As Elke had said, Blackstone was able to find Haze held in waiting for him. The Rapture covered tremendous amounts of land before stopping on the edge of Omani's borders. To the eye, there were no signs of conflict and battle yet.

Blackstone exited the vehicle. Haze followed.

"The Rapture is too loud," the horned warrior rumbled.

"I could get us closer via portal," Haze said as he began weaving his hands in summoning. Blackstone placed a gloved hand out; spikes on his knuckles, skull on his pauldron.

"No, portal travel is easily tracked. From here on, we travel on foot."

###

Omani was a lush, massive forest land that was known for its perpetual summer-like climates.

In the distance, Blackstone and Haze could see a blue dome of dancing light. This was the capital of Omani, the fortress of Cassia, the Spice Queen.

The fae looked with high cheekbones and teary eyes.

"I've served the queen faithfully for quite some time," Haze said. "This land has been the only home I have ever known."

His traveling companion was stoically silent.

"Be better," Haze continued talking. "It is the motto of my clan of fae. We strive to serve better, live better, be better. I find it a great reward," the fairy continued "Being of service, pledging myself to a greater cause, kneeling before her majesty."

Blackstone said only "Keep living. You'll find other rewards---” Suddenly, the armored man stopped. He shifted his stance swiftly and silently into an attack pose. His firearm "Trial" and his ax "Vengeance" slid into his hands.

"What is it--?"

"Silence," the warrior said in a hush.

The trees were still.

The sky was empty.

The wind was gentle and soft.

Haze leaned in towards the direction that Blackstone faced.

"But I don't hear anything"

"Because you do not shut up -- MOVE!" Just as the horned man grabbed the fae and dove away, a large stone was hurled where they stood.

A voice boomed from the forest. "I KNOW THAT SMELL--!"

The ground thudded with a rhythm that could only be steps - massive, powerful steps.

Blackstone took a step back. He exhaled loudly. "Of course," he said to himself.

What moved from the forest into the clearing was a large man who stood some twenty feet from his bulbous toes to his balding head. He was a terrifying mix of muscle and fat and his repugnant face was completed with a large nose, big ears and thick, furrowed eyebrows. His yellow, jagged teeth gnashed together.

Haze's eyes filled with fear. "Is that a---?!?"

"A forest giant," the warrior answered.

"There are no giants in Omani!" Haze said sternly.

Blackstone kept his gaze on the behemoth. "Tell him that."

"MY NAME IS CLOBAG SMASHROOT!" bellowed the mammoth man. "AND YOU HAVE GIANT BLOOD ON YOU!"

Haze's green eyes danced over to Blackstone. "Do you?"

"I have slain giants before. Once one slays giant...and there is blood - the scent, imperceptible to most, says on you."

The horned man stood up fully and raised his voice. "I have no quarrel with you, Smashroot! Let us not start one!"

Haze stepped into the middle of the de-escalation. "STATE YOUR BUSINESS IN THIS LAND, GIANT! I ORDER YOU!"

Blackstone sighed. "Unwise, fae."

Giants did not like being ordered especially by creatures smaller than they. And Haze was much, much smaller.

"LITTLE WINGS GIVING CLOBAG ORDERS? CLOBAG HEAR CALL, CALL MENTION RICHES, CLOBAG COME FOR RICHES!"

Haze's face furrowed in confusion. "Call?"

"...AND NOW CLOBAG COME FOR LITTLE WINGS' HEAD!"

The giant swung his club down and both men dove in opposite directions. The ground trembled from the impact.

Blackstone tensed in a crouched position before exploding into action. He wove between Clobag's repeated strikes. Despite being a giant, the being was fast and it was easy to see how he was not one to be taken lightly. However, the horned warrior was faster.

Vengeance tasted the back of the giant's legs. He roared out as the tendons that kept him standing sliced apart, sending him crashing to his knees. Blackstone stood before him with blood on his ax.

"Yield, giant," he said.

Haze watched in stilled awe.

Smashroot's answer was a scream as he raised his club. With no desire to continue the conflict, the horned man spun Trial and fired at the giant's head. Three shots, each impacting the other, blew out the back of Clobag's skull.

Blackstone stood still as the large man fell dead to the side of him. He holstered his weapons and walked past the traumatized fairy Haze.

"Let us go," the warrior grumbled.