Erend and Eccar stood in the clearing letting he silence stretching out for several minutes. They remained still. Their muscles ready to ac and their senses sharp as they waited for their enemy.
Then, from the opposite side of the forest they heard it, a deep, rhythmic thumping sound. It echoed through the trees, growing louder with each beat, like a distant drum signaling the approach of something big.
The thumping grew closer and then from the shadows of the forest, a massive black gorilla emerged. He towered over them, easily standing at least four meters tall, his dark fur rippling with muscle.
His crimson eyes gleamed with intelligence. As he stepped into the clearing a grin spread across his face revealing his big teeth. He also have fangs even though they are supposed to be herbivore.
"Well, well," the gorilla rumbled with voice deep and thunderous. "What do we have here?" His grin widened, exposing more of his razor-sharp teeth. "Two of you now?"
Erend and Eccar exchanged a glance, both of them tensing, but neither speaking just yet.
The gorilla's massive chest rumbled with amusement as he leaned forward slightly, towering over them.
"Since it's two of you, it's only fair I bring a friend," he said.
Before either Dragonborn could react the gorilla raised his massive hand and let out a guttural call. The sound vibrated through the ground and from the trees behind him another figure stepped out. It was a second gorilla, this one just as enormous, but with fur as white as snow. His eyes gleamed with the same wicked intelligence, and its presence was equally imposing.
Erend's mouth fell open in surprise. "He was alone last time," he muttered under his breath.
"Yeah, well, you were alone last time too, weren't you?" Eccar said. "Looks like they're just evening the odds."
Erend let out a small sigh, his gaze shifting between the two massive creatures. It was clear now they'd have to split the fight. One each.
"It can't be helped," Erend said, already resigned to the battle ahead. "We'll just have to handle this."
Eccar gave a sharp nod, flexing his claws, his Dragon Scales shimmering darkly in the faint light. "One each," he repeated.
The black gorilla grinned again, his rumbling voice filling the clearing. "Good," he said. "Let's not waste any time then."
The speed of the swipe was almost too fast to track, but Eccar managed to raise his own clawed hand in time, catching the massive arm before it could strike him fully.
Even so, the force of the blow was tremendous, and Eccar grunted under the strain as he held the gorilla's arm in place.
"Strong bastard," Eccar muttered through clenched teeth.
The black gorilla, recovering from the fireball attack, roared again and leapt into the air even higher than Erend. His massive form casting a shadow over him.
He then came crashing down with both fists aimed to smash him from above. But Erend was quick, he twisted in midair and dodging the attack. Then the ground cracked beneath the gorilla's fists.
As soon as he landed, Erend shot forward, his claws glowing red-hot. He slashed across the black gorilla's chest leaving small gashes. The beast grwoled in pain, its eyes narrowing at him.
The white gorilla, meanwhile, twisted its body and launched a counterattack, slamming its fist down toward Eccar's head. Eccar ducked and rolled to the side just in time, the gorilla's punch hitting the ground with a loud thud. .net
Seizing the moment, Eccar lashed out with his leg and sweeping the white gorilla's leg. He managed to pull the creature off-balance, causing it to stumble.
But the white gorilla wasn't down for long. With surprising agility for its size, it pivoted and yanked its leg free, then swung its massive arm again, aiming to catch Eccar off guard.
This time, the blow connected, sending Eccar skidding across the dirt. He grunted, but quickly regained his footing.
Erend now back on the ground, dodged another wild swing from the black gorilla and retaliated with a burst of flame from his hands. The fire engulfed the gorilla's face, forcing it to stagger backward.
Erend didn't let up. He charged forward, wings tucked behind him. Then he slammed into the black gorilla with a shoulder tackle, knocking it off its feet.
At the same moment, Eccar leapt into the air, wings spread wide. He descended upon the white gorilla with a fierce roar, his claws extended. He slashed down with both hands, aiming for the gorilla's shoulders. The white gorilla crossed its arms in defense, catching Eccar's attack, but the force of the blow was enough to drive it to its knees.
The battle raged on with both Dragonborn and the gorillas trading blows. Erend darted in and out of the black gorilla's reach, using his agility and fire attacks to keep it off-balance, while Eccar clashed with the white gorilla in a series of brutal, close-range strikes.
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