I stood there for a moment, allowing my body to relax back a little, then turned and walked back toward where my sword had been thrown aside. The blade lay half-buried in the dirt, still stained, the edge chipped but intact enough for now.
I bent down, pulled it free, and wiped it once against what remained of the orc's cloth before straightening again. My gaze shifted to the axe lying a short distance away and after a brief pause, I stepped over, picked it up, and tested its grip.
"It's heavy but usable."
Holding the sword in one hand and the axe in the other, I turned toward the statue.
I stepped across the stone boundary and moved straight toward the center, stopping just a few feet in front of the hooded figure.
I didn't hesitate.
Shifting my grip on the axe, I drew it back and brought it down in a full, controlled swing. The blade struck the statue with a heavy crack, the impact echoing outward as a fracture spread across the surface.
