VII

Zero moved backwards, the soles of his shoes rubbing against the dry leaves, fear making his feet heavy. Aron just looked at the giant, then when their gazes met, he was stunned. Sweat started pouring down Zero's forehead, heart beating fast. He gripped the quiver tightly, hanging diagonally from his shoulders to his stomach.

"Aron, do something." Zero glanced back as the figure watched them intently.

"Calm down. Don't panic."

Eat those words by yourself, Aron. Because Zero was already shouting and running away from him. Aron struggled but his feet never followed the man. A green figure with sagging fat, little hair left, his eyes half open like a stoned person, only a dirty cloth covering his privates.

Aron stepped back while rising his sword as the figure approached. The teeth looked yellow, the gaps between other teeth were crusted, the shape was also large especially when the figure laughed, it looked like half of his face was teeth. His steps were heavy, Aron could feel the vibrations around him as one giant foot hit the ground. At about a third of the height of the surrounding trees, the sword was just like a splinter of wood to him.

"Wait." Aron raised a hand as if he could stop the figure from walking. "How about I find some food for you."

The figure laughed, it was funny that someone would offer him help while in front of him was a creature that could be eaten directly. Aron could feel his body stiffen and fill with sweat. Stop being stupid like Zero. The Butoijo's eyes moved wildly then finally looked at Aron, his head slightly bowed to give Aron a chance to speak.

"I can catch animal for you." Aron looked at the Butoijo warily, "You must have never eaten meat, right?" It felt like the question was a little offensive.

Aron had to speak loudly to be heard by the giant, "But you have to show us the way to Grissham."

The giant chuckled, what Aron said was the harsh reality he had been feeling all along. His body was too big to move, his footsteps too noisy. Any animal would immediately run away when it heard his footsteps or saw him. Or the offer Aron made was too ridiculous, he couldn't trust the young man that easily.

"If you don't succeed, you will have to surrender yourself as the hunted animal you promised."

"Aron, what are you doing?!" Zero who had been hiding in the bushes spontaneously stood up.

"Or you can give me your friend." 

Damn, Zero regretted coming out of the hiding place. He should have let Aron get eaten, but if that young man died he would have to return to Hudtown to find someone else.

"I want the golden horned deer, the meat must be delicious."

Aron could only nod although he didn't know if he could find it. He turned his head towards Zero to quickly move from there and come closer to him because Zero was the one with the arrows and bow, without that how could they leave this forest.

According to Butoijo, the golden-horned deer often stayed by the river. Behind Aron and Zero, the figure was still faithfully following them. Aron was annoyed that Butoijo's footsteps were noisy.

"Can't you wait here?" Zero seemed to dare to stare at Butoijo with a smug face, "We can catch the deer if you still following us."

"Just do it (lakukan saja pekerjaanmu)."

Aron tugged on Zero's shirt collar. He wanted Zero to stop provoking the creature and continue walking.

After a while, Aron felt the reflected sunlight disturbing his vision. He stopped Zero, then pointed towards the riverbank. From behind the bushes, a yellowish light infiltrated. Aron and Zero threw happy glances as if their hope for life had just returned.

"Hmghhh." The figure groaned as the two humans looked suspicious, both Aron and Zero looked back telling the Butoijo to be quiet.

They walked closer, one step two steps, not to make a sound. The deer was always looking around, one ear twitched as it turned its head towards Aron and Zero, the two young men suddenly became statues.

After the deer drank again, Aron asked for the bow and arrow that Zero had been carrying. The string tightened as Aron pulled it right next to the ear, where his eyes looked straight at the deer. The animal's fur looked soft, golden yellow in color, but only the antlers glistened in the sunlight. Its white neck extended all the way down to its belly. Its small feet were submerged, enjoying the freshness of the quietly flowing river.

Aron walked slowly, he only had one chance. He raised the bow when they were close enough. Behind him, Zero also looked tense. The thought of being eaten by a giant kept coming up. He didn't want to die now.

"Hurry up." Zero was furious that the young man had not released his arrow. "Come on." 

"Aron." He snapped after seeing the deer stop drinking and start walking away.

"Shut up," The two whispered together and tried to keep their heavy voices out of the animal's ears, "I have to--" The arrow flew through the air and missed next to their target, then hit the water.

Aron turned his head in annoyance as Zero's hand casually smacked him on the shoulder causing the aim wasn't on target. While Zero gaped, unable to believe what he was seeing---the deer ran away. Aron got even more annoyed when Zero didn't show any guilty.

"What we're going to do?" 

Aron sighed, Zero even came closer to him as if protection was on him. "We have to run before the giant realizes." Zero turned his head in shock, they had no other choice.

"B-but."

"We walk slowly forward, after a little distance we run, you understand."

Zero just nodded, as if he understood Aron's instructions. When they took a step, Zero broke into a sprint. Aron swore, Zero who was already some distance ahead. It gave Aron a chance to punch Zero in the face because it seemed like his fists were already full of annoyance.

As a result of waiting too long, the figure fell asleep in a sitting position, leaning against a tree. Aron briefly looked back, he felt it was safe, they were far enough away. He slowed his pace. Aron called Zero to stop. Both of them sighed heavily. What an old man.

"You idiot, I told you to--" Aron felt it was not the time to scold Zero. The vibrations around them were getting stronger and stronger.

Zero looked back and shouted. When Aron turned around his body was immediately grasped tightly making him unable to move. 

Aron had trouble breathing, moving his body was also difficult. The only thing he could control was his feet, which were getting farther and farther away from the ground. 

"Skinny boy, go if you don't want to be an extra meal."

"No fair, I'm skinny too!" shouted Aron.

One was 25 years old, one was 21 years old but their behavior made it clear that they weren't afraid of the danger that could take their lives. Next time, remind Aron and Zero that Butoijo wanted to eat meat. It didn't matter if it was tough or not.