"The Troll Kingdom?"
Kaien Blaze had seen plenty in the Fairy Tail anime, including giants—but trolls? That was new to him.
"Yes. The Troll Kingdom. Just like us giants, the trolls are massive—sometimes even larger than we are."
"The Troll Kingdom doesn't farm, doesn't build, doesn't produce. They survive by raiding us. We've been at war for generations—locked in a bitter struggle over this sacred land."
"For the most part, our battles have always ended in mutual loss. But a few months ago… something changed. A human mage appeared in the Troll Kingdom."
"This mage used twisted, evil magic to kidnap our children. They're using them as hostages to extort us for supplies. And for the safety of the children… I agreed."
"But their demands grew. Now they ask for ten times more than they did at first. If this continues… I don't know what we'll become."
The king's face darkened.
"I fear for those children. They're kept somewhere we can't reach. With our size, any rescue attempt would be spotted instantly. Worse still… the trolls placed explosive collars on the children. If anyone escapes or is detected, those collars could detonate."
"And so I thought of you—human mages. You're small, but you wield powerful magic. Perhaps you could succeed where we cannot."
"Tell me… can you do it?"
Kaien nodded.
"If it's just rescuing the kids, then yes. I can do it."
This wasn't a mission just anyone could take. Even Kaien wouldn't have been confident a few weeks ago. But recently, he'd drawn a new character card—one that changed everything.
"Really?!"
The Giant King and Queen looked overjoyed. Over the past few months, they had sought out many powerful mages, but all of them declined. It was simply too dangerous.
Trolls were as massive and brutal as giants. Even a strong mage would struggle to defeat one—let alone sneak past dozens of them, rescue unruly children, and escape undetected. It was a suicide mission.
The Giant King knew it too. That's why he had ordered all women and children from nearby villages to be relocated to the capital. If the trolls pushed any further, he'd be forced to retaliate—even if it meant sacrificing the hostages. A king couldn't endanger his entire nation over a few dozen children.
And yet… now Kaien was standing before him, saying he could do it.
"If the children are still alive," Kaien said calmly, "I'll bring them back."
"That's… that's wonderful! Truly wonderful!"
Joy returned to the faces of the king and queen.
"Kaien—anything you need, just say the word. If it helps you bring them home, we'll provide it."
"I'll need a detailed map of the Troll Kingdom. And whatever intel you have—locations, troop movements, defensive structures. I want to form a proper plan. As for the rest… just be ready to receive them when I come back."
"Absolutely. We'll prepare everything."
The king clenched his fists. Rage simmered just beneath the surface. The Troll Kingdom had crossed a line. If those children returned safely, he'd make them pay dearly.
Kaien was soon shown to a guest room—though "room" didn't quite do it justice.
The place was the size of a sports stadium. The bed looked like an Olympic swimming pool with blankets. Kaien stared in silence.
Soon after, the map and intel were delivered.
The paper was thicker than his arm. The information packet could crush him. Just looking at it gave him a headache.
He skipped the documents and unfolded the map instead.
The two kingdoms were about the same size, separated by a massive river. One side belonged to the giants, the other to the trolls.
Kaien studied it carefully. A plan was already forming.
The main question was still: where were the children being held? But he had a strong hunch. Giant children weren't exactly small. They'd be hard to hide, and heavily guarded. The most likely location? The Troll Royal Palace.
Tomorrow night, he'd confirm it for himself.
Tonight… he would rest.
Lying on the mountain-sized bed, Kaien stared up at the absurdly tall ceiling.
'This must be what a mouse feels like in a human house.'
Even the water cup on the table was big enough for him to take a bath in.
Later That Night
Kaien was fast asleep when—
BANG BANG BANG!
Urgent knocks rattled the door.
"Kaien! Kaien, wake up! Something's happened!"
"...What?"
He sat up, blinking the sleep from his eyes.
CRASH!
The door swung open. The Giant King barged in, his face tense.
"It's bad, Kaien! Another child was taken!"
Kaien's eyes narrowed.
"How? Weren't all the children brought to the capital?"
"That's just it! No one knows! A witness said they saw the child leave… on their own. We've already sent people to pursue."
Kaien scowled.
"So much for a full night's rest…"
He stood up.
"Full Take Over: Ulquiorra Cifer!"
His form shimmered.
The black robe transformed into a high-collared white jacket with black trim. His pants became wide-legged hakama bound at the waist by a dark sash. A Zanpakutō rested at his hip. His skin grew pale; his eyes turned green, with tear-like markings running down his cheeks. A white, horned helmet covered half his head.
Kaien leapt to the window sill.
"Enclose—Murciélago."
BZZZMMMMMMMM—!!
The sky darkened in an instant. A crushing spiritual pressure radiated from him. Black rain began to fall from the heavens like an omen.
And then, it stopped.
Kaien's form had changed once more—his Resurrección.
His coat became a white, form-fitting robe. The horns on his helmet grew. His dark hair lengthened, the green streaks beneath his eyes deepened. Most striking of all were the enormous black bat-like wings that unfurled behind him.
This was Ulquiorra's First Resurrección— Murciélago.
Power surged from his body, washing over the area.
Even the Giant King felt it—an overwhelming, terrifying strength. Kaien now radiated the aura of a true monster.
"Your Majesty," Kaien said coldly, stepping over to the map, "I'll begin the rescue tonight. Be ready."
"Tonight?! Right. Understood!" the king replied, shocked but resolute.