Chapter 148: Shattering

The Earth Giant King loomed before the immense golden wall, his towering form casting a colossal shadow across the ravaged land. His presence alone was an overwhelming force, an embodiment of ancient power and wrath.

The golden wall, an ethereal construct shimmering with radiant light, stretched endlessly across the horizon, its surface imbued with the essence of the Sacred Treasure. Golden pillars floated seamlessly within it, anchoring the wall to the fabric of reality itself, each glowing with an ancient energy that resonated through the land.

The Giant King’s eyes, like molten gold, flared with a deep disturbance as he observed the barrier.

A guttural roar erupted from his vast maw, a sound so profound it seemed to echo from the depths of the earth. The roar carried with it a crushing pressure, a wave of force that swept across the landscape, sending trees toppling and rocks splintering.

High above, the three Bask Magians—Verdant, Duskfang, and Stone—hovered tensely, their faces pale. Even from their elevated vantage, they could not escape the overwhelming power of the beast’s cry.

The air around them trembled as they struggled to maintain their composure, blood trickling from their noses under the strain.

The land itself seemed to respond to the Giant King’s fury. Fissures snaked across the earth, spreading east and west, as if the very land sought to flee from the titanic being. The cracks deepened, widening into jagged ravines that stretched far into the horizon.

With a bellow of raw rage, the Giant King swung his massive fist towards the golden barrier. The punch landed with a cataclysmic impact, a sound like a mountain collapsing. The force reverberated through the air, causing the ground to quake violently.

The ravines, already yawning wide, began to split further apart, their depths filling with dark waters from hidden subterranean sources and from the sea on the far sides of Bask, showing how far and how quickly the destruction had traveled. The golden wall, however, held firm, absorbing the tremendous blow with an unyielding brilliance.

Undeterred, the Giant King reared back and struck again. His second punch was even more ferocious, sending shockwaves rippling outward, causing mirages to appear in the air around it.

The very sky seemed to darken momentarily as the force of the blow rippled through the heavens. The barrier wavered under the onslaught, its luminescent surface flickering for an instant before regaining its brilliance.

Each successive punch brought with it greater devastation. The land continued to crack and crumble, vast sections of earth breaking away and collapsing into the ever-expanding ravines. The horizon seemed to fracture, the world teetering on the brink of cataclysm.

Despite the growing destruction, the golden wall stood resolute, its surface unmarred, the Sacred Treasure’s power unyielding.

Although there was an overwhelming strength, there was something fundamentally unsettling about the creature.

Its movements, though powerful, lacked the precision and strategy of a true sovereign. Its massive frame swung and pounded without thought or calculation, betraying a distinct lack of intelligence.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

To the three Magians observing from the skies, it became increasingly clear—this was no longer the true Earth Giant King, but rather an ancient corpse, defiled and reanimated through unnatural, vile means.

The creature’s aura confirmed their suspicions. It exuded not the majesty of a once-revered monarch but the stench of decay and death, an oppressive presence that weighed heavily on the land. This was a mockery of the being it had once been, a puppet controlled by forces long forgotten yet undeniably sinister.

The original Earth Giant King, as recorded in ancient texts and whispered legends, carried an aura that resonated with the dignity and power of true royalty. When it walked, the very earth bowed before its will, its presence commanding reverence and respect even in its destruction.

This realization sparked a faint glimmer of hope among the three Magians. While the creature possessed the raw power of a Stage 2 Magian—an overwhelming force they could hardly contend with—it lacked the cunning and strategy that made such beings truly invincible. It was a hollow shell, a shadow of its former self, its eternal slumber disturbed, and its legacy desecrated.

Yet, hope was a fragile thing. The Magians knew all too well that power alone could crush even the most optimistic of predictions. The giant’s relentless assault on the barrier was a stark reminder of its destructive potential. Each strike chipped away at their confidence, and they understood that even a mindless force of this magnitude could still spell doom for Bask.

They exchanged grim glances, their optimism tempered by the reality of the situation. They were witnessing not just the strength of the reanimated king, but also the consequences of meddling with forces beyond comprehension—a chilling glimpse of the price of defiling the ancient past.

From their vantage point, they hovered in tense silence, their eyes locked onto the titanic figure of the Earth Giant King. The sight before them filled their hearts with a grim realization—if the golden wall continued to withstand the relentless onslaught, it was only a matter of time before the Giant King’s attention shifted towards them.

When that moment came, they would be hopelessly exposed, vulnerable to the wrath of a creature far beyond their combined might.

Verdant’s voice broke the uneasy silence, his tone laced with urgency. "If the wall holds, it won't be long before he turns his gaze upon us. We need every advantage we can muster."

Duskfang’s gaze was sharp, his expression grim. "Do we have any updates from the Apostles? Any intel, anything at all that could help us?"

Stone shook his head, his face pale. "No, nothing. We’ll send another notice, but it’s unlikely they’ll have anything useful in time."

The weight of their predicament pressed heavily upon them. The Giant King’s sheer presence distorted the air, a constant reminder of the imminent threat. The Magians exchanged glances, each understanding the gravity of the situation. Stone’s eyes hardened as he voiced the thought that had been lingering in all their minds.

"If it comes to the worst," Stone began, his voice steady but filled with resolve, "we'll need to unleash the full power of our spiritual weapons. One massive, concentrated attack might be enough to damage him, or at least slow him down."

Verdant nodded, though his expression was troubled. "It’s a risky move. Our spiritual weapons are potent, but they drain us significantly. If we fail..."

"We won’t have another chance," Duskfang finished, his voice a low growl. "But what choice do we have? This... thing, it's not the true Giant King. It’s some husk, a puppet animated by ancient, malevolent forces. The same powers that once fought humanity in ages past."

Stone clenched his fists, his determination unwavering. "That could work in our favor. If it’s just a husk, it might lack the intelligence and strategic thinking of the original. We can exploit that. But make no mistake, even a mindless puppet of the Giant King is a force of nature. We’ll need to be precise, coordinated."

Verdant’s gaze shifted back to the colossal figure, his thoughts racing. "We need to prepare ourselves for the worst. If we can cripple it, even for a moment, it might give us the opening we need to regroup or retreat."

The Magians fell into a heavy silence, the weight of their decision pressing upon them. They knew that their lives—and the fate of Bask—hung by a thread. The only certainty was that they couldn’t afford to falter.

The ground beneath the Giant King continued to tremble with each step, the earth itself seeming to cry out in protest.