A threatening glow flared on his narrow, cunning, brown eyes. Lados froze on his track. The two men measured each other. Soldier and cook were of the same build, same height and towering postures, each two meters tall. One stood there unarmored, long hair waving, being tainted by the deadly smoke. The other, armed to the teeth, ancient weapon at hand, seemed able to take control of the surrounding catastrophe. Narrow eyes pierced through Lados' heart. He could feel them searching his soul, delving deeper, studying his existence. Suddenly, the measuring stopped. The sledgehammer twitched. Attuned to it, the soldier raised his arm, pointing to the north-western sky, where Lados thought he witnessed it turning crimson. Deep blue stones glowed in response. Thunder burst from the cloudy sky. Another tree caught on fire. This time, the fire perpetrator was known. The towering soldier drove his massive hammer to the ground, pounding it with all his might, blasting Lados away.
