While the giant was hesitating, Olivia was nonchalant. After turning on the stove she began mixing ingredients. First all the dry ingredients were poured into a bowl with practiced ease.

Fond memories emerged in Olivi’s mind. How often in her life had she already made delicious cookies for her loved ones? She remembered the happy smiles on everyone’s faces as they savored her cookies.

Just like during those carefree days with her family, Olivia once again continued to mix the wet ingredients. She didn’t need any measuring tools. After so much practice the old lady wouldn’t even need eyes to make her cookies. Well, she was almost blind anyways.

The rock giant didn’t understand why he was being ignored. But somehow his anger slowly calmed down as he observed his opponent. A special feeling radiated from the old woman. A special kind of warmth. A kind of security and familial love.

Focusing on the old lady’s eyes, the giant noticed her focus wasn’t on this trial. Olivia seemed to look past the world, watching her happy family.

A light shudder spread through the giant’s body as long forgotten emotions sprouted in his mind. He thought he had long lost them, but a seed seemingly had still remained.

After Olivia mixed all the ingredients, she looked around her in contemplation. She quietly mumbled:

“I guess the dough needs to freeze now. It’s cold enough here but it still might take some time.”

Meanwhile Zotrahn’gra shook his head from within the bubble. He didn’t understand what Olivia wanted to achieve. She was wasting so much effort now only for the giant to kill her with a single slap later one.

Just as some despairing thoughts shook the emperor’s mind again, his eyes almost plopped out from shock. Only he and the high priest could see the magic emanating from the giant. It formed a small wind, brushing past the cookie dough. Was the giant helping his opponent?

Even the rock giant himself wasn’t sure. He unconsciously made a move, not knowing what made him do so.

A cold shudder rushed through Olivia’s hands. Her brows wrinkled. The bowl in her hand seemed to have cooled down instantly.

Placing her palm on the bowl, Olivia mumbled in contemplation:

“So strange. Did the wind react to my words? Maybe I am magician myself…”

The old lady shook her head, not able to figure it out. She put her dough in the oven before letting out a happy sigh. It felt good to finally bake some cookies again.

Olivia stretched calmly before facing the giant again. She smiled kindly as she noticed the magical being’s mood.

“Big boy. Why don’t we talk for a bit until the cookies are ready?”

Those words finally cleared the giant’s mind. It stared angrily at Olivia.

“Witch! I don’t know what you are trying, but the time for talk is over! We are in the middle of a fight, and you have had your move!”

Olivia watched calmly as the giant balled his fist again. The living mountain was sure that it was time to end the battle. It would punch out any second now. The old lady wouldn’t stand a chance.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Any… second… now…

Despite his resolution, something seemed to stop the giant. It was his own consciousness. He knew that if he killed the kind old lady now, he would also kill those warm emotions together with her.

Olivia waited for a few seconds before sighing. She fearlessly walked towards the giant, soon standing before his massive feet. The tiny human looked so frail next to the giant but is was the latter who seemed to be paralyzed. He didn’t dare to move, fearing to break the tiny creature before him.

Calmly patting the giant, Olivia talked to him:

“Why are you so adamant about fighting? Life can be so beautiful if you spend it with others. Don’t fight everyone you see, big boy!”

A shudder ran through the giant’s body. Old feelings returned, struggling within his head.

“With others? But who would spend their time with me?

Just look at me. Wherever I go, I destroy everything. I am chased out all the time!”

Noticing a familiar pain in the giant’s voice, Olivia felt her chest tighten.

“So, you are lonely.”

Silence was the giant’s answer.

“I know how you feel. It is hard if one is separated from their loved ones. Doesn’t your family visit you sometimes?”

“They don’t know where I am. I asked the great god to hide me here. This is for the best. My family…

They… won’t miss me. I only bring them trouble.”

“Ahh… you are too harsh on yourself. I am sure your family would love to have you back!”

“How would you know… I…”

Suddenly a childish voice faintly reached their ears. With tears in her eyes Tarun’gra shouted unnecessarily loudly within the bubble:

“DAD! Is he the lost giant? The one the giant clan has been searching for for years? Didn’t they offend many races because they intruded in their territories?”

Zotrahn’gra looked at his daughter in exasperation. He didn’t even find the will to reprimand her. He touched his own forehead, not understanding what was happening in this trail anymore.

As the young goblin’s voice reached the giant, his eyes opened widely in disbelief. His emotions continued to steer, turning chaotic.

Olivia noticed his trembling body. She silently kept him company.

After a few minutes the old lady turned her eyes towards the stove. She smiled, noticing that her cookies were already done.

As Olivia calmly took the delicious cookies out of the oven, a pleasant smell spread out. The giant’s confused eyes focused on the gorgeous baked goods.

Olivia observed her cookies in satisfaction before lightly taking one form the plate. Its perfect brown color was a feast for the eyes. Its texture felt great in her hand, invoking those joyful memories again.

With a kind smile she handed it towards the giant.

The magical being observed the small figure before him. With some hesitation he carefully took the cookie from her hands. It vanished in his big hands.

Nevertheless, the giant raised his hand to his mouth. A slight shrug sent the cookie flying. Like a speck of dust entering a cave it fell into his mouth.

One might think the cookie was way too small for the giant too even taste it. But this couldn’t be further from the truth.

The rock giant savored the warm taste. The familial love mixed within. The chunk of happy memories.

Finally, the giant couldn’t hold back anymore. Emotions overwhelmed him. His body shook. Tears started to form in his eyes.

He released all his frustration with a load roar:

“I miss you all!!”

The frozen plains shook. Snow spread through the air. Ice cracked.

Olivia had trouble holding on.

Within the bubble the goblin emperor couldn’t believe his eyes. The giant was close to tears. From a single cookie?

He sighed lightly, observing the ongoing carnage. Despite all Olivia did the weak human still wouldn’t be able to make it through. The power of the giant’s roar alone might kill her.

Shaking his head in pity Zotrahn’gra was already thinking about the next trial. He couldn’t make such a big blunder again. Olivia performed surprisingly well but this trial wasn’t possible for humans.

Just as the goblin emperor had already given up, tears began to fall from the giant’s eyes. They crashed down like waterfalls. They would drown Olivia any second now.

The young goblin girl pleadingly looked between the high priest and her father. Martina and Dongmei anxiously watched Olivia. They didn’t know what to do. They were already proud of their friend’s performance.

Suddenly a golden light flashed past the plains. Olivia and the giant surprisingly vanished. The plains fell silent again.

Martina and Oliva stared in confusion, as disbelief appeared on the emperor’s face. The young goblin girl’s eyes widened in joy, while the high priest looked towards her left with a slight smile.

There, Oliva suddenly appeared as a mysterious voice rumbled above the plains.

“Congratulations, mortal, for passing the first trial!”