He heard the sounds of creaking metal and more shouts from his sister, but it didn’t last long because, suddenly, he felt the giant rise. His insides lurched as he was suddenly brought to a significant height (at least he guessed by the way his stomach lurched and was left behind). The rhythmic steps of Murad were the only things he could hear clearly. They began slowly before suddenly picking up pace, and an incredible pace at that – to the point that Jellal couldn’t determine when the giant made contact with the ground.

It was at this point the stress of the situation seized him and, in that darkness, he slipped into unconsciousness.

~~~~~

Jellal had a hard time opening his eyes, feeing a soft surface surrounding him. It was warm and something wet was touching his forehead. His body convulsed involuntarily and his mind jumped to the worst, but this was dismissed as his eyes focused on a single candle that was lit and the presence of two hands near him.

Jellal’s eyes found Murad staring at him with a look of concentration and concern as he dabbed the teen’s forehead with a cloth. Seeing he was conscious, Murad removed the damp cloth and simply stared at the boy.

“Pleasant sleep?” he asked hollowly. Jellal wasn’t sure how to answer the question and gave a noncommittal shrug instead. The giant sighed and rolled his eyes. “I suppose that is as good of an answer as any. At least your not shouting shrilly. I hear that is too common of an occurrence.” Jellal watched Murad stand and stride effortlessly across the room, finally giving Jellal a moment to evaluate his surroundings.

He was in what looked like a room full of books and shelves that were twice the height of any building they were capable of constructing. There was a fireplace which could easily set the town ablaze on the opposite side of the room where Murad currently stood. Near these books were hundreds of knobs which looked like they opened drawers all along the walls, separating shelf after shelf. Daring himself to do so, Jellal looked up, immediately experiencing a sense of vertigo as he could not see the ceiling in the current light. There was a strange device nearby which swirled with a nauseating vapor which wafted down from the device to where he currently lay, which consisted of a pillow as large as a small house and a blanket.

A bowl was set nearby, making the teen jump out of his skin. Murad took a spoon and dipped it into the bowl, checked the temperature by bringing it to his lips, and, surprisingly, lowered it to Jellal’s height. Jellal leaned away instinctually, eyes darting between the spoon and the person who held it.

“You should consume sustenance. Depriving yourself of such things is detrimental to your well-being.” Not wanting to anger the giant, Jellal obliged and sipped the top of the broth. It took a moment, but he leaned away after taking in a few mouthfuls. Of all the questions rising in the teen’s mind, one rose above the others.

“Why did you take me?” Murad looked slightly perplexed as he lowered the spoon back into the bowl.

“You requested I take you. Do you not recall?” asked Murad, brushing his auburn hair from his eyes with his pinkie finger.

“No… I… I remember that…” said Jellal awkwardly. “I mean… why did you take me? Why were you going to take my sister? Why take anyone?” Murad sighed heavily and leaned back in his chair, arms folding across his chest.

“Because, boy, I’m trying to save your lives.”