The Eastern mountains of Teih loomed majestically, their rugged peaks standing as a formidable barrier akin to the vast Eastern plains that stretched below, under the dominion of the Brayskorn Clan's Equinix.
These lands remained unconquered, a testament to the fierce power wielded by the Jagged Fangs of Teih.
Even the mightiest warriors of the Five Empires, who clashed a thousand years ago, could not trample this unforgiving terrain. Neither the greediest slavers nor the wealthiest admirals throughout the centuries could bend all of Teih to their will.
The Jagged Fangs of Teih perpetually engaged in tribal wars and hostilities, their existence defined by conflict.
However, when a threat from beyond their lands loomed, endangering their very survival, these savage warriors would set aside their differences and unite with a single purpose—to crush their Marialian foes.
Sir Lysander and Ravka also trailed behind Dante. Though, now they were confident that the Equinix meant no harm to the 3 year old boy that showed no fear.
Among the Equinix who trailed behind Dante was one known as Rigathon.
The East Jagged Porters and Teih Rangers bestowed this name upon him, deviating from the Jagged Beastmen's tradition of eschewing personal names.
Spoken in Faireenic, their native tongue, personal names held no significance to these warriors.
They thrived under the principles of Might and Strength, resolving their problems through face-to-face battles, rather than relying on stories or legends.
Their own glory and strength were the only legends that truly mattered to them, alongside the ability to mate with the strongest members of their clans and tribes.
However, Rigathon was an exception, given a name by the East Porters.
This distinction stemmed from the occasional encounters with the aftermath of battles, where corpses of mercenaries and slavers were found strewn across the land.
The remnants of horror left behind could only be attributed to one Jagged Beastman—Rigathon, the colossal figure standing on two hoofed legs, towering at a height of 12 feet. Rumor had it that he was the sole male in the Brayskorn Clan granted permission to mate with the females.
Dante continued walking, occasionally succumbing to fatigue.
Each time he fainted, Rigathon allowed Sir Lysander and Ravka to tend to the young boy and provide nourishment.
While other Jagged Beastmen, drawn by the scent of Marialians, occasionally approached, Rigathon's imposing presence made them wary and kept their numbers at bay.
It went on for weeks and days, and Dante's body was left with scars, and his clothes almost torn to pieces, but kept being sown back by Ravka.
Finally, his relentless trek came to an end as he stood atop a cliff, thousands of feet above the ground.
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The descent before him was treacherous, guaranteeing certain death to anyone who attempted it.
Dante's mind halted, taking in the breathtaking view that lay before him. He then turned his gaze to his surroundings, spending hours analyzing every detail.
The stillness of the moment captivated Sir Lysander and Ravka, who watched Dante intently, observing his first-ever shift in focus.
Dante was almost half-naked due to his torn clothes, and all he had left was his bag, that was already empty after holes had been torn from it from the branches. And his sword, surprisingly no longer had rust. After weeks of it being swept and gilded on the sand, rocks, and ground, most of the rust had gone, and a majestic glimmer peeked from the sword in his loose grip.
Dante who was on the edge of the cliff then turned to Rigathon who was standing collossally awaiting for a response from the little boy. The muscle in Dante's eyes twitched, and Rigathon unleashed a roar that reverberated through the heavens, releasing all his pent-up rage.
Charging forward, the giant horse-man swung his enormous furry limbs, attempting to crush Dante. However, the boy evaded the attack with agility, swiftly maneuvering towards Rigathon's feet.
Sensing Dante's move, Rigathon stomped his hooves, aiming to crush the boy beneath him.
Undeterred, Dante raised his hand, and a burst of blinding light erupted, aimed directly at Rigathon's face.
[Healing Light Granted]
The text appeared on Dante's screen.
The Equinix, temporarily blinded, roared in fury as he fought with closed eyes, relying solely on his highly sensitive sense of smell to detect Dante's presence.
With one hand swinging his sword, striking at Rigathon's right leg but failed to penetrate his thick fur. Dante extended his other palm, unleashing another burst of energy.
[Banishment Granted]
As Dante's powers manifested, the spirits and particles of air surrounding him vanished, making it impossible for Rigathon to see or smell his opponent.
Seizing the opportunity, Dante swiftly discarded his torn clothes, throwing them into the sky.
Rigathon sensing the smells from the clothes crushed his target with both hands, creating a wave of force.
But his senses deceived, as his powerful strike connected with nothing more than empty fabric suspended in mid-air.
Dante retreated from Rigathon, drawing closer to where Sir Lysander and Ravka stood, their amazement leaving them rooted in place, unable to intervene.
Roaring and summoning his inner strength, Rigathon opened his eyes, despite the searing pain caused by the blinding light.
Dante, standing resolute and commanding, met the Equinix's gaze, silently urging him to stand down. But Rigathon's pride as a Jagged Equinix would not allow him to yield.
Undeterred by Rigathon's defiance, Dante extended both arms, clasping his hands in prayer as he closed his eyes.
[Holy Smite Granted]
BAM! A powerful lightning bolt descended from the cloudless heavens, striking Rigathon with an electrifying force.
[Holy Smite Granted]
BAM! Another lightning bolt struck Rigathon, propelling him backward. Stunned and paralyzed, the Equinix had no chance to recover as Dante continued his relentless onslaught.
[Holy Smite Granted]
[Holy Smite Granted]
[Holy Smite Granted]
[Holy Smite Granted]
[Holy Smite Granted]
[Holy Smite Granted]
BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!
A barrage of lightning bolts struck Rigathon, scorching his flesh. Through the smoke rising from his charred fur, his eyes flickered weakly.
Opening his eyes, Dante retrieved his sword and drove it into the soft ground of the cliff.
A small crack appeared, a testament to the powerful and relentless stomping of Rigathon. Guided by his Charism and the Gift of Discernment, Dante knew exactly where to strike and exert pressure.
The ground beneath the paralyzed Rigathon crumbled, preventing his furious roars from escaping his scorched throat. The cliff disintegrated, pulling the helpless Jagged Equinix down into his final resting place.
Dante sat on the ground, breathed heavily, and recovering his strength, he finally allowed his true tears to finally flow from his eyes.
He then jokingly complained.
"Ravka, you liar. You're not here for me... Aren't you?"
Sir Lysander, bewildered, asked, "What do you mean?"
"You're after Zylthar's Radiant Sword. But you can't take it from me because, by accident, the Sacred Relic's ownership transferred to me when I first kicked it back in the cave."
Dante shook his head, glancing at the message displayed on his screen.
[Sacred Relic Bonus Active: Blessing of Silent Prayer]