Lloyd clutched the tattered remains of the balloon, hanging precariously from the top of the old bell tower. Wrapping his legs around the rope, he cautiously slid down to the ground. Once outside, he found Venig pacing the road, his hurried gestures betraying the turmoil in his mind. Lloyd could sense the old man's anxiety, and images of Norman's lifeless body invaded his thoughts, stirring up horror from his memory. Despite this, he managed to maintain an air of euphoria, influenced by the windmill's experience.

"What's going on, grandpa? Did you lose your keys?" Lloyd asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Look over there," replied Venig in a hoarse voice, pointing with his finger.

Apprehension grew in Lloyd's mind as he rushed to the indicated spot a little further up the road. What he discovered momentarily froze his thoughts. Fresh tire tracks traced through the dust.

"There's no blood," he murmured, scrutinizing the ground.

"Nor a body," added Venig from behind.

"And no signs of a struggle either," remarked Lloyd.

"So, he's with them," they concluded in unison.

Exchanging anxious glances, they quickly made their way to the truck. On high alert, they followed the tracks that led into the mountains towards the alpine pastures. The night and fog made it difficult to pursue the kidnappers, but the yellow halo of the headlights struggled to pierce the thick fog that covered the road. Lloyd eased off the pedal slightly to keep the tracks in sight.

Gradually, the roads turned into paths, then into thickets. The truck's wheels slipped on the humus, while the trees closed in around them, and the brambles tickled the bodywork. Finally, the forest swallowed them, and the passage became so narrow that they had to stop the vehicle. The engine died with a sputter, leaving a deathly silence in the cabin.

"Damn it, this sucks!" exclaimed Lloyd.

Venig sighed, his face serious. "We don't know if the kid managed to warn the others," he said, searching the glove compartment.

"Nothing at all, the terminal is out of service. I'll have to spend days repairing it," lamented Lloyd.

"That's troublesome," Venig remarked thoughtfully. "In that case, I see only one solution. You take the Karr-Samm and head back to Aurumont to make sure they received the message. I'll go look for the kid!"

"I take the truck?" Lloyd laughed.

"What? You're the one driving, aren't you?" Venig remarked.

"Well spotted, old man. But, are you sure you would have noticed without this?" said Lloyd, quickly removing the thick glasses resting on Venig's nose.

"Fallagr! Skraper! Rascal! You know what?! I should step out and teach you to respect your elders!" grumbled the Breton.

"Great! Let me know when you find the button!" Lloyd retorted, activating the central locking.

Venig struggled for a moment with his door but, powerless, turned to his friend. "Fine. Alright, captain, if you have something to say, say it. And choose your words carefully!"

"Since you insist," Lloyd agreed. "I'll simply state the obvious: Venig, you just celebrated your 70th birthday. Rescue missions are not for you! I know very well why you wander through the Zone with a bag full of glasses and enough batteries to power an entire village. I respect that you volunteer, sincerely. But it's my job to take care of this, and I will. So, get your old bony ass on that seat and head to Aurumont." He tossed the glasses onto Venig's lap.

"Kaoc'h da, Lloyd," the latter concluded, unlocking his door.

*

Lloyd tapped his weapon to the frenetic rhythm of his heart. He had covered more than fifty kilometers through dense branches and treacherous rocks, relentlessly following Norman's uncertain trail. Finally, he arrived at a mountain range, where snow-capped peaks blocked the horizon, and the rising sun painted the scene in a golden glow. It had been nearly eight exhausting hours of chasing these men.

The thrill of the pursuit mixed with adrenaline, creating a powerful cocktail in his tired body. Pleasant tingles soothed his head and muscles, but uncontrollable yawns took hold of his mouth. "Almost two days without eating or sleeping..." he thought, glancing at a Goliath snail nearby. His empty stomach tormented him, and his dry mouth begged for mercy. Dazed, he eagerly searched for the mouth of his water bottle and drank it all in one go. The cool water provided some relief to the gnawing hunger. His hands instinctively moved to grip the scope of his sniper rifle.

Positioning himself comfortably on the damp ground, he ensured he had a clear view of the area and brought the lens to his eye. In the midst of a meadow draped in black and white, a pair of cabins emerged like growths on a sick skin. Smoke escaped from their chimneys, and an imposing 4x4 stood on the porch, covered in black dust. Several fresh tracks crisscrossed the snow. No doubt, he was in the right place.

For the moment, nothing moved around the cabins. He mentally reassured himself, thinking, "Only one car? They must not be many. It's just a matter of finding out where they're holding the kid and discreetly retrieving him." He remained on the lookout in his carefully chosen spot.

An hour passed. His eyelids fluttered, his mind seemed ready to visit Morpheus when a sudden movement on his left snapped him back to attention. Someone was active near the central cabin. A long red hair emerged from a hidden door, scanning the surroundings. Dressed in coarse clothing and a leather hood, the feminine figure quietly made her way towards one of the cabins, hunched back and knees bent. She swiftly disappeared inside.

Lloyd kept his eyes on the cabin, and fifteen minutes later, his scope captured the unknown woman retracing her steps with the same caution. Just before she reached the door of the main cabin, Lloyd noticed a man near the terrace. He wondered how he had missed him. The individual stood over two meters tall, and his head, as round as a tomato, took on its color while his hairy hands approached a jéroboam to his mouth. With the bottle to his lips, he relieved himself against the facade.

The slender figure observed the man's attitude as he drowned his throat in wine and the wall in urine. She was about to cross the threshold when the belly of the giant started to move. Lloyd couldn't hear what he said to her, but she froze at the entrance. The giant hastily put his instrument back in its case and then headed towards her with long strides.

They exchanged some words, the echoes of his intoxicated voice reverberating in the valley. Suddenly, the giant let go of his bottle to grab the slender redhead's frail arm. In a way that Lloyd couldn't quite grasp, she managed to break free from his grip and rushed inside the house, with the furious giant on her heels.

In an instant, the dark shape of the man reappeared, his fist clenched around a tuft of auburn hair. His captive tried her best to break free from his grasp, her body disoriented by the struggle. With a sudden gesture, he threw her onto the snowy ground, where she crashed violently.

Curling up on herself, she rolled onto her back, then, on her knees, tried to get back up. A slap struck her cheek. She fell back to the ground and stayed there. The giant blushed even more as he shouted. His bacchic roars now reached Lloyd distinctly, unable to understand the words, but the tone told him everything he needed to know about the gravity of the situation.

The giant pointed towards the cabin located at the other end of the courtyard. A predatory smile stretched across his porcine face. His hand resumed its path towards the teenage girl's flushed face, who took the blow without flinching. The small black eyes gleamed with a wild light, and the heavy paw lifted once again. Lloyd, feeling powerless, could only watch as the cloud of dust slowly dissipated in the air.

As the last wisps disappeared, a tiny creature appeared, completely unknown in the mercenary's memories. A being so peculiar that he couldn't quite figure out how to define it, although the first image that came to his mind was that of a marmot. A very large marmot, with jet-black fur, wearing a tulle coat. Its cheerful little face contrasted with the scene it had interrupted, its clawed paws interposing between the giant and his victim. A faint golden halo began to emanate, surrounding the bodies of the combatants. Lloyd watched in disbelief as wounds and bruises healed before his eyes. Satisfied, the marmot made a gesture, and the other two followed it inside.

Lloyd remained stunned. His usually cunning mind couldn't explain this strange little creature. Even less what it had just accomplished. However, he was certain of one thing: "This wasn't normal." What had the kid gotten himself into now? Was it science, magic, mutation, or maybe just technology too advanced for his understanding? The calm of the afternoon gave him plenty of time to rack his brains.

He also took the opportunity to quietly approach the alpine refuge, from which no one had come out all day. The sun was setting behind the mountains as he reached the camp's outskirts. Taking advantage of the darkness brought by the end of the day, he slipped behind the isolated cabin, hoping to find Norman there. Feeling around, he searched for any crevice. His fingers met the contours of an opening between two logs gnawed by time.

He brought his lamp closer to the opening, and a fleeting sparkle reflected outside the torch's field. He directed it in that direction, and panicked pupils swallowed its light.

A groan was heard: "Who's there?" asked Norman's tired voice. "I see your lamp."

"It's me, kid. I've come to get you," whispered Lloyd.

"Lloyd?! Damn it, it's good to hear you!" exclaimed Norman. "I didn't know if you would find me. I thought you had gone to Aurumont, but it seems I was wrong..." he said, scratching his head. "Since you're here!"

"You weren't far off. We almost left," joked Lloyd, "By the way, I had to leave the old donkey to graze. He must be there already. While I deal with the princess in her castle!"

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"Alright, I could have managed on my own..." retorted Norman.

"Of course, kiddo. I have no doubt. In the meantime, can you walk?" Lloyd asked, scrutinizing his friend's pale face.

"Given the situation, I actually feel pretty good. The nap must have helped," he said, pointing to the worn-out mattress behind him. Then, innocently, he added, "Are we far from home?"

"On foot, about a week. By car, a good day," Lloyd replied, never taking his eyes off him. "I have a plan to get out of here. Can I trust you?"

"Trust me for what?" asked Norman, perplexed.

"Don't ask questions, just answer," Lloyd insisted.

"And if I say no, will you leave me here?" Norman joked.

"I don't know, I haven't made up my mind yet," Lloyd said, pretending to think, "Anyway, you stay put," he continued, "I'll wait until midnight to come and open up for you, and you'll have to cover for me while I steal the car."

"Okay, yeah, no problem, but wait a second, old man, I had planned..."

"Shut up, kid. I hear footsteps approaching," Lloyd interrupted. "It looks like these gentlemen are coming to wish you a good night. I have to go."

He disappeared into the night, leaving Norman to prepare for their daring escape.

*

Midnight chimed on his watch. Since his encounter with Norman, he had been stealthily prowling around the cabin, carefully observing the movements of the kidnappers. He waited, lurking in the shadows near the house, hidden among the fir trees. The night was unusually calm, with only a gentle breeze disturbing the silence. The usually violent winds were muffled by the pointed peaks that bordered the valley, preserving the tranquility of the night. For several hours, nothing stirred. The drunken voices had fallen silent.

Adjusting the straps of his backpack, he felt the reassuring pressure of his weapon against the cartridge belt on his chest. Nervously, he gripped the handle of his knife, finding comfort in the familiar touch. His senses were on high alert as he carefully made his way towards the cabin where Norman was being held prisoner, ensuring he stayed concealed among the bushes.

Suddenly, a shadow emerged in the darkness. Without hesitation, he dropped to the ground with agility, held his breath, and listened attentively. The rustle of fabric passed by his hiding place, accompanied by brisk and light steps. A slender hooded figure moved past him, skirting the walls until crossing the courtyard. In an instant, the stranger opened the cabin door and exited as swiftly as she had entered, carrying Norman under her arm.

However, it didn't take long for voices to echo from the main building, spilling onto the porch. The pale light from the balustrade brightened, and the door threatened to break down as the massive figure of the giant burst onto the terrace.

In a few strides, he caught up with the fugitives. His devastating charge sent Norman flying through the air like an insect swatted with a flyswatter. He grabbed the other one by the throat and roared with a voice from beyond the grave. His powerful fist plunged between the ribs of the stranger, lifting her off the ground, making it seem like her hips were trying to pass over her head. A mix of saliva and blood stained the leather hood, sliding to the side, revealing a young girl with thick red hair.

A sinister smile illuminated the giant's face, causing the corners of his thick lips to twitch as if he had just relished a delicious dish. His ugly tongue played with the edge of his teeth. Shrill cries echoed on the porch. A dwarf with wild red hair and a dense beard approached, hopping. His whining reminded Lloyd of the creature he had seen earlier.

The dwarf fidgeted, muttering something towards the ogre. Lloyd saw him close his eyes and touch the calloused hand of the beast with a single finger. The air around them turned golden, spreading to the giant's skin. The dwarf's voice began to tremble. The giant seemed lost, dazed. His grip around the girl's neck loosened, and she collapsed heavily to the ground.

The golden aura left the giant's skin. He looked around like a newborn puppy. A few meters away, Norman struggled to get up. The colossus's pockmarked face transformed when he spotted him. Calmly, he approached the young man, his tightly pursed lips humming a cheerful tune. His heavy thighs lifted with the incessant rhythm of his whistling. Norman tried to flee, limping.

Lloyd's keen eye shifted from one to the other as his fingers unfolded the tripod of his weapon. He took a deep breath and aimed at the beast. His finger caressed the trigger as the creature moved within the scope. Finally, the battered head appeared in the center of the crosshair.

His grip tightened on the stock as the weapon stabilized, and his index finger pressed the trigger. A red streak shot from the barrel. The giant bent over. Lloyd scrutinized the monster through his scope but saw no trace of impact. However, clinging to the veiny neck, he spotted the girl swaying, holding onto the handle of an ebony dagger. As if emerging from nothingness, another blade of darkness appeared in her free hand, then disappeared into the ogre's clavicle. The latter let out a guttural cry and thrashed with fury, managing to grab the assailant's hood. Like a ragdoll, he threw her at the feet of the dwarf.

With an impaled shoulder, the colossus staggered in a clumsy gait and eventually knelt down. Ignoring the girl, the dwarf rushed towards him. By the creature's bedside, his tone was as worried as reassuring, but Lloyd sensed fear behind his sugary squeals.

On his part, the brute panted louder and louder, emitting an animal moan from his mouth. Suddenly, his body convulsed, and his flesh darkened. His skin, as taut as a drum, revealed swollen veins. As he swayed, the shaggy dwarf began imploring with a high-pitched voice, to no avail.

In a bestial roar, the shadowy mass rose before Lloyd's incredulous gaze. Standing, it seemed to have doubled in size. His shirt could no longer contain his musculature, tearing the fabric and exposing abnormal forms. A wicked grin spread across his face, revealing his complete bestiality.

"This thing is going to kill us all!" thought Lloyd. He readjusted his weapon, aiming directly at the toothless mouth, causing a burst of light and smoke against the bald head. Clutching his forehead, the creature turned towards him. Lloyd was left speechless. He had never seen organic matter withstand laser beams.

Not to lose face, he didn't stop there and launched new salvos. He aimed for the head, heart, eyes, hands, even the intimate parts, trying to find a weakness in the monster's anatomy. But his shots bounced off the golem's completely black skin, unable to pierce it. Although his efforts didn't hinder the unfathomable power that animated the giant, they did manage to capture his attention.

The pig-like gaze of the creature fixed on him, filled with rage. Its powerful thighs tensed, and its body stiffened. With a deafening crash, the monster leaped, leaving its imprints on the ground. Instinctively, Lloyd rolled to his left. A horrible sound echoed in his ears, and the earth violently upheaved. Without wasting time, he got back on his feet. Behind him, right where he had been standing, a crater deformed the ground. Indistinct shapes moved in the chaos of the impact. A titanic hand emerged and grabbed his right arm. He felt himself lifted off the ground.

Without thinking, he grabbed a cluster of explosive pipes from his belt. A second hand seized his leg. Stretched out, he brought the bombs up to his face. His muscles tensed, struggling against the pressure that tore him apart. With a movement of his chin, he pressed the trigger. A series of crackles sounded. He threw the pipes toward the creature's mouth. In an infernal noise, the explosion struck them head-on. The blast sent Lloyd flying towards the trees, where he hit the ground, a ringing in his head.

A growl sounded behind him. Before he could react, his ankle was grabbed again. Lloyd found himself hanging upside down. He received a first blow that almost tore his head off. The second made him forget even his own name. At the third, everything went black. He felt that his time was coming to an end. A fourth blow whistled, like the death knell. He closed his swollen eye. But instead of killing him, the colossus groaned and sent him flying into the bushes.

Broken, Lloyd remained still for a moment, wondering why he was still alive. Shuffling steps approached. Norman's exhausted sighs snapped him out of his stupor. The latter helped him to his feet as best as he could. His poor carcass felt like it had gone through the blades of a helicopter.

About fifteen meters away, a most spectacular duel was unfolding. The young girl was defending herself with all her might against the mass of darkness facing her. There was no doubt, these individuals were extraordinary. Even the dust seemed to obey them, swirling around them in a macabre dance.

On one side, ebony blades materialized, penetrating flesh. On the other, hypertrophied muscles absorbed each assault. Neither of the combatants seemed able to gain the upper hand over the other. The more the dust weapons pierced the giant's armor, the more debris accumulated on his skin.

With graceful movements, the young girl formed increasingly improbable spikes, while the golem's body thickened visibly. Unable to protect himself from the multitude of attacks from his young opponent, the titan was forced into a defensive position.

Exhausted or impatient, he roared, striking the ground with his fists. The armor collapsed upon impact, and the released energy spread in all directions. The earth trembled. Snow scattered. Trapped in the heart of the storm, the girl was sent flying. Lloyd saw her disappear rapidly into the surrounding bushes. A cry of astonishment echoed in the night.

In the center of his crater, the colossus staggered, supporting his bloodied chest. Just below his ribs, a long blade pierced his body from side to side. Dazed, he gazed at the fatal wound with a grimace. In a desperate gesture, he attempted to remove the stake but failed, collapsing onto the blade.

In a panic, the dwarf rushed to her side, pressing his hands on the hairy chest of the fallen brute. He screamed an incomprehensible plea. The intense black of his pupils merged with the nocturnal dark veil. The scattered dust gathered and began to shimmer with a golden glow. It concentrated into a thin film, gradually healing the giant's torn body.

Lloyd watched the spectacle from afar. Remembering the healing magic used by the dwarf a little earlier, he remained certain that every second spent near these grotesque beings was a second too many. He approached Norman, who had already rushed to the side of the unconscious girl. With a worried air, Norman murmured softly. The girl's skin was as dark as his was pale. In a sharp tone, Lloyd interrupted him:

"No time to take care of all the wounded animals around here; we must get out of here as quickly as possible. If that gnome manages to resurrect her, I don't give much for our skin!" Lloyd squeezed Norman's shoulder, urging him to follow, but he shook him off. "Norman, we need to move! We can't help her," insisted Lloyd. Norman did not react. "She is doomed; they will catch up with us in no time!" he pleaded.

"I can't abandon her! She wanted to help us escape from here, to escape herself too! And I think we both know why! I refuse to leave her in the hands of these lunatics!" argued Norman.

"Kid, I beg you. We won't make it ten miles before getting caught! And even if we escaped them, you know we won't survive in the mountains with a half-dead girl on our hands. Follow me. Now!" he ordered. "I have a really bad feeling about this! That gnome over there, he has... powers. We have to leave!"

"Please, Lloyd! This is crucial! I can't abandon her! Especially after what she did for me. It's a matter of honor!" Norman defended himself against his friend's inflexibility.

"Norm, we won't even be able to carry her in your condition," argued Lloyd.

An exaggerated yawn crept into the conversation. A light but tired voice rose from the ground:

"How do you expect me to recover if you keep blabbering about my corpse, you dimwits?" asked the girl. "By the way, your team is super great. Not one to redeem the other. He abandons me without remorse. You're ready to die for someone you just met!" she mocked, tapping Norman's thigh. "I chose my companions well," she sighed sarcastically. "Wouldn't you want to save a damsel in distress, Mr. The Pirate?" she asked, caressing Lloyd's cheek under his eyepatch.

Behind her cracked lips, two rows of white teeth were revealed. It was a grotesque smile, more like a child's than a woman's, a mischievous child. Her eyelashes blinked to the rhythm of her giggles, while her eyes widened in a forced supplication. Her swollen cheeks, like two scarlet balloons about to burst, moved under her arched eyebrows. Lloyd stared at her, perplexed. Faced with the inefficiency of her act, the girl continued, a hitch in her voice:

"Please, Mr. The Pirate. Come to the aid of a poor and fragile young princess in distress. That's what pirates do in fairy tales, right? You wouldn't dare leave me in the hands of that brute, not after I saved your life. That wouldn't be very gallant, would it?"

Lloyd didn't give her time to continue to tears.

"Stop your charade, Taylor Madison. It won't work on me, your operetta theater," he interrupted. "Besides, I can't make heads or tails of what you're babbling with your strange accent."

"Just FYI, I have the car keys in my pocket," she stopped him in turn. Lloyd's good eye twitched. His bushy eyebrows formed a perfect arch above his exasperated gaze. On his face, the bruises were already starting to subside. With a sharp movement, he cracked the bridge of his broken nose, which returned to its aquiline shape. He breathed heavily and spoke again in a low voice:

""You had the keys all along, and you let us rant about rain and shine while you wait for your buddy to shove one guy's head up the other guy's ass!?"" he fumed, contempt in his lips. He gave a mocking wink to Norman and snatched the keys from the teenager's hands.

"All right, you want to come with us? Fine!"

Without a second thought, he grabbed the girl under her armpits and threw her over his shoulder. Like a sack of potatoes, she swung against his side as he marched forward with a flourish.

"Princess, your carriage awaits us!" he grinned with a full set of teeth.