The ground trembled as the dark energy surged from the earth, forming the massive hand that had narrowly missed Sam. The air was thick with tension, the atmosphere charged with the anticipation of an impending battle. Sam's eyes never left the figure before him, the vice captain of Squad 11, who now stepped closer, his presence dominating the space around him.
"Impressive," the vice captain mused, his voice calm yet carrying an edge of menace. "You managed to dodge that. Most don't."
Sam tightened his grip on his sword, his mind racing as he analyzed his opponent. "You talk a lot for someone who's about to lose."
The vice captain chuckled, the sound cold and mirthless. "We'll see about that. The name's Jordan, by the way. You should at least know who's about to crush you."
Sam raised an eyebrow, his usual bravado undeterred. "Jordan, huh? Nice to meet you. I'm Sam, the guy who's about to send you packing."
Jordan's smile faded, replaced by a look of mild irritation. "You really don't know when to shut up, do you?"
"Not really my style," Sam shot back, his eyes narrowing as he prepared for what was coming next.
Jordan's expression hardened, and with a swift motion, he raised his hand. The ground beneath him began to shift, the sand swirling around his feet as if drawn to him by some invisible force. "You'll regret that arrogance, boy."
Before Sam could respond, the sand around Jordan erupted, engulfing him in a whirlwind of dust and debris. As the storm intensified, Jordan's form began to change, his body merging with the sand until he was no longer recognizable as a man. Instead, a massive sand golem stood in his place, its eyes glowing with a sinister light.
Sam took a step back, his heart racing as he stared up at the towering figure before him. "Well, that's… different."
The golem's voice rumbled like distant thunder as it spoke. "This is the power of my Arcon. Do you still think you can defeat me?"
Sam hesitated for a moment, then frowned, muttering to himself, "Wait… is it just me, or is my Arcon really the weakest one?"
Jordan's eyes narrowed, a flicker of something dangerous crossing his expression. "What did you just say?"
Sam glanced up at the golem, his frown deepening. "I mean, seriously. I got a sword, and you turn into a giant sand monster. How is that fair?"
Jordan's expression twisted into one of anger as he took a step forward, the ground shaking with the force of his movement. "You dare mock me?!"
Sam, unfazed by the golem's fury, took a deep breath and made his decision. "Alright, if we're doing this, then let's do it right. Rise, Valkor!"
As soon as Sam spoke the words, his sword began to glow, the familiar energy of Valkor surging through him. The ground beneath him seemed to pulse in response, and the air around him crackled with power. The light from Valkor intensified, enveloping Sam in a brilliant aura that made the very air around him hum with energy.
For a moment, Jordan froze, his eyes widening in shock. "Wait… what did you say? Valkor?!" His voice trembled with a mix of disbelief and fury. "How dare you! Naming your weapon Valkor doesn't make it the real Valkor!"
Sam, equally confused, tilted his head slightly, his grip on Valkor tightening. "What the hell are you talking about? I didn't name it. Valkor told me its name."
Jordan's shock quickly turned to anger, and with a roar, he charged at Sam, the ground trembling under his massive feet. "You'll pay for your insolence!"
The impact of their clash sent shockwaves rippling through the air. Sand and debris flew in all directions as their weapons collided, the sheer force of the blow nearly knocking Sam off his feet. But he held his ground, meeting Jordan's power head-on.
For the next several minutes, the two warriors fought fiercely, their swords clashing with a sound like thunder. Despite the overwhelming size and strength of Jordan's golem form, Sam managed to keep up, his movements precise and calculated. Every swing of his sword was met with a counter, every attack with a parry.
But as the battle wore on, it became clear that Jordan was not just strong—he was relentless. With each clash, his attacks grew fiercer, his strikes more devastating. And as the minutes turned to hours, Sam found himself slowly being pushed back, his energy waning as Jordan's seemed only to increase.
At one point, Jordan unleashed his ultimate ability, causing his golem form to grow even larger, massive wings of sand sprouting from his back. The transformation was terrifying, the sheer size and power of the beast enough to make the ground tremble.
Sam tried to keep up, but Jordan's new form was too much. Each swing of the golem's massive fists sent shockwaves through the ground, each flap of its wings kicking up a storm of sand that blinded and disoriented Sam. And despite his best efforts, he found himself being overpowered, blow by blow.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Jordan landed a crushing blow that sent Sam flying across the battlefield, his body slamming into the ground with a force that left him gasping for breath. Valkor slipped from his grasp, the sword clattering to the ground a few feet away.
Sam tried to push himself up, but his body refused to cooperate. He was battered, bruised, and barely able to move. Jordan's shadow loomed over him as the golem approached, the air crackling with dark energy.
"You should have known better," Jordan said, his voice a low growl. "No one challenges Squad 11 and lives to tell about it."
As the sand golem raised its massive hand to deliver the final blow, Sam's mind raced, memories flashing before his eyes. He thought of his friends, of the battles they had fought together, of the promises he had made. He couldn't let it end like this. He wouldn't.
Summoning the last of his strength, Sam reached out toward Valkor, his fingers brushing against the hilt of the sword. The moment his hand made contact, he felt a surge of energy course through him, revitalizing him with a burst of power.
With a roar of defiance, Sam gripped Valkor tightly and swung it upward just as Jordan's hand came crashing down. The impact sent another shockwave through the ground, but this time, Sam held his ground, his sword glowing with a renewed brilliance.
Jordan's eyes widened in surprise as Sam pushed back, the force of Valkor's energy pushing the golem's hand away. "Impossible… how are you still standing?!"
Sam gritted his teeth, the pain in his body all but forgotten as he stared down his opponent. "Because I'm not done yet."
The battle was far from over, but Sam knew that this time, he had the upper hand. And as he prepared to continue the fight, he felt a newfound determination burning within him. No matter what, he would protect his friends. He would win.