Chapter 52: A Stubborn Cyclops

Chapter 52: A Stubborn Cyclops

The trio sitting on the back of the griffin exchanged awkwards glances, as the sound of hammering metal resumed.

We have to talk to her again. Nel yelled over the noise.

Are you sure she wont just blast us out of the sky? Luke asked, knowing that it was a pointless question. He could tell that Nel wouldnt back down. Not with her home and family on the line.

No. She patted her familiar, and they were once again cutting through the sky towards the source of the noise.

Thats just great. Let's totally go and bother the super powerful being that can probably kill all of us as easily as she breathes after she told us to leave.

The closer they got, the louder the sound of her forge became.

Are those Luke said dumbly, looking at the shockwaves moving through the air in beat with Sophias hammering.

Yeah. Rex said. The air is distorting with the strength of her strikes.

How strong does someone need to be to make the air shatter? He felt his mouth go dry at the thought. And were going to talk to her, when shes already said she doesn't want to. He stared at Nels back, as they traveled further and further into the One-Eyed Giants domain. A small primal part of him screamed in his mind that what they were doing was insane. Every instinct he had said that it was madness to test the patience of someone who was so much stronger than them.

So, whats the plan now? He asked.

Grandfather suspected that she wouldnt agree right away, and he gave me some gifts to pass on to her. She said reluctantly.

Oh. Thats good. Any plan is good.

Mhm.

What gifts? Rex asked.

I dont know. Grandfather instructed me not to look.

What? Rex said incredulously. Why cant we look?

Her cheeks turned red. The gifts are in a storage ring and its enchanted so that I cant

Um. We might have a problem. Rex interrupted the two.

Sophia had materialized. Or perhaps she had always been there, but was only now allowing them to see her. Whatever the case, her sudden appearance left Luke in awe.

She was well over a hundred feet tall. With long blond hair that reached her waist, and pale skin that seemed to glow from the inside. She was dressed entirely in black leather, but what manner of beast could provide so much of it and in a piece big enough to dress a giant was a mystery.

Shes pretty. Luke thought numbly as he stared at her. He had expected for her to be big, given her epithet, but he hadnt expected her to be proportional. As it was, she looked like someone had taken a lithe human woman, subtracted an eye, and made her bigger. Much bigger.

Why are you still here, Descendants of Cyzicus? She grumbled, blinking her large blue eye slowly as she slung her hammer over her back. The gust of air from the casual movement pushing the griffin back a dozen feet in the air.

Im not a descendant of Cyzicus I think, but either way now doesnt seem like the time to correct her. Especially if being related to him makes her less likely to kill us.

We offer you these gifts. Nel yelled back. Reaching into her robe, she pulled out a ring, staring at it nervously for a second, she telekinetically lifted it off her open palm, and moved it through the air towards the giant.

Sophia cocked her head to the side. Lifting her hand, the action once again stirring the wind to an unreasonable degree, she curled her fingers toward herself.

Uncle Alkis? Nel scoffed. Why would he be Emperor? He has no hope of breaking into the Hero-tier, and he's a no-good scoundrel. I dont think anyone has even seen him for decades. Grandfather would be insane to trust him with the throne. Maybe if it was Cousin Yannis, but even he has no hope of breaking into the Hero-tier.

I gu

Guys. Luke interrupted them, tapping Rex urgently on the shoulder. While Im sure that Nel succeeding Cyzicus is fascinating, we have bigger things to worry about.

They both immediately straightened up, and met Sophias large blue eye.

I have no interest in going to the Capital. She said flatly. I shall head west and meet Cyzicus in the marshes.

Thank you Lady Sophia. Nel bowed her head slightly.

No need for that, little Empress. She chided, floating into the air as she did. Her form began to ripple, and to their astonishment, she began to shrink, and fast.

I wonder which one is her actual height. Luke thought to himself, as both her and her clothes rapidly shrunk. At least the thing with Cyzicus makes more sense now that I know she shrinks. The logistics otherwise He shook his head slightly. Keep it clean, Luke. No need to go there. No need at all.

Once the transformation was complete, she stood in the air, meters away from them. The ring Nel had given her flashed a handful of times, and both the letter and the teddy bear disappeared. Leaving only the blue flower tucked behind her ear, which had shrunk with her.

Is this it then? Mission complete. She has the letter, and shes going to help Cyzicus. If hes right about how this will play out, then the two of them together should be able to beat the rebel.

Which means I can go back to the Capital, and train for the Olympics worry free until the Tide.

Sophia lifted her hand, and balled her fingers into a fist.

Metal shredded the earth beneath them, and rose into the sky.

She pulled her hammer from her back, and struck the air. A shockwave traveled out, and the metal split into countless metallic ropes.

What are you doing? Nel asked, her eyes wide, as she patted the side of her griffin. Desperately attempting to make the creature fly away. It didnt.

The ropes latched onto their hands and feet and imprisoned them in space.

What are you Nel asked again, struggling against her bonds.

The cyclops flew forward, and placed a single finger on her lips.

Hush child. I mean you no harm. She said, a soothing but creepy smile on her face.

Luke attempted to break free of his bonds, but he might as well have been an ant struggling inside a glass jar. He was too weak. They all were.

Whats the meaning of this? Rex asked angrily. Glaring at the cyclops with blistering rage. The letter said that you and Gramps wanted to get married, so whats this about?

Sophia smiled. As I was saying, I dont mean to harm any of you. If however she is meant to succeed Cyzicus, her lone eye locked onto Nels, then I cannot risk her coming to harm. I shall join your Grandfather in his hunt, but if he really means to retire then nothing can happen to his heir. As such, you three will stay here while the situation outside resolves itself.

I appreciate your kind gesture. Nel said urgently. But there is more going on outside, than just the war. The Olympics are in six months, and I need to train

Enough. Sophia said. I care not for the gods, or their games. You will stay here, and you will be safe. As for your training She bit her lip, her eyes darting between the three of them. I will give you four No ten sheep. She said grudgingly, as if she had done them a great favor. Its the least I can do for my new family.

The fuck am I supposed to do with a sheep? Luke thought incredulously.