The deployment moved out in a structured formation, spreading across the open land as transport carts rolled into position. Captain Varik, a seasoned warrior with a scarred face and a no-nonsense demeanor, rode ahead on a barded warhorse, his keen eyes scanning the horizon.
The outpost's defenses had been tightened, and now the strike force was tasked with preventing a major breach. The reports had been unclear, but intelligence suggested a large creature had slipped past the Maw's border defenses, making its way toward the hinterlands.
Varik's orders were clear—
Establish a broad net to detect and engage the creature before it could reach civilized zones. Keep maneuverability at the forefront—if the creature was too much, they were to stall it until reinforcements arrived. Survivability was key. No unnecessary losses.
The soldiers under his command moved like clockwork, trained for rapid deployments. Scouts rode ahead, sending signals back with hand mirrors and whistle calls, while combat units spread out into their designated positions.
Kalem and Garron rode with one of the central units, a mix of light infantry and skirmishers designed for mobility. Onyx carried a reinforced cart, loaded with supplies and Kalem's signature metal crate, while other riders bore lances, bows, and short swords, ready for combat.
The land ahead stretched vast and open, broken only by low hills and rocky outcroppings. Perfect terrain for skirmishes, but also dangerous if something fast and large got the jump on them.
Kalem leaned back slightly on Onyx. "So, how long are we supposed to sit around before something happens?"
"Hopefully, longer than you think," Garron muttered. "Because if something happens too soon, that means it's already here."
Varik rode past them, stopping near a small ridge where a group of spotters had set up an observation post. He dismounted, grabbing a spyglass and focusing westward.
A deep frown settled on his face.
"All units, hold position. Something's moving."
Kalem and Garron exchanged a glance.
Then—
A sudden boom echoed from the distance.
Kalem snapped his head west, where the land dipped into a shallow valley. A thick cloud of dust was rising into the air.
Then came the screams.
"CONTACT! CONTACT!"
One of the outriders came galloping back, his face pale, his helmet knocked loose from his frantic ride.
"It's—It's a—"
Before he could finish, something lashed out from the dust cloud, and in a split second, he was disfigured into several pieces. His body collapsed, shredded beyond recognition.
Silence.
Then, the butcher revealed itself.
A slithering mass of armored carapace and bone bladescoiled out of the dust, its segmented body writhing like a serpent. Each segment bore razor-sharp protrusions, and its pale exoskeleton gleamed under the dimming light.
Two skull-like heads emerged from its front, empty sockets burning with an unnatural blue glow.
It let out a horrible clicking sound, like bones snapping in succession.
Kalem slid to a stop, narrowing his eyes. "What the hell is that?"
Garron stiffened beside him. "Run."
Kalem turned to him. "What?"
Garron's voice was dead serious. "That's a Bone Devil. It's still unwinding itself, so it can't strike yet—but neither can we. You have potential, Kalem. Dying here is not good."
Kalem didn't move. He was watching it, studying its movements, its structure.
"Tell me," he asked, "what would win—a Garon or that?"
Garron gritted his teeth. "We don't have time for this! Run, before it finishes unraveling!"
Kalem's gaze remained steady. "Answer me."
Garron swore. "It's a draw! Okay?! Now GO!"
Kalem exhaled. "Well then—"
He stepped forward.
"—I won't need to run."
Garron whipped around to face him. "WHAT are you doing?! Get BACK!"
Kalem loosened his shoulders, shifting into a ready stance. "I killed a Garon when I was way weaker. This should be fine."
Garron's expression darkened. "It's done unwinding now. I hope that statement is true."
The Bone Devil, fully stretched out, reared up, its twin skull heads snapping in opposite directions. It hissed, mandibles clattering, and then it moved.
Not lunging. Not charging.
Slithering.
Its body undulated, its movement unnatural, sliding across the battlefield like liquid despite its armored bulk.
The first attack came like a blur—a whip-like tail, covered in hooked bone protrusions, lashed out at Kalem.
Kalem reacted instinctively, bringing his metal crate up as a shield. The impact sent him skidding backward, Onyx letting out a snort of protest as he dug his hooves into the dirt to stop.
The crate held firm, but Kalem's arms ached from the sheer force.
"This thing is fast," he muttered.
Garron cursed. "Of course it is! Bone Devils don't need muscle. Their entire body structure is unnaturally reinforced, which lets them move without conventional limitations."
Kalem grinned, shaking off the pain. "Good. I needed a workout."
"You absolute lunatic."
The Bone Devil lunged again, this time using its twin heads to strike from both sides at once.
Kalem ducked under one bite, then sidestepped the other, the wind pressure from its jaws snapping shut nearly knocking him off his feet.
He twisted, swinging his crate like a war hammer, aiming for the side of its left skull.
A direct hit.
The Bone Devil's head snapped to the side, a crack forming along the skull's surface. It let out a shriek of anger, its tail whipping toward Kalem again.
This time, Kalem didn't block it—he rolled under it, barely avoiding the razor-like hooks along its spine.
"This thing is annoying."
Garron, still at a safe distance, yelled, "You're fighting it alone! What did you expect?!"
Kalem smiled. "I expected a challenge."
Then, without warning, he charged forward.
The Bone Devil, perhaps not expecting a human to rush toward it, hesitated for half a second.
That was enough.
Kalem launched himself into the air, gripping his crate with both hands, and brought it down like an executioner's axe—
—directly onto the cracked skull.
A sickening crunch echoed across the battlefield.
The Bone Devil reeled, one of its heads now partially shattered, blue fire leaking from the cracks.
Kalem landed gracefully, rolling to absorb the impact.
The creature howled, flailing wildly.
Kalem wiped sweat from his forehead. "I think I made it angry."
"YOU THINK?!" Garron shouted.
The Bone Devil, still thrashing, seemed to reassess the situation.
Then—
It began to retreat.