They arrived at Uzart, and just as the boat had warned, it was a vast, broken land. Slopes ran jagged across the horizon, as if an endless giant had dragged its feet and stomped holes into the earth. Whole valleys curved down in the shape of footprints too large for the mind to truly grasp.

Baro planted his cane into the dirt, squinting at the landscape. "So… this is where the titan's prison lies." He clicked his tongue. "Looks more like his playground. What's stoppin' a beast that size from just… walkin' away?"

Renny shrugged. "Hell if I know."

He took a step forward, ready to press on, but Baro's cane snapped out to block him. "Stupid boy! You can't just walk through! What if the bastard takes a step right now and crushes you flat?"

Renny smirked faintly. "I'd evade."

Baro jabbed the air with his cane. "Evade? With that size? Not a chance. One step from a titan ain't something you dance around. Better we move careful."

Renny exhaled sharply, scanning the endless expanse. The land stretched on and on, every slope deeper than the last. "Slow? Old man, that only favors you. You haven't walked fast since we entered the Pit. If we creep across this wasteland, we'll never reach the other side."

Baro grunted, acknowledging the truth. "Eh, maybe. But we can't just march blind. What if the titan ain't sleepin'? What if he runs? You ever seen a mountain sprint, boy? You won't get no second chance to 'evade' then."

That gave Renny pause. He had assumed the titan's steps would be as slow and ponderous as Baro's cane-tapping gait, enough time for him to anticipate and slip away. But if the titan ran, if it charged, then no demon alive could match the speed of those quakes.

Finally, Renny said, "If it's that big, then we'd hear it long before it moved. The quake of each step would rattle the ground. Which means…" He crouched, pressing a hand to the dirt. It was steady. "…right now, it's dormant."

Baro gave a slow nod. "Alright. Dormant or not, we best keep our wits sharp."

Together, they began their crossing, their shadows stretching long across the scarred land of Uzart.

Every stretch of ground they crossed seemed to dip into another colossal footprint, each deeper and wider than the last. Climbing out was no easy task, even with their enhanced physiques. Baro, stubborn as ever, tried to rely on his cane and sheer grit, grumbling every time Renny urged him to use his demonic strength.

"Jump, old man," Renny warned at the edge of one particularly wide pit. "Or I leave you behind."

Baro shot him a glare but braced himself. He lifted off the ground, slower than he should've been, and that was when the earth shuddered.

The quake came suddenly, rolling through the land like thunder underfoot. Baro lost his footing mid-air and crashed into the giant impression of a heel.

"Ol' man Baro!" Renny shouted. He dove after him, scooping the old demon up without hesitation. Muscles straining, he leapt them both out of the hole just as the quakes grew sharper.

And then he realized—Baro had been right. The titan wasn't lumbering. It was running.

The tremors hammered the ground in rapid succession, each one closer than the last. Dust plumed into the air. The land itself seemed to flinch with every step.

"Damn it, this thing's charging straight at us!" Renny growled, clutching Baro tight and bolting to the left.

But no matter how fast he ran, the titan's footsteps bore down on them, always only a stride away. The massive force of its movement dragged at the air, making it feel like they were being hunted deliberately.

"Old bastard's chasin' us!" Baro spat, his voice breaking into a curse. "What kind of hell is this... putting an old demon through this madness... "

"Shut up, old man!" Renny barked, teeth clenched as he skidded and veered in circles, desperately trying to break the titan's line of advance. "Save your breath while I think!"

The titan's steps thundered on for what felt like forever, until at last they slowed, then stilled. The silence after the quake was heavier than the quake itself.

Renny stopped too, lungs burning, clutching Baro under one arm. He set the old demon down, both of them breathing hard.

"We should turn back," Baro rasped, his cane shaking in his grip. "Ain't no way through. That thing'll chase us down 'til we're dust."

Renny wiped the sweat from his brow, eyes glinting. "Not a chance. I've got an idea."

Before Baro could argue, the earth shook again, the titan was charging once more.

"Your idea better be worth dyin' for!" Baro snapped.

Renny didn't answer. He sprinted straight toward the approaching quakes, Baro slung in his arms like a sack of bones. At the last moment, just as the colossal foot slammed down, he leapt, catching hold of the titan's ridged skin and hauling them both upward in a blur of motion.

Baro's jaw dropped. "Why of all the cursed places, you hide on its balls?!"

"Where else?" Renny shot back, smirking despite the peril. "It's the one spot this thing won't crush itself."

Baro groaned, shaking his head. "Madness. Pure madness."

"Look," Renny pointed ahead. From this vantage, the horizon stretched wide, and beyond the titan's moving form they could finally see the other side of the land. "We're not far. Once we're close enough, we jump. But listen well... I can't leap that far while handling you. You'll have to do it yourself."

Baro scowled, gritting his teeth. "Damn brat… fine."

The titan let out a guttural rumble, its pace quickening. Each stride grew more violent than the last, like it was trying to shake something loose, shake them loose.

"Ha! He feels it," Baro wheezed, clutching for balance as the world bucked beneath them. "Ain't no creature alive that don't mind a grip on its stones!"

Renny dug his fingers in tighter, his teeth bared against the violent jolts. The titan wasn't just walking now, it was charging, each quake like thunder in their bones.

Still, ahead lay their chance. The far edge of the scarred land. Safety... if they could reach it.

"The gap's close enough!" Renny roared over the crashing steps. "Now! Jump!"

They both leapt from the titan's body, soaring through the air...

...and Baro faltered. His landing came short, the titan's massive stride sweeping down behind him like the shadow of death itself.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.