Just as the avatar vanished. The Behemoths struck out, attacking Calvin. His heart raced as he narrowly evaded the behemoths' massive limbs crashing down around him. The ground quaked with each earth-shattering impact, a testament to the creatures' immense strength and size. Dust and debris billowed up from the fractured earth, obscuring Calvin's vision as he desperately tried to anticipate the next strike.

Vines, as thick as tree trunks, erupted from the behemoths' bark-like skin. They whipped through the air, lashing out at Calvin with alarming speed and precision. The serpentine appendages sought to ensnare him, to crush the life from his body within their unyielding grasp.

Calling upon his Divine Judgement, Calvin summoned a blinding bolt of lightning from the heavens. It pierced the sky, illuminating the clearing in a brilliant flash before striking one of the behemoths squarely in its massive trunk. The creature's form sizzled and smoked, the acrid scent of charred wood filling the air. Yet, despite the raw power of Calvin's attack, the damage seemed insignificant against the behemoth's colossal size.

Realizing the futility of standing his ground, Calvin activated Stormwalk, his form blurring as he moved with supernatural agility. The world seemed to slow around him as he deftly wove between the grasping vines, his spear slicing through the air in a desperate attempt to keep the writhing mass at bay.

But the behemoths were unrelenting, their attacks coming from every direction. Vines whipped and snapped, leaving deep gashes in the earth where Calvin had stood mere moments before. The creatures' movements were swift and precise, belying their enormous size and bulk. It was all Calvin could do to stay one step ahead, his every instinct screaming at him to flee, to escape the relentless onslaught that threatened to overwhelm him at any moment.

A vine snared Calvin's torso, constricting around him like a hungry python. It whipped him through the air and smashed his body against a nearby tree trunk. The brutal impact forced the air from his lungs in a painful whoosh. Calvin sputtered and coughed, the metallic taste of his own blood filling his mouth. White-hot agony seared through him as another vine punched clean through his shoulder, its wickedly sharp tip bursting out the other side in an explosion of blood and torn flesh.

Waves of searing torment crashed over Calvin, threatening to pull him into the depths of unconsciousness. But he fought back against the encroaching darkness. With a primal roar, he slashed his spear at the impaling vine, severing the writhing appendage in a geyser of steaming sap and sticky ichor. Calvin hit the ground and rolled clear, his movements heavy and labored as blinding pain wracked his broken body. Rising up like primordial titans, the behemoths towered over Calvin's bleeding form, their mountainous bulks eclipsing the sky and casting the battered man into shadow.

The bitter sting of hopeless realization sank its icy fangs into Calvin's heart. He couldn't overcome these ancient horrors. Not by himself. Not in his mangled state. The awesome scope of his divine powers, once a source of such pride and confidence, felt insignificant before the colossal might of these living nightmares. Calvin's eyes, wide with mounting dread, flicked frantically around the ruined clearing. He had to run. Had to escape this waking nightmare before it swallowed him whole.

But the vines were everywhere, a writhing labyrinth of thorns and pulsing vegetation. They lashed out at him, seeking to ensnare, to drag him down into the depths of Kyrak's corruption. Calvin's heart pounded in his chest, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he fought to stay one step ahead of the relentless assault.

Calvin's mind raced as he frantically searched for a way to escape the behemoths' relentless onslaught. With a desperate surge of willpower, he summoned forth the last vestiges of his strength, calling upon his Resonant Charge. Electricity crackled and danced along the length of his spear, the weapon humming energy.

Gritting his teeth against the searing agony that wracked his battered body, Calvin lunged forward, thrusting his spear into the ground at the behemoths' feet. The moment the crackling weapon pierced the earth, a blinding flash of lightning erupted from its tip. Tendrils of electricity arced outward, snaking along the ground and up the behemoths' massive trunks. The creatures roared in pain and confusion as the searing bolts danced across their bark-like skin, temporarily stunning them.

Seizing the momentary distraction, Calvin turned and fled, his heart pounding in his chest as he crashed through the dense underbrush. Thorny vines whipped at his face and arms, leaving stinging welts in their wake, but he barely noticed the pain. All that mattered was putting as much distance between himself and the behemoths as possible.

Behind him, the ground shook as the behemoths recovered from the stunning assault. Their enraged bellows echoed through the forest, sending icy tendrils of fear racing down Calvin's spine. He could hear the thunderous crashing of their massive forms as they gave chase, their gargantuan strides eating up the distance between them with terrifying speed.

Calvin's lungs burned as he pushed himself to the limit, his legs pumping furiously as he wove between the towering trees. The forest seemed to come alive around him, the twisted branches and gnarled roots reaching out to snare his feet, to slow his desperate flight. But Calvin refused to yield, his determination fueled by the primal need to survive.

A massive vine, as thick as a man's torso, whipped out from the shadows, catching Calvin across the chest. The impact sent him flying, his body smashing through a tangle of thorny bushes before crashing to the ground in a heap. Pain exploded through him, his vision swimming as he struggled to catch his breath. Blood trickled from a gash on his forehead, the warm liquid mingling with the sweat and grime that caked his skin.

Forcing himself to his feet, Calvin staggered onward, his steps heavy and labored. The behemoths' thunderous approach grew louder with each passing second, the very earth trembling beneath their colossal bulk. Calvin's heart raced as he pushed himself harder, faster, his muscles screaming in protest as he demanded more from his battered body than it had to give.

Suddenly, the ground gave way beneath Calvin's feet, sending him tumbling down a steep embankment. He rolled and bounced, his body battered by rocks and debris as he plummeted toward the bottom. With a sickening crunch, he landed in a tangled heap at the base of the slope, his vision exploding into stars as his head cracked against a jagged stone.

For a moment, Calvin lay there, dazed and disoriented, the world spinning wildly around him. The behemoths' enraged roars echoed through the forest, drawing ever closer with each passing second. Gritting his teeth, Calvin forced himself to his feet once more, his legs trembling beneath him as he staggered onward.

The forest seemed to close in around him, the twisted trees and tangled undergrowth forming a labyrinthine maze that threatened to swallow him whole. Calvin's breath came in ragged gasps, his lungs burning with each desperate gulp of air. Behind him, the behemoths crashed through the forest, their massive forms smashing through trees and boulders like they were nothing more than matchsticks.

A vine lashed out from the shadows, catching Calvin's ankle and sending him sprawling to the ground. He hit hard, the impact driving the air from his lungs in a painful whoosh. Struggling to catch his breath, Calvin rolled onto his back, his eyes widening in horror as he saw the behemoths looming over him, their colossal forms blotting out the sky.

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

In that moment, Calvin knew with grim certainty that he was going to die. There was no escape, no way to outrun these ancient horrors that sought to consume him. Closing his eyes, he braced himself for the inevitable, his heart pounding in his chest as he waited for the final, crushing blow to fall.

But it never came. Instead, a fierce howl pierced the air, echoing through the forest like a clarion call. Calvin's eyes snapped open, his heart leaping in his chest as he saw Freya burst from the underbrush, her powerful form a blur of fur and fangs. The Aetherwolf launched herself at the nearest behemoth, her jaws clamping down on a writhing vine with bone-crushing force.

The behemoth roared in pain and anger, its massive trunk swinging wildly as it tried to dislodge the snarling wolf. But Freya held fast, her teeth sinking deeper into the fibrous flesh as she tore and worried at the vine. Calvin watched in awe as the Aetherwolf battled the colossal creature, her fierce determination a match for even the behemoth's immense strength.

Suddenly, a hail of plasma bolts rained down from above, searing through the behemoths' bark-like hide. Calvin's head snapped up, his eyes widening as he saw Reaper perched in the branches of a nearby tree, his rifle aimed squarely at the towering monstrosities. The sniper's face was a mask of grim determination as he poured fire into the behemoths, his every shot finding its mark with unerring precision.

Seizing the opportunity, Calvin staggered to his feet, his battered body screaming in protest as he forced himself to move. He stumbled towards Freya and Reaper, his heart pounding in his chest as he pushed himself to the limit. The behemoths roared in rage and pain behind him, their thunderous steps shaking the very earth as they gave chase.

But Calvin refused to yield, his determination fueled by the fierce loyalty of his companions. With a final, desperate surge of strength, he burst from the tree line, stumbling into the clearing where Freya and Reaper fought. The Aetherwolf and sniper closed ranks around him, their weapons at the ready as they faced down the oncoming behemoths.

Reaper closed the distance on Calvin. "Where's Crash?"

Calvin looked him solemnly and just shook his head. Unable to find the words in that moment.

Reaper understood. He'd lost brothers before, but this one hurt. Crash had been with them through the worst the universe had to offer. Reaper turned towards the behemoths, fury overtaking him.

He tossed an orb into the sky above him, activating Ion Strike. He followed it up with his fingers dancing across his wrist, calling in a Kinetic Strike right behind it. Searing white bolts of plasma struck one of the other, tearing through the behemoth's dense hides. Almost simultaneously, massive artillery rounds slammed home, tearing huge chunks from the creatures' bodies. Still they were undeterred. Reaper fired every last round from his rifle until it overheated. He stowed it and withdrew another rifle from his storage, emptying that one too. With each batch of shots he stepped closer to the behemoths, emptying rifle after rifle all while he screamed in defiance at the creatures.

Calvin summoned his will and charged toward Reaper, wrapping his arms around his waist and pulling him away from the monstrosities.

"Let me go!" Reaper shouted.

"NO! Reaper get your ass out of here, now!"

Reaper ignored him and continued firing.

"That's an order Reaper!"

Countless years of military discipline drilled into Reaper took effect in that moment. His head snapped toward Calvin, and then the rage drained from his face. Only compliance remained. He nodded at Calvin and began a fighting retreat, Freya pulling up the rear.

Calvin, Reaper, and Freya fought through the dense underbrush, the behemoths' thunderous steps echoing behind them as they fled. Vines lashed out from the shadows, seeking to ensnare and drag them down, but the trio pressed on, their determination fueled by the desperate need to survive.

Minutes stretched into an eternity as they battled through the twisted landscape, their bodies battered and bruised from the relentless onslaught. Calvin's lungs burned with each ragged breath, his muscles screaming in protest as he pushed himself to the limit. Beside him, Reaper and Freya fought with equal ferocity.

Suddenly, the forest gave way to a wide riverbed, its rocky banks stretching out before them like a barren wasteland. Calvin stumbled to a halt, his eyes widening as he realized they were cut off, the behemoths' thunderous approach growing louder with each passing second.

Reaper's eyes locked on to several drones that zipped through the sky above them. "Cal, heads up," he said, gesturing with his rifle.

Calvin followed the line of Reaper's aim. His pulse quickened as he made out the gleaming, silver shapes cutting through the air. One of the drones released a portal grenade. It plummeted to the earth, the device's pulsing energy field swelling outward as it dropped.

With a flash of blinding light, the grenade detonated in mid-air. A swirling vortex of energy erupted outwards, tearing a hole in the fabric of reality. Shimmering tendrils of light danced around the edges of the rift as it stabilized into a portal.

Tank charged through a moment later, the ground shaking under his heavy boots. He emerged on the battlefield, autocannon already primed and ready. The weapon hummed with power as he took aim at the nearest behemoth.

The creature towered over him, its massive form blocking out the sun. Gnarled vines and twisted branches made up its body, pulsing with malevolent energy. Tank squeezed the trigger and the autocannon roared to life.

A hail of high-explosive rounds tore through the air, leaving vapor trails in their wake. They slammed into the behemoth with concussive force, blasting chunks of bark and splinters in all directions. The creature staggered under the onslaught.

The behemoths thrashed and flailed in pain, their movements growing increasingly desperate. Tank pressed the attack, determined to put an end to the monstrous creatures once and for all.

Calvin and Reaper joined the fray, their weapons flashing in the sunlight as they poured fire into the behemoths. Calvin's spear crackled with energy as he thrust it forward, the blade sinking deep into a writhing vine and sending a surge of electricity coursing through the behemoth's body. Beside him, Reaper's rifle barked a steady rhythm, each shot finding its mark with unerring precision.

The behemoths fought back with savage ferocity, their massive limbs crashing down like falling trees as they sought to crush their attackers. Vines lashed out from every direction, their thorny lengths seeking to ensnare and constrict. But the combined might of Calvin, Reaper, Tank, and Ian proved too much for even these ancient horrors to withstand.

With a final, devastating barrage, one of the behemoths toppled to the ground, its colossal form crashing down in a tangled heap of shattered wood and oozing sap. The other behemoth staggered, its legs buckling beneath it as Tank's autocannon tore through its fibrous flesh. The creature let out a bellowing roar of pain and rage as it collapsed, its massive trunk slamming into the rocky ground with earth-shaking force.

Tank turned to Calvin and Reaper, his brow furrowed with concern. "Status update, now," he barked, his voice sharp with urgency.

Calvin's face was awash with grief as he spoke. "Crash is dead," he said, his voice heavy with anger. "The behemoths got him before we could escape."

Reaper's jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with barely contained rage. "We have to finish this," he growled, his grip tightening on his rifle.

Tank nodded, his expression hardening as he turned to face the fallen behemoth. "Andy saw your attempted portal activations and failures," he explained, his voice tight with emotion. "He sent drones out here to scout the area, looking for you."

Calvin felt a surge of gratitude for the android's quick thinking, but it was overshadowed by the crushing weight of Crash's loss. He watched as Tank strode forward, his autocannon leveled at the behemoth's head.

"This is for Crash," Tank snarled, his finger tightening on the trigger. The autocannon roared to life, a hail of high-explosive rounds tearing through the behemoth's skull and reducing it to a pulpy mass of shattered wood and oozing ichor.

As the echoes of the gunfire faded away, a heavy silence settled over the riverbed. Calvin, Reaper, Tank, and Ian stood amidst the carnage, their bodies battered and bruised, their hearts heavy with the weight of their loss.

With a heavy sigh, Calvin turned to face his companions, his eyes filled with grim determination. "We need to get back to Olympus," he said, his voice steady despite the pain and exhaustion that wracked his body. "We have to warn the others about what we've seen here, and prepare for whatever comes next."

The others nodded in agreement, their faces etched with the same resolve that burned in Calvin's heart. Together, they gathered their weapons and turned toward the shimmering portal. They had lost a friend and a brother, but they would not let his sacrifice be in vain. They would fight on, no matter the cost, until Kyrak and his minions were nothing more than a bitter memory.