Chapter 2: Reaching the Region of the Giants
I opened my eyes and realized that I had slept under an oak tree. I couldn't remember how I got under the tree, but it was clear that we were already far from where we first came from. What was I thinking about yesterday? Why didn't I have my consciousness with me all along?
I tried to study the place, and realized that the evening passed by too quickly. It was morning already. And then there came the firefly.
I was just about to think that this firefly wasn't real, but he came. So, everything that happened yesterday wasn't a dream.
"Howdy! Now that you've finally woken up, I bet you're really starving! I've just discovered some delicious fruits here! Follow me." The firefly said.
Without saying a word, I followed him. Then I came to think about his name. I could remember his name. He introduced himself as "Twinkle Bell", but I never called him that ever since we met. I called him in general terms, like "little creature", "little firefly", and so on so forth.
"Hey, come to think about it. Even though you have been very polite to me calling me by my name, I haven't called you by yours. You did identify yourself very well, yet I rudely called you in general terms. I'm sorry, Twinkle Bell."
"Oh! That, I really don't mind. But I'm glad that you can still remember my name. Thank you, Ligian."
Spending less than 24 hours with this creature was enough to put my trust on him. Besides, he was the only companion that I could have.
After what seemed to be a five-minute walk, we finally reached the tree bearing unique but sweet fruits. Indeed, they were extremely delicious!
"Whoa, this is amazing. I feel like it's the first time that I've tasted such fruit!"
"I told you so!" Twinkle Bell happily replied.
"By the way, how did we get here, and where are we? Are we already close to where the Cyclopes are?" I asked.
"Actually, we are already in the place where the Cyclopes dwell. So, we are very close to the cave where the Polyphemus and the little Polyphemus live."
That revelation made me chill. Knowing that we were already "very" close to the Cyclopes, got me a lot more anxious. I hadn't planned about my treachery to obtain the little Polyphemus's eye. But, I suddenly remembered that I could use the Cyclopes' weakness which was heat.
"Hmm, then how about helping me make a torch?" I asked.
"What? Just how can a little insect like me help you?"
"Just tell me which wood to use."
"Mind telling me what your plan is?" asked Twinkle Bell.
"You'll see."
With the help of Twinkle Bell, I was able to create a torch that could last for more or less two hours. Then, we left for the cave.
Carrying only the torch and a thin wood with a sharpened edge, we reached the cave and found the giant sound asleep at the opening of the cave. I was reluctant at first, that this was little Polyphemus, since it was as big as a two-storey building. But Twinkle Bell insisted that this sleeping giant was actually the baby. The Polyphemus, his father, was a lot bigger than him.
What? So if the other Cyclopes were twice as big as this little Polyphemus, then I'm dead once I make one mistake in stealing his eye. I should be careful.
