Chapter Twelve

Trolls

The forest was alive with the melodic chirping of birds and the soft susurration of leaves dancing in the breeze. Zelly relished these soothing sounds of nature as she sat perched contentedly atop Biggie's shoulder. Mister Nuts was nestled snugly in the crook of her arm, his beady eyes bright and watchful.

Biggie and Zelly giggled cheerfully as he ambled along the worn forest path. Despite his hulking frame, his footfalls were surprisingly light, his connection to the forest as organic as the trees themselves. Biggie's height was astounding; he was even taller than the Menacing Pines themselves.

This was now one of Zelly's favorite activities, exploring the woods with her two cherished companions. From her lofty vantage point, she delighted in the vibrant hues of the canopy, the shafts of light that created a mosaic of sun and shadows on the verdant carpet below. It instilled in her a profound sense of inner peace.

Yet today, the tranquility of their walk was abruptly shattered, bringing Biggie’s large frame to a screeching halt.

Zelly felt Biggie tense, their laughter cut short. She peered in the direction his gaze was fixed, toward a dense copse of trees. Her own eyes widened.

"What is it, Biggie?" Whispered Zelly, but he was silent and unmoving.

Then, emerging from the foliage were creatures the likes of which she had never glimpsed, even in the most fantastical of books. Their lower bodies were akin to muscular horses, rippling with sinew and power. But it was the upper halves of the creatures that made Zelly's heart nearly arrest in her chest.

Their chests and arms were covered in warty, olive-green skin that glistened with a sickly sheen. Their heads were misshapen, with bulging yellow eyes filled with unadulterated malice. Jagged yellow teeth protruded from their lips, gnashing together. But most terrifying of all was that each creature clutched a crude, yet deadly, weapon in their gnarled hands. Swords, clubs, maces - implements of harm still tarnished with remnants of their last unfortunate victim.

Zelly's lips quivered, her voice barely above a shaky whisper. "Trolls!"

She had only ever read about such vile creatures in books of myth and legend, but not this strange hybrid of troll and horse. To behold them here, vast and menacing before her, turned her blood to ice in her veins as her small body shook with fear.

Biggie let out a low growl, a rumbling warning meant to intimidate. His fist clutched tight, ready to defend. He squared his shoulders, placing himself as a daunting barrier between the trolls and Zelly's vulnerable form. His only goal was to protect his small friend.

Silence filled the air for the space of a heartbeat, but then, it happened.

With guttural bellows, they charged forth, their hooves pulverizing the earth as a cloud of dirt formed beneath them.

Biggie met them head-on, fists swinging, feet kicking. But the trolls were relentless. Their serrated weapons sliced through the air, finding their marks on Biggie's arms and legs.

Crimson blossomed across Biggie's skin, yet still he fought, grappling and slamming the trolls away. Zelly could only watch in horror. Fear and helplessness immobilized her.

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“Kick their butts, Biggie! Show them who’s king of the forest!” Yelled Zelly, her small fist raised in the air.

Then, in a moment of distraction, one troll's club found Biggie's skull as a loud crack echoed through the forest. He swayed back and forth for a second or two, then collapsed, the ground quaking beneath his massive body like an earthquake.

"No!" Zelly shrieked, her cry rippling from her throat. “Go away! Leave us alone! What’s wrong with you? He did nothing to you!”

The trolls, sensing victory, closed in, their weapons poised to deliver the final blow.

“Zelly!” Whispered Biggie in pain. “Run! Hide! NOW!”

“NO! I’m not leaving you!” She cried, pulling at her torn clothes in panic.

Biggie knew there was no time to waste. He grabbed Zelly into the palm of his hand, and tossed her into nearby bushes located behind an ancient elm.

The trolls continued their merciless assault against Biggie's unmoving form.

Zelly squeezed her eyes shut, tears carving trails down her quivering cheeks. She pressed her hands over her ears, but still, the awful sounds breached her barricade - the sickening thuds of weapons on flesh as blood splattered around the trolls' crude implements. It was a symphony of brutality.

"Oh God, please make it stop!" Zelly whimpered, rocking back and forth.

Then, gradually, the cacophony faded. Cautiously opening her eyes, Zelly peered out from the bushes. The trolls were lumbering away in victory, their weapons stained crimson with Biggie's blood. They disappeared into the shadowy depths of the forest, seemingly convinced their foe was felled.

Zelly finally crawled out from her hiding place, her limbs heavy with dread. Upon reaching Biggie's blood-covered body, she noted with overflowing relief that his chest still rose and fell, albeit shallowly.

"Biggie," she cried, collapsing on his broad chest, her small hand caressing his battered face. His eyes fluttered open halfway, glazed with pain.

"Zelly," he rasped, fresh blood bubbling on his lips, "you...you need to find help."

Zelly's eyes widened. "Help? But where? I thought we were the only ones in this world besides animals and insects.”

Biggie grimaced, taking a ragged breath before continuing. "There is...there is a village. Hidden...not far from here. Find it. Find the doctor...Dr. Zort. He'll know how to help me."

Zelly's mind reeled, even as hope sparked in her heart. A village? Could it be true? But the urgency of Biggie's condition pressed heavily upon her. There was no time for doubts or queries. Even though she felt guilt at the thought of leaving him, she knew it was the only way to save her new friend.

"Just hang on, Biggie! Don’t you dare die on me, you hear?" she urged, her voice quavering. With a farewell caress of his cheek, she took off running, her feet barely skimming the earth.

Zelly navigated the forest terrain with single-minded purpose, following the meandering path Biggie had etched in her mind. The further she ventured, the more unfamiliar her surroundings became. She stumbled often, her boots muddied and clothes snagged by brambles. But she couldn't stop. Biggie's life depended on her perseverance. She would never forgive herself if she failed.

"Faster Zelly, c'mon!" she panted, vaulting over a mossy log. A branch scratched her cheek, drawing blood, but she pushed on.

Eventually, the thick forest opened up, yielding to a clearing. But it was not empty as one would expect. Clustered together were small dwellings, quaint cottages with flower boxes and brick chimneys puffing wispy hickory scented smoke into the air.

Zelly blinked, scarce believing the sight before her. Had she reached the hidden village? Her legs ached and her lungs burned, but she quickened her pace toward the settlement.

As she drew closer, curious eyes peeked from windows, and doors creaked open.

Finally catching her breath, Zelly ran toward a store that had a sign above the door that read simply 'Tom's General Store.'

She burst through the door with urgency, her eyes frantically scanning the room. "Hello? Help! Is anyone here?" she called out, but there was no answer.

Zelly rushed toward the exit, but before she made it out, she heard the patter of small, light footsteps approaching quickly from a back room. She skidded to a halt, her heart pounding, unsure who or what would emerge.

[Adventurer Level 5!]

[Survivalist Skills Level 4 Obtained!]

[Courage Points +60!]

[Craftsmanship Level 2 Maintained]

[Navigation Skills Level 4 Obtained!]

[Stamina Boost +50!]

[Skill - Advanced Climbing Level 2 Obtained!]

[Skill - Fear Resistance Level 5 Obtained!]

[Skill - Quick Thinking Level 3 Obtained!]

[Skill - Diplomacy Level 2 Obtained!]

[Skill - Teaching Level 1 Maintained]

[New Allies Bonus: Friendship Points +150!]