Come what may

Chapter 2

I was surrounded by chaos. People were running for their lives and screaming at the top of their lungs, hoping it would cease the inevitable fate the world had offered us since 'they' arrived. For years we have been safe, residing in the mountains, away from the human eating giants that seem to lurk around every corner.

Refugees, from other villages, would come to seek a safe environment after their homes were destroyed. Trying to 'save humanity', we could not just send them away. We had taken in a large amount of people over the last few years and this had caused our own downfall. We did not have the numbers in soldiers to keep them them all safe.

Our cumulative smell had aroused 'them' and led them straight to our doorstep.

We were outnumbered and could not hold back the number of monsters making their way to the village.

The shrieks were ear piercing and the fact that I could not save everyone was worse. "Retreat!" "Save yourselves!", these were the commands yelled from superiors before they too joined the mass of already struck down soldiers. I had struck down 5 giants. 'I can't keep this up. I have to get to Major and out of here.' I started making my way towards the stables on the outer side of the village, running as fast my legs would carry me.

I am not one to run away from battle, but I know my limits and I follow two simple rules:

1. Don't put your life at risk trying to be a hero.

2. If you are in a position of losing your life, run. You can't help anyone if you're am dead.

Two simple rules.

Reaching the stables, I noticed some horses have already gone, probably some soldiers that have already fled and hopefully escaped unharmed. I ran to Major and saddled the horse as fast as I could, thanks to training, it wasn't hard and having to be prepared for anything, my saddle bag was already equipped with the needed accessories. I readied Major and we ran out of the stables, scarcely dodging a pair of hands reaching for me. The giants waisted no time destroying my home.

It has been six days. The only company I have had was my magnificent brown stallion, Major. He's not very talkative, but his personality surely makes up for it. He would grab my half eaten apple out of my hand when I wasn't paying attention and then when I scolded him for it he would just snort and walk away, or he would follow me without being led when I would walk on my own so that he wouldn't tire to quickly and then give me nudge in the back when I was walking to slow for his liking. We would sleep in abandoned houses as we passed through wrecked villages to keep safe. We mostly moved at night time, because we were taught that, that is when the giants are least active.

Two weeks after my home was destroyed, Major and I happened upon a massive wall, the sun was starting to rise and we neaded a place to hide for the day. The wall stood, probably, 50 meters tall, it was incredibly big, unlike anything I had ever seen.

"Wow, this would be great at keeping the giants out... If there weren't any holes."I whispered to Major as we slowly moved through the massive opening in the rock. 'The giants must have done this' I thought as we started making our way in search of another abandoned building to take refuge for the day.

We stumbled upon a farm building, once again, no other humans in sight. I walked into the barn with Major following behind. "This should make a nice hide out for today", Major, not really caring about what I have to say, just stood by the door. "You want an apple?" I asked rummaging through the saddle bag for one of the apples we had plucked from a tree the day before.

We were settling in to get some rest when there was an unsetteling noise outside. 'Giants' the only thing I know that makes that noise. Major was standing in a corner, not making a sound 'Smart horse' I thought as I crawled to the window to peak outside.

'Three giants' I counted three. One to the right, and two in front of me. 'I can do this, I can do this' I thought while preparing myself for what was to follow. My gaze shifted and I shrieked as something came crashing down on the roof. It wasn't untill I opened my eyes that I realised I had closed them. The smaller giant in front of me was nibbling on the legs of a man in a uniform. 'He must be one of the people who used to live in...', my thoughts were interrupted when a beast, I'm guessing 20meters tall, walked up to the two. "I said wait." the beast said squeezing the smaller giant until it's head popped. I had seen this one before on an expedition, I think he called himself Zeke, I might be wrong.

My thoughts had run away with me, until I heard the man screaming for mercy. I could not let him die like this. Not alone. I have been alone for two weeks, I know my rules, but this felt different. I had to stop this. I rushed out with my weapon in hand and took down the three giants. It was rather easy as they weren't even focused on me. One deep slice to the nape of the neck, that's what I was taught. The man was lying on the ground, crying, terrified.

I could only imagine his fear as I had felt like that numerous times.

"Hey, you're ok now." I whispered kneeling next to the weeping man. "You're ok." I slid my arms underneath his and pulled him towards the barracks.