Chapter 30
Titans are towering creatures that hold unimaginable power. These creatures roamed and ruled the lands, seas, and sky. In term of power, titans are only slightly inferiors to dragons which were considered the strongest species.
But unlike animals, beast, dragons and monsters, Titans were not naturally born but artificially created. According to some historical records, a powerful but long forgotten and lost civilization created the titans. But even after the aforementioned civilization fall, the titans remained.
The purpose of the titans' existence was to protect the world from the aggression of the dragons and other powerful species, especially those from outside. Titans can also be considered the keeper of balance, a role that they had played for as long as they remembered.
Humans and other intelligent races had long learned to live along these monstrosities of a lost civilization. Although the titans are terrifyingly big and powerful, they were mostly harmless if not provoked. Moreover, titans don’t usually leave their territories, allowing all races to live in harmony with these monsters.
That said, titans are not totally harmless. If provoked, these monsters will use their powers to destroy whatever or whoever provoked them. In the long history of this word, titans had had conflict with people who tried to take the power of the titans for their own. Which often than not, resulted in the death of the culprit, and sometimes, the destruction of the transgressor's nation.
It was due to this reason that countries around the world made it their national policy to never provoke the titans, similar to how dragons were not to be provoked. After all, the wrath of a titan was by no way less terrifying that of a dragon.
But despite the existence of this policy, some crazy people would still go and bother the titans from time to time just to test their mettle in battle or for other selfish and oftentimes, crazy reasons.
And as for the result? It was rather predictable; either one dies in their foolish endeavor, or one escaped with his or her life after learning that their power was greatly lacking in comparison to the titans. So far there had been no other result.
For those who choose to escape, the titans will almost always not pursue them. This might seem contradictory to the statement earlier where titans take their anger out on their transgressors but it actually doesn’t. Titans might have been artificially created but they too possessed intelligent that was not inferior to the intelligent races.
Titans were smart enough to tell if the ones challenging them have ulterior motives or not. If the challenger desires to make use of the titans power for their own gain; the titans would never show them mercy and would thoroughly destroy them. But if the challenger only desires to battle the powerful titans, or gain some harmless knowledge, the titans would be more merciful and would usually leave their lives and limbs intact.
Speaking of a challenger, there’s someone right now doing exactly that. It was a spear-wielding girl wearing a black hooded cloak. Yes, the girl in question was Rennel.
Most of you might be wondering why a delicate girl like Rennel was challenging a crazily powerful creature like a titan. Well, we have Chaos to thank for that. And it all started after Rennel left for the city of Toruk in search of her closest friend’s whereabouts.
While Chaos and Rennel were travelling, the teacher and student “coincidentally” entered a titan’s territory. Yes, it’s definitely a “coincidence” and not because Chaos purposely lead Rennel to the titan’s territory – nope, nothing of that sort.
Upon entering a beautiful Andes valley, Rennel quickly came into contact with the titan residing in the aforementioned valley. And it’s not like Rennel had to put in any effort to find the titan. That’s because unless she’s blind, there’s no way that she would miss the towering creature that looks like a walking mountain.
All titans differ in appearance. Some titans, looks humanoid in shape, while other took on the form of beast, birds, fish, serpent, etc. That said, that’s only the shape they took. The compositions of a titan’s body have a lot to do with the environment they lived in. For example; a titan that lives on a plain would have skins made out of grass, stones, and other minerals. If a titan lived on the sea, it too would take elements and features from the creatures in the surrounding areas.
The titan that Rennel was battling right now looks like a stone golem with moss and plants, growing on it. It’s definitely a strange sight. But don’t let their appearance fool you. What most people see are the titans’ outer appearance. The compositions of their insides were vastly different from that of the outside. Titans were after all, creations of an incredibly advance civilization, and were therefore, unique.
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A gigantic fist that was made of stones barrels towards Rennel, who was currently airborne after a very high jump. Despite its huge size, the gigantic fist moved at an incredible speed, to the point that it broke through the sound barrier.
Looking at the situation, Rennel seem to be destined to be hit by that fist, especially if one considers that the girl was quickly falling to the ground. Nonetheless, no fear could be seen on the girl’s face. Seeing the fist that was about to hit her, Rennel did the unbelievable: She stepped on the air and dodges to the side!
Yes, Rennel did step on the air. This might not make sense to most people, especially since what Rennel did broke the laws of physics. But in a world were magic existed, stepping on air was not impossible. Difficult yes, but definitely possible…
After dodging the attack, Rennel charges at the titan by using air as a platform. With a pierce gaze in her eyes, the girl stabbed with her spear several times. Rennel stabbed so fast that she leaves several afterimages: creating an illusion that several people are attacking the titan at the same time.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Rennel’s spear attacks hits the titan’s huge body and destroyed the outer layer on its chest area – revealing a mysterious material that was black as night. Having exposed the titan’s “flesh”, Rennel didn’t let up and did a powerful charge attack with her spear.
ROOAAAARRRRR!!!!!!!!!
Upon sensing danger, the titan let out a guttural roar that released powerful shockwaves that sent the girl flying uncontrollably. It took Rennel great effort just to stabilize her body; preventing herself from plunging into the ground. Such shockwave was actually enough to tear most people to pieces but all it did was sent the girl flying; even the clothes she was wearing was left fully intact.
The reason that Rennel could survive such a powerful sound attack was due largely to her second awakening. Her second awakening “awakened” an ability that allows her to create a powerful barrier that protects her from grievous injuries.
Along with ‘air step”, the ‘barrier’ served as another one of the girl's trump cards. If one includes the abilities that the girl received from her first awakening, Rennel has become a much more dangerous foe in battle.
Being sent flying just like that didn’t sit well with Rennel. So with the air as a platform, the girl jumped higher into the sky – away from the titan’s reach.
While in the air, Jade Thorn started releasing a greenish glow. It was charging. To get back at the titan, Rennel was prepared to use her most powerful technique – the same technique that the girl uses to kill a goblin champion, and destroy a goblin village.
As her silver hair was being whipped by the wind, Rennel who was so far up that she was above the clouds pulled back her right arm, preparing for a powerful throw. And after that…
Swoosh!!!
Jade Thorn broke through the sound barrier after being released by the girl. The speed was so fast that even experts would have hard time following the spear with their eyes.
Feeling an intense sense of danger, the titan released an angry roar before punching the incoming spear with its right hand!
BOOOOMMMM!!!
The collision between fist and spear created a huge explosion that releases a huge amount of energy which decimates the surrounding area – uprooting and vaporizing everything it touches!
The explosive energy quickly dissipates but not before altering the local landscapes. Above the clouds; Rennel squinted her eyes almost to a slit, and clearly saw the effect of the collision. But although the surrounding landscapes were greatly altered, the titan remained standing!
How could it be!
Rennel was greatly caught by surprise seeing that her strongest attack only destroyed the titan’s outer layer while leaving the inner layer completely intact. One should know that it was the same attack that destroyed the goblin village along with the hidden underground tunnel system only more destructive and powerful.
And yet it almost had no effect on the titan…
Were titans really this powerful? Aside from deities and dragons, is there no other force that could match the titans in battle?
Rennel slowly descended with the help of the wind. She went towards the titans but has no plan of attacking or continuing the battle which was expected. After all, what’s the point of continuing when you’re obviously outmatched?
Yes, in this battle, Rennel lost despite giving everything she had. But she’s not too disappointed. She knew her limit well. Despite her second awakening, the girl was still far from reaching the level of a dragon. And the titans were originally created to fight and guard against dragons!
“It’s my lost!” Rennel gracefully admitted her defeat – finally ending the fight.
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“I’m sorry teacher, I’ve lost,” Rennel apologized in a slightly disappointed voice.
Hearing this, Chaos look strangely at the girl, “You’re only in your second awakened state. Did you really think that you could defeat beings created to counter dragons.”
Rennel could not help but feel embarrassed and thought that her words might have indeed sounded a little arrogant. I should reflect on my action… My success so far might have inflated my ego.
“No need to be too harsh on the girl, oh being from beyond the stars,” A wizened voice resounded directly into the mind of Chaos and Rennel. “Although the girl was a little proud, she did indeed possess the power to back it up.”
“I’m not being harsh on her, titan. I’m simply reminding her that there were beings in and out of this world that could crush her with ease.” Chaos responded.
“Is that why you made her fight me? You wanted to temper her character? “The titan asked, sounding amused.
“I always value character above anything else. Since I decided to take her as my student, it’s falls to me to ensure that she walks the righteous path.” Chaos reasoned.
Rennel’s lips could not help but pursed her lips after hearing her teacher’s response. If her teacher really wanted her to walk the right path, there were plenty, less dangerous ways of doing that. Ways that doesn’t involve fighting titans!
The girl might have been a very obedient student but that doesn’t mean that she was a fool. How could she not see that her teacher was making her fight increasingly powerful opponent? The powerful monsters inside the Mazes of Trees; the monster king Black of Fahl mountain range, the goblin king of Greenhorde forest, the orcs in the northern forest, and now Titan Andes of Andes valley.
If the pattern continues, Rennel was worried that her teacher might actually ask her to fight a dragon next!
“Why would I ask you to fight a dragon in your current power? There’s no difference between that and suicide. You might find my words strange considering that I made you fight a titan whose power was very close to that of a dragon, but the risk of you dying from the battle with them was infinitesimally small. After all, titans are a lot less aggressive compared to dragons. These fellows are usually harmless unless provoked." Chaos said with disdain, rolling its.
“Geh! Teacher, did you just read my mind?!” Rennel asked, looking aghast.
“Do I even need to read your mind? I just need to look at your dumb face to tell what you’re thinking!” Chaos responded while giving the girl the side eye.
How mean! Rennel wanted to cry but no tears would come out. Her teacher was still her teacher, outspoken and rude. Even in front of a titan.
Titan Andes look at the banter between student and teacher with interest. Rarely do it has guest as interesting as this two. Even their compositions are very strange – a human student and an all-powerful being acting from beyond the stars acting as a teacher.
Is the partnership between these two vastly different beings a blessing for this world? Or is it a curse? For the sake of all living creatures that call this world home; I pray that it’s the former.
The day that a deity fall under the paw of the otherworldly Chaos was still fresh on the memories of the titans, itself included. It was an event that happened out of nowhere but shocked those who saw it without exception.
Since the titans have very powerful connection to this world, any major events that happened inside and outside of the planet will never escape their notice. So when Chaos fought and annihilated one of this planes’ administrator, the titans were watching; occupying the front view seats.
It was also because of this reason that Andes agreed to Chaos' request to spar with the human girl Rennel. If Titan Andes could please the all-powerful being with a simple sparring, the titan would gladly do so...
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To be continued
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