The great beast stumbled, letting out a pathetic sounding, pitiable ribbit before falling sideways with a thunderous boom, sending shockwaves out on the water. The swamp was silent for a time, as if holding its collective breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop, but it never came. The sload was apparently no more, but what could kill such a beast? Some great and terrible pox? Was it slain? Defeated in mortal combat below the waters in the murky depths where none dare tread? Perhaps, just perhaps, it was simply the creature's time to leave this mortal coil.