The Jotuns

||???'s POV||

"Here's your lunch-" the tall lady placed a warm bowl of soup in my lap with some meat and vegetables in it before sitting on a chair besides a table to accompany me. Both the meat and the vegetables are new to me, but it smells appetizing.

{Sip~ Nom~}

I tested the taste of the rich broth and then took a bite of the vegetables and meat. The stock was rich. The meat tasted somewhere between meaty while the vegetables tasted nutty and earthy. Are these really vegetables?

It was delicious, although I found it bizarre.

"W-what meat is this?" I asked nicely.

"From the bird that took your arm." she bluntly said before taking a bite of the soup she brought for herself.

{Awkward Silence~}

"Oh." I glanced at the soup while painstakingly remembering the horrifying moments I've endured on that godforsaken nest. I just shrugged it off and said-

"I guess this is revenge (A fitting one at that)"

It turns out that my savior was a 'she', not a 'he'. It makes no difference, but still important to know nonetheless.

Why did she rescue me though? How did she defeat the bird with just a few punches? Also, is she the one who brought me to this place? It's weird that she doesn't have a third eye like my race.

Multiple questions appeared on my mind. I came to the conclusion that she was just hunting for food and just happened to stumble upon me. In addition, she doesn't look like someone who would kidnap and bring me here, especially when she has energetic kids in her care.

Before all of that, was I really 'kidnapped' and brought to this place? I don't remember anything that happened before I came here, but I do know that this world is not my usual world.

Still, the feat of being able to defeat that bird using only punches is amazing-

"H-how did you defeat the bird?" I tried to ask her since the mood was fit for it. She was chewing her food, but she responded nonetheless-

"Ai pounched eht-" Bluntly said. Really bluntly said. Miss, I know you punched it but how were you able to punch a giant bird to death? Also, swallow your food first!

Finally, she swallowed her food before adding, "-And used magic to reinforce my body."

{Sparkling eyes~}

"M-magic?" My eyes enlarged. The bird earlier said it as well although I didn't pay much attention to it. This world really has magic? I know that I have seen unbelievable stuff in this place. But magic? I sure want to learn that!

"Yes. Magic."

There's magic in this place? In some of the fragments of my memories, there's tales of magic but no one is knowledgeable enough to use it. This lady has it! How cool is that!

"C-can you teach me how to do it? For safety purposes of course." Is she gonna teach me? Can I even learn it?

{Laughter~}

The mood was broken when I heard laughter from the other side of the room. It was those 3 kids, mocking me about what I said. I managed to hold my temper quite easily. It would seem that I am also a natural at this.

"I almost forgot, but you're not from here right?" she asked with a tone of anger.

"Uh, yes-"

{THUMP!}

The lady smashed her palm in the table. The force was so powerful, it lifted everything in the cave for a moment. Even some of the soup that I held spilt.

Did I do something? Why is she angry?

Terror petrified me as I stared at the lady, her temple's veins popping out as she clenches her fist. The fact that she's still expressionless while angry makes her even scarier!

"Sorry, I just remembered someone irritating." She assured me with her brows still furrowed from anger. "I'm so gonna teach her lessons after this-"

"???"

My eyes squinted in confusion.

It's not me and it's none of my business, but I'm curious. She returns her gaze towards me, her eyes full of discernment. Is she analyzing me again?

"Anyways, no, I cannot teach you magic (at least not this one)." she said after sighing.

"Huh?! But why?"

"Because your body is weak. I've checked it. You wouldn't be able to handle my techniques." she placed the bowl of soup she held on the table, hinting that she lost her appetite.

"Also...I don't know what race you are. Your race and realm must be uncharted (This is a pretty big forest after all... How the hell did they find you?)" she mumbles while pondering deeply.

Forest? What forest? My curiosity took over me and I asked her what a 'forest' is.

"I'll explain at a later date, I have some business to settle. You should rest for a while and sleep. Your leg and shoulder wounds should be better after you wake up-" she stood up to collect my empty bowl and left.

I wanted more of the soup but I didn't bother asking for another bowl. Humility got the best of me.

Thinking about my past was the only thing I could do.

Wait-

I FORGOT TO ASK HER WHERE THE HELL I'M AT! AND WHAT HER NAME IS!

I need to set my priorities straight. {Sigh}.

{Moments Later...}

||Estrid's POV||

That boy is... interesting. His magical body is very weak. In fact, it's the weakest out of the countless races I've seen so far. However, he dodged the Bald Eagle multiple times. He has good reflexes and if trained enough he might become a good warrior despite of his weak body. But first, I need to-

{Rumble~ Rumble~}

"!!!"

An earthquake? No, this is-

{BAAM!}

A shockwave that shook the ground followed by a large cloud of dust in the distance took my attention. Somebody found us.

My senses picked up a group of people approaching the cave, rapidly decreasing the distance between me and them. Moments later, the group approached me.

They were the people that I wanted to discipline earlier. Those idiots were the ones who brought that kid here. Either that boy got here or someone took him here. No one else here has a Bifrost except me and them.

I was supposed to be the one who goes and find them, but whatever. This saves me the time of going to them.

"Hello Estrid, or should I say Queen Estrid?" Bodil joked, chuckling a little bit "Come on, what's up with that expression? Aren't you a little happy to see your best friend?"

"Why did you kidnap the boy?" I glared at her. She ignored it and started walking around, analyzing the cave that I was living in.

I could hear mocks from inside her head, even though she shows no sign of it. Being friends with her since childhood enabled me to grasp an idea of how she thinks. I am positive that she has the same function.

"Our race is dying, my friend. From a proud race that rivaled even the gods, we are reduced to this state. Our men? All dead. Our essences? Altered. Since you've left, the kingship competition was never conducted again making it so that there is no King to give us sperm and no Queen to receive it. Kidnapping a male from one of the prominent races would ensue a war, so someone from an unknown realm is the most convenient for us to kidnap-"

"Kidnapping huh..."

The sky started to convert its color into navy blue, implying of the impending downpour of rain.

{Rumble~ Rumble~}

"Do you hear yourself right now? " I glared at her while clenching my fists, releasing my killing intent that caused the ground to vibrate a little bit.

Every single person froze up, not one was able to move except Bodil who whistled to mock and praise me at the same time, commenting on how 'scary' I was for her.

"You're usually stoic, but I don't care. Give us the boy Estrid. We know that he's here. We need to milk him for our ra-" she suggested, reaching her hand out to me.

"No." I bluntly rejected her. "I'm not gonna let a fragile child become a plaything for you guys"

"Then go return to the throne-"

{Rattle~ Rattle~}

"NO." I let my killing intent combine with my magical aura, rattling the area around me.

"The throne does not interest me that's why I left. I want to live my life freely, just as *he* did. Leave now. Or there will be a bloodbath!" I glare at her to give her a hint.

"Tsk, you're not giving us much of a choice here-" she scratched her head, showing that she's irritated.

She looks through my back and saw the kids eavesdropping. She's not thinking of-

"I don't know where you picked them but, you have some really cute kids Estrid!" she grins at me and at the kids, who were terrified of her.

"Tsk-" As much as I want to bash their faces in, I can't protect the kids alone. Even if I manage to fend off Bodil, the other Jotuns behind her will surely target the kids.

"How long do I have before the kingship event starts?"

Bodil paused for a moment to smirk before cheerfully replying- "When the Dragons mate again! 5 years! Return to us in five years!"

{CRACK! SNAP! BANG!}

Thunder and Lightning rapidly consecutively struck, lighting the skies and terrifying the lands with its roar. Unfortunately, I let out a defeated sigh. I have no choice but to negotiate-

"Fine. I'll return to Jotnar and be the Queen that will host the kingship event. In return, you will NOT touch these kids. If you break this promise I swear Bodil I will-"

"Well said! Now, we'll be waiting for you Estrid. I will keep my word, you know me. Just do not forget that in five years you will return as the Queen!"

The Jotuns left swiftly as soon as our negotiation ended. I watched them slowly vanished inside the mist created by the hard rainfall that ensued.

"Are you done eavesdropping now?" I glared at the kids that stumbled upon one another as they fall like consecutively like domino pieces.

"W-we're sorry-" They said in unison.

I pinched my brows in disappointment. This whole incident could've been avoided if they weren't found, but once again, it's not like I could've hid them against Bodil of all people. That sharp girl. I wonder how I became friends with her- no, I'm more curious as to how that sweet girl turned into this.

If a participant from the kingship wins, I will marry them as the Queen and declare him as the new king. The King will then have access to all Jotnar, the land filled only with Jotun women. But, the Queen has more authority than him...

"Hmmm."

I stared at the kids, fighting and blaming one another for being discovered, particularly the fat boy earlier. Fighting... fighting huh.

Looks like tomorrow's gonna be a busy day.