Time passed painfully slow for the three of them.
Alan kept whining about everything, while Kira seemed to be learning the art of patience. As for Gargoth... he appeared to be carrying a new burden in his heart.
At that moment, while they were walking through the dense forest, the unexpected happened.
---
Alan (sarcastically):
"Look at this. Another day in paradise."
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Kira (with a heavy sigh):
"You do know you're the only one who's not enjoying this, right?"
---
Suddenly, Gargoth stopped.
He stood still in the middle of the path, eyes fixed on something in the distance. The atmosphere around him instantly shifted—charged with silent tension.
---
Alan (curiously):
"What's up, big guy? You've been quiet for the past hour. Did you finally figure out how to smile?"
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Gargoth (seriously):
"There's something wrong. I can feel it."
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Kira (suspiciously):
"Is this some kind of 'giant senses' thing?"
---
But what Gargoth felt wasn't just intuition.
At that moment, strange noises echoed from the underbrush, followed by the trees swaying violently, as if massive creatures were moving among them.
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Alan (nervously):
"Uh... guys, I don't like the sound of that. What are we dealing with here?"
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Gargoth (grimly):
"We're about to find out."
---
And then, as if summoned by their fears, a colossal monster burst through the trees. It looked like a mountain beast—twisted and unnatural. Two heads screeched in different directions, and its entire body was lined with sharp, gleaming spikes.
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Kira (groaning):
"Seriously? I thought we were done with giant monsters."
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Alan (terrified):
"Is it... coming straight for us?!"
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Gargoth (booming):
"Stay back. I'll handle this."
---
As Gargoth charged at the beast, something unexpected happened.
A strange sensation crept through his body—an unfamiliar weakness. It wasn't just brute strength this monster possessed; it carried with it some kind of dark magic... something that affected him deeply.
---
Alan (from afar):
"Uh-oh! This looks bad! We might actually need a plan this time!"
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Kira (springing into action):
"We'll help! Just don't get yourselves killed!"
---
As Kira and Alan prepared to assist, Gargoth realized he had to take command... in his own unconventional way.
---
The creature advanced rapidly, and despite Gargoth's bravery, things weren't going well. His immense strength was struggling against the beast's dark magic, and the situation was deteriorating fast.
---
Gargoth (firmly):
"I need a distraction. Alan, you're up."
---
But, as expected, Alan was far from ready—still trembling, eyes locked on the monster like it was his first encounter with terror.
---
Alan (panicked):
"Wait, wait, what?! Me? No! I'm not going near that thing!"
---
Gargoth had no time for protests. Without hesitation, he grabbed Alan by the leg and hoisted him up like a living shield.
---
Gargoth (flatly):
"Don't worry, you're expendable. Just get in the way of the monster."
---
Alan (screaming):
"Wait, no! I'm not your shield! I'm just... a guy!"
---
Despite Alan's desperate flailing, Gargoth insisted—fully aware that Alan wouldn't die. His regenerative powers made him the perfect disposable decoy.
---
Kira (sighing):
"I swear, if I didn't know better, I'd think you're doing this on purpose."
---
Alan (frustrated):
"I am not a shield! I'm a... a... hero? A reluctant hero?!"
---
While Alan shouted in protest, the monster came crashing forward, its grotesque form closing the distance fast—its body a mass of teeth and thorns. In that dire moment, Alan suddenly remembered something important.
---
Alan (thinking out loud):
"Wait, maybe... I could... No, this is going to be awful!"
---
And then, embracing his fate, Alan gave up fleeing and lunged toward the beast—though his method was... less than graceful.
---
Alan (leaping awkwardly):
"Ha! I got this! I'm like a cat! A fearless... cat!"
---
Gargoth and Kira watched in stunned silence as Alan flailed toward the monster.
---
The ground rumbled beneath them. The monster's roar shook the forest like thunder.
And in the blink of an eye... it lunged at Alan.
And tore him apart.
Brutally.
His body ripped like paper, limbs flying in every direction—but somehow...
---
Alan (body parts scattered):
"Guys... I think I'm... slightly inconvenienced..."
---
His grotesque regeneration began once more. Bones snapped into place, flesh reformed, and of course... the screams returned.
---
Alan (screaming):
"Aaaaaah! I can feel every bone knitting back! I hate this power!"
---
Gargoth, ever the tactician, continued using Alan with clinical precision.
---
Gargoth (tossing Alan again):
"Get in there again, Alan. I think I saw the weak spot near its throat."
---
Alan (desperate):
"What?! No! I just grew my arm back! Let me keep it for five minutes!"
---
Kira attacked from the flank—agile, calculating, striking the creature's joints with precision.
---
Kira (focused):
"Focus! We can't let Alan's suffering be in vain!"
---
Alan (from afar, regenerating again):
"I heard that! My suffering IS in vain!"
---
The battle raged on. Every time Gargoth or Kira advanced, Alan was launched again—sometimes tossed, sometimes kicked, occasionally used as a living missile.
---
Gargoth (hurling Alan):
"Alan! Do your thing!"
---
Alan (mid-air):
"My thing is screaming in pain!!"
---
Gradually, the beast began to weaken. Wounds covered its body, and its movements slowed—but the battle wasn't over. In fact, it was just getting more dangerous.
---
Kira (worried):
"He's not going down yet... We need something bigger."
---
Alan (regenerating, in agony):
"Maybe... throw me with more passion this time?"
---
A grin spread across Gargoth's face...
He had a new idea.
But would it be completely insane?
Or would it be the end of the monster?
---
To be continued...