As Xender and Alicia remained suspended from the tree branch, Xender's confinement in the Lootrak tree cage hindered their ability to devise an immediate escape plan. Alicia pondered the situation, her mind racing to find a solution while Xender voiced his observations about the cage and the approaching threat.
"So this cage is made up of the Lootrak tree huh?" Xender remarked, prompting Alicia's confirmation. She acknowledged the rarity of the tree and questioned how the giant acquired the knowledge to fashion such a cage.
Their discussion was interrupted by a troubling realization as Xender spotted the giant's return. Alicia's expression shifted to one of concern, recognizing the danger posed by the giant's imminent arrival.
"This is bad," Alicia said, her voice tinged with urgency. "It must have realized that Ramad and Tahir are luring it away."
Xender, though limited by his captivity, offered his support, albeit in a somewhat facetious manner. "What should we do now?" he asked, prompting Alicia's frustration at his perceived lack of utility.
"We?" Alicia retorted, her glare directed at Xender. "You can't do much to help while you're being caged, can you?"
Undeterred, Xender maintained his sense of humor. "Well, I can support you by cheering," he quipped, adopting a relaxed posture as he leaned against the cage.
Their tense exchange was interrupted by a sudden impact—a ball of fire crashing into the giant's head, causing it to stagger sideways. Down below, Ramad and Tahir sprinted back to provide reinforcement, catching Xender's attention.
"Oh, there's reinforcement," Xender observed, a note of relief evident in his voice as he watched their friends' approach.
The giant regained its composure, its attention now fixed on Tahir and Ramad. With a menacing gesture, it raised its colossal foot and aimed to crush them beneath its weight. Despite its lumbering movements, Tahir and Ramad managed to evade the impending danger with agile swiftness, narrowly escaping the giant's attack.
"Alicia, get down here!" Tahir's urgent cry pierced through the chaos, reaching Alicia who was perched on the tree branch above.
Alicia hesitated, grappling with the sudden directive. "What? He wants me to get down there?" she murmured to herself, uncertainty clouding her expression.
Xender, trapped in the Lootrak tree cage, reacted with alarm. "What?! Why?" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with panic.
"I don't know, but..." Alicia began to respond before Xender interrupted, pleading for her not to leave him alone.
Alicia paused, torn between her loyalty to Xender and the urgency of Tahir's call. "Well, I'm sure we will get back to you," she assured Xender, attempting to offer reassurance. With determination, she grasped the rope line and swiftly descended from the tree branch, propelled by a mix of concern and determination to aid her friends below.
As Alicia joined them on the forest floor, Tahir wasted no time in formulating a plan.
"Now, we have a plan," he declared with a determined glint in his eyes.
"That cage is made up of Lootrak tree, isn't it?" Ramad interjected, cutting straight to the point.
"Yes, how did you..." Alicia began, but she quickly dismissed the question.
"That's not important now. We need to bring that giant to its knees," Tahir said, his voice resolute.
"But how?" Alicia's inquiry hung in the air, reflecting the uncertainty that lingered among them.
As the urgency of the situation pressed in on them, Tahir's mind raced, seeking a solution amidst the chaos. Then, like a bolt from the blue, an idea struck him.
"We're taking it down, aren't we?" Tahir announced, his voice tinged with determination.
"Yes, we are," Ramad affirmed without hesitation.
"Alright then... Alicia, we need a very strong rope line, the strongest you can make," Tahir directed his attention to Alicia, his tone authoritative yet urgent.
"Right," Alicia responded, immediately understanding the gravity of the request.
"And Ramad, we're doing what we did earlier: lure it towards us," Tahir continued, his mind already racing ahead.
"Alright, then what?" Ramad inquired, seeking clarity on their next steps.
"No, before that, we have to build a trap, using ropes and tree branches," Tahir explained, outlining the plan that was rapidly taking shape in his mind.
"Okay, I suppose you know how to make a giant trap?" Alicia questioned skeptically, her doubt veiled behind a hint of amusement.
"Well, I've watched enough movies to have an idea," Tahir replied with a hint of self-assurance, his confidence bolstered by the gravity of their situation.
As the giant lumbered closer to Xender, his cries for help grew louder, echoing through the forest. Meanwhile, Tahir and the others worked feverishly to assemble the trap, their movements quick and precise.
"Alright, it's all set," Ramad announced, casting a glance towards Alicia to ensure her side was prepared as well.
"What about your side, Alicia?" he inquired, his tone laced with urgency.
"It's set as well," Alicia confirmed, her voice steady despite the tension in the air.
"Alright, let's move to the next step," Tahir directed, his focus unwavering.
"Fine, I'll be on the tree," Alicia declared, swiftly ascending the rope line to her designated position.
With their preparations complete, Tahir and Ramad assumed their positions, ready to execute their plan.
"Do it now, Ramad," Tahir commanded, his voice tinged with urgency.
However, as Ramad attempted to summon his magic, he was met with an unexpected obstacle.
"What?!" he exclaimed, his frustration evident.
"What is it?" Tahir inquired, his concern mounting.
"I... I can't do it," Ramad confessed, his voice strained with disbelief.
As they grappled with this unforeseen setback, the giant reached Xender, seizing the cage and yanking it from the tree branch. Xender's cries pierced the air, intensifying the urgency of their situation.
"Guys, hurry!" Alicia's voice cut through the chaos, snapping their attention back to the unfolding scene.
Tahir and Ramad watched in horror as the giant clasped Xender tightly in its grasp, their hearts sinking at the sight.
"Do it now, Ramad, try it again," Tahir urged, his voice trembling with fear. Suddenly, a rumble from the ground jolted them, followed by a crack that sent tremors through the earth. With a burst of energy, a root erupted from the ground, striking the giant's leg and causing it to release Xender from its grip.
The tension in the air was palpable as they watched the dramatic turn of events unfold before them, relief flooding their senses as Xender was freed from the giant's clutches.
"What... was that?" Ramad exclaimed, his voice filled with bewilderment.
"I don't know," Tahir admitted, his brow furrowed in concern.
"Guys, help!" Xender's cry for assistance interrupted their conversation, drawing their attention back to him.
Rushing to Xender's side, Tahir and Ramad assessed his condition.
"Are you okay, Xender?" Tahir inquired, his tone laced with concern.
"No, I think I broke something," Xender groaned, his voice strained with discomfort.
"What? Your back?" Ramad asked, his worry evident.
"No," Xender replied with a chuckle, pulling out a pencil from his pocket, "my pencil."
Relief washed over them as they realized Xender's injury was nothing more than a humorous misperception. Sharing in his laughter, they found a moment of levity amidst the chaos.
"Hey, are you all okay?" Alicia's voice called down from the treetop.
"We're all good," Tahir reassured her, his gaze shifting upwards to meet hers.
"Alright, let's get you out of this thing," Ramad declared, determination evident in his voice.
"How?" Xender questioned, uncertainty coloring his tone.
With a sigh, Ramad retrieved a dagger from the giant's side, his movements deliberate and focused.
"With this," he stated confidently, poised to free Xender from his wooden prison.