The ground trembled beneath their feet.
Slow at first.
Then heavier.
Closer.
Every step echoed through the forest like distant thunder.
Branches shook.
Leaves fell.
Even the air itself seemed to vibrate.
The group froze instinctively.
Then—almost at the same time—
they all reached for their weapons.
Steel slid from sheaths.
Tight grips.
Controlled breathing.
Even Barry shifted slightly, his massive form tensing as if he felt the danger approaching.
Then—
suddenly—
Silence.
The tremors stopped.
Completely.
No footsteps.
No movement.
Nothing.
The forest returned to an unnatural stillness.
A tension spread between them.
Worse than before.
„Heinrich: …Where did they go?"
His voice was low.
Careful.
„Anna: I don't know…"
Her eyes moved constantly, scanning the darkness between the trees.
Noah stepped slightly forward.
His voice calm—but sharp.
„Noah: Stay alert."
A short pause.
„Noah: They could be anywhere."
Each of them turned in different directions.
Watching.
Listening.
The forest felt wrong.
Like something was watching back.
Then—
CRASH.
A massive figure burst out of the darkness.
One of the Golems.
Its red-painted body reflected faint moonlight—
making it look almost like it was covered in blood.
It charged straight at Johann.
„Anna: JOHANN, WATCH OUT!!"
Johann turned instantly—
his injured leg slowing him just slightly—
but just enough.
He forced himself to move—
barely dodging to the side.
The Golem slammed into the ground where he had stood.
The impact shaking the earth violently.
„Johann: SHIT—!!"
Before anyone could react—
More movement.
Four more Golems emerged from the forest.
Surrounding them.
Five.
All at once.
Heavy.
Massive.
Relentless.
„Johann: You've got to be kidding me…"
His voice filled with frustration.
„Johann: How the hell are we supposed to take down FIVE of these at once?!"
The Golems began moving.
Slow at first.
Then faster.
All five charged.
„Noah: Spread out! Don't let them surround us!"
The group split instantly.
The first Golem swung its massive arm at Heinrich—
Heinrich barely raised his sword in time.
The impact sent him sliding across the ground.
„Heinrich: Damn it—they're strong!"
Anna rushed in—
striking at the Golem's leg joints.
Her blade sparked against stone—
chipping pieces away.
„Anna: Aim for the joints!"
Karoschi moved silently.
Quick.
Precise.
He slipped behind another Golem—
striking at its back repeatedly.
Cracks began forming.
Meanwhile—
Johann struggled.
His injured leg slowed him down.
A Golem charged straight at him again.
„Johann: Of course you pick me—"
He barely dodged again—
falling slightly as pain shot through his leg.
The Golem turned instantly—
raising its arm for another strike—
Before it could land—
Barry moved.
With a deep, heavy motion—
he slammed into the Golem.
The impact echoed through the forest.
The Golem staggered back.
Johann looked up—
breathing heavily.
„Johann: …Thanks."
Barry said nothing.
But stood between him and the Golem.
Noah rushed in.
His movements sharper now.
More focused.
He jumped—
driving his blade into a crack Karoschi had created.
The Golem's body split slightly—
then—
collapsed.
The first one fell.
„Noah: One down!"
But there was no time to celebrate.
Another Golem slammed its arm into the ground—
sending Anna and Heinrich off balance.
Karoschi reacted instantly—
cutting deep into its leg—
weakening its stance.
„Karoschi: Now!"
Anna didn't hesitate.
She rushed forward—
striking the same point repeatedly—
until the leg gave out.
The Golem crashed down.
Heinrich stepped in—
driving his blade into its core.
The cracks spread.
Then—
it shattered.
Second one down.
„Heinrich: That actually worked—"
A Golem suddenly grabbed him from the side.
Lifting him off the ground.
„Heinrich: —Never mind!"
It began tightening its grip.
Noah reacted instantly—
cutting into its arm.
Karoschi followed—
striking the same spot—
again and again—
Until the arm broke apart.
Heinrich dropped—
rolling away.
„Heinrich: I hate these things…"
The battle grew more chaotic.
Johann, still injured, forced himself to fight.
Dodging.
Striking when possible.
„Johann: I swear if I die to a rock—"
Barry smashed into another Golem—
holding it back long enough—
For Noah to leap forward—
Driving his blade straight through its head.
Cracks spread instantly.
The Golem froze—
then collapsed.
Third one down.
Only two left.
But they weren't slowing down.
One charged straight at Anna—
Too fast.
Too close.
Before it could hit—
Karoschi stepped in.
Blocking the attack—
his body pushed back violently—
But holding.
„Karoschi: Move!"
Anna did.
Immediately striking the Golem's side—
Heinrich joined—
Then Noah—
All three attacking the same point.
The stone cracked—
then shattered—
The Golem collapsed.
Fourth one down.
Silence.
Only one remained.
It looked at them.
Then—
suddenly—
it turned.
And ran.
Straight into the darkness.
No one chased it.
They couldn't.
They were exhausted.
Injured.
Breathing heavily.
The forest became quiet again.
Only the sound of their breathing remained.
„Heinrich: …We did it."
„Anna: I… can't believe it…"
Noah looked at all of them.
Tired.
Injured.
But standing.
„Noah: I'm proud of all of us."
A quiet moment passed.
Then—
they began walking again.
Toward the valley.
Far away—
Mimic stood before a massive army.
Countless Karagnists.
Skeletons.
Monsters.
All waiting.
Watching.
His presence filled the entire battlefield.
Cold.
Controlled.
He stepped forward.
„Mimic: It's time…"
His voice echoed across the army.
„Mimic: We stop playing games."
A pause.
„Mimic: I want the key."
His eyes darkened.
„Mimic: Form larger groups."
„Mimic: Hunt them down."
His voice dropped.
Filled with hatred.
„Mimic: Kill those wretched insects…"
A final pause.
„Mimic: And bring me the key…"
His expression twisted slightly.
„Mimic: The key to freeing my father."
The army erupted.
Roars.
Cheers.
Weapons raised.
The war had begun.