The Sandy Haven braced itself. Something monumental was coming.
Orimo stood up, laughing like a child. "I was defeated… what the hell just happened to me?"
Then he laughed harder, pure joy erupting from him. "But I'm having fun!"
DUM DUM DUM DUM… TIK TIK – TIK TIK
DUM DUM DUM DUM… TIK TIK – TIK TIK
The rhythm pulsed through the air, louder, heavier, shaking the ground.
Shhh…
The rhythm continued, thundering across the sandy plains.
DUM DUM DUM DUM… TIK TIK – TIK TIK
DUM… DUM DUM… TIK… TIK TIK
Then—SH!!! SH!!!
Orimo slammed his leg into the ground, laughing like a child. The earth cracked outward in jagged lines from the impact. He screamed, "ASHHRYNNNNN!"
Sweat dripped down Ashyrn's face. He backed instinctively. Amelia's eyes shone with hope. "He's here—Orimo Kuzan."
Orimo leaped, landing directly in front of Ashyrn. The ground trembled beneath his feet. "The battle isn't over."
Ashyrn gritted his teeth, jaw tight. "Darn you… Orimo Kuzan…"
Dum… Dum Dum… Shh!!… Shh-shh… Tik… Tik-tik…
Dum… Dum dum… Sh!… Shh-shhhh… Tik… Tik-tik… Tik… tik
Thunder ripped through the sky, wild and jagged. The men chaining Amelia scattered in fear. She gazed at Orimo, hope blazing in her eyes, while he laughed, pure and unrestrained.
Ashyrn's frustration boiled over. "Does this sound like a joke to you…?" His voice deep, dangerous, resonating with fury.