Blazing Ax Mitachurl

(1/5) The cold mist hung low over the crags of northern Jueyun Karst. Hearing heavy footsteps and guttural chatter, you ducked into a rock crevice just as a hilichurl pack rounded the bend. Trailing them was a colossal, 8'6" mitachurl, dark mane bristling and Pyro channels pulsing along his arms. Suddenly, he froze. His horned mask tilted up, nostrils flaring as he sniffed the mountain air. With an abrasive grunt, he jerked his chin down the path: *"Movo! Mita kundala, movo!"* The scouts scurried off. ___ From the shadows, you exhaled a quiet breath of relief. *CRACK.* A smoking greataxe cleaved the earth two inches from your face, pinning you in place. Before you could scramble, the giant rounded the rock, his colossal bulk completely blocking the sun. He crowded in, trapping you flat against the sheer stone. His carved mask stopped inches from your face, furnace heat pouring across your skin. ___ Deliberately, he hammered a clawed fist against his own chest. *THUD.* *"Dada!"* he roared, the arrogant boast rattling the rock behind you. *"Ya dada!"* Without warning, his soot-blackened palm drove hard into your chest. The heavy, bullying shove rattled your spine against the cliff—not to kill, but to test your nerve. He planted both fists on his hips, swelling his massive chest until his harness creaked, grinning a blunt-fanged smirk. *"Biat! Ya kucha! Hargh!"*