.
"A monomachia…" [Ryse]
"...You know what that is?" [Askyros]
He looked to Ryse for answers, but Ryse himself still seemed to be processing the information.
"It's… a duel to the death." [Ryse]
"Elaborate." [Askyros]
"Using their blood as a catalyst, they created a contract. A monomachia is to gamble your very soul in a battle to death." [Ryse]
"What happens if you lose?" [Askyros]
"Not only will you die, your soul will shatter. Never to be reincarnated again." [Ryse]
("Reincarnation is a thing?") [Adam]
"Hm… Can you explain why I can't get closer?" [Askyros]
"That's… the laws of this world. A monomachia is counted as sacred art. I don't know why Sitros is risking so much to fight him, but I'm sure he has his reasons." [Ryse]
"But what does he get if he wins?" [Askyros]
"Well… It would mean that-" [Ryse]
"RUN!!" [Soldier]
Pushing the two out of their way, a soldier scurried past them.
"What is he-" [Ryse]
"GAHAHAHA!! DIE WEAKLINGS, DIE!!" [???]
A voice bellowed across the sky, alerting those around of its presence. Booming footsteps shook the ground, and another crowd of soldiers scampered past them. Looking past them, a large figure loomed over them.
"...An armored giant?! I thought they were still in seclusion!" [Ryse]
Donning silver plated armor, the image of a black dragon was engraved on the giant's chestplate. Seemingly the height of a three story house, a humanlike figure covered in tattoos dyed red looked down upon them.
("He might be bigger than the giant I fought... Though he has gray skin instead of blue…") [Adam]
"Oh? You're not going to run?" [Armored Giant]
"I don't see a need to." [Askyros]
"Askyros! You're going to get us killed!" [Ryse]
"Hmph, another weakling that believes itself strong." [Armored Giant]
Raising a single foot, the giant slammed it down onto Askyros.
"ASKYROS!!" [Ryse]
Gusts of wind blew past him, blinding him with specks of dirt and stray blood. Wiping away the filth from his eyes, his eyes were left wide open.
"Hm?" [Armored Giant]
Askyros was still holding on. Using both his hands, he kept himself from getting flattened by the giant.
("No! We dropped the sword!") [Adam]
"Huh, so you weren't all talk. But how about this?!" [Armored Giant]
Leaning forward, the giant put more pressure on Askyros.
"Hrng!" [Askyros]
His knees buckled underneath the weight, but he did not falter. Straining all of his muscles, he pushed back.
"Hahaha! You really think your measly strength can push me back? If you actually manage to do it, my name will no longer be Tyrios!" [Tyrios]
Tyrios started to fully commit to crushing Askyros, causing him to struggle even more. The pressure was beginning to feel unbearable, and his arms began to tremble from the burden.
"I'll help you too!" [Ryse]
Raising his arms, Ryse directed magic circles at Tyrios.
("Aiming for the eyes should stop him!") [Ryse]
"Aoto no kaei! Flame Punisher!" [Ryse]
Flames billowed around him, forming a large fiery sword a quarter of the size of Tyrios. The blade hovered above Ryse, awaiting it's order.
"Magic?" [Tyrios]
Ryse brought his hands down, unleashing the might of his blazing sword at Tyrios.
"Perish!" [Ryse]
"You think tricks like this can stop me? Flames of this level can't even be called magic!" [Tyrios]
Lifting only a single hand, he attempted to slap away the sword. Unfortunately for him, his face twisted in pain the moment his skin came in contact with it.
"UAAGH!! It burns! You little shit!" [Tyrios]
He fanned his hand, attempting to put the flame out. The fire dissipated, leaving a large burn mark on Tyrios' hand along with a few burning cinders.
("What happened? I can't see anything underneath this gigantic foot!") [Adam]
Askyros felt the burden lessen, but it still wasn't enough to escape.
"You…! My hand! My beautiful hand!" [Tyrios]
("...What about his hand?") [Adam]
"That's what you deserve!" [Ryse]
"You've ruined my life! Just wait 'till I get my hands on you!" [Tyrios]
He lifted his foot off of Askyros and started to go after Ryse, allowing Askyros to have a moment to rest.
"Come here! I'll grind your bones to dust!" [Tyrios]
Grasping hands reached for Ryse, but he somehow evaded them. Tyrios' frustration rose, causing him to scoop out the ground haphazardly.
("PLEASE DON'T CATCH ME, PLEASE DON'T CATCH ME!!") [Ryse]
"Ah- shit." [Ryse]
Tripping on the uneven land, Ryse fell into Tyrios' fingers. In that moment of error, Tyrios wrapped his fingers around Ryse.
"I have you now, you slippery eel!" [Tyrios]
He looked at Ryse with a grin, but it soon turned into anger when his burns caught his eye.
"Um… Can we talk this out?" [Ryse]
"You burned my hand!" [Tyrios]
Ryse felt Tyrios' fingers close in on him, and he knew he had to do something.
"W-wait! I… uh… I know that the giant race treasures their hands a lot, but…" [Ryse]
"But what, ant?" [Tyrios]
"I-I can fix it! If you let me go, I'll heal you! Not only that, it'll be so beautiful you can woo any female giant you want!" [Ryse]
"..." [Tyrios]
His fingers loosened a small amount, but Ryse was still trapped.
"How do I know you're not lying?" [Tyrios]
While they spoke, Ryse snuck a few glances Askyros' way. Reading his intentions, Askyros began to sneak behind Tyrios.
"You saw how fire magic right? Do you not think that my healing magic is on par with it?" [Ryse]
Tyrios went silent, pondering whether or not to set Ryse free.
"Hm… I guess it would be nice…" [Tyrios]
As he made his decision he looked straight at Ryse, but that was when Ryse was sneaking a glance to Askyros.
"What are you looking at?" [Tyrios]
"Oh! Uh… nothing." [Ryse]
"...Nothing?" [Tyrios]
He turned to look behind him, forcing Ryse to call out to Askyros.
"Do it!" [Ryse]
Askyros broke into a sprint, charging at the giant.
"It's you!" [Tyrios]
Using all of the momentum he could get, Askyros punched the Tyrios' smallest toe. With an unsettling crack, the giant howled in pain. Falling to one knee, Tyrios dropped Ryse by mistake.
"Agh! How dare you!" [Tyrios]
With his head lowered, Askyros saw an opportunity. He made a mad dash to the giant, and ended up leaping onto its knee.
"How did you-?!" [Tyrios]
"Grit your teeth." [Askyros]
He slammed his fist into the giant's face, miraculously making the giant collapse. Though his victory was almost secured, Askyros immediately climbed onto the Tyrios' head and unsheathed his spare sword.
"W-wait! I concede!" [Tyrios]
"No." [Askyros]
Raising his sword overhead, Askyros plunged it into Tyrios' skull. Using a twist, Askyros churned the contents inside the giant's head and ripped it out. Chunks of flesh spewed out, covering Askyros, but he didn't care. He sheathed his blade and took a seat to rest. While zoning out, he uttered a single line.
"...I wonder if Sitros is still alive." [Askyros]