Fantasy Farewell to Kings: Elide’s Tale

[Jodyguru]

Bart groaned. “Are you kidding? I don’t remember that being the case.”

Tess shook her head. “Things have been heating up between them and The Circle. They’re especially careful around the magically attuned. I doubt I could walk comfortably through that city with the smell of nature magic following me.”

Her words made Bart worried. Nobody was more attuned than Elide. Anyone looking her way with a Detect Magic prayer would not only see her aura but the sword she carried. Getting into Dominion suddenly seemed an insurmountable goal.

 

[A Play On Words]

Eli was excited for the trip, but that didnt mean she wasn't fearful. What if they knew she was alive?

 

[Jodyguru]

They saddled up and road north into the mountains. Elide noticed the same terrain they rode on was the same as the two she sensed last night during her watch.
The path got steeper and steeper until Eli’s foal could hardly climb anymore. Time to dismount and lead them in.
“This way, we can cross the mountain ridge.” Tess pointed East.
“Do you know where we are Tess? Where did that battle happen?” Bart hollered towards the scouting hunter.
“Past these hills, across Monson Peak, down the eastern backslide we can reach the valley. Should be there”
“Elide, do you have a ghost or hawk who can scout the mountains?” Bart asked.

 

[A Play On Words]

She wiped the sweat from her brow before nodding. She called to the aether, summoning an eagle that dazzled with purple magic as it soared in the air.

 

[Jodyguru]

The eagle soared over the Monson Peak and looked deep into its terrain. One thing Elide noticed was a large siege engine in the valley where Tess was leading them. It appeared to be unmanned. She saw very little wildlife living on the mountain. No rabbits or wolves, nor a bobcat to be seen. The mountain was uninhabited.

 

[A Play On Words]

Elide allowed the bird to sweep down and do a quick scan of the surrounding area, a feeling of uneasiness washing over her. She sighed and released the apparition before looking towards the two others. "Yes, I believe we're heading in the correct direction. There's limited wildlife throughout these forests though," She said softly.
Elide let the feeling rest in her stomach. Something about this part of the forest didn't sit right with her. With the lack of wildlife and everything... It just didn't seem normal. You're just being irrational. There's nothing to worry about. She told herself.

 

[Jodyguru]

Tess nodded. “I felt it too. Something is telling them to stay away. It’s definitely a feeling of fear.”

Bart started climbing a big stone face of wall. He took a good look out once he was up a few feet.

“What are they talking about?” Bart asked himself. He could feel vibrations in the mountain. It trembled, almost like a living being.
He couldn’t decipher meaning from this, and thought maybe something heavy fell on the other side. This mountain is quite strange.

“Looks like jughead has energy today. Let’s get moving.” Tess commanded the horses to follow behind and calmly nudge through the narrow cut alley of stone.

 

[A Play On Words]

She glanced up at Bart and smiled, feeling comforted knowing he was there. Eli followed Tess carefully, gently pulling the horses along. She watched her feet, ensuring she wasn't going to fall or hurt herself.

 

[Jodyguru]

With her back against the wall, she felt a vibrating pulse, like a heart but very slow. Something made her feel like she was invading a space.

 

[A Play On Words]

She took a deep breath and connected with the aether, trying to identify the source of the disturbance.

 

[Jodyguru]

All she felt was the mountain, and a few moles tucked away in a burrow a few feet away and down. The vibrations were a tectonic shift from a massive stone goliath. This mountain was more than just earth. Something inside was stirring, and the further they walked through the pass, the stronger it’s presence was felt.

“YYYYYYAAAAAWWWWWWWNNNNNN”

The mountain trembled greatly, casting rocks down into the pass. The sound was deafening. Tess’ foot slipped and she started to fall into the cavern.

 

[A Play On Words]

"Fuck. This is a fucking giant!" She yelped as she dove to catch Tess' hand.
Elide pulled her up and looked up at Bart.

 

[Jodyguru]

Bart was hanging on to the cliffside while it shook. He narrowly avoided a huge boulder crushing him as it fell.

“A g-g-giant?” Tess was in shock. “No, that’s impossible! How could an entire mountain be alive?!”

 

[A Play On Words]

She used her magic to secure a grasp around the three, gently bringing Bart towards them, trying to keep everyone alive and safe. "Yes! We're standing on a fucking giant! It's fucking alive!" Elide panicked as she overlooked the end of the cliff, looking to see if there was anyway to exit safely.

 

[Jodyguru]

Elide could see deep into a crevice in the rocks. She was also getting a little woozy from using her powers. Bart landed safely next to them and he could tell she was getting effected.
“Elide, tell me if you need to be carried. My top priority is to keep you safe, after all.”

“Guys, I think it’s over now...” Tess felt the rock wall. The vibrations had stopped.

 

[A Play On Words]

"Let-Let's just get off this mountain, or giant, or whatever this is" She gulped, gripping onto Bart's hand tightly.
Elide offered him a weak smile before following Tess down.

 

[Jodyguru]

Bart and Tess were quiet. Eli’s panicked shouting about giants worried them. If it was true, then were they safer or more threatened if they were on its back?

They kept crawling across the pass until Ladybug squeezed her rump through the exit.

On the other side, was a great and long field and another mountain.

“We’re in Avenger’s Alley. Dominion is Northwest through here. I’m headed south. I guess we part ways here?” Tess looked at them. Their scouting proved nobody was around to threaten her. The Hunter was capable of handling her affairs alone.

“I guess, if that’s how we all want it.” Bart shrugged.

 

[A Play On Words]

Elide quickly pulled Tess into a tight embrace. "Please be careful." She said softly before releasing her.

 

[Jodyguru]

Tess was a little surprised by Eli’s hug, but she returned it. “Same to you... I hope you find what you’re looking for.” Tess reached into her knapsack and put the ticket to Dominion in Eli’s hand.

“This could get you in. Just tell them your name is Tess Holiday. I don’t have a reputation to ruin so do as you please.” She chuckled a bit, and looked up to Bart.
“You better keep her safe, Jughead.”

“Speak for yourself, tree hugger.” Bart smirked at her.

 

[A Play On Words]

She smiled brightly at them before turning towards Bart. "Ready?"

 

[Jodyguru]

Bart nodded with a smile. “Red-

“YAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWNNNNNN”

The great and terrible noise was heard again, and the ground beneath them shook. The horses were startled and started running into the valley. Bart took Eli’s hand and pulled her down the hill. Tess did the same, running down the hill. The ground split apart and the mountain started lifting itself up. Bart grabbed Eli by the waist and lifted her off to safety by running his ass off. Soon the ground stopped breaking, and from the mountain was a large stone face that looked like much like a snapping turtle with big blue eyes. It seemed sluggish, like it wouldn’t move again for awhile.

“NOISE...... TOO MUCH..... ME SLEEP!” The giant spoke. Tess was already gone, vanished in a cloud of debris. This was left to the couple to handle.

“Great stars above! You were right after all, Liddie. It is a giant!”

 

[A Play On Words]

Elide held onto him tightly, her heart pounding in her ears. "T-they told me that they were real as a child but I never believed." She stammered

 

[Jodyguru]

Bart trembled a bit and shook his head. “I was told they all died eons ago. Has it been sleeping this whole time? Should we... talk to it?”

 

[A Play On Words]

She nervously shook her head. "What if it hurts us?" She whimpered

 

[Jodyguru]

Bart understood her concern. He honestly didn’t know how he’d defend against such a massive foe.
“He sounds tired. We might be able to sneak away.” He looked behind him. The horses were still running into the valley, headed towards the distant mountains.
“We need to move now if we’re gonna secure the horses.”
He started backing off from the giant.