Chapter 9: Returning the Eye
It took us about three hours before we reached the region of the giants. I know I've lost too much. I wondered why, while I was only sitting on Yuzan's back, my memories kept flashing back rapidly. However, I couldn't remember what day it was in the real world when I came to Forestierre. The only thing I knew was that it's almost Christmas time.
But before I came to delve deeper into my own thoughts, Yuzan suddenly spoke and broke my introspection.
"Here we are." Yuzan said.
"This doesn't look like the giants' home at all." Rania commented.
"Their home is the entire place. The caves only serve as their bedroom. Look at them." Yuzan said, pointing out to the only visible, but distant cave.
All of us watched from a safe distance. There were three Cyclopes there. And even at first sight, it was easy to know that they're a family. I was even surprised to realize that the baby Cyclops there was the one from whom I'd stolen the eye. But before I got bothered by my conscience, I lingered a little more and watched as they bonded with each other. They showed us that close family ties exist even among the fiercest creatures like them.
I was most amazed when the mother Cyclops embraced her little one. Polyphemus- the father tapped his son's head while saying something we couldn't understand. We were all awestruck with wonder. They were beautiful. Their family seemed very inseparable. Indeed, I was inspired and touched by them. But for some reason, I felt incomplete. Lonesome. But I ignored the negative feeling and took hold of the necklace.
I must return this eye immediately. I've got no more than two hours left.
I took the first step forward to the cave. The rest followed. I knew that the Cyclopes would get mad at me. They're parents, of course. But I'd decided already. I would bring this back to them.
When we were already very close to the cave, I looked back at my friends and smiled at them.
"Ligian, please remember this: we're just behind you. We'll always back you up, missy." Twinkle said.
They were all looking at me with such concerned expressions. I giggled and gave them a thumbs-up.
"I know, silly firefly. Thank you all for staying with me through all this.
I turned around started walking towards the Cyclopes' cave.
As I got nearer, the Cyclopes noticed my presence. The two gave me an austere look. Of course they had already hated humans ever since the treacherous incident. But I didn't mind, and didn't think of wasting any more time.
"Good afternoon, senior Cyclopes. I am Ligian Bahmatan. You see, I came here just to apologize. Don't worry, I am harmless right now." I said.
"What are you apologizing for?" asked Polyphemus.
I was shocked that they actually could speak my language. But it wasn't the right time to show my amazement. I quickly took out the necklace, and showed it to the Cyclopes. And upon seeing their child's stolen eye, they became more furious and threatening.
"You! You stole our child's eye!" Polyphemus spoke in gritted teeth.
"How dare you show yourself before us, after stealing the eye! For that, you shall be punished!" the mother Cyclops said.
