In the ancient city of Nebothia, a legend whispered through the ages told of a mighty giant guardian named Elk. Placed by the supreme being to watch over the land.
Elk was a giant of extraordinary strength, standing over 7 feet tallβa colossus among the natives. His prowess was unmatched; he hunted wild beasts with his bare hands, feasting on their raw flesh.
Rumours have it that at night, he transforms into a bull-like creature with the appearance of a man and patrols the entire land, watching, guarding and defending the nation from even unseen forces.
No one has ever seen him like this before but the tale has been passed down from one generation to the next and it was talked about in hush whispers, making Elk, the giant, to be feared greatly.
Elk’s solitary nature led him to dwell in the hills and caves on the outskirts of Nebothia. The villagers rarely saw him, save for times of war. Unlike other cities with their grand armies, Nebothia had no standing force of great art or strength. They had only Elkβtheir one-man army.
When danger loomed, an alarm would sound, and Elk would be summoned from his rocky abode. But the task of fetching this unpredictable giant fell to one person alone: a young lad named Elon. For Elk’s temper was as mighty as his strength, and many a messenger had fallen victim to his rage before even reaching the battlefield. Elon, however, possessed a unique ability to calm the giant while delivering news of impending threats.
Each time Elk appeared, the natives rejoiced, for his presence assured victory. He always returned triumphant, a living legend among his people.
But as time flowed like an endless river, Elk vanished from the hills he called home. The only trace of his departure was a cryptic message etched into a tree:
“πΌ’π£π ππππ‘ π ππππ‘ πππ π¦ππ’ πππβ¦ βπ π€ππ’ππ πππβπ‘ ππ πππ€ ππππ π€βπππ πΌ π π‘πππππ”
The villagers, puzzled by the message’s origin and meaning, continued their daily lives unaware of the profound change about to unfold.
When war once again threatened Nebothia, Elon was dispatched to fetch their saviour. He raced to the hills, his heart pounding with urgency. Reaching the cave at the foot of the hills, Elon called out:
“Oh, great one! A nearby community who have not heard of your might is camping just by the seashore ready to attack us!”
Silence greeted his words. Undeterred, Elon tried again, his voice echoing off the cave walls. “Great Elk of Nebothia! Your city is on the verge of attack by some invaders who are ready to strike us at any time. You need to come down quickly and save us!”
“Are you talking to yourself?” A voice startled Elon from behind.
Spinning around, Elon found himself face to face with a Dublinβa watcher of the sky, suspended in mid-air by wings attached to his legs. The Dublin’s piercing gaze seemed to look through Elon as he repeated his question.
Confusion clouded Elon’s mind as the Dublin revealed a truth that would shatter his world: “Or rather, you were sent to get yourself to fight off the invaders!”
“I don’t understand you,” Elon protested, his mission to fetch Elk momentarily forgotten.
“What is there not to understand, dear son of Elk?”
The words hit Elon like a thunderbolt. “What did you just say? Me? The son of Elk?”
βYes. Canβt you see it, Elon? Elk is your father sent to watch over and save Nebothia. He has finished his race and is gone. Itβs your turn now to do the same.β
βWhat are you talking about?β Elon asked, entering into more confusion. If he was the son of Elk, how did that come to be? What was he doing in the village with others? Why was he not on the hill with his father?
As he asked these questions, realization dawned on him as the answers came. He has never felt normal, his body mass keeps increasing by the day and so is his appetite. He noticed he was also getting taller, even taller than most of the villagers.
βBut-β
βThere are no buts, canβt you see the handwriting on the wall, Elon? Your father has completed his race and has handed it over to you, youβre the next watcher and guardian of Nebothiaβ
βBut how come-β
βHow come you never knew right?β The Dublin asked, cutting him short.
βYeah,β Elon replied confused.
βThatβs because Elk, your father gave you up to the villagers at your birth. He wanted you to know everything about the people youβve been sent to guard. He wanted you to fall in love with them first and so you can care for them. He didnβt have that opportunity and most times, he was quite violent towards them but he didnβt want the same for you and so he allowed you to live with them,β He explained.
βSo great son of Elk, what are you going to do with this information? Will you continue to be an errand boy, one sent to go call a giant or one who will take up his place and identity as THE GIANT and fight?β
Elon was at a loss as he watched the Dublin, his mouth was open but no words came from it. The Dublin knew he had carried out his mission and so he left Elon with these parting words.
βAwaken the giant in you or watch him die from sleep!β
As the Dublin vanished into the sky, Elon remained rooted to the spot, grappling with his newfound identity. The weight of his destiny pressed upon him, demanding action.
So all along, he was a giant and he never knew, no one knew.
No one told him. π€πππ π ππππππ ππ’π π‘ πππ.
And what did the Dublin say again, βWhat was he going to do with that information?β
Elon roared, one that was heard even far beyond the land and stumped down the hill as his real identity sank into his consciousness. He ran towards the seashore where the invaders were camped. He felt himself running against the wind till he felt that he would burst.
He did burst, for a giant appeared β the same bull-like creature as his father -when he got to the camp of the invaders.
He was no longer the Elon that ran to go and call Elk. He is now the giant, the new watcher and guardian of Nebothia!
With bare hands, Elon decimated the enemy forces. The seashore ran red with the blood of the fallen, not a single invader left standing. As the battle fury subsided, Elon’s form shifted back, retaining his newfound size and strength.
Returning to the village, Elon was met with awe and wonder. The villagers marvelled at his transformation, their hands reaching out to touch his taut, hardened skin.
“I’m going to take my place on the hills now just like my father did,” Elon declared, turning to leave.
A voice from the crowd called out, “Who shall we send to call you when we need you?”
Elon paused, looking back at his people. “You don’t need to send anyone,” he answered. “I’m a watcher and a guardian and I can see from where I am. I’ll always know when you need me and I’ll come to you, and even if I don’t, you can send anyone to me.”
Cheers erupted as the villagers escorted their new protector to the outskirts of Nebothia. They watched as Elon ascended the hill, taking his rightful place as their guardian.
At last, Elk’s final message became clear:
“I’ve left a gift for you all, ππ¦ π ππ, he would fight on now from where I stopped.”
The legend of Elk lived on, not just in memory, but in the flesh and blood of his sonβElon, the new watcher and guardian of Nebothia.
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