A Large Threat

Trees were smashed to the ground in a line that was steadily approaching the party. As it got closer, a figure hovered over the trees, eying the hero and his friends.

“It’s an ogre…” Calum watched the monster cut down the final trees that separated it from them.

The ogre, now directly in front of the party, swung its axe over its shoulder and grinned at the puny people below. The majority of its body was covered with thick armor.

Their loss against the ogre Kia rescued them from played in his mind. He took a deep breath to calm himself. With Kia and their new equipment, the ogre should be much easier to deal with.

“Kia, you go right. Erik, charge straight at it and keep its attention on you. I’ll go left. Tilaya will back us up from afar.”

Everyone nodded and took their respective positions. After Erik charged the giant, Calum and Kia rushed into the fray.

The ogre’s attention was on Erik. It swung its axe down on top of him, but he managed to jump out of the way before it landed. He hit the ogre’s stomach with a barrage of attacks. His sword damaged the ogre’s armor but didn't cut through.

Kia and Calum flanked the ogre, looking for weak points. A thin layer of skin showed between each piece of armor. In unison, the two jumped and pierced the skin with their weapons.

The enemy roared and stumbled back. It steadied itself and lifted its axe. To everyone’s surprise, it spun around in a circle, swinging its weapon.

Tilaya called to the others. “Get back!”

Calum, Kia, and Erik ran away from the ogre, hiding under some trees.

Tree tops were cut down around the ogre. It slowly made its way forward until it grew dizzy and stopped moving.

While it recovered, the three ran into battle. Calum’s sword began to glow, and he jumped. With one slice, he cut the ogre’s arm off. Its weapon crashed to the earth. The creature howled in pain and picked up the axe with its remaining arm.

Erik stabbed its exposed ankle, trying to immobilize it. He pulled his greatsword out of the ogre and took a step back.

Kia hopped onto its back and sliced its throat with her daggers repeatedly.

The ogre dropped its axe and grabbed Kia, throwing her onto the ground.

Calum sliced off a foot, sending the ogre to its knees. “This is much easier than last time!”

“Everyone, move back!”

At Tilaya’s request, Calum and Erik found cover underneath a tree. Kia rolled away until she was a safe distance away from the ogre.

The ground split beneath the enemy, dropping it completely under. Tilaya shoved the bottom of her staff into the ground, causing the earth to close up, crushing the ogre.

Calum, Erik, and Kia met Tilaya in front of the ground that had closed around the ogre.

“Good work, team!” By now, the sun was starting to set. Calum glanced at the sky. “We should keep going, in case other monsters were alerted by the battle. We’ll set up camp for the night when we’re out of this area.”

Kia nodded. “We should double the night watch as well, just in case. There are enemies everywhere in the southern region.”

Tilaya looked around. “I believe the best way to go from here is southeast.” She pointed deeper into the woods. “That direction.”

Erik stepped next to Tilaya, scanning the trees for danger. “Then lead the way.”

Tilaya led the party silently through the forest, watching for any signs of enemies lurking in the shadows.