SLAM!
The heavy footsteps of the ogres shook the forest floor, sending flocks of birds scattering into the darkening sky. The monsters were relentless, their hunger driving them faster than usual. Trees cracked and fell like twigs under their brutal strength.
CRASH! CRACK! ROARRRRR!
The villagers screamed as another massive tree came hurtling through the air—THUD!—crashing in front of them and blocking their only escape. Panic broke out. They huddled together, back to back, eyes wide with dread.
There was no way out.
None.
The ogres had encircled them like wolves cornering prey. Grins stretched across their twisted faces, eyes gleaming with bloodlust. They growled low and deep—GRRRRRRR—their massive forms casting long shadows in the fading light.
A larger ogre stepped forward, not as towering as their leader, but thick with muscle and dominance. It let out a deep HUFF, the stench of rot drifting from its breath as it stepped closer. The others paused, waiting for it to pick the first kill.
It smirked.
Its eyes scanned the trembling group—until they locked onto a blonde, heavily pregnant woman at the center.
"No... Please, no..." she whispered.
"SARAH!" a man shouted, trying to charge forward, but several villagers held him back.
"Let me go! That's my wife!"
The ogre lunged.
SCREEECH!
It grabbed the woman by the leg, hoisting her into the air like a dangling fruit.
"HUGO!" she cried out, clutching her belly in terror as she was raised toward the ogre's wide, drooling mouth.
The world slowed.
The ogre's jaw opened—
A second from devouring her—
When—
"HEY!"
A voice rang out, slicing through the air like a blade.
"NO EATING WHILE I'M HERE!"
WHOOSH!
SHINGGG!
A blur flew past.
THWACK!
The ogre's eyes widened. A clean slash tore across its thick neck.
THUD!
Its head hit the ground first, rolling a few feet before its body collapsed like a felled tree.
The woman screamed—
—but fell not to the ground, but into strong arms.
WHUMP!
The stranger caught her, landing smoothly as if he'd done this a thousand times before. He steadied her, lowering her to her feet with surprising gentleness. She cradled her belly, stunned, as he looked at her.
She wobbled.
"Sarah!" Hugo broke free and sprinted to them.
He pulled her into his arms, tears brimming in both their eyes.
"You're okay… Thank the stars…"
"T-thank you," Hugo stammered toward the stranger.
The figure nodded, stepping forward. His sword gleamed in the moonlight, stained with dark ogre blood. His eyes locked onto the remaining monsters.
The ogres were enraged.
ROOOOOAR!
Their second-in-command was dead. Their howls echoed through the forest as they grabbed their weapons—axes, clubs, even torn branches—and charged.
STOMP!
STOMP!
STOMP!
The stranger crouched low.
"Get back to the village!" he shouted, muscles coiling like springs.
He leapt—
SWOOSH!
Air whipped around him as he flipped mid-air, his blade slicing downward in an arc of silver.
SHHHRRRRIP!
An ogre's head slid from its neck as the body crumbled.
BOOM!
Dust exploded as it hit the ground.
He glanced back. The villagers still hadn't moved.
"GO NOW!" he barked, blocking an incoming axe with his own blade.
CLANG!
He twisted, parried, then—
SLASH!
The ogre split in half, crumpling to the earth.
The villagers snapped out of their trance and began to run. But one ogre noticed and chased them.
"Oh no you don't."
The stranger hurled his sword like a javelin.
WHOOOSH—THUD!
It pierced the chasing ogre's heart, pinning it to a tree.
Another ogre's weapon clattered toward the escaping villagers.
They froze. It was coming too fast to dodge.
BOOM!
But it didn't hit them.
The weapon was kicked away—flying through the air like a cannonball—
SLASH!
—and cleaved another ogre in two.
The stranger landed gracefully, panting slightly. He marched toward the tree where his sword remained embedded, gripped the hilt with both hands—
SHHHNK!
—and ripped it free.
The villagers didn't look back. Sarah did.
She paused, watching the lone warrior launch himself once more into the horde to protect them. Her eyes filled with tears. She covered her ears and turned away, trembling.
Hugo squeezed her hand. She met his gaze.
Sad.
Grateful.
Alive.
They ran toward the bridge, carefully guiding Sarah's steps.
The bridge was old but sturdy, built of thick logs and stone supports. The warrior hadn't even touched it—he had leapt clear over the chasm.
Now it was their only path home.
"Everyone!"
They looked up.
Mira waved from the village side of the bridge. The village chief stood behind her, eyes filled with joyful tears, supported by Mira's mother.
The villagers cheered, waving back as they crossed.
They were safe.
At the end of the bridge, the chief pulled each of them into a tight embrace. He wept openly, murmuring prayers of thanks.
Sarah and Hugo were the last to cross.
"Sarah!" Mira's mother ran forward, gathering Sarah into her arms.
They sobbed together.
Mira ran to Hugo, who lifted her high into the air.
"You're alive… How…?" she asked, still shocked.
"Big brother saved her!" Mira said, glancing back.
"He healed me too!" Mira added, pointing proudly to her once-broken leg. She turned toward the forest, toward the battlefield.
They followed her gaze, hearts swelling.
BOOM!
The ground rumbled.
FWOOOOOOOSH!
Flames rose high above the treetops, illuminating the night in a haunting red glow.
Sarah gasped.
The fire was where the stranger had been fighting.
"I'm going back," Hugo said firmly, turning around.
"Stop."
The village chief's voice cut through the panic.
"We all want to help, but going back there now… we'd only slow him down."
Silence fell.
He was right.
They could do nothing but stand and watch the inferno rage.
Mira's face twisted with sorrow.
The chief turned, motioning everyone back to the village.
"Let's not waste his efforts," he said.
Hugo helped Sarah walk.
Mira lingered, staring back at the wall of fire.
Tap.
A gentle touch on her shoulder. She turned to see her mother smiling, hand outstretched.
She took it, collapsing into her arms.
"Don't worry," the chief said, his voice resolute as he stared at the flames.
"He's strong."