mountain of terrors(2)

The Frost Titan's massive form barreled toward Dakota, shaking the mountain with every step. Ice shattered beneath its weight, and the freezing wind around them grew more violent as if the mountain itself was reacting to the creature's rage.

Dakota remained still, watching. He wasn't foolish enough to underestimate it. Titans weren't just big monsters—they were forces of nature, their bodies infused with the raw power of the world itself. This one, in particular, had been shaped by the endless blizzards and frozen lands of the Mountain of Terrors.

The Titan raised its massive fist, its form shimmering with cold energy, and brought it down with terrifying speed. Dakota barely moved in time, leaping back as the impact sent a shockwave through the ground, splitting the ice beneath him. Sharp fragments of frozen rock shot through the air, but Dakota maneuvered through them effortlessly, his golden eyes locked onto the giant.

Dakota:

"You actually have some weight behind those punches. Not bad."

The Titan roared, raising both arms this time, and slammed them down. The sheer force of the attack sent Dakota skidding back, his boots scraping against the ice. He frowned.

Dakota: (Thinking)

"Tougher than expected. I could just cut him down immediately, but I should at least warm up a little first."

The Titan didn't give him time to think further. It exhaled a gust of freezing wind that froze the very air itself. Dakota barely dodged in time, his cloak stiffening as the ice spread unnaturally fast.

Dakota:

"Alright, that's enough. My turn."

In an instant, he vanished. The Titan's head turned in confusion, its simple mind struggling to keep up with Dakota's movement. Before it could react, Dakota reappeared—standing on the Titan's shoulder.

Dakota:

"Let's end this."

He raised his sword, and in one swift motion, his blade ignited with a crimson glow. With a downward slash, he cut straight through the Titan's neck. The massive creature froze, its glowing eyes flickering before dimming entirely.

A moment later, its entire body split apart, collapsing into a pile of shattered ice and stone. A final gust of freezing wind swept across the mountain, but Dakota simply adjusted his cloak, unfazed.

Dakota: (Scoffing)

"That was supposed to be a challenge?"

He flicked the ice from his blade and continued his ascent.

As Dakota climbed higher, the monsters only became stronger. He faced shadow panthers that moved like ghosts, their fangs laced with deadly poison. He cut them down with precise strikes, never allowing them to even get close.

Then came the ice wraiths—undead spirits born from the hatred of fallen warriors. They moved as fast as the wind, their howls chilling to the bone. Dakota's sword flared with dark energy as he sliced through them, their spectral forms dissipating into the night.

Dakota: (Smirking)

"You're going to have to try harder than that."

The mountain seemed to listen.

Because what came next was far worse.

A monstrous beast unlike anything he had seen before stood in his path—a hybrid of a dragon and a frost demon. Its scales shimmered like ice, and its wings stretched wide, casting an ominous shadow over the mountainside.

Dakota exhaled slowly.

Dakota: (Thinking)

"This might actually take some effort."

The beast roared, sending a shockwave of ice magic in his direction. Dakota dodged effortlessly, appearing above its head in an instant. He swung his sword down, aiming for its skull—

Only for his blade to pass right through.

Dakota's eyes narrowed as he landed.

Dakota: (Muttering)

"An illusion?"

The world around him shimmered. The mountain disappeared. The monsters disappeared.

And suddenly, he was standing in an entirely different place.

A vast wasteland stretched endlessly before him. The sky was red, filled with ominous, swirling clouds. The ground beneath his feet cracked like dried blood.

Dakota didn't react immediately.

Instead, he stood still, his mind analyzing everything.

Then he heard the voice.

???

"Dakota… you cannot escape. You will wander this realm forever, unable to find your way back. Your fate is sealed."

Dakota sighed.

Dakota:

"I see. You think this is going to work on me?"

His golden eyes flickered with understanding.

Dakota: (Thinking)

"This illusion… it's impressive. But there's one problem."

His surroundings twisted again. The illusion tried to shift, to trap him deeper. But Dakota smirked.

Dakota:

"I don't fall for cheap tricks."

With a sudden burst of power, his presence surged. The illusion wavered.

Then, in a single instant—

It shattered.

The real world snapped back into focus. The mountain, the snow, the cold wind—all returned.

And in front of him stood the one who had cast the illusion.

A cloaked figure, their body trembling. Their hands glowed faintly with lingering magic, their expression frozen in horror.

Dakota didn't hesitate.

With a single step, he closed the distance. His sword pierced through the illusionist's chest.

The figure gasped, their body convulsing. Dakota twisted the blade.

Dakota: (Coldly)

"Next time, use something that actually works."

He pulled his sword free. The figure collapsed, lifeless.

Dakota didn't even glance at the body as he continued forward.

As Dakota ascended higher, the air around him changed.

The usual cold of the mountain remained, but something else crept into the atmosphere. A presence—something ancient, powerful, dangerous.

He stopped walking.

His instincts, honed through countless battles, screamed at him.

Dakota: (Thinking)

"This presence… it's different from the others."

Then, far ahead, beyond the swirling storm clouds—he saw them.

Two figures stood on the path leading to the peak. Their silhouettes were barely visible through the blizzard, but Dakota knew immediately what they were.

Not humans.

Not mere monsters.

They were Devil's.

Powerful beings that existed beyond normal creatures, stronger than even most djinns.

Dakota's grip on his sword tightened.

Behind him, the wind howled.

And for the first time since arriving on this mountain—he felt a flicker of excitement.

Dakota: (Smirking)

"Well it looks like I will have to face devil's this early on. I wasn't expecting devil's this early but whatever."

The battle ahead would be unlike any before.