“Shouldn’t you be resting?” Oz said.

“I’ll rest when Shell is impaled on my sword” Kenan responded. He was shirtless, hair up, fake blade in hand, and magical vambrace turned up to five.

“That was dark.” Oz said while shrugging. “You have time Ken. Like…”

“45 days and 12 hours. Give or take.” Noctis said. Chopping the air with a large downward arc. Around him, swirling, were 6 blumes of fire. All of them switching between high and low intensity, each at a different interval.

“By the gods, Ken. You're trying too much.” The goliath commented. The gray man stood. Then he pushed his brother, Ozzy, who was meditating nearby. Oz’s brother grunted, an annoyed look plastered on his face. The brothers shared a long stare, and Ozzy’s previous aggravation seemingly disappeared.

“What else am I supposed to do? Get lazy?” Kenan responded.

“No, I’m not saying that. I admire your drive. It’s not how hard you're going that's the problem.” Oz then lightly kicked a sleeping Dion. Who merely glanced at the brother and sniffed the air. He understood.

“Then what's the pro…” A smell came to him. Familiar. But it was foggy, as if he was sensing memories from the perspective of another's mind. The hairs on his arm stood, something roused in him. An Instinct, not his own and something animalistic.

He twisted quickly. Brought up his blade. Metal bit metal. Kenan moved his hand to catch the end of his own sword's spine. He was crushed under immense pressure. Just a few short inches from his face was the edge of a double headed ax.

He tried to find the strength to push back. However, with the circumstances, that was going to be hard to do. He dealt with five times his weight thanks to his vambrace. Most of his muscles were already overused as it was and not to mention whoever was handling the ax was much stronger than himself. He didn't let his mind catch up to his instinct. Instead, the shaft of the ax ground on his blade as he shifted to the side. Once he got the leverage, Kenan slipped his entire body from under the large weapon. The weight of the strike continued forward and struck the ground. Dirt was sent flying into the air.

Kenan took multiple steps back. He saw Oz laughing hysterically while lifting his ax to his shoulder. A smiling Ozzy joined him to the side.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"All you have to do is engage in some good 'ol sparing," Oz chuckled.

"Sparring?! That was a deathblow!" Noctis yelled.

"And you're better for surviving it!"

Kenan grunted and mumbled a curse under his breath. He turned off his vambrace completely. Qi and anger rushed in his veins. He pushed off and sped towards Oz. Then went past him. Only dust was left as an after image. Kenan pivoted and launched once more, aiming for the middle of the gray half-giants back. Just as he was about to strike, a floating stone was hurled and hit the tip of his blade. Angling both the sword and his body away. The forward momentum was too much for Kenan to stop, especially with the forced unbalanced status . As he went past Oz, a foot stepped on his own. Noctis tripped and fell, fumbling forward, his mouth tasted dirt.

"Oh no!" Oz yelled sarcastically. "You could've killed me!" The gray brothers laughed.

Noctis got up and wiped the dirt off. The knuckles holding his sword went white. Something large and furry had bumped him on the side. Dion had joined him. A growl escaped Kenan's throat as a wolfish ferocity threatened to bubble out of control. The smell in the air was one of challenges.

A chill turned the anger to a deep hunger. He entered Vatr. "I'm going to kick your ass." Two voices joined him, a third speaking in and out.

The goliaths laughed.

***

Noctis was on the ground. Breathing hard. Caked in a mixture of blood and dirt. Dozens of miniscule cuts covered both him and Dion. The dirus was laying next to his master, head slumped on the ground in total exhaustion. Both of their strengths were completely used, all fibers torn to shreds. Mana and power sapped from the dantian. Kenan’s Qi stores drained.

Pain intertwined with numbness to the point Kenan wasn’t entirely sure he was awake. “Why… did… the gods… make you… so… fucking… strong…” He tried to say in between breaths.

Both the brothers laughed. They each shared some nicks and bruises, but neither worse for wear. “Kavaki didn’t chop off the first mountain and etch us out of stone for nothing.”

Kenan flipped and tried to lift himself up, but failed. Facing a ground of mud. “Lathander… give me Xander’s rejuvenation”

“Whose them?” Oz asked. He was then kicked by his brother. The two commenced in silent talking. “Sorry. Nevermind”

The Goliath put away his great ax and grabbed Kenan. Then maneuvered him into a fireman carry, and Dion was taken by the scruff of his neck. “Where are we going?” Noctis asked, too weak to struggle against the grasp and care he was being carried.

“The forest.” Oz said simply.

“Wait.” Kenan said. “Sword.” The impromptu man-jockey stopped. Took a few steps back, and lowered Noctis. Who grabbed his sword and managed to sheath it with difficulty. “Okay.” The ride continued as the connected were carried off by Oz with the other half-giant close behind.