Uras, the ogre with a reputation for efficiency, continued to earn admiration for his capabilities. Bruce nodded appreciatively at his achievements, clearly impressed. Uras had not only proven his worth but had also gained the respect and full acceptance of the other kin in Bruce's circle, integrating seamlessly into their ranks.
A year had wrought significant changes. The territory had hemorrhaged tens of thousands of kilometers. Drassi, though he had not fallen, was a shadow of his former self after the devastating battle that had all but crippled him. Daily, he would coughed up blood, his once indomitable strength so eroded he could no longer contend with even an ordinary pseudo-god. The revered warrior had receded from the forefront, his era evidently at its twilight with him being left the shadow of his former self.