As the hours slipped by, Machias and Roxanne found themselves grappling with the unsettling events that had transpired during the creation of the Oathkeeper's Shadow. Elsa's display of magic had left them wary, casting a shroud of uncertainty over their perceptions of her.
"Roxanne," Machias whispered, his voice barely audible.
"What is it?" Roxanne replied, her own whisper mirroring his caution.
"Fredericko and his mother dabble in dark magic," Machias warned, his tone heavy with concern. "We must distance ourselves from them!"
Roxanne hesitated, contemplating his words. "Machias, it's true that Elsa may have imbued the Oathkeeper's Shadow with enchanted magic, but her intentions are for the greater good of our people. She sought to forge a weapon capable of vanquishing any foe. While it's undeniable that she practices magic, I don't believe she harbors any ill intentions."
"You're mistaken," Machias countered, his voice firm. "Years before either of us were born, a witch was banished for practicing dark magic. I fear Elsa and Fredericko are more than mere outsiders; they may pose a danger to us all."
Roxanne's eyes widened as the gravity of his words sank in. "Are you implying that they are part of our community?"
"I'm saying they're a threat," Machias affirmed, conviction ringing in his words. "That would explain how Fredericko was able to fell a giant with a single small knife, while our own weapons proved ineffective. It also sheds light on his reluctance to share the truth with us. Their power stems from dark magic."
As their hushed conversation reached its climax, Fredericko's voice cut through the tension. "What are you two doing here?"
Startled, Roxanne and Machias turned to face him, their nerves on edge. "N-nothing at all," Roxanne stammered, forcing a smile as she gestured toward the fluttering dragonflies nearby. Machias, however, fixed Fredericko with a glare of unmistakable loathing.
Fredericko's eyes narrowed, his gaze scrutinizing them both as he searched for a hint of the truth. "Mother has prepared a meal," he said at last, his suspicion still evident. "She asked me to invite you both to join us."
With a sense of foreboding hanging over them, the trio made their way to the house, each step weighed down by the unspoken fears and questions that lingered in the air.
The table was set, and lunch awaited them. Fredericko, Machias, and Roxanne joined Elsa, each taking a seat as they prepared to share the meal before them. Plates of food and cups of water were arranged neatly, an invitation to satisfy their hunger after the day's trials. With hands washed and a moment of silence shared, it was time to eat.
Yet, Machias's eyes remained fixed on the meal in front of him, his expression troubled and guarded. Elsa, observing his demeanor, couldn't help but wonder about the source of his unease.
As Roxanne lifted her spoon, eager to savor the first bite, Machias's hand shot out, knocking the utensil from her grasp and sending food scattering across the floor.
Fredericko's brow furrowed in surprise, his gaze following the fallen food. "What did you do that for?" Roxanne snapped, her irritation plain.
Machias's glare shifted to Elsa, his voice cold and accusatory. "You witch! You poisoned our food, didn't you?"
Fredericko's eyes narrowed, his curiosity turning to confusion. "What?"
Ignoring Fredericko, Machias turned to face him, his voice rising as he unleashed a torrent of pent-up frustration. "And you, Fredericko! You used dark magic, didn't you? That's how you killed that giant! I want nothing to do with you vermin!"
In a storm of anger and accusation, Machias grabbed Roxanne's hand, and the two of them left the house in a whirlwind of emotion.
As the door slammed shut behind them, Fredericko turned to his mother, confusion etched on his face. "What was that all about?"
Elsa sighed, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and resignation. "Fred, ever since you were a child, there's been one question you've asked me time and again – a question I've always avoided. It's time for you to know the truth."
As Machias and Roxanne made their way down the mountain, Machias's grip on Roxanne's hand remained firm. No matter how she protested, her pleas fell on deaf ears. Upon reaching the valley, Roxanne managed to free herself from his grasp, her eyes locked with his in a mix of frustration and confusion.
"What are you doing?" Machias asked, his brow furrowed.
"That's my line!" Roxanne snapped, her irritation mounting. "What the heck are you doing?"
"I'm protecting us from that witch, Elsa!" Machias exclaimed. "Can't you see? She must be the banished witch we've heard about!"
Roxanne shook her head, unconvinced by his accusations. "Oh, really? Sorry, Machias, but I don't think she's the one. She might be someone else."
"Of course, she is!" Machias insisted. "She's planning to kill us, which is why she poisoned our food!"
Roxanne's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you stupid? If Elsa truly wanted to harm us, don't you think she would have done so the night she invited us into her home? We've spent days under her roof, eating her food, and yet here we are, perfectly healthy. Use your head, Machias!"
Machias found himself at a loss for words, Roxanne's logic rendering him speechless. With a huff of frustration, she turned on her heel and stormed away.
As they neared their home, a gruesome scene unfolded before them. An unfamiliar giant rampaged through the village, its massive form towering over the chaos below. With four powerful arms and four sturdy legs, the twenty-foot-tall monstrosity held helpless humans in its grasp, their cries of pain and fear piercing the air.
"What the heck is going on here?!" Machias roared, his fury intensifying as he took in the horrific sight. His eyes remained locked on the giants, his mind racing to find a way to combat this new and terrifying threat.
Machias and Roxanne stood rooted to the spot, their eyes fixated on the towering monstrosity that loomed before them.
"Roxanne, tend to the wounded," Machias ordered, his voice steady despite the fear that threatened to consume him. "Leave the giant to me."
"Machias, what are you talking about?" Roxanne countered, her concern evident in her voice. "You can't possibly face that thing on your own!"
"Quit complaining and do as I say!" Machias snapped, dashing towards the giant before Roxanne could utter another word.
"Wait-" Roxanne called out, but it was too late. With a heavy sigh, she whispered, "He's so reckless. Please be careful, Machias. Don't die."
While Roxanne began attending to the injured villagers, Machias charged forward, his rage fueling his determination to confront the colossal beast.
As Roxanne was attending to the injure villagers, she heard a weak voice calling out to her. "Roxanne," the man said, his voice barely a whisper.
Upon hearing her name, Roxanne rushed to the man's side, her concern etched on her face. "Yes, sir?" she replied, kneeling beside him.
The injured man grasped her hand, his grip feeble but urgent. "Please, you must stop Machias, no matter what," he warned, a hint of horror coloring his tone. "That creature is far stronger than any giant we've faced before."
Roxanne's heart sank as she watched Machias charge recklessly towards the monstrous being. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "It's too late. He can't be stopped anymore."
As Machias dashed towards the giant, he scanned the area for a weapon, his gaze landed on a sword, which he promptly seized and brandished as he raced towards the monster.
With all his might, Machias swung the sword, striking the giant with a resounding blow. To his horror, the blade shattered upon impact, leaving only the hilt in his trembling hand.
"Run, Machias, run!" Roxanne screamed, her voice tinged with terror.
But it was too late. The giant's massive hand enveloped Machias, lifting him from the ground and slamming him into the earth with a force that reverberated through the air. Again and again, the giant pummeled Machias, his powerful blows punctuated by the sickening sound of breaking bones. When at last the beating ceased, the giant hurled Machias towards a nearby wall, his limp body crashing into the stone with a gut-wrenching thud.
Blood streamed down Machias's face, pooling on the ground beneath him as he lay motionless. Roxanne, tears streaming down her cheeks, could only beg for the giant to stop, her voice trembling with fear.
Just as the giant prepared to deliver the final blow, Roxanne cried out in desperation, pleading for anyone to save her friend. In that moment, Fredericko burst onto the scene, the Oathkeeper's Shadow clutched tightly in his grasp. With one swift motion, he brought the black blade down upon the giant's hand, severing it cleanly in two.
Fredericko turned to Machias, a wry smile playing at his lips. "For someone who insulted my mother, calling her a witch right in front of me, you're pretty pathetic, wouldn't you agree?"
"I'm sorry about that," Machias apologized, his voice heavy with regret. "And... thank you for coming."
Fredericko offered a small smile in response. "We'll talk later. For now, I've got a giant's ass to kick."
As the villagers watched the scene unfold, a murmur rippled through the crowd. "Who is that?" one person questioned, their eyes fixed on Fredericko's imposing figure. "Where did he come from?" another asked. "He appears human, so where has he been all this time?" a third voice chimed in, their curiosity piqued by the mysterious newcomer.
Meanwhile, the giant, writhing in pain from his severed limb, struggled to regain his footing. With a furious roar, he launched an attack on Fredericko, swinging one of his remaining hands with brute force. In the blink of an eye, Fredericko vanished, and the giant's three hands and four legs were reduced to stumps.
The crowd gasped in astonishment, their eyes locked on the scene before them. They could scarcely believe that a human like themselves could so easily overpower a formidable giant. With his limbs now shattered, the giant was rendered immobile, his once-intimidating presence diminished.
"You started this war," Fredericko declared, his voice resolute. "I hope you're ready for the storm that's coming." Without hesitation, he sliced through the giant's neck, sending a torrent of blood gushing forth as the lifeless body crumpled to the ground.
The people erupted into cheers, swarming around Fredericko in a celebration of his victory. Amidst the jubilation, Elias, the oldest person to have ever lived, stepped forward, his eyes filled with shock and trepidation. "What are you doing here, Elsa?" he demanded, his voice trembling.
"Elder Elias, do you know Elsa?" Roxanne inquired, her curiosity piqued by the man's recognition.
"Of course," Elias replied, his voice tinged with disdain. "She's the banished witch!"
The crowd's elation quickly dissipated, replaced by murmurs of confusion and concern as they turned to face Elsa.
"Mother, what is he talking about?" Fredericko asked, his eyes searching Elsa's face for answers.
Elsa took a deep breath before responding, her voice steady despite the scrutiny. "Elias, I never intended to return here. I wanted nothing to do with ungrateful people. But I had to come back because it was time for Fred to meet his father."
Fredericko's eyes widened in shock, his gaze darting between his mother and the aged man before him.
"Fred, this man here—Elias the Wise—is your biological father," Elsa declared, her words hanging heavy in the air as the crowd looked on in stunned silence.