The human warriors, their spirits crushed and their hope extinguished, watched in horror as the giants consumed their comrades one by one. Defeated and demoralized, they stood motionless, resigned to accept their grim fate. But as all seemed lost, a mysterious figure appeared at the edge of the mountain, capturing the attention of those below.
"Who is that?" Machias asked, his voice laced with confusion.
"Don't ask me," a female warrior replied. "I have no idea what's happening."
From his lofty vantage point, the figure bellowed down at the battered warriors, "Who would cast their lives aside so cheaply? Have you all lost your minds?"
Machias, attempting to defend his people, retorted, "Our weapons are useless against their impenetrable skin! We've done all we can!"
The mysterious figure gazed down at the humans, his voice heavy with disappointment. "That's what comes of inadequate preparation."
The warriors below bristled at his words, their frustration mounting. "You have no right to condemn us from your perch! You know nothing of our struggles!" Machias snapped, his anger rising.
As Machias' furious gaze met that of the mysterious figure, the stranger pushed a massive boulder down the mountainside. The earth trembled as the immense rock hurtled towards the giants. Sensing imminent danger, the human warriors scrambled out of the way, seeking safety as the stone careened past them. One of the giants struck the boulder, shattering it into countless pieces, but a fragment ricocheted into the giant's eyes, blinding him.
"Are you trying to kill us as well?" Machias shouted at the figure, his voice tinged with outrage.
"You're in the way," the mysterious figure replied coolly, his focus trained on Machias.
The blinded giant frantically attempted to remove the stones from his eyes, leaving his back exposed and vulnerable. Seizing the opportunity, the mysterious figure leaped from the mountain's edge, a sharp, curved knife poised to strike as he lunged at the defenseless giant. Landing on the giant's back, he drove the knife deep into the creature's flesh.
The human warriors watched in astonishment as the giant struggled to dislodge the knife, but the mysterious figure held fast. The giant attempted to crush his attacker against the mountain, but the agile stranger jumped away, causing the knife to be driven even deeper into the giant's body. The mountain quaked from the impact, and the humans clung to the rocks to avoid being thrown off balance.
Slowly, the giant crumpled to the ground, his life extinguished. As the tremors subsided, the human warriors were left in awe, scarcely able to believe the incredible events that had just transpired.
The human warriors were struck dumb, their eyes wide and mouths agape in stunned silence as they struggled to process the incredible scene that had just unfolded before them.
"Our weapons were no match for their impenetrable skins," one warrior observed, his voice tinged with awe.
Another warrior shook his head in disbelief. "Their sheer size and strength make them near-invincible. We are like cockroaches pitted against humans – it's an impossible feat."
A third warrior chimed in, his voice heavy with resignation. "They are warmongers, and defeating even one seems a herculean task."
Machias, his gaze fixed on the mysterious figure, clenched his fists in irritation. "Despite our well-executed strategies, we couldn't bring down a single giant. Yet, he not only mocked our efforts but managed to fell a giant with nothing but a small knife. Who is this enigmatic stranger?"
As if in response to Machias's unspoken question, the mysterious figure rose to his feet, casually dusting off his hands and turning to face the remaining giants. A sinister grin spread across his face as he taunted, "Now, who's next after that piece of junk?"
In a shocking turn of events, the giants hastily retreated, their hulking forms fleeing the battlefield for the first time. The human warriors could hardly believe their eyes, the responsibility for this unprecedented victory resting squarely on the shoulders of the enigmatic stranger.
As the dust settled and the warriors returned home, they carried with them reports of the extraordinary events that had transpired. Machias found himself lost in thought, his mind consumed by questions about the mysterious man who had single-handedly turned the tide of battle.
Who is he? Machias pondered. He appears human, like us, but where did he come from? Does his sudden appearance from the mountains mean that there are other humans like us hidden away in those lofty peaks?
The warriors trudged wearily into the camp, their expressions etched with the weight of their recent experiences. Elias and the other villagers emerged to welcome them, but their faces revealed the unspoken truth – they bore the countenances of those who had suffered a great defeat.
"Machias," Elias inquired, his voice heavy with concern, "why do you all look so disheartened? How did the battle fare? Where are the rest of our warriors?"
At the mention of their missing comrades, the returning warriors' faces darkened, their spirits crushed by the painful memories. The families of those who had fallen in battle stepped forward, their hopeful expressions turning to anguish as they searched for their loved ones.
Machias steeled himself to deliver the grim news. "Elder, our brethren have served their purpose and met their end with honor and bravery. They fought valiantly and paid the ultimate price for our cause."
The camp erupted into a cacophony of mourning, the air heavy with the weight of shared grief. It was a solemn day for the people, a day of sorrow and reflection as they came to terms with their devastating losses.
As the day drew to a close, the community gathered at a nearby river to pay homage to their fallen warriors. They loaded boats with the belongings of the deceased, each vessel a symbolic representation of a life lost in battle. As the boats were set ablaze and cast upon the water, their fiery glow illuminated the mournful faces of those who watched from the riverbank, their hearts heavy with the weight of loss.
As the night deepened, the camp grew still, the rhythmic sounds of slumbering souls filling the air. Yet, one figure remained restless, his mind churning with questions that refused to be silenced. Machias lay awake, his thoughts consumed by the enigmatic stranger who had appeared from the mountains, wondering about the existence of other humans hidden in the distant peaks.
Unable to find solace in sleep, Machias rose from his bed, determination etched on his face as he embarked on a journey to uncover the truth. He trekked up the mountain, his footsteps echoing through the silent night.
Upon reaching the summit, Machias discovered a dense forest, its shadowy depths beckoning him to venture forth. As he delved deeper into the woods, a soft voice drifted on the breeze. The cadence of the female voice reached his ears, fueling his suspicions of human life nestled within the mountains.
With each step, the voice grew clearer, its tone hauntingly familiar. A spark of recognition ignited in Machias's mind, propelling him forward with newfound urgency. He broke into a run, following the sound to a curious hole in the ground, where the voice seemed to emanate from.
The mystery deepened as Machias realized that the voice was engaged in a one-sided conversation, as if speaking to an unseen presence. Curiosity mingled with a growing sense of anticipation as he approached the hole, the inexplicable pull of the familiar voice drawing him ever closer.
Steeling himself against the unknown, Machias stepped into the hole, his heart pounding as he prepared to uncover the truth behind the enigmatic voice and the secrets hidden within the mountains.
As Machias journeyed deeper into the hole, the lone female voice persisted, its echoes bouncing off the cavern walls. The voice appeared to be engaging in a conversation, yet no other voices could be heard. Intrigued and driven by curiosity, Machias pressed on, following the sound through the darkness.
A glimmer of light in the distance caught his eye, and he made his way towards it, drawn to the faint beacon like a moth to a flame. As he drew nearer, the voice grew louder, until at last, he stumbled upon an unexpected scene.
Two figures stood before him, illuminated by the soft glow of a lantern held by the mysterious stranger who had saved them from the giants. To Machias's surprise, the other figure was none other than Roxanne, the source of the mysterious voice that had guided him here.
"Roxanne?" Machias called out, his confusion evident.
The pair turned to face him, their expressions a mixture of surprise and concern. "Machias, what brings you here?" Roxanne inquired, her eyes searching his.
"I could ask the same of you," Machias replied, his gaze shifting between Roxanne and the enigmatic stranger.
"Good timing. Why don't you take your baby sister home?" the stranger interjected.
"I'm not his baby sister!" Roxanne retorted, irritation coloring her voice.
Machias surveyed the cavern, his eyes drawn to the glittering black diamonds embedded within its walls. He approached the precious stones, running his fingers along their smooth surfaces, captivated by their beauty. "What is this place?" he questioned, his gaze still fixed on the treasure surrounding them.
The mysterious stranger, observing Machias's fascination with the gems, let out a sigh of disgust. "What do you want?" he asked, his voice tinged with impatience.
Machias tore his eyes away from the glittering wall, turning to face the stranger. "Answers," he said firmly. "That's what we want."
The mysterious stranger regarded Machias with a piercing gaze before responding. "Very well. What answers do you seek?"
Machias, his eyes never leaving the stranger's, voiced the question that had haunted him since their encounter on the battlefield. "Who are you?"