In the wake of Fredericko and Elsa's departure, a somber mood engulfed the human settlement. The realization that they had driven away their most formidable asset in the ongoing war against the giants weighed heavily on their hearts. Deep down, they knew they had wronged Elsa, and Fredericko's reaction was a consequence of their own misguided actions.
Roxanne trudged back into the village, her head hung low, a palpable sadness surrounding her.
"I take it you couldn't convince them to return," Machias said, his voice tinged with regret.
Roxanne remained silent, her gaze fixed on the ground, her dejection evident in her posture.
Understanding her silence, Machias spoke again. "I feel responsible for this, Roxanne. I insulted Fredericko's mother without knowing the truth. I've been nothing but an ignorant fool."
Roxanne's mother approached her daughter, embracing her in a warm hug as Roxanne poured out her heart, seeking solace in her mother's comforting arms.
"It's okay, Rox," her mother whispered, gently patting her back.
Despite her mother's reassurances, Roxanne continued to weep, her tears a testament to the depth of her grief.
As the days passed, the village began to heal from the upheaval caused by Elsa and Fredericko's revelations. The people, in their search for closure, found a common target for their blame: Elias. The elder who had fathered Fredericko and banished Elsa became the focus of their anger and resentment.
Davy, torn between his loyalty to his people and his disgust with his father's actions, could no longer bear to speak to Elias. The once-unbreakable bond between father and son had been shattered.
As the dust settled, the village made a collective decision: Elias would be stripped of his title as the elder. In his place, Davy would assume the mantle of leadership, tasked with guiding their people through the ongoing war against the giants and the challenges that lay ahead.
As the sun dipped below the horizon and the humans settled in for the night, a mysterious figure moved through the mountains with stealth and precision. Her footsteps were silent, betraying no hint of her presence as she navigated the rugged terrain.
Upon reaching the summit, she noticed a small fire burning, providing light as if for an unseen presence. Yet, curiously, no one appeared to be nearby.
The figure proceeded cautiously into the forest, her senses alert to any potential danger. In an instant, a black blade sliced through the air, halting mere inches from her throat. Fredericko's voice whispered in her ear, "What do you want?"
Recognizing the voice, the figure called out, "Fredericko?"
Hearing her response, Fredericko, too, realized the identity of his visitor. "Roxanne?" He released her and sheathed his sword. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you, Fred," Roxanne replied, her voice laced with concern. "I'm sorry about your mother."
"It's not your fault," Fredericko said, his tone softening. "You don't need to apologize."
"So, does that mean you'll fight with us against the giants?" Roxanne asked, a hint of hope in her voice.
"Don't get ahead of yourself," Fredericko retorted. "I'm not fighting for anyone."
Roxanne's tone turned pleading. "Fredericko, we need you."
Fredericko disregarded her words and resumed his training with the Oathkeeper's Shadow, the black sword slicing through the air with precision. Undeterred by his dismissal, Roxanne ventured deeper into the forest, her determination unwavering.
High above the clouds, an immense army of monstrous beings, too numerous for human eyes to count, prepared for battle. The giants donned their helmets and wielded their weapons of war, a menacing sight that would strike fear into the hearts of any mortal.
A colossal figure, bearing two heads adorned with two horns each, four muscular arms, four legs, and six eyes on each head, strode among the giants. His mere presence commanded the utmost respect from his subjects, for he was the ruler of the giant race.
"Tonight, we feast!" he bellowed, his voice resonating through the air. Unlike his kin, he possessed the ability to speak at the same speed as the humans.
"Yeah!" The giants roared in unison, their cheers erupting into a cacophony as one of them sounded the battle horn, signaling the impending conflict.
Down below, the humans slept soundly, unaware of the impending danger that loomed above them. However, a sudden bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, jolting Machias from his slumber.
As he rubbed the sleep from his eyes, Machias became aware of a peculiar sound reverberating through the heavens, akin to the sound of a horn being blown. Sensing the impending danger, he hastily began waking the others, urging them to prepare for war.
Before they could fully comprehend the situation, massive fireballs began to rain down from the sky, each one consuming a tent upon impact. Those unfortunate enough to be trapped within either perished in the flames or suffered severe injuries.
Amidst the chaos, Machias rallied the warriors to gather their weapons and brace themselves for the imminent battle. Above the clouds, the giants continued to launch a barrage of fireballs upon the earth at their king's command, wreaking havoc on the world below.
Meanwhile, within the cozy confines of Fredericko and Elsa's mountain home, Roxanne chatted with Elsa as the two shared a lighthearted moment filled with laughter and joy. Their conversation flowed effortlessly, strengthening the bond that had grown between them.
As Fredericko entered the house, Elsa turned her attention towards her son. "Fred, are you done with your training?" she asked, her voice warm and welcoming.
"Yes, Mother," Fredericko replied, a hint of exhaustion in his tone. "I'm going to sleep now."
In that moment, Roxanne's gaze fell upon Fredericko, her eyes fixed on the young man, utterly captivated by his presence.
Elsa, noticing Roxanne's fascination, couldn't help but smile, understanding the depth of her affection for Fredericko. Fredericko, oblivious to Roxanne's longing, retired to his room.
"Roxanne… Roxanne… Roxanne?" Elsa called out, her voice a gentle tease.
Roxanne, lost in her own world, failed to respond until Elsa tapped her lightly, jolting her back to reality. "I'm sorry, Elsa," she stammered, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "What were you saying?"
With a knowing grin, Elsa continued her playful prodding. "Sorry, this is me being curious, but are you in love with my son?"
"Huh? Don't be ridiculous!" Roxanne exclaimed, her protests only further confirming Elsa's suspicions.
"I saw how you looked at him just now," Elsa quipped, enjoying their friendly banter.
"No, Ma!" Roxanne laughed, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of amusement and nervousness.
"You're shouting, Roxanne," Elsa observed with a chuckle.
Before their laughter could continue, the ground beneath them began to quake, shaking the very foundations of their home. Fear replaced the warmth in their eyes as they struggled to maintain their balance.
"What's going on?" Roxanne questioned, her voice trembling with concern.
"Mother!" Fredericko's worried shout filled the air as he raced to Elsa's side, the Oathkeeper's Shadow firmly in hand. The trio braced themselves, uncertain of what terrors the trembling earth would unleash upon them.
"What's going on?" Roxanne snapped, her voice tinged with urgency and confusion.
"It's them," Fredericko replied, his tone solemn and resolute.
"Yeah," Elsa nodded in agreement, the weight of understanding heavy on her shoulders.
"I don't understand," Roxanne questioned, her gaze darting between Fredericko and Elsa. "What are you two talking about? Who's 'them'?"
"The giants," Elsa stated, a sense of urgency filling the room.
Roxanne's eyes widened in shock and fear. "What?"
"I'm worried about the village," Elsa confessed, her concern evident in her voice. "Let's all go. They need us!"
"Right!" Roxanne agreed, a determined glint in her eyes.
As Elsa and Roxanne made their way towards the door, Elsa noticed that Fredericko hadn't moved from his spot, an internal struggle playing out on his face.
"Fred, what's wrong?" Elsa inquired, her eyes filled with both worry and understanding.
"Mother, why are we helping them?" Fredericko asked, his voice a mix of anger and confusion. "After everything they put you through?"
Elsa took a deep breath, knowing her son's pain stemmed from his love for her. She walked back to Fredericko and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Son," she began, "I understand how you feel. But they are still our people. Our brothers and sisters. Our home."
"Those evil people are not my people!" Fredericko retorted, his frustration mounting.
"Of course, they are," Elsa persisted, her voice filled with patience and wisdom. "We have to protect our home. If we don't, we may come to regret it later. A home is a place you will always return to, no matter what. Never forget that, son."
Meanwhile, Machias and the warriors had assembled in a formation, armed with water, as they desperately attempted to quell the raging flames that threatened to consume their village. As they worked together to subdue the fire, monstrous beings began to descend upon the earth, fully equipped for war. Starting with their colossal leader, their numbers were so vast that the human eye struggled to count them.
Seeing the giants preparing for battle, Machias and the remaining warriors abandoned their efforts to extinguish the flames, unsheathing their swords and readying themselves for the fight of their lives.
"Well then," the ruler of the giants declared, his voice reverberating through the night, "shall we begin?"