Kylian reached the top of the tower, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His heart sank at the sight before him. The two men stationed there lay dead, their bodies pierced by arrows. Blood pooled around them, staining the stone floor. Kylian quickly checked the dragon slayer, his fingers trembling. He found it loaded with a bolt, concluding that the men had been shot before they could fire a single shot. The urgency of the situation weighed heavily on him; he had to act fast.

  He crept down and surveyed the area where the arrows had come from, scanning the enemy lines for any sign of the archers. His mind raced, trying to think of a way to block the arrows. Hardening his heart, he picked up the dead bodies, their weight and the horror of the act pressing on his conscience. Binding them together, he fashioned a makeshift shield. Holding them toward the enemy line, he used the bodies to protect his back.

  Kylian then stood up and, with all his might, turned the large crossbow inward, the massive weapon creaking under the strain. He struggled to mark the giant, the beast's movements erratic and powerful. His hands trembled, and sweat dripped from his forehead. This was his only shot, and the pressure was immense. He could hear his heartbeat pounding in his ears, drowning out the chaos below.

  Below, the battle raged on. Hundreds of elite troops were engaged with the giant, barely keeping it at bay. The sounds of clashing metal and cries of pain filled the air. Kylian feared the possibility of missing or hitting a comrade, but without trying, defeat was imminent. He focused on his target, recalling the advice he had received during training: "If you are not confident in your skills, aim for the heart. It may hit something."

  He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then slowly looked at his target. Adjusting his aim from the head to the heart, and took the shot. "Thwack." The massive recoil, unexpected by Kylian, threw him against the wall. The bolt cut through the air at express speed, reaching its target in just a moment.

  Unfortunately, just in time, the giant leaped to tackle the continuous assault on its legs. The bolt, initially aimed at its chest, missed the mark and hit the giant's thigh. The creature roared in pain, the force of the impact causing it to stagger. The bolt had not killed it, but it had immobilized the giant, slowing its destructive rampage.

  Kylian picked himself up and checked if he had succeeded. "Fuck," he cursed under his breath, already going for the last backup bolt. The weight of the bolt and the strain of the lever made it difficult for one man to reload quickly. He used his legs, pulling down the lever with all his might, his muscles straining with the effort. By the time he had finished loading the bolt, a footstep echoed from the stone steps.

  Startled, Kylian drew his sword and waited, his heart pounding in his chest. When he saw the head of a person coming into view, he slashed at it instinctively. His fears came true it was a Galdorian soldier. Thankfully, the soldier was unprepared, and Kylian's sword cut through his head, splitting it in half. The sudden encounter left him huffing, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He pushed the enemy soldier down the stairs and checked for any more threats.

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  Satisfied that he was safe for the moment, Kylian returned to the dragon slayer for one final shot. He aimed carefully, his body tensed with determination. The fate of Fort Arkhaven rested on this one final act. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he focused on the giant, which was now struggling to regain its footing. The tension was palpable as he prepared to fire, every muscle in his body coiled like a spring. He knew he had to make this shot count.

  With a final prayer, Kylian pulled the trigger, sending the bolt hurtling toward the giant. The weapon's recoil jolted him, but this time he was prepared, he kept his eyes fixed on the target. The bolt flew true, but instead of piercing the giant's heart, it struck its shoulder. The beast let out another roar of pain, the force of the impact causing it to stagger and ultimately drop its massive club. The loss of its primary weapon significantly hindered its ability to fight.

  Kylian let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, his entire body shaking from the exertion and the stress. He hadn't killed the giant, but he had achieved something. The giant was now wounded and weaponless, its threat diminished. He turned his attention back to the chaos below, ready to rejoin the fight and do his duty.

  General Draven's eyes narrowed as he saw the giant stagger from the first bolt that pierced its thigh. The immense creature let out a guttural roar, its massive form swaying under the sudden pain. Draven knew this was the moment they had been waiting for. His heart raced with a mix of excitement and determination as he raised his sword, signaling his men to tighten their formation. The giant, although still dangerous, was now a stationary target, its movements restricted by the injury.

  The battle situation began to shift in favor of the defenders. With the giant no longer able to rampage freely, the soldiers found it easier to coordinate their attacks. The giant, while still formidable, stood rooted in one spot, swinging its massive arms and crushing anything within reach. The elite troops, now able to anticipate its movements, pressed their advantage, moving in and out of its range with calculated precision. Spears and arrows found their marks more often, and the giant's roars grew more frantic as the defenders' attacks intensified.

  Kylian's second shot struck true, piercing the giant's shoulder. The beast bellowed in agony, dropping its massive club as the bolt embedded itself deep into its flesh. Seizing the opportunity, General Draven charged forward with a group of his best soldiers. The general's sword gleamed in the dim light as he closed the distance, his eyes fixed on the giant's vulnerable tendons. With a powerful swing, he cut through the tendons of the giant's other leg, causing the massive creature to buckle and fall to its knees.

  "Now!" Draven shouted, and the soldiers moved in with nets and chains. They threw the heavy restraints over the giant, struggling to secure them around its massive limbs. The giant thrashed and roared, but the combined strength of the soldiers and the weight of the chains eventually subdued it. Bound and unable to move, the giant was finally incapacitated.