Grim stood in the center of the destroyed barracks. Bodies lay scattered around him in concentric circles.
The smell of blood and burnt wood filled the air.
Sixty-eight elves dead. Sixty-eight new pairs of ears for his collection.
But more kept coming.
"Form ranks!" an officer shouted from across the courtyard. "Surround him! Don't let him escape!"
Grim smiled coldly. Echo blazed with aurora energy as he prepared for the next wave.
"I'm not trying to escape," he called back. "I'm trying to collect more trophies."
The elves advanced in coordinated formations. Shield walls, spear ranks, and archer support from elevated positions.
It wouldn't be enough.
Grim had felt his aurora mana stronger since he left the divine realm. He could feel more power and with it, he felt something was different.
He felt a call and answered instinctively.
"Aurora Flash: Radiant Cleave," Grim announced.
