Only the lonely howl of cold winds filled the frosty plain. The white snow cover merged with the low hanging clouds at the distant horizon. The thick, cottony blanket completely blotted out the beautiful heavens. A grey filter seemingly colored the air.

In this bleak atmosphere laid a single mountain chain. Freezing ice had engulfed it for hundreds of years, giving it an impressive armor.

Just then a golden light flashed above the plain. A strange transparent bubble appeared out of thin air. Distracted by the massive golden throne one might not even notice the six beings who stood within the bubble.

Olivia, Martina, and Dongmei felt like they already got used to teleportation. Thus, the three ladies calmly took in their new surroundings.

Suddenly a low exclamation came from behind them.

“Woaaah!”

While Olivia was seemingly deep in thought, Martina only noticed something because Dongmei turned around to look for the source of this childish voice.

Thus, the two grandmas were surprised when they noticed the small goblin girl standing next to the emperor.

“Ohh. Honey, were did you come from?”, asked Martina in a way only grandmothers could.

Big, round eyes focused on her. The small goblin didn’t seem shy at all. She happily took a step forward. Just as she wanted to talk, an exasperated sigh interrupted her.

“Tarun’gra? Why did you come here? You know daddy is working.”

The small goblin girl winced slightly. Knowing that she had done something mischievous, she blinked cutely as she grabbed the hem of her yellow floral dress. Swaying right to left she explained:

“Mother was talking to aunty, so I needed something to play. When I couldn’t find my Slowmoinator, I remembered that I gave it to you for inspection. I only wanted to ask if I can have it back? Please? Dad?”

Observing the small goblin’s cute behavior, the grandmas’ hearts melted. Martina quickly took a few steps forward, patting the girls long blue hair.

“Emperor, you have such a cute daughter. How can you not fulfill her every wish? Let me tell you from experience: Cheerish her as much as you can. You never know what obstacles live might throw your way!”

Dongmei eyed Martina suspiciously:

“Did you even understand what the child said?”

“No. But this won’t stop me! At home I also talk to my granddaughter like this. Ever since she has fallen ill, it gets harder and harder to understand her…”

Everyone fell silent after those words. They could feel the hidden pain in Martina’s words. Tears welled in the old lady’s eyes.

Zotrahn’gra felt akward. Why was it so hard to hold the trial this time? Now his daughter interrupted the heroes’ mental preparations. He coughed in embarrassment to change the topic.

“Tarun’gra why don’t you go home for now? I will give you your Slowmoinator later, ok?”

“But you took it with you to work this morning, why not just give it to me now?”

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Looking at his daughter’s cute eyes, Zotrahn’gra’s embarrassment only increased. He remembered playing with his daughter’s toy earlier, but then he dropped it when the three heroes’ arrival after a long time surprised him.

“Just be a good girl and wait here for now.”, with those words the goblin emperor turned towards the front, not wanting to continue the awkward conversation. Tarun’gra could only pout and stand behind her father.

The high priest smiled slightly as she observed the father daughter pair. Only she noticed the clever twinkling in Tarun’gra’s eyes, who had just escaped the punishment for sneaking out by poking her father’s sore spot. The high priest also noticed Zotrahn’gra sending a message back to his subordinates to fetch his daughter’s toy.

Shaking her head the old goblin lady concentrated back on observing the trial. Her brows wrinkled slightly as she looked at the icy plains before them.

Meanwhile Zotrahn’gra finally began to explain:

“Welcome to your first trial, mortals!”

“Are you ready for a terrifying fight between life and death?!”

Their attention back on their purpose for coming here, Martina and Dongmei also turned back around.

Only at this point did Dongmei notice the strange state Olivia was in. The old lady hadn’t moved from the spot, only staring ahead. Dongmei frowned slightly before addressing her friend:

“Olivia? Are you alright?”

Olivia shuddered slightly, coming back to reality. She let out a forlorn sigh.

“Dongmei? Is it you?”

“Yes of course. What’s going on with you?”

“It has finally happened, Dongmei. Everything is white. I’m completely blind now!”

Dongmei looked at the front then skeptically back at Olivia. She shook her head as she raised her hand and lightly slapped Olivia’s forehead.

“Ahh! Dongmei, what are you doing?”

“Did you see that just now?”

“Ehm…”

Confused, Olivia turned her head around.

“I… did see it.”

“Then you aren’t blind, only stupid. Everything is white for us too, Olivia. It’s snowing.”

Olivia, now observing the massive throne they were standing on, wanted to die from embarrassment. Luckily Zotrahn’gra shouted angrily at this moment:

“Mortals! What are you whispering?! Have you even listened to my explanation?”

Zotrahn’gra looked in Olivia’s and Dongmei’s nonchalant faces. Feeling his anger rising, he turned towards Martina, only to instantly regret it. The close to deaf old lady didn’t pay him any attention.

Pulling on his hair in frustration the goblin emperor shouted loudly:

“Listen!! Big enemy up front! Choose your weapon, defeat him, and carry on!!”

With those words Zotrahn’gra waved his scepter. A golden light shot out of the bubble, hitting the mountain range before them.

Suddenly cracks spread through the ice. A tremor engulfed the plains. Snow sprayed everywhere. Blocks of ice crashed to the ground.

Under the three grandmas’ disbelieving eyes the mountain range suddenly began to move. A loud yawn echoed in everyone’s ears:

“Who dares to wake me up?”

Suddenly one of the mountain peaks extended. It stretched, quickly taking the form of a rocky arm. Legs soon followed as they crossed. Ice continued to crack. A massive head appeared from under under the snow layer. Soon a majestic rock giant sat cross-legged as it stared in anger at the tiny ants disturbing it.

“Goblin emperor?! You dare to use me as a trial again?! Are the lives of your heroes not worth anything anymore?!”

Just as Zotrahn’gra wanted to answer a heavy bonk hit his head. The emperor turned in confusion to the high priest as his daughter chuckled behind him.

“You choose the rock giant as a trial?! What are you thinking?? Do those three look like they can defeat a rock giant?! You know the trial needs to be suitable for the heroes. What is going on in that head of yours?!”

Zotrahn’gra didn’t know how to answer the old goblin’s angry reprimand. He had to admit that he was a bit hasty. He didn’t think too much about the trial, only choosing one they hadn’t had in a long time.

“I… ehm… this…”, he stammered awkwardly.

“You better pray that they make it though somehow or you know how the great god will punish you!”

The great goblin emperor winced slightly. This time he really messed up. He quickly sent another message to his subordinates before facing the three heroes. Noticing their attention was still on the giant, he sighed lightly in relief.

Zotrahn’gra could only pray that the grandmas might surprise him. In order to raise their chances, he tried to give them some tips in a roundabout way:

“Remember, heroes! You can choose ANY weapon you like. Now, who is brave enough to face the rock giant?”

Feeling the pressure brought by the mystical being in front of them, the three grandmas solemnly looked at each other. After a few seconds Olivia took a step forward. She breathed in deeply as she proclaimed:

“This big guy is suitable for my eyesight. Let me do it!”