Chapter 71: The duel.

Words : 1336 Updated : Sep 19th, 2025

"If we want to survive, we have to fight as one! We have to push forward, for them, for each other. But..." he paused, taking a deep breath. "I won't ask any of you to give more than you already have. If you want to stay here and wait for evacuation, I understand. No one will think less of you." He took a final look around, his heart pounding with a mixture of fear and resolve. "But for those of you who still have something left to give... who still have the courage to push forward... follow me. Together, we'll show them what we're made of." There was a heartbeat of silence, and then one by one, his soldiers raised their weapons, nodding in grim determination. They weren't just following orders anymore; they were following him. And as Rex turned toward the raging battlefield, he felt the weight on his shoulders lighten, just a little. He wasn't alone. Together, they would face the oncoming storm, one last stand against the darkness. With a surge of determination, Rex crafted his massive claymore, feeling the familiar weight in his hands as he pointed it skyward, then slowly leveled it forward. His voice thundered across the battlefield as he shouted, "Forward!" Without a second thought, he charged, leading his troops into the inferno ahead. They followed, each step pounding the ground with grim purpose. The sounds of battle grew louder and closer until they were upon the first allied position, a desperate pocket of soldiers on the verge of being overwhelmed by the relentless Khryssari swarm. Rex's arrival was like a burst of salvation; he and his troops fought their way in, cutting down the Khryssari and rallying the soldiers, who joined his growing force with renewed vigor. Meanwhile, back at headquarters, General Leena watched the battlefield reports with a look of barely concealed boredom. One of her officers approached, his voice tense as he delivered the latest update. "General, the situation on the frontline is looking grim. Please, give your orders!" Leena's eyes narrowed, her lips curling into a disdainful sneer. "Hmph. Know your place, you insignificant officer. The situation is perfectly under control. If a few disposable soldiers die down there, that's what they're there for. Now stop wasting my time and get back to your duties." The officer stiffened, swallowing his frustration as he continued, "Yes, ma'am... but there's one more report. A group assigned to deactivate the sandstorm device just returned." Leena raised an eyebrow, barely interested. "Oh? And where are they now? Cowering at HQ, I suppose?" "No, ma'am," the officer replied, his voice tinged with reluctant admiration. "They joined the frontlines immediately. Right now, they're gathering the scattered soldiers who were ambushed by the Khryssari." Leena scoffed, dismissing the report with a wave of her hand. "Tsk. Is that all? What a waste of my time." "There is... one more thing, General," he said, hesitating before handing her a tablet. "A new report came in just minutes ago. There's video footage." Leena took the tablet, eyes narrowing as she watched the screen. The video showed a hulking Khryssari warrior, unlike any she'd seen before, tearing through allied troops like they were nothing. Bullets and blaster fire bounced off its armored skin, and with each brutal swing of its massive arms, it sent soldiers flying, even crushing a hover tank with a single, devastating punch. "What is this creature?" Leena asked, her voice laced with a rare hint of alarm. "We don't know, ma'am," the officer replied. "But it appears to be an advanced unit of some kind... possibly a Khryssari champion." Rex gave her a lopsided smile, though he couldn't hide the lingering fear in his eyes. "I don't know if I can... but he doesn't know either. And besides, it's something I have to do, right?" Ys's grip tightened, her voice trembling. "But, darling, he's had time to recover and replenish. You're wounded, exhausted... and you know I won't be able to help you once the fight starts." Rex chuckled, though it sounded hollow. "Hey, don't worry about me. I'm feeling better already. Last time he got me by surprise and attacked me from behind. That's not going to happen again." He winked at her, forcing a bit of bravado into his tone. "And maybe if I take him down, I'll get a reward from you, huh?" "This isn't the time for jokes, Rex!" Ys's voice cracked, her eyes glistening with tears. She looked at him with a face a mix of anger, fear, and helplessness. "I... I can't bear to lose you." Rex's expression softened, and he gently brushed a tear from her cheek. "Hey, don't cry. I'll win, you'll see. Have a little faith in me, Ys. I'm not the type of guy who'd lose to a so-called 'champion,' right?" Ys stared at him, her lip trembling as she tried to hold back more tears. She didn't say anything; she just nodded slowly, her eyes brimming with emotion. Rex took her silence as agreement, giving her one last reassuring smile. He placed his hand on her head, ruffling her hair gently. "Go on, help the others. He's here." As he said it, his gaze shifted beyond her to the distant figure moving steadily through the chaos, towering and monstrous. The Khryssari Champion had arrived, its enormous form outlined against the smoke-filled horizon, each step shaking the ground beneath it. Rex tightened his grip on his newly crafted claymore, feeling the cold weight of steel in his hands. He didn't know if he could win this fight, but he knew he had to try. Taking a deep breath, he took one last look at Ys, her face a mask of worry and love. With a final nod, he stepped forward, ready to face the nightmare head-on. "Kukuku, so we meet again, my prey," the Khryssari Champion sneered, his voice a deep, guttural rumble that echoed across the battlefield as he came to a stop, mere meters from Rex. His monstrous figure loomed over Rex, casting a shadow that seemed to swallow the light around him. Rex grinned, wiping the sweat from his brow and refusing to show even an ounce of fear. "Ohhh, look who it is! If it isn't the coward who ran off last time I shoved an iron rod up his ass!" His heart was racing, his pulse pounding in his ears, but his big mouth was still allmighty. The champion's lip curled in fury, revealing rows of jagged, sharp teeth. "Kukuku... insignificant worm," he growled, his voice dripping with malice. "My Queen ordered me to capture you alive. But she never said I had to deliver you in one piece! I'm going to enjoy tearing off each of your limbs, savoring every scream." Rex let out a wild laugh, his eyes glinting with defiance. "Hah! And here I thought you only liked munching on rocks! Guess you have better taste than I thought. Lucky for you, I'm top-shelf meat!" Chapter Continue: The champion snarled, a powerful roar building in his throat as he lunged forward, each step shaking the ground beneath him. He swung one of his massive, stone-like fists, a blow that could crush a tank in a single hit. But Rex was ready. In an instant, Rex sprang into the air, his body moving on pure instinct, every muscle coiled like a spring. He landed on the champion's outstretched arm, barely keeping his balance as the creature's flesh quivered beneath him. Without missing a beat, Rex tightened his grip on his claymore, raising it high over his shoulder. "HAAAAAAAA!" he roared, bringing the blade down in a powerful arc, aiming directly for the champion's neck.

Chapter 71: The duel.

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