Kraghul's boots echoed as he strode forward, axe still dripping from the last goblin he had slain. His eyes scanned the shadows, nostrils flaring at the scent of blood, noticeably that of Naz. He had tracked Maui's heavy footprints for quite sometime through the distorted path, his wounds from the fights with Vrognut and Byung already scabbing over—venom purged, his broken nose causing him some discomfort. But Naz's trail had vanished midway, as if the mountain itself had swallowed her. No matter. The prize ahead was worth the hunt.

He rounded a bend and there she was: Maui, standing alone in the center of nowhere, her massive frame silhouetted against a crumbling wall. Naz was nowhere to be seen. Maui's face was a mask of pure, searing rage—eyes burning like coals, tusks bared in a snarl that promised death. Her hands were drenched in blood, far bloodier than they should have been from a simple escape. Green fluids coated her fingers up to the elbows, thick and fresh, with bits of flesh caught under her nails. Kraghul's gaze narrowed. She had induced labor—forced the birth right there in the dark, using her own strength to bring the child out but the method she used was unknown.

"You bastard!" Maui spat, her voice a thunderclap that shook dust from the ground.

"You twisted fuck! I'll rip your heart out and feed it to the crows!" Maui barked with such fury that it gave Kraghul goosebumps.

Kraghul paused, leaning on his axe like it was a casual staff, a slow smile spreading across his blood-smeared face. He had fought a dozen battles today—goblins swarming like rats, Vrognut's venomous bite, Byung's unnatural strength. His body ached with shallow cuts and bruises, but this? Another fight, another chance to break something strong. It was a gift.

He looked her over from head to toe, taking in every inch: the powerful legs that could crush stone, the broad shoulders rippling with muscle, the curve of her hips and the swell of her chest beneath her clothes.

"Strong words from a strong woman," Kraghul rumbled, voice thick with mock admiration.

"Come back with me. Be my mate. I wonder what that body looks like without all that clothes hiding it. Bet it's a sight worth conquering," Kraghul was a man at the end of the day and Maui was no doubt an embodiment of strength.

Maui's face twisted in disgust, her stomach churning at the leer in his eyes.

"You make me sick, you pig. I'd rather die than let you touch me," Maui was visibly disgusted the moment those words left his mouth. Kraghul chuckled.

"Die? No. I can make you submit. Forcefully, if I have to. Break you slow, like taming a wild horse. You'll learn to like it. I just asked to be nice," Kraghul informed her.

She spat at his feet, dropping the axe she had and wielded the dual swords she owned. But Kraghul didn't flinch. He changed tack, almost casually.

"Where's Naz? Did you leave her bleeding out back there? Or did you finish her yourself to spare the pain?" Kraghul mocked her. It was clear he was trying to provoke her to illicit a reaction.

Maui's jaw clenched. She refused to answer, her silence a wall of stone. The question hung, but to her surprise, he didn't press. His smile only deepened, as if her refusal amused him more.

"Fine. Keep your secrets," Kraghul surrendered and truth be told, Maui would prefer him talking but she had no idea what he had done to Byung.

However, judging from his current physical appearance, she could only imagine the kind of fight those two waged. But she had no idea if Byung was alive or dead.

"Let's talk about the goblin instead. Byung. What is he? How did a goblin like that get so strong? Hitting like a full-grown orc in that tiny body. It's unnatural," His eyes narrowed, looking right at Maui.

"And the orc who birthed him… she's not from the Skullrender tribe, is she?" Kraghul's playful voice finally turning stern.

Maui froze, the words hanging like a noose. She hadn't said a thing about Byung's mother, but Kraghul's guess cut too close. The Skullrender tribe—fierce rivals to the Stonehide, known for their blood rites. How did he know? Or was it a bluff?

Kraghul laughed again because he knew this would be the outcome, he had no leverage to wager after all.

"Doesn't matter. I'll find out after I kill those two. So now, where were we?" Kraghul said right away.

He hefted his axe, stepping forward.

Maui steadied herself, dual swords whirling in her massive green hands, tusks bared in a battle roar.

Her eyes burned with pure fury, every muscle in her seven-foot frame coiled for the kill. Kraghul stood waiting on the dais, axe planted like a flag of defiance.

He didn't move as she closed the distance, didn't flinch as her first blade sliced down like a falling tree, aimed to split him from crown to groin.

He parried with a casual flick of his axe, the clash ringing like a gong through the stone chamber. Sparks flew. Maui's second sword came in low, a sweeping arc meant to hamstring him. Kraghul stomped down, pinning the blade mid-swing with his boot, the force cracking the floor beneath. Maui yanked back, but he was already moving—his free fist slammed into her solar plexus like a battering ram. Air exploded from her lungs, her ribs compressing painfully under the blow. She staggered back a step, gasping, but pride kept her upright.

"Strong," he rumbled, circling her slowly.

"But not strong enough." Kraghul's smile widened.

Maui refused to back down. She lunged again, swords crossing in a scissor-cut for his neck. He ducked under the first, blocked the second with his axe haft, and countered with an elbow to her jaw. Bone crunched; her head snapped sideways, blood spraying from her mouth. She tasted copper, vision blurring for a heartbeat, but swung wildly anyway. Kraghul caught her wrist mid-arc, twisting with vicious force. Tendons screamed; one sword clattered to the stone. He yanked her forward, off-balance, and drove his knee into her gut. The impact folded her in half, driving the breath from her body again. She dropped to one knee, gasping, free hand clutching her midsection.

Pride was keeping her standing. She surged up, swinging her remaining sword in a desperate overhead chop. Kraghul sidestepped effortlessly, grabbing her arm and slamming her face-first into the dais.

Stone met tusk and bone; her world exploded in white pain. He pinned her there, one knee on her back, axe discarded as he leaned in close, breath hot against her ear.

"You fight well, Maui" he whispered, there was a clear hint of lust in it.

"But now... how about we try something else?" Kraghul asked rhetorically.

His hand ran down her thigh, rough fingers digging into muscle, squeezing with cruel intent. Maui bucked, rage giving her strength, but he held her down easily, laughing low. She understood then—this wasn't a fight she could win. He had overpowered her from the start, toying with her.

Cruelty was his weapon, not just his axe. Her pride had kept her fighting, but now, pinned and helpless, the truth sank in like cold steel: Kraghul was about to have his way with her.

Kraghul's fingers tightened, tearing at her belt but he soon froze in place.

Kraghul's cheeky smile vanished in an instant, replaced by shock as he whipped his head back.

"W-What are you doing here?" For the first time, his voice broke like a child who had seen something that frightened him.

And who could blame him, for the nameless orc was here.

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