Diamondlot

Big Problem

The next day had arrived, Nadya, Jiyah, and Reina were about ready to depart from the village and into the Northern Highlands. Reina couldn’t thank Sediya enough for all she had done and ask how she could repay her. Sediya didn’t want any money, instead she requested the three girls to see if they could find a way to stop the giant’s tantrums from hurting the people of the village. Jiyah and Nadya were slow to speak but Reina who felt she owed a debt to Sediya accepted with glee. The three head off into the trails waving farewell to Sediya and her puppy Timbit.

The three girls followed the path on the Northern Highlands that was filled with grass and hill terrain. There were also many mountains far away in the path they were headed. As they walked, Jiyah was curious as to where they were headed next.

Jiyah: So why did you get the pirate to drop us off here of all places?

Reina: Because this is where the princess is most likely going to be.

Nadya: How do you know that? You just mentioned she went somewhere to the North. That could be anywhere!

Reina: Well, the princess always shared many stories with me about the world beyond the kingdom. She talked about great wizards, giants and the many animals that lived far away. One area she always talked about was the Northern Highlands and there lived a wizard with great mysterious power. I think she fled here to find that wizard.

Jiyah: A great wizard? Would he be strong enough to take me on?

Nadya: Does everything have to end up in a fight with you?

Jiyah: Are you trying to start something?

Reina: Oh come on you two, let’s just…

Suddenly the path that they were walking on began to shake immensely. In the distance, they could hear loud noises of foot steps and slamming. The three girls all looked at one another and began to proceed cautiously towards the clamor.

They saw a female giant who was fifteen feet tall slamming the ground intensely. In the midst of her temper tantrum, Nadya noticed that there were some animals caught in its rage. There were some rabbits, an elk, and a couple of wolves trapped with the giant flailing about.

“We have to rescue those innocent animals!” Reina cried to them. “Do we really have to? I mean what are they going to do for us anyways?” Jiyah asked. Knowing Jiyah wouldn’t run away from a fight, Nadya drew out both her swords. “Jiyah and I will create a distraction for you to help the animals.” Reina nodded and they proceeded with the plan.

Jiyah grabbed a rock on the ground and threw it with one hand, hitting the giant right on the back of her head. She immediately turned her attention to where the rock had come from and saw two girls, one with dual swords and the other with fighting gauntlets. She let out a warcry before running towards her two opponents. This allowed Reina to sneak around and reach the animals to guide them to safety.

The giant grabbed a large branch nearby and began using it as a weapon. She swung it like a club forcing Jiyah and Nadya to keep their distance. Jiyah attempted to throw more rocks at their towering foe but the stones were not having much effect. The giant raised its arm again and swung down the branch, shaking the ground as it made impact. Thankfully, Jiyah and Nadya were able to dodge the attack unscathed.

“So what’s the plan chief?” Jiyah asked as she looked for options. “She’s very strong but extremely slow. Go distract her while I come in from her blind side.” Jiyah was not a fan of the plan, “Hey, why do I have to be the distraction?” Nadya began to explain, “Because her skin looked pretty tough and I don’t think your fist would have as much effect against her.” Jiyah pouted but she knew Nadya was right, so she reluctantly accepted the plan and began to draw the attention of the hulking opponent.

As Jiyah and Nadya were battling the giant, Reina was guiding the animals towards a safe escape. Once all the animals had fled, she turned around to join her friends. Before, running off, she noticed some red stain on the ground that she didn’t see before. She took a closer look at the unknown substance and realized that the red liquid was blood. As she continued looking onward, she saw multiple blood stains leading to where the battle was taking place. She quickly rushed towards the fray hoping she would make it in time.

Jiyah was trapped with nowhere to go, while her massive enemy stared down at her. The giant raised her arm and began to swing the giant branch at Jiyah. Crafty as always, Jiyah managed to jump out of harm’s way and as the giant was recovering from her swing, Nadya was able to make a jump from high up a hill she had climbed to land a strike from the air. Unfortunately the giant noticed Nadya jumping in, so she dropped her weapon and blew a huge gust with her mouth, sending Nadya flying back.

Nadya was blown back and about to slam hard into the ground but thankfully Jiyah was able to jump in and grab her before that could happen. “Thanks for the save.” Nadya said with gratitude. “Now we are even!” Jiyah replied.

They were back on their feet but their plan was a dud and they were out of ideas. Remembering how Jiyah threw a rock at her forehead, the giant picked up a boulder to fling it at the duo. The boulder was at least ten times the weight of what Jiyah threw and although they managed to dodge the initial impact, the rock exploded into shards of debris that flew out and struck the girls.

The giant waited and stood back to see the result of her throw. As the dust cleared, Jiyah and Nadya both forced themselves to stand despite being in pain. The giant grabbed another boulder looking to finish them off but it was about to launch a second attack, she heard a voice from far. It was Reina rushing into the battle telling everyone to stop.

As Reina ran into the middle of the battlefield, she tripped and fell on her face. Confused, yet intrigued, the giant moved towards the clumsy rogue, crouched down and helped her up with her hands. As the giant was helping Reina back to her feet, Jiyah and Nadya immediately rushed down to intervene but Reina held her hand out to let them know everything was alright.

“Puny human, what do you think you are doing kissing the ground like that? Some would call it crazy!” The giant spoke for the first time. Reina collected her thoughts before telling the giant that she came to stop the fight, knowing that the giant didn’t want to hurt anyone. The giant snorted at the comment, “How could a little human possibly understand a giant?” she asked. “The blood stains, from back where the animals were, they were yours weren’t they?” Reina asked. The question left the giant silent as if she didn’t want to admit it's injuries.

Reina continued, “You are in pain so that is why you are causing pain to others.” The words hit the giant deep in her heart. She began to sit down with her hands covering her face as tears flowed from her eyes. “Giants are supposed to be tough. I didn’t want to ask for help because that seemed weak. But the pain has only gotten worse and so has my anger. Please, will you help me?” The giant kindly asked. Reina smiled, “Of course!”

The giant pointed to the bottom of her right foot to indicate where her pain was. Reina took a close look seeing blood on the foot so she began to look for the source of where it was flowing from. It didn’t take long before Reina spotted a dagger that had pierced deep into the foot of the giant. She grabbed the grip of the dagger and warned the giant before pulling it out. With all her might, Reina pulled and the dagger was dislodged from the giant’s foot.

Reina told the giant to continue covering up the wound and showed her the dagger she pulled out from her foot. The giant was extremely thankful as she could not have pulled out the weapon by herself because of her large hands and fingers. It would have been like a human trying to pull out a tiny splinter.

After the first aid was all complete, Reina asked the giant for her name. The giant happily introduced herself as Jasmine. The giant, feeling she was in debt to Reina, asked if there was anything she could do to return the favour. Reina thought about the request, “Do you happen to know if there is a wizard that lives in the highlands.” The giant lowered her hand to the three girls and replied, “I can take you there.”

Reina, Nadya, and Jiyah were all sitting on the shoulder of the giant who was walking towards their destination. As Jasmine was walking, the three girls began to strike up conversation with their chauffeur:

Nadya: So Jasmine, what did you do to get so strong and tall?

Jiyah: Yes you have to tell us! I need to know your secret so I can grow taller!

Jasmine: Actually, I’m quite small compared to most giants.

Reina: No way. You mean there are giants among giants?

Jasmine: Haha yup. Most of the giants I know are way taller than me.

Nadya: So where are all the other giants?

Jasmine: They are no longer around.

Jiyah: Where did they run off to?

Jasmine: They lost their lives in the battle against Dragkonis.

Reina: Oh, I’m sorry we brought that up.

Jasmine: It’s alright, I have to get over it eventually. Back during the rise of Dragkonis, he wanted to rule the entire realm of Diamondlot. Him and his army of darkness divided the kingdoms and took out anything or anyone who wouldn’t join his conquest. The giants were a very proud race that didn’t like to take orders from anyone. Unfortunately, Dragkonis saw our race as a huge threat to his rule so he decimated my people. I managed to live because I was still very young at the time and my people hid me from the battle. When I came out from hiding, I was the only one left.

Reina: So you have been living alone out here in the highlands all this time.

Jasmine: Pretty much. The wizard who lives around these parts visits me at times but that’s pretty much it.

Nadya: How do you handle being alone all the time?

Jasmine: Don’t have much of a choice. Not many people want to be friends with someone so…

Jiyah: Different?

Jasmine: Hmm, yes exactly. Seems like you can relate.

Jiyah: Just a bit.

Jasmine had come to a stop and she kneeled down to let the three girls off her shoulders. She pointed, “Just pass the field you will see an oddly shaped house, that is where the wizard lives.” Reina, Jiyah, and Nadya thanked Jasmine for safely delivering them through the highlands. As they were about to part ways Reina spoke to Jasmine, “Hey Jasmine, maybe you could apologize to the villagers, I’m sure it will mean a lot to them!” The giant stood still, thinking about what Reina had said. She was scared about approaching the villagers but agreed that it was the right thing to do. Jasmine thanked Reina for the advice and they went their separate ways.