The air was thick with tension as the colossal sand golem loomed over Sam, its massive form casting a dark shadow over the battlefield. Sam, battered and barely conscious, lay on the ground, struggling to muster the strength to stand. His body screamed in pain, every muscle burning from the relentless battle. But despite the agony, his mind was focused on one thing—he couldn't let Jordan win. Not when his friends were still out there, counting on him.
Jordan, in his monstrous form, stared down at Sam with cold, unfeeling eyes. The golem's massive hand clenched into a fist, and with a low growl, Jordan brought it down in a final, devastating blow. The ground shook as the impact reverberated through the earth, and for a moment, it seemed as if the very ground itself was trying to swallow Sam whole.
But Sam wasn't finished yet. Just as the fist made contact, he twisted his body, narrowly avoiding a direct hit. The golem's fist still connected, however, sending Sam skidding across the ground, blood trailing from a deep wound in his side. He gasped in pain, clutching his stomach as he tried to push himself up, but his strength was fading fast.
Jordan's voice echoed through the battlefield, cold and merciless. "You're done, Sam. Admit it. You were never a match for me."
Sam's vision blurred, his grip on Valkor weakening as the pain in his belly intensified. Blood seeped through his fingers, staining the ground beneath him. He knew he was in a bad way, but he refused to give up. He had to protect his friends—no matter what.
Jordan took a step closer, his towering form blocking out the sun. "You fought well, I'll give you that," he said, almost as if he were impressed. "But in the end, you're just another failed challenger. Now, let's make this interesting…"
The golem leaned in, its massive face inches from Sam's. "I've learned something interesting during our little fight. Your friends… they're in the city, aren't they? What if I go there next? What if I find them… and kill them?"
Sam's eyes snapped open, a surge of adrenaline flooding his system. His friends—Sara, Masha, Alan—they were in danger. The thought of Jordan going after them, hurting them, was enough to ignite a fire within him, a fire fueled by pure rage.
"Don't… you… dare…" Sam growled, his voice low and filled with venom.
Jordan chuckled, clearly amused by Sam's defiance. "Oh? What are you going to do about it? You can barely stand, let alone fight me."
But Sam's anger only grew, his eyes burning with an intensity that caught Jordan off guard. "Don't you dare lay a finger on them!" Sam shouted, his voice echoing across the battlefield.
The golem paused, a moment of uncertainty flickering in Jordan's eyes. But it was quickly replaced by a mocking grin. "Whoa, scary," he taunted, raising his massive fist once more.
But before Jordan could deliver the final blow, something inside Sam snapped. The rage, the desperation, the determination to protect his friends—all of it converged into a single, overwhelming force. With a roar that seemed to shake the very heavens, Sam pushed himself to his feet, blood still pouring from his wound, and gripped Valkor with renewed strength.
The sword responded to his fury, glowing with an intense, almost blinding light. Sam could feel Valkor's power surging through him, amplifying his strength, his resolve. He knew that this was his last chance—his final stand.