The Giant First Step

NARRATOR NOTE//: Hey everyone! I've been saying that a lot lately. Apologies for yet another late chapter (another thing I've been saying a lot lately) but this one just didn't seem to click in my mind no natter what I did. I had three different drafts, but none of them seemed to work. I think I've done a decent enough job to get to the point as I have noticed that I've dragged quite a few chapters on a lot longer than necessary. So, hopefully you all enjoy! JZ

---

"So, your stronghold has another stronghold underneath it?" Virra asks.

"It's less of a stronghold, and more of an elaborate laboratory, but yes. After centuries of dreaming about finally advancing past our primitive past, we finally put together a plan to power our home. The volcano was the key to all of that." The Queen pulls out a notebook before opening it up. "Hilfa and her selected team were going to use their magic to transfer the natural energy from the volcano, hoping the magic would fuse and create a power source unlike any you would see in those foolish cities. In doing so, we would be able to take back that of which we ruled long ago."

"And that is?" Kyuala questions.

"Muprosyll." Kira answers, causing everyone to turn towards her. "The giants ruled over the land that would become Muprosyll over a millennia ago. The reason that they're confined to this mountain is because of territorial greed. Eventually, other races started pushing back, leaving the giants to hide here."

The Queen sighs. "That is true. The giants of that time outright refused to learn any sort of magic, so we were left with a huge weakness. The only reason this stronghold stood against any attacks is because it was the refuge of those who were **** out for learning magic. The irony of it is not lost on us, I assure you."

Terra's face turns into a look of confusion. "But we heard that the deal you made with Virra and I's great grandfather was that you were to leave the continent alone, rescinding any claim you had to it. Is that the truth?"

"That is true. We planned to take back Muprosyll, starting with Mulvenscroll. Unfortunately, your great grandfather was informed of our movements, so we were caught off guard when he arrived. He offered the deal, and deciding that the safety of my people was more important, I took it."

"But what good does having the life of our sister do for you?" Virra asks, her voice becoming a little more serious.

"To guarantee that she could get it all back." Kira answers, continuing her trend of not letting the Queen have any secrets. "She wanted to use your sister's life as her bargaining chip. She gets the land without a fight, and in exchange, the girl lives. On the other hand, if the leaders were to refuse, the giants will have the natural power of a super volcano on their side. In the end, it's all power plays and political cucking."

"That's why you activated the Giant's Eye now? Because you were sure that you'd have the power by the deadline?" Terra asks, but it's definitely more of an accusation.

"Correct." The Queen's face drops, almost seeming guilty about her actions, or she's putting on that façade because she's been caught.

Anger fills the group, but none more than the elf sisters, as everything they learn about the curse just makes it worse and worse. They also realize that they're going to have to take everything the Queen tells them with a pound of salt, never mind a grain.

"Okay, enough of the history shit." Amilia says, changing the topic. "How the fuck are we gonna kill that bitch mage of yours?"

Just then, the door to the throne room opens up as Musha walks in, followed by a herd of giants. However, it's nowhere near the number the group hoped for.

"I believe that is your answer." The Queen responds as the giants all form up in front of the throne.

"Your highness! I have assembled the leaders!" Musha says proudly with her head held high and her chest puffed out.

The Queen smirks at her advisors eagerness. "Thank you, Musha."

The Queen stands up, and as she rises, her subjects all kneel down before her.

"I am glad to see you all are still standing after the events in the pit. I have been informed of the accident by our guests here, and I apologize for all those with family members who are hurt. However, I shall apologize to them personally after we deal with our newest threat."

The giants all look at each other before a loud round of murmuring begins.

The Queen ignores the whispers among her subjects. "The threat is one that we all know all too well, unfortunately. Hilfa Dalintos, the head mage."

Shocked gasps and exclamations are heard, but the Queen is quick to quieten them all with a raised hand.

"Yes. I was just as shocked when I found out she has been conspiring behind my back. I was also shocked when I was ambushed by a group calling themselves 'The Cult'. So, would any of you happen to know anything about this supposed cult?"

Most of the leaders of the giant families all give a similar denial, but there's no way of telling if they're telling the truth. However, there's one woman who seems to be purposefully avoiding eye contact with the Queen. Unfortunately for that leader, the Queen noticed.

"Ristya Lihpsy. Does my gaze offend you?"

The bald woman's head snaps up. "N-no, your majesty! I just... I wasn't sure if I should mention what I know."

"Your Queen asked for any information on the Cult! Do you think you know better than the woman who keeps us thriving?!" Musha scolds, seemingly more offended by the leaders actions than the Queen herself.

The Queen puts her hand up, getting Musha to stop for a moment as she leans forward. "Ristya. I need any information on these cretins. I do not care how little the information is, anything is better than the air I am currently wiping my behind with. So, tell me what you know."

The leader known as Ristya bows her head, feeling ashamed of her actions. "I apologize for my misdeeds, your majesty." The giant takes a breath. "As a lass, my mother would tell me the tale of the Cult of Tirsul."

"Tirsul? The leader of the mages who created this place?"

"Yes, your majesty. The very same. It was rumoured that once the non-magic giants moved in, the cult formed as a way to protect his teachings. My mother always dismissed it as a myth, but it seems myths are becoming true these days." Ristya then looks over at John, and he can't help but feel a little nervous as other giants begin looking towards him.

A moment later, another one of the leaders speaks up. "Your majesty. I have never heard of this supposed cult, nor of this fairy-tale that Ristya is speaking about."

A few other leaders agree with the first woman before Ristya stands up. "You seem to forget, I am a direct descendant of one of the first settlers! I may not have magic, but it runs within my bloodline!"

An argument ensues within the throne room, but the Queen brings the side of her fist down on the arm rest of her throne. The thud echoes throughout the room, instantly putting a stop to the quarrel.

"That is enough." The Queen calmly says as she begins to think. A few intense moments pass as thoughts run wild in the Queen's mind before she starts singling out the one's that can help her in this current moment.

Eventually, the Queen clears her throat which causes all eyes to snap towards her. "First off: These people that you see to my left are to be considered allies. If I hear of any hostility towards them, it will be met with swift punishment. Secondly: I need you all to gather your trustworthy troops. We need to mobilize on this immediately. Hilfa is currently reeling after being exposed, and we cannot allow her to regain the advantage. Once you have gathered your troops, regroup at the doors to the lower levels. Dismissed."

The leaders all stand up before bowing their heads and heading towards the door to begin to muster their troops.

As the door closes the group remains in the throne room with Musha and the Queen.

Clarva is the first to speak up. "So, what are we supposed to do in this plan of yours?"

"Oh, you all are going to be entering before us. I fully believe that at least one of those leaders is a part of this Cult of Tirsul. I am almost certain that they will attempt to attack me once I enter."

"So, you're sending us in to take the hit for you? Real fucking sweet deal." Karray comments.

A cheeky smirk finds its way onto the Queen's face. "I don't remember saying you would be entering the front door."

Musha pulls out a large roll of paper before rolling it out onto the floor. "There is a smaller, secondary door on the other side from the doors the Queen will be waiting at. The door was created to be used as a way to move materials more efficiently, but there was an accident with one of the combustible materials, and we haven't used it since. However, it is still remains. The magic taught to the centaur should be able to open the door for you all to slip in undetected."

The Queen takes over from there. "Once you are in, you can follow the track down the floors. It's almost a certainty that Hilfa will be hiding in her laboratory, trying to cobble together a counter attack of sorts. Whoever is loyal to me will go down using the elevator, so Hilfa's attention should be taken by my teams descent."

"If you're taking the elevator, how are we supposed to get down first?" John asks.

"Well, there are still unused carts, just waiting to grace the track all the way to the bottom floor. Just try not to scream on the way down." Musha responds before a little smirk begins to appear at the corner of her mouth, matching the devilishness in her voice as she seems to be enjoying the internal visual of the smaller lifeforms having a terrifying trip down.

That grin doesn't last for long as Lani wonders about something. "Quick question: If Hilfa's lab is on the bottom floor, shouldn't we be worried about the super volcano underneath?"

"The laboratory is extremely well-protected against the wrath of the lava. In fact, it's probably the most protected area in all of this stronghold." The Queen then realizes her folly. "Another substantial mistake on my part."

"I suppose we should also ask about this before we go down there. Is the volcano... dormant?" John asks, almost immediately regretting the question as soon as the words left his lips.

"That isn't my expertise. I would say to ask my head mage, but she currently wants my head on a pike, so that's out of the equation."

"We could always send Musty down to ask. It's not like we would lose much anyway." Kira quips, always happy to take a shot at Musha, referred to as Musty in this case.

Musha's face morphs into one of displeasure as she turns her gaze to the centaur. "Why don't we send you down first? I believe sending her some seared centaur to feast on would be enough to distract her for a killing blow."

"Or you both remain quiet before I slap the fear of **** into you." The Queen adds, putting an end to the little verbal squabble. "Like it or not, you both are allies for now, and if all goes well, you won't have to deal with each other any longer. So, for the sake of our lives, at least attempt to convey a semblance of civility towards one another."

Musha and Kira go quiet, both reluctantly agreeing to the Queen's plea, but both also refuse to admit that they've agreed.

"I'll take that as a yes then." The Queen says before standing up. "Alright. We cannot delay the inevitable any longer. Let us get to our positions."

---

A FEW MINUTES LATER:

The group are standing in front of a very different looking door compared to the others in the stronghold. It's obviously too short for any of the giants to go through even Clarva is going to have to practically break her back to get through it.

"This is it. The train to the hells." Kira comments as she walks up to the door.

"Let's just hope there are some carts left for us to use." Terra adds.

Karray begins to chuckle to herself, getting the attention of Clarva. "What are you laughing at?" The half-giant asks.

"Just imagining your big ass trying to fit in a teeny-tiny cart."

"Wow. A few weeks imprisoned, and you've already begun to have those types of thoughts about me. Should I be worried the next time I bathe?" Clarva jokes, trying to get the upper hand on her smaller, crude friend.

Karray doesn't respond, giving Clarva a little satisfaction that she's won. However, a purple hand quickly appears behind Clarva's behind before giving it a quick yet stinging smack.

Clarva lets out a small yelp and whips around, her hand rubbing her sore buttock as she sends daggers in the form of a gaze at Karray who nonchalantly flies away.

"Y'know, those two remind of another pair of friends I happen to know." John says as he currently stands in between Kyuala and Amilia.

"Really?" Kyuala says before humming for a moment. "I don't see it. Because if I were to have my butt smacked, I would most definitely be sending a fist back twice as hard."

"And if my ass was smacked like that, I'd be thanking them." Amilia adds. "Maybe I should see if the pixie can teach me some of that magic."

"Why would you want her to?" Lani asks with an annoyed voice. "It's not anything special. I can try to teach if you really wanted to."

Amilia looks at the fairy on John's shoulder. "Aww, that's sweet. I didn't know you could get jealous, Wings." The cat teases. "It's not a good look for you though."

"I'm not jealous!" Lani splutters. "Why would I be jealous?"

"Lani." John says, dragging out her name. "What happened to being civil until we've dealt with Hilfa?"

"That was directed towards Kira and the advisor. I wasn't mentioned, therefore, it doesn't apply to me!" Lani immediately regrets her snippy words. She then drops her head a little. "I'm sorry, John. It's just-."

"It's okay. It's a difficult situation. Just... don't bite Karray's head off before we deal with the mage that is literally hiding in a volcano."

Lani doesn't say anything in response, just giving a little nod of agreement. However, John isn't finished there. "Don't worry. You can be as mean as you want after we get out of here."

Lani chuckles, understanding and appreciating John's attempt to cheer her up as they wait for Kira to finish her spell.

The door begins to open soon after the human and fairy finish their conversation. It takes a few seconds, but the creaks finally come to a stop as the door is wide open.

"Alright. Let's see what bullshittery awaits us." Karray says as she flies forward, seemingly wanting to first. However, the pixie is stopped by the tip of Kira's spear.

"Don't be a fool. Hilfa knows damn well that this door is here. If she hasn't set at least five different traps, I'll be disappointed." The centaur then takes point, casting another spell as she carefully steps forward.

Five golden orbs float from Kira's hand and begin circling around. The orbs start rotating faster and faster, almost going as quick as some flies that have just been sprayed with some insect killer.

Suddenly, the orbs come back to Kira's hand, and after the orbs integrate back with her hand, golden light shoots up her veins toward her head. Eventually, her eyes change colour from a hazel brown to the gold from the orbs. The effect lasts for only a few moments before her eyes return to their original hazel colour.

"No traps? Hmm. I'm disappointed, but also pleasantly surprised." Kira says as she walks through the door and into the room.

A few seconds later, the group follow behind and enter the small room. In all actuality, it's a compliment to even call it a room. It's closer to a broom closet where the carts travel before heading down.

"I wasn't the only one who expected a little more, right?" Virra asks as she looks around at the dust, which she could probably sink into if she were to lie against it.

"They did mention that something blew up. I'm surprised that this place is still standing." Terra responds as she begins to examine a broken cart.

Speaking of carts, Kyuala looks around and can't help but notice one glaring issue. "There's only one cart."

Everyone turns to Kyuala and sees that there is indeed, only one cart on the tracks. There are a few other carts, but they're either too cracked or missing wheels.

"Well, that's just the cherry on top of this dung pie." Kira says as she inspects the cart.

Clarva also walks over, doing an inspection of her own. "It's a decent size, but I don't think we're all going to fit in, comfortably at least."

The cart itself is obviously much larger than a regular mine cart. The cart is just under eight feet tall and about nine feet in width. Now, that would usually be more than enough for the group, but with the addition of a fifteen feet tall half-giant and a seven feet tall centaur with the back of her body spanning an additional five feet, it's going to get very cramped.

"Hold on. You want us all to fit in that thing? Are you mad? Or just delusional?" Virra asks, obviously not thrilled about the prospect of getting in.

"What's the matter, pointy two? Scared of getting a little..." Amilia leans in, getting right up to Virra's ear. "Close?"

Virra practically leaps from her position before stammering like her mouth was a machine gun.

Luckily for Virra, Kyuala comes in for the save as she grabs Amilia by the waist and tosses her up. Amilia screams for a second before she lands in the cart with a metallic thud happening upon impact.

"Hey Ami, do catfolk always land on their feet?" Kyuala asks with a humongous shit-eating grin on her face.

A furry middle finger pops up over the edge of the cart, causing the orc and the group to laugh, even Kira just manages to stifle a chuckle at the humorous reprieve.

"Alright, since there's no other choice, let's get in." Clarva says, obviously not too thrilled about the circumstance they're currently **** to deal with. Clarva then turns to Kira. "We should get you in first, that way we can judge how much room will be left."

"Is that your way of calling me fat?" Kira asks accusingly.

Clarva is stunned. "No! No! I just- I thought that since you are long, it would be better to get you in first. That's all."

Karray quickly covers her mouth to try and quiet the snicker that attempts to leave her mouth. Unfortunately, the attempt is moot as Clarva's eyes snap to the pixie. Karray then just lets the snicker turn into a laugh as the smaller woman says, "Dude. She's yanking your chain."

Clarva's expression drops as her eyes shoot back to Kira who has a smirk on her face. "Chain successfully pulled. Now, can you give me a hand?"

The half-giant nods before positioning herself behind Kira as the centaur places her hands on the top of the care whilst putting her front legs up on the side. Clarva then grabs Kira by the waist and lifts her up, struggling a minute amount before the centaur is up over the top and now standing in the front of the cart.

"Welcome to my humble abode. There's no roof, no rooms, and no bathroom, but there's a cute cat that loves being touched." Amilia offers a wink to Kira who just simply rolls her eyes.

"I'm flattered at the attempt, but I'm afraid that I promised myself to one woman."

"Hasn't stopped people before." Amilia says before flashing images of a betrayed Kyuala enter her mind. Now, those words taste bitter, and Kira can see the regretful look on Amilia's face.

Luckily for both of them, their attention is grabbed as Clarva climbs into the cart, making sure to keep to the back to act as a counterweight so the cart doesn't tip forward when travelling down.

"Alright. It's not so bad, gonna be a tight squeeze with us all in here, but we should be okay... hopefully." Clarva whispers that last part to herself as she peeks over the edge. "Okay, the rest of you, get in here."

A few seconds later, the rest of the group begin to climb into the cart. Terra is first, helping Virra up before both help John climb whilst Kyuala easily manages to get up on her own.

After everyone has managed to pack into the cart, Clarva looks at Karray and Lani. "Alright. We need you two to activate the track and rush back here."

Karray and Lani both look incredibly displeased at the request. Both could probably activate the switch on their own, but Clarva's wording makes it obvious that she wants them to work together.

"Alright. Let's go, princess."

"Don't call me princess." Lani mutters to herself as Karray begins flying toward the door that they originally entered in with Lani barely a second later.

Just outside the room is the switch that they're looking forward. It's a standard industrial button with green meaning go and red obviously meaning stop.

"Ready to see how real arms push a big ass button? Unlike those noodles of yours?" Karray asks, pointing out Lani's thin arms compared to her own more toned ones. Karray then attempts to push the green button, but it doesn't budge an inch.

Lani grins. "You might have better luck using your head, it is much harder than your muscles after all."

"Well, since you're so clever, why don't you shut yer pie hole and try it yourself?"

Lani takes Karray up on her offer, signalling for the pixie to move out of the way despite there being plenty of room for Lani.

"Watch and learn, weakling." Lani confidently says as she moves forward.

Lani's attempt to push the button is exactly the same as Karray's attempt, and it causes the pixie to breathe a silent sigh of relief before letting out a laugh. "Well fucking done. Really showed this lowly pixie how a real fairy gets the job done, princess."

"If you worked out as much as you ran your mouth, the button would've been pressed already." Lani fires back, obviously frustrated that she didn't get to show Karray up.

Karray gets closer to the panel before beginning to examine the panel. As she looks around, she begins muttering to herself, making fun of Lani's remark. "Ooh, maybe if you worked out as much as you talked, meh meh meh."

Just then, Karray sees an opening in the panel, so she begins to pull at it. The panel doesn't budge much, and Karray gets a little frustrated. She goes to use her magic, hoping that Lani isn't paying attention, but as Karray goes to look to see if Lani is looking, a pair of hands grabs at the opening.

"Let's just do it together." Lani says.

Karray wants to fight against Lani's help, but relents for now. "Alright, we pull on three. One... two... three!"

The two pull with everything, and the panel opens up.

"Oh shit! We did it!" Karray lets out a small chuckle before raising her left hand, seemingly asking for a high five.

Lani looks at Karray like the pixie is crazy, and Karray realizes what she's doing just a moment later before bringing her hand down. "Yeah, probably a bad idea. I don't wanna get whatever high and mighty germs you fancy fairies have."

The comment almost makes Lani laugh, but she manages to keep it in. Lani then looks inside the panel, and sees that the wiring is messed up. "Of course. Why can't anything just be simple?"

"Shit. I guess Clarva was right when she said that this needed both of us. I gotta slap her for that." Karray gets a closer look at the ruined wires. "Ahh, we should be able to fix it. We'll just need to use your magic to connect the frayed ends, so I can send a charge through it."

Lani is slightly taken aback. "Wow. I must admit, I didn't think you'd know that fairy magic is the most conductive of all the types of magic."

"Eh, you read a lot while you're imprisoned for just existing." Karray nonchalantly responds.

The pixie's answer quickly makes Lani begin to wonder, so as she uses her magic to bridge the frayed wires, Lani asks, "You were imprisoned in Third Plane Rock, right?"

"Yep. Got picked up after some of those justicars started chasing down me down after I used my magic. They chased my ass for days before catching me. It turns out, they were ordered to arrest every pixie they could find, but you already know the reason why." Karray's voice was much softer at that last part, not wanting to prod the wound that is her mother's ****.

"Unfortunately." Lani simply replies as she holds the magic connecting the wires.

Not wanting to make the conversation any more awkward than it already is, Karray puts her hands over the wires and sends her magic into them. This magic is different from the magic that Karray used to knock out the giant from earlier. This new form of magic has electricity crackling from it, and the sight of it intrigues Lani as she immediately recognizes it.

"Pixie-derivative magic." Lani says as she watches the magic leave Karray's hands. "It feels almost taboo to see it in person."

"It ain't all that special. It just helps to relieve the shocking from inside. I'm kinda glad I got a reason to use it this time, usually I just fire it at a tree or something."

"Shocking from... inside?" Lani asks, but her question is quickly cut off as the switch comes to life.

Karray laughs. "It worked! I gotta say, we make for some pretty decent engineers if the whole guide thing doesn't work out for you."

"On that, I think we might actually agree." Lani responds.

The two have barely a moment to appreciate their efforts before Lani hears a message come through.

"Lani! The cart's moving! You two need to get back here!" John's voice says.

"We have to go!" Lani relays to Karray before quickly flying back through the door with Karray in tow.

The two tiny fliers burst into the cart room and see that the cart is about to make its way down the track. They continue their breakneck pace, trying to make it back just in time. Luckily for the pair, Clarva snatches them in her massive hand and brings them in just as the cart goes over the edge.

The group all let out a mixture of reactions as the cart barrels down the track. The majority of them let out cheers of joy as the cart--or pseudo-rollercoaster at the current moment--heads down the track. However, Kyuala and Kira are the two who don't enjoy the fast paced travel as both feel slightly sick.

Eventually, the cart comes down one last drop before slowing as it turns onto a wide, descending, circular track.

"Thought you were gonna have to use that blink power of yours to catch up again." Clarva jokes as she catches her breath.

"Fuck that. You know how fucking sick I feel after doing that?"

"You have a blink ability? How did you learn that?" Lani asks, eager to know.

"If we get out of this place without being turned into charred meat, I'll happily teach you." Karray answers as she playfully jabs Lani's shoulder.

"I suppose that means I'll have to keep you alive until then." Lani jokes as she jabs Karray back, causing the pixie to laugh back.

In the middle of the cart, sitting down next to Kyuala, John looks over and sees Lani and Karray actually getting along. It surprises him for a brief second, but his surprised face is overtaken by one of happiness as he sees Lani has seemingly made another friend.