The ground was laden with sharp jagged boulders, bordering a huge cave, the bodies of many dead warriors lay strewn across its entrance. The sound of heavy breathing drifted from its interior, the feeling of warm smoky air filling the air, the smell of fire. Astaroth the Black Giant, walked slowly toward the cave, feeling the power of the soul withheld in its midst, he lifted Kulutues, his massive Axe, ready for the impending battle. Astaroth lifted Kulutues high into the air, his eleven foot stature huge compared to the fallen soldiers who, too, had tried to match the beast inside the cave, and died for their boastings. Astaroth roared, pounding his great chest with his fist, his reddish skin rippling with muscles.

First silence, nothing could be heard, the air seemed to stiffen. Suddenly a deafening roar came rushing out of the cave, causing the ground to shake, rocks came tumbling from its peak. The ground began to quake as massive footsteps slowly rumbled from the cavernous gape, glowing yellow slits of eyes could be seen, staring ominously out at Astaroth, it towered over him, dwarfing Astaroth's height. Astaroth narrowed his white pupil less eyes, he called to the Dragon inside the cave, his voice deep and booming, "Come forth worm, I am here to consume your soul!"

The dragon came into view, its plated skin colored white, its horns and spikes black, its wingspan vast. It stood up on its hind legs, a giant twenty foot sword in one hand, an equally huge round shield in the other, its chest covered with black armor. It walked toward Astaroth, raising its great sword high over its shoulder, then swinging it down onto Astaroth with a massive blow. Astaroth lifted Kulutues, blocking the blow easily, the Dragon stepped back, confused that anything could block its blow. Astaroth charged forward, swinging Kulutues right, the Dragon blocking with its shield, it stabbed forward with its sword, Astaroth stepping out of the way, hooking the shield with Kulutues, yanking it from the Dragon's grasp, the shield crashed heavily into the jagged rocks behind him.

The Dragon roared in rage at the loss if its shield, it reared back, its chest puffing, its scales swelling, it let out a huge wall of fire onto Astaroth, he kneeled down, using Kulutues to cover his shoulder, he rushed forward through the flames, crashing into the Dragon's legs, toppling its giant frame to the ground. Astaroth jumped onto its chest, pinning it to the ground, bringing Kulutues over his head, ready to make the killing blow, the Dragon brought its sword up, blocking the swing, with its free arm it grasped Astaroth around his waste, throwing him back, he landed on the ground with a loud crash.

Astaroth slowly rose back up, his shoulders and legs smoking, his skin peeling, the Dragon swelled its chest again, preparing to send another wave of searing fire at Astaroth. He turned and grabbed the Dragon's shield, using it block the fire he ran forward again, with his other hand he raised Kulutues for another blow. The Dragon ceased blowing its fire, and punched down onto Astaroth, he turned, releasing the shield, and swung Kulutues into the Dragon's exposed neck, it sunk deep into the its throat, cutting off its breath of fire.

The Dragon reared back, tearing Kulutues from Astaroth's hands. Astaroth grabbed a chain and hook from his belt, and began swinging it over his head. The Dragon dropped its sword, and yanked Kulutues from its bleeding neck, helium rushing from the exposed wound. Astaroth unleashed the swinging chain, wrapping easily around the Dragon's neck, he pulled with a massive yank, the Dragon fell forward, nearly crushing the black giant. Astaroth jumped onto its back, holding the chain tighter and tighter, cutting off the Dragon's air supply, it began to thrash violently, its tail trying to whip Astaroth from its back, he pulled tighter until the Dragon stopped moving.

He turned and grabbed Kulutues from its hand, then roared in triumph, pounding his chest. Astaroth the Black Giant, ever searching for worthy opponents, finding the Dragon disappointing, its use of fire had made it weak, yet he knew of another, the White Giant from across the Great Ocean, only when he found him would Astaroth be fulfilled, until then he would continue quelling his thirst on killing powerful souls. The Dragon was not the first powerful warrior he had killed, and it would not be the last...