Chapter 14: Things Go Wrong
"RRRRRAAAAAARRRRRRRR"
The Troll King bellowed, swinging his massive arms with raw fury, tearing the iron bowl apart. The flame rose, swelling with newfound ferocity as the shattered wood fueling it burst apart in fiery explosions.
Crimson embers scattered through the air like falling stars as the raging flames burned the giant, its rich green health bar visibly turning lighter by the moment.
But the show did not last long. After just a dozen seconds, the iron bowl containing the giant was torn open, the firewood was thrown all over the chamber, and the troll king was free to vent his fury.
The troll king, blinded with fury, rushed forth, swinging his clawed hand to catch Vlad, who ducked and moved aside.
Kragg, waiting for the perfect moment as he was commanded, descended from above and landed behind the troll king before making a wide swing with his great sword.
The serrated blade, cloaked in crimson, dug into the troll king’s flesh, tearing through muscle and sinew with a sickening rip.
The beast, who had his eyes set on Vlad, turned with a suppressed growl, throwing a backhand swing. His claws, cloaked in shadowy energy, tore through the air, barely missing Kragg, who duked and rolled away.
Vlad saw his chance slip in and pressed his hand onto the troll. His senses were pushed to the limit, as a direct hit could cost him his life.
Kragg returned to his feet and began to swing, meeting the giant blow from blow. It took fifteen seconds before all of the stored essence was used, and the mark was successfully placed.
Vlad could not help but click his tongue when he saw the 216-second timer, but besides the slightly higher activation time than he expected, everything was going perfectly.