Ambush

The clearing was still. The only sounds were the heavy breaths of the knights, exhausted after hours of travel and relentless battles. The dense canopy of the Heartwood Forest loomed over them, blocking out much of the sun, casting eerie shadows across the open ground where they had decided to rest.

But then—

A deep, guttural growl rumbled from the darkness beyond the trees.

It was low at first, almost a vibration in the air. Then it was joined by another. And another. The sound built into a crescendo of heavy, raspy breathing, the unmistakable presence of something massive.

Then came the first thud.

A tree near the edge of the clearing shuddered, its leaves trembling as something massive pushed through the undergrowth. The knights immediately tensed, hands flying to their weapons.

Then it stepped out.

A hulking ogre, its body unlike anything they had ever seen.