Ivan's attack coincided with the onslaught of the war titan, resulting in a devastating shockwave that sent everyone hurtling through the air. The sheer force of Ivan's colossal slash left an indelible mark, gouging a deep crater into the dense ice sheet covering the lake. The clash persisted, with Ivan straining to cut through the war titan, only to realize in a fleeting moment that it had metamorphosed into the toughest substance known to them. Its body now possessed a resplendent blend of golden and bluish hues, radiating an otherworldly aura.

 

The war titan emitted a series of robotic beeps and screeches, overpowering Ivan with an insurmountable force. The collective terror etched on everyone's faces spoke volumes as they witnessed Ivan being repelled. Even Rannuk, dumbfounded by the failure of Ivan's sneak attack, understood the gravity of the situation. Helpless, they could only watch in dread, knowing that they had failed to kill the war titan. Rannuk struggled to stand but found his legs refusing to comply. Fueled by desperation and anger, he exerted all his might to rise, yet his efforts proved futile. Several soldiers approached the battlefield and offered Rannuk their shoulders for support, swiftly evacuating him from the hazardous zone.

 

With unwavering resolve and a commanding voice, Rannuk exclaimed, "Everyone, launch an all-out assault on the war titan! Buy Ivan the time he needs to act!"

 

As Ivan grappled with the overpowering forces, he was propelled into the air, soaring hundreds of feet into the sky, as the titan's belly once again opened up. The titan began charging a formidable attack, its radiance reaching blinding intensities. Several individuals valiantly leaped onto the titan, only to be swiftly dealt with by its relentless appendages. It became evident that their efforts were in vain, with no means to halt the titan's onslaught

 

"We're powerless against this unstoppable force. What kind of horrors were unleashed during the dark era to give birth to these abominations?"

One of the archers exclaimed, his bow slipping from his trembling hands. The sheer terror etched across his face mirrored the hopelessness felt by everyone present. In the face of a half-dead war titan, they found themselves utterly helpless. This expedition, beyond their confines, now felt like a journey into certain death.

 

Ivan twirled through the air, his body spinning uncontrollably as he was propelled skyward. After a struggle, he managed to regain some semblance of control, despite the excruciating pain coursing through his broken hands. Clutching his sword with unwavering determination, he gazed downward, witnessing the titan unleash a blinding surge of charged energy. At that moment, Ivan's thoughts turned to his family, to the people he swore to protect. With a brief pause, he closed his eyes, contemplating his course of action in what he believed were his final moments.

 

"I have made my choice. There are no regrets," he declared, his voice resolute.

 

"I’m not going down without dragging you with Me.!"

 

---

 

 

In the distant reaches, far removed from the turmoil of the battlefield, a solitary figure stood perched atop a craggy outcrop. Their vigilant gaze surveyed the sprawling expanse below, holding their breath in quiet anticipation. Clasped firmly in his grasp was a bow of unparalleled magnificence, a masterpiece adorned with an array of vibrant gemstones that sparkled and danced with a celestial radiance. As the bitter winds of the tundra howled and swirled around them, the bow seemed to come alive, emanating an intense and mesmerizing glow that cast an enchanting spell upon all who beheld it.

 

This enigmatic figure, possessed an otherworldly visage. Their complexion bore a frost-kissed pallor, evoking the very essence of the frozen realm. The alabaster hue of its skin shimmered under the pale light, mirroring the haunting beauty of a moonlit ice sculpture. Its mane of hair, flowing like a regal lion's mane, boasted a resplendent whiteness, cascading in untamed waves down their back.

 

With his grip firm on the bow, he pulled the string taut, the absence of an arrow behind it inconsequential. "Ting."

 

The resonating sound grew more potent, yet he persisted, pulling the bowstring with unwavering determination. "Ting."

 

As the air around him distorted and the atmosphere seemed to tremble, an arrow materialized, forged from ethereal energy. Closing his eyes, he recited a solemn incantation, pouring his heart and soul into the shot.

 

“Hear the sound of my people's plea, the forgotten archers of history. In silence, we strike with deadly aim, piercing through history, we leave our claim.”

 

---

 

 

Blood trickled from Ivan's eyes as he convulsed, expelling blood from his mouth while his body contorted unnaturally. The toll of the technique he was about to unleash was evident, exacting a heavy price upon his physical form. The war titan poised to unleash its devastating attack, unaware of Ivan's impending trump card.

"In the name of our protector," Ivan declared boldly, releasing his weapon. In that moment, he realized it was unnecessary.

The high-ranking humans present shouted in protest, desperately imploring Ivan to abandon his reckless madness.

"Form 0, Death Reverence!"

Raising his right hand into the air, Ivan directed his focus, channeling every ounce of his energy into his clenched fist. The air crackled with an electric intensity, as if struck by lightning. Utilizing his feet to manipulate the air, he propelled himself towards the war titan, fully aware that engaging it head-on would be futile. The power differential was insurmountable.

"AHHHH!"

Desperation etched across his face, Ivan braced himself for what could potentially be his final moments. Approaching the titan at blistering speed, his gaze locked onto the impending attack. Alas, he was too late. All he managed to utter were the words that held his deepest emotions.

"My family."

In an instant, a blinding light consumed everything. The deafening roar of the attack reverberated through the air, aimed at the very heavens. The brilliant yellow radiance threatened to rend the sky itself. Rannuk and the others could only shield their eyes, helpless as the world around them vanished into an overwhelming brilliance.

 

In a sudden and unexpected turn of events, an arrow streaked through the battlefield like a shooting star, vanishing beyond the horizon. Its passage had an immense impact, diverting all forms of energy towards it, as if it possessed an insatiable appetite. The blinding light subsided as the arrow traversed the icy tundra. Ivan, now regaining his senses, recognized an opportunity and seized it.

 

 Summoning all his strength, Ivan delivered a devastating punch, his fist generating a vortex of pressure and swirling air. He struck the stunned war titan with unyielding force, triggering a tumultuous tornado that bore into the titan, driving it downward and shattering the ice sheets of the lake. Exhausted and battered, Ivan succumbed to unconsciousness, plummeting from the sky. Several high-ranking humans managed to catch him, witnessing the horrific state of his dominant right arm, reduced to nothing. They swiftly retreated, carrying him away from the scene.

 

Rannuk's voice resonated with authority as he issued a command. "EVERYONE, CLEAR THE SITE!" With grim expressions, everyone scattered, aware of the impending danger. As the war titan emerged from the water, seemingly relatively unscathed by Ivan's final attack, Rannuk stole a fleeting glance over his shoulder, a grin adorning his face.

 

 The titan began to give chase, causing the water to churn ominously. However, before it could reach them, a colossal figure emerged from the depths. Towering above even the 400-foot war titan, it possessed countless eyes and a serpentine mouth. The colossal serpent figure unleashed a flurry of swift and brutal strikes upon the war titan. Its massive form, adorned with countless eyes that gleamed with an eerie luminescence, coiled and constricted around the hapless creature. Each constricting movement tightened the grip, crushing its body and pulverizing sinew with ruthless efficiency. The serpent's sinewy muscles flexed with raw power as it tore into the war titan, rending it into tattered shreds.

 

Amidst the chaos, the air was filled with the cacophony of snapping bones and the sickening squelch of ruptured flesh. The war titan, once an embodiment of indomitable might, now lay helpless and defeated, its form disintegrating under the relentless assault of the serpent's jaws. Every bite consumed the war titan with an insatiable hunger and left nothing but scattered remnants in its wake. No trace of mercy could be found in the serpent's actions. It feasted upon it. Its sinuous body writhed and twisted, its scales glistening with an ethereal glow as it devoured the war titan, erasing any memory of its once formidable existence.

 

 

As the horrifying spectacle unfolded behind them, a soldier's voice trembled with disbelief.

 "So, this was the plan," he muttered, his eyes wide with terror, before swiftly turning and sprinting for his life, back towards the safety of the city. Rannuk, running alongside his comrades, couldn't help but chuckle in response to the soldier's comment.

 

"Do you really think we're fools, blindly engaging in battle with these monsters? This was all part of the plan. Somehow, against all odds, we have survived. Consider yourselves fortunate, rookies, for we have been graced by the angel of the lake."

 

 Taking a moment to catch their breath, Rannuk addressed the group, ensuring they had put enough distance between themselves and the scene of carnage.

 

"The Angel's Lake," he began, his voice steady but tinged with a hint of solemnity.

 

 "Its name holds true significance. Within its depths resides a guardian, a being that has safeguarded this region from imminent threats. None would dare to cross its path, and that is the reason we are safe from the west side.”

 

”Everyone, tend to the wounded. We will make our way back to the city, but remain vigilant," Rannuk cautioned, his words carrying a weight of caution and urgency. With grim determination etched upon their faces, the group continued their journey towards the city.

 

 The realization dawned upon them that the walls they once thought impenetrable might not provide the safety they had believed. The high-ranking humans attended to Ivan, their focus on ensuring his survival as they carefully carried him on a stretcher. Hope flickered within each heart, yearning for a future where the terrors that plagued their world would be subdued, and a sense of security restored.