Fire Giant Vendetta
Aeron wiped the frost giant blood from his blade with satisfaction. The massive creature lay dead at his feet, a testament to his growing skill as a swordsman.
His keen elven hearing picked up the sound of heavy footfalls and he turned to see an even larger fire giantess heading towards him with thunderous strides that shook the ground beneath him.
The chilling realization set in that this time the elf was outmatched. Aaron turned to run but with deceptive speed the giantess cut off his escape, driving him back against a solid rock face.
"You seem eager to join your frosty cousin in the afterlife." He said with forced bravado.
The giantess's laugh echoed through out the canyon. "You think to impress me with the corpse of an imbecile? Their kind are of no concern to me." She said in a low bass voice.
"How about we go our separate ways? I'm sure you have better things to do than fight a lowly elf. Don't you have a village to terrorize or a fortress to defend?" He said uncertainly.
"I'm sure I can make time for a little sport." The giantess replied menacingly, the mighty broadsword she carried bursting into flame.
Aeron tightened his grip on his blade; there would be no talking himself out of trouble. Outmatched or not battle would soon be joined and if he remained caught against the wall there was no chance of escape.
He charged forward aiming a low slice towards his opponent's Achilles tendon. The giant was too quick and kicked out catching Aeron hard in the shoulder and sending him sprawling to the floor. Just in time he rolled to the left as the flaming broadsword plunged towards him. Stumbling to his feet the elf was sent straight back down to his knees by a heavy blow that thumped against his parrying sword and numbed his arm.
The elf cried out in agony as another crashing blow hammered his shield. The force of the blow tore the metal apart forcing it inwards onto his arm, shattering bone. His left arm useless, he let the shield fall to the ground and attempted to steady himself.
Stubbornly the elf remained on his feet as a low arcing slice from the giantess ripped through his breastplate and bit deep into his chest below. With a last desperate effort he managed to parry another blow but the force of strike sent the blade flying out of his hand.
Aeron stood shakily in the giantess's shadow. He laughed bringing the taste of blood into his mouth and drawing a puzzled look from his opponent.
"This isn't the end. A vendetta begins today. I will hunt your kind until none of you remain." The elf threatened.
The fiery blade swung down and everything went black.