As the monster's massive claw swung toward Calvin and Loris, Kieran stepped out of the shadows, hurling a dead soldier's body with brutal force. The corpse collided with the beast, making it stumble.
"Hey, goat fucker!" Kieran shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Come and get me!"
Calvin turned, his face a mix of shock and relief. "Kieran?"
The monster froze, its attention snapping to the orc. Its lip curled back in a grotesque grin, revealing jagged, yellowed teeth. "An orc... Finally, something worth tearing apart." It took a step toward him, each hoof-like footfall shaking the ground.
Kieran's blade gleamed in the dim light as he pointed it at the beast. "You three need to get out of here now," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Loris shook his head, gripping his sword tightly. "You can't beat that thing on your own, Kieran. It's too strong!"
"I don't care," Kieran snapped. His eyes never left the beast, his focus unbroken. "I'm not here to play it safe. I'm here to kill Ashren."
From behind the monster, Ashren stepped forward, his voice calm but dripping with mockery. "How noble of you, orc. But you'll die here just like the others. My beast will see to that."
"Shut up," Kieran growled without looking at him. "When I'm done with this thing, I'm coming for you next."
"Kieran, listen to me!" Calvin shouted, desperation creeping into his voice. "You don't have to do this alone!"
"I said leave!" Kieran barked. "This isn't about any of you. I've got my own score to settle, and I don't need anyone slowing me down."
Seraphina stepped forward, her expression sharp. "Kieran, don't be an idiot. We can't let Ashren win, and we can't afford to lose you."
"I'm not asking," Kieran shot back, his voice like steel. "Get out of here and find a way to stop him. I'll handle this."
Ashren chuckled, his gaze shifting between them. "A touching little debate, but it changes nothing. My beast hungers, and it will feast on all of you soon enough."
"Not if I cut its head off first," Kieran said, lowering his stance and preparing for the fight.
Calvin hesitated, his knuckles white as he gripped his weapon, but Loris grabbed his arm. "He's not going to back down," Loris said quietly. "We have to trust him."
Seraphina frowned, her hand hovering over her weapon. "This is a mistake," she muttered but stepped back.
"Go," Kieran growled one last time, his voice low and dangerous. "Don't make me repeat myself."
The three finally retreated, leaving Kieran alone with the beast. The creature let out a guttural roar and lunged toward him. Kieran braced himself, a savage grin creeping onto his face.
"Let's see what you've got." The monster's massive claw crashed into Kieran's raised sword, the sheer force propelling him backward into a stone pillar. The impact sent a jolt of pain through his body, and he tasted blood as he coughed, spitting crimson onto the cold floor.
"Damn," Kieran muttered, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "This bastard's strong."
The beast snarled, its eyes gleaming with predatory intent, and charged again, hooves pounding against the stone floor.
Kieran's muscles tensed as he watched the creature's approach. Timing his move, he rolled to the side just as the monster's claws slashed through the space he'd occupied moments before, the air whistling with the force of the missed blow.
Regaining his footing, Kieran tightened his grip on his sword, his eyes locked onto the beast. He knew he had to be strategic; brute strength alone wouldn't win this fight.
The monster turned, its gaze fixed on Kieran, a low growl rumbling from its throat.
Kieran took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Alright," he muttered under his breath, "let's see how you handle this Kieran spun and twirled around, his movements fluid as the beast's massive claws swiped at him. The sword in Kieran's hand slashed across the beast's outstretched limb, leaving a nasty wound that oozed black, viscous blood.
The beast roared in pain, stepping back and clutching its injured hand. "You fucking..." It growled, but then its tone shifted to something almost amused. With a calm voice, it said, "Strong orc. You actually hit me. I'm impressed."
Ashren's frustration boiled over. "What the fuck are you doing? Kill him!"
The beast turned its glowing eyes toward Ashren, ignoring Kieran for a moment. "Do you have any more demons or mages for me to feed on?"
Ashren hesitated, panic flashing across his face. "No, but I—"
Before he could finish, the beast's lips curled into a malevolent grin. "Then you must die," it said coldly.
Ashren's eyes widened in confusion. "W-what?"
With incredible speed, the beast lunged, grabbing Ashren in one massive clawed hand. Its jaws opened unnaturally wide before biting down, tearing half of Ashren's body away in a single, gruesome motion. Blood sprayed in a horrific arc as Ashren's upper body crumpled lifelessly to the ground.
Kieran, leaning on his sword for a brief moment to catch his breath, shouted, "Hey, you bastard! I was supposed to kill him!"
The beast turned its glowing eyes back to Kieran, licking the blood from its fangs. "Be thankful I didn't eat you, orc," it sneered.
Before Kieran could retort, the beast began chanting in a deep, guttural tone, a swirling portal of dark energy forming behind it. "Until we meet again," it growled, stepping through the portal.
The air grew still as the portal closed, leaving only silence and the acrid stench of blood and ash. Kieran spat on the ground, muttering, "Coward," before wiping the blood from his mouth. Outside the castle, the air was tense with anticipation. Every soldier stood in silence, their eyes fixed on the battered gates. Among them were Barrick, his arms crossed over his broad chest, his warhammer resting against the ground; Loris, standing with a quiet intensity, his gaze unwavering; Garven, shifting on his feet with sharp, watchful eyes; and Calvin, his face lined with worry. Seraphina stood at the forefront, her hands clenched tightly at her sides.
The gates creaked open, and Kieran staggered out, his armor dented and smeared with blood and grime. His movements were slow, but his gaze held defiance. A collective cheer erupted from the crowd, a wave of relief and triumph sweeping over them.
Seraphina broke into a run, rushing toward him. "You're alive!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him.
"Ow, ow, ow!" Kieran groaned, wincing. "Watch the back, will ya?"
"You idiot," she muttered, holding onto him tighter.
"Yeah, yeah," he said with a weak grin, but his legs wobbled beneath him. His grin faded as his strength gave out, and he collapsed into Seraphina's arms.
"Kieran!"
Barrick strode forward, his heavy footsteps echoing. "Get him to the healers now," he barked, his deep voice brooking no argument.
Calvin and Loris hurried to help, gently taking Kieran from Seraphina. Garven hovered nearby, his expression somewhere between relief and concern.
As they carried Kieran toward the encampment, Seraphina walked beside him, brushing a strand of hair from his dirt-streaked face. "You're not getting out of this that easily," she murmured, her voice low but steady.
Behind them, Barrick, Loris, Garven, and the others began to regroup