Chapter-7 A Titan's Wrath

'Your final fight is against…Uzrudos, the fire titan.'

The voice echoed in Aiden's mind, instantly a suffocating pressure settled over him, making the air feel thick and heavy. This was the last step of the beginner's trial, a test designed to weed out the unworthy before granting access to the future zone controls. Pass, and he would move forward. Fail, and he might not survive at all.

Aiden's brows furrowed. 'How is this fair?

'… Uzrudos is a living weapon of the Phantom Dimension formed from molten energy and twisted machine parts. It exists to test all beginners before they enter the future zone controls. Strength alone won't save you. You need strategy… and luck.'

Before he could respond, a deafening roar echoed across the meadow, sending birds fleeing from the trees. Aiden's hands gripped the glowing dagger tightly, his heart hammering against his ribs. He wasn't strong.

He wasn't fast. But he now had wits…from all he went through.

Urzudos stepped forward, each step shaking the ground beneath Aiden's feet. The heat radiating from its magma-fused body made the air shimmer, and the grass at its feet blackened and smoked. It's fiery visor locked onto him.

Aiden's breath hitched. His mind raced. 'One mistake, and I'm dead.'

Slowly, he edged backward toward the hills.

With a sudden, thunderous motion, Urzudos swung its magma axe in a wide arc, the air sizzling with heat. Aiden ducked, a cliff of the hills, the blade missing him by inches. He stumbled back, his foot catching on a rock

He hit the ground hard.

"Think, Aiden." he muttered to himself, scrambling up. He glanced down, cupping some dirt. He came to realization of what, the helper meant. He really can't use strenght.

He glanced around, his eyes darting between the shimmering lake, the steep hills behind him, and the scattered boulders. He had a shaky idea, but it was better than nothing.

Ahead, Urzudos slowly advanced, raising its axe high. Aiden bolted, sprinting toward the lake. He could feel the heat of the axe behind him, its swing close enough to send a wave of hot air across his back. He dove into the water just as the axe struck the ground, sending molten energy rippling through the ground.

The cool water enveloped him, a stark contrast to the Urzudos heat. He surfaced, gasping for air, and looked back. The Titan paused at the water's edge, its molten limbs hissing and steaming as they touched the lake.

Aiden grinned. "Not a fan of water."

Despite, it's initially appearing moving throught the water his body was protected, for a while as he wasn't in a fight. Only when begginer are here, it comes out.

Grabbing a nearby rock, Aiden hurled it at the titan's visor. The stone shattered on impact, harmlessly bouncing off the molten surface, but Uzrudos roared in irritation. It raised it's massive axe and slammed it into the lake, sending a geyser of scalding water into the air.

Aiden barely managed to swim aside, avoiding the boiling spray. He clawed his way onto the far bank, coughing and gasping for air.

Urzudos foot hovered above the water, its foot molten veins steaming as it stepped cautiously into the shallows.

I can use this.

He darted toward the hills, the Urzudos following with slower, heavy steps as the water slowed its movements.

Reaching the base of a steep incline, Aiden climbed, his hands scrambling for holds on the rocky surface. He reached a ledge and turned to see the Urzudos trudging after him, it's magma limbs leaving glowing trails in the earth.

He had noticed multiple thing, he can used to advantage, like next to him was a loose blonder.

"Come on, big guy." Aiden muttered.

He pushed it all his might. The rock tumbled down the hill, striking Urzudos shoulder. Sparks flew as the impact cracked part of its molten armor.

Urzudos roared, raising its axe to strike. Aiden climbed higher, barely avoiding the swing as the axe shattered the ledge he had just been standing on.

He reached the top of the hill and looked down. Urzudos was struggling to climb, its heavy body sinking into the loose soil. Aiden spotted a cluster of jagged rocks below and grinned.

"Let's see how you like gravity." he said. He grabbed another boulder and shoved it down the hill.

Urzudos raised its arm to block, but the force of the rock sent it stumbling backward. Its massive frame crashed into the jagged rocks below, shards of its molten armor breaking away.

Breathing hard, Aiden slid down the hill, using the momentum to charge at Urzudos. He leapt onto its back, grabbing hold of the glowing lines etched into its obsidian-like armor. The heat seared his palms, but he gritted his teeth and climbed higher.

Urzudos roared and twisted, trying to shake him off. Aiden stabbed his dagger into the cracks in its armor, sparks flying as the blade pierced its molten veins. The Titan shuddered, a burst of energy escaping from the wound.

"Got you!" Aiden shouted, clinging tightly as Urzudos thrashed.

Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind the calm, measured tone of his helper.

'Aiden, listen carefully. Its core is in its chest. Strike there, and you can end this.'

"The chest?!" Aiden glanced down, spotting a faint glow beneath Urzudos armored plating. He saw oval metal core pulsing like a fiery heart, hidden beneath layers of molten metal.

It's power stems from a volatile core that fuels its every move, leaving destruction in its wake. And as Aiden got closer, its energy pulsed of unstablely.

Urzudos roared again, its massive hand reaching back to grab him. Aiden climbed higher, dodging the grasping fingers.

He reached its shoulder and jumped, landing on its chest. The heat was unbearable, but he didn't stop. He raised his dagger and plunged it into the glowing seam near the core.

Urzudos bellowed, its movements frantic as Aiden drove the blade deeper. The crystal on his neck glowed brighter, resonating with the energy of the core.

'Now, Aiden! Finish it!'

As he was about to shatter the core, it realeased a blinding burst of light and heat. Aiden was thrown backward, landing hard on the ground as Urzudos hands covered his core in pain.

For a moment, all was still. The meadows were silent, abrupted by Aiden's ragged breathing. He thought that, he was going to win finally, accomplishing something beneficial.

He remained on the ground, his chest rising and falling as exhaustion set in. He had been so close. Yet here he was again, knocked down, his victory slipping through his fingers. His fists clenched, nails biting into his palm. Why did it always end this way? Why was there always another damn obstacle? He let out a bitter laugh before glaring at the sky.

"There's always something in my way." He shouted at the sky's.

As he layed on the ground felling sadness of his failure, he heard a sudden voice.

"I said you have potential. Why are you wasting it?"

Aiden jerked upright he felt the voice was familiar despite barely hearing it before. He glanced on the source of the voice.

It was her.

The girl who had lent him the daggers.

This time he saw her real appearance, standing at 5'5", her chest is more pronounced than the rest of her frame, imposing yet graceful silhouette draped in a long black and purple hoodie robe, the hood rests on her head, casting shadows over her face, with just enough of her sharp features visible through the black mask she wears, covering her lower face.

Beneath her robe, her combat-style black baggy pants hug her body. Her eyes, a unique blend of green and orange with a touch of gold

He have been seeing, lines resembling a circuit board on some people face, just her were more defined running down her face, subtly illuminated, as if her skin is both human and something…else

Aiden exhaled sharply, his shoulders shrugging as he tilted his head. "You were wrong."

Mira's gaze flicked between him and Urzudos. "How do you know I'm wrong if you're already giving up after one setback?"

"…" He chest rose up and down. He knew what she was saying he experienced, it multiple times but he pushed through. Because he life wasn't really dependent on it…like now.

Yeah. My beauty was taking long to be ready for my journey. I still ended up continuing, is it the same for this the, the bike will benefit me when finished. So why won't continuing till I destroyed this Titan?

In the mist of his thought, the ground shook beneath he felt Uzrudos heavy steps, its molten form advancing toward Aiden with an eerie, slow determination. But before it could swing its massive axe again, a flash of motion cut through the air.

Mira dashed forward, strapped to her lower back, two short swords rest in their sheaths, angled diagonally one pointing left, the other right for easy access.

Her short sword gleaming in the dim light. Faster than Aiden could react, she closed the distance between them and the towering Urzudos, her body moving with fluid grace. It's fiery visor locked onto her as she leaped up, her sword arcing down in a swift, precise slash.

Her short sword collided with Urzudos armored chest, sending sparks flying. A deep, resonating clang rang out, but the sword's sharp edge managed to carve a shallow mark into its molten armor. It staggered back slightly, a growl emanating from deep within its chest as it stumbled.

Mira landed with a soft thud beside Aiden, her breath steady as she stood next to him, her sword still held at the ready.

"You're slower than you used to be." she remarked, her smirk barely visible beneath her mask.

Aiden glanced at her, then back at the Titan, whose molten veins pulsed angrily. He didn't know how she moved that fast, but there was no time to think about it. Uzrudos was recovering, its fiery gaze focused on them both now.

She didn't flinch, she stood her ground, sharp, confidence radiating from her like a sharpened blade. Aiden couldn't help but compare how strong she is too the Serpentine Wraith, and Uzrudo.

"Ready?" Mira asked, her voice calm but firm.

Aiden nodded, gripping his dagger tighter. A glint of understanding appeared in his gaze. "If I fail, I'm no better than the creatures haunting this place. I'll lose everything, even myself."