Sinclair exhaled slowly, gripping his axe tightly as he turned to Chewy and Leia. The glow from the cavern highlighted their tense forms, and their fur bristled in anticipation.

"Alright," Sinclair began, his tone measured. "Here's the plan. I'll take the Matriarch head-on. She will focus on me, which means you two must handle any reinforcements. Keep the smaller ones off me and each other."

Leia tilted her head slightly, her sharp amber eyes narrowing. You're sure you can hold her alone? She's massive.

Sinclair gave a curt nod. "I'll manage. I've got Cleave ready, and as long as she's focused on me, I can control the fight. But I need you two to keep an eye on the rest. We can't afford to get surrounded."

Chewy growled softly, pacing in a small circle before stopping. If they swarm, Leia and I will split them. I'll go left; she'll take the right. We'll keep them away from you and try to cut down their numbers fast.

"Good," Sinclair replied. He adjusted his grip on the axe, the familiar weight steadying his resolve. "If she charges, I'll bait her into overextending. That should give you some openings to take out the ads quickly."

Leia glanced at Chewy, then back at Sinclair. If you get pinned, we're stepping in, no arguments.

Sinclair smirked faintly, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. "Fair enough, but stick to the plan until that happens. If this goes sideways, we'll adapt. Just don't take unnecessary risks."

Chewy huffed, his tail swishing once behind him. Got it. You keep her busy; we'll clean up the rest.

Sinclair glanced between the two, his expression hardening as he turned toward the cavern's yawning entrance. "Alright. Let's do this." Catching a glance of the massive body, he triggered Valkyrie's Gaze to see what he could get. Knowing the level gap was too high for him to get anything, he felt he had to try. When he triggered the skill, nothing happened. In the second, it took him to figure that out. He doubled down and poured his willpower into the skill, pumping it with mana as he flew forward. A sharp flair of pain almost caused him to stumble, if not for his split mind skill helping him compartmentalize.

Name: Helvegr Skriðmor (Legendary)

Race: Runic Ward‑Beast (Insectoid)

Description: Deep beneath the frost‑slick roots of Yggdrasil crawls Helvegr Skriðmor, a titanic centipede matriarch whose midnight‑blue chitin is laced with ancient Æsir knot‑runes. Once a ward‑beast of the dwarven halls, she now bears fissures where Myrkr corruption seeps and sputters—yet each rune still flares with pale silver light, fighting the shadow from within. Her thousand iron mandibles can shear stone, and every segment thrums like a war‑drum, echoing her struggle to remain bound to her Norse birthright. Travelers swear that, for a heartbeat, the glow of her runes outshines the darkness—proof that the matriarch still resists the Myrkr's call, even as it gnaws at her soul.

Well shit. This is going to hurt. Sinclair crouched low, his muscles coiling as he activated Focused Charge. The world blurred around him as he shot forward, closing the distance between himself and the looming form of the Matriarch. The moment he reached striking range, he unleashed Wild Shout, the force of his bellow echoing through the cavern walls.

The Matriarch's massive, segmented head swiveled toward him, her countless legs clicking in unison as she adjusted her stance. Her chitinous body gleamed dully in the dim light, her size even more imposing up close. Sinclair couldn't help but notice the blade-like pincers on the tips of her front legs, each as long as his arm. The sheer weight of her presence pressed against him like a physical force, but he gritted his teeth and tightened his grip on his axe.

His focus was interrupted in an instant. One of the Matriarch's spear-like legs lashed out faster than he expected, catching him across the chest and flinging him through the air like a ragdoll. He slammed into the cavern wall with a sickening crunch, embedding into the stone up to an inch deep.

"Damn it!" Sinclair wheezed, coughing as he struggled to breathe. Pain radiated through his ribs, and his axe dangled precariously from his grip.

Below, Chewy and Leia sprang into action. Chewy darted to the left, snapping at one of the Matriarch's legs to draw her attention, while Leia slashed at her underbelly, moving with calculated precision. Their movements were sharp and synchronized, and their attacks were designed to buy Sinclair the needed time.

Sinclair growled under his breath, glaring down at the battlefield. "This wasn't the start I wanted," he muttered, twisting his torso to free himself. The stone scraped against his armor as he pried himself loose and crouched to the ground. His chest burned with every breath, but the adrenaline coursing through him kept him moving.

He adjusted his grip on the axe, eyes narrowing as he refocused on the massive creature before him. "Alright," he muttered, stepping forward with renewed purpose. "Let's take this back."

Sinclair charged forward, his axe raised high as he closed the gap between himself and the Matriarch. Her bladed limbs moved in a flurry, the sound of chitin scraping against rock echoing through the cavern. Each strike came with deadly precision, forcing Sinclair to pivot and dodge as he looked for an opening to attack.

He swung his axe in a mighty arc, aiming for her midsection, but the Matriarch's speed caught him off guard. One of her bladed legs intercepted the blow, deflecting the strike with a metallic clang. Before Sinclair could recover, another leg lashed out, catching him across the side and sending him sprawling.

The impact knocked the wind out of him, and his axe clattered just out of reach. Dazed, Sinclair rolled to his side, clutching his ribs as the Matriarch advanced. Her legs clicked ominously against the stone floor, and her beady eyes glinted with malice.

"You're better than this," he muttered, shaking his head to clear the fog. Doubt crept into the edges of his mind, whispering that he was in over his head. The Matriarch's sheer size and speed were overwhelming, her flurry of attacks relentless.

But Sinclair clenched his fists, forcing the doubt back. "Not today," he growled, reaching for his axe. His fingers closed around the handle, and he pushed himself back to his feet with a roar.

The Matriarch lunged, but Sinclair was ready this time. He sidestepped her strike and activated Cleave, his axe glowing with faint energy as he swung with all his might. The blade tore through the air and connected with the Matriarch's side, severing three of her legs in one clean sweep.

The Matriarch shrieked, the sound reverberating through the cavern as greenish ichor sprayed from her wounds. She staggered briefly, her balance momentarily compromised.

Sinclair stepped back, breathing hard but steadying himself. "Still got plenty of legs left," he muttered, his eyes locked on the creature. "But it's a start."

The cavern floor beneath Sinclair groaned ominously, cracks spidering out from the force of his Cleave and the Matriarch's rampaging movements. Before he could react, the ground gave way with a deafening roar, and he felt himself plummeting into darkness.

The jagged edges of broken stone scraped against his armor as he fell, the dim glow of the cavern above quickly swallowed by shadow. He landed hard on uneven ground, the impact rattling his bones. Dust and debris rained around him, and Sinclair winced as a sharp pain shot through his knee.

Blinking against the settling dust, Sinclair's eyes adjusted to his new surroundings. The chamber was smaller but teeming with movement. A cold dread settled over him as his gaze fell on the source—a writhing mass of young centipedes, each about half his size but no less menacing. Their segmented bodies glistened in the dim light, and their blade-like legs clicked against the stone as they turned toward him in unison.

"Of course, there's another nest," Sinclair muttered, gripping his axe tightly. The first of the young centipedes lunged at him, its mandibles snapping inches from his face. He ducked low, swinging his axe in a wide arc to keep the swarm at bay.

The creatures came at him in force, their sharp limbs raking against his armor and tearing at exposed flesh. One managed to latch onto his arm, its pincers digging in painfully. Sinclair snarled, using his free hand to pry it off before slamming it into the ground with a sickening crunch.

Another centipede scuttled behind him, its bladed limbs slicing at the back of his leg. Sinclair staggered but turned quickly, delivering a crushing blow that split the creature. His breaths came in ragged gasps, making the confined space challenging to maneuver.

He spun, swinging his axe repeatedly, ichor splattering across the walls as he fought to keep the swarm at bay. Despite his efforts, the young centipedes pressed in closer, their numbers overwhelming.

Above, the sounds of Chewy and Leia battling the Matriarch echoed down into the chamber. The monstrous shrieks of the Matriarch punctuated their snarls and growls. Sinclair's eyes darted upward, catching glimpses of light filtering through the fractured ceiling.

"No time to waste," he growled, gripping his axe tightly. He activated Leap, the familiar energy surging through his legs as he prepared to spring upward. The centipedes lunged at him again, but Sinclair twisted at the last moment, kicking off the ground with explosive force.

He launched through the broken ceiling, stone crumbling around him as he emerged into the enormous cavern. Chewy and Leia darted around the Matriarch, their movements blurry as they kept her attention divided. Sinclair landed with a thud, rolling to absorb the impact before springing to his feet.

"I'm back," he muttered, narrowing his eyes at the Matriarch. "Let's finish this."

Sinclair's gaze flicked from the Matriarch to the hole he had just escaped. The matriarch's head tilted, and her antennae twitched as she shrieked and emitted a series of rapid clicks and clacks. The sound echoed ominously through the cavern. Sinclair's stomach sank as the ground trembled faintly, heralding the arrival of reinforcements. Several adult mutated centipedes emerged from the dark mouths of neighboring tunnels, their grotesque forms skittering toward the fray with alarming speed.

Chewy and Leia didn't hesitate. The dire wolves spun toward the approaching swarm, their snarls cutting through the Matriarch's cacophony. "We'll handle them!" Chewy barked sharply, his voice fierce and resolute. Leia gave a low growl of agreement as the two darted forward to intercept the new threat.

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Sinclair gritted his teeth, his jaw clenching painfully around the broken molar that throbbed in his mouth. Blood pooled on his tongue, a bitter reminder of the close call with the persistent centipede that had nearly taken his head off. He spat the blood onto the cavern floor, his grip tightening around his axe.

Every muscle screamed in protest, but he forced himself to focus. He could feel the strain of the battle weighing on him, but there was no room for hesitation now. With a growl, Sinclair activated Focused Charge, the burst of speed sending him hurtling toward the Matriarch.

His axe swung in a glowing arc as he unleashed Cleave. The skill's energy carved a path of destruction aimed at the Matriarch's vulnerable joints. The force of the strike sent chunks of chitin flying, ichor spraying across the stone.

Not pausing for even a moment, Sinclair activated Will of the Norns—an ethereal aura radiated from him, a haunting presence ripping through the air. The Matriarch hesitated, her movements slowing slightly as the oppressive aura took hold. Sinclair pressed the advantage, aiming blow after blow at her vulnerable underside, each strike fueled by sheer determination.

The Matriarch thrashed violently, her bladed legs swiping and snapping at Sinclair, but he didn't let up. Every skill he had was fully displayed, each movement calculated to push her closer to defeat. The cavern was a chaotic battlefield, filled with snarls, shrieks, and the relentless clanging of steel on chitin. Sinclair's resolve burned brighter than ever, even as the fight raged.

Sinclair's focus wavered when a sharp yelp pierced the chaos. His head snapped toward the sound, his heart sinking as he saw Chewy tumbling across the cavern floor, struck by a mutated centipede. The dire wolf skidded to a halt, struggling to regain his footing. Leia streaked toward him, her teeth bared in a snarl. She leaped onto the centipede that loomed over her brother, her fangs sinking deep into its vulnerable neck. A violent shake of her head ended the creature's life in seconds.

The momentary distraction cost Sinclair dearly. The Matriarch seized the opportunity, her bladed legs slashing forward with deadly precision. Sinclair barely turned in time to register the attack before two legs pierced his abdomen and left shoulder. The pain was searing, and he cried out, staggering backward as blood spilled from the wounds.

Gritting his teeth, Sinclair activated Focused Charge, but for the first time, he used it to retreat. The burst of speed sent him skidding across the stone floor, creating precious distance between him and the Matriarch. When he stopped, he fumbled into his storage, his bloodied fingers gripping a health potion. He tore the stopper off with his teeth and downed the liquid in a single motion.

The potion's effects began almost immediately, a cool sensation spreading through his wounds. But there was no time to rest. Sinclair whipped two javelins from his storage, his uninjured arm moving with practiced efficiency. He scanned the battlefield and spotted two centipedes bearing down on Leia, who stood protectively over Chewy as he recovered.

Without hesitation, Sinclair hurled the javelins with pinpoint accuracy. The first struck a centipede through its head, pinning it to the cavern floor. The second impaled the other mid-lunge, its legs twitching as it collapsed inches from Leia.

Sinclair turned back to the Matriarch, his mind racing. His large axe was lying on the ground several feet away, dropped in the heat of the fight. He cursed under his breath, scanning his inventory for a replacement. His fingers closed around the hilt of a sword he had looted from a bandit, a weapon he hadn't yet used.

He drew it from storage and hefted it, testing the unfamiliar weight. The balance differed from his axe; the blade was lighter and faster but less familiar to his hands. Sinclair's eyes darted between the Matriarch and his fallen weapon as he adjusted his grip on the sword. He needed a plan—and he needed it fast.

Sinclair tightened his grip on the sword, his mind racing as he formulated a plan. He glanced over at Leia, who was still guarding her injured brother. "Leia, focus on healing Chewy," he called out. "Join the fight as soon as he's ready."

Leia gave a sharp nod, her golden eyes flicking toward Sinclair briefly before resuming her protective stance.

Turning back to the Matriarch, Sinclair noticed something strange—it hadn't advanced. The massive creature seemed to hesitate, its body tense and quivering as though working itself into a frenzy. Sinclair's brow furrowed. Why isn't it pressing the attack?

The fleeting question was pushed aside as he flexed his left hand, the numbness in his arm starting to fade. He gritted his teeth, knowing he had only seconds before the Matriarch would strike again. It was now or never.

The creature began to bristle, its massive form shifting as it prepared to lunge. Sinclair couldn't wait any longer. With a surge of energy, he activated Focused Charge and shot back into range. His movements were fluid as he poured everything into Cleave, the blade in his hand glowing with raw power.

Sinclair flung the sword with all his strength, aiming directly for the Matriarch's face. The blade streaked through the air like a comet, the glow of the skill illuminating its jagged edges. True to instinct, the creature tucked its head down to shield its face, taking the blow on its hardened shell.

The sword skittered harmlessly off the chitin, sparks flying as it failed to find purchase. But Sinclair didn't stop to watch. The moment he released the sword, he activated Focused Charge again, propelling himself toward his fallen axe.

His fingers closed around the familiar haft just as the Matriarch raised its head, its attention momentarily diverted by the discarded sword. Sinclair didn't hesitate. With his axe back in hand, he pushed off the ground, closing the gap between himself and the monstrous creature in a single fluid motion, ready to strike before it could recover.

Sinclair swung his axe in heavy, calculated arcs, landing several solid blows that sent green ichor spraying across the cavern floor. The Matriarch shrieked in rage, her bladed legs lashing out, but Sinclair managed to deflect or evade most of the attacks, only suffering a few shallow cuts. For the first time, it felt like the tide of the battle might be shifting in his favor.

Then, with horrifying speed, the creature's long, segmented tail snaked around from the side. Before Sinclair could react, a sharp spike at the end of the tail drove straight through his foot, pinning him to the ground. A blinding flash of pain shot up his leg, and his vision went white as he screamed, the sound echoing through the cavern.

The Matriarch screeched in triumph, its massive head rearing back before snapping forward, mouth wide open, fangs glinting in the faint light. Sinclair braced himself, knowing he couldn't move, his fingers tightening around his axe for one last strike.

A sudden flash of white light illuminated the cavern, and a lightning bolt streaked across the battlefield, slamming into the Matriarch's open maw. The creature let out an ear-piercing scream as its jaws snapped shut, and its head jerked violently to the side, narrowly missing Sinclair. Its momentum carried it forward, wrenching its tail free and releasing Sinclair's foot.

Staggering backward, Sinclair gritted his teeth against the pain and stumbled several steps away, leaning heavily on his axe for support. He turned to Leia, who stood a short distance away, her fur crackling with residual electricity. "Thanks for the save," he rasped, his voice rough with pain.

Leia nodded sharply, already darting forward to harry the Matriarch with quick bursts of lightning. Each strike forced the creature to recoil, buying Sinclair precious seconds to recover.

Chewy appeared at his side, pressing his massive shoulder against Sinclair to help him stay upright. Sinclair leaned into the support, grimacing as his regeneration kicked into high gear, trying to repair the damage to his foot and body. His enhanced abilities worked furiously, but he could feel the strain—they couldn't keep up with the fight's pace for long.

The Matriarch roared as it regained its composure, its rage palpable as it lashed out at Leia. She deftly dodged the attacks, keeping the Matriarch off balance with her speed and precision.

Sinclair forced himself to straighten, gripping his axe tightly. "Not as much recovery as I'd like," he muttered to Chewy, "but it'll have to do." With a deep breath, he pushed off his companion's shoulder, rolling his foot experimentally. The pain was still sharp, but it wasn't enough to keep him down.

Turning his attention back to the Matriarch, Sinclair raised his axe and prepared to dive back into the fray.

Sinclair gritted his teeth, his mind racing. The Matriarch's hardened shell was nearly impenetrable from above, but he remembered how it had instinctively reared back to protect its face earlier. If it worked once, it could work again, he thought, reaching for one of his throwing axes.

He charged the small weapon with Cleave, the familiar hum of energy coursing through the blade as it began to glow faintly. He hurled it directly at the Matriarch's face with a practiced motion, aiming for its vulnerable eyes.

As expected, the creature reared back, its head jerking upward to avoid the glowing axe. The movement exposed the softer, fleshy underside of its massive body. Sinclair didn't hesitate. He activated Focused Charge, propelling himself forward with explosive speed, his main axe already raised high.

Sinclair drove the axe deep into the Matriarch's underbelly with all his strength. The blade sank in with a wet crunch, and the creature let out a deafening shriek of pain, the sound reverberating through the cavern.

Ichor sprayed from the wound, splattering across Sinclair's arms and armor. He gritted his teeth against the stinging smell, yanking the axe free and stepping back to assess his next move. The Matriarch thrashed violently, her bladed legs clawing at the air in a desperate attempt to retaliate. Sinclair tightened his grip on his weapon, his eyes scanning for another opening to press the attack.

Sinclair raised his axe for another swing, his focus completely locked on the Matriarch's exposed underbelly. His strikes were calculated, each designed to exploit the creature's weaker spots. But his singular focus cost him dearly.

One of the Matriarch's bladed legs lashed out with terrifying speed, catching Sinclair off guard. The spear-like appendage pierced through his side, driving deep into his torso. His breath hitched, and a hot wave of pain surged through his body. Blood welled in his mouth, and he vomited it onto the ground, the metallic taste sharp and nauseating.

Gritting his teeth, Sinclair gripped the leg, impaling him, his knuckles white with strain. "Not this time," he growled through the pain, raising his axe and bringing it down with a savage swing. The blade bit clean through the Matriarch's limb, severing it just below the joint.

The creature screeched in fury, rearing back as Sinclair staggered away, still impaled by the jagged spear-like limb. He pressed a hand to his side, his vision swimming as he tried to stay upright. Removing the appendage now would risk bleeding out, and he didn't have the time or strength to patch himself up mid-battle.

Sinclair stumbled several steps back, his breath ragged and uneven. Blood soaked his side and trickled down his legs, pooling beneath his boots. He tightened his grip on the haft of his axe, leaning on it slightly as his knees threatened to buckle.

The Matriarch screeched, its legs twitching erratically as it stumbled backward. Ichor poured from the gaping wounds Sinclair had inflicted, pooling beneath the creature and staining the cavern floor a sickly green. For the first time, it appeared afraid. The tide of the battle had shifted, and it seemed to sense its impending doom.

With a labored motion, the Matriarch turned toward the mountain wall, its powerful legs digging into the stone as it began to burrow, desperate to escape. Sinclair saw the movement and knew he couldn't let it retreat. If it got away, it would recover, and the nightmare would begin again.

"No," Sinclair growled, his voice hoarse with exhaustion and pain. Blood dripped from his wounds, each step forward leaving a crimson trail. Tightening his grip on his axe, he activated Focused Charge, propelling himself forward with everything he had left. The world blurred as he closed the distance, his axe glowing brightly as he poured the last of his strength into Cleave.

Sinclair leaped onto the Matriarch's back with a roar, his momentum driving the axe deep into its torso. The blade bit through chitin and flesh with a sickening crunch, and Sinclair pushed with all his might until the axe blade burst through the creature's other side. The Matriarch let out a deafening screech, its body convulsing violently as it thrashed in its death throes.

Sinclair barely had time to react before one of the Matriarch's remaining spear-like legs lashed out in its final act of desperation. The jagged appendage pierced through Sinclair's side, lifting him off the creature's back and flinging him across the cavern. He hit the ground hard, his body rolling limply before cstoppingagainst the jagged stone.

The world spun as Sinclair lay there, his body refusing to respond. Pain radiated from every corner of his being, his breath shallow and uneven. Blood poured from his wounds, pooling beneath him as his vision blurred. He tried to move, to lift his axe, but his strength was gone.

In the distance, he could hear the battle continuing. Chewy's growls and Leia's snarls echoed through the cavern, accompanied by the sickening crunch of claws and teeth meeting chitin. They were fighting, holding their ground, keeping the remaining centipedes at bay.

The sounds began to fade, growing distant as darkness crept into the edges of Sinclair's vision. He stared at the cavern ceiling, the flickering glow of bioluminescent fungi casting faint light over the chaos. "I did it," he thought faintly, the taste of iron heavy on his tongue.

His eyelids grew heavier, the pain dulling as unconsciousness pulled him under. The last thing he saw was Leia streaking past him, lightning crackling from her fur as she leaped to protect him one final time. Then, everything went black.

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