KINGSLAYER

Terrified screams echoed through a small village hidden deep within the mountains. Panic spread through the narrow dirt streets as townspeople fled in every direction. Mothers pulled their children by the hand while elderly villagers hurried toward whatever shelter they could find. Doors slammed shut. Windows were barred. Shop owners shouted for people to get inside, ushering as many frightened villagers as possible behind sturdy walls before locking themselves in.

The village guards rushed to defend their home. Armed with simple spears and worn swords, they formed a defensive line at the center of the street. Their armor was cheap and battered from years of use, offering little protection against what was coming. Many of them were afraid. Some gripped their weapons so tightly that their knuckles turned white. Others struggled to steady their breathing as the ground beneath them trembled.

Then the monsters arrived. They poured into the village like a flood. Creatures of every shape and size stormed through the streets. Massive beasts with jagged fangs roared toward the defenders. Smaller monsters darted between buildings with unnatural speed. Their growls mixed with the screams of the villagers, creating a chorus of terror that echoed across the mountains. Among them were hell hounds. The black-furred beasts charged ahead of the horde, their glowing eyes fixed on the defensive line. "Hold your positions!" a guard captain shouted.

The hell hounds slammed into the formation with overwhelming force. Spears shattered. Guards were thrown aside like dolls. The defensive line collapsed almost instantly as monsters surged through the gap. Steel clashed against claws and fangs. Blood stained the dirt roads. Men screamed. Many never got the chance to scream at all.

Amid the chaos, a little girl stood alone in the middle of the street. She clutched a worn teddy bear tightly against her chest. Tears filled her eyes as she looked around at the destruction surrounding her. "Mommy...?" Her small voice trembled. "Mommy...?"

The fires spreading through the village crackled nearby. Smoke drifted through the air. Shadows danced across the walls of ruined buildings.

Then a massive shape emerged behind her. A beast nearly ten feet tall slowly approached, its heavy footsteps shaking the ground beneath it. Thick muscles bulged beneath its dark hide, and rows of sharp teeth protruded from its twisted jaw. A low growl rumbled from its throat as it stared down at the helpless child.

The girl never noticed. Still searching for her mother, she stood frozen in place. The monster raised a massive claw. Its talons gleamed in the firelight. It swung.

A silver flash cut through the darkness. The beast's arm separated from its body in a clean stroke. Blood erupted from the wound. The monster roared in agony and stumbled backward, clutching the ruined stump where its arm had once been.

A lone figure stood between the beast and the little girl. He wore a full suit of polished armor. Unlike the other guards, his equipment bore almost no signs of wear. A dark cape flowed behind him, fluttering in the wind created by the nearby flames.

His helmet was absent, revealing a calm, expressionless face. Without looking back, he gently pushed the girl away. "Move," he said. His voice was quiet. "Then close your eyes."

The girl nodded and stumbled backward. She squeezed her eyes shut. A second later, curiosity got the better of her. She opened them just enough to peek.

The armored man stepped forward, sword in hand. The wounded beast snarled and charged toward him. Lightning began to gather around the blade. Thin arcs of electricity danced across the steel, growing brighter with each passing second. The air itself seemed to vibrate with power.

The man lowered his stance. The monster lunged.

The sword flashed. "Canned Heat."

A brilliant beam of light erupted from the blade. The attack tore through the beast's torso in an instant. The creature froze mid-charge, its eyes widening as the glowing slash carved completely through its body.

Silence followed. Then the monster collapsed. Its enormous corpse struck the ground with a thunderous crash. The little girl stared in amazement. The fear in her eyes had vanished, replaced by wonder. "Who are you, mister...?"

The man slowly turned around. Behind him, the village burned. Orange flames illuminated his stoic features while smoke drifted across the night sky.

His gaze met the girl's.

"Kingslayer."