Drutneg trudged through the arid savannahs of Jetnim, his boots thudding heavily on the cracked earth. The vast savannah stretched endlessly, bathed in the orange glow of the afternoon sun. Golden grasses swayed lazily in the warm wind, occasionally interrupted by patches of rough terrain or gnarled trees. Sweat trickled down Drutneg's brow, but he welcomed the heat. The dry air of Jetnim couldn't compare to the sweltering forges of the dwarven halls where he had been raised.
This land was wild, unforgiving, and full with dangerous creatures. Just the kind of place where a warrior like Drutneg could find a worthy fight. His hands instinctively rested on the heavy axe slung across his back, a weapon built not for quick strikes but for bone-shattering blows. The weight of it was comforting, familiar.
As he marched onward, his sharp eyes caught sight of movement in the distance. His instincts told him something was wrong. When he crested the next rise, his suspicions were confirmed. Down below, a pack of creatures had gathered around something—or someone.
Massive gray hounds circled their prey, their lean, muscular bodies rippling beneath coarse, ash-colored fur. These were no ordinary hounds; they were monstrous, each one nearly as tall as Drutneg, their jaws lined with sharp, jagged teeth perfect for tearing through flesh. Their glowing yellow eyes gleamed with predatory hunger, and their long, pointed ears twitched at every sound.
As Drutneg approached, he realized the unfortunate victim was a person—a traveler who hadn't stood a chance against the hounds. His blood boiled at the sight, not just from anger, but from a desire for battle. These creatures were powerful, but he was stronger.
Without hesitation, Drutneg unslung his mighty axe, the weapon's massive head gleaming in the sunlight. The axe was a dwarven masterpiece, its broad, heavy blade forged from dark steel, etched with ancient runes of power. Near the base of the blade, a large red jewel pulsed faintly, a reservoir for channeling El energy. The handle, thick and sturdy, was carved from ironwood, designed to withstand even the mightiest blows.
Drutneg's lips curled into a grim smile. "Come then, beasts," he muttered.
The nearest hound lifted its head, yellow eyes locking onto Drutneg. It growled low in its throat, a warning to the others. In seconds, the pack turned its attention to him, their snarls growing louder. One of the hounds lunged first, its jaws snapping at Drutneg's arm.
He didn't dodge. Instead, Drutneg planted his feet firmly in the ground and raised his axe, blocking the hound's attack with the flat of the blade. The force of the impact sent a jolt through his arms, but Drutneg barely flinched. With a grunt, he shoved the hound back, the beast skidding across the dirt.
Another hound attacked from his right, teeth bared, aiming for his leg. Drutneg pivoted, bringing his axe down in a crushing blow. The blade cleaved through the hound's thick hide, a sharp yelp filling the air as the creature crumpled to the ground.
One of the hounds leaped at him from behind, its claws outstretched. Drutneg spun and blocked the strike with his forearm, bracing himself as the beast's weight collided with him. The force sent him stumbling back a step, but the dwarven warrior held firm, using his sheer strength to overpower the hound. With a guttural roar, he shoved it aside, then swung his axe in a wide arc, the blade tearing through flesh and bone.
The remaining hounds charged him all at once, but Drutneg welcomed the challenge. He dug in his heels and braced for the impact. One hound bit down on his arm, but his thick armor absorbed most of the force. Drutneg growled, raising his axe high and bringing it down onto the creature's back. The hound collapsed under the crushing blow, its body limp.
Another hound bit at his leg, its teeth sinking into his boot. Drutneg grunted in annoyance and kicked the creature aside, then swung his axe down in a punishing blow that split the earth beneath it. The last hound snarled and snapped at him, but the beast was already faltering. With one final swing, Drutneg cleaved through its skull, ending the fight.
Drutneg wiped the sweat from his brow, surveying the carnage. The ground was littered with the bodies of the fallen hounds, their blood soaking into the dry earth. He sheathed his axe, satisfied with his work.
But the victory was short-lived.
The ground beneath him began to tremble, a low rumbling growing louder by the second. Drutneg's sharp eyes darted around, searching for the source of the disturbance. The earth cracked, and from the depths below, something massive began to rise.
A Jetumn.
The giant creature burst forth from the ground, its enormous form towering over Drutneg. The Jetumn's body was thick and hulking, its skin a pale, sickly yellow that shimmered faintly in the sunlight. Its worm-like head, long and sinuous, writhed in the air, its rows of sharp teeth gleaming. Its limbs were bulky, ending in clawed hands that dug deep into the earth as it dragged itself forward. Even as an adolescent, the Jetumn stood over twenty feet tall, a true behemoth of the savannah.
Drutneg's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Ah, finally! This is what I've been waiting for!" he bellowed, tightening his grip on his axe.
He knew this was just an adolescent Jetumn, not fully grown but still dangerous. And if there was one here, more would follow—adults, guards, and eventually, the King Jetumn itself. The King, a fifty-foot giant with leopard-spotted skin, lanky limbs, and multiple worm-like heads, was said to be the most fearsome creature in all of Jetnim. And Drutneg intended to face it.
The adolescent Jetumn let out a deep, rumbling hiss, its worm-head snapping toward Drutneg. It lunged forward, one of its massive claws sweeping toward him.
Drutneg didn't flinch. Instead of dodging, he braced himself, raising his axe to meet the attack. The Jetumn's claw collided with the blade, the force sending a shockwave through the ground. Drutneg grunted, his muscles straining as he absorbed the impact, but he held firm.
With a deep growl, Drutneg shoved the Jetumn's claw aside, forcing the creature back. He reached into his belt and pulled out a small dagger. With a quick motion, he jammed the blade into the red jewel embedded in his axe. The moment the dagger touched the gem, a surge of energy pulsed through the weapon. The runes etched along the handle began to glow brightly as Drutneg channeled his El energy into the axe.
The dwarven technique, known as Sef, allowed him to enhance the weapon's power, infusing it with his own strength. The axe glowed with a vibrant red hue, the air around it crackling with energy.
Drutneg let out a roar and charged at the Jetumn, his axe raised high. The creature swiped at him again. He took the hit head-on, letting the creature's claw smash into his armor. Pain shot through his side, but he ignored it. With a savage grin, he swung his axe down onto the Jetumn's arm, the blade slicing deep into its thick hide.
The creature howled in pain, its worm-head thrashing wildly. Drutneg pressed forward, carving into the creature's body with slow, deliberate strikes. Each blow cut deeper, the power of his El amplifying the force behind every swing.
The Jetumn tried to retaliate, its worm-head snapping toward Drutneg's shoulder. But the dwarf warrior simply raised his arm and caught the attack, gritting his teeth as the creature's fangs scraped against his armor. He gripped his axe tighter and swung again, the blade cleaving through the Jetumn's torso.
The creature screeched, its body convulsing as Drutneg delivered the final blow. His axe cut through the Jetumn's neck, severing its worm-like head from its body. The giant collapsed with a heavy thud, the ground shaking beneath it.
Drutneg stood over the fallen beast, breathing heavily but triumphant. His armor was dented, his body bruised, but he had won. He wiped the sweat from his brow and glanced around the savannah, knowing that the scent of the fallen Jetumn would soon attract others.
And he was right.
The ground began to tremble once more. This time, the rumbling was louder, the earth shaking violently as cracks split the ground. Drutneg's grin widened as he saw them emerge—an army of Jetumns. Dozens of them, their massive, hulking forms rising from the ground, their worm-like heads snapping in unison as they lumbered toward him.
Each of the creatures towered over him, their pale yellow skin glistening in the sunlight. Some were adults, their bodies larger and more muscular, their claws sharper and deadlier than the adolescent he had just slain. Drutneg felt a rush of adrenaline as he took in the sheer number of enemies before him. This was the challenge he had been waiting for.
"Finally," he muttered, tightening his grip on his axe. "Let's see if you can put up a real fight."
The first of the Jetumns lunged, its massive claw slashing toward him. Drutneg braced himself, blocking the attack with his axe, the impact sending tremors through the earth. Another Jetumn charged from the side, its head snapping down toward his shoulder. Drutneg planted his feet firmly and swung his axe in a wide arc, cleaving through the beast's side, but the force of the impact sent him skidding back.
Before he could recover, another Jetumn's claw came crashing down toward him. Drutneg raised his arm to block, gritting his teeth as the claws raked across his armor, the metal groaning under the pressure. He stumbled back, his breath coming in heavy gasps.
But he wouldn't fall. Not yet.
With a roar of defiance, Drutneg swung his axe with all his might, the blade glowing with El energy as it cleaved through one of the Jetumn's legs. The creature howled in pain, toppling to the ground. But there were more—so many more.
Two Jetumns attacked from either side, their claws and heads snapping toward him. Drutneg blocked one strike, but the other slammed into his side, sending him crashing to the ground. Pain shot through his ribs, but he pushed himself up, using his axe as a crutch.
The Jetumns pressed their advantage, their attacks relentless. Drutneg blocked and parried, each movement slower than the last. His muscles burned, his armor dented and battered. But he wouldn't stop. He couldn't stop. This was his fight.
One Jetumn lunged at him, its worm-head snapping toward his chest. Drutneg barely managed to raise his axe in time, the blade catching the creature's head and stopping it inches from his armor. With a grunt, he shoved the beast back and swung his axe down, cleaving through its skull.
Another Jetumn charged from behind, its claws raised to strike. Drutneg spun, catching the attack with his armored arm before delivering a powerful blow with his axe. The blade sliced through the creature's torso, sending it crashing to the ground.
But more were coming. Drutneg's breath came in ragged gasps as he fought on, his body screaming in protest with every movement. The Jetumns attacked relentlessly, their massive forms closing in on him from all sides.
Drutneg braced himself, blocking one attack after another, his movements slower, more deliberate. He tanked their hits, letting their claws glance off his armor, absorbing the blows with sheer strength. His body ached, his muscles burned, but he didn't stop. This was the challenge he had craved—the fight of a lifetime.
One by one, the Jetumns fell, their massive bodies crashing to the ground. But Drutneg was not unscathed. His armor was battered, his body bruised and bloodied. His breath came in heavy gasps, each movement slower than the last. But he had won. The army of Jetumns lay defeated at his feet, their bodies littering the savannah.
Drutneg wiped the sweat from his brow, his chest heaving as he surveyed the battlefield around him. The bodies of fallen Jetumns littered the savannah, their hulking forms strewn across the cracked earth. His arms felt heavy, his armor battered and bruised, and every muscle in his body screamed in protest.
With a grunt, Drutneg lowered himself onto a nearby rock, resting his heavy axe beside him. He leaned back, taking a moment to catch his breath. The air was still, the savannah eerily quiet after the chaos of battle. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to relax, his thoughts drifting to the next challenge, the next fight. He knew there would be more Jetumns to come, but for now, he had earned a moment of peace.
The sun was starting to dip below the horizon, casting a deep orange glow across the sky. Drutneg closed his eyes for just a second, feeling the warm breeze on his face.
Then, the ground trembled.
Drutneg's eyes snapped open, and his senses flared with alarm. The faint rumble grew louder, shaking the earth beneath him. He gripped the handle of his axe, his instincts screaming that something was wrong.
A shadow loomed over him.
Slowly, Drutneg looked up—and what he saw sent a cold shiver down his spine.
Towering above him was the King Jetumn. It was even larger than he had imagined, easily fifty feet tall, its long, lanky limbs draped in leopard-spotted skin that shimmered in the fading sunlight. The King's body was covered in thick, sinewy muscle, its four worm-like heads writhing in the air, each one lined with rows of razor-sharp teeth. Its eyes, glowing a sickly green, locked onto Drutneg, full of malice and hunger. The ground trembled with every step it took, and its presence was suffocating, casting a shadow that seemed to swallow the land.
Drutneg tried to stand, gripping his axe as he planted his foot on the ground, but the moment he pushed up, a sharp, searing pain shot through his leg. He gasped, collapsing back onto the rock as his leg buckled beneath him. He looked down in horror—his leg was broken, the bone snapped cleanly from the brutal fight.
The King Jetumn let out a low, rumbling hiss, its heads snapping toward him. Drutneg gritted his teeth, struggling to pull himself upright, but the pain was too much. He could barely move.
"Not like this..." Drutneg muttered, his voice hoarse.
The King Jetumn raised one of its massive claws, preparing to strike. Drutneg raised his axe in a feeble attempt to block, but his strength was fading fast. The claw came crashing down, and Drutneg barely managed to parry the blow. The force sent him sprawling to the ground, his body slamming hard against the earth. Pain exploded through his side, and his vision blurred as the world spun around him.
The King swung again, this time striking him across the chest. His armor dented under the force, the blow knocking the wind out of him. Drutneg's vision darkened, his consciousness slipping. He tried to rise again, but his body wouldn't respond. Everything hurt. The weight of the creature's presence was crushing.
As his vision faded, he caught sight of something—someone—moving in the distance. A figure, swift and graceful, approached through the tall grasses, moving too fast for Drutneg to fully comprehend. The King Jetumn let out a snarl, turning its attention toward the figure. But before it could react, Drutneg felt strong arms lift him from the ground.
The last thing he saw before the darkness claimed him was the silhouette of the mysterious figure carrying him away, their movements swift and purposeful, the King Jetumn's roar echoing in the distance.
Then, everything went black.