Melody was able to find out from the old woman that she was born about three months, about two days after their return from their first cave visit. After practicing her stealth skills with her mother in the secret cave for some time, Melody was now five months old.

Within the first week and a half, she learned how to blend in like a rock. It took her a little over two weeks to learn how to blend in water. But after four weeks, she was still having trouble blending in with shadows. Her mother told her that it was difficult to hide from giants in shadows since they have dark vision, but she could use them for anything that doesn't have it.

"Human no have dark vision like giant. Must be able to hide in air. Shadow is like air, but dark. Learn to hide in shadow. Learn to hide in air easy."

Mom sure has some crazy hiding skills. But it is hard to hide in the air. Mom can make herself less perceptible, but you would know that something was there. Mom said that she was unable to master blending into the air while staying still. Hopefully, once we are out of here, we can truly master it together!

Melody now looked like a six-year-old and was much taller. How tall? She was unsure as she still did not have anything to compare to or have a handy giant measuring tape.

The abusive boy was now closer to looking like a young man around sixteen. There were times when he would show up to bully Melody, but with her new ability to blend in, she avoided him most of the time.

She would lean up against the wall away from the entrance and blend into the rock face. Melody had to stay away from the cave opening because one time when she was blending in near the entrance, the abusive boy punched the wall right next to her face. She was thankful she was able to keep quiet and still, or else he might have abused her worse.

"Mom. Where are the other female giants?" Melody asked.

I've been here for just over five months now, and the only females I have seen are mom and the old lady.

"They… They are in 'fun pit.'" Alui turned her face away, looking uncomfortable, "You no go there. Promise?" Alui grabbed Melody by the shoulders, "It bad place. You no go there. Males take you from mama." Her mother made Melody promise not to go to the 'fun pit' under any circumstance.

The way mom is panicking, I think the place is far opposite of the word 'fun.' I will just do what mom says.

Some heavy steps could be heard approaching.

"Rul coming. Sit and face corner!" Her mother ordered.

Melody moved over to one of the corners and did what her mother asked.

"Alui." The giant entered. "Come. Make boy for Rul."

"Yes, Rul."

Melody listened as her mother stood and followed him out of their room.

I need to get stronger. So that I can take mom with me and get out of here.

After they were gone, Melody began doing basic push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and lifting some rocks in their room.

Back in her old world, she did a good number of exercises to try to strengthen her weak body. Sadly, because of the curse, she could never truly build up her strength. Now that she was a giant, she could feel results.

I wonder if it is this easy to get strong as a human, or is it a giant thing.

After an hour, her mother came back, looking worse for wear with a few bruises.

"Mom!" She helped her mother down onto her bedding.

"Melody. Please go see Elder. Ask for pain drink." Alui winced as she laid down on her furs.

Pain drink? Maybe a pain reliever? She confirmed her mother's request and headed out into the cave system.

Melody had not seen the entirety of the cave system yet. She had been as deep as Elder's cave and as far as the exit. Melody had seen that path to Rul's cave was between Alui and Elder's locations. Alui never took her back toward Rul's cave, afraid of what the giant would do to Melody. The singular path toward the exit would arrive at the large open cavern where the male giants often challenge each other for power. There were a few alcoves in the large cave that some giants would use as their place to sleep. The higher-ranking giants would have their own caves that were on the path to the exit. Alui and Melody would often get stopped on the way for the males to ogle Alui. They were careful not to touch her after the last giant, who almost got beaten to death by Rul.

Melody kept her ears open as she crept further back into the cave system. She tensed as she heard some steps coming her way from deeper within. Stopping, she pressed her body up against the wall and blended into it.

The abusive boy came walking down the hall with his two cronies.

Sheesh, he is getting big. I really need to be careful he won't find me. Melody did everything she could to keep herself from trembling or breathing too loud.

"Olg. You go to 'fun pit'?" One crony asked.

"Did. It lotta fun. When you bigger. You go too." Olg replied with a sickening smugness.

"You see Meldy? She look like Alui." The other crony commented.

"Yes. Meldy is mine. No-touch!" Olg shoved the smaller boy into the wall next to Melody, barely missing her.

"You touch Meldy. I kill you!" Olg shouted.

Ew, ewewewewewewewewewewew. I want NOTHING to do with this person. Why are they calling me Meldy? It's not that hard to make a 'lo' sound!

The boy group continued down the cave hall without noticing her. She unblended with the wall and continued down the dark path, trembling with goosebumps up and down her arms.

Melody arrived at the Elder's cave and went inside. "Elder?"

"Hmm? What want? Why here?" The old woman rattled off her questions, seemingly ready to shoo her away.

"Mom wants a drink for pain." Melody approached Elder at her work slab.

"Why she need?" The Elder pulled some herbs and began grinding them down.

"Rul." That is all she said, and the old woman seemed to understand.

"What is that?" Melody asked, looking at the herbs.

"Hmm? Loca grass. Help with pain."

"Loca grass?" She took a closer look at it, turning off her dark vision to use the light of the fire to see its' color.

It was a blue-green grass with a reddish tip. Melody narrowed her eyes to try and make out more details.

Whoa. WHOA! What is going on!? Melody was taken aback as information flowed into her mind.

Loca Grass: Grows in shady areas of forests. Requires a temperate climate. Grass can relieve pain if chewed, boiled, or added to water as a powder. The red tip contains a poison that can cause paralysis and damage internal organs if taken to too large of quantities.

Melody was shocked at the information that just played in her head. Did… Did I just identify it? Wait!

"Elder! The red tip is bad!" Melody touched her arm.

"What you mean red tip bad?" She asked gruffly.

"The red tip can cause paralysis if too much is consumed." Melody explained.

"Good for pain, though." Elder replied, not seeing the problem.

"No! Remove the tip and grind the rest. It will still relieve pain." Melody tried again.

The old woman thought for a moment and handed Melody some of the grass. "You do."

Melody was surprised that the Elder asked her to prepare it, but a smile crept onto Melody's face, and she began pulling the rep tips off. Elder handed her a stone bowl and pestle. It was very primitive, but it got the job done. Melody ground up the main parts of the grass into a fine powder. The old woman brought some clean water over, and Melody added bit by bit until it was an even mixture.

"Good. We take to Alui." The old woman poured the mixture into a wooden barrel that looked like a cup in a giant's hand, and the pair headed back to Alui's cave.

As they were heading down the hall, Olg and his crew came walking their way.

Oh no! If he finds me, Elder probably won't be able to help me! Why do I keep seeing this evil jerk?!

The Elder sneakily pulled Melody close to her and covered her with the long robe that Elder wore.

"Old girl. You see Meldy?" Olg rudely asked.

"Do you see Meldy?" The old woman asked in reply.

Olg looked around her, not seeing Melody, especially since she blended in with the Elder's robe. Melody was thankful she learned up to water blending because it made it possible for her to blend in with the robe.

"Hmph. Where girl?!" He demanded to know.

"You no see Meldy. Why I know where Meldy is?" The Elder replied.

Olg grumbled to himself and left with his cronies.

The Elder spoke quietly to Melody, "Stay hide. Move with Elder." The Elder moved on with Melody following along, hidden beneath her cloak.

"Alui. Drink." The Elder helped Alui drink the medicine.

Alui finished drinking the medicine and began to visibly relax. "Strange. Pain drink work better. Less bitter."

"Melody make. I watch. Melody smart. Me push for her become new potion maker." The old woman stated.

Alui looked back and forth between Melody and the old woman. In the end, she gave a warm teary smile and hugged Melody.

Huh? What does that mean? Me a potion maker?

"I go beg Rul. I return." The old woman stood and left their cave.

"Mom. What does she mean about me being a potion maker?"

Her mother was still hugging her.

"It mean... you no go to 'fun pit.' You have great value untouched."

That 'fun pit' thing again… The more I hear the place's name, the more terrified I am about what it is… Melody was beginning to put together what the place may be. She hoped she would be wrong.

"Males no touch potion maker. Elder very old. No new potion maker. You become potion maker. You live better than mama."

Untouched? So I won't be abused? Not that I have any plans for us to stay here. If it keeps me safe until I can escape with mom, hopefully, I can convince Elder too…

The Elder was able to get permission for Melody to become her apprentice to Alui's relief. Rul called all the giants to the main cavern.

"Listen! Elder old. Need new potion maker. Elder beg for Meldy. I approve. So no touch Meldy. That rules." He said finality.

Melody noticed Olg's face screwed up in furious anger at her and Elder.

Melody thought to make a face, but the words of the Elder ran through her head, "Men not like seen as fools. Men kill you." She decided it would be better to let sleeping dogs lie.

"Also. New toy in 'fun pit.' Enjoy. Last. Raid happen in four months. Bloodening for young happen then." Rul finished.

Bloodening? Raid? Melody did not like the sound of it.

"Come, Meldy. We need plant." The Elder smacked her back in a way that made a loud noise, didn't really hurt, but caused Melody to flinch. The male giants looked on in amusement before going about their business.

Oh. I see, make them think she is mistreating me, so they won't believe they need to put me in my' place'. Sheesh, where are those extremist feminists when you need them? Not that it would matter since these guys are giants and would probably eat them. Melody pretended to meekly follow Elder out of the clan cave outside.

"Elder? Plant hunt?" A bored-looking giant on watch asked.

"Yes. Need for pain drink and heal paste." Elder replied.

"Hmph. Bring drunk shroom instead." He replied.

"If find. I get. This new potion maker. I send on own in future." She informed him.

"Hmph. Alui's weak girl. Fine. Go." The bored giant returned to his half-asleep watch.

Elder led Melody away from the cave into the forest. After several minutes she stopped at a moss-covered tree.

"Hmm. Here is good, Melody. Search for Loca grass. It grows near mossy trees like this."

Melody was taken aback by the Elder's speech pattern change. It was not perfect, but it was considerably more refined.

"Elder. You are speaking far better than before?"

The Elder laughed. "Out here, I can be myself. Nice to have someone to talk to instead of a big dumb giant." She smiled widely.

What. The. Heck!? This is a huge difference! "So it is all an act?" Melody asked.

"Need to act. Like I told you before. Male giants are dumb. Only think of strength of body, not value strength of mind. Human males much better. Very smart, especially well-dressed ones." Elder motioned for Melody to look around while she did too.

"You met humans?" Melody asked.

"Yes. Many years ago. It was a human child, noble he called himself. He was very smart. I get to speak with him for some time before I help him leave the forest. He was lost. I think his name was Mai-ka-hell Broom-dal. Ah, that is the grass, tear near base, do… You know how to pick them?" Elder asked as she watched Melody skillfully clip the blades of grass a little over halfway down so it could regrow.

Melody quickly thought of an excuse, "I remember the grass in your cave had no roots, so I thought this was right."

"Hmm. Good eyes like your mother." Elder nodded in approval.

They picked some more of the grass and added it to the fur pouch the Elder had.

"That should be enough. We need to find purple moss. It grows under wet rocks. This way."

They walked through the forest, and Elder pointed out various things on which Melody used her identify skill.

Three Horn: Animal, Deer. Danger Level: Low.

Nina Flower: A red flower that is poisonous. It can be distilled into an anti-inflammatory.

Burgan Moss: A green moss that grows on trees. Harmless. Very bitter. Good source of nutrients.

They continued until they reached a small stream.

"Get down!" Elder pushed Melody down.

"Look there." Elder pointed on the other side of the stream.

Melody looked in the direction Elder was pointing. Across the stream was a giant white lizard that looked to be sleeping.

What is that? A giant lizard? Identify!

Adult Falda Lizard: Monster. Danger Level: High.

Why can I get better details on plants but not creatures? Maybe because I studied more about plants in my past life? I learned some about animals and how to tell which ones were dangerous and were not.

"Dangerous. Very poisonous. Sharp claws and fangs." Elder explained as she picked up a small rock and put it in between her thumb and middle fingertips like she would flick it.

Carefully aiming, Elder launches the stone off into the distance. A dull 'thunk' could be heard in the far distance. The Falda Lizard's eyes shot open, and it turned its head toward the sound. Hissing, it rose up and stalked off toward the sound.

Whoa! Elder, you are so cool! Melody was amazed at the old woman's skills.

"Melody. Take this picker stick and bag. Go over to where lizard laid. Should be blue-colored mushrooms. Pick with stick and put in the bag, do not touch yourself. Dangerous." The old woman explained.

Melody nodded and quietly hopped over the stream after taking the items.

This picker stick is like a set of tongs. Melody thought as she quietly approached the area.

Sure enough, when she arrived at where the lizard was lying down, several blue-colored mushrooms were there.

Thunk. Melody looked back and saw Elder had launched another distracting rock to keep the lizard busy. She quickly began picking mushrooms with the wooden tongs and stuffed them into the bag.

Melody saw a small rock land near her after she half-filled the bag, and she looked to see Elder signaling her to come back.

Once they were reunited, Elder and Melody moved away from the area, heading downstream.

"Good job, Melody. Show me." Melody opened the bag showing she picked several.

"Good. I say you get them. Make dumb men happy. They will be less likely to mess with you if know you can get their favorite." Elder smiled, and they continued moving downstream, away from where the lizard was.

Melody was beginning to really like the old woman and decided to forgive her for tossing her. She looked down at the mushrooms and identified them.

Whirly Shroom: Minor Poisonous Mushroom. Non-Lethal below modest amounts. Hallucinogenic that causes symptoms similar to drunkenness. Handle with care.

After searching for about thirty minutes, Elder brought them to a stop and pointed out a location by the edge of the stream.

"Here, check bottom of these rocks. Shaded, wet, good area for purple moss." Elder explained.

The two began lifting various rocks looking for it. After flipping eight of the stones, Melody found some wet, purple moss clinging to the bottom of the ninth.

Rola Moss: Grows in shady wet locations. If ground and turned into a paste, it could be used as a healing poultice. Boosts immune system to combat disease.

"Elder. I found it!" Melody reported happily to the old woman.

The Elder came over and checked. "Good. Well done. Harvest most of it, leave some, so it grows again. Use this bag." Elder continued checking under the rocks around where Melody found it, finding a few more stones with the moss growing on them.

They filled the bag, making sure to leave enough on each rock so the moss could regrow a bunch.

"Okay. We have enough now. Let's return before sun goes down too far."

Melody was not too happy to return to such a horrible place but followed along.

"Hmm? Elder back? You find drunk shroom?" The giant from earlier was still at the entrance.

"Me? No. Meldy find. Find many." Elder half-lied.

The giant looked down at Melody and gave a demeaning smile.

"Good. You make good potion maker." Melody felt uncomfortable under his gaze, and he motioned them to go in.

Melody turned her dark vision on as they went in and saw Rul in the main cavern along with the abusive boy Olg.

Are they arguing about something? Melody thought, sensing the tenseness in the air.

"She mine!" Olg shouted, only to get a backhand to the face that knocked him down.

"She new potion maker. End of this. No bring up again." Rul growled at Olg.

Melody was sure at that point that they were talking about her.

"Hmm? Elder. Meldy worth?" Rul asked her coldly.

"Yes. Meldy good. Find many drunk shrooms." She replied.

"Show." He ordered Melody.

Melody walked up hesitantly, not wanting to be a victim of the backhand she just saw and opened the bag she had hanging over her shoulder.

"Good. I make good choice. Olg. See? Meldy better potion maker than be Olg's." Rul waved them off while a very angry Olg watched them leave.

The old woman and Melody were back in Elder's cave. The elder was showing her how to prepare something new.

"Now. Add little water. Grind. Little more. Grind. Hmm. Good, this healing paste." Elder watched over Melody as she prepared the Rola Moss. Elder pulled out a small, clean leather sheet and wrapped the paste with it.

"This keep fresh. Keep leather clean."

While they were in the clan cave, the Elder stuck with speaking in a broken way to hide her intelligence for her own safety. "You do same as me. Help keep Melody safe." The old woman had advised her earlier.

Melody thanked the elder for showing her how to prepare the Rola Moss and continued making more of the healing paste. They worked together for some time and made multiple poultices.

"Good. This good today. You go sleep. I sleep now. Tired."

Melody did think the old woman looked tired, so she thanked Elder for her instruction and left her to her rest.

Melody walked down the hall, staying close to the wall. A couple large giants walked by, but they paid her no mind. That was until the abusive boy, and his couple of cronies appeared.

Oh no! Stupid! I was stupid! I should have blended! I should have been more cautious!

The two cronies quickly had her by the arms, she tried to struggle free, but Olg hit her in the gut.

"You think you escape me? No. You mine." He was pulling her hair to have her look at him.

He smiled wickedly. "Let me show. You be there soon." He motioned to his cronies, and they dragged her off with them. She continued to try to struggle free, but the cronies were bigger and stronger.

Where are they taking me!? Melody was terrified.

As they walked by Elder's room, Melody tried to call out for help, but Olg punched her in the gut again, knocking the wind out of her. They continued down the hall quickly.

Melody had not been this deep into the cave system. She would often see the male giants coming and going to the area, which she felt might have been the one location she did not want to go to.

Further back in the hall, a horrible stench hit her like a semi-truck. UGH! What is that smell?! That is horrible! I know giants are mostly unwashed, but this is bad! Oh god, I am going to vomit… Melody dry heaved at the stench, trying her best not to vomit.

"We here. You come here. Once Olg clan leader." Olg said, yanking her head up by her hair.

Melody's blood ran cold as she looked into the room.

"This 'fun pit'!"

There were four female giants strapped down onto what looked like primitive birthing tables. One of them looked to be showing signs of pregnancy while the others did not. They were completely naked, covered in bruises and bite marks.

No, nononononononononono… This is evil! This is wrong! Someone, please help me! Nova! Please stop this from happening! Melody's mind raced as she tried futilely to escape. She wanted nothing more than to run, to leave everything behind and run for her life.

Olg sneered cruelly as he reached his hand out to grab her inappropriately.

NOOO! Melody cringed away, closing her eyes, but didn't feel anything beyond her arms being held.

"Why touch potion maker?" A deep male voice asked.

Melody opened her eyes and saw Olg's arm being held by a giant hand. She followed the arm up to see the giant who was on watch at the clan cave entrance earlier.

"But she mine!" Olg argued.

"Rul's order. No touch potion maker. She good potion maker. Bring many drunk shrooms. Me not tell Rul. You no do again. Let potion maker go." The giant said with a dangerous glint in his eyes.

The cronies let her go, and the large giant told her to beat it. Melody left the place shaking controllably, a dark aura about her, Olg looking at her with a cruel, triumphant smirk on his face.

Alui noticed the darkness in her daughter's mood and had her sleep with her in her warm embrace. Melody ended up quietly crying and shaking through the night, her desire to escape a millionfold.

The following day, Elder was furious over Olg's actions and had Alui mention that Melody was acting strange last night to Rul when he bedded her. Rul was not smart, but he was suspicious and untrusting of others. So he asked around, starting with Elder, who only complimented Melody, saying she was doing well as a potion maker, which led him to question some adult giants. He eventually tracked it down to Olg and his crew. He savagely beat them, telling them that his orders were absolute and if they defied him again, he would kill them.

Olg and his cronies kept their distance for a couple of weeks that passed, but they would always glare at her. She would act like she knew nothing, pretending to be terrified of them to make them think it was not her that off-handedly ratted them out.

Melody was on her way out with her mother to head to the hidden cave to practice her blending. The elder accompanied them for a short bit before she headed off to search for more plants. It was Melody's surprise to find out that Elder taught her mother her survival skills. "I taught your mother blending skills and quiet steps. I hoped she escaped this hell. But she did not master air blending and was caught." Elder said before heading off in her own direction.

Inside the hidden cave, Melody tried to blend into a shadow in the corner but was still having trouble.

"Melody. Must become one with dark. Dark is empty and deep." Her mother instructed.

Dark and deep… Melody began remembering the 'fun pit,' how it made her feel, the darkness surrounded her heart and-.

"MELODY!" Her mother grabbed her, pulling her out of the shadow.

"M-Mom?"

"Don't Melody! You sink into dark!"

Sink into the dark?

"Melody successful in blending. But began sinking into dark. How do that? What do?" Alui asked in a panic.

Melody explained what she had been thinking about.

"I see. Dangerous. Alui not know what sinking in dark do. Look dangerous. But, Melody success in blending. Try again. But no sinking." Her mother set her back down.

Okay, I think I understand how to blend in shadows now. Just have to be careful not to let my negative emotions consume me… Melody thought.

Within seconds, Melody perfectly blended into the shadow to the praise of her mother.

"Now, last is blend in air. Mother not succeed but hope Melody succeed. For air. Air is empty like dark. But flow like water."

Oh. I see why the learning path is like it is. Melody stood still for a bit, taking on the empty feeling of darkness. She began to sway back and forth lightly. It took nearly an hour, but her presence weakened until it was to the point that if someone was walking by, they might not notice her.

"Good job, Melody. But we must return. No time left." Her mother began crawling toward the exit. Melody looked up and saw that the sky was starting to turn orange.

I feel like I can make it better… Something about it doesn't feel right. I'll try again later.

The time they spent in the small cave was never just training. They also spent time together playing like a real mother and daughter, or Melody would help her mother improve her speech. Sadly this day was not one of them. Melody valued the time she had there with her mother away from the clan cave as it was the time where her mother seemed brightest. She felt that giants would be better in the light than stuck inside a damp cave, which is what she planned to do once Melody thought she was ready to take her mother, and hopefully Elder, and leave that nightmarish place.