Chapter 11

As the giant closed in on Xender, his cries echoing through the forest, Ramad acted swiftly, conjuring a fiery ball and hurling it at the giant's massive black head. The flames erupted upon impact, drawing the creature's attention away from their trapped friend.

Meanwhile, Alicia wasted no time, swiftly transforming a nearby stick into a sturdy rope with a hook at one end. With precise aim, she swung the makeshift grappling hook and launched it towards a nearby tree, the hook catching on a sturdy branch. With expert agility, she began to ascend the rope, her movements swift and determined.

While Alicia worked to rescue Xender, Tahir and Ramad sprang into action, their hearts pounding with adrenaline as they lured the giant away from their friend. With every thunderous footfall, the ground trembled beneath them, the rumble reverberating through the dense forest.

As they dashed through the underbrush, branches whipping past them, Tahir's mind raced with urgency. They needed to keep the giant occupied long enough for Alicia to complete her daring rescue mission. With every step, they led the colossal creature further away, their determination unwavering despite the danger that loomed behind them.

As Alicia reached Xender's side, relief flooded her senses at the sight of him trapped within the wooden cage. His urgent plea for assistance spurred her into action, but she maintained a composed demeanor, issuing clear instructions.

"Wait for me to reach you," Alicia directed as she continued her ascent, her movements purposeful and deliberate. Before long, she joined him, maneuvering closer over a sturdy branch.

With determination, Alicia attempted to break a small branch off the tree and transform it into a knife. However, to her dismay, the branch stubbornly resisted her efforts, maintaining its original form despite her manipulation.

Confusion and frustration washed over Alicia as she stared at the unyielding branch. Xender's concerned inquiry only added to her sense of bewilderment.

"It's refusing to cut," she explained tersely, her voice tinged with frustration.

Xender, sensing her distress, moved closer to examine the situation. His brow furrowed in concern as he attempted to understand the dilemma they faced.

Xender's initial confusion gave way to a mix of incredulity and frustration as Alicia attempted to convey the bizarre nature of their predicament.

"What? What do you mean. Maybe you are not cutting harder," Xender suggested, his voice laced with uncertainty.

With a resigned sigh, Alicia presented the branch-turned-knife to Xender, hoping to illustrate the perplexing phenomenon they were facing. However, Xender's response revealed his struggle to comprehend the situation.

"What?! Were you using a tree branch to cut it?" he exclaimed, his disbelief evident in his tone.

Recognizing the need to demonstrate the issue firsthand, Alicia transformed the small branch back into a knife and handed it to Xender. As he accepted the makeshift tool, his determination to resolve the situation was palpable.

"You cut it," Alicia instructed, her voice steady despite the underlying frustration.

Xender wasted no time in attempting to sever the wooden cage's bindings. However, his efforts were met with the same resistance as before, prompting an exasperated reaction.

"What the hell," Xender muttered, his frustration mounting.

Alicia seized the opportunity to drive home the gravity of their situation. "Now you see?" she remarked, her tone tinged with a mix of resignation and urgency.

As realization dawned on Xender, he connected the dots, understanding the implications of their inability to manipulate objects as usual.

"So that explains why I couldn't teleport," Xender concluded, his tone reflecting a blend of comprehension and concern.

"Yeah, I was wondering why you didn't teleport as well," Alicia acknowledged, her concern evident in her voice. "I thought you were hurt or something, that's why?"

On the other hand, Tahir and Ramad found themselves still being pursued by the towering giant through the dense foliage of the forest. With each thunderous step reverberating through the air, their sense of urgency intensified.

"Do you know where we are going?!" Ramad's voice cut through the chaos, his tone tinged with frustration.

"How the hell can I? This is only my second day in this place, you know!" Tahir retorted, his breaths labored as they continued their frantic flight.

"Oh, right," Ramad responded, his realization tempered by the gravity of their situation.

"But I'm sure Alicia must have freed Xender by now," Ramad continued, his voice carrying a note of reassurance amidst the chaos.

"Are you sure?" Tahir's skepticism was palpable, his mind racing with the possibilities.

"Of course, it was just a wooden cage, unless it was constructed from the rare Lootrak tree wood," Ramad reasoned, his tone laced with confidence.

"What tree?" Tahir's curiosity momentarily eclipsed the imminent danger they faced.

"Wait," Ramad abruptly halted their flight, his senses alert to a sudden change in the atmosphere.

"What is it?" Tahir mirrored Ramad's stance, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger.

"The giant," Ramad's voice was hushed, his words laden with apprehension.

"It's not following us anymore," he added, a mixture of relief and disbelief coloring his tone.

"That's good. Right?" Tahir's voice held a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty that lingered in the air.

"Well, if it's not returning back to Xender and Alicia, it is," Ramad's words carried a weight of concern, his gaze flickering back in the direction they had come from.

"Oh boy, I think it is," Tahir's apprehension was palpable as they exchanged a worried glance.

With a shared understanding, the two companions changed their direction, retracing their steps with a renewed sense of urgency, determined to check on Xender and Alicia and ensure their safety.