Emperor's Reckoning

1127  Now Tell The Tales Better

Grond, displeased and eager to assert dominance, swung his mighty axe, splitting the ground into two and strategically separating the trio of women. The initial target of his colossal weapon was Selena, who held Scarlett protectively in her hand. With a swift and precise movement, Selena parried the unexpected attack, her blade clashing against the giant's imposing axe.

Selena, unfazed and resolute, met Grond's intense gaze. "Your moves are predictable," she remarked, her voice calm and composed, betraying no signs of fear.

Grond, growing more irritated, swung his massive axe with all his might, aiming to overwhelm Selena with sheer force. However, Selena's agility proved to be her greatest asset. With nimble and graceful movements, she effortlessly avoided each powerful strike, dancing around Grond's attacks like a leaf caught in the wind.

Frustration etched across Grond's face as he struggled to land a single blow. Selena, still composed, taunted, "Is this the best you can do, giant? Perhaps your size is more of a disadvantage." Her words fueled Grond's anger, intensifying his determination to land a successful strike.

As Grond's massive axe descended, aimed at cleaving Selena in two, she calmly pointed her sword downward, creating an illusion of vulnerability. Grond, believing he had finally caught her off guard, swung the axe with excitement. To his shock, the blade went through Selena's form as if she were made of mist.

Grond's eyes widened in realization, "Afterimage?!" The triumphant grin he wore moments ago turned into a scowl of frustration. Selena, now standing unharmed a short distance away, calmly sheathed her sword, her eyes revealing a glint of amusement. "Predictable," she remarked, further fueling Grond's irritation.

Grond, infuriated by Selena's evasive tactics, clenched his grip on the axe handle. However, instead of victory, he was met with a burst of blood from his own arm. He furrowed his brows in confusion, scanning his limbs and noticing small slits surrounding his arms.

"Tricks?" Grond muttered, his irritation reaching new heights. Selena's voice cut through the tension, "Not tricks, just a touch of finesse." The subtle smile on her face spoke volumes about her satisfaction with the unfolding events.

Grond's roar echoed through the surroundings, but before he could retaliate, Karina had already maneuvered behind him. A relentless flurry of palm strikes targeted his back, each blow threatening to rupture his meridians. In a desperate attempt to counter, Grond swung back, but Karina's agility proved too elusive. Frustration gripped him as his wild swing found only empty air.

As Grond was momentarily dejected, his eyes widened with a twitch as a thin javelin hurtled toward his pupils. In a swift reflex, he moved his neck just enough to dodge the imminent danger. He furrowed his brows, surveying the scene from afar. Cecile stood confidently, chin up, and a smirk gracing her face.

"Well, well, aren't we having fun?" Cecile taunted, her voice dripping with amusement as she twirled another javelin in her hand.

Grond's mighty leap came to an abrupt halt as a cold, threatening voice permeated the air, laden with deadly intent. "Void Art: ... Cleave."

In an instant, a powerful slash manifested before him, aimed with precision and lethal intent. Grond's ears twitched in response, and with remarkable agility, he pivoted to face the impending danger. The woman's voice lingered in the air as he parried the deadly slash with his giant axe, the collision resonating with a thunderous clash.

"Your tricks won't save you," Grond growled, eyes narrowing as he assessed the source of the attack 10:30

but before he could pinpoint the source of the attack, a flurry of rapid strikes assailed him from "Your tricks won't save you," Grond growled, eyes narrowing as he assessed the source of the attack but before he could pinpoint the source of the attack, a flurry of rapid strikes assailed him from behind. Each strike left a trail of blood as his massive form groaned under the onslaught. Whirling around in fury, Grond was met with Selena, her sword now adorned with his blood, the crimson liquid dripping off the blade's edge. With a calculated swing, she cast the blood aside.

Selena's voice cut through the tension, cold and resolute, "Your strength is nothing to be noted off."

Grond, enraged by the relentless assault, infused his giant axe with a surge of power. The massive weapon gleamed ominously as he swung it in a wide, horizontal arc, "Giant Art: Explosive Wave!". The thin, destructive wave surged forward, aimed at Cecile, Karina, and Selena, threatening to engulf them in its explosive force.

Grond's powerful leap carried him above the oncoming wave, a display of his agility despite his massive size. His laughter echoed inwardly as he calculated the tactical advantage he gained. "Eliminate the distant threat first," he murmured to himself, his eyes narrowing with a predatory gleam.

Meanwhile, Cecile, standing her ground, focused on the impending wave of destruction. "Hold your ground!" she commanded, her voice unwavering. The air hummed with tension as the colossal force approached, and her eyes scanned the battlefield for the perfect moment to counter.

Karina, beside Cecile, wore a confident smirk. "Let's see if this giant can match our prowess," she remarked, her muscles tense and ready for the imminent clash. The thrill of battle sparkled in her eyes, and she prepared to unleash her skills against the colossal adversary.

At the same time, Selena maintained her composure, gripping Scarlett tightly. "Prepare for impact," she calmly stated, her focus unwavering. Her sword gleamed with a faint aura as she readied herself to deflect the oncoming assault. The trio stood firm, facing the giant's challenge with a united front.

Grond's mighty axe descended with thunderous force, aimed directly at Cecile. "The giant is not famed for their speed, but their MIGHT!" he proclaimed proudly, believing his overwhelming strength would crush any opposition. However, in that crucial moment, Cecile's expression shifted into a confident grin. "I got you now."

As Grond's axe reached its zenith, an unexpected resistance halted its descent. The air crackled with tension as the colossal force met an unseen obstacle. Cecile stood her ground, the defiance in her eyes unwavering. At the same time, Selena swiftly and decisively countered Grond's Giant Art with her Void Art: Cleave, disrupting his planned assault.

Grond's eyes widened in astonishment, realizing the source of the unexpected interference. Thick roots, remnants of Lyon's earlier protection, emerged to shield Cecile. The powerful clash of forces created a spectacle, as the giant's overwhelming strength collided with the combined prowess of Cecile and Selena.

The battlefield echoed with the clash of elements, and Cecile's triumphant smirk hinted at the strategic mastery behind her counterattack. The unexpected alliance of Roots and Void Art showcased a unity of powers that caught Grond off guard. The trio's coordinated defense stood as a testament to their resilience in the face of the giant's assault.

The giant's roar of frustration echoed through the battleground. "THIS DAMN ROOTS AGAIN!" Grond bellowed in exasperation, realizing the persistent interference of the roots. Cecile, seizing the opportunity, swiftly snapped her fingers, a gesture that seemed inconspicuous yet held immense power.

In response to Cecile's command, the roots, once Lyon's protective shield, yielded to her will. What ensued was a relentless assault, a barrage of whiplashes unleashed upon the giant. The roots, animated by Cecile's mastery over them, struck Grond with calculated precision. The giant, overwhelmed by the sudden onslaught, became akin to a ragdoll, tossed and toyed with by the relentless power of the roots.

As each whiplash connected, the air resonated with the cracking sound of the strikes. Grond, despite his formidable stature, found himself entangled in an intricate dance with the very roots he scorned. Cecile's control over the natural elements displayed a finesse that belied the chaos of battle, turning the once overbearing giant into a mere pawn in the hands of strategic manipulation.

The scene unfolded with a poetic yet brutal rhythm, as Cecile orchestrated the onslaught, and Grond, ensnared by the roots, struggled in vain against the precision and finesse of her control.

Karina, initially prepared for her turn in the battle, found herself slackening her stance as she witnessed Cecile's brutal management of the uprising giant. Even Selena, accustomed to the prowess of her comrades, couldn't help but be shocked by the extent of Cecile's control over the roots.

The roots belted Grond relentlessly, leaving his once formidable frame battered and bruised. His eyes, beyond blue, now held an expression of shock and defeat. Cecile, her demeanor unwavering, addressed the subdued giant, "Now tell the tales better." With a simple flick of her finger, Grond was launched backward, his form piercing through the rocks with a resounding impact.

Meanwhile, in the bustling tavern, conversations buzzed about Lyon's emergence from the Enigma Falls. Speculations and rumors filled the air, and the patrons exchanged excited whispers. Suddenly, attention shifted as a massive figure crashed through the roof – it was Grond.

The lively chatter within the tavern hushed to a stunned silence as Grond, the towering giant, crashed through the roof. Patrons froze mid-sentence, their eyes widening with disbelief as they recognized the formidable figure. The clattering of mugs and utensils ceased, and the air itself seemed to hold its breath in anticipation.

The bartender, wiping a mug with a cloth, stopped abruptly, his eyes locked onto the unexpected intruder. The cloth slipped from his grasp, forgotten, as his jaw slackened in astonishment. The other patrons mirrored his reaction, their expressions ranging from disbelief to awe. Whispers of confusion and awe circulated through the room, creating an atmosphere charged with surprise.

"It must be his doing!" they soon speculated that the Emperor must have defeated the formidable giant. The tavern's atmosphere became charged with anticipation and excitement as the news of the encounter spread, turning the place into a hub of speculation and excitement.

Enjoy!

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