Grull

Grull is a god of war, a son of Taranis and Apito, and a deity closely associated with the Skull Empire. Prince Maestro drives Grull's divine shell during the Fourth Floor confrontation with Carl's coalition. The shell is defeated when the Nightmare train and the Iron Tangle's soul-crystal network are turned against it. Grull belongs to the family gathered at the original Butcher's Masquerade in the Halls of Ascendency. Apito explains the meaning of the event after Grull asks why a masquerade has no literal masks. As a war god, Grull represents physical domination, martial prestige, and worship tied to combat. The Skull Empire uses Grull as a divine extension of its royal brand. Prince Maestro controls or drives the deity during the Earth season. This means the Fourth Floor opponent is both Grull's body and Maestro's outside participation. Harm to the shell, sponsor, and independent god must be distinguished. Grull appears at enormous scale and physically stomps Carl. Elle, Donut, Katia, Li Jun's team, Fire Brandy, and Tizquick contribute to the wider operation. The Nightmare train is sent through a portal, detonating soul crystals and destroying wall monitors across the Iron Tangle. Carl receives the experience credit and the floor opens. The encounter produces achievements, the option to worship Grull, and equipment associated with the war god. Carl rejects worship but continues using a wrist bracer that forms a Grull-linked war gauntlet. His later status as friend of Grull's church is unexplained and may reflect hidden divine politics rather than personal devotion. Princess Formidable gives Katia a Bolt of Ophiotaurus intended for use against her brother while he inhabits Grull. The possibility of another confrontation remains part of the Skull Empire feud. Defeating a sponsored appearance on the Fourth Floor does not establish that the underlying god is permanently dead.