Chapter 34: Grommash
Blake had thought that by now he would already have an inkling of Kate's intentions, but it seemed like till they reached the last floor, that would not be happening.
Thankfully Noel knew when to end his praises and after thanking Blake one more time he returned to Yula's side and the group continued advancing.
Blake's side of the canyon spanned into a region filled with multiple rocks which had been eroded into looking like castles or pillars.
Sticking close to the long rock that divided the canyon in two, the group was able to both easily navigate their path and most importantly reduce the areas from which they could be ambushed.
About 30 minutes went by before out of nowhere a tall long mountain wall that signified the end of the dungeon floor became visible and after walking some more minutes, the group saw a waterfall in the distance.
"The split canyons don't reconnect even at the end of the floor" Yula anxiously said peering to the left to see if she could see any opening in the dividing wall.
"The entrance into the next floor should be behind that waterfall" Noel had just said stepping close to the pool of water that the waterfall poured into when Blake suddenly arrived by his side, and grabbing onto the collars of his shirt pulled both him and Yula who were side by side into the air as he jumped backwards.
Yula and Noel were at first confused about what was happening, but then a shadow suddenly appeared above them and before they could even look up at that shadow, a powerful wind followed by the sound of something big and heavy went past them and crashed into the pool of water with a small quake.
"Those are quite some legs" Blake muttered as landed on the ground, Noel able to adjust mid-air and land on his legs while Yula crashed to the ground falling on her bum.
With haste though, Yula was quick to get on her feet and join Blake and Noel in staring at their opponent, a loud gulp leaving her throat as she stared at the menacing threat before them.
"A troll" Blake casually muttered and his words couldn't hello but have the two people beside him throwing him looks like he was being disrespectful to the creature before them.
With its imposing 8 feet muscular build covered in greenish blue skin, eyes a bit darker than normal and his two tusk like teeth that protruded from his lower jaw, the troll before them looked very strong and Noel and Yula could not help but take a step backwards, leaving Blake at the front.
The troll possessed a big bitcher knife that had a long handle and lifting up the weapon which it had smashed in Noel's previous position, it swung its long matted hair from side to side and then laughed in a thick tone.
"Grommash," the troll said heavily, looking at all three opponents in front of him before finally settling his gaze on Blake who was looking at him with his hands in his pocket.
"What did he say" Blake asked, this time putting up no pretense of being knowledgeable.
"Strong Trolls call out their names just before they fight a worthy opponent, I believe Grommash is his name," Noel said and Blake nodded his head to this.
"So, can they only speak their names or can they also converse" Blake asked but before anyone could reply him, he got his answer straight from the source.
"Fearless humans will die" Grommash as he had called himself said in a near roar.
"Should such an intelligent monster be in a dungeon this low level?" Blake asked.
"No, it shouldn't not by a long shot" Noels said with a little quake in his voice.
"Take Yula and retreat now" Blake said and as he did so, he had both his hands coming out of his pocket and his legs moving taking him closer to the troll which with a thunderous roar had just shot towards him.
His blade appearing in his hand, Blake's sword and the troll's giant knife clashed, a powerful clang ringing out and Blake despite putting in all his strength having to take a step back.
"Not surprising" Blake thought as he was pushed back and he was just about to pull back his sword and make a swing at the troll's side when it with fluidity exacted that attack on him.
With haste, Blake turned his hand and swung his blade from below blocking the troll's attack, but this position was very unfavourable for Blake, not allowing him to output his maximum power and as a consequence, he was sent flying to the side.
[Fear Aura]
As Blake's body lost balance and fell on the ground, getting into a roll, centering his mind, Blake unleashed as much fear as he could on Grommash, his actions freezing it in place.
Making a final roll, Blake stood up to his feet and with his expression tight, shot towards the paralysed troll, his sword covered in intense flames as he was a few steps from it, but then there was a sudden blast of mana from Grommash, the troll regaining its mobility and with a roar stampeding towards Blake.
"A first-order troll," Blake thought in shock.
Being quick to suppress his surprise and remain unintimidated by Grommash's feat of breaking out his fear aura, Blake continued in his charge and with his words raging with hot flames, he clashed his blade with the angry Grommash, surprise flashing in his face as the troll's huge knife actually stopped his blade, glowing with a kind of black shine.
"There is nothing normal about you huh" Blake said in his mind with annoyance as he with all his strength, made a turn to the left, pushing Grommash's knife to the right, and then he slashed at the monster's hand.
"Thwack"