{Earlier right after Decimus Defeated Bonulfe (ref. ch7)}
"That was incredible, Master Decimus," Brian breathed, awe and admiration lacing his voice.
Chrome's eyes were wide, still processing the flurry of movements. "Is it dead?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mix of fascination and trepidation.
"To kill Bonulfe without matching its speed requires extraordinary skill," Brian mused, admiration evident in his words. "You must have some incredible techniques to counter those lightning-fast runs, don't you?"
Decimus' grin was sly. "Feeling 'em is good enough for me, you see."
Curiosity got the better of Chrome, "But how does that even work?"
Decimus grinned, adopting a more laid-back tone, "Well, if you focus hard enough, and I mean really hard, seeing isn't all that different from not seeing. You've got senses beyond your eyes, you know?... No need to overthink it.
Brian was still puzzled, "But your reaction earlier..."
Chrome interjected, his excitement getting the better of him, "We could definitely learn a trick or two from you, Master Decimus. We might even climb up a few ranks!"
Brian nodded in agreement, "Absolutely."
Decimus raised an eyebrow in mock surprise, "Hold on a sec, are you guys serious?"
Brian and Chrome nodded together, their rhythm matching, "Yep."
"Well, you'd best start workin' on a-defeatin' that dang ol' thang first, y'hear?" Decimus smirked playfully, mischief twinkling in his eyes.
"Huh!" Brian and Chrome responded rhythmically, their tones reflecting their effort to grasp the meaning behind Decimus' words.
The ground quivered under the immense weight of the approaching behemoth. Each of its colossal steps sent ripples through the earth, like concentric circles in a tranquil pond.
This towering figure, reminiscent of the mythical orcs of old legends, moved with measured determination, as if the very air bent to its will.
A gnarled and weathered face emerged, etched with scars and wrinkles that seemed to recount tales of battles fought in times long past.
Its eyes were as dark and impenetrable as the abyss, fixated on Decimus and his companions with an intensity that stripped away all pretense, laying their intentions bare. A wild mane of tangled hair framed the visage, a hint at a life lived with primal ferocity.
In its mammoth grip, the creature clutched a colossal weapon, a massive wooden implement that should have appeared absurdly oversized. Yet, within its grasp, the weapon's proportions seemed disturbingly appropriate.
The hammer's immense head and elongated handle cast a shadow that seemed to devour the surrounding light. The scale of it left Chrome and Brian awestruck, wondering at the finesse required to wield such a monstrosity.
Unlike Bonulfe's lightning-fast movements, this creature's advance was deliberate, each step carefully calculated for maximum impact. Its strength was evident in its sinewy movements, muscles rippling beneath its mottled green skin.
With every coil and release, the anticipation in the air grew palpable, mingling awe and apprehension that gripped Chrome and Brian's chests.
As they observed, the forest's grandeur seemed to shrink, the sheer magnitude of the creature dwarfing the surroundings. Its presence was a tempest of raw power, a collision of primal forces that defied easy comprehension.
It stood as a testament to the unyielding might of nature, an embodiment of untamed strength and unwavering determination.
Though it lacked Bonulfe's speed, the sheer enormity of this entity was enough to invoke a mixture of respect and unease within Chrome and Brian. The challenge before them was undeniable, its significance hanging in the air like an unspoken promise of imminent trial.
"Kkh..." Brian's guttural sound resonated, a mixture of determination and nervousness in his voice. "....akkh" Chrome's response was equally strained, his breath hitching with the weight of their impending challenge.
"Don't be a wimp," Decimus's voice broke through, laced with a sense of command. "Go break a bone or two, defeat that giant orc."
"Aren't you going to help?" Chrome's words held a touch of desperation.
"...." Decimus's response was a smile, enigmatic and maybe slightly mischievous.
"ROrraaaaaaaa" The guttural roar of the Giant Orc reverberated, a primal declaration of its intent.
Summoning every ounce of his courage, Brian unsheathed his blade. Its gleam matched the fire in his eyes as he assumed a fighting stance, ready to meet the expectations Decimus had set for him. Meanwhile, the hulking adversary continued its relentless advance.
Chrome wasn't about to be left behind either. Determination etched across his features, he trailed closely behind Brian.
Decimus, for his part, slowly withdrew from the scene, leaving Chrome and Brian to face the impending danger on their own. As the titanic orc barreled forward, it suddenly halted its charge.
With a powerful swing of its colossal wooden hammer, it unleashed a hurricane of wind, a manifestation of its sheer force, upon the two seemingly puny humans who dared stand in its way.
Yet, against the odds, both Chrome and Brian managed to evade the devastating blow. Brian's sword glowed with a fiery Golden hue, an augmentation to bolster his strength against the monster's immense might.
"Ha...ha..." Brian panted, his breath ragged from the exertion.
"You... you're using it right off the bat," Chrome observed, a mix of awe and concern in his voice.
"We're finishing this in one go," Brian's words were laced with determination, a hint of strategy in his eyes.
"..." A bead of sweat dripped from Chrome's forehead, his realization of Brian's intent settling in.
The ultimate technique, often seen as the last desperate move in a dire battle, can be a double-edged sword. For some, it's a lifeline against overwhelming foes, while for others, it's a stark acknowledgment of their impending defeat.
Initiating this technique at the start of a confrontation is a proclamation of either the combatant's certain demise or the monster's swift downfall. Its effectiveness is solely hinged upon the initiator's skill and intent.
"Golden rush!" Brian's blade ignited with a brilliant, radiant glow, casting a beam of golden light that cut through the shadowed forest. His movements became a blur as his speed skyrocketed, his body assuming an almost supernatural rigidity. Muscles honed by years of training rippled beneath his skin as his physical prowess reached its zenith.
The collision between Brian's blade and the Giant Orc's strike was an explosive convergence of might. The sheer force of the orc's assault sent shockwaves rippling through the air, the ground trembling beneath the titanic clash.
Brian's feet dug into the earth, trying to hold his ground against the monstrous power. Yet, the sheer weight of the orc's blow pushed him back, his boots scraping several feet across the forest floor.
Brian's mind worked in an instant, harnessing the momentum of his forced retreat. His body coiled like a tightly wound spring, ready to release its pent-up energy.
As his back met a large tree trunk, he twisted with a fierce agility, using the tree as a pivot point. Pushing off with a burst of power, he launched himself back toward the colossal creature that loomed before him.
The orc's brawny form stood as a formidable wall, but Brian's resolve was unyielding. His blade, now a beacon of golden light, honed in on his target. With the precision of a master, Brian's blade found its mark.
It sliced through the air, closing the distance in a blink, and plunged deep into the orc's sinewy shoulder.
"Rawwarrrrrr" A guttural roar of pain erupted from the orc's throat as its muscles tensed in response to the searing sensation.
Its grip on its massive wooden weapon faltered for a moment, the impact of Brian's strike interrupting its intended swing. The forest around them seemed to shudder, leaves and dust kicked up by the sheer intensity of their clash.
The orc's eyes, burning with fury and pain, locked onto Brian. It was a momentary respite, a fraction of time in which Brian felt the weight of his triumph. But the orc's resolve was unbroken.
With a surge of brute force, it overcame the shock of Brian's strike, its grip tightening around its weapon.
Brian disengaged, with his incredible agility and combat finesse. He leaped back, avoiding the orc's retaliatory swing, which cleaved through the air with bone-crushing force.
The wind created by the swing ruffled Brian's hair, carrying the echo of the missed blow.
The clash of metal against wood resonated through the forest as Brian's sword met the orc's massive wooden implement.
A dazzling array of sparks erupted from the point of contact, their brilliance akin to stars in the night sky. The ground seemed to tremble with each clash, the very fabric of reality bending under the weight of their conflict.
[I am losing energy...won't be able to hold on for long] Brian's inner voice spoke with a note of desperation.
Despite the intense struggle, Brian felt the tendrils of fatigue creeping in. His breaths came in ragged bursts, his muscles protesting against the orc's relentless onslaught. The golden light that once blazed brilliantly from his blade began to wane, its brilliance dimming as his energy waned.
In the midst of this fierce battle, Brian's thoughts raced. He could feel the limit of his endurance approaching. The orc's attacks were unrelenting, its brute force threatening to overwhelm him. As the next strike loomed, Brian realized he might not have much time left to turn the tide.
[He...won't be able to hold him longer] Chrome's thoughts echoed Brian's concern.
[What should I do?] Brian's mental plea hung in the air, uncertainty gnawing at his resolve.
The once-blazing golden sparks on Brian's blade began to wane, their brilliance dimming under the unrelenting assault of the orc's massive wooden weapon. Each strike from the colossal beast drained more of Brian's strength. His breath came in labored gasps as he struggled to match the orc blow for blow.
The orc's next strike landed with brutal force, sending Brian hurtling across the ground. Blood sprayed from his mouth as his body skidded several meters, coming to a bone-jarring stop.
Pain surged through him, his vision swimming as he fought to stay conscious. He knew he was reaching his limit, his body battered and broken.
The towering Giant Orc loomed above, closing the gap with thunderous steps. Its shadow fell over Brian, its intent clear. He was wounded and weary, unable to fend off this monstrous force any longer.
In this grim moment, Brian was reminded that, despite his valiant efforts, he was a mere mortal facing a formidable beast. The impending darkness seemed to stretch before him, the end of his struggle in sight.
[He will die] Chrome.