Titan King: Ascension of the Giant

The Cyclops stood tall, its single, massive eye burning with malice as it scanned the ring of enemies closing in. Suddenly, the eye dilated, and a ripple of black energy pulsed outward—its fear ability.

It had no effect. The mindless Plague-thralls were immune.

With rotting flesh sloughing off their bodies and green smoke rising from their skin, they charged.

The Cyclops roared, its spiked club a whirlwind of destruction. It smashed several thralls into pulp, but the horde was relentless. They swarmed it, tearing and biting, until the giant finally crashed to the forest floor, life fading from its malevolent eye.

Once the Cyclops was completely still, the Plague-thralls dispersed, melting back into the trees to continue their search.

A moment later, four figures emerged from the dense woods and approached the scene of the battle.

"Exquisite material," Tangere murmured, kneeling beside the dead Cyclops. He placed a hand on its corpse and drew out the lingering plague essence, his eyes filled with the loving gaze of a connoisseur admiring a masterpiece.

"You're amazing, Tangere!" Aerin said from behind him, looking at the fallen Alpha-level beast with a mix of awe and sorrow. She and Freyla had encountered monsters like this before. Even with a large group of Wood Elf warriors, they had been powerless to stop it. Yet for Tangere, a creature of such power was little more than a toy. The difference in their capabilities was staggering.

"Not amazing," Tangere corrected, absorbing the stolen plague into his own body. "I just happen to be their perfect counter." He unceremoniously stuffed the massive corpse into his storage pouch. The body could be repurposed, another log to fuel the growth of the undead armies.

"My little darlings are sending me a different kind of signal," he said, turning to Aerin. "From the northeast." He pointed into the dense forest. "I think they may have found some of your people."

"Really? How many?" Aerin's face lit up. "Tangere, thank you! You're the best!"

Tangere was unmoved by her gushing praise. "The exact number is unclear. Judging by the disturbance, I'd estimate twenty or thirty."

"That's wonderful! Truly wonderful!" she exclaimed, her voice urgent. "We have to go now, Tangere! Before they move on!"

He nodded and was about to take the lead when a soft, faint light enveloped him. It shimmered for a second, then vanished.

"Hm? What was..." He turned, looking at Aerin in confusion.

"It's a Blessing of the Wilds," she explained. "It will help us move through the undergrowth without being hindered, and it makes it harder to get lost in the forest."

Tangere took a moment to focus, realizing his thoughts did feel sharper, his sense of direction clearer than before.

So, this Wood Elf ally isn't entirely useless after all. With a nod for Aerin to follow, he stepped onto the path trampled by his Plague-thralls and plunged into the deep woods.

.....

In the Emerald Dream Realm, at the Palace of Leonidas, the sun was bright, the sky and sea a perfect, matching blue.

Orion's avatar, guarding the rear lines, was meeting with Makareth, who had just returned to the Dusk Continent, and Isabella, who had come as soon as she heard the news.

"Your energy is unstable," Orion observed, looking at the shirtless Makareth. In the bright sunlight, the fresh, half-healed scars crisscrossing his chest were clearly visible. "Trouble back in your territory?"

"Just a little scrap with some dragons," Makareth boasted. "Came away with some massive upgrades to my power and gear. Got a little ambitious when I got back and decided to take out a local Weeping Banshee. Just a few minor scrapes." He flexed his pecs for emphasis, which earned him an epic eye-roll from Isabella.

Orion tossed them both a flask of wine. "Kraken is at the front. We'll open the Dragon Crucible when he gets back."

That was the reason for their visit. The Dragon Crucible was built, the materials gathered from the last war. It could have been opened ages ago, but with the Deputy Commander, Alexander, and Leonidas all in regenerative slumber, Orion had wanted to wait for his bros. But when Makareth and Isabella pressed him for a date, he consulted with Arthas.

Arthas told him not to wait, explaining that the others didn't need this particular baptism. So Orion had sent word to his three active friends: the Dragon Crucible would open in seven days.

"With no demigods dropping in, I bet Kraken is just tearing that battlefield apart," Makareth mused, lounging on a sun chair and gazing out at the sea.

"Feeling restless?" Isabella shot him a look, a competitive fire in her eyes. "How about another round?"

"Whoa, easy there! You're the strongest, we all know it! Have mercy!" Makareth threw up his hands in surrender. "Can't you see I'm on the injured list? You'd really pick a fight with a guy in recovery?" He deeply regretted going all-out in their first sparring session. Now, every time they met, she demanded a rematch. This relentless pestering from Isabella was enough to make even a Demon like him a little "afraid."

"Hey, O," Makareth said, deftly changing the subject to Orion. "I got something recently. I think you'll be interested."

"What is it?" Orion glanced at him, a flicker of genuine curiosity on his face. He knew Makareth well enough to know he wasn't one to brag about nothing.

"I heard you have two succubus wives?"

Orion's eyes narrowed slightly. He simply nodded, offering no explanation.

"Haha! Then you'll definitely have a use for this." A wicked grin spread across Makareth's face. "Consider it a little gift for one of the ladies."

Two perfectly round, transparent white orbs landed in Orion's palm. He held them up to the sun. He could feel an immense reserve of spiritual energy within them, but nothing else.

"Those are Banshee Crystals," Makareth explained. "You only get them from Weeping Banshees." He paused, his grin widening. "They're the eyes."

"I don't know exactly what they're used for," he continued, "but I know for a fact that certain succubus lords would trade a mountain of slaves for one."

Orion nodded, closing his hand around the crystals. He gave Makareth a look of sincere gratitude.