Demi-God Twin Chapter 18: The Ogre.

Chapter 18: The Ogre.

-Iphicles' P.O.V-

Good news? I seem to be wrong about the sound coming from the Village. As a matter of fact, the commotion is not too far from the groove.

Which fills me with relief but leaves behind curiosity. Given the rate and intervals of the noise, it sounds like a battle

"A battle between giants."

The air itself vibrates with shockwaves from the clash of blows up ahead, necessitating a reduction in my speed as I get closer.

Before I can reach the source, my attention is stolen by something below.

A hooded figure in what looks to be a camp that is a little too conviniently shielded by trees. Their face is obscured by the hood but I can tell they're staring up at me.

The figure raises a hand, signaling for me to stop. I cautiously dive down and hover a few meters above them.

Instantly, I'm caught off guard by the stranger's sheer hulking size. They dwarf even Chiron who is the tallest person I know.

“If you value your life.” The figure says, voice low and gravelly, “do not go any further.”

Even the voice is deep. Male as well.

"I appreciate the advice stranger. But you need not worry about me." I reply, confident in my new attribute. Even if I get hurt, regeneration will heal me right up.

Warning ignored, I shoot past him, slicing through the air with a shrill wail. I have a fight to watch and who knows, if it's a monster, I might get another attribute.

The forest opens up ahead, revealing two massive figures locked in a ferocious battle.

Two towering Ents—ancient tree monsters—clash, their enormous limbs splintering with each blow.

The ground quakes beneath them, and shards of bark fly through the air like shrapnel.

Eager to see what attribute I can get, I dive into the fray.

But the forest shifts beneath me before I can act.

Roots surge upward through the trees, snaring my legs and in an unexpected motion, I'm yanked me to the forest floor.

My wings flare before I hit the earth, slicing through some of the roots, but others snake higher, tearing into my limbs with a spray of blood.

"Aargh! What in Hades-"

Pain sears through me, but my regeneration kicks in almost immediately.

The wounds push out the roots and close as quickly as they opened, leaving nothing but a faint itch behind.

Snarling, I sever the remaining roots with a powerful spin, tearing apart the binds, ascend and unleash a flurry of metal feathers at the rest.

The hooded figure steps into view, their body posture exasperated. “You arrogant fool. I just saved your life. You’re welcome.”

Rage flares in my chest.

“You think I needed saving?” I growl, lunging down at them with unexpected speed."And if your idea of saving someone is crippling them, let's see how you like it!"

Roots shoot up again, but I twist midair, slashing through them before they can reach me.

With a flick of my wings, I launch a barrage of feathers. The figure leaps back, but one feather grazes their hood, slicing it clean off.

Long ears. Green skin. Hulking body. Tusks like small blades and beady green eyes.

“An Orc?” I ask momentarily confused.

His face twists with fury. “An Ogre, you insolent whelp! Don’t compare me to those savage brutes!”

He slams his hand into the ground, and spectral green energy pulses outward. At first I thought he was controlling those roots through magic but whatever power he possesses doesn't feel like magic.

The earth trembles as roots rise once more, writhing like serpents. I slice them apart before they can touch me.

Tiny green life forms shimmer faintly around him, their ethereal forms blending into his body, making him glow.

With a grunt, he tears a tree from the ground as though it weighs nothing and hurls it at me.

“Did you just chuck a damned tree at me?” I shout, dodging the projectile.

My wings furl as I drop towards him, laughing despite myself at this absurd fight. “You’re going to regret that, Shrek.”

The Ogre stands his ground with a sigh, visibly annoyed. “You're lucky for a human. I missed.”

“I won't!” I spread my wings out in a spin, arresting my fall and rain down a flurry of feathers, shredding the vegetation around him.

The Ogre yells out and throws up his arms as the dust and debris cloud the air.

When it settles, he stands covered in a carapace of hardened earth, my feathers protruding from his makeshift armor like quills on a hedgehog.

I land before him, cackling at a revenge well executed. “Look at you. A walking pincushion.”

"Pincushion? What does that even mean?!?"

The Ogre grunts, getting to his feet. Shedding the rocky coating, he surveys the devastated forest, his eyes darken, jaw tightening and his tone grows tense. “You…foolish human! you’ve doomed us.”

My laughter fades as a roar splits the air. “What was that?”

The ground beneath us begins to tremble. Birds erupt from the canopy, fleeing in every direction.

Animals dart past us, their cries echoing through the trees. I turn to the Ogre, whose expression is now one of genuine fear, fixed at my back.

I follow his gaze and my eyes widen.

Behind me, over the treeline, the Ents that were previously fighting are charging toward us, their enormous, gnarled limbs crashing through the forest with terrifying speed.

Their scarlet eyes burn with fury, and their roars echo like a storm through the trees.

“Move!” the Ogre shouts and starts running, snapping me out of my stupor. “Unless you want to end up as manure!”

I grit my teeth and deploy my wings, grabbing the Ogre by his shoulders and taking to the air. He lets out a startled yelp, his massive form writhing in my grip.

“Let me go!” he bellows, panic evident in his voice."I'm scared of heights!"

“Gladly,” I say, releasing him briefly. His scream pierces the air as he plummets before I dive down and catch him again.

“You… you’re insane!” he sputters, clutching at me like a terrified child.

“Hold on, I'm trying to save your stupid life! You're welcome by the way!” I snap, scanning the forest behind us.

The Ents are gaining, their enormous forms tearing through the trees like an unstoppable tide. My wings strain under the Ogre’s weight, and I know I can’t keep this up for long. Certainly not until we leave the forest.

“We need a plan,” I say through gritted teeth. “Can we fight them?”

That was my original plan but something tells me it's a stupid one. Even with regeneration.

The Ogre laughs bitterly. “Fight them? You’re mad. Even if we destroy their bodies, their spirits will inhabit new vessels. There’s no end to them. They're the Guardians of the trees you foolishly destroyed, Human. They won't stop coming after us as long as we stay in the forest.”

Desperation claws at me. “Then what? I can't fly forever. You weigh a bloody ton and then some!”

"Are you calling me fat?! I'll have you know I'm the perfect size for my age and-"

I ignore him, mind racing for solutions.

A river glints below, and an idea strikes. “The Ents control the forest, right? So what if we’re not in the forest?”

The Ogre’s eyes widen as realization dawns. “You… you wouldn’t.”

“Hold your breath,” I order, diving toward the water.

“No! Wait- I can't swi-”

"Too late!"
I yell as we plunge into the icy river, the current sweeping us away, the furious roars of the Ents fading far behind.