INTO THE LION’S DEN

Isaac felt the shift the moment he crossed into the valley.

The trees thinned out, giving way to rocky cliffs and uneven ground. The valley walls stretched high on three sides, their jagged surfaces too steep to climb in a hurry. The only way in or out was the narrow entrance he had just passed through which was now filled with Iron Hounds.

They had driven him exactly where they wanted.

A dead-end.

Isaac slowed, coming to a calm stop near the valley’s center. The wind whispered through the space, carrying the distant cries of birds overhead. No monsters, no players.

Just him.

And his hunters.

The Iron Hounds filed in after him, fanning out in a half-circle, their armor glinting under the afternoon sun.

Isaac rolled his shoulders, stretching. His masked face remained unreadable but deep down, he was smiling.

They thought they had him.

They thought this was his end.

Which was why this was going to be so much fun.

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THE HUNTERS' TRIUMPH

Garrus Ironjaw was the last to enter the valley.

He walked in slowly. With his great axe resting on one shoulder, his expression filled with the satisfaction of a man who had just won.

“Finally.” he exhaled, shaking his head. “You have no idea how much of a pain in the ass you’ve been.”

Isaac said nothing.

The Iron Hounds were relaxed now. Some had their weapons lowered, while others simply watched him carefully.

They weren’t worried anymore.

They thought he was cornered.

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Lena leaned on her spear, smirking. “Not so fast now, are you?”

Drake chuckled, wiping sweat from his brow. “I’ll admit. You gave us a run for our money. But this? This is checkmate, Relay.”

Isaac finally spoke, tilting his head.

“Is it?”

Garrus narrowed his eyes. “You tell me.”

He lifted a hand.

Immediately, the rest of the Iron Hounds stepped forward, weapons drawn.

Isaac didn’t move.

Didn’t tense.

Didn’t panic.

He just stood there.

Watching.

Waiting.

Then, finally.

He exhaled.

And he ran.

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THE IMPOSSIBLE ESCAPE

The moment Isaac moved, the Iron Hounds reacted.

“CUT HIM OFF!” Garrus roared.

But he was already gone.

A blur of motion, faster than any of them expected.

He didn’t run for the entrance.

He didn’t try to climb the walls.

Instead..

He ran straight at the closest Iron Hounds.

Lena’s eyes widened as he came at her full speed. “Wait—!”

Too late.

Isaac dropped low, sliding between her and another player, using his momentum to roll back to his feet.

Two seconds.

He was already past the first line of defense.

The others lunged, but Isaac didn’t stop moving. He sidestepped, twisted, pivoted through gaps too small for a normal person to react to.

The valley wasn’t a trap.

It was a playground.

And he was the only one who knew the rules.

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THE IRON HOUNDS’ SHOCK

Garrus could hardly believe his eyes.

They had him boxed in. They had the numbers, the weapons, the plan.

And yet—

Isaac was slipping through them like water.

They weren’t fighting a man.

They were fighting motion itself.

Lena cursed, swinging her spear only for it to hit nothing but air.

Drake lunged but Isaac was already gone.

A rogue attempted to intercept but Isaac twisted past him with ease.

Within seconds, he had cleared half the valley.

And Garrus realized something chilling.

They weren’t trapping him.

He was testing them.

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THE REALIZATION

Isaac finally stopped. Just before reaching the farthest edge of the valley.

The Iron Hounds regrouped, panting, glaring, confused and frustrated.

Isaac tilted his head, as if evaluating them.

Then he spoke.

“You stuck to your plan.”

Garrus frowned. “What?”

“You didn’t hesitate. You didn’t break formation.” Isaac lifted a gloved hand, gesturing at them. “Most people would have panicked by now. But you? You were disciplined. You actually worked together.”

He gave a slow, mocking nod.

“That’s rare.”

Garrus gritted his teeth. “Are you complimenting us?”

Isaac chuckled softly. “No. I’m deciding if I should take you seriously.”

Silence.

Then...

Lena muttered, “This guy’s insane.”

Isaac exhaled, rolling his shoulders.

“Well.” he said simply.

“I’ve had my fun. Let’s wrap this up.”

And with that.

He ran again.