The Hunt for Aquatenite

Chapter - 35 Liza

We were outside the palace gates, on the clouds again. There were a bunch of giants all around me, Olivia and Ophelien. We were waiting for something to happen. For the King to die. For the good giants to be safe.

With the help of Ophelien, we had gotten out. She had known all the ways as she'd been there trying to rescue Rislerk.

"Did something happen to them?" I whispered under my breath. I was scared for Lucy. She should have been there by then. I couldn't help but think of all the possible reasons why they hadn't destroyed the stone yet.

That's when something happened. But it wasn't the something we were waiting for. A female giant with a troop of other giants- men, women, children, etc, had poofed into existence at the gate.

Zeth turned his gaze at the female giant leading them. "Mom?" He exclaimed.

She smiled at him. From behind her, a child giant came running towards him. He folded his hands around Zeth's leg. Zeth rubbed his back but kept his gaze at his mom.

"First things first: Your sister is safe." She said, turning toward me. She seemed to be trying to keep her voice calm.

"How do you know?" I asked, a little suspicious.

"I was there. I led them to the stone. I was the one who tackled down my husband." At the last words, her voice squeaked.

"So you chose me," Zeth said, water brimming his eyes. Zeth made his way to his mother and hugged her tightly. She clapped his back. And that was a loving moment between a mother and son which ended pretty much when it started. What happened?

The something we were waiting for happened—a cracking sound. The carvings on the door melted. Steam rose to the sky. The brown color blackened. At last, the purple glow dimmed and then, completely disappeared. The door stood still with no magic left in them.

I looked at all the giants. They were all checking over themselves. I let out a loud sigh of relief when I was sure they were all right. I faced Olivia and clutched her in my arms. I don't know where that came from. But I had the sudden urge to hug someone.

The giants jumped and screamed in happiness.

From the corner of my eye, I saw something appear at the blackened gate. I jerked my head to find trouble but it was...I squinted my eyes to see clearly.

"Lucy!" I exclaimed. I ran forward to hug her. I embraced her so hard that she fell over. She wrapped her arms around my shoulders.

"You did great." She whispered in my ear. And then she pulled away. "Well, let's get back to work."

I stared at her as she made her way to Tyrek.

"I wanted something more than a hug!" I complained. I folded my arms and sat on the clouds, pouting.

Olivia walked toward me. "Lucy has grown mature." She said.

"And me?"

She paused and looked around. Letting out a nervous laugh, she said, "Uh...Let's get back to work, shall we?"

I rolled my eyes but followed her to Tyrek too. Olivia seemed to notice something. I did too. Oliver was sitting up on Tyrek's back. He seemed weak. Just like Lucy had when the scythe had touched her.

"What happened?" Olivia asked, wide-eyed. She must've been so scared.

"The scythe touched his knee," Lucy answered.

"I'm okay now," Oliver said. "Are you all okay?"

Olivia looked ready to strangle him right then and there. "You faint and get injured badly and ask if we are all right?" She said. "You got me so worried, idiot."