Philiana, caught by surprise, fell.
Elana shot Giganos, and the giant’s massive body fell to the ground.
“How was that? Did it finally work?”
Amidst the white smoke, the big man slowly stood up. His gray skin was burned, but it wasn’t a fatal wound. Instead, it seemed to have poured fuel on the fire.
“Grrr, grrr.”
He let out a breath through his teeth, his shoulders rising and falling.
“ROOOOOOOOAR!”
Giganos’s roar shook Cocytus. It was a terrifying, deep bass that would make even a bear flee. My body froze, and I started to tremble.
He charged straight at us like a rampaging bull. The tip of his axe scraped against the cracked ice, making a grinding sound. Nothing could stop this beast. Even if a car hit him, he’d probably continue fighting without a flinch.
Sensing this, everyone scattered and fled. I also hastily retreated from the spot.
“GRRRAAA!!”
The ground quivered and rippled. The spot where he struck caved in, shattering like thin ice. Although I avoided a direct hit, my legs gave out, and I fell. Flailing my powerless arms and legs, I managed to get on my knees.
Get up quickly! The enemy’s attack isn’t over! I told myself repeatedly. The ground tremor transmitted through the cold ground, it’s coming. But it wasn’t for me. I looked back and saw Giganos charging towards Pauline, who had been caught by surprise and was still trying to escape, with his axe raised.
My blood ran cold. Pauline had been rendered immobile by the previous impact. Moreover, the big man was approaching from the front at an incredible speed.
“Pauline…!”
I won’t make it! Even if I stand up and run now, I can’t match Giganos’s speed. Worse, after he impales Pauline, he’ll come for me next. Still, I stood up and shouted.
“Hey!! You! Over here!”
I ran, squeezing the air out of my lungs. But Giganos wouldn’t change his target for annihilation. He completely ignored me, seeing no threat. Fragments of ice, scraped away, flew like pebbles.
“Wait… damn it.”
Pauline hugged her head, trembling. Just then, Philiana stepped in front of her, blocking Giganos’s path. Giganos’s momentum didn’t stop.
“Philiana—”
The tip of the spear-like axe pierced Philiana directly. The deep crimson, visible against the gray, seared itself into my vision. The sound of hooves striking the hard ground echoed in my ears.
Philiana’s sword fell from her hand. No, it didn’t fall; she dropped it.
Four horse legs tensed. Her fetlocks bulged, and her muscles trembled erratically. Steam rose from her heated body.
For a moment, I felt as if I saw the wilderness where I once galloped with my fellow Centaurs behind her. The dry wind and dust, and the scent of green. The people of the land and wind, unbound by anyone.
The Unicorn, symbol of wisdom; the Pegasus, symbol of courage; and the Centaur, symbol of power. Their true forms were being vividly displayed before my eyes.
A clash of power against power. Philiana, having abandoned her sword, gripped the axe impaled in her belly with both hands, not letting go.
“You won’t escape a second time.”
“Hoo, hoo.”
Philiana had been caught off guard once, and a hole was opened in her belly. This was a final strategy staked on her life. Giganos, on the other hand, was struggling to pull his axe out, pushing and pulling. The monster, whose blood had rushed to its head, seemed to have regained some composure.
And Nina seized the opportunity, wrapping herself around Giganos. Her injured right arm was no longer usable. She quickly inserted the dagger in her left hand into a wound on his neck.
“GURUUUU!!”
A pained cry escaped Giganos. The sound of thick muscles being torn apart could be heard.
“Die already, you big brute!”
The curved blade bit into the prey’s flesh. Being constricted by the snake-like tail, the slow death was like being swallowed by a giant serpent.
Suddenly, Giganos released one of the hands holding the axe. Then he grabbed Nina, who was behind him, by the neck.
“Gah…”
Her slender neck was crushed in his vice-like grip. He forcibly pulled Nina away. Blood bubbled from Nina’s mouth, but she didn’t loosen her tail. Finally, Giganos gave up on the weapon in his hand and grabbed her with both hands.
The dagger slipped from his hand, and her eyes rolled back. If this continued, Nina’s neck would break.
“Nina, let go of my tail for now! Elana, please help her!”
A fireball from Elana would surely make him let go. I didn’t want to lose any more companions. But Nina didn’t seem to hear, remaining wrapped around Giganos.
Meanwhile, Philiana seemed to have reached her limit. With the axe still embedded in her belly, she stood with her head bowed.
