Haagut inspected the archway. It wasn’t nearly big enough for a huge sized giant to be able to pass through easily if at all. He put a hand over his chin, surprised at the white stubble there. He shifted and scratched at the hair under his hat.

“There’s no way a giant could get through there,” He said finally. “So how did it get in there?”

“Maybe it was born in there or something?” Shaynen looked up from the map.

“Maybe. But at least we know it can’t get us in here.” Haagut turned and left the archway to the middle of the room with the rest of the party.

“I would much rather face the skulls,” Odelia said.

“There isn’t an exit that way,” Shaynen said. Biting back the frustration.

“Well there could be a secret door or unmapped area.” Haagut pointed out.

“Give me that map,”Odelia held out her hand and took the map from Shaynen.

“I made notes so we know where everything is,” Shaynen pointed at the map as Odelia looked it over. She nodded approvingly and traced over the paths.

“Ah, so giant or psychic slime?” Odelia said.

“I have more confidence with the giant,” Shaynen said as Odelia handed him back the map. “I don’t like the face ooze. It’s weird, it’s gross, and I really don’t like it.”

“Yeahhh,” Odelia squinted at the two archways.

“I know for a fact that rock crumbles,” Shaynen said.

“Yeah, pick your poison and all that.” Cleatus said. Haagut slipped against the wall and looked at the stone giant.

“Oh, it’s actually made of stone…” Haagut said surprised.

“Like a… a golem?” OIdelia asked. “A golem but a giant… it’s probably held together by magic right?”

“It’s likely,” Shaynen shrugged. “Flaming skulls too.”

“Ooh!” Haagut snapped his fingers. “I could… hmm, there’s something… maybe... “ Haagut hunkered down and pulled down the skin over his cheeks and chin thoughtfully. He kept hmm-ing and ha-ing over and over while pulling and scratching his skin for several minutes.

“You got us on the edge of our seats, guy!” Shaynen said expectantly.

“I could… maybe. Turn off the magic?” Haagut said slowly.

“Yeah! That’s what I’m saying!” Odelia interrupted. “If they are magic then let’s stop what’s making them magic!”

“I have.. Uh. What’s the word.. De..” Haagut struggled.

“Counterspell?” Odelia asked.

“No.. destroy?” Haagut tried. Rearranging his mouth in different ways to try and find the right word. “Disturb… Dis. Spell! Dispel!” He jumped excitedly.

“You know how to do that?” Odelia asked, impressed.

“Yeh,” Haagut grunted.

“Huh,” Odelia leaned back with a small glint of respect in her eyes. It quickly changed to suspicion. “Wait where the fuck did you learn that?” Haagut shrugged,

“Where do you learn your magic?” He asked.

“I learned it at an academy,” Odelia said. “For magic.”

“Oh,” Haagut said. “I didn’t.” He shifted awkwardly and started and stopped speaking multiple times.

“I’ve. I’ve got this friend,” Haagut moved his hands to his hat and adjusted it. Stumbling over his words. “He teaches me stuff… sort of.” Odelia nodded slowly, unconvinced. She shook her head with a promise of digging further into that later. She moved back to the arch and watched the stone giant move around the room idly. Wracking the knowledge she had and a few leaps of logic to gauge the magic holding the giant together. The more she contemplated, the less sure she was that the creature was even magic to begin with. Haagut snuck up beside her.

“Okay, back up.” Haagut whispered.

“Why?” Odeelia snapped back, Haagut flinched for a second.

“In case it comes at us,” He said quietly.

“It can’t fit through the doorway,” Odelia scoffed. “What’re you gonna do?”

“It could still reach us if it wanted it badly enough,” Haagut said.

“Valid,” Odelia nodded. Haagut stared at her expectantly.

“All right, magic girl.” Haagut said awkwardly while pushing Odelia lightly.

“Don’t call me that,” She said blankly, smacking his hand away. She took a wide step back. Haagut took a deep breath and held out his hands. He could feel the hum of magic throughout the cave like a thousand strands of a spider’s web. He focused on the one surrounding the stone giant and tried to sever it. But his spell failed and the hum of magic dropped away unceremoniously.

“Uh, well that didn’t work.” He frowned. Odelia shrugged, stepping back up beside him.

“You could always try again,” She said.

“N-no. I can’t.” Haagut said, lowering his hands. “I only got one more of those in me and it’s the same kinda thing as healing.”

“Well then. Should we go in?” Odelia started rolling her shoulders and limbering up for a fight.

“I’m out of ideas,” Haagut shrugged. Odelia cracked her knuckles and her eyes suddenly lit up.

“I can do something,” Odelia grinned. “I can do something but it will definitely know we’re here.” Shaynen turned to say something to Cleatus only to notice him missing.

“Okay, You guys ready?” Odelia grinned as she held out her hands.

“No wait, Cleatus is gone.” Shaynen leapt forward and grabbed one of Odelia’s hands.

“What? No!” Odelia yanked her arm free from Shaynen roughly. “God Dammit Cleatus!” Even whispering her voice was loud.

Cleatus slipped through the gravel of the large room. The stone giant looked around the room, then turned and continued his slow pacing. Cleatus easily slid up against the other side of the room to the three doors. The first in the northern corner was stuck tight and locked. The second; on the eastern wall was trapped with a pressure plate on the ground holding it shut and a giant boulder over top of the door. Set to crush whoever opens it. The third door was stuck but not locked. An experimental push told Cleatus a good shove could open it.

As Cleatus turned back he noticed between the smell of the damp cave rock and stale humid air was the unmistakable stench of rotting meat. At the southern end of the room, near the giant, was the fresh carcass of a large bear.