The goblin emperor felt some admiration as he looked at Olivia’s brave, resolute back. Despite being a normal human, she dared to sacrifice her life so her new friends could live on.

Breathing in deeply Zotrahn’gra spoke with a solemn voice:

“So be it. Olivia Thomson. You shall take on the first trial. You will pass if you can defeat the rock giant. Do you understand those rules?”

A surprisingly confident voice answered him:

“Of course, youngster. I’m not the deaf one!”

Martina slightly turned her head towards Dongmei:

“What did she say about deaf people? Is she insulting me?

She is, isn’t she?”

“You probably misheard. Olivia said she isn’t dead yet.”

As Dongmei kept a straight face, Martina couldn’t tell if she was lying. The old woman could only let it slide for now.

Zotrahn’gra was focused on Olivia. He didn’t know where her confidence came from. Maybe the old lady had already accepted death?

“Brave hero of Earth. Since you accepted the trial, choose your weapon now! In order to preserve the trial’s fairness, I will grant you as many weapons as you want!”

Ignoring the high priest’s angry glare as he talked about fairness, Zotrahn’gra continued in a majestic voice:

“Name your choice!”

Olivia’s eyes lit up. She had her own plans, but she wasn’t certain if the rules allowed it. But since the emperor granted her multiple weapons, she had no qualms in listing her wishes:

“Ok listen! First I need a thick coat and some gloves. It looks could as hell out there!”

“You shall get your armor!”, agreed Zotrahn’gra easily.

“Ehm… sure. Next, I need a stove!”

“A stove? Is this the name of a weapon from Earth I haven’t heard about yet?”

While the emperor asked in confusion, Martina and Dongmei looked at each other. Their eyes lit up. They had an idea about what Olivia might be planning.

“What weapon?! A stove. As in kitchen stove. Don’t tell me you don’t have one!”, reprimanded Olivia in annoyance.

Did this dwarf misunderstand her on purpose? Maybe he feared the trial would be too easy? Naturally she wouldn’t have that!

Fortunately, Zotrahn’gra quickly agreed or he might have had to endure an old grandma’s rage:

“A kitchen stove…

Of course we have that. You shall get your kitchen stove.”

“Good! And don’t get me a cheap one. I want something serviceable!”

“We will fulfill your wishes. So, is this your weapon of choice? Are you…”

“Why so impatient, youngster?! I’m not done yet!”

Zotrahn’gra sighed in relief. After those excentric wishes, maybe Earth’s hero would finally ask for some real weapons.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Unfortunately, Olivia quickly squashed his hopes:

“I still need one cup of salted butter…”

“Salted… butter?”, whispered Zotrahn’gra in disbelief.

“One cup of granulated sugar,… two large eggs,… one teaspoon sea salt, two cups of chocolate chips,... and a few bowls.”

After listening to Oliva naming about a dozen baking ingredients, Zotrahn’gra head felt dizzy. He didn’t understand this woman’s mind. Had she gone crazy from certain death? Did she want her last meal?

If he let a trial taker make her own last meal, would this be considered inhumane? Would the great god punish him for this?

With a bit of fear and desperation in his voice Zotrahn’gra almost pleaded Olivia:

“Don’t you want to choose anything else? How about some orbital laser weapons? Or the axe which split open heavens? Or the sword which crowns you king?

I can even… even give you… my own scepter.”

The goblin emperor’s voice shook in obvious reluctance with those last words, but it was better than being punished by the great god.

Suddenly Zotrahn’gra let out a pained shout again. A wooden stick had hit his head. He turned towards the high priest with a questioning look.

“Just give her what she wants already! Don’t waste time here!”

“But…”

“No buts! Do your job!”, ordered the high priest resolutely.

Letting out a sigh of defeat, Zotrahn’gra accepted his fate. He lightly waved his scepter, sending out a massage.

A few minutes later a goblin appeared within their bubble. He bowed to his emperor before handing over a small ball and vanishing again.

With a forlorn voice Zotrahn’gra spoke as he threw the ball at Olivia:

“Everything you need is in here. Whenever you touch the bubble, the trial will begin!”

Awkwardly catching the small ball, Olivia inspected it curiously, followed by Dongmei and Martina.

The old American lady couldn’t stop happy memories from emerging. She was lost in thought as a childish voice suddenly interrupted:

“Granny Olivia! You only need to think about what you need and the magic storage will provide it. You can also put things back in the same way.”

A smile formed on the old lady’s face. She kindly looked at the cute goblin girl.

“Thank you for the explanation. After the trial I will have a small reward for you!”

Tarun’gra beamed with joy as she watched the old lady turn around. Without hesitation Olivia touched the bubble.

Suddenly Olivia found herself in mitten of an icy plain. Harsh winds blew against her body. The old lady shuddered slightly, instantly thinking about the coat she wished for.

After taking out a thin coat from the magic storage she eyed it suspiciously. Could this really keep her warm? It didn’t even have any buttons. Would this even cover her chest?

Reluctantly she flung it over her shoulders, pulling it close to her neck.

Suddenly Olivia’s eyes lit up. A pleasurable warmth engulfed her, shielding her form the harsh environment. Her whole body felt comfortable.

Only now did the old lady have time to care for the trial. As her eyes focused on the living mountain if front of her, she sighed lightly. How could something like this exist?

Her vision followed the crossed legs upwards, over the torso, soon reaching the being’s head.

As soon as the two combatant’s eyes crossed the rock giant let out an angry roar. A storm followed, almost threatening to blow the old lady away.

Th giant shouted angrily:

“Ant! Are you finally ready to face me?”

Seemingly not disturbed in the slightest, Olivia calmly questioned:

“Big boy! Why so angry? Why don’t you let grandma here make you something delicious?”

Observing his opponent’s kind face the rock giant grew wary.

“Are you trying to use psychological warfare? Hmpf.

You are still a few thousand years too young for that!”

“I am too young?”, asked Olivia with some laughter in her voice.

“This is something I haven’t heard in a long time.

Would it be impolite to ask how old you are big boy?”

“How would I know? I have been sleeping here for at least a thousand years. I have long stopped counting!”

“A thousand years! I…”

“ENOUGH!”, interrupted the giant, slowly feeling his anger boiling.

“We aren’t here to talk. This is a fight! Since you stand no chance, I will grant you the first move! This is my pride as a rock giant!”

While Olivia shook her head, Zotrahn’gra observed the trial in confusion. What was the old lady planning? Luckily the giant finally stated an ultimatum.

The goblin emperor eyed Martina and Olivia carefully. He expected to see some pity or sadness on their faces, but surprisingly the two old ladies only nodded their heads knowingly.

Under everyone’s watch Oliva mumbled something under her breath as she took out a stove from her magical storage. She nodded approvingly, noticing its high quality.

She carefully turned it on, not interested on how this stove worked without electricity. Next, she placed all the ingredients she ordered around her.

After Olivia’s first action, the rock giant was already raising his hand. He was ready to squash this ant to death. But shortly after, he watched in confusion as the old lady took out multiple food items. This… couldn’t be counted as an attack, right? His hand awkwardly stopped in the air, waiting for Oliva’s move.