|
Kiaman Forest was a rain forest in the midle of the continent.
|
|
Deep within that rain forest, a town of giants was hidden from the rest of the world.
|
|
It was the final match of the arena, to discern who was the strongest member of the tribe!
|
|
Heavy drumming marked the start of the match.
|
|
Two giants crossed their fists in salute.
|
|
Karok, the newcomer, and Akum, the reigning champion.
|
|
The battle was intense, and at the end, Karok stood triumphant.
|
|
Akum took off the tribe's belt, and handed it to Karok.
|
|
Beware of victory. It is short lived and goes quickly to your head.
|
|
Giants fight to test their strength. Victory is only a byproduct.
|
|
The strength of the giants is a tool to keep the world harmonious, not to win.
|
|
One day, a knight from the human city of Albern arrived in their forest. Her name was Anise. She was injured.
|
|
Karok was the one who led her into town and cared for her.
|
Anise
|
I need to return to Albern.
|
|
She mumbled the words through her injuries.
|
Karok
|
I will help you regain you strenght. For now, do not worry. Just rest, fellow.
|
|
Karok nurtured Anise and helped her recover.
|
|
Eventually, Anise regained her strenght. It was time for her to depart.
|
Anise
|
Karok... I need to ask you a favor.
|
|
He gathered the giants at her request.
|
Anise
|
Help me drive the Fomors out of Albern!
|
|
The giants shook their heads.
|
Akum
|
Our duty is to protect the balance of power. We cannot break the balance to help you.
|
|
Anise pleaded, her eyes filled with tears.
|
|
But the giants would not help her.
|
|
Even Karok could not decide between protecting the balance and helping Anise.
|
|
So Anise left the forest alone.
|
|
Karok reflected deeply on the incident.
|
|
What was the purpose of the balance of power? Was it worth the cost?
|
|
He knew what he had to do. He gathered the others and held up the belt of the tribe.
|
|
The one who held the belt had the right to make an important decision on behalf of the tribe at a pivotal time.
|
|
Over the roar of the crowd, Karok shouted.
|
Karok
|
I invoke the power of the belt! I have made a decision!
|
Karok
|
All of you... You will exile me!
|
|
And with that, it was done. No one could stop him.
|
|
Karok rushed toward Albern, toward Anise.
|
|
When he got there, he saw that the Fomors had taken the city.
|
|
A two-headed ogre with a giant hammer stood at the gates. Anise was sprawled on the ground, critically wounded.
|
Karok
|
I'M HERE, FELLOW! ANISE!
|
|
The ogre swung his hammer, and Karok lifted both hands to meet it.
|
|
The hammer broke in two, and Karok held the head of the hammer in his hands.
|
|
It was like a gigantic pillar, taller than Karok himself.
|
|
He used the pillar to strike the weaponless ogre, over and over.
|
|
When the Fomors saw the mangled mess that was left of the ogre's body, they fled from Albern.
|
Anise
|
Karok... You did it... You saved my city...
|
|
Those were the last words she ever spoke. Then, the reason he had forsaken his people was gone, just like that.
|
|
He had left his home for nothing.
|
|
Was this the trap Akum had warned him about?
|
|
Endless battle awaited him in the human world.
|
|
He looked at the sword Anise had left behind.
|
|
It was the mark of a knight who cherished honor.
|
|
Karok decided not to regret his choice.
|
|
He would watch to see what the balance of the world looked like from the eyes of human.
|
|