The world spun as Renny crashed through brush and roots. He lay there, gasping, the echo of that growl rattling in his chest.
"Great," he wheezed, rubbing the dirt off his face. "Hell's been one long rollercoaster of confusion. How was I supposed to know the beast would be a damn carpenter? If demons can look human enough, I guess beasts can too."
He sat up, groaning, and rubbed the back of his head. "Strong as hell… didn't even break a sweat tossing me. How the hell am I supposed to get that key off his neck?"
Still, his eyes caught the faint gleam swinging at the man's chest. The key.
"Visible's good," he muttered. "Means snatching and fleeing ain't impossible… just sounds easier said than done."
He unbuckled his bag, laid it on the ground, and pulled out his sword. He'd carve the necklace clean if it came to that. In his other hand, he cocked the pistol, exhaling slow.
When he returned, Druvash was still cutting wood, calm as stone, as if nothing had happened.
Renny crept closer, speaking lightly. "Caught me off guard there, beast. You could've just said you had the key, you know, no need for violence. We could've talked it out."
For the first time, Druvash spoke. His voice was heavy, like the grind of stone.
"Begin not from here, O demon. I desire not to strip thee of thy fleeting existence."
Renny froze, swallowing hard. His knuckles tightened around his weapons. Still, he forced a crooked smile and kept walking.
"Yeah, no need to go that far. I don't wanna die either. I've got a contract to finish, that's all. I just need that key for a while, then I'll bring it back. You won't even miss it."
Druvash turned his head at last, eyes burning with the old glow. His words rolled out measured,
"My charge is to bear the key, not to grant it nor to withhold it. Knowest thou this, demon: the key is won by none save he that subdueth me. Thy strength is but dust, thy reach but shadow. The hand that gave me this trust alone is worthy to take it from me, not thou, weakling."
"Speaking biblically in Hell? That's a new one," Renny muttered, shaking his head. He raised his voice this time: "Alright… if I gotta prove myself, then so be it." With that, he steadied his stance, weapons in hand, readying himself for battle.
But deep down he knew, there was no chance he'd win through brute strength. The goal for him wasn't to subdue Druvash. The goal was the key.
He had already come up with a plan to achieve his goal. Funny enough, it relied on a tool he had picked up on a whim, something bought without thought, never expecting it would see use. Yet, here in this cursed clearing, it might be his one stroke of luck. But for the plan to work, he needed to get close to Druvash.
With that in mind, he raised his pistol and fired three quick shots.
The beast didn't flinch. In one fluid motion, it lifted the chunk of wood it had just split and swung it like a shield. The bullets struck, splintering against the timber, then ricocheted harmlessly into the clearing.
Before Renny could blink, Druvash was there. The massive figure appeared before him in a rush of air, wood still in hand. With terrifying strength, the beast swung the log in a wide arc.
Renny barely brought his blade up in time. Steel met wood with a sharp clang, but the force behind it was overwhelming. The blow sent him flying backward, crashing through underbrush and slamming against the roots of a tree deep in the forest.
He dragged himself up, chest heaving, breath ragged. "Seventy-eight overall against a beast like this…" he spat dirt from his mouth, shaking his head. "That's the worst kind of fate a demon can be cursed with. If I pull this off, it'll be nothing short of a divine miracle."
Druvash stepped into view, unhurried, towering, the great block of wood still gripped easily in his hand.
"Did I not warn thee, demon?" His eyes burned brighter, like smoldering coals. "Yet thou hast chosen this path, and I shall be thy guide unto its end. Arise now, and contend, for the battle before thee shall be thy reckoning."
Renny groaned, forcing himself upright. His movements were sluggish, but his will burned steady. He dusted off his body, slid his pistol back to his side, and tightened his grip on the blade. He exhaled sharply, planting his feet in the dirt.
Then, without hesitation, he charged, and Druvash did the same.