"Who would have thought this is how we'll meet our end," Flintmace smiled as Ashton's ship disappeared into the darkness of space. "Especially you, Vulcan. I was hoping you would stay with the boy."
"What would be the point in that?" Vulcan scoffed. "The brat already learned everything I had to teach him. Besides, I have no faith in you and had to stay back to ensure you didn't screw up."
"Oh yeah? What about you? You went from 'I'll kill the Xyrans' to 'I'll team up with them' real quick!" Flintmace joked, trying to make their last moments worth it.
"Look, as much as I'm enjoying your banter, it's time to get serious now." The First spoke as the around them settled.
Amidst the settling smoke and swirling dust, Kro'Han emerged like a harbinger of doom. His aura was going berserk, making it difficult for the trio even to breathe.
But upon seeing his face, Vulcan and the Xyrans felt a tinge of hope. After all, none of them had ever seen a Precursor bleed, let alone an injury. His once god-like form was marred by losing his eye, replaced by a dark, empty socket that seemed to devour the light around them.
But even then, the trio wasn't deluded enough to think they'd be able to win against Kro'Han. If they were lucky, they'd be able to take his second eye away, but that was the extent of their strength.
For a moment, Kro'Han's crimson gaze scanned the battlefield. Undoubtedly looking for his beloved nephew, and sighed when he didn't find him.
He had sought to end Ashton's life and eliminate all uncertainties in his plan. But he was deprived of that joy due to his carelessness. No, it was more like Fate had denied him that satisfaction.
"Hm... it will be too bothersome to find that kid," Kro'Han mumbled. "Thanks to my bastard brother's curse, I can't leave this planet or regenerate lost organs anymore. I should have been- well, well, well, what do we have here?"
As Kro'Han was about to retreat, he saw the trio standing before him from the corner of his eyes: Flintmace and the First Seatholder, both Xyrans who had accompanied Ashton. A twisted smile curved Kro'Han's lips as he spoke, his voice dripping with mockery.
"Ah, the Xyrans, always meddling where they don't belong. It would be best if you had left with my dear nephew. Why did you bother staying back?"
"Well, considering we've already cleared out your entire gang, I figured you might be feeling a tad lonesome," Flintmace casually shrugged. "Being the kind-hearted soul that I am, I thought, 'Why not keep you company?'"
"What about you, dwarf," Kro'Han asked Vulcan. "I can smell the stench of servitude still clings to you. If so, stand down, and I might let you resume your duties to me as a servant like the rest of your kind were."
Upon hearing Kro'Han's words, Vulcan would only laugh at his face. Maybe Kro'Han wasn't expecting that, as his smile turned sour upon hearing Vulcan's reply.
"Deluded in your old age, aren't you? I don't remember pledging allegiance to a warmongering bastard like you."
Vulcan responded, brandishing his middle finger before the Precursor, who was confused about why everyone kept showing him their finger. But he didn't bother with the unknown.
"Your people always had a sharp tongue," Kro'Han said as his smile turned nasty. "And that's the reason got them all sent to hell."
Kro'Han chuckled when he saw the look of confusion on Vulcan's face. From what Vulcan remembered, it was the Xyrans who had killed the Dwarves, and that's why it didn't make sense why Kro'han took responsibility for such a thing.
"Ah, so you didn't know?" Kro'Han acted surprised. "Then there's no point in talking about how your people begged for mercy as my soldiers killed them."
But it was Kro'Han who was in for a surprise when, instead of getting enraged like dwarves usually did, Vulcan began laughing.
"It's a shame what you've become," he said. "With someone like you being a precursor, it's unsurprising that they ended themselves. Believe me, if you were a dwarf, all of us would hammer our heads till we were dead."
Kro'Han's smile faded, replaced by a cold, deadly seriousness. "If you wish for death so badly, then I shall gladly deliver you to the door of hell."
With that, there was no need for words anymore, and the trio simultaneously attacked Kro'Han, hoping to overpower the rogue Precursor.
Vulcan swung his mighty hammer, its sheer weight enough to shatter mountains. Flintmace unleashed his blade, aiming for Kro'Han's head, while the First charged forward, wielding his dual axes with uncanny precision.
Kro'Han watched their movements with amusement, his arms crossed casually over his chest. With a flick of his wrist, he redirected Vulcan's hammer strike away from his head, causing it to collide with the ground, sending shockwaves through the earth.
Flintmace's attacks struck nothing but air as Kro'Han effortlessly sidestepped each blow and flicked him in the head, sending him flying across the land.
The First's axe, aimed at Kro'Han's legs, was caught in the Precursor's hand. The Xyran struggled to pull it free, but Kro'Han's grip was unbreakable.
With a slight flex of his fingers, Kro'Han disarmed Vulcan, sending the axe clattering to the ground. But that wasn't the end.
With a swift kick, Kro'Han sent the First sprawling backwards. The Xyran crashed into a rock formation, sending rubble flying around him.
The trio landed with bone-rattling thuds, struggling to rise but unable to conceal their shock and humiliation. They knew they had no chance against Kro'Han, but this was beyond their imagination. Meanwhile, Kro'Han's laughter, cold and mocking, filled the air.
"Did you truly believe you could challenge me?" Kro'Han taunted, his voice dripping with disdain. "You're nothing but ants before a god."
"Don't underestimate us, Kro'Han!" Flintmace growled, his massive fists clenched.
"Really? That's what you have to say to me after what I did?" Kro'Han shook his head. "I can hardly fathom that my brother sacrificed our species for yours. Such feeble beings... but it matters little. Once I'm finished with my nephew, the Xyrans will be next in line."