Lord of Annihilation

In the periphery of the large coliseum, within which the 'Twelve Labors' trial grounds were situated, a large mass of curious Giants gathered.

Hulking bodies, strapping muscles, tanned, scarred skin, and mane-like hair were common features between the Giants. Their clothes which were made out of expensive Wild Beast leather looked Spartan in style, covering only their privates. 

"Did you feel that energy wave, brother?"

"Of course! Seems like someone is undergoing their ascension brother."

"Brothers, isn't the trial ground supposed to be closed today? I thought all the challengers had already left the trial grounds a few days ago."

"Oh, I know the answer for this one, brothers!" a brash voice quipped.

The Giants hurriedly identified the source of that voice and gathered around him. 

"Hurry and tell us, brother!" "Quick brother, give us the answer!"

The speaker, a handsome-looking Giant in his mid-teenage years, cleared his throat, looked to the sky, and gloatingly replied.

"Hahaha! Before I start telling my answer, perhaps I should give a small explanation as to why I know this answer. You see, brothers! It all started when I was born. I was a—" 

The valiant speech of the young lad was abruptly cut off as a large palm smacked him on the back of this head.

"Stop dawdling and quickly get to the answer, lad!"

"Fa-father!" 

Hearing this short exchange between the Giant father and son, the other Giants in the vicinity began to laugh. A few seconds later, the teenage lad hurriedly organized his sentences and answered while being subjected to his father's glare.

"I-if I recall correctly, there should still be one challenger inside the trial grounds."

"Oh? On the final day? Who is this person?"

"Quickly tell us who this person is, brother!"

Listening to their impatient quips as they passionately asked him for an answer, the young Giant felt his smugness rising. The desire to pose once again rose within his heart.

Cough. Cough.

However, a light, menacing cough from his father quickly dissipated whatever need for show-off he felt.

"This last challenger is none other than the disciple of the 'Black Blade'!!"

A collective gasp escaped from the mouths of the crowd.

"H-heavens, the 'Black Blade' has a disciple!? Why didn't I know about this, brothers!?"

"I remember! On the day of trials' starting, I recall seeing a little sister next to the Black Blade! She looked just like him! Tiny and weak-looking!"

"Weak-looking!!? Why don't you try and duel him? Your face would hit the ground before you understand what's happening!"

"Brothers! I'm just saying what I thought at that time! I wouldn't dare duel someone whom our mighty king has recognized and given a challenge to!"

The clamors of the crowd only continued to increase with this realization.

The 'Black Blade'.

This was the nickname that Lucius gained in the two weeks that he spent in the Land of the Giants. 

Typically, the 'Twelve Labors' trail was a frequent occurrence and not many Giants took interest in its monthly renditions. A person or two would generally pop in every now and then just sate their boredom.

This rendition, however, was very different.

Giant King Klytius' son, Crown Prince Echion, the bearer of the title of 'First Son' which was representative of being the strongest Giant under a hundred years of age, was participating in the 'Twelve Labors'. 

As such, the most recent rendition had become the hottest topic within the Land of Giants, with people old and young, far and wide, taking interest in its proceedings.

Many were keen to watch the First Son's performance and hoped for him to rise up to the challenge and stand up to his name.

And boy, rise up and stand tall he did.

Smashing through each Labor, the First Son made it all the way up to the Twelfth Labor and even completed it, in only his first attempt! This was an unthinkable feat for a Giant of his age, unmatched by any of his predecessors. 

Even his own father Klytius, who was publicly known to be the strongest Giant since the ancestor Heracles, did not manage such results in his youth. 

There was no doubt that this young Giant was immensely talented and had a boundless future ahead of him. Some even dared to hope for his achievements to pass that of the First Ancestor, Heracles.

Returning to the topic...

With the First Son managing such prestigious results, none believed that another would manage to supersede his result. Not in the near future at least. 

One had to know that usually, the challengers, both Giants and outsiders alike, barely made it past the Seventh of Eight Labor. 

Or at least, that would've been the case had it not been for a monster taking part in the trial.

A monster, who not only fought the Guardian of the Twelfth Labor head-on but also blazed through the Twelve Labors in an incredible time, setting a record that could hardly ever be broken.

This monster, who roamed with a blade that was as black as the night sky, was recognized by their mighty king with the latter even issuing a public challenge for a duel.

For context, a duel with their king was the ultimate act of honor for any Giant. For the king to personally issue a challenge and to an outsider nonetheless, this honor was even greater.

And thus, the name 'Black Blade' was known and his fame spread throughout the Land of Giants and more. In the royal city surrounding the trial ground, this name resounded at least hourly within every household.

Going further, if Lucius were to reveal his actual age alongside his achievement, there was no doubt that his name would enter the 'Universal Power Rankings' with the suffix 'Most Talented Killer of the Current Era' attached to it. 

Fortunately, this did not happen as Giant King Klytius used his influence to hide this secret at Lucius' behest. Hiding from the eyesight of the Lords was exhausting enough. Lucius did not want to add the multitude of troublesome organizations scouting him, to this list.

Back to the story…

"Wait, then that means...the pillar of light a few minutes ago…it couldn't be!! Bro-brothers!!"

"Could that little sister have 'also' completed the trials!? It can't be, right? It might've been someone else."

Hearing that, the teenage Giant from earlier quipped.

"Hey, brother! Are you calling me a liar? She was the last and only participant inside the trial grounds. So unless the 'Black Blade' managed to clear the trail twice, I doubt it was anyone else!"

"Ah, calm down brother! No one doubted your words! It's just shocking, that's all."

"Anyway, brothers. Can we go in and take a look at what this fearsome little sister looks like?"

"You're thinking about issuing her a challenge, aren't you brother?"

"Hahaha. I was indeed thinking about that, brother."

"Well get in line! I'm going first!"

"No me!"

"Wait, I've got to be the one!"

The crowd of Giants, being the challenge-crazy, battle-seeking, honest brutes they were, pushed aside each other and tried to be the quickest one to enter. 

For a second, they seemed to have collectively forgotten that the person inside was undergoing their ascension and not even the slightest disturbance could be allowed.

Just as the first person was about to take the first step into the coliseum, a line of black light flashed before his body and appeared on the doorstep.

"Step back if you don't want to lose a leg," a voice coldly stated while emitting bone-chilling murderous intent.