Mother of Midnight

Chapter 164 – Acrophobic

They traveled for a few hours more, the sheer size of the giant becoming increasingly evident with each league they crossed. Each step brought them closer to a being so immense that she seemed to redefine the very scale of existence.

The titan's form, reclined against the mountains like a god in repose, became more detailed as they approached. Her legs stretched across the earth, vast enough to create their own horizons. Snow collected along her limbs, looking like glaciers sculpted by time. Her torso rose so high that clouds brushed against her chest, and her hair spilled down like rivers of storm-cloud silver, faint sparks crackling through the strands.

“By the gods…” Kivvy muttered from the wagon, her voice shaking as she adjusted her goggles for what felt like the hundredth time. “She’s… she’s like a whole country that decided to lie down and nap.”

“Not just any nap,” Rava said, her voice steady and deliberate. “This is her domain. The storm flows from her. Waking her up will disrupt that balance.”

Kivvy threw her arms up in exasperation. “You could’ve mentioned that before we got here!”

Vivienne’s rich, melodic laughter rolled out as she padded forward, the wagon rattling faintly behind her. Hitched in her towering wolf form, her fur glittered with frost, and her molten eyes gleamed with mischief. “Sweetheart, if Rava told you every little danger, you’d never leave your workshop.”

“Not untrue,” Kivvy muttered, huddling deeper into her coat.

As they reached a plateau, the ground leveled out, offering a clearer view of the titan’s slumbering face. Her features were serene, framed by the immense cascade of her hair. Her lips, slightly parted, released deep, rumbling snores that shook the earth beneath their feet. The sound was almost hypnotic, like distant thunder rolling endlessly through the heavens.

“That’s her,” Rava said quietly, her tone softer than usual.

Liora climbed onto the wagon’s edge, her small fingers clutching the wooden frame as she peered out. Her eyes were wide, filled with awe and wonder. “She’s like… like a whole world. Does she dream?”

“You’d have to ask her that yourself.” Said Rava simply. She cleared her throat. “The fortress should be on the other side of her. We should be able to rest in it.”

They continued to travel for a few more hours, the clear skies above offering a reprieve from the earlier storm. The silence left in the tempest's wake felt almost unnatural, as if the world itself were holding its breath in the titan’s presence. Snow crunched beneath Vivienne’s padded paws as she pulled the wagon with ease, her tail swishing idly behind her. The group inside was unusually quiet, each lost in their own thoughts as the titan loomed far behind them.

The titan's sheer size forced them to give her a wide berth, her colossal form stretching out like a sleeping mountain range. Even from this distance, the occasional shift of her body sent tremors through the ground, subtle but enough to remind them of the enormity of the task ahead. The snore-like rumbles emanating from her sleeping form carried on the cold wind, faint but persistent, like the echo of a distant avalanche.

Renzia, seated near the back of the wagon, tilted her head at odd angles, her wooden fingers twitching idly as her disjointed voice broke the silence. “She sl-eeps so qu-iet-ly for one so large.”

Kivvy, clutching her coat tighter around herself, gave the mannequin a sharp look. “If that’s quiet, I don’t want to hear what loud sounds like.” She adjusted her goggles for the hundredth time, her fingers trembling slightly.

Rava, ever stoic, sat near the front, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon. “Loud isn’t the problem. We should be more concerned about her movements if she wakes suddenly. One misplaced hand could flatten everything within leagues.”

“Comforting, as always, Rava,” Kivvy muttered under her breath.

Vivienne let out a low, rumbling chuckle, her wolfish grin baring sharp teeth. “Sweetheart, if she wakes up grumpy, I’m sure you’ll be fine. Just stay small and scurry out of the way.”

“Very reassuring, Vivienne,” Kivvy shot back, her sarcasm only half-hearted as she nervously peeked over the wagon’s edge at the titan's distant form. “I’ll remember that while I’m being flattened”

Liora, perched near Rava’s side, looked up with wide eyes. “Will she be nice when we wake her?”

Rava hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line. “She’s not cruel, if that’s what you’re asking. But waking her won’t be pleasant. She doesn’t like being disturbed.”

“That’s because she’s lazy,” Vivienne quipped, her voice dripping with mischief. “I can respect that.”

As the day wore on, the group pushed forward, the clear skies and flat terrain making the journey surprisingly easy. The snow-covered landscape stretched endlessly around them, broken only by distant ridges and the occasional patch of jagged rocks. The wind had stilled, leaving the air unnaturally calm, as though the world itself dared not disturb the titan’s slumber.

Just before nightfall, their destination came into view. At first, it appeared as little more than a dark smudge against the white horizon, but as they drew closer, the details became clearer. The fortress wasn’t much of a fortress at all—more like a small, walled castle nestled against the base of a rocky outcrop.

Its stone walls were weathered by time and frost, the once-proud battlements now jagged and broken in places. Snow draped over the structure like a thick blanket, softening its edges and giving it a ghostly appearance. A single tower rose from within the walls, its peak capped with snow and ice, but still standing tall against the elements.

Kivvy squinted at the structure, adjusting her goggles again. “That’s it? That’s the fortress? I was expecting something… bigger.”

Vivienne let out a snort, a mischievous glint in her molten eyes. “What a size queen.”

Rava shot her a sharp look, though there was a faint twitch at the corner of her mouth. “It’s not here to impress anyone,” she said, her voice steady. “It’s functional, not decorative. The bell tower is all that matters.”

As they neared the gates, Vivienne slowed her pace, her massive wolf form leaving deep impressions in the snow. The wagon creaked softly behind her, its weight barely noticeable to her powerful frame. She glanced back at the group, her molten eyes gleaming with playful curiosity. “Well, are we going to stand here admiring it, or shall we knock?”

Rava ignored her jest, dismounting the wagon with practiced ease. “There won’t be anyone stationed. The gates should still open.”

Rava approached the weathered gates, their iron-bound wood scarred by years of exposure to the elements. She placed both hands on the cold surface and pushed, her muscles tensing. The gate didn’t budge, not even a creak to hint at movement. With a small huff, she shifted her stance and gave it a harder shove, her shoulders straining. Still, the gate remained unmoved, standing stubbornly against her efforts.

Stepping back, Rava frowned, her breath puffing in the chilly air. “This is going to be a problem.”

Behind her, Vivienne sauntered forward, her gait casual despite the weight of the wagon still hitched to her in her wolf form. She arched her back in a languid stretch before shifting into her humanoid form in a seamless blur of movement, letting the harness fall to the ground. “Want me to give you a lift over?” she offered with a teasing edge to her tone, her five black eyes gleaming with amusement.

Rava’s expression looked conflicted before she muttered something under her breath. “Fine.”

Vivienne clacked her claws together in delight, the sharp sound echoing like steel striking stone. “Very good!” she said, her voice carrying a strange mix of pride and amusement. Without hesitation, she shifted into her colossus form, her body expanding and morphing as crystalline and monstrous features overtook her humanoid frame. The walls of the fortress now barely reached her chest, and her shadow loomed over the courtyard like a storm cloud.

Lowering herself to one knee, Vivienne extended a massive, clawed hand toward Rava, whose arms were crossed and expression was set in a calm, if slightly annoyed, defiance. “Don’t drop me,” Rava said flatly, though there was a noticeable edge to her tone.

Vivienne chuckled, a low, resonant sound like grinding crystal. “Oh, darling, I wouldn’t dream of it.” Her claws moved with deliberate care as she scooped up the warrioress, her enormous fingers cradling Rava with surprising precision.

As Vivienne rose to her full height, Rava’s earlier composure began to falter. Her arms uncrossed, and her hands pressed instinctively against the claw beneath her, as though trying to stabilize herself. Her stoic demeanor cracked as she glanced down at the ground, now impossibly far below.

“Why is it so high?” Rava muttered under her breath, her usual sharp tongue momentarily silenced by the altitude.

Vivienne’s grin widened, her needle-like teeth gleaming. “Oh, sweetheart, you’re not afraid of heights, are you?” she teased, her tone dripping with playful mischief.

“Of course not,” Rava snapped, though her white-knuckled grip on Vivienne’s claw betrayed her words. “I just don’t like the idea of plummeting to my death, that’s all.”

“Lucky for you, I’m very good at holding on to precious things,” Vivienne purred. She shifted her grip ever so slightly, causing Rava to tighten her hold in response.

“Don’t you dare,” Rava hissed through gritted teeth.

Vivienne laughed, the sound echoing across the snowy expanse. “Oh, I wouldn’t drop you, Rava. But it’s delightful seeing you squirm.”

She was just beginning to rise when a small voice cut through the winter air.

“C-can you pick me up too?”

Vivienne’s five black eyes swiveled toward the source, and there was Liora, barefoot in the snow and shivering slightly, but her face was alight with innocent curiosity rather than fear. She gazed up at Vivienne’s towering form as though the colossus were the most natural thing in the world.

Vivienne’s thin lips curled into a grin—a sight that would send even the most warriors fleeing in terror—but the child stood her ground, entirely unbothered. It was a grin that revealed too many needle-like teeth, but Liora’s fearless request seemed to melt away any notion of menace.

“Of course, sweetheart,” Vivienne rumbled, her voice a layered melody of tones that resonated in the air like a distant choir.

She shifted her stance slightly, her colossal frame moving with a surprising grace as she reached out her other hand. This time, her claws were even gentler, moving with the utmost care as they encircled the small girl. Liora giggled as she was lifted from the snow, the cold entirely forgotten in the excitement of the moment.

With both of them cradled securely in her massive hands, Vivienne rose to her full height. The fortress seemed to shrink even further in comparison, and the icy wind swirled around her form as though bowing to her presence.

The warrioress clung tightly to one of Vivienne’s fingers, her wide eyes darting between her captor and the ground far below. Liora, by contrast, let out an excited laugh, stretching her arms as if to embrace the entire world from her newfound perch.

“This is amazing!” Liora exclaimed, her voice carrying a joy that seemed to warm the air despite the snow.

Vivienne let out a low, amused hum, her grin softening as she gazed at the child. “Hold on tight, little one. It’s a long way down.”

Vivienne took a single step toward the wall, her colossal frame casting a shadow that momentarily darkened the expanse beyond. The snow beneath her shifted and compressed with a sound like distant thunder, the weight of her form leaving deep impressions in the frozen ground. She leaned forward, her claws extending over the fortress wall like a great, curling bridge. With deliberate care, she lowered her hand until its back rested softly against the packed snow inside the courtyard.

“Here we are,” she rumbled, her voice a mixture of amusement and pride.

Rava wasted no time stepping onto the ground, her movements brisk but measured. She glanced back at Vivienne’s claw briefly, a flicker of unspoken relief in her otherwise stoic expression. Liora, on the other hand, took her time, hopping down with a giggle as though she’d just dismounted a playful ride.

Once her passengers were safely off, Vivienne straightened, her towering form retreating slightly from the wall. “See? No plummeting deaths today,” she teased.

Rava muttered something under her breath, but her faint sigh as she brushed snow off her clothes betrayed her relief. She turned her attention to the immediate surroundings, her sharp eyes scanning the fortress courtyard. The area was as lifeless as it had appeared from outside—a stark collection of snow-covered stone and wood, with time and the elements having done their work to erode any grandeur it may have once possessed.

“The gate is barred,” Rava called out, striding toward the heavy wooden doors that loomed at the far end of the courtyard. Her boots crunched through the snow as she approached, her hand brushing along the edge of the gate to confirm its condition.

Rava crouched by the gate, her gloved hands pressing against the massive wooden bar holding it shut. She braced her shoulders and pushed, the ancient timber groaning in protest before it lifted. With a heavy thud, the bar fell into the snow at her feet, sending up a small spray of powder. She shifted her grip to one of the iron bar holders and yanked the gate open, the creak of old hinges echoing into the frigid evening air.

As the gate swung wide, she froze.

On the other side, crouched so low her chin nearly brushed the ground, was Vivienne. Her massive frame, scaled and monstrous even in her humanoid form, filled the entrance. Five black eyes gleamed in the dim light, each fixed directly on Rava. Her grin, full of sharp teeth, was unnervingly wide.

"Hello there, Sweetheart," Vivienne purred, her voice soft but laced with mischievous amusement.

Rava stumbled back a step, muttering under her breath, “Gods above, Vivienne! You don’t have to do that every time.”

Vivienne tilted her head, her grin somehow growing wider. “I don’t have to, but it’s so much fun.” Her tail swished behind her, its blade gleaming with a faint sheen of frost. “And you should’ve seen your face, Darling. Priceless.”

Rava rolled her eyes and waved her off, muttering curses about monsters with no sense of personal space. Vivienne, still crouched, ducked her head to shuffle into the courtyard. Her shoulders barely cleared the top of the gate as she moved, her spines scraping audibly against the stone arch.

Once through, she straightened to her full, imposing height, her gaze sweeping over the enclosed space. A smile softened her features as her eyes landed on Liora, who was perched on a low stone wall near the center of the courtyard. The child had been watching the entire exchange with rapt attention, her feet swinging idly as though she hadn’t a care in the world.

“Vivienne!” Liora called, waving enthusiastically. “You’re so big!”

“And you’re so small!” Vivienne teased.

She shifted back to her prime form and reached out, ruffling the girl’s hair with surprising gentleness despite the claws. “We should get inside, little one. It’s so chilly your toes are turning red.”

Liora looked down at her feet, her face scrunching in confusion. She wiggled her little toes, peeking at their familiar gray hue. “N-no they aren’t. They’re still gray. I don’t feel cold.”

Vivienne’s smirk widened, her lips curling mischievously. “Perhaps not,” she said, tapping her sharp chin as if in deep thought. “But I made you look.”

Before Liora could protest, Vivienne scooped her up with practiced ease, settling the girl snugly on her hip. Despite Vivienne’s short stature, the movement felt natural, her strength effortlessly compensating for her size.

“How do you, um, change?” Liora asked, tilting her head curiously. Her little hands clung to Vivienne’s shoulder, her wide eyes sparkling with fascination. “You get all big, or have lots of heads and stuff. It’s kinda cool.”

Vivienne hummed thoughtfully, the sound low and melodic, a calming undertone in the crisp air. “Well,” she began, her grin curling mischievously, “it’s mostly instinctual. I just know how to do it. Like how you know how to eat or how to walk—it’s as natural as breathing.”

Liora giggled, burying her face against Vivienne’s shoulder to stifle her laughter. “That’s not the same! Walking and growing heads aren’t even close!” she protested, her voice muffled but full of playful indignation.

“Oh, really?” Vivienne teased, raising a sharp brow, her grin widening. “And you’re the expert on shapeshifting, are you? Perhaps I’ve been doing it all wrong. Maybe you can teach me a thing or two.”

Liora leaned back slightly, her small hands gripping Vivienne’s shoulders as she scrunched her face into an exaggerated look of mock seriousness. “I don’t think I can do that stuff,” she declared with a decisive shake of her head.

Vivienne tilted her head thoughtfully, her black eyes glinting as if she were solving a delightful puzzle. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that, little one. You’re more like me than you realize. You might be able to shapeshift, too. We’ll have to find out together.”

Liora’s wide eyes lit up with a mix of surprise and excitement. “Really? You think I could?”

“I do,” Vivienne said, her voice softening as she smiled warmly. “I don’t know what you can do yet, but you have a spark, Liora. We’ll uncover it in time.”

The little girl’s expression turned hopeful, her voice dropping to a timid whisper. “Will you help me?”

Vivienne’s grin softened into something gentler, her black lips curling with genuine affection. She shifted Liora slightly on her hip, resting her clawed hand lightly on the child’s back. “Of course I will. Whatever you need, sweetheart, I’ll be right there with you.”

Liora’s face broke into a beaming smile, and she threw her arms around Vivienne’s neck, holding her tightly. Vivienne chuckled, her long tail swishing lazily behind her as she stood there, savoring the tender moment.

“Thank you, Vivienne,” Liora murmured, her voice muffled against her shoulder.

“Anytime,” Vivienne replied, her voice soft and full of warmth. “Now, how about we head inside? There’s plenty more to talk about, and I don’t want you turning into a little snow sculpture out here.”

Liora giggled again as Vivienne adjusted her hold, carrying her toward the castle with a contented smile.