The horizon shimmered with the heat of the desert, yet the mirage forming before Grimm was no illusion. Thousands of bounty hunters, emerging from drop pods, charged forward, their war cries echoing across the dunes. The ground trembled under their collective weight as they rushed on to the battlefield.
Grimm stood still, watching the hunter's approach with a narrow gaze. His sword pulsated with an inky black that seemed to drink in the very light around it. Its edge gleamed, casting a purple hue that contrasted with the crimson splatters that decorated the ground.
In moments, the first of the new wave reached him. With a war cry, the closest advesary lunged, his energy blade aimed straight for Grimm's heart.
The mighty hunter laughed in response.
He easily sidestepped the attack, and with a swift upward arc of his sword, he bisected the foe from groin to head. The two halves of the warrior fell to the sand, steaming entrails spilling out.
Another hunter, this one wielding dual dagger, tried to capitalize on Grimm's momentary distraction. Darting forward, he aimed for his exposed back. Grimm sensed the danger and spun readily, his sword a blur. The blade met the hunter's neck, decapitating him in one clean slice. The head rolled away, eyes still wide in shock, as a fountain of blood spurted from the stump.
"Is this all you've got?" Grimm taunted. His eyes scanned the charging horde, seeking out the next challenger.
A trio of hunters, working in tandem, approached next. One launched a barrage of energy bolts, another swung a chain with a glowing orb at its end, while the third charged with a spear crackling with electricity. Grimm met the bolts with his sword, deflecting them back at their caster, piercing him through the chest. The mace-wielder swung, but Grimm ducked and with a swift kick, shattered the man's kneecaps. As he screamed in agony, Grimm's sword swung down, cleaving him from shoulder to hip.
The spear-wielder, seeing his comrades fall, hesitated for a split second.
That was all Grimm needed.
Dashing in, he closed the distance, grabbing the hunter's head and spear in tandem. With a savage twist, he drove the spear through the man's mouth, the tip emerging from the back of his skull. The body twitched for a moment before collapsing, the weapon still embedded.
From the corner of his eye, Grimm spotted a massive hunter, almost twice his size, charging towards him. This one wielded a colossal hammer, its head glowing white-hot. The ground cracked with each stride. Yet Grimm was undeterred. As the hammer swung down, Grimm met it with his sword. The resulting clash sent shockwaves across the battlefield, creating a crater around them.
The hunter, surprised by Grimm's strength, tried to pull his hammer back for another strike.
Grimm anticipated the attack and countered.
With a roar, he drove his sword through the giant's chest, the blade emerging from his back. The hunters eyes widened in shock, and with a final gasp, he fell to the sands.
Grimm didn't have time to savor the victory.
A hail of blaster fire rained down on him. Looking up, he saw a squadron of jetpacking troopers, their blasters trained on him. With a growl, Grimm leaped into the air, his speed making him blur. He met the first trooper mid-air, his sword slicing through the man's torso. As the body fell, Grimm grabbed the jetpack, using its propulsion to propel himself towards the next target.
One by one, the airborne hunters met their end. Some were sliced in half, others had their heads removed, and a few were impaled on Grimm's blade. The sky was soon filled with falling bodies and discarded jetpacks.
Back on the ground, Kellan and his crew huddled behind the tank, the metal surface hot to the touch from the relentless sun and the recent barrage of plasma fire. The air was thick with the smell of scorched metal and burning flesh.
"Blimey," Kellan muttered, watching as Grimm used his sword to cleave through another poor fool. "What does a fucker like him need a damn sword for.”
Lior, adjusted the scope on her rifle. "He just doesn’t stop Kel......the bodies keep piling up"
"Makes our job easier, though." Karnn, grunted in agreement.
He hoisted his plasma cannon, the barrel glowing a fierce blue. "He’s thinned the heard plenty; I say we move in."
Kellan nodded, drawing his own blaster. "Good call, Alright, team. Let's move in formation. Lior, watch our six. Karnn, you and I will push forward.”
With a grin, Kellan toggled the safety on his blaster. "Ready for a little dust-up, mates?"
As if on cue, the crew sprang into action, the deafening blast of plasma cannons echoing around them.
Rival hunters targeted them quickly as they emerged from the tank's cover.
Kellan rolled to avoid the hail of plasma fire. His actions were mirrored by his team as the sand erupted around them.
Lior scrambled up the side of a dune, finding a vantage point from where she could pick off enemies from a distance. She swiftly assembled her sniper and primed the weapon for fire. Her first shot took out a rival hunter attempting to flank Grimm, the laser bolt searing through his skull.
Nearby, Karnn and Kellan advanced side by side. A group of hunters suddenly rushed them with energy blades. Karnn's cannon roared, sending a wave of energy that eviscerated the front line, turning them into a liquified mess. Kellan employed a far more finessed approach. With the grace of a dancer, he ducked and weaved through the melee, blaster shots precise. One round took a hunter in the knee, causing him to collapse. Another, pierced through a hunter's visor, leaving a smoldering hole.
But for every hunter killed two more would emerge.
Suddenly, A laser blast grazed Kellan's arm, searing the flesh. He gritted his teeth against the pain, firing back and taking down the shooter. But within the chaos, a nearby foe lunged at him, knocking his blaster away.
Karnn, seeing his leader in danger, swung his cannon like a club, smashing the enemies head in a spray of blood and bone. But the distraction cost him. A blade found its way through a chink in his armor, and he roared in pain.
"Dammit!" Kellan yelled, sprinting towards his fallen comrade. He slid into cover beside Karnn, plasma fire raining around them. He shot back, his rounds tearing through the approaching enemies.
"Up we go, Karnn! Ain't no time for a nap," Kellan grunted, pulling Karnn to his feet. The wounded gunner nodded, clenching his fist as he dealt with the pain. He then reached into his holster and lifted his plasma pistol to return fire.
Lior, from her vantage point, vaporized another attacker with a well-placed shot to the dome, but more were closing in.
"Kellan!" she shouted; her voice urgent. "We need to regroup!"
Dragging Karnn, Kellan shouted back, "Fuck, Fall back to the tank! There's still too many of them"
As they retreated, Grimm sensed their distress and moved like a wraith. His sword was a blur of death as he slashed through a group of hunters, cleaving several from head to toe. He quickly reached Kellan and Karnn who were relieved by his presence.
"None of you are allowed to die yet." Grimm snarled
With a nod, Kellan acknowledged the help. "Much appreciated mate, but Karnn's hurt bad"
Grimm quickly shifts his gaze to the wounded gunner, noticing significant bleeding from his chest.
Using his enhanced senses, he analyzed Karnn’s vitals.
"He’ll live, be he need’s attention"
Grimm then takes a hold of Karnn's chest plate and lifts him off the ground. "Hold on" Grimm ordered before launching himself and Karn towards Lior.
Kellan watched in awe as Grimm dashed across the battlefield with Karnn clutched in his arms.
He effortlessly cleared the distance, landing next to Lior atop the dune.
Grimm eye’s flick towards Lior "Get him patched up woman"
Lior gulped nervously, nodding as Grimm launched himself back towards Kellan. Karnn meanwhile, winced in pain as Lior applied a nanite injection to his wound.
Grimm lands beside Kellan with a thunderous impact.
"You and me Voss" he growls
Kellan, reloads his blaster, grinning in response "You got it mate"
At that moment, another bounty hunter emerged from the chaos, a vibrating axe in hand. He took a swing towards Grimm, who parried the attack with a casual swipe.
Following up with a brutal counter, Grimm severed the hunter's legs at the knees, dropping him to the ground. He proceeded to trudge towards the hunter, cutting down two more foes, before kneeling close.
“You're out of your depth here” Grimm hissed into the man's ear
With a downward strike, Grimm impaled the hunter, pinning him on the sands. Following up he twirled his sword while flinging the skewered body miles through the air.
Kellan winced at the sight "A bit excessive don't ya think"
"No, Effective"
The conversation was cut short as Kellan's attention was drawn back to the immediate danger ahead. A rival hunter closed in on him with a wild sword swing. Kellan rolled under the incoming slash, retaliating with a swift elbow to the man's throat. The hunter choked, his energy sword flickering out as he clutched his throat. Kellan didn't give him a second to recover, firing a point-blank shot that turned the hunter's head into a crimson mist.
The battle raged on, the sand was soaked with blood and littered with the mangled bodies of the fallen. Kellan and Grimm fought back-to-back, their movements disjointed as Kellan attempted to match superhuman ferocity of his guardian.
Crushed and Cleaved, Grimm was a butcher
His eyes blazed a shade red, as he cut down hunter after hunter.
Kellan's maintained his position, blaster flashing with each precise shot.
The two formed an unlikely duo, mowing down any bounty hunter foolish enough to approach.
While the battle raged, the sun's heat continued to bear down on the combatants below. It cast long shadows that writhed with every flash and explosion.
“Grimm!" Kellan shouted over the din of battle, firing off a few rounds into the frenzy. "You reckon we're making a dent in their numbers?"
Grimm, in the midst of slicing through a hunter's torso, glanced over. "Does it matter? They keep coming, we keep killing."
Kellan smirked, ducking as a plasma bolt whizzed past his head. "Fair point, mate. Just trying to not die yet yeah?"
Suddenly an explosion rocked the ground beneath them, sending a plume of sand and debris into the air. Emerging from the smoke was a massive armored walker, bristling with weapons. Its main cannon swiveled, targeting the duo.
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"Ah, bloody hell," Kellan muttered, eyes widening. "That's a Titan-class assault walker. Haven't seen one of those in years."
Grimm's eyes narrowed. "Get behind me," he ordered, stepping forward and raising his sword in challenge.
The Titan's cannon roared to life, sending a massive energy bolt straight for them. But Grimm was ready. With a swift motion, he swung his sword, deflecting the bolt back towards the vehicle. The resulting explosion sent the Titan reeling miles back, its armor scorched and smoking.
Kellan whistled. "Nice trick. Got any more up your sleeve?"
Before Grimm could respond, a group of hunters, emboldened by the Titan's appearance, charged them. The duo met them head-on.
Kellan's blaster shots continued to find their marks as he rolled from cover to cover.
Grimm didn't bother with protection.
He advanced into the fray like a god of war, shrugging off plasma fire and explosives like an inconvenience.
From a distance, the roar of engines perforated the soundscape. A fleet of hoverbikes, each mounted with twin blasters, sped towards them. The riders, clad in black armor, had their sights set on the duo.
Kellan glanced at Grimm. "Fancy a race, mate?"
Grimm ignored the jest and remained locked on the incoming hoverbikes.
As the first wave of hoverbikes neared, Kellan took aim, firing shots that took out the riders one by one. Their bikes, now riderless, crashed into the dunes, creating mini-explosions of sand.
Grimm, meanwhile, leaped into the air, landing atop one of the hoverbikes. With a vice grip, he crushed the skull of its rider, then used the bike's momentum to crash into another, sending them both flying.
In the midst of the chaos, a hunter managed to get the drop on Kellan, knocking him to the ground with a clubbing swing. The hunter raised his sword, ready to deliver the killing blow. But before he could strike, another blade pierced through his chest from behind. The rival hunter looked down at the blade in shock, before collapsing to the ground.
Kellan squinted to see Lior, her rifle slung over her shoulder, holding a bloodied combat knife. "You looked like you needed a hand," she quipped, offering him help up.
"Always the savior, aren't you lass?" Kellan replied with a grin, retrieving his blaster. "What about Karnn?"
Lior gestured towards Karnn, who was charging into the frey, firing his cannon. "He's feeling better after the med’s, the big guy can handle himself."
"Missed the party, did ya?!" Kellan shouted to Karnn over the din of battle.
Karnn shot a grin back, blood and sand smeared across his face.
Lior, taking a momentary respite from her sniping, chimed in, "Looks like the odds are evening out."
But the moment of respite was short-lived. From the horizon, a massive sandstorm approached, and from within it, the silhouette of a colossal beast emerged. Its steps caused the ground to tremble, its roar splitting the air. By its side two gargantuan hunters held the beast at bay with chains attached to collars around its neck.
Kellan, Karnn, and Lior stared in disbelief "Now that's a bloody problem," muttered Kellan
Shifting his gaze towards the monster, Grimm smirked
"Finally, something worth fighting"
The trio turned to Grimm, their faces pale.
"Mate, are you insane" Kellan stammered “That’s bigger than any monster I’ve ever seen.”
Grimm ignored his plea, gaze fixed on the approaching behemoth, tightening the grip on his blade.
"Another victim." Grimm murmured, his voice a low and deadly calm.
The beast, a genetically modified monstrosity, towered over the battlefield. Its skin was a thick, leathery hide, scarred from countless battles. Massive tusks jutted from its lower jaw, and its eyes, blood-red and filled with rage, scanned the surroundings, settling on Grimm.
Karnn, his plasma cannon at the ready, whispered, "That thing's a nightmare. What the hell did they do to it?"
"Genetic modifications, enhancements, who knows? But it's nothing natural, that's for sure." Lior replied, her sniper trained on the beast
Kellan, ever the leader, tried to strategize. "We need to distract it, give Grimm an opening."
But Grimm was already moving.
With a breakneck speed, he charged towards the behemoth.
Sensing Grimm's challenge, The Behemoth let out a deafening roar, its maw revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth, each the size of a man. The two hunters released their chains, unleashing the beast upon the battlefield.
As it charged, The Behemoth swiped at scattered hunters with its claws, sending them flying like ragdolls. Its tail, covered in large barbs, whipped around, impaling any unfortunate enough to be in its path. The ground shook with every step The Behemoth took, creating small sandstorms that obscured vision.
With a deafening roar, it met Grimm’s charge, trying to crush him under its massive bulk.
Grimm’s counter was a swift upward swing of his sword.
The weapon met the beast’s descending jaw, its impact sending shockwaves throughout the battlefield. The beast reeled back, a deep gash formed on its face, blood pouring from the wound.
Kellan and Karnn seized the moment and fired a barrage of plasma rounds at the hunters who had released the beast. One went down instantly, his chest cavity hollowed out, while the other managed to deflect a few shots with his energy shield before Lior's sniper round found the gap in his armor, piercing his heart.
Despite the vicious wound delivered, the beast was undeterred, its thick skin knitting itself back together rapidly. Grimm, having dealt with this ability before, knew he needed to up the ante. His sword began to pulse with dark matter, its edge crackling black arcs of electricity.
The crew stood in awe as Grimm launched himself toward the behemoth once more. As the colossal creature swiped its claws through the air, his agility proved unmatched. With grace, Grimm slid beneath The Gehemoth's immense form, his sword carving a deep gash along its underbelly.
The Behemoth roared in pain, its viscera spilling out in a torrent.
Capitalizing on the vulnerability, Kellan barked at his crew "Now! Hit it with everything you've got!"
In unison, Lior's sniper rounds found their mark, piercing the beast's eyes, blinding it. Karnn's plasma cannon roared to life, sending a concentrated blast to its exposed underbelly. The beast roared in pain, thrashing about, trying to locate its attackers. It began swiping wildly in all directions. The impact of each swipe could tear a tank apart and Karnn was too close. Thinking on his feet, Karnn barely managed to roll out of the way, the force of the swipe creating a large trench in the sand.
Grimm wasted no time and leaped onto the creature's back, his sword plunging deep into the base of its skull. The Behemoth let out a pained roar, thrashing wildly in an attempt to dislodge its attacker. But Grimm held on, his sword digging deeper to the creature's brain.
In a desperate move, The Behemoth rolled onto its back, hoping to crush Grimm. But Grimm was two steps ahead. With a powerful leap, he disengaged, landing a few meters away, blade dripping with ichor.
Disoriented and bleeding profusely, The Behemoth tried to rise but stumbled, its massive form crashing to the ground, causing a mini sandstorm with its impact. Its breathing was labored, each exhale a gurgling rasp.
Kellan aimed his blaster at the chains that once restrained the beast, with a plan in mind. A few well-placed shots, and they snapped, coiling to the ground like serpents. "Grimm! the chains!" he shouted.
Grimm, understanding the unspoken plan, dashed forwards and grabbed one of the chains, wrapping it around the beast's neck.
With a powerful heave, Grimm cinched the chain, its sharp edges sinking deep into the creature's flesh. Desperate for air, the beast struggled to break free, but Grimm's unmatched strength held it firmly in his grip. Seeking to end it, he executed one last yank, tightening the chain until it severed the behemoth's head from its body.
The colossal creature crumpled to the ground, its massive frame causing the battlefield to tremble.
As it lay lifeless and still, a silence blanketed the battlefield. The remaining army of hunters stared in disbelief at the fallen behemoth.
Holstering his blaster, Kellan approached Grimm, clapping him on the back. "You're one crazy bastard, you know that?"
Grimm sheathed his sword, looking down at the Behemoth. "I fought bigger"
A dumbfounded expression spread across Lior’s face "Bigger?!"
Karnn joined them, the three looking at the fallen beast in shock. "We should move," Karnn suggested. "More will come."
"Look's like they already have" Kellan warned
From a distance, another wave of bounty hunters, much larger than the last few could be heard rocketing towards them. Weapons blazed as monstrous roars echoed through the expanse. Grimm remained steadfast, eyes blazing with dark matter.
"You should stand back" he growled to the crew
Kellan replied, raising a brow "Stand back? Mate we're with you"
Grimm shot Kellan a death glare "I said, STAND BACK"
With a sigh, Kellan acknowledges the order. "Alright Karnn, Lior lets move"
Grimm, rededicating himself to the battle, draws his sword with a deliberate motion. He inhales deeply, the air around him charged with an inky energy, manifesting in tendrils of black lightning that crackle around his form.
His stance shifts, boots digging into the sandy terrain. He extends the sword in front of him, welcoming the oncoming wave. With a sudden burst of energy, he propelled himself forward like a guided missile, the ground erupting in a plume of sand and debris. The sheer force of his launch creates a shockwave, sending scores of approaching hunters sprawling to the ground.
As he hurtles forward, Grimm's body begins to spin at a dizzying speed, his sword extending outward. In seconds, he becomes a deadly, living buzzsaw. The first line of hunters is helpless, their bodies cleaved in two, entrails and blood splattering in all directions. The following wave attempts to evade, but Grimm's speed and ferocity leave no room for escape. Limbs are severed, heads roll, and torsos split open, spilling their gruesome contents onto the blood-soaked sand.
Lior and Kellan watch in horror and awe as Grimm cleaves through the ranks with brutal precision.
Pulling Lior and Kellan to safety, Karn whispers, "Do you two have a death wish? Get back!"
Kellan snaps out of his trance and responds, "He's going to levelthe battlefield..."
As Grimm continues his assault, he suddenly propels himself into the air, leveraging the momentum from his spin. From this elevated vantage point, he spots the fleet of bounty hunter ships deploying drop pods above the battlefield. Utilizing bursts of dark matter, he streaks through the sky, using his sword to effortlessly dismantle each ship. Metal and flames rain down as the vessels are torn asunder, their fiery explosions lighting up the heavens.
Shielding his eyes from the blinding radiance, Lior shouts, "The fleet's obliterated!"
But Grimm's onslaught is far from over. With the last starship destroyed, he positions himself high above the battlefield and hurtles downward like an asteroid. The remaining hunters scramble in a futile attempt to escape, but it's too late. Grimm's impact is devastating, the landing instantaneously carves out a colossal crater, swallowing every remaining hunter, vehicle, and weapon within its reach. The ground quakes violently, and a shockwave radiates outward, leveling every sturdy structure except for the factory itself.
When the dust finally settled, the once-flat desert was transformed into a chaotic landscape, marred by craters, debris, and the remnants of the fallen.
Running a hand through his blood-soaked hair, Kellan scanned the ruined landscape. His gaze came to rest on a shape emerging from the wreckage, a hulking silhouette splattered with viscera, the crimson dripping off his armored form as he trudged toward them.
Grimm's approach was heralded by the crunch of metal and the squelch of flesh.
He reeked of death.
Grimacing Kellan looked away momentarily, before squaring his shoulders and meeting the approaching monolith.
"Easy there, Grimm," Kellan chuckled laboriously, "Might want to consider a bath before coming up for a chat, mate."
Grimm grunted, the sound like grinding boulders. "Save the jokes for when the job is done. We have a contract to finish." His towering presence cast a dark shadow over the crew as his gaze fixated on Kellan.
The levity faded from Kellan's features quickly as he nodded. Glancing at his crew he noted their battered state. Karnn was checking damaged equipment, attempting to salvage what he could, while Lior, ever the panner, was already scanning the horizon, plotting their next move.
"Right then," Kellan began, clapping his hands to gather their focus, "Here's the rub. The factory, likely as not, is a trap that we can't avoid. At this point we are so close to gettin' the guy, we can't slow down now"
Grimm snorted, "Trap or not, I'll tear through it and drag the rat out."
Laughing hesitantly, Kellan responded "I don't doubt you can mate. But think about it. Deaths Dance knows we've got a walking wrecking ball, he'll be ready to bolt when things go south."
Grimm grunted, pondering Kellan's words.
The crew continued to wait as tension slowly increased
"We got to be clever” Kellan pressed, locking eyes with Grimm, "If we want Deaths Dance, we’ll need to outthink him."
After a long pause, Grimm broke the silence. "I'm listening little man."
Kellan surveyed his team. His gaze settled on Karnn and Lior, both ready for the next move. "Oi!" Kellan began, his voice firm. "Lior, I need you to scan the facility and get the lay of the land. We need to know what he's got cooked up in there"
Lior nodded, already pulling up a holographic interface. "On it."
"Karnn," Kellan continued, "I need you to set up a perimeter and keep our six secure"
Groaning Karnn slug his plasma cannon and replied, "Guard duty Kell? Come on..."
While the crew continued to speak amongst themselves, Grimm's presence loomed over them, his gaze fixated on the facility.
Clearing his throat, Kellan turned to Grimm "As for you big guy...........you're with me"
Grimm's stare slowly shifted to Kellan.
Trying to assert confidence, Kellan didn’t pause "when the chips are down, and Deaths Dance goes runnin, you're our trump card. Don't let him escape mate"
Bristling at the order, Grimm’s eyes narrowed "and who put YOU in charge?"
Kellan matched Grimm stare. "no one mate, but if we want this bounty, we've gotta keep working together"
There was a long pause, the tension growing thick as Karnn and Lior watched in rapt silence.
In response to Kellan’s bravado, Grimm chuckled; the sound more menacing than amused. " Team?" He stepped closer, his immense stature dwarfing Kellan’s. "I'm not here for camaraderie Voss. I'm here for the contract"
In a moment of sheer courage, Kellan held Grimm's gaze, refusing to back down. "We all are mate"
Another tense pause followed as the wind whipped around them, creating swirling sand devils.
Karnn and Lior exchanged nervous glances, their hand’s slowly shifting towards their holstered blasters.
Leaning down Grimm’s face was inches from Kellan's, "Remember who you’re dealing with Voss".
Kellan audaciously maintained eye contact with the hunter, yet underneath the courage Grimm could hear his heart pound and smell his adrenaline spike.
After another heavy silence, Grimm straightened himself and chuckled. “So, the little man has ball's"
Kellan let out a deep exhale as the tension broke
Smirking, Karn strode towards Kellan and smacked him on the back "He’s got Ball's of steel!"
Lior chimed in, adjusting her scope as she surveyed the factory. "If were done with the dick measuring contest......I've got intel"
Kellan quickly regained his composure and responded. "Righto, lets hear it"
Lior projected a holographic display, the factory looming before them. "The interior is huge. Multiple floors, lots of corridors and rooms. Thermal scans indicate Deaths Dance may be somewhere in exit chamber"
"Sounds like we're in for a maze" Kellan stated as he studied the projection, mapping out a strategy.
Hoisting his cannon, Karn offered his opinion. "Not if we blast our way through"
Grimm smirked in response.
"Were trying to be subtle Karnn, that facility is rigged to the hilt"
Lior sighed, shaking her head.
"Subtlety is for cowards" Grimm scoffed, unimpressed.
Holding up a hand, Kellan interjected "save the bravado mates, Lior's right, subtlety is the name of the game"
Grimm growled but ultimately, understood the value of proceeding with stealth "Very well Voss, i'll play along for now, but.......if I anything goes wrong.........i'm tearing through the facility"
"Can't really stop ya now can I mate" Kellan sighs
Grimm eye’s flicker with dark matter before responding "No one can Voss"
"Noted” Kellan affirms, before addressing the team "Righty then....lets knab this fucker"