The southern fields stretched desolate, the charred remains of villages scattered like broken toys. Brelgor the Ravager stood tall in the middle of the destruction, his massive greatsword glinting in the fading sunlight. His armor, dented and singed, told stories of countless battles, each one a testament to his overwhelming strength. Around him, the air buzzed with faint traces of magic, the remnants of his fiery assaults.
As he waited, he planted the greatsword into the cracked earth, leaning against it with a grin that oozed arrogance.
'They sent me a challenger?'
he muttered to himself, spotting the lone figure walking toward him.
'Finally, some entertainment.'
Vala moved steadily, her massive axe strapped across her back. Her black armor gleamed under the orange sky, its sharp edges catching the light. The runes etched into her weapon flickered like a cold fire, and her icy blue eyes locked onto Brelgor with an intensity that could freeze rivers.
Brelgor grinned wider, hefting his sword as he stepped forward.
'Just one warrior?'
he called, his voice a booming taunt.
'They insult me! I'll send you back in pieces to whoever thought this was a good idea.'
Vala didn't respond. She simply unsheathed her axe, the runes flaring to life with a brilliant blue glow. The blade hummed faintly as if eager to taste blood.
'You think silence makes you scarier?'
Brelgor asked, his tone mocking.
'Let me show you how a real warrior speaks — with his sword!'
He charged with surprising speed, his greatsword carving through the air like a hurricane. The sheer force of his swing sent shockwaves rippling through the ground, but Vala sidestepped effortlessly, her movements almost too fast to follow. She swung her axe in a calculated arc, meeting his blade with a resounding clash.
The force of the collision cracked the earth beneath them, sending chunks of dirt and stone flying. Brelgor growled, pressing forward with all his strength, but Vala held her ground, her expression cold and unflinching.
'You call this strength?'
she said, her voice icy.
With a sharp twist, she deflected his sword and countered with a downward strike. Brelgor barely managed to block, his greatsword trembling under the weight of her blow. He stumbled back, his grin faltering for the first time.
'Not bad,'
he said, spitting blood onto the ground.
'But you'll need more than that to bring me down.'
He roared, channeling a surge of fiery magic into his blade. The flames erupted in a wide arc as he swung, turning the battlefield into a blazing inferno. The fire roared toward Vala, but she didn't flinch. Instead, she moved with chilling precision, cutting through the flames as if they were nothing but smoke.
Brelgor's eyes widened.
'Impossible!'
Vala's expression remained cold as she closed the distance between them in an instant. Her axe struck his sword with a force that sent shockwaves through the air, and Brelgor was thrown back, his feet skidding across the cracked earth.
'You rely too much on your power,'
she said, her voice calm but cutting.
'Strength without control is nothing but a tantrum.'
Brelgor growled, his frustration mounting. He slammed his sword into the ground, creating a shockwave that shattered the surrounding rocks. The ground beneath Vala cracked and crumbled, but she leapt into the air, her movements fluid and effortless.
She landed behind him, her axe swinging in a blur. Brelgor barely turned in time to block, but the sheer force of her attack sent him to one knee. His arms trembled under the weight of her blow.
'You think you're better than me?'
he snarled, his voice desperate.
'I've destroyed armies! I've broken legends!'
'And yet here you are,'
Vala said, twisting her axe free and slamming it into his chest with terrifying precision.
'On your knees.'
The blow sent Brelgor flying, his massive frame crashing into the remnants of a stone wall. Dust and debris filled the air as he struggled to rise, blood dripping from his lips. He glared at her, his grip tightening on his sword.
'You're strong,'
he admitted, his voice ragged.
'But you're still mortal. You can't kill me.'
Vala tilted her head, her icy gaze unchanging.
'I don't need to kill you,'
she said, her voice as sharp as her blade.
'I just need to end you.'
With one final burst of speed, she closed the distance between them. Brelgor raised his sword in a desperate attempt to defend himself, but her axe came down in a devastating arc, cleaving through his weapon and striking him down in a single, decisive blow.
As the dust settled, Brelgor lay motionless, his greatsword shattered beside him. Vala stood over his body, her expression calm and unbothered. She wiped the blood from her blade and turned, walking away without a second glance.
***
Kade was pacing in the war chamber, his nerves fraying as he stared at the map. The glowing points representing Brelgor's destruction had stopped moving, but Vala's signal was already heading back toward the castle.
"How is she already done? That fight couldn't have taken more than five minutes. What is she, a human wrecking ball?"
The doors to the chamber creaked open, and Vala strode in, her armor spotless and her axe slung casually over her shoulder. She bowed slightly, her icy gaze meeting Kade's.
'The Ravager is no longer a threat, my lord,'
she said, her voice calm.
'The southern provinces are safe once more.'
Kade stared at her, his mouth slightly open.
'Already?'
he blurted, before catching himself and sitting straighter.
'I mean, excellent work, Vala. I knew you'd handle it efficiently.'
Vala nodded.
'He was strong, but not strong enough. A reckless brute, as expected.'
Kade blinked, his thoughts spinning.
"You took down a guy called the Ravager in one go and you're acting like you just ran an errand. How are you this terrifyingly good at everything?"
'Very good,'
he said, trying to keep his voice steady.
'You've done well, Vala. I… appreciate your service.'
Vala bowed again and left the chamber, leaving Kade alone with his thoughts. He slumped back in his chair, letting out a long breath.
"Okay, note to self. Never, ever get on Vala's bad side. She'll probably end me before I can even apologize."
He glanced at the map, the southern territory now free of danger.
"One crisis down. How many more to go? And can all of them involve me not leaving the castle? Please?"