Chapter 36: Gray-War Trolls (2/2)

Tyler, now with little options twisted the great sword in his had into a reverse grip, holding it like a shield to meet the attack head on. The Hamaxe slammed into the great sword and it vibrated vigorously as Tyler was pushed back three paces.

Tyler felt his arm vibrating as he saw a crack appear in the middle of the great sword. He turned to looked at the enraged troll who was already upon him with a faint smile. He was glad he did this, taunting the troll was indeed a good idea as this level of intensity was something he couldn't get even if he had ask Albert to spar with him.

He was learning a lot from this battle, although Tylet was certain he would win easily if he used his overwhelming speed and strength to attack, he wouldn't gain anything from that. This was a very suitable stage for melee training. The troll's unexpected change in attack pattern and intensity as well as the unknown ability it was using to make his attacks affect Tyler even though it's strength was insufficient was something Tyler hadn't expected.

These were all factors that would've be dangerous for him if he had gone toe to toe with someone even a little bit stronger. With his lacking skills and techniques, no matter how fast or strong he was he would undoubtedly still lose in front of someone like Albert or Liz without the use of magic, and even that had its own drawbacks.

The massive Hamaxe appeared in Tyler face breaking him out of his thoughts. The troll had thrown it's weapon again and Tyler could only tilt his head to avoid the attack. The troll immediately tugged on the chain causing the Hamaxe to stop mid flight and return back to him. It lunged at Tyler with a deafening roar that contained his full wrath and fury.

Tyler no longer avoided it's attacks as he lunged forward as well and met the troll head on. He swung his great sword which was deflected by the trolls left arm and the troll countered with a diagonal Strike only for Tyler to swiftly avoid it. Tyler continued swinging the greatsword, and the Gray-War troll continued its adroit deflection of his blows while also trying to strike back. They continued this fierce battle for a while when suddenly, another glyph on Kadiz body lit up, and it cast a spell.

•••••••

In the west side of the Darknar Forest, an underground cave like structure laid underneath a steep hill surrounded by dense vegetation. The tall trees and large leaves block almost all rays of the sun, causing this place to be in a state of eternal darkness and the wind that came down hill made the area cool and damp, giving it and eerie atmosphere.

Two hulking giant creatures stood guard at the entrance of the cave. They wore full sets of bone armor which was combined with a type of metal and held long bone spears and shields with skins almost as dark as the dark and damp forest.

Inside this cave that seemed to expand unnaturally, there were several other similar creatures lazing around while others dug out the glistening red rocks on the cave walls and gathered them in a pile. These massive creatures doing such manual labours were indeed Gray-War trolls. They either worked or rested in rotations when suddenly they all stopped and gathered to the side, standing as straight as they possibly could when they had head the sounds of footsteps coming from one of the tunnels in the cave.

Three creatures appeared from one of the unlit tunnels revealing themselves within the rays of the dim lighting of the touches in the cave. An undead creature wearing a slightly tattered luxurious robe with purple threads that designed it's edges, holding a wooden staff with small red crystals embedded in it and a large one attached to it's end. It wore a bone crown with the red crystals adorning the tips of the spiked parts of the bone crown.

The undead creature moved leisurely with two knights trailing behind it. They were also undead creatures with blood red coloured dried up skins and red full plate armors that looked imposing. They carried long swords and a massive red shield as they marched uniformly alongside their master.

The Gray-War trolls lowered their heads when the undead creatures came in and they dropped to one knee with trembling hands. The undead creatures walked by them as it headed for another tunnel within the cave. It soon stopped upon nearing the entrance to the tunnel and turned it's bony head to look at one of the trolls closest to him, startling the troll.

It had rotten skin attached to its white bones beneath it's robe. It's face was a mixture of the rotten flesh and a skull, however, beneath its rotting exterior lies a pair of evil eyes brimming with intelligence. Although those eyes where nothing more than floating lights in it's empty eye sockets.

This was a Lich, it was shrouded in an aura of negative energy that covered its body like a thin fog, giving off a menacing atmosphere that send chills down the spines of the Gray-War trolls.

”Where is Kadiz?”

It spoke with a ghastly voice that didn't seem to belong to the living, making the troll it spoke to lower it's body reflexively. ”He... er... He left... he went to subdue the village of kobolds in other to expand our territory to the east as per your command.” The troll spoke with great respect and apprehension.

”I see, how many went with him?”

”Around 10 regular trolls and 10 elite trolls.”

”Hm... For just a few kobolds? ...Kadiz may be getting too weak for his position, perhaps i need to make some changes around here.” It said conclusively as it walked leisurely into another tunnel with it's two Doom Knights and slowly disappeared into the darkness.