The battlefield lay strewn with the aftermath of combat. Selena surveyed the scene with a grim expression. Her soldiers bore the marks of their struggle, many injured, though Selena herself had escaped with only her clothes stained by the giants' blood. The giants had been repelled, but their numbers remained formidable.
Breathing heavily, Selena looked around. "Why are they appearing now, in winter?" she muttered. "They usually emerge during summer and only attack when their territory is threatened. It's almost as if they have human-like intelligence. Could someone be controlling them?"
Turning to Andreas' group, she issued her commands. "Get the ropes, nails, and hammers! Tie them up and bring them down. Some of them should be tied to the trees!"
The group responded promptly. "Yes, Duchess!"
Selena's mind raced. "Archers! We know their weakness is their eyes. Aim for their eyes!"
The archers nodded and began targeting the giants' eyes. "Yes, Duchess!"
The giants roared in pain as the arrows struck. "Grrrr!!!"
One giant, in particular, bellowed, "You'll regret this, Selena!!! Oh-Guh!!!!"
Selena's eyes widened in shock. "How can the giants speak? There's something definitely wrong here, tsskkk!!!" She bit her lip, realizing the gravity of the situation.
She called for Dio and Borgon. "Dio, return to the mansion and seek help from Thales' group. But tell Nimo's group to stay and protect the mansion!"
Dio bowed deeply. "Understood, Duchess!"
"Borgon, get assistance from our allies and from the nearby country of Sireyno!" Selena ordered.
Borgon nodded and bowed. "Yes, Duchess."
"Alita, go to Aella and tell her to protect the people near the capitol!" Selena instructed.
Alita responded with a bow. "Yes, Duchess!" and quickly left.
"Rheuz, go to Aerielle and tell her I need her help here!" Selena commanded.
Rheuz looked concerned. "Will you be using your powers? I'm worried it might put you three in danger if others find out."
Selena placed a hand on Rheuz's shoulder. "If necessary, yes."
"But Duchess," Rheuz continued anxiously, "if others learn about your powers, it might jeopardize you three!"
Selena's voice was firm. "We can't worry about that now. What matters is protecting our territory from the giants! Just follow my orders!!!" She was determined, even as she shouted.
Rheuz sighed. "Yes, Duchess." He bowed and left, worried.
Selena spoke softly to herself. "Sorry, Rheuz. I know you're one of the loyal ones and are concerned for us, but we have to do this. It's our duty…"
Meanwhile, Almorante's group was dealing with its own challenges.
Almorante glanced around, worried. "I hope they're alright, but... Aerielle... I hope you're safe."
Yuno approached with a distressed child. "Captain!! A child is causing a scene, destroying things, and crying because their parents aren't here yet."
Almorante nodded. "I'll handle it."
In Aerielle's location...
Aerielle clutched the necklace Selena had given her on her eighteenth birthday. "Okay, Rheuz (Wait for me, Sister!)"
And Aella...
She was doing everything she could to protect the people.
Back with Almorante...
He knelt before the child and spoke gently. "Do you understand what I'm saying, child?" His gaze was stern yet compassionate.
The child stammered, "Y-yes!!! (Tsskkk!!!) Hhmmppphhhh!!!!"
Almorante cradled the child and offered reassurance. "I'm sure your parents are safe."
The child's tears flowed freely. "How can you be sure?"
Almorante held the child close. "All parents are strong and become even stronger for their children's sake. Look around at everyone here."
The child's gaze swept over the tired but steadfast faces of the people around him. Almorante continued, "The civilians here wait patiently and calmly, knowing this turmoil will end and they'll be reunited with their loved ones. Do you know Duchess Selena?"
The child nodded. "Yes."
Almorante smiled reassuringly. "Then you don't have to worry. She's as strong as a rock, and she'll fix everything. So calm down." He wiped the child's tears with his hand.
The child settled down. "Okay."
Almorante set the child down and smiled warmly.
Back at the battlefield, new giants arrived.
Selena gritted her teeth. "Fire the cannons!"
The soldiers responded promptly. "Yes!"
Boom!!!
The giants roared in pain as the cannons fired. "Ggrrr!!!"
Suddenly, a voice called out, "Sister!!!!"
Selena turned to see Aerielle running towards her. "Aerielle!"
Aerielle asked urgently, "Do we need to use our powers?"
Selena began to answer but was interrupted by the appearance of a mysterious woman in a black mask, with white hair and dark lips. The woman wore an outfit of white and black and smiled enigmatically at Selena before quickly walking away.
Selena's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Stay here, Aerielle, and fight alongside the soldiers. I need to handle this!" She ran off.
Aerielle, frustrated, called after her, "Wait! Where are you going?" She bit her lip in frustration.
In the forest...
Selena pursued the mysterious woman. "Stop! (Does she know I have powers like the others?)" She shot an arrow at the woman's feet.
The woman stumbled but managed to stand. "Tsskkk!!!" she said with a pained expression.
Selena confronted her. "Who are you, and why are you controlling the giants?"
The woman replied defiantly, "I'm just following orders."
"Who gave you these orders, and why are you doing this? Is there a connection to what happened to me before?" Selena demanded.
The woman retaliated with a cloud of toxic white smoke. "YOU DON'T NEED TO KNOW!!!"
Selena dodged and covered her nose to avoid inhaling the smoke. (White smoke?! This is a new power for me) She thought, scanning the area for the woman.
The mysterious woman vanished suddenly, disappearing like a rolling ball.
Selena returned to Aerielle.
"What happened here?" Selena asked urgently.
Aerielle, looking worried, responded, "Where did you go, and why did you have to leave suddenly?"
Selena remained silent.
Aerielle sighed in resignation. "Knowing you…"
Selena surveyed the battlefield. "So, you've already taken down all the giants."
Aerielle shook her head. "No, they just fell and died after you left."
Selena muttered, "If that's the case, they must have targeted me specifically. But why?"
Aerielle looked puzzled. "It's strange…"
Sireynian soldiers arrived, bewildered. "What happened here?!"
Mansion soldiers reported, "It looks like we're late…"
Doctors and other personnel remained silent, their faces reflecting the gravity of the situation.
Selena gave orders with authority. "Farhan, find our remaining allies and bring the civilians and injured here."
Farhan nodded and left. "Yes!"
Selena addressed Aerielle. "You handle the arrangements for the deceased and assist their families."
Aerielle hesitated. "Okay, Sister, but are you…"
Selena cut her off. "Don't question me. Just do as I say." She left without another word.
Aerielle gazed at her necklace, lost in thought.
At the mansion...
Selena worked diligently in her office, organizing documents.
She reflected, "I feel that more than just me is needed to carry out our plans. And whoever is behind this chaos... (I will stop you as best as I can) I also need to form alliances with the remaining countries we haven't yet spoken to or traded with. (But the biggest problem is how to approach the neighboring country that has never accepted alliances) The country of Exolorus— the largest, most powerful, and run by pure magic and the emotionless, ruthless dictator, Zilpher Farley. But..." Selena smiled. "I'm not afraid of him."