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—3rd POV—
Through the snowy mountains, Ron followed closely behind Annak as they journeyed back to her tribe.
Ron: how far is your tribe, again?
Annak: it's a two day and a half journey!
Ron: two and a half?
Annak: [nods] yes!
Ron: not that far then. Good thing I brought provisions.
Annak: provisions?
Ron: food.
Annak: [excited] did you bring Chocolate and Strawberry bread?
Ron: sadly, no.
Annak: [disappointed] damn it.
Ron chuckled and increased his pace, reaching Annak's side and walking beside her. The duo continued their trek through the thick snow without any problems. Annak started asking Ron questions, trying to pass the time.
Annak: Ron.
Ron: yeah?
Annak: why'd you make a home in the plains?
Ron: [chuckles] it's my place of respite.
Annak: [confused] of what?
Ron: a resting place away from unpleasant things.
Annak: [curious] what 'unpleasant things' made you leave?
Ron: unending conflict and unwanted bloodshed.
Annak: [curious] "unending conflict"?
Ron: every year, there's always a battle where I'm from.
Annak: how many battles did you partake in?
Ron: [shrugs] I've lost count.
Annak: that explains the scars.
Ron staggered, accidentally tripping on a rock, hidden beneath the snow. Annak giggled and continued moving.
Ron: I've got a question.
Annak: what is it?
Ron: is it just you and your father?
Annak: [shakes head] no. I've got an older brother named 'Avinn' and a younger sister named 'Renna'.
Ron: can you tell me about your brother and sister?
Annak: [smiles] my brother, Avinn, is a strong but reckless ogre.
Ron: like the one beside me?
Annak punched Ron in the shoulder, making the large man chuckle.
Annak: Avinn's a formidable warrior that many admire and follow. My sister, Renna, though quiet and timid, is a fierce warrior when threatened.
Ron: must be adopted.
Annak punched him in the shoulder again.
Ron: what about your mother?
Annak's expression saddened at the mention of her mother, which Ron noticed.
Ron: you don't have to tell me if it upsets you.
Annak shook her head and let out a deep sigh before smiling at Ron.
Annak: no, it's fine. I don't mind telling you. My mother was a great warrior. She was brave and strong, fair and just, kind and gentle to her tribe, but ruthless and unforgiving to her enemies.
Ron: [smiles] she sounds amazing.
Annak: [smiles] she is, and I'm proud to be her daughter.
Ron: how did she... Lose her life?
Annak: She died fighting a Great Ursa — a massive brown beast that has the strength of nearly two dozen of our strongest warriors. It attacked our tribe when I was young, killing many of our tribesmen and destroying half our home.
Annak's pace slowed down as she painfully recalled the tragic past in her mind. She gritted her teeth and clenched her fist in anger and sorrow. Ron couldn't help but feel worried for her.
Annak: my father and many of his best warriors fought the beast, but they weren't able to kill it. My father was badly hurt, his left arm got crippled, and most of his warriors were either dead or dying.
Annak then stopped and stood still, her eyes closed and teary, her expression shifting to that of sadness and loss. Ron patiently waited beside her. She released a shuddered breath before moving again and continuing their trek.
Annak: It was my mother and a few remaining warriors that were able to harm it enough to drive it away from the tribe, at the cost of their lives.
Ron didn't speak and just quietly listened, not wanting to disturb her; letting her continue talking, easing her troubled thoughts and releasing her pent-up emotions. She gave a deep sigh and finally calmed down.
Annak: we mourned for our loss for days, before eventually moving on. We were able to recover and rebuild our tribe, but the past still tormented us, fearing the beast would return and attack again.
Ron: what if it did come back?
Annak: [growls] I'll avenge my mother and the others it killed.
Ron: [smiles] you don't mind if I help?
Annak: [smirks] I don't mind, but I'll be the one to kill it, got it?
Ron: [chuckles] affirm.
They then shared a heart warming laugh as they trekked along the thick snow and soon the day turned to night. The two found a cave that had a large tunnel going deeper into the cave and took shelter inside.
Miraculously finding dry wood and sticks inside the cave, which Ron used to start a fire and brought out his cooking utensils from his backpack — such as a large pot, a ladle, and food ingredients — then started cooking while Annak waited patiently beside him.
Ron glanced towards Annak and noticed her shivering slightly from the cold. He went over to her backpack and took out a large, thick blanket and covered her with it. Afterwards, he went back to cooking.
Annak: thanks.
Ron: [smiles] you're welcome.
Annak was pleased that she wasn't freezing anymore and then got curious, wondering how Ron isn't shivering from the lack of thick clothing he's wearing.
Annak: you sure you aren't cold?
Ron: not really.
Annak: is it because of your "Giantism"?
Ron: err... Yeh!
'Bullshit 100', Ron thought.
Annak: how convenient. Are there other humans with the same "Giantism" as you?
Ron: a handful.
Annak: where are they now?
Ron: back where I'm from.
Annak: you're born with it?
Ron: with giantism? nope.
Annak: [curious] oh, how do you get it then?
Ron placed an index finger on Annak's lips, shushing her, and smirked.
Ron: [smirking] it's a secret.
Annak frowned and light-heartedly bit Ron's finger.
Ron: [chuckles] ouch.
Anna: [grins] you'll tell me eventually.
Ron: [smirks] yes, but it still depends on me when and where I'll tell you.
Ron turned to his cooking and swirled the contents inside the pot with the ladle. He then tasted the soup with the ladle and smiled.
Ron: [smiling] food's done.
Annak: [curious] what is it?
Ron: it's 'Pancit Molo'.
Annak looked in the pot and saw it was a broth with white wrinkly balls, shredded meat, herbs, and spices floating inside. She then smelled a wonderful aroma from the broth and couldn't wait to try it.
Ron brought out two large soup bowls and two soup spoons from his backpack, giving one of each to Annak. He then filled her bowl with hot soup, almost filling it to the brim, making her very happy, and she excitedly tried the soup for the first time. But she quickly recoiled back and winced when the hot soup burned her lip and tongue.
Ron: [chuckles] be careful, it's hot.
Annak: [wincing] thanks for the warning.
Annak took another spoon full of soup, but this time she gently blows on it, cooling it down enough for her to eat without burning herself again. She moans at the wonderful taste and takes another spoon full of the soup into her mouth. It was delicious and warm.
She glances at Ron to see his reaction and gapes when she sees him casually sipping his hot soup without problem. Ron noticed her staring at him agape.
Ron: what?
Annak: how...
Ron raised a brow, confused and dumbfounded by her reaction, and just took another sip of his hot soup.
Ron: 'how' what?
Annak: how're you not burning your tongue?!
Ron: oh! I'm used to hot stuff.
Annak: [deadpans] giantism?
Ron: [nods] giantism.
Annak just sighed and the two quietly ate their meal together in the cave. Ron watched Annak as she happily munched on the dumplings in her soup, finding them delicious. And when her bowl was empty, she asked Ron for more, and he gladly filled her bowl again. She was on her fourth bowl already.
Ron chuckled and was about to resume eating when he heard strange sounds coming from within the deep tunnel of the cave they were in. He listened closely, trying to discern what was making the strange sounds in the tunnel.
Ron: Annak.
Annak: mnm?
Ron: stop what you're doing and get our bags.
Annak: but I'm not done eating yet.
Ron: just do it.
Annak saw Ron stand up and stared at the dark tunnel that goes deeper into the cave, as if something had spooked him. Worried, she did what she was told and stopped what she was doing. She grabs their bags and her reforged sword, unsheathing her weapon and priming herself.
Annak: what is it?
Ron shushed her to be quiet and narrowed his eyes, and with his ability to see perfectly in pitch darkness, he saw something he didn't expect. He spun around, surprising Annak, and shouted at her.
Ron: RUN!
Without hesitation, Annak bolted out of the cave with Ron following behind her, leaving their meal and cooking utensils behind, running beside each other through the thick snow, away from whatever was inside the cave.
Annak: [panicking] what is it?!
Ron: [shrugs] dunno. Take a look.
Annak looked over her shoulder and gaped at what she saw emerging from the cave. Dozens of human-sized, bipedal rats wearing tattered leather loincloths or horridly impoverished iron armors, and wielding awful rudimentary makeshift weapons.
They spotted them running away at a distance and let out a horrible loud screech, then chased after them through the thick snow.
Annak: [surprised] RATKINS?!
Ron: are they bad?
Annak: WORSE!
Ron glanced over his shoulder and eyed the 'Ratkins' as Annak called them, and with his enhanced hearing and passive magical language translation rune, he was able to listen and understand what they were saying.
Ratkin.1: THEY FLEE!
Ratkin.2: THEY FLEE! BUT NOT FAR!
Ratkin.3: NOT FAR! NOT FAR!
Ratkin.4: I SMELL FEMALE! RED-THING IS FEMALE!
Ratkin.5: WHAT OF MAN-THING?!
Ratkin.1: WE KILL MAN-THING! WE EAT MAN-THING!
Ratkin.3: YES! YES! WE EAT MAN-THING!
Ratkin.2: WE BREED RED-THING!
Ratkin.3: YES! BREED! WE BREED!
Chattered the Ratkins at the front that were leading the chase. The other Ratkins behind them screeched in an excited agreement at the mention of eating and breeding.
Ron: mnm. They're like 'Skavens'.
Ron muttered to himself as the Ratkins appearance and way of speech closely resembles that of a fictional race known as 'Skavens' from one of Terra's ancient boardgames and digital-games that he and the other Praetors used to play during their free-time.
Ron: interesting...
Annak: [panting] what's interesting?
Ron: nothing... 'Breeder'.
Annak: [confused] what?
Ron: wot?
Ron looked over his shoulders when he heard the sound of several woods being bent and ropes being stretched. He saw they were using bows and were about to fire their arrows with tips coated in a sickly green liquid.
Ron: uh-oh.
Annak: [worried] what is it now?
Ron: Poisoned Arrows.
Annak: WHAT?!
The Ratkins fired their bows, releasing a hail of poison tipped arrows at Ron and Annak.
Ron: cover your head.
Annak did as she was told and covered her head with her hands. Ron turns around and runs backwards, facing the hail of poison tipped arrows.
Annak noticed him running backwards and was very confused.
Annak: [confused] Ron?
Annak was very confused when she noticed Ron running backwards beside her. Ron said nothing and puffed his cheeks, then with the help of magic, he blew a strong gust of air from his mouth, blowing the poison tipped arrows away. Some returned to the ratkins and they screeched when a few struck them.
Ron kept on blowing dozens of poison tipped arrows away as the ratkins never stopped firing them from their bows and eventually ran out of arrows to shoot.
Ron whirls around again, now back to running forward instead of backwards.
Ron: they've run out of arrows.
Annak: that's good.
Ron: but they're still adamant on capturing us.
Annak: that's bad.
Ron then noticed something at the far distance with his enhanced vision, there was a huge crevasse ahead of them. It was about 60 meters or so wide and an unknown meter of depth.
Ron: uh-oh.
Annak: [worried] what's it this time?
Ron: it's nothing bad.
Annak: [relieved] really?
Ron: [nods] yeah! Just a two-hundred foot wide open gap at our path.
Annak: [horrified] THAT'S EVEN WORSE!
Ron: [shrugs] not as worse as becoming their breeding slave.
Annak: [shocked] WHAT?!
Ron: wot?
Annak gave Ron an annoyed glare before facing forward.
Annak: it wasn't there last time!
Ron: must've appeared during the snow storm.
Annak: what do we do?
Ron: we–!!
Ron then noticed a crudely made spear heading directly towards Annak and caught it mid-air before it could hit her. He looks at the spear in his hand and then at the ratkins that threw it. He groans as he sees them starting to throw their weapons at him and Annak.
Ron: [sighs] this'll be annoying.
Using the spear in hand, he began swatting the thrown weapons away from Annak, effortlessly protecting her from being harmed. However, he was slowly starting to get overwhelmed by the constant shower of weapons being thrown at them by the ratkins and they were nearing the deep crevasse. Thinking quickly, Ron then thought of a good plan.
Ron: Annak.
Annak: yeah?
Ron: cover your ears.
Annak did what he said without question, covering her ears as she was told. Ron took a deep breath before facing upwards and shouted.
Ron: HA!
Ron's shout was so loud that it echoed through the mountains and created a small shockwave that staggered Annak, nearly tripping her. She looked over at Ron and at the ratkins and noticed them disoriented for a short moment before resuming the chase.
Ratkin.1: MAN-THING LOUD!
Ratkin.2: LOUD! VERY LOUD!
Ratkin.3: YES! YES! VERY LOUD!
Ratkin.4: KILL MAN-THING! DEAD-THING NOT LOUD!
Ratkin.5: YES! KILL LOUD MAN-THING! CAPTURE RED-THING!
The ratkins all screeched and increased their speed. Annak was very worried.
Annak: it didn't work!
Ron: oh, it worked.
Annak: [confused] it did?
Ron nodded with a grin, then a hammer hit him in the back of the head and he glared at the ratkin that threw it. It cackled at him and he flipped it off in return.
Annak snickered even during their predicament but then the ground started to shake and a loud sound of rumbling could be heard. She looked over to the mountains around them and was shocked to see the snow rapidly flowing down the slope like a tidal wave. It was an avalanche.
Annak: [shocked] is that what you meant?!
Ron: [nods] yep!
Ron scooped Annak off her feet and ran, carrying her in arms like a princess. He then increased his speed, running so fast that it surprised both Annak in his arms and the Ratkins chasing after them.
Ratkin.1: MAN-THING FAST!
Ratkin.2: VERY FAST!
Ratkin.3: YES! YES! VERY FAST!
Ratkin.4: WHY WHITE DIRT SHAKY?!
Ratkin.5: SHAKY! ME NO LIKE SHAKY WHITE DIRT!
The Ratkins screeched and panicked, some of them tripped and fell by accident, causing the others behind them to crash and trample over them, creating a large pile of squirming bodies and completely halting their pursuit.
Annak, who was watching them from Ron's arms, couldn't help but laugh. But then went deathly silent as the ratkins were engulfed in snow and rubble.
Annak: Ron!
Ron: yeah?
Annak: RUN!
Ron: I am!
Annak: RUN FASTER!
And ran faster he did, outrunning the tide of snow rushing behind them like a tsunami and closely nearing the deep, wide crevasse ahead of them.
Ron: hang on!
Annak: I am hanging on!
Ron: hang tighter!
And hang tighter she did, hugging Ron's head tightly as she could as they reached the edge of the deep crevasse. Annak screamed with her eyes closed shut as he crossed over the sixty or so meter wide abyss in a single jump and safely reached the other side, skidding as then landed.
Ron: you can open your eyes now.
Annak slowly opened her eyes and found that they were already on the other side of the crevasse.
Annak: uhh... Nice landing.
Ron: [chuckles] thanks.
Ron placed Annak down from his arms and the two watched in silence from the other side of the crevasse as the tsunami of snow descended into the abyss like a waterfall, sweeping along countless ratkins that were desperately trying to escape the powerful current, but failed and plummeted into the abyss.
Ratkin.1: AAHH! WE FALL!
Ratkin.2: ME NO LIKE FALLING!!
Ratkin.3: FALLING! FALLING! NO LIKE FALLING!!
Ratkin.4: WHAT A CRUEL WORLD!
Ratkin.5: CRUEL WORLD!! CRUEL WORLD!!
Ron and Annak continued to watch the ratkins shriek and screech as they fell to their deaths. A few had survived the fall by grabbing the rocky side of the crevasse and clinging for dear life.
Annak: [scowls] vermins.
Annak scowled and bent over, grabbing a small rock from the ground that looked like a pebble in her large hand. She aimed and threw rock at the ratkin at the very top, hitting the back of its head and knocking it unconscious. It falls and hits the others beneath it, causing them to fall to the abyss as well.
Ron: [impressed] nice shot.
Annak: [smiles] thanks.
Ron: that felt personal.
Annak: it was.
Ron: reason?
Annak: [growls] they've been a problem for the other tribes for many winters, including mine.
Ron: ever tried calling Pest Control?
Annak: [confused] call what?
Ron: nothing. Just talking to myself.
Annak: okay. What now?
Ron: we find another cave to take shelter in.
Annak: [sighs] make sure it's empty this time.
Ron: [chuckles] affirm.
They eventually found another cave that was completely empty and no tunnels or secret passages inside. Ron made another bonfire and brought out their sleeping bags, placing them close together near the fire at a safe distance. He then laid on his sleeping bag beside Annak; who cuddled closely to him and had her head laying on his arm, an arm over his chest, and a leg over his own. She yawns and immediately falls asleep.
Ron: [chuckles] she must've been really tired.
Ron stared at the cave ceiling and closed his eyes then slowly drifted to sleep.
Meanwhile, back at the first cave, the ratkins that did not give chase and stayed behind had found the large pot Ron and Annak left behind when they escaped. They looked in the pot and found there was still some warm soup inside, so they brought it back into their nest through the dark tunnel, deep within the cave.
The following day, Ron and Annak packed up their things and continued their journey through the snow, nearing the other end of the mountains. During their trek, the two talked to each other.
Ron: do ogres have gods they worship?
Annak: no. We don't have gods, but we do worship our ancestors.
Ron: really?
Annak: [nods] yes. Worship our ancestors, praying for their guidance and protection in the other life.
Ron: [intrigued] interesting. How do you speak with your ancestors?
Annak: through rituals done by the tribe's shaman.
Ron: very interesting.
Annak: [curious] do you and your people worship gods?
Ron: [shrugs] some do, some don't.
Annak: [confused] what do you mean?
Ron: some are religious and some are atheists.
Annak: 'Athiests'?
Ron: people who don't believe in gods or the supernatural.
Annak: [confused] why don't they believe in gods?
Ron: [shrugs] don't know. They believe that gods don't exist and everything just simply came to be.
Annak: they're fools then.
Ron: how so?
Annak: simple. If gods don't exist, then explain how everything came to exist?
Ron: that, I can't answer.
Ron lied, he actually has an answer to her question but refrained from telling her, because it was too complex for her mind to understand.
Annak: HAH! See? Everyone exists because the gods made them. It's the only possible answer there is.
Ron: [chuckles] I thought you and your kin don't worship gods.
Annak: we don't, but that doesn't mean we deny their presence.
Ron: [smirks] then tell, who or what created the gods?
Annak: what?
Ron: you said that the gods made everything, so what made the gods?
Annak: I-I... Uhh...
Ron: well?
Annak: I don't know! I'm not a shaman or an elder.
Ron: [chuckles] really? You sounded very religious earlier.
Annak: [frowns] and you sounded like an atheist.
Ron: [shrugs] maybe I am, maybe I'm not.
Annak: [scoffs] if your people don't believe in gods, what do they believe in then?
Ron: themselves.
Annak: [confused] what do you mean?
Ron: [smiles] they believe only in themselves, relying on their own strength, their own will, their own power.
Annak: why?
Ron: their prayers were ignored and left to suffer alone. Feeling abandoned, they chose to forget their gods and live for themselves and their loved ones.
Annak: [remorseful] that sounds very tragic.
Ron: maybe.
Annak: what about those that still worship gods?
Ron: some haplessly worship them to feel a sense of purpose and solace, ease and reassurance during a time of fear and hopelessness in their lives. Some zealously worship them because of religious indoctrination and propaganda. And some do it simply out of love, gratitude and respect for them.
Though she didn't know what 'Indoctrination' and 'Propaganda' means, she understood the gist of it; his people were either strong willed and became independent from the gods guidance, weak and fearful that they couldn't live by themselves without the gods help, or simply worships them out of their own volition and other personal reasons. She shook her head.
Annak: won't the gods punish you and your people for ignoring them? It would be seen as an insult to them.
Ron: nope! And your question is one of the few reasons some humans ignore the gods, it's their unfair punishment to minor offenses.
Annak: really?
Ron: [nods] yeah. A lot of them are very petty and selfish with a handful of them that are actually kind and generous to mortals.
Annak: [curious] how petty and selfish are they?
Ron: YES.
Annak: [confused] what?
Ron: the answer is 'YES'.
Annak: [sighs] you humans are confusing.
Ron: [chuckles] and YOU ogres are simple.
Annak: was that an insult?
Ron: [shrugs] dunno. Was it?
Annak: it sounded like it.
Ron: [smirks] you must be deaf then.
Annak then halfheartedly punched Ron in the shoulder in a playful manner.
Annak: now that was definitely an insult.
Ron: [chuckles] I was simply stating the obvious.
Annak gave him another punch to the shoulder and Ron couldn't help but laugh. Half a day later, the two finally reached the other side of the snowy mountains and were greeted by a vast and lush forest.
Annak: [smiles] we're finally out.
Ron: [nods] yeah. So where's your tribe at, by the way?
Annak points a finger at the north-east, the direction of her tribe. Ron nodded and the two proceeded to go down the slope and enter the forest of tall trees and greens.
Annak: we'll arrive by morrow at midday.
Ron: good to hear. Can't wait to visit your tribe... And father-in-law.
Ron mumbled the last part uneasily, fearing that Annak's father might be one of those 'Overprotective Father' stereotypes or worse.
Ron: [mumbling] hope he isn't racist.
Annak: what was that?
Ron: [smiles] nothing.
Annak: mnm. We should hurry.
Ron: why?
Annak: the faster we move, the sooner we arrive at my tribe.
Ron: can't argue with that logic.
Annak and Ron hastened their pace, shortening the distance between them and their destination by a significant amount. Soon, the day turned to night and the two set-up camp in the forest, then cuddles close together near the campfire.
Ron: hey.
Annak: yes?
Ron: would your father approve of your tribe resettling in the plains?
Annak: he will.
Ron: If he doesn't?
Annak: I will force him to.
Ron: don't abuse your father.
Annak: I won't. I'll just talk to him and persuade him to accept your offer.
Ron: really?
Annak: [nods] really.
Ron: really, really?
Annak: really, really.
Ron: as in really, really, re-
Annak: [annoyed] want me to punch you again?
Ron: sorry.
Annak: now let's sleep early, we'll be leaving before sunrise.
Ron: really–
*THWACK!*
The next day, early in the morning before the sun could even rise, Ron and Annak had already departed. The two wandered through the forest, approaching their destination that was only a few hours away.
Annak: can't wait to get back home and talk to my sister and the others.
Ron: any word of advice before we arrive?
Annak: don't kill our warriors when they demand a duel against you.
Ron: [confused] a duel?
Annak: [nods] yes.
Ron: why?
Annak: it's a test.
Ron: a test?
Annak: [nods] ogres greatly value strength, honor, courage, and loyalty. The duel is a test to see if you have these traits.
Ron: oh... If I don't?
Annak: you'll either be cast out or worse.
Ron: worse?
Annak: killed
Ron: [fake gasp] I'm gonna get killed?!
Annak: [giggles] I doubt it. Truthfully it would be the other way around. Besides, you have all the traits that my kin greatly values.
Ron: I do?
Annak: [nods] yes, you've shown strength, honor, courage, and loyalty.
Ron: I did?
Annak: [deadpans] you killed the beast that attacked me, you tended my wounds and took care of me, you protected me when we were attacked by the ratkins, and you've stayed by my side throughout this entire journey — so yes, you did.
Ron: huh, I guess I did.
Annak: [giggles] and the fact that you're living leisurely in the Kaiju Plains is also worth mentioning.
Ron: is the plains really that dangerous?
Annak: very dangerous. No sane being would even consider living there.
Ron: [chuckles] and yet you're keen on having your tribe resettle there.
Annak: [giggles] because you offered us to and you're there to protect us.
Ron: I'll be taxing y'all for ground rent and protection fee then.
Annak: [deadpans] seriously?
Ron: After a one month free trial.
Annak: [smirks] still want sex?
Ron: I'll add a 'friends and family' discount.
Annak: [grins] no sex then.
Ron: [sighs] fine! it's Free Real Estate. But only for you and your tribe.
Annak: [giggles] I don't know what that means but I'm glad to hear it.
The two laughed and continued to converse with each other as they strolled through the forest. Then a loud screech of an avian predator was heard right above them and they looked up, and spotted a bird flying over them that Ron recognized. It was a great Philippine Eagle that was thrice the size of an ordinary eagle. His friend.
It flew ahead of them towards the direction of Annak's tribe while still screeching loudly as if in distress. Ron frowned, concerned as he felt a sense of foreboding from his friend's unusual behavior.
Ron: Annak.
Annak: mnm?
Ron: I think there's a problem–
Before Ron could even finish talking when a loud female scream cut him off. Without hesitation, the two ran in the direction of the scream and saw a young ogress running away from something behind her. Annak recognizes who she was.
Annak: DANNA!
The ogress, Danna as Annak called her, heard her call and spotted them.
Danna: ANNAK?!
Danna exclaimed Annak's name in disbelief, surprised to see her friend alive and well, and ran to her in haste.
Danna: ANNAK! RUN!
Annak was surprised by her friend yelling at her to run and wondered why when she saw her blood stained tattered and torn clothes.
Annak: [shocked] what happened to you?!
Ron: must be those three.
Ron pointed at the three ogres behind Danna. They wore blood stained tunics and leather armor, and were armed with bloodied swords and axes. They resembled the ancient vikings of Scandinavia on Terra.
Danna reached Annak and the two embraced each other like old friends. The three ogres pursuing her stopped when they saw Annak but they didn't recognize her.
NME.Ogre.1: another one?
The first ogre said in surprise and excitement at the sight of Annak.
NME.Ogre.1: [grins] looks like we've got another one.
NME.Ogre.2: [grins] she looks nice.
The second ogre commented, looking at Annak with a perverted gaze.
NME.Ogre.3: [grins] two for three. This'll be fun.
The third ogre said in a malicious tone and licked his lips.
Annak: stay behind me, Danna.
Annak moved Danna behind her and glared at the three ogres. She unsheathes her sword and points it at them.
NME.Ogre.2: oh? She's a feisty one.
NME.Ogre.3: [chuckles] can't wait to have fun with her.
NME.Ogre.1: no. She's mine. You two take the other one.
NME.Ogre.3: you'll let me have her after you're done, right?
NME.Ogre.1: fine. You can have her when I'm done.
NME.Ogre.3: [grins] good. I'll enjoy breaking her.
The third ogre began to laugh as he thought of many ways to break and humiliate Annak when his head exploded, shocking the two other ogres beside him.
NME.Ogre.1: [surprised] WHAT?!
NME.Ogre.2: [shocked] HIS HEAD'S GONE!
Annak and Danna were also shocked by what happened. The former slowly turned to Ron and saw him with an outstretched right hand, as if he had thrown something. He then lowered his hand and snorted.
Annak: Ron.
Ron: yeah?
Annak: did you do that?
Ron: yeah.
Annak: what'd you do?
Ron: I threw a rock. I didn't like what he said.
Danna heard what he said and was surprised to see him, a human in their lands.
Danna: [surprised] a human?
Annak: oh, this is Ron.
Ron: sup.
The two ogres heard their conversation and noticed Ron standing beside Annak.
NME.Ogre.1: [surprised] a human?
Ron: sup.
NME.Ogre.2: [growls] what's a human doing here!
Ron: to inform you about your car's extended warranty.
NME.Ogre.2: what?
Ron: wot?
NME.Ogre.1: [snarls] enough!
The first ogre snarled and looked at Ron with rage in his eyes.
NME.Ogre.1: [growls] did you do that, human?!
He growls, pointing at his headless corpse of his companion laying on the ground.
Ron: no.
NME.Ogre.1: [growls] but you said you did it!
Ron: you must've heard it wrong. Ya deaf.
NME.Ogres.1: [snarls] I didn't! I said you did it!
Ron: then why'd you ask me if you already know I did it? You stupid?
NME.Ogre.1: [snarling] I'LL FUCKING TEAR YOU INTO PIECES!
With a sword in hand, the ogre rushed at Ron and the others with the second ogre, who also had a sword, following behind him.
Annak: you take care of him, I'll deal with the other one.
Ron: [nods] affirm.
Annak: remember to go for the head.
Ron: why?
Annak: us ogres can still fight savagely for a short period of time after our hearts get stabbed before dying.
Ron: huh, good to know.
Annak: good luck.
Ron: you too.
Annak drops her backpack and gestures for Danna to move to a safe distance, which she does, then faces the second ogre in a fight. Leaving Ron to deal with the first ogre.
NME.Ogre.1: [snarls] DIE!
The first ogre snarled as he swings his sword down on Ron's head, intending to cleave his head open. However, Ron moved to the sides and dodged his attack.
Ron: missed.
NME.Ogre.1: [growls] SHUT IT!
The ogre growled and swung his sword upwards diagonally at Ron's neck, but he dodged his attack again by stepping back.
Ron: you're deaf AND blind too.
NME.Ogre.1: [snarls] JUST DIE ALREADY!
The ogre grabbed Ron on the shoulder and held him in place. Ron didn't try to escape his hold and just stared at him in the eyes with an amused look.
NME.Ogre.1: [grins] DIE, HUMAN!!
The ogre thrusts his sword at Ron's chest, expecting to stab him and pierce his heart, but was confused when he couldn't move his weapon.
NME.Ogre.1: [confused] what the...
He looked down and was surprised to see the human holding his sword in place by the blade with his hand. He growls and forcefully pushes his sword forward to stab the human, but he couldn't. He tried pulling his sword from the human's hand but it was completely stuck.
NME.Ogre.1: [stunned] W-WHAT?!
Ron smirked and grabbed the wrist of ogre's hand that was holding him in the shoulder. He then squeezed, crushing the ogre's wrist and making him howl in pain.
NME.Ogre.1: AAAAAHHHHH!!
The ogre let go of his sword and held his arm near his broken wrist. He greeted his teeth, straining to hold the pain back and trying not to cry. He glares at the human and punches him at the face with his other hand.
*CRACK!*
The ogre howled again as three fingers of the hand he used to punch Ron's face broke.
NME.Ogre.1: FUUUCK!!
The ogre cursed loudly as both his hands are now broken and inoperable. He looked at Ron with a fearful expression and was about to run away when he got kicked in the right leg, causing him to fall in one knee with a pained grunt.
Ron: no running.
On one knee, the ogre looks up at Ron with fear and disbelief. He couldn't believe he was being humiliated by the human and was now about to be killed by him.
Ron: any last words?
The ogre could only ask one thing.
NME.Ogre.1: w-what are you...?
Ron: [smirks] a man. Nothing more, nothing less.
NME.Ogre.1: HORSESHI–
Before the ogre could even finish his word, Ron swiftly decapitated him with his own sword. His head slid from his shoulders and fell to the ground with his body following behind.
Ron stared at the bodiless head and the headless corpse at the ground on a pool of its own blood, before looking over to Annak, who was still fighting the second ogre.
NME.Ogre.2: HOW!?
The ogre was dumbfounded by how Annak blocked and parried his attacks with relative ease, surprised by how fast and strong she was. He struggled to keep up with her speed and incredible strength.
NME.Ogre.2: [struggling] H-HOW ARE YOU THIS... S-STRONG?!
Annak: [grins] you're just too weak.
Annak remarked, angering her opponent. He roared and abruptly started swinging his sword at her violently, but she was undeterred. She continued to block and parry his violent attacks until she found the perfect time to strike back; which she did as her opponent raised his sword over his head and brought it down on her with great force. She raised her sword up and blocked his attack, then pushed his sword to the side, followed by her striking her opponent in the head with the pummel of her sword.
NME.Ogre.2: ACK!
The ogre staggered back in a haze and before her could recover, Annak decapitated him with her sword. She watched as his head fell to the ground and was followed by his body.
Annak swiped her sword to the side, flicking the blood off the blade, and sheathed it back in its wooden scabbard on her hip.
Ron: good kill.
Ron complemented as he walked over to her side.
Annak: [smiles] thanks.
Ron: what about your friend?
Annak: ah.
Annak looked over to her friend and gestures for her to come over. Danna came out behind a tree and went over to them.
Annak: are you okay?
Danna: I-I'm fine.
Annak: [concerned] what happened?
Danna: our tribe got attacked.
Annak: [surprised] BY WHO?!
Danna: the Daamon Tribe.
Annak: [shocked] WHAT!?
Danna: Avinn and the others desperately tried defending the tribe for two days, but they were eventually overwhelmed. They've captured more of us than they've killed.
Annak: [worried] what about Renna?
Danna: [saddened] they got her too.
Annak: [distressed] no...
Annak clenched her fist tightly in rage and turned to Ron.
Annak: [furious] we need to get to my tribe NOW!
Ron nodded and dropped his backpack on the ground beside Danna.
Ron: Danna.
Danna: [surprised] yes?
Ron: watch over our bags.
Ron told her, pointing at their two bags, and she nodded. He then gave her the sword he got from the ogre he killed to protect herself.
Ron: let's go.
Annak: follow me!
The two then ran towards the direction of Annak's tribe in a rush, leaving Danna and their bags behind in the forest.
(End of Chapter.)
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The Maharlika's Encyclopedia:
Ratkins — man-sized anthropomorphic rat creatures that inhabit the subterranean world. They are a savage, cruel, greedy, and cunning race that only knows to steal and plunder from others, even their own kind. They carry many diseases, causing sickness and plagues wherever they go. Their population is unknown, but one thing is certain, they can reproduce very rapidly.
Appendix: Though they cannot interbreed with other races, that doesn't stop them from mating with them.
Ogres — Large muscular humanoid creatures that are 9 to 10 feet in height and can weigh up to nearly 900 pounds. They have two horns on their foreheads, yellow eyes, sharp claws and teeth. They are an incredibly strong and intelligent race with a culture resembling that of the Ancient Vikings of Scandinavia on Terra. They are a Sexual Dimorphic race similar to humans, with the males being larger and stronger, and the females having breasts and wider hips. However, there are rare occasions an abnormality occur where a female is much larger and stronger than their male counterparts.
Addendum: There are ogre variants with different skin colors such as Red, Blue, Black, Brown, and Yellow. Though they have a similar culture, they have different Mores.
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A/N: the earlier conversation between Ron and Annak about cruel gods, I was referencing the Greek Pantheon. Please don't start a religious war over this.
Thank You and Goodbye.