Ashren stepped closer to the faintly glowing entrance carved into the rock.

“What is this place?” he whispered.

The princess didn’t answer at first—her eyes were fixed on the carvings, fear tightening her face.

“This symbol… this structure…” she whispered.
“Oh no. This is not good.”

Before Ashren could ask, a deep rumbling echoed from inside the cavern.

A massive silhouette moved toward the entrance.

Ashren’s breath caught.

A giant stepped into view—
skin a stony blue,
around eight feet tall,
shoulders wide enough to block the entire passage,
and in his hand, a heavy iron-forged club.

Ashren’s heart plummeted.

“What… is THAT?” he whispered.

The princess grabbed his sleeve.

“Don’t speak loudly. Don’t draw attention.
This is the Mountain Tribe.
Strong… very strong.
All muscle… almost no brain.”

The giant warrior snorted the air, scanning the surroundings like a beast sniffing for intruders.

Ashren and the princess ducked back quickly, slipping into one of the smaller cave-rooms branching off the main tunnel.

Inside was dim—like a home carved directly into stone.
Bowls made of cracked rock.
Dried leaves used as bedding.
Strange carvings scratched into the walls.

“It looks like… someone lives here,” Ashren whispered.

The princess nodded nervously.
“Someone does.”

Ashren’s stomach twisted.

She pressed a finger over her lips.

“Silence.”

They backed deeper into the cave-house, crouched low—

But then…

Ashren froze.

A woman of the tribe sat against the stone wall—huge, muscular, with the same blue skin.
In her arms, she held a sleeping infant wrapped in animal hide.

And beside her stood two children, older but still young, watching Ashren and the princess with wide, frightened eyes.

All three stared directly at the intruders.

Ashren’s throat tightened.

The baby stirred, stretching softly.
Its bright golden eyes blinked open—

and landed right on Ashren.

The mother’s eyes widened.
Her grip on the child tightened.

A low, warning growl rumbled from her chest.

Ashren flinched.

Then—

THUD.

Heavy footsteps shook the ground behind them.

The massive warrior from before appeared in the doorway, shoulders nearly brushing the sides as he stepped inside.

His gaze scanned the room—
from the women…
to the two strangers crouched in the corner.

Ashren felt his pulse hammering in his ears.

The princess swallowed, frozen.

The warrior’s expression hardened.

He took one heavy step forward.
The stone floor vibrated beneath their feet.

The princess’s body stiffened—
she didn’t know what to do.

And the giant raised his weapon—

To be continued…

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