A roar split the air.

The boar was a meter away when a blur of motion slammed into it from the side.

The impact sent dust spiralling through the air.

Wade's eyes shot open just in time to see Sebastian, his massive frame braced, and his axe buried deep into the boar's flank.

"MOVE, WADE!" Sebastian bellowed.

The beast shrieked, twisting, tusks gouging furrows in the ground as Sebastian ripped his axe free and swung again.

The blade met flesh, tearing through thick hide, cleaving bone.

The boar's head split open with a wet crunch, its momentum collapsing into the dirt beside Wade.

Sebastian stood panting, blood streaking his face, his armor shredded across one shoulder.

His eyes burned like fire as he turned to Wade.

"What are you doing lying there?!" he roared. "Stand up and fight!"

Wade blinked, dazed, chest heaving.

His body screamed in protest, but something in Sebastian's voice, which was raw and commanding, ignited a spark in him.

He forced his trembling hands to move, gripping Toothpick and dragging himself upright.

Around them, the battlefield was a nightmare.

The barricade was gone, and the camp had quickly become a sea of blood and monsters.

Corpses, both human and beast, littered the mud. The place looked like a giant unmarked grave.

Sebastian didn't wait. He charged into a pack of wolves, his axe cleaving through two at once.

"Come on, Barrett!" he barked. "Let's give them hell before we die!"

Wade managed a grin. It was ragged and breathless, but it was real. "You first."

Strength seeped into his limbs, maybe from Sebastian's words or an unknown well of power within that he knew nothing about.

Either way, he surged forward, slamming the hammer end of Toothpick into the skull of a lunging wolf.

The blow crushed it instantly.

Another beast pounced, claws raised, but Wade ducked under and drove the axe head into its chest.

For a few minutes, it was as if the chaos obeyed them.

Two men against the tide, their weapons rising and falling in rhythm.

Then, the ground shook.

The air thickened, and a deep rumble rolled across the field.

"What now?" Wade breathed, turning towards the sound.

Two enormous shadows emerged through the smoke.

Bears, each the size of wagons, covered in matted fur and jagged bone growths. Their eyes burned a feral gold.

One of the soldiers behind them screamed, "Twinblood Bears!"

The creatures charged.

Sebastian swung his axe, meeting the first bear head-on.

The ground exploded beneath them as his blow met its paw, sending sparks flying.

The second bear roared, slamming its claw down.

Wade rolled aside as dirt and debris flew into the air.

"Take the right!" Sebastian shouted.

Wade nodded, gripping his weapon.

He charged, bringing Toothpick around in a heavy arc.

The blow struck the bear's side and it staggered but didn't fall.

Its paw came crashing down, slamming into the ground where Wade had been.

He skipped backwards, gasping as the impact sent shards of stone flying at him.

Sebastian roared again as his axe found the first bear's throat, ripping through tendons.

Blood sprayed across the ground.

Wade's eyes widened as his opponent lunged, jaws open wide.

He jammed Toothpick upwards, the hammer smashing through the bear's lower jaw, cracking teeth.

It howled, swiping blindly.

The claws caught his chest.

Pain seared through him like a lightning bolt.

His armor cracked, then crumbled to dust, blood gushing from the gaping wound across his ribs.

Wade stumbled back, clutching his chest. His breath came in ragged gasps.

"Wade!" Sebastian shouted, but he had no time to help.

His own opponent's corpse had barely fallen when the second bear swung again.

Wade gritted his teeth, vision swimming.

His fingers tightened on Toothpick's handle, and his knees buckled, but he stayed upright.

"Not yet," he hissed through his teeth. "Not again."

He would not give up.

He charged.

The bear reared back, roaring, saliva dripping from its fangs.

Wade skipped forward, through its swipe, appearing beneath its chin, and drove Toothpick upwards with all his strength.

The axe buried deep into its neck.

The creature bellowed in pain, flailing, trying to shake him off.

Wade held on with both hands, twisting the weapon. Blood poured down in rivers of red.

The beast lifted a paw, ready to crush him flat...

"NOW, BARRETT!"

Sebastian slammed into the bear's flank, his axe glowing with weak red lightning.

He swung, cleaving through flesh and bone in a single mighty blow. The bear roared, stumbling.

"Finish it!"

Wade tore Toothpick free, and brought it down with all the strength he had.

The bear's skull was split open in a shower of gore.

The creature fell with a ground-shaking crash.

Wade staggered back, chest heaving, blood still spilling from his wound. His legs gave out, and he dropped to one knee.

He turned, searching for Sebastian.

The other man was still standing, but barely.

His armor was shredded, his axe still buried in the second bear's chest.

Wade's eyes widened as he noticed. Sebastian hadn't come away unscathed.

The claws of the bear he'd fought were lodged deep in his abdomen.

His guts were spilling out of his stomach. There was no surviving this without immediate attention from a healer.

"Sebastian..." Wade muttered in shock.

Sebastian turned, forcing a grin through the blood on his lips. "Good hit…" he rasped. "Knew you had it in you."

He shoved his axe deeper into the dying bear's chest. "You'll… carry the rest, yeah?"

"Sebastian, wait—"

Sebastian slumped forward, his body hitting the ground with a soft thump.

"SEBASTIAN!"

Wade screamed, staggering to his feet.

He dragged himself towards the fallen body of his captain, shaking him with trembling hands.

"Sebastian!"

There was no answer.

Wade fell to his knees beside the body, his chest burning and vision dimming.

His hand pressed against his wound in his chest, but the bleeding wouldn't stop.

The world around him blurred.

Soldiers and adventurers fought a losing battle, trying to stem the tide of monsters.

He could barely keep his eyes open, but he knew it in his bones. They'd fail.

And the last thing he saw before darkness claimed him was a bright flash of light.

'Is that the grim reaper?'

'Or is it the fires of hell waiting for me?'

'Either way, fuck you, monsters.'

And Wade's head fell forward.

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