Chapter 13: Embrace of the Giant's Riddle
The night settled into an almost eerie silence, with only the hushed breaths of the four companions and the gentle crunching of leaves beneath them. As the chill deepened, Max proposed, "If we sleep closer, we might be warmer." Enzo, Branden, and Antonio quickly huddled together, finding comfort in the shared warmth. Enzo and Branden nestled in the middle, their smaller frames, while Antonio and Max, with their more substantial builds, formed a protective outer layer. Beneath the starless sky obscured by the forest canopy, the four companions embraced the tranquility and drifted into a serene slumber.
Morning dawned, and the companions, reinvigorated by the warmth of their collective embrace, packed their belongings and resumed their journey. This time, the forest welcomed them with an unusual calmness, devoid of the oppressive waves of heat they had endured the day before. Enzo and Antonio gasped simultaneously, drawing Branden's attention to a breathtaking sight—a pristine lake nestled in a clearing.
As they approached, captivated by the lake's beauty, their eyes caught a narrow path leading out of the forest. Excitement surged as they hurried toward it, only to be halted by the sudden appearance of a towering figure—a giant. Branden, with a mixture of awe and excitement, asked the others, "Is that a giant?" The astonishment on their faces confirmed that the seemingly mythical creature stood before them.
However, Antonio, the voice of reason, insisted, "Giants were wiped out millennia ago. This can't be real!" To their dismay, the giant confirmed its existence, presenting them with a challenge. "If you can answer my question within the time limit, you may pass and leave," it declared. Branden, the only one with a formal education, hoped the question wouldn't involve his weakest subject—math.
To his relief, the giant announced a history question. Branden's confidence soared, but it plummeted when he heard the inquiry: "How many years ago did the giants lose the war and supposedly go extinct?" Panic set in, as this wasn't a topic covered in their makeshift education system.
While Branden struggled, the others brainstormed. Max, Antonio, and Enzo proposed varying timelines for the giants' demise. Tensions rose as they debated, unsure of the correct answer. Max eventually suggested a detailed chronology, explaining the war's timeline and the supposed extinction period.
The giant, visibly impressed, confirmed Max's response as correct. Antonio and Enzo, baffled but relieved, questioned the accuracy of the historical account. Max clarified that the giants went extinct 200 years after the war, a fact that surprised the giant.
With a grin, the giant acknowledged their success. "You are the first to answer this question correctly. You may all pass," it declared in a deep voice. The companions, now with a newfound alliance with the giant, continued their journey, leaving behind the mysterious Enchanted Forest and venturing into the unknown with the promise of more challenges and revelations ahead.
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Hidden truths (bl)
FantasyA tale unfolds of a journey from strangers to friends and eventually lovers, where the narrative weaves the delicate threads of connection. In this story, the protagonists navigate the intricacies of their relationships, transcending the boundaries...
