Chapter 22: The War Below

The guardians stepped forward, three of them, towering in ancient armor, swords crackling with molten light. Their eyes weren’t eyes at all, just searing points of heat, like the core of a volcano trapped behind steel.

Ribbitz popped his gold cigar from his lips, crushed it underfoot, and cracked his neck.

“Aight. Let’s see if y’all bleed like the rest.”

Gorr snarled, his torch swapped out for a brutal war axe slung from his back.

“Been waitin’ to throw down.”

The chamber exploded into chaos.

One guardian lunged, blade flashing like lightning. Ribbitz dropped low, sliding beneath it like he was born in the shadows, and came up spinning, a clean uppercut smashing into the helmet’s underside. Sparks flew. The beast staggered.

Gorr met the second with a roar, taking its first strike full on with his axe and answering with a headbutt so hard it dented armor. He brought the weapon down **once, twice, three times** until the guardian stopped moving.

Then the third raised both arms and screamed.

The sonic blast was unreal, cracks tore through the stone chamber, runes flickering violently. Ribbitz nearly lost his balance, but Gorr stepped in front of him, planting his hooves like a wall.

“NOW, FROG!”

Ribbitz launched, flipping high, chain flashing from his jacket. He wrapped it around the third guardian’s arm mid-flight, yanked it toward him, and came crashing down with a powered up, laser eyed uppercut straight to its chestplate.

BOOM.

The armor shattered like glass, the figure dissolving into dust.

Silence.

Then the glow returned, from the orb.

But this time, it wasn’t threatening.

It pulsed slowly. Calmly. Almost… inviting.

Ribbitz dusted off his jacket, relit his cigar, and glanced at Gorr.

“One hell of a welcome party.”

“Hope the next room got snacks,” Gorr grunted.

The orb floated motionless, glowing brighter by the second, like it was waiting for something.

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Community Vote: What’s Next?

1️⃣ Touch the orb – Let’s see what kind of secrets this thing’s hiding.

2️⃣ Wait and observe – After that fight? Let’s be real cautious.

The test is over. But the truth might just be beginning. What’s Ribbitz’s next move?

⬇️