Chapter 26: Awakening the Golem
**Flashback: After the Battle with Kirin**
Following the battle with Kirin, the camp was still buzzing with activity as they dealt with the aftermath. Vikram sat in his tent, going over the strategies for the next possible threat. He was interrupted by the arrival of a small group—a team of Archaeologist-class professionals. There were only three of them, led by a tall man with sharp features and an air of intellectual authority.
"Vikram, do you have a moment?" the leader of the group asked, his American accent distinct even in the chaos of the camp. He introduced himself as Dr. Richard Hayes, a researcher and archaeologist who had once been one of the leading experts in ancient technologies on Earth before the mass transportation event.
"Dr. Hayes," Vikram said, nodding in acknowledgment. "What brings you here?"
"We've been examining the artifact you brought back from your last mission," Dr. Hayes said, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "The one you found in those ancient ruins. At first, we thought it was just a piece of old, decorative art, but upon closer inspection, we discovered it's much more than that."
Vikram raised an eyebrow. "What exactly is it?"
Dr. Hayes motioned for his team to bring out their notes and a rough sketch of the statue. "This artifact isn't just a simple relic. It's actually some kind of ancient robot, what we would call a 'golem.' But instead of using electricity or any modern power source, it runs on mana—pure magical energy."
"A golem?" Vikram repeated, his interest piqued. "A robot that runs on mana? What's it designed for?"
Dr. Hayes exchanged a serious look with his team before continuing. "Based on our research, this golem wasn't built for any ordinary tasks. It was designed as a weapon, primarily for mass-killing missions or desperate situations where conventional tactics wouldn't work. Its purpose seems to be pure destruction."
Vikram's eyes narrowed as he studied the sketches. "But this statue is so small, how could it possibly be a threat capable of mass destruction?"
Dr. Hayes shook his head, a hint of frustration in his expression. "That's the part we don't fully understand. We haven't been able to figure out the full mechanism yet. The only thing we know for certain is that to activate it, you must channel your mana into it and break the seal. Once that happens, it awakens and fulfills its deadly purpose."
As the archaeologists prepared to leave, Dr. Hayes paused and looked back at Vikram. "One more thing you should know, Vikram. Once the golem is activated, it doesn't distinguish between friend or foe. It will attack anyone in its path."
Vikram's expression turned grim, the weight of their discovery settling heavily on his shoulders. "Understood, Dr. Hayes. Let's hope we never have to use it."
**Present: The Awakening of the Golem**
In the present, Vikram and his team were hidden behind a thick cluster of trees, watching as Fenrir held the ancient golem statue in his hands. Raj, bleeding heavily from the claw wounds on his chest, whispered urgently to Vikram, "Do you really think that thing will work? Can it actually stop him?"
Vikram was about to answer when the deep, mechanical growl echoed through the jungle like an awakening beast. He quickly signaled to the team to stay hidden. "Everyone, hold your positions and stay quiet until I give the order," Vikram instructed, his voice barely more than a whisper.
Fenrir, still holding the golem, frowned in confusion. The statue began to vibrate in his grasp, and before his eyes, it started to expand. The once small figure grew to a towering height of seven feet. Its body was made of ancient stone, interlocked with gears that clicked and whirred into place. One of its arms ended in a spinning chainsaw, while the other was a mechanical grappling hook that seemed to be coiled and ready to strike. The eyes of the golem suddenly flared to life, glowing a menacing red.
Fenrir's face twisted in shock and surprise as he took a step back. He had never seen anything like this before. But in the next second, his shock turned into a snarl of rage. Without hesitation, he launched himself at the golem, his massive form moving faster than most humans could follow.
The golem reacted instantly. Its red eyes seemed to focus with a deadly precision, and it sidestepped Fenrir's attack with a speed that belied its size. As Fenrir's claws came swiping down, the golem raised its chainsaw arm, and with a powerful motion, it cut straight through one of Fenrir's arms.
Fenrir howled in pain and rage, staggering back as dark blood spurted from his severed limb. The team hidden in the trees watched in shock as the beast they had struggled against so desperately was maimed in a single stroke.
"He actually did it," Raj gasped, his eyes wide with a mixture of awe and fear. "That thing... it's stronger than we thought."
Vikram kept his gaze locked on the golem, his face a mask of determination. "Stay low and stay hidden. This golem doesn't care who it attacks.