CHAPTER 9.4
Facing his hometown with a twisted grin, Poul began moving toward it. With every step, memories of his wife's death haunted him—how she had cared for their son, the suffering the invasion had brought upon his family—both him and Jay—the bitter taste of failing as protector of his home.
The insane, wild smile morphed into gritted teeth of rage.
Turning to the soldiers recovering from the aftermath of the battle—caked in mud, clothes torn—Poul observed the strongest among them, evaluating who could be trusted to study the battlefield.
'They are irrational creatures, mostly relying on brute strength. Makes strategy easier,' thought the Ice Hero.
He selected six soldiers who would accompany him to inspect the battlefield. Using his elemental power, Poul crafted an ice staircase to the top of the wall.
From the top, the view was breathtaking and horrifying. Houses soaked in dried blood and overrun by nature, giants clashing against each other.
A hollow smile and lifeless gaze appeared on the captain.
'Calm, Poul… just stay calm. Soon, very soon, these beasts will know true hell.'
"Let's continue!"
The soldiers nodded in agreement. After surveying the battlefield, they returned to camp, weary and battered.
Poul exhaled deeply and retreated to his quarters without speaking. The others relayed the intelligence he had gathered.
"Better get ready. In two days, we fight," said the most experienced soldier.
"And how are we supposed to rest when giants attack constantly?"
The soldier sighed, eyes closing, then opened them with a smile.
"I wondered the same… until I remembered we have our captain."
The troops brightened at the response.
Two days passed. Poul had dealt with any giant daring to step on his land. And now, before the next battle began, the wind whipped his cloak back, draped over the body of a fallen giant at the gate. Behind him, a platoon of the strongest soldiers stood above the rest, arms raised. The wind intensified as Poul shouted:
"ATTACK!"
A barrage of mortars rained down on the giants—some hit, some missed. Dust clouds rose as Poul's soldiers charged.
Amid the chaos, Poul walked steadily, observing his men dispatch giants exactly as he had taught during their journey.
Then, a pressure unlike any other hit him. Only from sensing it, the Ice Hero knew this was no weak opponent—possibly stronger than himself. He looked up, and a blinding orange light appeared.
Cold sweat ran down his spine. His eyes widened. Instinctively, he sprinted toward the impact point, firing ice spikes at giants along the way.
"RETREAT… TO THE GATE!" he commanded, seeing his soldiers obey.
The orange light exploded, sending hot steam down Poul's face. The ground shook and cracked. Smoke billowed, revealing a towering presence, a being rising with an immense aura.
Pale but resolute, Poul lifted his head, facing the elemental giant. One hand produced a blade of ice, the other hidden beneath his cloak.
A massive, steaming arm shot through the vapor. Poul's eyes widened, body twisting as sparks flew when his sword met the attack. He dropped to the side, swiftly raising a wall of ice to distance himself.
The giant's enormous leg emerged through the smoke, the heat contracting the vapor as it advanced. Poul's body trembled—this giant was far stronger than any he had faced.
Yet a confident smile crossed his face.
'I have a promise to keep.'
Gripping his ice sword, he charged, flashes of his son filling his mind. At that moment, a flaming sword descended, radiating searing heat. Poul blocked with his ice blade. Part of it melted, but he refused to yield.
The elemental giant's eyes widened in shock as Poul opened his other hand, launching a volley of ice spikes. The heat waned, disappearing in seconds.
Landing on the ground, Poul felt a tingling, burning sensation. The giant countered with a wall of fire.
Before he could even catch his breath, a trail of flames surged toward him. Sweat ran down his face as he turned. Standing before him was a being entirely engulfed in fire—eyes burning, body blazing.
'The child of flames? Made of fire itself?' Poul wondered, bracing for the incoming strike.
Instinctively, the Ice Hero ducked and thrust his sword into the giant's flaming arm. Dropping the sword, he stared at the elemental giant.
"Human!" the giant roared, bloodlust rising.
"You are… incredibly entertaining," it said, flames dancing across its reddish-orange hair, arms, and legs.
Poul chuckled.
'How am I supposed to command my platoon while facing this monster?' he thought, watching his sword begin to melt.
'I have no choice… Jack takes command.'
Leaping back near a ruined house, he shouted:
"JACK! COMMAND IS YOURS NOW!"
"Yes, Captain!" Jack responded, nodding.
Poul returned his attention to the fight, walking as ice spread across the ground. Even amidst the flames, ice transformed to water, creating billowing smoke around him. His eyes glowed, mixing fear with lethal intent.
The giant formed its elemental sword, lunging forward with a deadly vertical strike.
Time seemed to slow for Poul. He raised his hand slowly. On the freezing ground, a cylinder of ice shot upward, striking the giant's abdomen. The flaming sword still radiated heat.
Ignoring explosions and screams, Poul stepped through the searing flames, pressing his hand against the giant's face.
"Even with all your power, you are nothing but a wild animal." Ice began to spread across the giant's face.
"I am your worst nightmare… and your weakness."