The forest had become Lucas's home, a place where he could confront his demons and hone his power in isolation. He'd grown stronger in those months, physically and mentally. Each hunt, each training session with William's spectral guidance, brought him closer to mastering the forms that had once consumed him. But there was a restlessness now, an ache to move forward.
He couldn't stay hidden forever. The factions searching for him, the world speculating about him—they would never stop. And deep down, Lucas knew he didn't want them to. He was done running. But before he could return to the world that feared him, there was one final test he had in mind.
The mountains that bordered the forest were vast, imposing, and remote. They were said to be a place where even seasoned heroes rarely ventured—a no-man's land where powerful creatures and forgotten dangers roamed. If he could survive there, he could survive anywhere.
---
Lucas set out early one morning, his only belongings a knife, his clothes, and the knowledge that his quirk would protect him if he needed it. The trek to the mountains was grueling. The terrain grew harsher with each step, the air thinner, the shadows deeper. Wildlife became scarcer, replaced by an eerie silence that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.
"Be cautious," William's voice echoed in his mind as Lucas climbed a particularly steep ridge. "The mountains are dangerous, even for you. There's no telling what you'll find up here. And remember—don't rely on your forms unless absolutely necessary. You don't want to attract the wrong kind of attention."
Lucas nodded to himself, wiping sweat from his brow as he pressed on. He'd learned to trust William's advice, even if it was often veiled in cryptic warnings. The former murderer turned spectral mentor had guided him through countless challenges. This would be no different.
---
After two days of climbing and navigating treacherous cliffs, Lucas reached a plateau nestled between two peaks. The air was cool and still, the sky a brilliant expanse of stars. He'd planned to rest here for the night before continuing his exploration, but as he stepped forward, his foot hit something solid. Something that wasn't rock.
Lucas froze, his heart pounding as he looked down. Beneath him, half-buried in the dirt and moss, was what looked like an enormous hand. The fingers were the size of tree trunks, curled loosely in a way that almost seemed peaceful.
"What the..." Lucas whispered, taking a step back.
The ground trembled slightly as he moved, a low rumble that felt like the earth itself breathing. And then he saw it. The massive form stretched out before him, blending into the mountain landscape. A face partially hidden by dirt and foliage. A chest that rose and fell with each massive breath.
Gigantomachia.
The name was whispered like a legend, a monster said to be loyal only to All For One. Lucas had heard stories, but seeing the behemoth in person was something else entirely. The creature was impossibly large, its presence suffocating even in its dormant state.
"Don't get any closer," William's voice cut through Lucas's awe, sharp and commanding. "That thing... it's more dangerous than anything you've faced before. If it wakes up, there's no fighting it. Not as you are now."
Lucas swallowed hard, his instincts screaming at him to run. But something about the sight of Gigantomachia—this colossus lying in slumber—fascinated him. Was this truly what power looked like? A force so immense that even the earth seemed to bow beneath it?
---
Despite William's warnings, Lucas couldn't resist taking a few cautious steps closer. He moved silently, his heartbeat echoing in his ears. The air grew heavier with each step, the sheer scale of Gigantomachia's presence pressing down on him.
As he neared the creature's face, he felt a strange pull. Was it curiosity? Or something deeper? He didn't know. All he knew was that he wanted to understand this monster.
But before he could get too close, a sharp gust of wind blew past him. Lucas froze, his eyes darting to Gigantomachia's face. The creature's nostrils flared slightly, its lips twitching as if it were on the verge of waking.
"Lucas, stop!" William's voice boomed in his mind, panic lacing his usually calm tone. "If it wakes, it will kill you. Leave. Now."
For once, Lucas didn't argue. He stepped back slowly, his breaths shallow as he tried to make as little noise as possible. But just as he turned to leave, his foot caught on a root, and he stumbled. The sound of his fall echoed like a gunshot in the still air.
Gigantomachia's eyes snapped open.
---
The ground shook violently as Gigantomachia stirred, his massive body shifting like a mountain coming to life. Lucas scrambled to his feet, his heart racing as he watched the creature rise. Trees toppled like matchsticks, rocks tumbled down the cliffs, and the air was filled with a deafening roar that seemed to shake the very fabric of reality.
"RUN!" William screamed, his voice cutting through the chaos.
Lucas didn't need to be told twice. He bolted, his legs burning as he sprinted down the mountain path. Behind him, Gigantomachia's massive form loomed, his movements slow but earth-shattering. Each step the giant took sent shockwaves through the ground, threatening to knock Lucas off his feet.
---
Lucas pushed himself harder than he ever had before, weaving through the trees and leaping over boulders as the behemoth pursued him. He could hear Gigantomachia's guttural growls, feel the heat of his breath even from a distance.
But Lucas wasn't just running blindly. He was calculating, analyzing the terrain as he moved. He knew he couldn't outrun the creature forever, but he could outmaneuver it.
"Left!" William shouted, guiding him toward a narrow crevice in the mountainside. Lucas dove into the gap just as Gigantomachia's massive hand slammed into the ground behind him, missing by inches.
The crevice was too small for the giant to follow. Lucas pressed himself against the rock, his breaths ragged as he listened to the creature's frustrated roars. After what felt like an eternity, the noise faded, and the ground stopped trembling.
---
Lucas emerged from the crevice cautiously, his body trembling with adrenaline. He looked back toward the plateau, where Gigantomachia had returned to his resting place, the earth once again quiet and still.
"That was stupid," William said bluntly, his voice laced with both relief and frustration. "You should have listened to me."
"I know," Lucas muttered, his voice hoarse. "But... I had to see it. I had to know what I'm up against."
William sighed, his spectral form flickering faintly. "You're not ready for something like that, Lucas. Not yet. But one day... maybe one day, you will be."
Lucas nodded, his gaze lingering on the distant form of Gigantomachia. The encounter had shaken him, but it had also lit a fire within him. If he was going to survive in this world, he needed to be stronger. Strong enough to face monsters like that—not just run from them.
And with that thought, he turned and began the long journey back to the forest, ready to continue his training.