The troll rampaged through the village of Tudelian, its massive frame towering over the wooden houses. With a deafening roar, it swung a large wooden pillar it had ripped from a building, smashing through a group of knights who attempted to defend the village. The splintered remains of the pillar scattered across the ground as the troll grabbed a terrified man, lifting him high and preparing to devour him.

Before the creature could take its grisly meal, a blur of motion shot toward it.

Samson appeared in an instant, his speed almost inhuman. With a single, devastating punch, he sent the troll hurtling through multiple buildings, the creature's enormous body crashing into rubble. The man it had held fell to the ground unharmed, scurrying away as Samson straightened, his towering figure casting a shadow over the destruction.

The troll groaned as it rose from the debris, shaking its head before unleashing a thunderous roar that echoed across the village.

Samson glanced back at his disciples, his tone calm but commanding. "Boys… can you handle the troll?"

Artreus's eyes widened as he stared at the hulking beast. "That's a troll? It's huge…"

Mikael elbowed him, a grin tugging at his lips despite the situation. "You scared, Art? We've got this."

The three boys drew their weapons, their earlier tension forgotten as they charged into the fray.

The troll roared as the boys approached, its massive hands slamming into the ground with enough force to crack the earth. Aidan moved swiftly, dodging the attack with precision. He slid beneath the troll's massive frame, slashing at its legs with his sword.

The troll bellowed in pain, turning to swat at Aidan with one of its colossal hands. But Aidan was faster, darting out of the way just in time.

"Keep it busy!" Mikael shouted as he leapt onto the troll's back, driving his short sword into its thick hide.

The troll howled, twisting and thrashing in an attempt to dislodge him. Artreus seized the moment, rushing in and delivering a powerful slash to the troll's side, his blade cutting deep into its flesh.

The troll, enraged, grabbed a large piece of a nearby building and swung it like a club. Aidan narrowly dodged the swing, the force of the blow shattering the ground where he had just stood.

"Watch out!" Artreus yelled as the troll reached back, grabbing Mikael by the arm and hurling him into a stone wall. Mikael hit the wall with a sickening thud, crumpling to the ground in a heap.

"Mikael!" Artreus shouted, his grip tightening on his sword as he turned back to the troll.

High above the chaos, two shadowy figures stood on the roof of a nearby building, observing the battle below. The flames from the village illuminated their dark forms, casting long, flickering shadows against the stone.

The first figure, cloaked and slender, leaned forward, his tone dripping with disbelief. "Huh? Children? Fighting against the troll?" He paused, narrowing his eyes as he studied the scene. "How is that possible?"

His gaze shifted, locking onto Samson as the man stood tall amidst the destruction. Recognition flashed in his eyes, and his voice grew tense. "That man over there… He must be their master. So he's the one training them? Tch. My plans are ruined!"

The second figure, bulkier and shrouded in darker robes, turned to him. "Shall I summon another troll, Master?"

The first figure hesitated for a moment before smirking. "Yes. Do it. Let's see how they handle two trolls."

With a wave of his hand, a glowing sigil appeared in the air, crackling with dark energy.

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The second figure chuckled darkly. "Let's see if they survive this…"

The second troll emerged from the wreckage of a nearby building, its hulking form framed by shattered wood and crumbling stone. Its roar echoed across the village, sending chills through those who heard it. Its glowing red eyes locked onto Artreus, and it charged forward, each step shaking the ground beneath its massive feet.

Artreus turned just in time to see the troll's massive fist descending toward him. His eyes widened in shock as he raised his sword instinctively, knowing it wouldn't be enough.

Before the troll's punch could connect, a blur of motion shot past him.

Samson appeared, his hand catching the troll's enormous fist mid-swing. The sheer force of the blow sent a shockwave rippling through the ground, but Samson stood firm, his towering figure unmoving.

"Master…" Artreus muttered, his voice a mix of relief and awe.

Samson glanced at troll, his expression calm but firm. "Looks like I'll have to interfere. You're not ready to handle both of them yet."

With a surge of power, Samson tightened his grip on the troll's fist before throwing a devastating punch into its chest. The impact sent the troll hurtling backward, crashing through several buildings before it came to a stop in the distance.

Samson turned to Artreus, his voice sharp. "Focus on the other one. And don't get distracted this time."

As Samson charged after the second troll, Artreus refocused on the first, which had taken advantage of the momentary distraction. The creature swung its massive arm, catching Artreus off guard and sending him flying through the wall of a nearby building.

The impact left Artreus dazed, debris scattering around him as he struggled to catch his breath.

The troll turned its glowing eyes toward Aidan, who stood a few feet away, sword in hand. Aidan's expression was cold and unflinching as he faced the beast, his stance steady and poised.

The troll roared, its voice a guttural challenge.

Aidan didn't flinch. Instead, he raised his blade, the steel catching the glow of the nearby fires. "You think I'm afraid of you?" he muttered, his voice low but filled with quiet menace.

Aidan faced the troll head-on, his cold determination unwavering despite the creature's monstrous size. The troll roared, its guttural cry shaking the air as it charged forward. Its massive hands swung down like hammers, but Aidan's sharp reflexes kept him ahead of the strikes.

Dodging to the side, he counterattacked with a flurry of precise slashes, his blade cutting deep into the troll's tough hide. The creature howled in pain, but its thick, reinforced body absorbed much of the damage.

As Aidan drove his sword toward the troll's stomach, the blade sank in—but not deep enough. The troll growled and, with terrifying speed, grabbed Aidan in its massive hands.

"Damn it!" Aidan hissed as the troll lifted him high and smashed him into the ground with bone-jarring force. The impact sent dust and debris flying as Aidan's body rolled across the dirt, coming to a stop several feet away.

Groaning, Aidan struggled to rise, clutching his ribs as pain radiated through his body. The troll, unrelenting, grabbed a massive wooden pillar from a shattered building and hurled it at him with deadly precision.

The air whistled with the force of the incoming pillar, but before it could reach Aidan, Artreus appeared, rushing in with incredible speed.

"Move!" Artreus shouted, shoving Aidan out of the way just in time. The pillar smashed into the ground behind them, sending splinters flying in every direction.

Aidan, breathing heavily, looked at Artreus with a mixture of disbelief and irritation. "Why did you… save me?" he muttered, his voice strained.

Artreus glared at him, his voice sharp but resolute. "Not now, bastard! Focus!"

The troll, enraged, roared again and charged at them, its massive fists ready to crush them both.

Before the troll could reach them, dark tendrils erupted from the ground, wrapping around its legs and arms. The troll stumbled, its momentum broken as the shadows coiled tighter.

"Don't forget about me, you ugly beast!" Mikael shouted from a distance, his hands glowing with dark energy as he manipulated the magic.

The troll thrashed and roared, its brute strength slowly tearing through the shadows.

Artreus turned back to Aidan, extending a hand. "Come on! Don't be stubborn… you don't have to fight alone!"

Aidan hesitated for a moment, his pride warring with his pain, but he finally grabbed Artreus's hand, allowing himself to be pulled up.

Together, the two boys stood side by side, swords at the ready. Mikael joined them moments later, the three forming a united front against the monstrous troll.

"You ready for this?" Mikael asked, his usual grin replaced by a determined expression.

"Let's finish it," Artreus said, gripping his sword tightly.

Aidan's gaze flicked between his companions, and for the first time, the usual disdain in his eyes softened. "Tch… fine. Let's take this thing down."

High above on the rooftops, the cloaked figures watched the scene unfold. The slender one sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "They're holding their own against the troll. Impressive… for brats."

The bulkier figure stepped forward, his tone darker. "It's time to intervene. Let's put an end to this little charade."

The slender figure raised a hand, a dark, swirling energy forming in his palm. "Indeed. These rotten brats have overstayed their welcome."

As the dark energy pulsed, the battlefield below began to shift, the air growing heavy with an ominous presence.