In the village of Glimmeran, Zanok gathered Aric, Eldric, and Freya. Their faces showed a mixture of concern and hope, characteristic of a critical moment.
**Zanok**: "Gentlemen! I bring important news," Zanok said, his voice resonating with a deep croak. "We have established an alliance with the lizards of the mountain village. However, we face a problem with trade. At Emerald Lake, to the north, in the Ocean Temple, a creature is blocking the merchants' passage."
**Eldric**: "I understand. It sounds like we need to investigate this creature and see how we can solve it."
**Zanok**: "Exactly, esteemed knight. They say it is an ogre, but not just any ogre, it's half-giant."
**Freya**: "Half-giant, you say. That sounds like a formidable challenge."
**Zanok**: "Exactly."
**Aric**: "We'll take care of it. We'll leave early tomorrow for the Ocean Temple."
---
**The next morning**, the group was preparing for the journey. Aric was surrounded by his gear, meticulously checking his equipment to make sure everything was in order. Eldric was organizing maps and potions provided by Zanok, while Freya polished her weapons and adjusted her armor, getting ready for a battle that promised to be fierce.
**Freya**: "Perfect, it's time to go. Wish us luck."
**Zanok**: "Good luck on your journey. I trust you. If you manage to solve this problem, trade will benefit us greatly."
**Aric**: "Goodbye, funny frog. See you soon."
**Freya**: "Could you keep your mouth shut for a moment?"
Aric laughed as the group ventured into the tropical landscape, surrounded by lush vegetation.
---
**After 15 minutes**, Aric was already complaining about exhaustion.
**Aric**: "Ugh, I can't go on. I'm exhausted."
**Eldric**: "But we've only just left the village, and we still have five hours of walking left."
**Aric**: "Don't you feel the unbearable heat?"
**Freya**: "According to Zanok, this heat will last about an hour. Hang in there, Aric."
**Aric**: "Fine, but don't expect too much from me."
The group crossed the **Ghart Desert**, a vast, dusty, and arid terrain. The dunes stretched endlessly under a scorching sun, and the signs of ancient battles were marked by scars in the sand, reminders of past confrontations.
After leaving the desert behind, they reached the **Great Lakes of Babib**, an oasis of spectacular waterfalls and crystal-clear lakes. The sound of the waters cascading from towering heights filled the air with a sense of freshness and awe.
**Aric**: "Wow! What is this? It's incredible that such waterfalls and lakes exist."
**Eldric**: "It is truly amazing. I've never seen anything like it."
**Freya**: "Let's take a swim. We deserve it."
The group plunged into the lake, enjoying the refreshing water. The feeling of relief contrasted with the heat of the desert.
**Aric**: "Ah, this is so refreshing. Hey, it's been a few days since we left the castle."
**Freya**: "Yes, it was definitely the best decision."
**Eldric**: "I miss my mom. I wonder how she's doing."
**Freya**: "Haha, you're still a mama's boy."
**Eldric**: "Hmph."
**Aric**: "Well, I wanted to ask, how do we plan to free everyone?"
**Eldric**: "My idea is to grow stronger and gather many allies to help us."
**Freya**: "It's a good plan, and we're on the right track. We'll earn the trust of the Hylians if we continue like this."
**Aric**: "Haha, you're right. It's great to have such reliable companions."
Eldric and Freya laughed as the group prepared to continue their journey.
---
**Two hours later**, they arrived near the **Ocean Temple**, an ancient sacred place with weathered columns rising over the lake. The traces of battle were evident in the sand around the temple, with large footprints and claw marks of monstrous creatures.
**Eldric**: "There are signs of battles against a huge creature here."
**Freya**: "Look at the size of this footprint. It must be at least seven meters long."
**Aric**: "I've never seen anything like this."
**Eldric**: "Well, we're here. Time to review the plan."
They all gathered around Eldric, who explained the plan with seriousness.
**Eldric**: "First, Aric, release our weaponry for use, and Freya, with your strengthening magic, you'll support us. You'll be the main distraction, so the ogre will focus on you."
**Freya**: "Leave it to me."
**Eldric**: "I'll attack from a distance to prevent the ogre from targeting Aric. You are crucial to the plan, Aric. You must take advantage of the moment when the ogre attacks Freya to climb onto its hand and blind it. After that, follow the plan."
**All together**: "Alright, let's do this."
---
The three of them positioned themselves in a strategic formation, with the **Ocean Temple** as the backdrop. The ogre, a massive imposing figure with green, scaly skin, observed them with eyes filled with fury and determination.
**Eldric**: "Perfect, let's begin."
**Freya**: "Goddess of strength, grant my companions and me armament and power. **FORTIFICATION!**"
Freya faced the ogre with courage, dodging its blows with agility and striking its feet to weaken it. The strength of her magic was evident, but the ogre counterattacked with fury.
**Eldric**: "Good, Freya!"
Aric quickly moved to the right, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. However, the ogre surprised him with a brutal swing of its club.
**Eldric**: "You won't hit him while I'm here!"
Eldric fired a beam of light that pierced the ogre's hand, preventing the attack from reaching Aric. Despite this, the ogre roared and charged at Freya, who couldn't dodge the blow and took it head-on.
**Freya**: "Ugh! Ugh!" — she gasped as the pain overwhelmed her. "It's your moment, Aric!"
**Aric**: "Perfect!"
Aric cast a wind spell that increased his speed, leaping with great agility onto the ogre's club. He ran up its arm as the ogre noticed and was about to swat him away.
**Eldric**: "Hehe, not while I'm here."
Eldric launched a small magical rock spinning with great precision, once again piercing the ogre's hand and diverting its attack.
**Aric**: "Perfect, I'm here! It's time!"
Aric attacked the ogre's eye, blinding it with a sharp wind spell.
**Eldric**: "Perfect! Now, as the plan continues..."
Eldric froze the ogre's feet, rendering it immobile.
**Eldric**: "Aric, the final blow is yours!"
**Aric**: "Hehe, time to unleash my arsenal."
Aric conjured an incredible amount of sharp swords that, thanks to his magic, moved quickly and precisely, piercing the ogre from all possible angles.
**Aric**: "We're done!"
Confident they had won, Aric didn't notice that the ogre, with one last breath of fury, launched a sword from its mouth, piercing Aric's foot.
**Eldric**: "Aric, nooo!"
**Aric**: "I'm fine! Ugh!"
**Freya**: "You're always so confident."
Despite her injuries, Freya showed her immense strength and, with a final effort, grabbed the ogre by the foot and threw it, ensuring their victory.
**Aric**: "Wow! You're so strong! I didn't think you could lift it."
**Freya**: "I think we should take care of our wounds."
The group spent some time recovering and tending to their injuries before preparing to return.
**Eldric**: "It's time to go back. We completed our mission. It took some effort, but we did it."
**Aric**: "Well, mission accomplished. Another one for the team! Mwahaha."
**Freya**: "And now he's the one talking? Haha."
**Meanwhile, back in the village**
**Zanok**: "What are you doing here, brother?"
Zanok hides a troubled past.
**Chapter 11 End**