With the sounds of clashing weapons and death screams receding into the dust-filled air, the battlefield is eerily calm. Breathing, you look about at the wreckage. The final adversary need to be defeated. Everything had been flung at you by this singularity, which was chaotic and unstable, but you had won. Or so you believed.

Then, a whisper of movement behind you. Too fast. Too close.

Time slows as your mind races to react, but before you can even turn—

"GRAAAAH!!"

The ground trembles with a loud, primordial roar that overpowers all other sounds. An enormous, unforgiving shadow hangs above you. The sound of bone and metal crunching is suddenly heard in the air as the enemy's body is ripped apart by sheer, unyielding power.

A mountain of a man stands in front of you, his enormous frame blotting out the waning light. Heracles. His respiration is labored yet controlled, and his enormous body is covered with fresh blood. His muscles contract and his grip tightens around his enormous Axe Sword, causing slight clinking sounds.

His eyes remain fixed on the fallen enemy, ensuring that there is no possibility of it rising again, and he does not first turn to face you. He shifts only after a moment, his presence overwhelming but oddly comforting. He lets out a loud, rumbling growl, a sound of affirmation rather than anger. of defense.

"Grhh…"

There is no need for words. The fact that he exists at all speaks volumes.

He had been observing. He was prepared. And since he is your shield, he moved without hesitation or order when the time came. Your protector.

As he breathes out through his nose, the tension in his stance eases a little, and his huge shoulders drift back. He still doesn't let his guard down, though. No, not until he's sure you're safe.