Whispers of silver and gold drift through the night, luring an unlikely crew into the biggest heist of the age — one promising wealth beyond measure. A cunning thief, two foreign mercenaries, and a pair of alchemists form a fragile alliance, bound by greed, necessity, and secrets best left unspoken. Their prize lies within the castle of a giantess, a warden of the state whose hoarded treasures are as vast as her power. But trust is a luxury none of them can afford, and as the shadows close in, the true cost of their prize may be more than any of them are willing to pay. After all, some debts demand more than gold — and payment is long overdue.

Prologue - Plans and Profits

Word Count: 2488

Added: 03/16/2025

Updated: 04/05/2025

Age 18-24 Age 25-34 Fantasy Adventure

Heather stood in the doorway, staring at Esther. Her younger sister lay with her head nestled in her arms, calm and still. One might’ve thought her dead if not for the faint rise and fall of her breathing, lost in a deep sleep. Heather’s gaze drifted over the tangle of limbs and onyx-black hair, then caught on the dull-silver lustre pressed tightly against Esther’s chest. Their mother’s urn, silent and unyielding, seemed heavier than ever in her sister’s grasp.

Heather’s eyes fell on the note resting on the bedside table. Her chest tightened at the sight of it, guilt coiling like a knot in her stomach. She hated herself for leaving like this, for slipping away while her sister slept, miserably unaware. But it was better this way. Sleep was one of the few places where Esther wasn’t haunted by sorrow and stress. Waking her would only make things harder. If things worked out they’d see each other again in a fortnight.

If things worked out.

Heather slung her pack over her shoulder and started to leave. She paused, her hand drifting to her side. Beneath her coat, her fingers brushed the outline of a squat, square bottle tucked into her jerkin’s pocket. The embossed lettering pressed faintly against the fabric: CHLORODYNE. Her fingers trembled at the touch, then she balled them into a fist, knuckles turning ivory-white.

Their mother had sold everything for the ‘medicine.’ A panacea promised by backstreet pharmacists claiming it would take away her pain. They lied.

It was nothing more than a highly addictive drug. A poison disguised as hope. She sold all she had, then started selling the things that had once belonged to Heather and Esther. Their childhood, their memories, their livelihoods — everything was gone. And when the money ran out, so did the ‘medicine.’ It gutted their mother. Her body convulsed with withdrawal. Each day another unbearable wave of agony. Heather could do nothing as she watched her mother wither away, a shadow of the woman she used to be, and the emptiness grew inside her like a wound that never closed.

She bit her lip, fighting back the lump in her throat as grief surged through her, a wave that threatened to drown her. She brushed the wet from her eyes, ran her fingers through her dark hair, and steadied herself. The emotions faded, leaving only a cold resolve in their wake. She stepped out of the creaky house, knowing she’d either return successful — or not at all.

Clay-coloured puddles and taupe-tinged snowmounds decorated the road, as if the weather itself was ashamed of the potholes and detritus that usually scarred the neglected street. The snow could do little to hide the sordid, soot-stained houses and blackened factory chimneys that spewed dark smoke into a gloaming sky just beyond the shabby rooftops. Of the eight gas lamps that hedged the lane, only one glowed against the shadows of waxing twilight.

She hugged herself against the cold, her threadbare cloak offering little comfort. At least it’s not too far a walk, she reassured herself bitterly. She ducked through narrow alleyways and twisting ginnels, her route taking her deeper into the dilapidated slums, eventually arriving at The Shippin. The pub lurked in a disregarded alley, dwarfed between a shuttered brothel and a rundown apartment — both adorned with crumbling concrete filigree from a time when this part of the city had been held in higher regard. It was easily the best pub in the Limhouse district, as long as you didn’t care about the quality of the drink, the civility of the staff, and the odour of the clientele.

Heather’s gaze swept the room, immediately landing on a hunched figure behind the bar. Henry, the burly owner with a nose like lumpy, molten wax, returned her nod of greeting and gestured toward a door behind him.

While she waded her way through the miasma of ale and the burgeoning tide of drunkards, Henry snatched an iron key from behind the counter and made his way to a back door. With a glance behind to ensure no one was following, they slipped through the doorway and descended into the shadowy cellar.

The raucous voices from above were gradually replaced with hushed whispers from below. With their approach Henry coughed, a polite way in these situations to inform more reclusive patrons of one’s proximity, and the utterances halted immediately. Her eyes were still adjusting to the gloom, though Heather could see five shadow pitted faces, all haloed by guttered lamp light, turning to regard the approaching duo.

“Heather? It is you, hi! Thanks for dropping her off Henry, you can go. How’ve you been? How’s little Essy, still sad ‘bout mum? Sorry I haven’t come to visit in a while, been busy collecting this lot for your little scheme,” Emma said, a familiar grin spreading across her warm face, like it always did whenever she thought about potential profit. She tucked a golden curl of hair behind a pearl studded ear, then gestured for Heather to find a seat.

“Esther’s still struggling, but I’m sure a visit from you would lift her spirits. She turned nine-and-ten last month. Better have something nice as an apology,” Heather replied, fighting the emotions from her voice and feeling more than a little upset and awkward about discussing something so personal in front of these people.

A woman’s voice, full and sweet and thick like honey said, “My my, how tragic. Death is such an unfortunate business. Regardless though, these things happen and we’d be remiss to dwell on them. Everyone is here and the clock is ticking.”

Heather’s jaw clenched as she felt her anger flare, but Emma quickly interjected in a diplomatic tone, “right, well. Guess we can begin with introductions then. You all know me, Emma.” She gestured to herself and made a flourishing bow in the cramped quarters – always the eccentric. “I’m the handler of this delightful little operation, but I can’t take all the credit because the brunt of this plan comes from…” Emma made a drumroll with her fingers on the table before shouting, “Heather!”

At the mention of her name, heat crept up Heather’s neck and into her cheeks. “Oh, uhm, hi everyone. I’m Heather, and I’ll be your lockpicker,” she stammered, her voice faltering slightly. “As Emma mentioned, I came up with the plan. It’s nice to formally meet all of you.” She lowered herself stiffly onto the last vacant stool between a finely dressed, dark haired man and a petite, mousy woman whose features were all equally dainty with the exception of her almost comically large spectacles.

The man to her right chortled, clearly amused at her discomfort. He took a swig from his ale, then, in speech slightly slurred from drink began, “yes, good, I’m Gedeon. Gedeon Fermier. And this,” he gestured to the woman who spoke earlier, “is my wonderful sister, Renard. Though you can just call us Ged and Ren. You’ve all likely heard of us, we run Fermier Apothecary.” He grinned to himself like a cat savouring cream. When he noticed that no one was particularly impressed with this information his lip curled into a sneer and he sat back, adjusting the cuffs of his royal blue coat.

“Excuse my twin, he sometimes wears his emotions on his sleeve,” Ren said in a dry tone. Now that Heather had a good chance to look at them, with the exception of their contrasting hair there was a strong resemblance between the two finely dressed siblings. “We have been tasked with supplying the tranquilliser. We’ve modified our usual cocktail and feel confident that it should incapacitate her long enough for the rest of you to see the task done.”

The next woman to speak made Heather’s eyes widen. Her sleeveless top revealed dazzling arms of imbricated bronze from shoulders to fingertips. Between the small gaps in the strange plated armour Heather could see gears spinning and clicking with each movement. She tipped her rancher hat in greeting before she spoke.

“Hello hello, name’s Mabel. And this shy gal here is Adelaide. Don’t let her quiet fool ya, she’s got a wicked tongue on her.” Mabel threw a metallic arm around the woman next to Heather, and gave a cheeky wink. “We’ve recently come from Pereh and found ourselves lacking in funds. We used to be in the army and thought we’d be able to get some posts here in Alryon, but it turns out countries aren’t keen on hiring military personnel from their aggressive neighbours. Who’d have thought, eh?”

Heather didn’t know too much about the island nation of Pereh, but what she did know was that it was by far the safest country, for humans at least, in the region. Their powerful and advanced military was a key component to that, and as a result the soldiers were paid exceedingly well. Why they’d rather come to Alryon of all places was beyond her.

“And your roles in our quaint party?” Ged said, clearly still annoyed.

“Oh, right! I’m the strongwoman. Cracking the vault is one thing, but opening it is another. Not to mention the various supplies needin’ to be carried. Adelaide’s been working on these girls for almost five years now and there ain’t nothing I haven’t been able to lift. So we figure opening one big door won’t be much too different.” She said proudly while flexing her glinting arms.

“You’re an engineer then?” Heather asked Adelaide, impressed.

The mouse-like woman flinched slightly, as if startled, before turning to Heather. She rubbed her arms absentmindedly, the woollen sweater she wore almost as fluffy as her hair. “N-no, I mean, y-yes, or at least I… I was,” Adelaide stammered in a small, diffident voice. “When we were, uhm… in Pereh. B-but I’m, you see, I’m training to be a sorceress, and uhm, that’s why we need this. So Mabel and I can travel to the elves, and then I can…” She trailed off, lowering her gaze. “S-sorry, I’m rambling.”

A sorceress-in-training explained everything. Aside from its militancy, Pereh was infamous for its suspicion and outright hostility towards all things magical. It was true that in many cases it was warranted, but the citizens of Alryon have come to warily accept that not all magic and non-human beings were dangerous. Besides, Heather knew from experience that humans were capable of being just as ruthless, if not moreso.

Emma eagerly explained, “Adelaide’s role is quite unique in all this. Even if we manage to get to the loot, there’s rumoured to be so much of it that it’s unlikely we can sneak out even a tenth of it. And considerin’ that we’re running a tight ship, we can’t exactly make multiple trips. Which brings us to the plan. The twins’ll drug the beasty; Heather and Mabel will open the safe; and Adelaide here will cast a spell to transport everything to a hideout outside the city. Additionally, before anyone asks, the hideout will be sealed with a blood enchantment, also provided by our little sorceress here. Keys and combination locks can be cracked, but this needs the blood of anyone in this room. Just a drop from one of us is enough — simple and deeply effective. As for me, I’ll keep watch. Don’t need me getting in the way when you’re doing your work, and you especially don’t want one of them showing up unannounced. We're fortunate that three have been sent out on duty, but the fourth recently returned and it’s unlikely we’ll find a better time.”

“If Adelaide can transport the gold, does that mean she can get us out as well?” Heather asked.

“N-no, I’m s-sorry. I- I only know a small handful of spells. And the… the transportation spell that I know, it- it only works on non-living things.” Despite the shy woman’s ebony complexion, Heather could almost see her face turning a shade of red from embarrassment the longer she spoke.

“Well isn’t that great,” Ged said with drawn out sarcasm, “and here you almost had me excited that we could cut our trip short in that place.” He let out a sigh as he scratched the back of his head, “fine, I guess it can’t be helped. I’m not surprised you two came here though, soldiering always seemed like such dreadful work.”

“Soldiering wasn’t so bad, at least not the infantry posts. I tried my hand at being a sapper once, it ended up taking more than a hand though.” She said with a surprising amount of mirth.

From the corner of her eye, Heather noticed Ren observing her like someone might regard an insect nestled in a corner, contemplating whether she should get a broom. The woman’s sharp features and garnet-red suede coat made her look especially vulpine.

“Can I help you?” Heather asked calmly, belying her racing pulse.

“I can’t help but find that your face seems awfully familiar. Have we met before?” Still that cold, demeaning tone.

“I… Well, perhaps you’ve seen me in passing. I work at the lombard house on Main Street. I’m sure the illustrious Fermier twins have spent a fair share of time in that area given your wealth and status?”

“Hmm, perhaps,” she replied, stroking her ermine scarf not seemingly convinced, but at the very least placated.

“Anyway,” Emma said, breaking the tension. “Now that we’ve gone over the gist of the plan and there doesn’t seem to be any complaints, I think it’s time we get down and dirty with the details. You brought the blueprints for the castle, Heather?”

Heather opened her pack and carefully rummaged for the documents. Picks and pliers, callipers and chisels: an entire assortment of tools for her illicit trade. The leafy texture of paper brushed her fingers and a moment later the blueprints emerged.

“A-are th-those, explosives?” Adelaide asked, pointing at one of the objects in the pack.

“Oh, uh, those? They’re for… uhm… well, you see, sometimes when I do a job the estate might have hounds. If I’m spotted then these make a bang loud enough to scare the mutts off and give me a chance to get away, maul-free.”

Adelaide stared at her, wide-eyed, and for the first time Heather got a good look at her, noticing a small patch of vitiligo on the woman’s cheek.

“Oh, I- I see, that was a silly qu-question, sorry.”

Heather almost felt bad for the pathetic girl, but this wasn’t the time or place to help someone with their confidence. She handed the folded paper to Emma, who elaborately opened it up on the table.

“There it is, the old fortress. Now repurposed to be a barracks for the giants. We’re lucky, these blueprints show the changes the architects made to accommodate them. And even luckier,” Emma pointed a finger in the air, “they marked the vaults on the schematic here, right next to the bathing pool.” Her finger came down on the page, on an area that resembled a courtyard with a large body of water. “Hope you’re excited, ladies and sir, in a few days from now we’ll be looting Anna’s treasure.”

Chapter End Notes:

A small note for those who might feel concerned: Esther (or Essie) is nineteen. In the story I use nine-and-ten, which is the same thing just in an archaic form.

Also want to direct people to the incredible cover art page drawn by my wonderful friend Nachash9: https://aryion.com/g4/view/1102769

Chapter 1 - Criminals and Castles

Word Count: 1387

Added: 03/16/2025

Updated: 04/05/2025

Age 25-34 Fantasy Adventure

The immensity of the fortress struck Heather breathless. The castle, with turrets like clawed fingers, appeared more as the hand of some long-dead malicious god reaching for the heavens. They still had a few hours of journey ahead of them, but even from this distance Heather could make out pinpricks of light flickering across the fortress’ façade, as if an unseen jeweller had decorated the menacing building with gemstones of fire.

The journey was spent mostly listening to the lingering pitter-patter of rain from a fading storm on the canvas of their wagon. A silence had descended on the party as they contemplated the trials that lay ahead. Emma often tried to improve the morose morale with a joke or an out of tune song, but unlike the rest of them, she didn’t have to sneak into a lair of giants.

They parted with Henry and his wagon at a stele that marked some old forgotten battle from a time when the fortress was used to defend; now it served to house giants occasionally used to forcibly collect taxes or enact punitive decrees.

Heather took a deep breath, savouring the scent of wet grass, taking in the sight of clouds that had parted like curtains before giving way to the black of heaven.

“By the looks of the weather it seems you lot will have the help of the moon to sneak in. Though judging by the horizon, I’ll have to keep watch with the fog rolling in,” Emma said, collapsing her spyglass. She placed a hand on her broad brimmed sun hat as a gust of wind sped by, the long feather plume whipping in the air.

“You make it sound like we should be grateful to have a spotlight on us while we bumble our way in,” Ged replied in an indignant tone after the wind died down.

“True, but we have to look on the…” she used both hands to gesture at the glowing moon, “bright side. Eh?”

Ren rolled her eyes, pulled her fluttering rouge coat tight against the cold breeze, while Emma continued, “might still be some traps along the castle perimeter so the added visibility’s nice. As for my situation, fog might make it harder to spot someone approaching, but it also makes it harder for them to spot me. That’s a tradeoff I can live with.”

Ged swung his black lacquered cane, obliterating an unfortunate crocus flower and scattering the lilac petals to the wind. He turned back to face Emma, “What’s the point of having a lookout anyway? I doubt you’d be able to make it into the castle to warn us before one of those beasts do.”

It was Heather’s turn to roll her eyes. If he had listened to the scheme instead of draining his cups he would’ve known. She felt frustration building within but she reminded herself that her own plan was still on track.

Adelaide mumbled something and shuffled forward. She produced two small silver bells from her pocket and in a shaky voice said, “uhm, th-these. She’ll inform us with… with these.”

Ged snatched a bell from Adelaide’s palm, looked it over carefully, then shook it. Silence. His expression contorted and it was clear he was about to say something idiotic again so Heather stepped forward to spare the dainty woman from the onslaught.

“It’s an enchanted bell. The one you’re holding is the receiver, the one Adelaide’s holding is the transmitter. Show him.”

Adelaide nervously rubbed at the mark on her cheek, biting her lower lip apprehensively. She nodded then rang her bell, but it too was silent. Instead, a soft chime rang out from Ged’s hand. His face turned green at the prospect of holding something magical and he quickly passed it back.

“Enough talk. We are wasting precious time,” Ren said curtly before facing Mabel. “Are you ready?”

Mabel, her cotton vest clinging tight to her body, with each of her metal arms hoisting a comically large bale of rope, replied: “I’ve just about got it, yeah. Tricky to carry, even for me, but I think I’ve figured out how to balance the weight while I move.”

“Right then, guess you’re off. Best of luck. Try not to get… uh… caught. Would hate to break the news to your sis,” Emma said with an awkward smile.

“Try not to catch a cold while you lounge about,” Heather answered, throwing her arms around the closest thing she had to a friend.

Moments passed, and in a surprisingly respectful manner Ren cleared her throat. Heather tried to move away but Emma pulled her close and whispered, “get those bastards.”

*****

Heather silently cursed with every squelching step. Even though there was only one denizen lurking deep within the castle, her eyes instinctively flicked to the barren parapets expecting guards to call out ‘intruder’ or archers to pepper her with arrows.

It was clear that the others had similar anxieties, with each of them flinching whenever their own boots crunched on gravel or made slurping sounds when pulled from the mud. The full moon painting the landscape in pale, silver light made it an even worse affair, with their own shadows seemingly taunting them in the periphery. But even so, no one came. No alarmed voices and, better yet, no booming steps of pursuing giants.

They passed the pebble-paved path that would eventually lead to the portcullis and instead skirted the boundary of the fortification. Taking them further and further from the main road and closer to their furtive entrance.

Heather focused on the monolithic, moonlit walls, comparing them to the schematics she’d so carefully memorised. Vines clung to the ancient stone, choking it like a snake would its prey. She took a knife to the thick bramble, slashing away at it until she revealed what they’d been searching for.

Curved iron bars, forming a makeshift ladder, decorated the wall. Nearly impossible to make out from the grey stone, even without the foliage, but Heather was a professional.

“I suppose we should be thankful that the masons who worked on the castle were too scared to stay a moment longer than they had to,” Ren said, craning her neck as she followed the service ladder with her gaze.

“Ain’t much of a point in securing the defences when your main defence is a living, breathin’ giant, I’d wager.” Mabel replied, dumping her coils of rope, her strong back heaving from exertion.

“We have to climb that? Next you’ll probably expect me to jump out of a window.” Ged huffed.

That would make things considerably easier and save us from your incessant whining, Heather thought.

“It… uhm… is a little h-high. Are… you going to be okay, Mabel?” Adelaide whispered, finger brushing the splotch on her cheek. Not for the first time Heather thought the gesture brought to mind wood that had been excessively polished over the years.

“I’ll be fine Ada. Not keen on making a double trip, but I don’t see much of a choice. You might have to tighten some of the bolts again later, but I think I can manage the night without it.” She said as she rolled her shoulders, drawing Heather’s attention to where long-since mangled and seared flesh met metal.

Explosives can be such nasty things… but very much worth it sometimes, she mused to herself.

The climb itself went by relatively easy, all things considered. If anything, the sheer height at least helped to distract from actively thinking about who they were about to steal from.

They emerged atop the wall, a wooden guard’s door leading to the service tunnels only a few paces away from the ladder. Leaning against the merlon, Heather could see the mist creeping in on the valley below. She thought she could see the glint of a spyglass on top of a hillock. She raised a hand with a wave, and shortly after they heard the trilling chime of the bell in reply.

“Well then, this is it,” she said, turning to stare at the determined faces of her associates. “Hope you’re all ready. There’s lots to do and only a few hours to do it.” Her hand came to rest on her pocket, fingers tracing over the familiar embossed lettering.

Heather stepped away from the wall and glanced over her shoulder one last time. She pushed open the door, standing aside so the others could slip inside. With a final deep breath, cool air filling her lungs, she shut the door and severed the moonlight.

Chapter 2 - Drugging and Dangling

Word Count: 4397

Added: 03/16/2025

Updated: 04/05/2025

Age 25-34 Fantasy Adventure Unaware Mouth Play

“Watch yourself, witch.” Ged spat as he moved away from her. “I don’t want your magicks on me any more than necessary.”

“I- I’m s-sorry.” Adelaide whimpered, the preternatural glow from the light orb she had conjured making her seem paler and, as a result, even more frightened than usual.

Heather wondered if she should say something, but Mabel shoved past and planted herself before the arrogant alchemist.

“Don’t you dare talk to her like that! We’d be flounderin’ in the dark without her help right now,” She growled, bronze arms gleaming menacingly in the ghost-light.

“We might need her help for now, but where I’m from a carpet like her gets walked on and then tossed. She don’t like it, she can tell me herself.”

Mabel’s jaw clenched and eyes flared. It looked like she was about to say something but glinting steel came between them.

Ren, with her usual cool demeanour, twitched her blade twice. A gesture that told the larger woman she should step back.

“My brother may be a fool, but he is still my brother. We need not like our little company; we only have to endure until this is all over. If you lay a finger on him, your little girlfriend over there might have to engineer you some new metal legs.” No emotion in Ren’s voice. No anger or arrogance. To her she was stating a simple fact.

Mabel grinned without humour. “So the fox has fangs. I’d very much like to see you try.”

The tension in the air was palpable as the two women leered at one another. Ren let the tip of her blade drop and Heather let out a breath she hadn’t realised she’d been holding.

Heather spoke in a measured, careful tone, making sure not to undo the tenuous peace: “Ren’s right. We just have to work together until this is all over, then we can go our separate ways. The twins can take the rear and the three of us can lead. We got bigger things to worry about.”

Mabel gave a curt nod and stalked off. Adelaide, with the group’s singular light source, nervously following after.

*****

The service tunnels were narrow, cold, and unpleasantly damp. The air was thick with the scent of lichen and dust, clinging to the back of Heather’s throat. Gossamer clung to the walls in delicate strands, shifting slightly in the draft as they passed. The glowing orb bobbed in the air like a balloon, casting an eerie light that made the ash-black limestone walls resemble a sinister passage to another world. Heather was almost excited to get out of the claustrophobic space but reminded herself that the next part would be far more unpleasant.

She heard the echoing clatter of their footsteps change before the light did. A muted orange glow began to seep into their surroundings and soon the group crept out of the cramped passage into the castle proper. If Heather felt uncomfortable climbing the ladder earlier, what she saw now made her heart drop.

Wooden crossbeams stretched out before them, a deadly seven story drop waiting below. A small handful of the beams had a balustrade at least – likely from when workers tore the floors out to create a more comfortable ceiling for the new residents – but the vast majority were narrow and unguarded and so very, very high.

Heather inched herself to the very edge of the platform, taking in the vast room. To her surprise, despite the immense difference in size, the castle wasn’t too different from an open plan luxury apartment. On the far left, where she might have expected a portcullis, stood a tremendous door of heavy oak. Nearby, a solitary uniform in the blue, white, and red of Alryon hung limply on an otherwise empty coat rack, paired with a set of large, muddied boots beneath it. A massive chandelier hung from the crossbeams at the chamber’s center, its blooming amber light casting a warm glow over a comfortable living area and kitchen. A singular wall divided the room, concealing whatever lay beyond, but Heather remembered the blueprints clearly marking that area as sleeping quarters.

Finally, she looked over to the far right. Heather felt herself tremble and took a step back. An immense body of water, the size of a lake, with a lone figure taking up a considerable portion of it.

“Is that…?” Ren asked, breathlessly.

“Yeah…” was all Heather could muster.

It was one thing to imagine a giant, it was another thing entirely to actually see one.

Anna lounged in the placid pool, eyes closed, wafts of steam dancing along the water’s surface and coiling over her brown skin. A hand lazily pushed dark strands from her face before arching high above as she stretched and yawned. Her arm finally slid back into the water, the small impact causing waves the size of trees to ripple out and crash against a naturally carved stone edge.

“You’re sure those tranqs of yours work?” Mabel whispered.

“You better ardently hope so,” Ren hissed in response. “Put your mind to your own task. My skills in alchemy are unparalleled. If something goes wrong in this operation it certainly won’t be because of my work.” She threw her ermine scarf over her shoulder for added emphasis, then stalked off, away from the platform’s edge.

Mabel spat over the side, “squeezing blood from a stone might be easier than workin’ with those two.”

Heather suppressed a smirk and followed after the part-mechanical woman to rejoin the rest of the group. As they approached, they could hear Ged’s strained whisper.

“What do you mean she’s sleeping in the bath?!”

“C-can’t we j-just drug her f-food anyway and… and wait?” Adelaide said, doing her best to contribute to the conversation, finger anxiously rubbing her cheek.

“Are you insane? I’m not spending a single second more than I have to in this damned place. I say we just sneak by her while she’s asleep.” He said proudly, as if he had just resolved the issue.

You’re the insane one if you think that’ll work, Heather thought. “And what happens if she wakes up? Hm?”

He sputtered, “The plan is for her to fall asleep. The bitch is asleep.”

Mabel forced herself into the conversation, “And we need to keep her that way. That’s why the plan is for you to give Heather the tranq, as agreed, so she can spike the giant’s food. That way we can rob her without worrying about her… interrupting.”

“They’re right, brother. Though I may have a solution.” A cool smile spread across Ren’s face. “Since our dear strategist was so eager to be the one to drug the beast in the first place, why don’t we dangle her down and let her?”

Heather felt ice crawling through her veins. She was about to protest, but affirmative mutterings from the rest of the group brushed her aside.

“So we drug her directly and we’re set? Won’t even need to wait around in the kitchen. Excellent.” He said with a grin directed at Heather.

“I gotta admit, it’s not a terrible idea. Saves some time at least. Still risky, but in a different way. It’s a compromise.” Mabel slowly nodded in assent, but pointedly not looking at Heather.

“I can’t believe you’re all seriously consid-” Heather tried again, but was cut off by Ren.

“I’m sure you’ll do an excellent job. After all, you’re the most agile here. A lifetime of skillfully stealing into places. This ought to be trivial for the likes of you.”

Heather stared at them in disbelief. She heard Adelaide clear her throat and turned to the smaller woman. Umber eyes, flecked with green and steeped in guilt, glanced back shamefully. The mousy woman spoke: “I-I’m sorry Heather… I… I don’t see another way. This… it really does s-seem like the best course. I’m… I’m s-sorry.”

*****

They made their way across the rigid manifold web of wooden beams. The Perehians navigated the rafters with the ease of cats striding along a fence. Meanwhile, the twins moved with considerably less grace. Maybe still cat-like, but if the cat had its tail cut off, Heather thought.

Heather found that as long as she looked straight ahead and pretended that she was walking across an ordinary bridge she was fine. It was in the moments where the others needed her knowledge of the floorplan where the trouble lay. Any time she had to glance down it struck her how miniscule she really was. Chairs larger than houses, a kitchen table that could span over a palace, jars that held enough food to feed a family for a year, if not more. And of course there was the issue of Anna, still soaking in the bath.

She felt a wave of nausea pass through her. Even if the deviation in the plan was still in her favour, it put her far closer to danger, far closer to Anna, than she’d have liked.

Finally, they reached their next waypoint: a crossbeam section forming a square directly above Anna’s head. Below, her hair spread out like inky tendrils of night in the surrounding water.

“Hold onto this for me, will you? And be careful, you’ve seen the kind of things I keep in there,” Heather said, handing her equipment pack over to Adelaide, who responded with a quick nod, clutching the bag tightly to her chest, terrified of accidentally dropping it. Her expressive eyes darted around, her thick glasses flashing in the orb’s spectral glow as she looked for a suitable place to wait.

Ren approached, a belt of some kind clinking in her hand. “You will require this.”

It was a holster belt of full grain leather. Soft to the touch and with a delicate buckle of gold — the thing likely cost more than the average factory worker’s yearly wages. Small leather loops studded the belt holding vials of sapphire-blue liquid.

“Listen carefully. A single full dosage of these would, under normal circumstances, be adequate to render someone unconscious for a few hours. Since the beast is of a, shall we say, larger variety, we have to account for her increased constitution. It is crucial that you not let a single drop go to waste.”

“Yeah, alright I get it, use all five. I know what I’m doing.”

Ren made a “hmph” sound, but thankfully didn’t argue.

Wordlessly, Mabel had been busy unwinding coils of rope, carefully measuring it, cutting it, knotting it. By the time she was finished she had three long lengths with an adjustable hitch at their ends. A noose, even before I’ve committed my crimes? Heather grimly mused.

Two of the lassos found their way around Heather’s chest, just below her breasts. Ged and Ren took hold of one rope each and moved away in opposite directions. The third noose came around her waist, the fibrous texture constricting uncomfortably against her hips.

Mabel stepped in close, carefully inspecting the three lifelines. Heather had never picked up on the soft clicking and whirring of the woman’s mechanical arms. She never realised just how tall she was. How tight the shirt clung to her. Heather’s face coloured – she really was standing so very close.

“I’m sorry about all this. We all are… Well, most of us. I know Ada at least feels beside herself, I’ve only ever seen her this torn with remorse once before. As for my part… if there was another way, I’d have gone for it. Regardless, thank you for doing this.”

Mabel’s words ripped Heather back to reality like a kick to the head. She chided herself for daydreaming when she was about to put her life on the line — quite literally.

Mabel coughed uncomfortably, then looked Heather over one last time before she continued, “Well then. No time like the here and now, ay?”

Mabel stepped forward and without preamble clamped two heavy, bronze hands on Heather’s arms and gave a reassuring smile. Heather thought about saying something in response, but she was yanked up into the air. The sudden display of strength, the unexpectedness of it, and maybe the closeness, caused Heather to yelp.

Mabel readjusted her grip then hoisted Heather up by the rope from her waist, much like a fisher displaying their catch.

Heather's arms flailed and careened; it was all she could do to keep her balance. The lines around her chest tightened, eventually balancing her sway in the air. She shot a glance to either side and saw Ren on the far beam ahead to the left, and Ged opposite on the right.

She jerked when she felt herself move, hovering closer to the edge of the beam. Heather wanted to argue, to ask them to reconsider, to go back to the drawing board. Then the floor vanished and her voice fell away from her.

She floated, as if suspended in a dream — or it would have been a dream, if not for the lethal drop below and the massive woman asleep in the steaming lake. Panic gripped her, her breath turning ragged as dizziness swept over her. Instinctively, her hand shot to her coat pocket, fingers brushing the familiar shape of something hard and squat, its embossed lettering pressing against her palm.

A calmness washed over her. Her breathing eased. By the time the ropes began to descend, her resolve was an icy anger.

Heather had to squint as she dropped out from the safety of the rafters’ shadows. For a moment, she was like a spider trapezing down its web, a very exposed spider, drifting down on a vast ocean of nothing. The ropes around her chest and waist tightened and tugged, pulling her in various directions until her three marionettists were satisfied that a plunge straight down would bring her to the intended destination: Anna’s slightly parted lips.

Heather forced herself to look anywhere but down. The walls were bare, ash-grey, punctuated only by the occasional lancet window. When she focused, she could make out the jagged scratches and crags in the stone where floorboards were once held in place. The air grew warm and heavy, but still she refused to look. Instead, her gaze fixed on the large kitchen table, nearly barren except for a colossal book, a few filled jars, and a mug that could have served as a water tower. She dourly realized that the mug was probably the one she would have poisoned, if not for that inconvenient little mutiny.

The humidity became smothering, and she felt her skin beading with sweat and dew. One of the key motivations for building the fortress, aside from guarding the nearby border, was for the travertine deposits in the surrounding area and the geothermal lake. The lake specifically was the main reason why this fortress in particular was agreed upon by its larger-than-life residents. It worked out for both parties: the giants had a functioning bath and the government wouldn’t have to spend an inordinate sum on wood, coal, or water to run it. When the fortress was converted, it was a simple matter of removing one wall and fencing in the lake with another; the rooftop, and its rafters, only extending partially over the warm water to let the steam out.

A rhythmic breeze sent her swaying, a terrible dread growing within as she realised the air was coming from below. Hesitantly, she risked a glance down and felt her hairs stand on end.

Two full lips, like dark wine, lay slightly parted below her. Another gust of breath sent her hair aflutter, her lifelines swaying. Heather clasped the corded rope, feeling its biting texture digging into her palms. The pain barely even registered, all her focus was centred on those two lips and the shadowy entrance between them. Her usual tenacity had completely withered in the face of this sleeping behemoth.

Heather wanted to simply slither back up the rope and go home. But she knew the others weren’t likely to leave with their goal so close, especially not when simple gravity would allow them to still drug Anna. She knew she had a choice: she could either do it her way or hope the ones who put her in this mess wouldn’t finish the task on their terms. The decision almost made itself.

With one hand still grasping the rope, Heather reached at her belt for the first vial. She cursed the jittery ropes as she fidgeted around; the steam tickling her nose and making her eyes water. Even worse, her damp clothes clung to her like weights, making her movements feel sluggish and clumsy. When she finally held the vial before her, she realised her hands were violently shaking.

She sucked in a lungful of air, quickly peered up to make sure Anna’s eyes were indeed closed, then took aim.

It wasn’t a pretty toss. Her trembling hands almost missed the mark entirely, sending the azure ampoule twirling in the air. First hitting the area between Anna’s nostrils, bouncing off the skin, and rolling down the philtrum. Luckily, the small container held enough momentum to ramp over the upper lip then vanish into the darkness of Anna’s mouth.

Heather waited, breath held.

Any moment now Anna was going to open her eyes, spot Heather dangling in the air, and chomp her down easier than a shark snatching a hooked fish.

Another rush of wind blew past her, then quiet. No leering eyes. No monstrous fingers. No jaws of death. Though that was just the first vial, she reminded herself.

She snatched the second vial and sent it flying down, this time hearing the clink of glass as it struck a tooth somewhere in the gloom.

The third somehow found itself lodged at the very edge where the two lips met. Fortunately, a massive intake of breath pulled the vial from its perch down to its intended destination.

I wish this was easier, just my luck to get the shakes at a time like this.

Heather fumbled at her side for the fourth when she heard something. A soft hissing sound accompanied by a melodic hum. It grew louder, then with a sudden wet pop, Anna’s lips began to stretch open.

Heather’s eyes grew wide with horror as gleaming, pearly teeth, large enough to grind her to paste, spread before her. Air moved around her as she felt a vacuum dragging her forward, towards Anna’s widening jaws. The ropes contracted around her painfully as her companions above played an invisible game of tug-of-war with a giant’s sleepy yawn.

Heather fought back tears and a surge of panic. Silently, she prayed to every deity she knew the name of, all while staring at a uvula swaying above a gaping throat framed by flexing tonsils. Wet squelches rang out as muscles tensed and relaxed. Anna’s tongue almost seemed to curl up, as if beckoning the terrified woman to give in.

The vial was slick with sweat in her hand and she inwardly cursed herself for wishing for an easier target. She whipped the fourth into the widened mouth, watched it land between a molar and the tongue.

The suction from below slackened, waned, then came to a billowing end as Anna let out a satisfied sigh. Lips sealing tight, her neck briefly tensed as she swallowed the contents in her mouth.

Heather let out a sigh of her own, her entire body going slack from the wave of tension draining out of her.

She dipped her hand to her side for the final vial. Surreptitiously, she pretended to adjust the hem of her pants, slipping the drug into a hidden fold.

A thief can never have too many pockets.

Heather swooped out her arm, making a tossing motion towards Anna’s lips, then tugged on the ropes to inform the others her task was done.

She was hauled up uncomfortably by her rear, the ropes around her chest still slack. She pulled on the ropes again, wondering if the twins hadn’t noticed her signal, but the lifeline Mabel had control over yanked her up again.

Heather doubled over, wincing as the noose cinched into her hips. The heavy humid air, along with the blood rushing to her head, made her eyes bulge and her mind turn dizzy. Another heave made her gasp in pain, then begin to cough as she felt her organs twist up from the pressure and the need for air.

What are they doing?!?

Another haul, but Heather’s weight was too far forward. The noose around her waist began to slip, only halted by her rear, the other ropes now dangling in two large loops.

She was close enough now that she could hear Mabel’s furious voice through the muffling steam, “this isn’t a joke, it’s a life we’re talking about.”

“Rich, coming from a soldier. We don’t need her. We have her equipment and my sister and I have dabbled in lockpicking before. How hard can this really be? Just drop her and then we only need to split the treasure five ways, four if we nix the handler,” Ged said, his voice oozing with greed.

“Besides,” Ren continued, “I don’t trust her, and I’m convinced she’s hiding something.”

“As if most of us aren’t hiding something?!” Mabel countered.

“Pl-please, j-just l-let her b-”

“It’s easy, Mabel, you just… let go.”

Slip.

Heather felt like she was about to vomit. The muscles in her core burned from the strain of trying to keep her balance. She couldn’t even beg with all the blood thundering in her head. To have come so close…

Another breath from Anna sent the dangling woman swaying, tousled hair whipping in her face, the rope slipping ever so slightly further.

“B-bring h-her u-” Adelaide tried to plead, but Ren spoke right over her.

“We all derive from the Prima Materia, we all return to it one day…”

“There won’t even be any evidence, you know. No one else will have to find out,” Ged continued.

“Don’t d-do th-”

“Those shoulders of yours must hurt so much. You know, we have medicine that can ease the pain, even ease the guilt if need be. Drop her and we can negotiate a discount.”

Slip.

Heather blinked tears from her eyes and managed to twist her head enough to catch a glimpse of Ged holding his rope over the edge before he spoke, “It looks like she’s slipping anyway. Why make it hard? If I drop this, do you think it’ll tip her balance just eno-”

A shrill, fuming voice cut him off, and it took Heather a moment to realise the person shouting was Adelaide.

“You- you… you gormless reprobate. You pompous, petulant, asshole. If you so much as dip that rope lower, I will leave both of you silver-spooned brats to fend for yourselves. Damn the plan, damn the gold, and damn you. You bring her up immediately or we'll both find out what my ‘magicks’ can really do.”

A stunned silence. In her periphery, she could see the haughty expression on Ged’s face wilt into dread.

“A… r-right. We… We were only joking. I… Let’s get her up…” Ged shuffled uncomfortably, then began to roll up his rope. A moment later Ren’s rope began to tighten as well.

Soon all three were reeling her in. Heather let out a relieved sigh, glad to feel the pinch as the cord tightened under her breasts, for the second time relishing the feeling of tense muscles relaxing as the immense sight of Anna grew further and further away, back into the murk.

Mabel bundled Heather over the side. Even mostly obscured by shadow, Mabel had an awkward expression across her face, and Heather couldn’t help but wonder if the tough woman had actually considered dropping her at the last.

“You did it! Things got a little… close down there, ey? Could you… uh… hear anything?”

Her legs felt like ingots of lead, her hands still shook, she’d probably have nightmares of the last few minutes for years to come; but she was alive and that meant the plan could proceed. Heather would do what needed to be done.

“I couldn’t hear anything,” she lied, rubbing at her chafed hips. “I guess I heard some voices, but I couldn’t make out the words with the distance and the sound of my heart thumping in my ears. What took you so long, anyways? Was starting to get nervous…”

Heather knew she shouldn’t have said it but she couldn’t stop herself. She studied Mabel’s face, waiting for her answer, watching for any sign of change. Adelaide scuttled forward; the satchel still clutched to her chest. She had the same timid bearing, the same nervous expression, but when she spoke Heather could detect the slightest hint of pride.

“It… it w-was a coordination issue… Th-the t-twins hadn’t realised you had given the… the signal. M-mabel and I helped them c-catch on though.”

The twins rejoined the group, Ged sheepishly trying to avoid looking at anyone, Ren a mask of cool impassivity as usual. Bitter hatred twisted Heather’s insides as she watched them, but she reminded herself it’s only a few more hours that she’d have to endure.

Instead of stewing in her animosity, Heather refocused on the next leg of their journey: the vault. Reaching the treasury from above was impossible with the open roof ventilation, so they’d have to backtrack. The plan was to climb down the beams to the kitchen table, descend again to the floor, and finally cross the room to the safe — a far less perilous endeavor now that Anna was well and truly passed out.

Even from this far, Heather could make out the colossal steel safe. Brass spokes serving as handles gleamed brightly below a black combination dial, its edges glinting with sterling silver. It was larger than her usual quarry, much, much larger, but Heather was one of the best at her craft – that wasn’t pride, it was a simple fact.

“Seems your plan has gone accordingly, thief. I must commend you; I had thought you’d find a way to fumble it somehow and one of us would have had to administer the narcotic.” Ren didn’t even look at Heather as she spoke, she was too busy looking her sanguine coat over for creases or dust.

“Plan’s not quite finished yet. The best part is still to come.” Heather replied, beginning to make her way to the rafters above the kitchen.

The rest of the group followed after her, moving clumsily together like a group of conspirators — at least that’s what Heather saw them as.

Adelaide tripped, and Ged caught her gently by the arm. He seemed surprised, but his expression changed to barely concealed embarrassment and something more. Tenderness, perhaps? He helped her up, cleared his throat while looking away, and softly murmured, “watch yourself, witch.”

Chapter 3 - Heather's Heist

Word Count: 4661

Added: 03/16/2025

Updated: 04/05/2025

F/f Age 25-34 F/m Fantasy Adventure Feet Cruel Violent Fatal

Even to the commoner’s imagination, it was a well-known fact that giants, as their name might suggest, consume giant portions. But as Heather stood next to a crystal jar, rising up sheer like a clocktower, it began to dawn on her that most people, herself included, had small imaginations…

Through her mottled reflection she could see some kind of grain, the colour of burnt cream and resembling barley, except that a single kernel was about the size of her head. Seeing her likeness staring back with dark eyes, drowning in an ocean of food, brought back a flood of memories from earlier in the night. She shuddered and moved away.

The next object wasn’t much better. A huge clay mug that stirred something in her memory. When she was young, her father once took her to the steel mills where he worked. This was long before the pox took him, half the city, and leaving her mother ruined. The mills manufactured battleship parts, destined for export to Pereh and its ceaseless war effort. Heather remembered seeing a massive crucible, glowing with molten iron, and found it wonderfully amusing to imagine some massive being — a giant even — using that crucible as a cup.

She didn’t find the thought so amusing now. Worse even to think that if fate had played its hand differently tonight then this mug would’ve likely been the one she needed to drug.

They had been waiting on the sturdy kitchen table for thirty minutes now and Heather was beginning to feel her impatience eat away at her. A simple knot around a beam had made an easy way down to the table, but the table itself had very few mooring points so Mable and Ren spent some time trying to decide the most optimal way forward — or down in this case — and decided on a candelabra of wrought iron. That entire endeavour took around ten minutes… The real time sink was Adelaide, who had become enamoured with some giant, esoteric book covered in script Heather couldn’t make heads or tails of. Heather couldn’t help but feel a small shred of pity for Ged, who had been following Adelaide around like a schoolboy trying to appease a recently upset teacher. With Mabel preoccupied, the man had decided he would do some heavy lifting for the mage. The first few minutes of him fumbling over himself as he tried to push the cover open had been amusing, then it turned pitiful and pathetic. At least Mabel had given him a hand near the end and pretended that it had been a joint-effort.

Mabel joined her and they watched as Ged diligently raised and turned the much lighter pages for Adelaide.

“Well flabber my ghasts. Thought we’d have better luck milking a bull over getting him to act polite towards her.”

“Is this really a time for jokes?” Heather replied, annoyed at herself for letting her impatience get the better of her.

“Don’t light a lamp during the day, do you? If soldierin’s taught me anything it’s that when things get grim, well… that’s the best time to crack a smile.”

“Hm… fair enough.” Heather hadn't done much in the way of smiling, not for a long while now. Though after tonight she might have reason to start again.

“Get on with it already, I don’t want to be here all week. You too, Gedeon,” Ren shouted, clearly not amused by her brother’s fawning.

“S-sorry, alm-most d-done.” Adelaide scribbled in her small notebook, quill furiously wagging in her hand as she tried to cram in as much as she could.

Heather wondered how the sorceress was even able to read script roughly half her own size, let alone note any of it down with such alacrity. Heather wasn’t keeping track but at a glance she could tell Adelaide was already standing on twenty or so pages, not even a tenth of the book, but all things considered…

“Come on Ada, you can take all the time you need on our way out of this place.” Mabel said cheerfully, but with a tone that clearly implied that it really was time to go.

“Right!” Adelaide adjusted her glasses, absently rubbing at her cheek as she gave her notes one final look over, then hopped down with Ged scurrying after.

While they waited, Heather caught a glimpse of Ren’s fingers subtly dancing in midair. Mabel noticed too and, with a sharp eye for distraction, startled the redhead from her quiet musing.

“What’s that you’re doing?”

Ren dropped her hands and stiffened, her relaxed expression quickly retreating behind her usual aloof demeanor. Then, surprisingly, she seemed to soften.

“Piano,” she finally admitted. Ren gracefully splayed her fingers as if caressing them across ivory keys. “I had always wanted to learn — ever since I was a little girl — but our father would never allow it. Insisted I focus on academia. A year or so ago, I had the opportunity to acquire one, so I took it. Oh, don’t look so surprised. We have our own avocations, just like anyone else. Gedeon over there is fond of horses, though he tends to be rather bashful about it and would deny it if asked.”

Heather felt a deep cold run through her. They had a family piano growing up — Essie had been besotted with it. She had even managed to make a small name for herself locally before their mother sold it. Heather still remembered the sight of her sister withering at the news… She clenched her jaw, but neither woman had noticed.

“Well, it’s great to know you do more than just scowl all the time,” Mabel quipped. Then, raising her hands in quick apology, she added with an earnest smile, “just a joke. Sorry, sorry.”

Ren’s usual haughty composure returned, but her voice was different, almost convivial. “In any case, that’s quite enough. Those two are nearly here. We should start the descent.”

Mabel was already climbing over the edge of the table by the time Adelaide and Ged rejoined the group. The rope could take three at a time, but to be on the safe side they decided two at a time would be for the best, with Mabel going down alone since her arms weighed as much as a person on their own.

Heather stared off across the table. For someone who lived all her life in the city, she found the vast, unhindered flatness before her to be as unsettling as the grain jar.

Ren climbed over the edge.

Out the corner of her eye, Heather saw movement. Instinctively, she reached for her knife, but when she turned, she saw nothing. At least, not at first. Only a few paces away she saw a half-dozen gnats aimlessly chasing and dodging one another, their chaotic flight unimpeded by the presence of giants.

I hate this place, she thought, turning back to see Ged clamber over the edge.

“H-… mm… Heather?” The sorceress squeaked.

“Uh… yeah?”

“Wh-why do you… why did you become a thief?”

Heather raised an eyebrow. The last thing she expected was small talk or personal questions. She had it in mind to tell the woman to keep her nose out of other people’s business… but she felt like she owed the mousy girl at least some courtesy. After all, she did technically save her life.

“Hmm… well… I was working at the Lombard house on Main at the time. Oh right, you’re not local. It’s something between a pawn shop and a bank, I guess. Anyway, I was only an apprentice at the time and I was training to be a jeweller. Always had a knack for delicate work, and gems and metals have been a passion of mine since I was little.”

Adelaide listened attentively, her deep brown eyes twinkling with genuine interest behind those thick-rimmed glasses. Heather felt herself blush, realising she was beginning to share far more than she initially intended. She cleared her throat and continued, “ah, and uhm… then my da’ died. Money got rough. My mum was still sick so she couldn’t work and Essie was still too young to earn much. Some rich folk left safes with us. Some as collateral, some as storage boxes for their valuables. Lots of people died in the pox outbreak, even some wealthy.” Heather shrugged. “Had me thinking some of the untouched boxes might stay untouched forever, so no one was gonna miss whatever’s inside. Took a few weeks to figure it all out, but once you have the trick of it, it's easy. I only meant to do it a few times, but house expenses got tighter still. I’d come home from work and find out mum had sold off this or that just so she could… so we could foot the bills.” Heather’s hand trailed to her pocket. Feeling the shape of the bottle beneath her fingers, her back stiffened. “So that’s when I decided to take bigger risks and steal from the bastards who make their money off everyone else’s sweat. So there, are you happy?”

“Heather I… you’re s-so…”

“I’m so what? Hypocritical?”

“No, brave.”

Heather choked on her words. She felt heat rising in her cheeks and found herself at a complete loss of what to say. Her insides twisted into knots not only at the embarrassment, but also the guilt.

Adelaide smiled at her, dipped her head — perhaps as an apology for making her uncomfortable — then gestured to the rope. “S-sorry. I sup-ppose it’s m-my turn,” and with that, she began her journey over the edge, leaving Heather alone.

*****

Crossing the floor was the easiest part of their journey yet. The vastness of the sweeping outstretch of floor still made Heather feel dizzy, but the idle chatter amongst her comrades distracted her enough to let the brunt of her overwhelming emotions fade away to the back of her mind. Despite the joviality and newfound confidence, they still gave the bath a wide berth. Anna lay serenely where she had been since the moment they arrived: the back of her head slumped against the ridge of the lake, neck sloping down into the steaming water, breasts cropping out like sea stacks leisurely rising and falling as she breathed. The fifth vial pressed uncomfortably against Heather’s leg whenever Mabel or Ged roared with laughter or shouted something obscene, but still Anna slept.

As they drew near to the vault the roof overhead gave way to a dark and cloudy sky, the humid air replaced with the frigid cold of winter night. The vault itself was easily, and unsurprisingly, the largest Heather had ever seen. The cast iron casing stood imposing, the size of a house, cracks spreading out like webs across the stone floor from the vault’s weight. Despite its imposing look, Heather couldn’t help but feel a small thrill of excitement.

Heather and Mabel left the other three behind. Ged was animatedly telling Adelaide a story about when he and his sister gave some beggar a potion that made the poor man sprout hair from every inch of his body. When she glanced back, Heather thought she could see the fraction of a smile spread across Ren’s face.

“You got what you need?” Mabel asked, preparing the last of her rope.

“I think I may have forgotten something. Let’s head back and reschedule.”

Mabel gave her a deadpan stare then a moment later burst out laughing. She clapped a heavy hand on Heather’s shoulder, shaking her head, but still giggling. Even Heather couldn’t help but crack a grin.

Mabel coiled the rope round and round into easy concentric rings, ready to throw. She let the grapple swing back and forth, testing the weight. Satisfied, she spun the grapple in a circle, then a wider one, and finally let it fly. It neatly sailed through the air, arched over one of the spokes, then fell, wrapping itself around the handle once, twice, a third time. Mabel pulled and the grapple snapped into place, holding the rope with one of its hooks, making a satisfying clink as its metal made contact with the brass.

Heather removed the stethoscope from her pack and left the rest on the floor. Her muscles still ached from her earlier venture. The last thing she needed now was a sack full of tools swinging around her middle while she tried to balance. Mabel held the rope steady, giving Heather a silent nod as she approached.

“Don’t take too long!” Ged called out.

“Patience is a remarkable virtue; you should try it sometime.” Heather closed her eyes, breathed a long sigh, and then began her climb.

*****

Heather stood perched atop the massive axis of the vault handle, her arms stretching above her head as she turned the dial carefully and listened intently. The air here was as frigid as the hills outside, the metal of the vault somehow radiating cold like a block of ice.

Click, click, click, click.

Her legs and abdomen trembled, strenuous minutes of climbing and now balancing taking their toll. Her shoulders were stiff, a dull throb igniting with spasms of fire whenever she changed the dial’s rotation from clockwise to counter-clockwise.

Click, click, click, click.

It didn’t matter though — the pain, the cold, even the presence of giants — it all receded to the back of her mind, her only concern was the fine clicks heard through her stethoscope. She was focused on her work like an artist putting her brush to a canvas, like a farmer putting the plough to her field. With precision, patience, and perseverance.

Click, click, click, clack.

The internal locking mechanisms released and Heather let out a deep sigh, setting her stethoscope around her neck. She let her arms drop, her shoulders producing a satisfying string of popping sounds as she rolled the stiff muscles. Just a little bit longer, she thought, feeling the weight of exhaustion grip her.

Heather clambered down carefully — it would be a shame if weary arms ended her journey now when she’d come so far — and gave Mabel the signal to begin with her true task: opening the vault. Ged, Ren, and Adelaide quietly approached, eager anticipation on every face.

Mabel gripped the rope with both hands, repositioned her feet, squared her shoulders, then heaved. At first, nothing seemed to happen. Aside from a slight tremor in her leg and a vein standing out on her neck it looked like Mabel was simply standing there. The rope began to shake and a low buzz began to fill the room. The vault’s handle moved an inch. Gears in Mabel’s arms whirred, then whined as the prosthetics’ engines kicked into high gear. The handle twitched again, giving a sonorous groan, then it abruptly gave in, turning like a water wheel during a flood. The spokes spun, the door jarring open.

Adelaide jumped with excitement as she cheered; Ged waved his cane in the air triumphantly; even Ren gave polite applause, tapping her fingers against her palms as daintily as a lady watching a mildly entertaining play. With a deceptively gentle tug Mabel pulled on the rope and the vault yawned wide.

The cheers died immediately, everyone completely overwhelmed with awe at the sight before them. Heather took a careful step forward, as if scared it was all an illusion that would crumble away at even the suggestion of touch. The others followed her in.

The eclectic ensemble of treasure seemed endless. Diamonds the size of fists and sculptures carved in jade. Gold crowns, pearl necklaces, marble statues. Coins of orichalcum from the ancient civilization of Talaxes to the most fashionable vermeil jewellery sold in Alryon — the wealth before her was incalculable, incomprehensible.

A wave of emotions swept through Heather. This money could change everything for them, create a bright and hopeful future for Esther and her, but first she would settle their mother’s debts.
Ged excitedly threw coins into the air like autumn leaves, while Ren adjusted a pair of newly donned ruby earrings that matched perfectly with her fiery hair. She turned to her brother and in a voice filled with a surprising amount of emotion said: “Gedeon… if we were able to transmute every ounce of lead in the city I don’t think we’d be able to match the value before us. Do you know what this means?”

His smile beamed. “We can buy, what? Twenty hectares for new poppy production. New refineries too. Not to mention paying off the ministers. And even then, we’d still be swimmin’ in gold.”

“R-ren, did you b-bring it?” Adelaide politely interrupted, “I’d like to… to begin if th-that’s okay?”

Ged’s smile somehow grew even larger. “Of course she brought it! It wasn’t easy, you know. I helped with the extraction and the vacuum sealed casing. She did most of the work, but still…”
From her pack Ren produced a brick-sized metal box. She quickly undid the clasp to reveal an ampoule filled with a mercury-gold liquid, secured with leather straps.

“We call it caesium. Wasn’t easy to refine this much but you insisted. It’s highly volatile so under no circumstance are you to break this, you understand?” Ren said, handing over the vial.

“Don’t worry, I w-won’t need to.” Adelaide carefully took hold of the ampoule.

Heather didn’t like being left in the dark, especially not when she was the one who orchestrated the plan in the first place. “Uhm, Adelaide… what is that?”

“Hm? Oh… well you see… uhm… how to explain? M-magic requires mana, a s-substance that’s all around us. Different spells require uhm… different amounts and vary-varying types of mana. Are you… with me so far?”

Heather gave a slow nod; not entirely sure she was following but didn’t want to look the fool.

“M-m-moving such a large volume of goods requires considerably m-more energy, m-more than I can harness fr-from within myself or my s-surroundings. S-so sometimes sorcerers use c-certain objects in our casting t-to provide that… uhm… energy. We… for a lack of a better t-term, burn the item and uhm… transform it into m-mana.” Adelaide was warming to her subject now, back straightening, her expression turning bright and animated. “That’s also l-largely why I can’t use the transportation spell on all of you. Manipulation of the physical world usually only requires burning physical matter, manipulation of living flesh and the s-soul requires burning… uhm… well… it’s more complicated. Darker rituals… not all of them… but m-most.”

Ren startled Heather as she muttered, “as above so below.”

Adelaide’s face perked up, “you kn-know, s-some historians believe th-that alchemy and sorcery w-were once the s-same practice. In the d-days of the Talaxes. And it w-was because of humanity’s fear of magic that th-the practices w-were split.”

Ren raised a hand to cut her off, “we are nothing alike. I can appreciate the overlap our professions share but what you do is… unnatural, and I care nothing for it. Let this be the first and last burn I ever take part in.”

“I… I understand…” Adelaide’s shoulders slumped, her expression turning dejected. “I need all of you to g-get out now, please.” She looked over to Mabel who had been quietly posing as one of the statues for the entirety of the conversation. She gave her a small smile and said, “y-you too, Mabes.”

Mabel lowered her arms. She was smiling, but it didn’t reach her eyes. She placed a hand on Adelaide’s shoulder, gave it a tender squeeze. “Be careful, alright? We don’t want a repeat of… ah… sorry. Sorry… it just slipped out. I know you can do this. Chin up, yeah? Doesn’t matter what Ren thinks. You’re the best damned engineer bar-none, and I know some day you’re gonna be the greatest sorceress too. Don’t lose sight of that.”

Adelaide relaxed a little and responded with a short nod. She gave the metal hand resting on her shoulder a grateful pat, then nodded her head to the door.

The four huddled together, all of them were peering into the vault curiously, though some with more obvious excitement than others. Mabel and Ged were both standing on their toes, stretching themselves to their limit, meanwhile Ren was pretending to look anywhere but the vault, her expression one of complete boredom. Heather had to stifle a laugh.

“We’re all out Ada!” Mabel called out.

No response. Heather could just barely see over the edge of the vault’s floor. Between hills of riches she thought she could make out the young sorceress kneeling. The seconds dragged on. Nothing happened. Everyone began to shift uncomfortably, the same thought likely crossing their minds: what if it didn’t work?

Heather’s vision warped, a sudden black void eclipsing all. Dread rushed through her. Did she suddenly go blind? Then all was as it was before except… the vault now only held one kneeling figure and nothing else.

Immediately Ged and Mabel charged in, whooping and cheering as they raced to congratulate Adelaide on her success. Heather and Ren followed after, and if Ren’s face was anything to go by, she was feeling as disturbed by the experience as Heather. Inside, Adelaide’s nervous tick was once again on full display as she bashfully pawed at the white mark on her face, the now blackened and half-molten glass cylinder smouldering on the floor.

“Let’s save the celebration until after we’ve left this dreadful place, or have you all forgotten that we’re still on the clock?” Ren said sternly, curtailing the three celebrating their act of depredation.

“Hate to admit it, but she’s right. We still have a lot of climbing ahead of us. Mabel, Adelaide… why don’t you two take the lead? I’m sure Ada would appreciate the extra time with that tome atop the table.” Heather smiled warmly, but anxiety and guilt was already gnawing away at her. I can at least give them a chance.

*****
The walk back was entirely uneventful. They all tried to stay quiet, largely due to Anna’s lingering imposing presence, but muted cheers and giggles and whispers of delight still occasionally broke the silence. When they had passed the steaming lake and were close enough to the kitchen table to see the shadowy outline of the rope, Heather halted.

“You two go on ahead. There was something I wanted to ask the twins. Go on, we won’t be long.” Heather politely shooed Adelaide and Mabel away, ignoring their confused glances.

Ren and Ged shared a look before turning their expectant gazes to Heather. When they tried to ask why she had stopped them, Heather raised a hand, silently signaling them to wait. They stood there for minutes, unmoving, while she remained still as stone, occasionally glancing over her shoulder to check on the progress of her Perehian companions. It was only when she saw Adelaide start her arduous climb to the table that Heather spoke.

“Well then, we’ve come far, haven’t we?” Heather was smiling, but she doubted it was very convincing. It didn’t matter now.

“This is about when you were hanging above Anna, isn’t it? We told you; it was a simple misunderstanding. Really, could’ve happened to anyone.” Ged laughed nervously.
“No, it’s not that. What happened there… It's water off a duck’s back. I have something of yours, I thought it best if I returned it, discreetly.” Heather was surprised at how calm her voice sounded in her ears. Her heart was hammering in her chest, her legs felt like jelly. She reached into her jerkin pocket, felt the embossed lettering on the bottle, then pulled it out. In a saccharine voice she said, “catch!” and softly tossed it to Ged. Heather continued, “Fermier Apothecary. Says so on the back. It’s yours, isn’t it?”

The moment their eyes left her to inspect the bottle, Heather’s hand darted into her pack. She snatched the firecrackers and flint and lit the fuse. She had time to see Ren’s face hardening and Ged’s nervous smile dissipating into abject horror as realisation dawned on them. She threw the lit firecracker just as the twins looked up, then she ran.

A deafening, crackling bang.

Heather was sprinting as fast as she could, her ears still stinging from the explosion. She risked a glance back to see Ged holding his face in anguish, Ren screaming curses at Heather as she held onto her brother, unsure whether to help him, drag him, or leave him. Heather looked further back, her heart stirring. A dark arm, long and elegant, rose from the water like a serpent. The golden bangles on Anna’s wrist clinked as she stretched out and yawned.

Heather had to hurry; she wasn’t far now. Her legs were burning, her lungs were burning, the familiar taste of iron filling her mouth. She could see Mabel nearing the top, but rather than focusing on her climb she was instead staring at her.

“Ged we have to go, come on!” Ren screamed from somewhere behind.

Heather leapt onto the rope, immediately placing one hand over the other as she climbed. She looked down and back to see Ren desperately pulling on a disoriented Ged. From further beyond the water of the lake swelled then geysered upward as Anna rose from her bath. Waterfalls cascaded from her body, waves crashing and spilling onto the stone floor.

Ren tried to guide Ged one last time before she seemed to realise that she simply didn’t have enough time. The redheaded woman bolted, though not toward the table, but for the wall instead.

Anna stood at full height, rivulets still streaming down and around her breasts, jewels of moisture glinting across her copper skin. Her hips swayed with each step as she walked out of the lake, her eyes glinting as she took in the scene. She bit her lip, finger curling a wet strand of dark hair.

Heather was on the verge of tears. Pain throbbed through her exhausted arms. She was halfway to the top now.

She could still make it.

Another quick glance down. Ren was nowhere in sight, but Ged stood where they had left him. The man seemed to have recovered enough from the explosive to register Anna’s approach, and even from here Heather could see him quivering.

Anna’s eyes came to rest on him and she smiled. There was a heavy silence in the air. Neither one moved. Then Gedeon ran, his expensive suede coat flapping as his arms windmilled for balance. Anna’s grin widened as she took a step.

Boom

In three quick strides she was above him. Anna twisted her hips, swung her leg back, and kicked. The giants’ bare foot slammed into Gedeon with the force of a train, his sprawling body sent flying. He collided with the edge of a lancet window with a loud, wet crack, then ricocheted into the murk. And like that, he was gone.

Heather thought she’d be glad to finally see Gedeon face justice, but the sickening execution, not to mention her own peril, made her guts twist. Hopefully Mabel and Adelaide had made it to the rafters.

“If you little ones wanted to play-Aaaahmmmm…” Anna began before holding a hand over her mouth as she yawned. “...Then you could’ve at least waited for me to have breakfast first.” Her eyes scanned the room.

It was clear Anna knew there were several of them, but if Heather had to guess, the amount of drugs in her system was making it hard for the huge woman to concentrate. Maybe luck was for once on her side and Heather could climb the last length of rope unnoticed. She could stay hidden on the table until it was safe. She glanced up to see Mabel staring back at her, peering over the edge of the table. At first Heather felt relief, but it melted away into dismay when she recognised the look of anger, sadness, and betrayal on the woman’s face.

Too scared to make a sound Heather shook her head desperately, pleadingly as she watched the glint of a knife bite into the rope. Her voice quivered as she forced a whisper, “pl-please Mabel. No. No. Don’t. Mabel please. I’m sorry. You don’t understand.”

A faint ripping sound came from the last threads of rope. She felt her insides heave, her heart sank, she fell. Air wooshed past her, clothes rippling, hands clawing at nothing. She let out a blood curdling scream, the ground approaching fast. Heather thudded into the floor, driving her breath out, and the world went black.

Chapter 4 - Ada Adieu

Word Count: 6183

Added: 03/16/2025

Updated: 04/04/2025

F/ff F/f Age 25-34 Fantasy Adventure Humiliation Mouth Play Body Exploration Lesbian Degradation Vore Anal Insertion Insertion Mind Break Digestion Domination Gore Nonconsenting Fatal

Ada’s teeth rattled, and not just because she was terrified. Glass jars clattered with each thunderous step, table quaking with the giantess’ every stride. She wanted to run, she needed to run, but Mabel was only now standing up, having cost them precious time while hunched over the edge of the table. Ada had at first assumed she was helping one of the others up but that scream only seconds before… She wasn’t sure if it was Heather or Ren, but whoever it was, Ada knew no one else would be coming up that rope.

“M-mabel, hurry! Wh-what are you doing?!” Her voice desperate, frantically waving her notebook in the air — an ugly ink line scratched over the page from when the mysterious bang had startled her.

In one fluid motion, Mabel pushed herself up and broke out into a full sprint. They didn’t need to coordinate or explain the next stage of the plan. Years of working together in combat zones had given them an almost unmatched efficiency — not to mention that there really was only one choice for them: get out immediately. Ada easily fell in next to her friend, her weariness forgotten as her training took hold. They passed the open tome. Any lingering tinge of regret immediately crushed by her resolute determination to survive.

They were both out in the open, the dim chandelier paving the way across the table to the escape rope. She wanted to glance back, despite the booming steps providing all the information she needed. She wanted to cry, despite knowing it would be futile. She wanted to know who was on the rope, and why Mabel had cut it. She kept her face forward, her emotions under control, but still she asked:

“M-mabel, why?” Ada didn’t need to mince words; they both knew what she meant.

She wondered if Mabel heard her, or maybe chose to ignore her. This wasn’t exactly the best time. In a voice of barely controlled anger Mabel said, “The bang that woke up Anna. It was Heather.”

“Wh- why? Why would she… I don’t… don’t understand.”

“What I wanna know is why those bloody potions didn’t do anythin’. Was it Heather, or did those bastard twins knife us in the back as well?”

“I don’t th-think they would have. At least… I think Ged…” she felt a pang of sorrow for the aloof man, “h-he would’ve said something, and I d-doubt Ren would risk something like… like this. It could only have been Heather…”

After everything they had been through; after Adelaide had forced the twins to spare her life; all that and still Heather betrayed them. She found herself blinking away tears, not sure if they were from hurt or anger — probably both. Ada shook her head, forcing herself to focus. The rope was fast approaching now, depending on how close Anna was they could still make it. As she listened all she heard were the sounds of their rasping breath and rushing boots, but nothing else.

She was engulfed in shadow. Galvanised, both Ada and Mabel pivoted, wordlessly darting into a new direction as something came hurtling toward them.

They were too late.

The mug slammed into the table. There was a deafening crack and the world went blinding black. Before she could register what had happened, Ada ran headlong into a clay wall. Her ears rang and the floor spun. A throbbing pain thrummed through her head. She was on the floor. She knew she had to get up. She had to try and get out of her prison. She had to help Mabel.

Adelaide tried to think of a spell, but the ringing in her ears was overwhelming. Worse yet, dizzying orange light suddenly poured in from a crack on her small horizon, stabbing into her pounding skull. She felt the rim of the mug scoop her up and she tumbled into the container, landing on something soft and warm and moving: Mabel.

Her head swayed and swivelled. She heard muted booms, a muffled voice filled with urgency, the chiming of bells. Bells? No. The tinnitus faded as her vision regained its focus. There was a crack in one of her lenses. They were moving. She crawled onto her side to see the fuzzy image of Mabel smashing into the bottom of their prison with her fists. Each blow accompanied by a crunching scrape as the metal cracked the surface.

“Stop it. Do you know how hard it is to find cups this size?” Anna said, her voice teetering between amused and annoyed.

Every word struck them like a hammer as it echoed in their claustrophobic prison. Mabel simply hissed in anger, bringing her fist down again and again and again. The cracks spread and Ada felt a flicker of hope. We can still get out of this. The fall might be a problem but maybe if I cast-

Anna rattled the mug.

Ada felt herself pinball wall to wall. The taste of salt and iron burst in her mouth, her tongue igniting with pain. She collided into Mabel and heard the other woman grunt. Ada’s entire body was throbbing, her head a blooming, buzzing confusion. She was sliding, falling. Air. Thud. Soft. She was dimly aware of change but couldn’t tell how or what. Ada simply lay there, the room spinning.

*****

Ada woke with a start. Something was shaking her and it took a moment to realise Mabel was crouching over her, face furrowed with worry. An armoured hand squeezed her shoulder.

“You- you’re okay. Oh, Ada… For a moment… for a moment I thought-” Mabel shook her head, as if afraid that voicing her fears might tempt fate. “Listen, the giant, she left the room just a few seconds ago. If we hurry, we can still figure a way out, but we have to go now.”

Ada nodded and painfully pushed herself up, forcing down an intense urge to vomit. Her vision seesawed as she tried to regain her balance. She almost collapsed, but Mabel held her steady until the world stopped gyrating. Groggily she took in her surroundings and gasped.

They were standing on a bed that sprawled out around her like a dam covered in frost. The material of the duvet was unfamiliar, but soft as sage and pale as snow. Next to the bed stood a table with a familiar looking mug and a lamp glowing a warm, sleepy gold. A high-vaulted ceiling stretched up into a gloom beyond their sight, the dim outline of rafters just barely visible. The rest of the sparse room held three other — similarly large — beds, all neatly lined against the austere walls. It wasn’t all too different from the barracks she and Mabel had met in. Wasn’t too different from the home they ran away from either.

Ada felt her heart plummet, a cold weight sinking into her chest. There was no obvious way out, no path back to the kitchen. Her gaze darted upward, catching sight of distant rafters and narrow windows — features that might’ve once served archers long ago. But they were impossibly far, mocking her with their inaccessibility. Even if they managed to find a route, how long would it be before Anna returned? Ada’s breath quickened as her thoughts spiralled, her mind latching onto plans only to discard them moments later. Each failure stoked her growing panic, her anxiety like a kettle over flame. Her hands trembled. Her vision blurred.

No escape. No power. We’re going to die here.

“Come on Ada, we have to go.”

Mabel gently pushed Ada’s hand away from her cheek — she didn’t even realise she was scratching — and pulled her forward, forcing her into motion. The running came easy, the pain in her bruised body a welcome distraction. Though more than anything, Mabel’s firm tenderness and her big, clunky hand encasing Ada’s was what kept her from the brink. Ada squeezed it, her thoughts briefly drifting to the tiny pistons and delicate cogs nestled within the gleaming bronze alloy. Each piece had been painstakingly crafted by Ada’s hands, but it was Mabel who had truly given them purpose, who gave them life. That was how it always worked: Ada could devise the solutions, but Mabel gave her the strength — the heart — to see them through.

“W-we can… can try to use the sheets to climb down. M-maybe we can get low enough for the fall to not matter.”

“Right.”

Maybe there was a chance. They’d gotten out of desperate situations before, together. She might not know how yet, but they could adapt, survive, and plan as they go. They had been through so much together already. They still had so much ahead of them. Giving up would make every sacrifice so far be in vain. Ada realised Mabel was still holding her hand. There’s still a chance.

Anna strode into the room, a towel wrapped loosely around her middle. The sight made Ada let out a soft, involuntary whimper. Both women froze in place, as though even the smallest motion might seal their fate. But it was too late — Anna’s dark eyes were already locked onto them.

“Good,” she cooed as she approached. “For a second there I was worried you two were broken before we even had a chance to have some fun.”

There was a susurration as the towel slipped down her body. For a moment it clung to her breasts and hips, before surrendering to the rolling sway of her stride. With a single step she crossed the length of an entire boulevard. Ada instinctively shuffled back, her legs trembling like jelly. She almost fell over, knees too weak to support her weight, but Mabel’s hand still gripped hers.

“As long as we’re together, everything’ll be okay,” Mabel whispered, her voice firm, though her grip on Ada tightened as if to reassure them both.

“I’ve brought something for you,” Anna said, her voice lilting with mock sweetness. “Though I’d wager you won’t have much use for them anymore.”

Ada wanted to wither away on the spot as her gaze climbed the towering figure above. Her thighs rose up like pillars supporting heaven. She craned higher, over sinuous curves of hips, a firm abdomen, and full breasts. Anna didn’t look like a mere giant, she was a force of nature.

Somewhere in the back of Ada’s mind, a flicker of irrational gratitude sparked for the crack in her glasses. The imperfection blurred Anna’s overwhelming presence, dulling the sharpness of the vision. A part of her feared that if she could see the giantess in perfect clarity, it would shatter the fragile sliver of sanity Ada had left.

Anna’s closed fist loomed above them, her teeth flashing with a mischievous grin. Ada flinched as the hand opened, releasing whatever it held. In the corner of her eye she saw Mabel bring up an arm to shield herself, preparing for the worst. Two ropes — one long and one severed — unfurled lazily, landing around them with a dull thud.

The way out was gone.

“You two are awfully close to the edge,” Anna purred, her voice thick with amusement. “Let’s scoot you back a bit. Wouldn’t want you to get hurt, now would we?”

Ada’s breath hitched as Anna leaned in. One massive hand, half-cupped, descended toward them. It swept forward with the casual inevitability of a tide, shoving them back toward the center of the bed as though they were crumbs on a dinner table. The duvet swam beneath Ada’s feet, its soft surface impossible to brace against. The pillowy surface was already difficult to walk on, but with the weight of Anna’s hand it was like she was trying to escape from a riptide.

Ada could feel the kiss of the palm’s heat glowing against her back. She tried to think of a way out, to save herself, to save her friend, but every idea crumbled in the face of the hand that was bulldozing them further from escape. A spell? No, I don’t know any that could help here, except maybe… she glanced over at Mabel, feeling her insides tie into knots. The other woman was furiously pushing against the hand, but without anywhere for her feet to find purchase she simply slid along the bed’s surface. Maybe if I can get Mabel to throw me. It’s a slim chance, but splitting Anna’s focus might be the only way for at least one of us to find somewhere to hide. Please Mabel, you have to get out.

Ada was about to call out her plan, but Mabel’s footing gave way. Anna’s hand toppled her over, then uncaringly rolled her along the duvet. Ada yelped, panic surging as the corralling palm slammed into her back. Her feet danced as she tried to keep her balance. She leaned helplessly into the pressure, her body pinned between the unstoppable force and the rolling chaos beneath her.

The pressure on her back lifted, and Ada’s legs gave out, sending her sprawling into the soft bedding. Everything blurred around her. Her glasses were gone. Biting back tears, she crawled on all fours, desperate to find them. She felt the cold metal and glass brush against her fingers. She grabbed hold, but before she could get her bearings, the world heaved. Ada was sent rolling again, her fingers scraping uselessly at the sheets as she tumbled. She spun over and over; the bed shifting beneath her, until, as suddenly as it had begun, it stopped.

With trembling hands, Ada fumbled to put her glasses back on — and immediately wished she hadn’t. Anna lay on the bed, head propped up with one hand, her naked body like the silhouette of a mountain range encircling them, blocking every escape. Deep down Ada realised that no feat of magic or ingenious engineering could possibly stop this colossal being.

Anna eyed the pair with an unsettling mix of curiosity and mischief. Slowly, deliberately, she trailed a finger around them like she was circumscribing an invisible wall. The soft rustle of her nail against the sheet made Ada’s skin crawl. She wanted to bolt — to run — but one look at Anna’s eyes told her that’s exactly what she wanted. So Ada kept her legs firmly planted on the ground, despite her most base instincts screaming at her to do otherwise. She even managed to stop her hand from scratching her cheek — Mabel would be proud if the small victory wasn’t so utterly pointless now.

“You two aren’t like most of the little ones I come across, are you?” Anna mused, her voice a rich purr that filled the cavernous room. “Most of you pipsqueaks tend to dissolve into tears the moment we come face to face. But you… Breaking and entering, vandalism, voyeurism…”

The last word lingered in the air, dripping with insinuation, as Anna’s grin widened.

Mabel finally recovered and scrambled into a defensive crouch. “And you’re still holding onto that little spark of defiance. Adorable. Because I’m feeling generous today, maybe I’ll give you a chance…” She tilted her head, closing one eye and pinching the air as if sizing Ada up through the space between her thumb and forefinger, “...a little one. Wouldn’t that be fun? Or perhaps you’ll just entertain me by trying and failing. I’ve been so starved of entertainment in this place. Either way, I do love a good game."

Ada could almost feel her synapses firing as she weighed their options. It was more than likely a trap, but it was still a chance. Anna probably knew Mabel was stronger than the average person but she might still underestimate them. Not to mention their ingrained coordination and Ada’s sorcery, though she’d rather not rely on the latter.

“Wh-what’s the g-game?” she stammered, the words tumbling out before she could stop them.

“It’s simple, really. All you need to do is…”

The mattress shifted again as Anna moved, her weight rolling through the bed like waves crashing onto a shore. She leaned forward, lips parting, her shadow stretching across them like an eclipse.

“Back off!” Mabel’s voice rang out, strong and defiant, cutting through the oppressive atmosphere. She stepped forward, her bronze arms creaking in protest as she raised them in a protective stance.

Anna’s dark eyes only glanced at Mabel for a second before her hand moved. A single flick of her finger toppled Mabel like a chess piece, sending her flying across the bed.

Ada gasped, hands instinctively raising to help her friend, but Anna’s looming presence demanded her attention. The giantess angled in lower, closer, her lips parting fully this time.

“Aaaaaaaaaaahh,” Anna intoned, the sound low and drawn-out, vibrating through the air like a distant storm. Oppressive heat of her breath washed over Ada, thick and humid, carrying a faint scent of cinnamon and steel. It clung to her skin, heavy and suffocating.

Ada fell onto her back. Her fingers dug into the duvet as the mattress tilted beneath her, body sliding inch by inch closer to Anna’s open mouth. The giantess’ teeth gleamed in the dim light, framing the cavernous darkness beyond. Her chest tightened, panic seizing her. Mind racing, searching desperately for an escape. But the overwhelming reality of the situation was undeniable. She was about to die.

With a sudden, deafening snap, Anna’s teeth clamped shut — close enough that the soft graze of her lips brushed Ada’s nose. The sharp crack of it sent a jolt through Ada’s body, breaking her paralysis. She flinched, trembling, her breath coming in shallow gasps as the giantess’ stifled laughter echoed around her.

“...save your little companion,” Anna finished in a soothing, harrowing tone.

Ada blinked in confusion then felt ice creep up her spine as the realisation hit. Her eyes darted to where Mabel had fallen, but there was nothing. The bedding was empty. She looked back toward Anna, her dread rising, but massive fingers were already descending. They wrapped around her before she could react and enveloped her in warm darkness.

Gravity shifted and her stomach lurched. Light flashed as fingers invaded the tight space: poking, prodding, pulling. Cloth and wool strangled Ada’s body before shearing apart under the strain. It didn’t take very long before she was stripped completely. Her naked skin, black splotched with patchworks of pinkish-white, prickled as cool air settled on her.

The hand finally unfurled and Ada was exposed again to the dim light, barely an arm’s length from Anna’s face. Close enough for Anna’s breathing to billow through Ada’s puffy hair and fog up her cracked glasses. Close enough to reach out and touch the hunched over figure of Mabel. A curtain of spit soaked hair clung to her face, while her golden arms strained against teeth that would’ve bisected any normal person by now.

“Gods, Mabel! M-Mabel, h-hold on, we can get you out!”

Ada took a step forward, her skin prickling as she glanced down at the deadly drop between Anna’s palm and chin. She leaned closer, hand reaching for Mable, then flinched back as a guttural chortle boomed around them. Clearly Anna was pleased to see her game was in motion.

The giant’s laughter faded, and her brows began to furrow. Ada was confused at first but then realised Mable wasn’t just holding the jaws in place anymore, she was actually forcing them wider. The bronze arms were bellowing from the effort, steam spewing as the engines were pushed beyond their limits, but Mabel was doing it.

“Y-yes, Mabel! Yes! You’ve got this!” Ada cheered and almost leapt with hope and pride. Anna had underestimated them, she underestimated Mabel, and now the game was theirs.

But her joy was short-lived.

Anna’s tongue slithered between Mabel’s legs and curled up, before dragging her in. Her cheeks bulged as she swished the girl from one side of her mouth to the other. Eyes rolled impatiently as she eroded her morsel’s resistance.

Ada, meanwhile, was forced to jump back and grab hold of a tree-sized finger as the giantess adjusted herself to lie down on her back. The hand turned, forcing Ada to cling to the finger like a branch. Her legs began to flail desperately but to her surprise, she felt her toes touch skin. She was hovering above Anna’s chin.

Tentatively, she let go. Landing just as Anna began to speak, her words slurred from her struggling treat: “I shaid you haf to shave her. Shlurp~ Doeshn’t cownt if she doesh it. Last chance.”

Mabel’s upper half burst from the pursed lips with a pop. She heaved and coughed and sputtered as she tried to get rid of the saliva filling her lungs. But Ada only stood there, stunned, the sight of Mabel like this crippling her already broken resolve.

Anna’s breathing was deeper, sharper. A slight rocking motion swaying under Ada’s feet broke her from her stupor. She glanced back and saw down the valley of Anna’s body a hand buried between her thighs, the massive wrist bobbing up and down with a deliberate rhythm.

Ada looked at Mabel again. Trapped between vicing lips: disheveled, drenched, and exhausted. Mabel wasn’t going to save them, only Adelaide could. She furiously scratched at her cheek with a single thought repeating in her mind: cast a spell or we both die.

But there was only one spell that might work. One spell that would take all her remaining energy. As her gaze settled on Mabel’s shuddering shoulders, the area where metal joined shrivelled flesh, she knew within that she couldn’t do it. Not again. She still had to do something though; time was running out.

“Mabel, grab onto me. We’re g-gonna get through this. Just… just h-hold on.”

Ada took her friend’s spit-soaked hands in hers and began to pull. Her muscles were screaming, she was screaming, but Anna sucked on Mabel just enough to keep her in place. Ada placed one foot on the giant’s lower lip, using it as a fulcrum, then hefted with all her remaining strength.

“Mmmmmmhhhh~”

“P-pullll Mabel! Pull!!!”

Metal fingers crushed hers as they both strained. The pain didn’t matter. She had to push through it. Ada leaned back further. Her arms felt on the brink of dislodging. She felt her veins bulging. Her vision blooming with black snow. There was a tugging feeling. Mabel was moving. Slipping out towards her. Just a bit more. Just a bit more. They just had to—

“Pull!”

Crick

Ada flipped backward, her glasses flung from her face, her aching body suddenly in a freefall. Her vision was a haze but she could feel Mabel’s finger still intertwined with hers. We did it!

Plop

The fall was mercifully short, but still enough to punch the air from her lungs. Wheezing, Ada scrambled up, still clinging tight to the metal hands. She stopped. The metal arms — only the metal arms — hung limp in her grip. She only barely began to register when a rolling lump passed under her, accompanied by a sickening…

Grllkk~

“Ahh… Theeeere you go~”

Two massive digits pinned Ada against the giantess’ throat, then dragged her down. Soft skin smothered her as she was forced to follow Mabel’s descent and the sound of her stifled screams. Ada could feel the tendons in her neck strain and tighten as she tried to swallow back tears. Mabel’s voice melted away to the booming thud-thud of Anna’s heartbeat and a bassy gurgle of her belly.

Ada came to a stop, digits only resting on her but it was enough to hold her in place. With clenched fists she impotently beat at the unyielding surface beneath her. Punching, sobbing, slapping, shrieking, kicking. Ada screamed and begged in a feral wail over and over and over, “Mabel! Mabel!! Please, let her out! Let her out! Let her out! Let her—”

The giantess simply pushed Ada’s head into her stomach, almost an afterthought. The orchestra of Anna’s organs groaned like an engine eager for fuel, while the rest of her body rocked with growing intensity as feverish fingers pumped in and out of her pussy.

Ada couldn’t even hear Mabel’s screams on the other side. Crippled again because of her. She had wanted so desperately to fix her mistake that it hadn’t just cost them their home, but now their lives. When things went wrong, people had a habit of wondering what they could have done differently. Imagining how one small act or another could’ve saved them from their dreadful fate. Ada knew it was pointless, but she wished… she wished she never became curious; she wished she never cast that fire spell; she wished she took more time to spend with Mabel rather than wasting them on new ways to fix her — ways that would just end up getting them both killed in the end.

“Oh fuuuckk, need mhm-more.”

Ada crashed back to reality as the heavy fingers brought her lower. She bumped over the divot of the navel. The intense scent of sex flooded her senses before her face was jammed against Anna’s clit. Dragged over it. Swirled around it. She tried to squirm but titanic fingers kept her rigid.

The giantess raised her just for a second. Enough for Ada to take a single breath, then she was plunged between swollen lips that engulfed her, drenched her, consumed her. Ada’s mouth filled with the sweet-sour taste of Anna’s arousal as she was pushed deeper, then tugged back. In and out, in and out.

Schlick Schlick Schlick

Fleshy walls almost snapped her collar bones as they convulsed in pleasure around her. Flashes of light and blurry pink assaulted her poor vision. Her lungs filled with fluid. She couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t move. Two fingers curled upward, ramming her into a bumpy, squishy ceiling. Grinding her into it.

“S-so c-clossee. Nnhneed… Ah~ mmore…”

Ada was pulled out, cool air rushing in around her, the remains of Anna’s lust still clinging to her skin.

Immediately she tried to take a breath but choked, instead hacking up a lungful of fluid. Light stabbed at her watery eyes, liquid was streaming from her nostrils. Another coughing fit, more fluid. Blinking through the pain, she tried to get her bearings. Without her glasses, she could only make out shapes, but it was enough.

The giantess eagerly wiggled her hips, the two soft cheeks, separated by a shadowy ravine between them, jiggled with the motion. Anna’s fingers pried one tanned cheek to the side to reveal her coffee-dark puckering ring.

Ada couldn’t even inhale enough air to scream. She flew forward, face slamming into the colossal woman’s slick perineum before she was slid lower. Dragged over and around the asshole. Above she could hear the giant’s rasping moans, the sound of her other hand once again hard at work…

Schlick Schlick Schlick

A finger pressed down on Ada’s thrashing head, the wrinkled hole spreading to kiss her nose, her cheek, her mouth. Pulsing with pleasure, almost seeming to try and suck her in. With barely any strength left, Ada tried desperately to wriggle her slippery body free but her slimy, tear-stained face simply pushed in deeper.

“Get. In.”

Her head slipped inside, the sphincter squeezing down on her frail neck like a noose while her face smeared and smushed and suffocated against Anna’s rectum. Ada could feel the furrows of the anus brush against her shoulders. The rectum relaxed. Another push. The asshole engulfed her entire upper half.

Ada braced herself. The pressure was more intense than anything she’d experienced in her life. Her arms were pinned against her sides, elbows bruising her ribs, hands contorting to try and pry open the flexing hole. Her head was pounding. She needed air but she couldn’t stop screaming her throat raw.

Fingers clamped her legs together and dragged her back. Ada felt herself slide out until the space tightened and her breasts wedged her firmly in place. She gasped, the bitter air thick in her mouth, her throat, her lungs.

Anna rammed her in.

Ada’s hips pushed past and she could feel the giant shudder at the sensation. The silk-soft surroundings undulated, pulling her in deeper, sphincter cinching her calves together. Through the crushing walls she could feel Anna continuing to finger herself as rhythmic pressure pumped and pulsed along her back.

She felt the pad of a finger push against her kicking feet. The rectum spasmed greedily. So much pressure. Her rib cage was on the verge of snapping. Ada’s feet slipped in, the finger following. Walls tightening. Her head felt like a grape about to burst. Throb, pulse, pump. Anna’s muffled moans reached a crescendo. Ada began to scream.

Clench

*****

Ada woke with a start. Something was shaking her and it took a moment to realise that she was hanging upside down, a tight pinch holding her ankles. She felt awful, like she’d been hit by a train. All around her the world was a spinning blur. Did she lose her glasses? Maybe Mabel could help…

Oh gods, I remember…

Ada let out a strangled whimper as memories came flooding back. Even with her poor vision, she could now make out Anna’s immense body, coppery skin glistening with sweat as she flew across it. Up, up, up. Blood pounded in her head. She tried to kick her legs free, but even as she began Anna’s mouth came into view.

Anna’s lips lazily parted to reveal thick cords of spit hanging down from her creased palate, connecting down to her tongue and teeth. The tongue extended, resting in her lower lip, then curved, forming a slope leading straight into the shadowy darkness of her throat.

“P-please, n-”

Anna flung her in.

A carpet of taste buds rolled under her naked body. Ada tried to grab onto something but she was going too fast. Briefly, her one hand caught hold, but she only managed to swivel around to the sight of closing teeth and ebbing light, her heart sank as she realised this would be the last of the outside world she’d ever see. Something wet and warm and heavy dragged from her tailbone to the nape of her neck. Her legs kicked and crawled along a slippery, constricting abyss. Finally, she came to a stop, her arms just barely holding on to the spongy tongue as the uvula pushed against her head.

Grlck

The throat sucked Ada down, each pulse of undulating peristalsis crushing her from every side. Warm bubbly spit flooded into every crevice of her body, all the while rippling walls drew her deeper into Anna. The familiar heartbeat boomed in her waterlogged ears, thundering in her skull like an artillery barrage.

Hatred, fear, and simple exhaustion fought for control of her body. The fear won. Panic set in. Ada felt herself beginning to hyperventilate, but hot viscous fluid streamed into her lungs. Muscles in her arms and legs cramped and spasmed as tight walls squeezed and held the thrashing limbs in place.

Anna’s esophagus gave a final squeeze then the floor fell away, plunging Ada into a mire of frothing acid. Her legs collided with the spongy floor, slipping out from under her, submerging her completely. Her feet kicked against something hard, she pushed off it then exploded from the sea of fluid, sitting up, hacking up drool and acerbic gastric juices. Sucking in fetid air that burnt her lungs anew.

The sloshing turmoil was up to her breasts, while pulsing stomach walls hugged her shoulders and shunted against her back. The noxious air, hot and thick and humid, made her choke with every caustic breath filling her with the urge to vomit. Her skin was already tingling, the acids gnawing away at her extremities and kindling flickers of pain in the process. Surrounded by a symphony of squelches and groans and the oppressive, unending darkness. Ada wanted to cry, to scratch at her burning skin, to scream, but the sound of a broken voice drew all her attention.

“Ad-da… you’re here… I was so worried… that she’d get you… I’m glad you’re okay…” Mabel’s tone was surprisingly calm, though her voice rose and fell between laboured breaths.

Ada pulled herself forward, her skin crawling as her fingers gripped throbbing rugae. Her legs touched Mabel’s, knees knocking against knees as the stomach churned the waters around them. She reached out, lip trembling, mentally trying to keep the emotions from her voice.

“I’m here Mabel, I’m here. We did it. You saved us.”

Burble

“No… it was… you… I thought the arms were going… to break… but you were so strong. Stronger than I’ve ever been…”

Ada blindly ran her hands over her friend’s body, suppressing a gasp as her fingers met bone and torn flesh. She stopped when Mabel let out a sharp gasp of her own.

“Oooh that… ah… that h-hurts. Fuck, that hurts. It’s okay… after this we’ll get to the elves and then… everything’ll be okay again. And you… won’t have to worry anymore…”

The tightness of tears crept up her throat, stinging her eyes. She shook, quietly sobbing, her teardrops mingling with the frothing chyme around her. Ada wasn’t sure if Mabel’s delusional state was from the last remnants of the drug in Anna’s system, or her mind not being able to handle what was happening, but Ada wasn’t going to take this away from her. For once, she would be the strong one.

She swallowed, then ran her hand higher, over the puckered scar of an armless shoulder, across a tender neck, and came to rest on Mabel’s cheek. “After I heal you, I’ll build you another guitar, just like the one you had b-before the accident. And then—”

Gurgle

“…then you can p-play for me, like you used to.”

“Like I… used to… miss it so much. Miss your smile… Ada I—”

Groan

The stomach contracted. She fell backwards then felt a surge of pain as the wakes splashed over her tender back and shoulders, drawing new threads of agony. She bit her lip, stifling a scream, her face twisting in a barely contained grimace. But she stayed silent.

Glorp

The corrosive ocean was becoming sharper. Ada could almost feel it fizzing across her submerged skin. Mabel began to murmur, then hiss, then bawl, her legs thrashing as more and more acid poured down from the walls. Ada knew it would be over soon. She scooped up the powerful woman within her arms, cradling her, rocking her, waves relentlessly barging them one way and then the other.

Ada heard, rather than saw, the moment the acids ate their way through Mabel’s ribcage. Turning her clear screams into frayed cries, and finally a rasping gargle. Over the gurgling and groaning, slurping and squelching of Anna’s body Ada could hear Mabel whispering, not a hint of pain in her voice, almost like she was falling asleep:

“Ada… I’m… glad I’m with you… I’ve always been… Before you, I never dared hope…”

Mabel’s body went limp.

Numbly, Ada let her go, already feeling the body break and crumble as it melted into the jostling chaos.

Splrtch

Adelaide wiped a tear from the blemish on her cheek. There was nothing left. Her entire reason for living was drifting in a slurry around her. She began to sob, loudly. The dam she had held back now broken wide. She had nothing to lose.

Adelaide raised her arms, an angry red light leaking out of her palms. It ebbed then flared then gushed, swirling into a searing globe of bright flame.

Bursting capillaries had spread over her hands and up her arms like cracks on a dark porcelain doll. The natural mosaic of her skin, pale patches blending across a canvass of dark, was now painted with red burns. Around her, the cramped stomach glistened from the light, expanding and contracting with merciless efficiency. Ada was grateful she couldn’t make out more than vague shapes drifting and tumbling in the bubbling chyme.

Adelaide focused on the ball of fire, pouring every ounce of mana, anger, sorrow, and pain into its searing core. Their journey had begun with this spell, and deep down, she had always known it would end with it too.

With a scream, she hurled it forward.

The fire struck the wall of lurid flesh with a violent thoom, erupting into a blinding flare. For a fleeting moment, the brilliance consumed everything, but then it flickered and died, smoldering out.

Grulgluglugrrr

The smell of acrid smoke lingered before it dissipated into the noxious air of Anna’s stomach. The pulsing walls warbled, a hissing sound at the rush of syphoned air, followed by a low gurgling. A moment later the stomach lurched, accompanied by an ear splitting Uurp!

Ada sagged down into the sizzling slime. The most powerful spell she knew, the one that destroyed their lives, and it only amounted to a smoky belch. A sudden jolt of writhing pain spasmed throughout her body as the acids began eating away at newly exposed nerve endings. She screamed but even that was devoured by Anna’s hungry belly.

BluUuRrgrle

Ada could feel her body coming apart at the seams. The waves sloshed around her neck, bitter-sour liquid spilling into her mouth. The stomach was squeezing her, pushing her, pulling her, hugging her. It squished her down, forcing her head under the miasmic pool. The churning, scalding fluid roared in her ears and melted her eyes. Her body too weak to even flounder.

GlugGlubGlug

Something sucked her down, springy muscles squeezing around her brittle legs. Her mind was blooming with unseen stars. Pulse, suck, pump, pulse, suck, pump. Her hips slipped past the pyloric sphincter.

Grrrrnnnnnrnr

Ada heard Mabel’s voice in the back of her mind: As long as we’re together, everything’ll be okay.

The stomach pumped Ada deeper into Anna’s bowels. Pressure wrapped around her ribs and spine, the constricting muscle sloughing off skin and holding her like a vice. Blinding, throbbing, crushing pain.

Mabel, now we’ll be together forever…

Crack

Chapter 5 - Fight and Flight

Word Count: 3681

Added: 03/16/2025

Updated: 04/03/2025

F/ff F/f Age 25-34 Fantasy Adventure Hands Unaware Breast Pheromones Plus Size Sweat Gentle Magic

Everything hurt, but by the gods, she was grateful to be alive. Groaning, Heather sat up and gingerly began checking her body for fractures or wounds. A scrape on her elbow. A pear-shaped bruise stretched across her side and most of her back. Her shoulder was stiff, and a blinding migraine pulsed behind her eyes. Falling several stories onto solid stone wasn’t an experience she ever wanted to repeat. Still, all things considered, it could have been much worse. If she had fallen on her pack… Heather shuddered at the gruesome thought of being pierced by her own tools. Yes, much worse.

The fleeting relief of survival faded as the memory of her fall surged back. Mabel’s face, twisted in hurt and betrayal, flashed in Heather’s mind, a tight pang pressing into her chest. The severed rope — their only escape — was dangling somewhere above beyond sight, a bitter reminder of what had happened.

Her shoulder throbbed beneath the strap of her pack as she pushed herself to her feet. Every movement sent pain lancing through her body, but she forced herself upright, leaning briefly against the cold, towering leg of the table for support. The taste of bile filled her mouth. Anna could return at any moment, and staying here wasn’t an option.

The space beneath the table stretched wide and shadowed, cavernous in its dimensions — but it was cover. Heather moved deeper into the gloom, her footsteps echoing faintly off the stone floor.

By the time she reached the far wall the chandelier light had receded to the point where her hands were barely even visible. Aimlessly she walked along the base of the wall, fingers skimming the surface in case she collapsed and had to quickly steady herself. Mentally she went over the blueprints again and again and again. There had to be a way out. She’d come too far to die in this place. What good was revenge and untold riches if it meant her sister would lose the only family she had left and remain a pauper?

Her fingers brushed against something — an opening in the wall, almost large enough to fit her hand. Her eyes widened. She traced the stone carefully, her heart skipping as she found another, then another, each spaced evenly along the surface. Squinting in the dim light, she examined the worn, chipped edges of the holes. They looked old, like they’d once been part of something long dismantled.

Heather’s pulse quickened as the realization hit her. These weren’t just holes. They were the remnants of old ladder rungs. A way out. A chance.

Her fingers trembled as she reached up to grip the first opening. The rock was craggy and jagged against her fingers, but it felt stable. She tested her weight on it, then the next. Pain shot through her shoulder as she hoisted herself upward, but she gritted her teeth and kept going.

One rung. Then another. And another.

The climb was agony. Her muscles screamed, her bruised side burned, and her hands slipped more than once on the grimy stone. But the thought of staying in this place — a mouse in a cat’s house — was worse.

She didn’t look down. She couldn’t afford to. Her world narrowed to the wall in front of her, the next hole, the next pull. The faint smell of dust and mortar filled her nose as she climbed, her breaths ragged and shallow.

It wasn’t graceful. It wasn’t fast. But Heather didn’t stop.

Heather reached the top, managing to squeeze through the small gap between the wall and table with some difficulty. Her bruised side flared in protest as she twisted her body, scraping against the stone. Finally, she pulled herself onto the surface and collapsed, gasping for breath.

She lay there for a moment, chest heaving, the cool, smooth wooden surface pressing against her cheek. Her hands stung raw from the climb, and her body ached with every movement. Slowly, she pushed herself onto her elbows, her head still spinning.

Then she looked up — and froze.

A face only inches from her own, pale and wide-eyed. Heather let out a sharp yelp, jerking back on instinct before her mind caught up with her fear.

Her reflection.

It stared back at her from the curved surface of a massive glass jar, the same one she saw when they’d first reached the table. Heather’s fingers slid down her hair to fiddle with a knot there as she tried to calm down. The reflection unsettled her. It made her feel like she was being observed. Heather looked around, just to be safe, but saw no one.

The only change was the sky beyond the window. Twilight had begun to settle, staining the horizon an ugly, tombstone grey. Emma was probably worried sick by now. Then again, Emma knew better than most that jobs like this were rarely straightforward. Delays and setbacks were part of the deal.

The thought of Emma pacing anxiously on the hilltop like a nervous hen brought a small smile to Heather’s face — the first real smile she’d felt in months. It was enough to push her back to her feet, shaking off the lingering unease.

Almost there.

She studied the line of holes trailing up the wall, noting that none aligned with the rafters overhead. She felt a flicker of relief — she wasn’t sure if her body could have taken much more of such a steep climb. But she quickly admonished herself; scaling the rope won’t be any better. That is… if the rope was still there.

Heather trudged along the vast expanse of the table, her boots scuffing against its dull surface. Her gaze drifted to the massive book lying open a short distance ahead. A trickle of guilt crept into her thoughts, unbidden. She really hoped Ada and Mabel had made it out. Even after everything that had happened — even after Mabel had cut the rope — she couldn’t shake the knot in her chest. Maybe she’d acted too hastily? Maybe she should have waited? Planned better.

But no. Heather shook her head, forcing herself to focus. It didn’t matter now. What was done, was done. Regret wouldn’t get her out of this place, and it wouldn’t change the choices she’d already made.

Her back prickled, an intense feeling like she was being watched. She waited, glanced around, but saw no one. Instead her eyes felt woozy, her mind a daze. Only a little bit further, she thought, gravely hoping this spell of exhaustion wouldn’t be the end of her.

Heather passed the book, the stack of pages as tall as a door. There was a quiet rustle of metal on leather and immediately her hand darted for her dagger. She spun around just in time to fend off Ren’s incoming blade.

Ren moved back, sword tip up, creating space. Her puffy, red-rimmed eyes glistened, her nose raw, but the seething fury twisting her sneer left no room for grief. With only a knife, Heather was at a serious disadvantage as long as she was kept at a distance. Like a pair of cats the two circled each other, waiting for the moment to strike.

“I knew you had another way out. Just like I knew you were a scheming, lying whore from the start. I’m going to make you pay for what you did to my brother!” Ren feinted and Heather hopped back. They continued to circle.

“He got what he deserved. My mother was just one of hundreds that you leeches wrung dry.”

“Your mother? Your mother was a filthy lowlife. An addict who grovelled for scraps until the very end. You look just like her. The same sad, pathetic, greedy eyes, always begging the world for more.” She tilted her head in mock sympathy. “Maybe if she begged a little harder she could’ve gotten a few more doses — just enough to see what a miserable wretch her daughter truly was.”

Ren attacked and instinctively Heather dodged to the side, nimble as a dancer, but not fast enough. She winced, feeling a sharp sting graze her cheek — had she moved a moment later it would’ve been her eye.

With an undignified twist she dodged a second jab, then lunged forward with her knife. Ren parried the small blade, throwing it from Heather’s grip, but her riposte went wide. Something had caught her attention, a bewildered expression flashing across her face. Heather capitalized on the distraction. The thief grabbed the woman’s wrist and wrenched, hard, the rapier clattering to the ground.

The two wrestled then fell together, Heather’s head cracking against the floor. They twisted, rolled, and Heather somehow got her weight on top. Another shove and they were scrambling again. Mindless, frenetic punches and kicks flew back and forth.

Heather managed to wrap her elbow around Ren’s neck. With all her weight she pulled and the alchemist lay writhing on top of her, desperately scratching at her arm, legs thrashing.

Her free hand reached into her pocket, quickly retrieved the blue vial, and popped the stopper off with her thumb. Ren was hissing, choking, screaming — all at once trying to curse Heather in anger and suck down air in desperation. Heather poured the contents of the vial into the frantic woman’s mouth. She clamped her hand over ruby-red lips, felt Ren sputtering, wildly trying to spit out the drug. A good deal seeped out between her fingers, but not enough.

Ren’s struggles grew weaker. Clawing nails turned to feebly slapping fingers. Heather pushed her off, scanning for the sword, adrenaline pumping through her veins. She was ready to end this.

Ren got up, tottered, but immediately collapsed again. The dosage she swallowed hadn’t been enough to knock her out, but it was plenty to make her as harmless as a drunk infant. She let out a string of incoherent curses and grunts, but Heather ignored her.

The sword was right here. I heard it fall. Did we kick it in the scuffle?

Heather scowled and looked at the massive tome. It was closed. She was sure it was open when the fight began. Heather spun, looking around the room, another wave of dizziness settling on her.

The massive front doors were still shut. Surely they’d have heard if someone had come in. Her gaze drifted to the clothes rack, a second uniform hung from the hook. Something in her mind seemed to snap into place, and Heather stumbled back in horror.

Sitting at the kitchen table was a giantess. Her blonde, curly hair was neatly tied back, save for a few loose locks that twirled down the sides of her round face. Blue tourmaline coloured eyes sparkled with curiosity as she watched Heather, the way someone might observe an interesting insect. An affectionate smile spread across her lips as she idly twirled Ren’s sword between pinching fingers, as if it were a blade of grass. She wore a plain white undershirt that clung to her curvy body, the taut fabric emphasizing her profound presence. Heather turned ghostly pale as the giant leaned in close, her ample chest resting against the table.

“Well ‘allo there, sucre d’orge. I was wondering when I would get your attention.”

Her voice was warm, friendly even, and she spoke with a lilting accent. It was unlike anything Heather had ever heard.

“Chut. Tout va bien. Don’t be scared. I’m not going to harm you.”

Heather yelped as something pressed into her back. Her breath hitched when she realized she’d been backing up and was now cornered against the massive spellbook. The rough-cut pages brushed against her spine, a harsh reminder that she had nowhere left to go.

The giant gave a patient, reassuring smile. “Can you tell me your name?”

Heather blinked. She wanted to know her name? Giants didn’t want to know people's names. They wanted their gold, their land, their crops, their lives. At least… that’s what the stories said. Regardless, Heather was a professional. Handing out an alias at the drop of a hat — Amber being her favourite — was second nature at this point.

“I’m… Heather.”

The words slipped out before she could stop them, inwardly she cringed. Why had she used her real name?

There was no time to scold herself. The giantess reached out with both hands. Fingers scooped her up with gentle precision, curling around her and sealing her in a cocoon of warm, unyielding flesh. Dim light filtered through the soft fingers, casting shadows like prison bars. Heather crawled and clawed against the powerful digits, desperate to worm free like a caught bug.

With a careful tilt of the giantess’ hands, she slid back into the cushioned cradle of her palms. Heather looked up to a sky overcast by the colossal woman’s breasts and cheerful face. Heather’s breath came in shallow gasps, her mind racing. First the massive woman appeared out of nowhere and now Heather couldn’t lie. Sorcery was at work here; she had to be careful.

“Si jolie, it is a pleasure to meet you, ‘eather. I am Larissa. Now, what brings you to our little château?”

To steal all your riches and commit murder in the process. Heather bit her lip before the words could spill out. She thought about her response, but knew she had to delay — she needed time to think. Heather wiped the back of her hand over the bleeding cut on her cheek, making a show of wincing as she inspected the blood.

“S-sorry, it… hurts a lot.” It wasn’t a lie, it really did hurt. In fact, her whole body felt like it was one push away from shattering.

“Oh, bonté divine, ma petite chérie! I am so sorry! I should ’ave asked before picking you like that. Did I hurt you? You are not in more pain? Please, let me aid you.”

Before Heather could respond, a soft honey-gold glow wrapped her in a lulling embrace. Her muscles trembled as the soothing warmth seeped into them, easing aches and knitting her pain away. The tension in her body melted like frost under the morning sun. By the time the light faded, Heather felt completely rejuvenated, like she’d just woken up from a good night’s rest. For a moment, she simply sat there, awestruck and weightless.

Larissa caressed the top of Heather’s head with her thumb, gently brushing the finger across her hair and down her back. Heather surprised herself by nuzzling into the touch.

“Are you feeling a bit better?”

“Yes, a lot better… uhm… thank you.”

Larissa’s face lit up with delight as she lifted Heather gently, pressing her to her cheek in a warm, affectionate hug. The sudden rush of being hoisted into the air made Heather’s stomach plummet, her heart hammering as the giant’s face loomed closer. For a moment, all she could focus on was the overwhelming size and proximity — the faint scent of lilies from Larissa’s skin, the delicate heat from her cheek, and the slight pressure as she was snuggled against it. Despite the initial jolt of panic, the benign hug felt oddly reassuring, like being wrapped in a heavy blanket. Bit by bit, Heather’s tension ebbed and faded, her fear giving way to an unexpected sense of safety.

She almost regretted Larissa finally pulling away. The giant nudged Heather into just one of her palms, her newly freed hand moving behind her head. The hair loosened like a cascading waterfall of gold, curls dancing down freely to her shoulders. Then she turned her attention back to Heather, continuing in her dulcet tone.

“I am very glad to hear that. Though I must ask again, why are you here, little one?”

Her time had run out, stalling anymore would arouse suspicion. Heather didn’t think she could trust Larissa with the truth, at least not the whole truth, but maybe she could take advantage of her surprisingly gentle nature.

“Anna.”

Larissa gave her a knowing, doleful look.

“Ah, je vois, of course... Not all my companions treat your kind gently.”

The giantess lowered Heather again, glancing around the brightening room as if looking for someone. There was a deep, organic rumble emanating from Larissa’s plump middle that shook Heather to her core. She looked up, horrified, then felt a pang of guilt when she saw Larissa’s turn face bright red.

“Je suis vraiment navrée!”

Heather wasn’t sure what the titanic woman was saying, but she had a good idea. Taking a deep breath, she tried her best to push away the terrifying mental image of being on the other side of that doughy stomach. Heather forced herself to give a heartening smile. She wrapped one arm around one of the woman’s tree-sized fingers in a hug, then used her other hand to tickle and caress the creases. She felt awkward doing it, but Larissa had been nothing but kind to her so far. And besides, the quicker she got the giant’s attention away from her hunger, the better.

“Don’t worry about it. Really, it… happens to everyone.” Heather cleared her throat, fingers fidgeting nervously with a loose strand of her hair.

She hesitated, struggling to find the right words, then finally looked up into those massive, sky-blue eyes that seemed to drink in her every movement. Her chest tightened, a faint tremble coursing through her.

“Larissa… I’m sorry to ask, but… can you set me free?” Her voice wavered as she spoke. “I saw what Anna did to…” The words caught in her throat, and she let them hang, the silence amplifying her anxiety. After a shaky breath, she forced herself to continue. “I really don’t want to be here, I’m… I’m terrified.”

Another string of hushed, bubbling grumbles came from the giant’s gut. Larissa brought Heather up to her face again.

“Aid your escape?” Her heavy breath rolled over the thief like a summer gale. Her rosy lips were barely parted, just enough for Heather to glimpse the threshold of her gleaming teeth — and beyond them, a devastating dark. “I am responsible for protecting citizens of this nation and executing any criminals I come across. Es toi? Are you a criminal, ‘eather?”

Heather clenched the fabric of her trousers in a futile attempt to steady her shaking hands. It didn’t help. The memory of dangling above Anna’s gaping maw flashed vividly in her mind, and her throat tightened, suddenly painfully dry. Larissa’s words hung in the air like a guillotine as she waited for an answer.

“I’m a citizen of Alryon,” Heather began, her voice uneven but determined. “And I’m in danger here. I have a sister — a little sister — who depends on me. And… and I believe there’s nothing more noble than ridding the world of criminals.”

The words left her in a rush, quivering but earnest — not that she had much choice. She gripped the fabric tighter, as though it was the only thing keeping her upright.

“Tres bien… I will not keep you ‘ere against your will. Be careful, my little sucre d’orge, as long as you are in sight of the château you will be in danger. Tu Comprends?”

Heather saw the giant woman glance around the room one more time, then without waiting for a reply clutched her tight against her chest. Heather couldn’t even squeak before her face was smothered against the soft linen shirt. An almost cloying fragrance of sweat and floral perfume invaded her senses along with a soothing, booming lub-dub of Larissa’s heart.

The distinct groan of a door echoed through the air. A moment later, Heather was pulled away, the blazing warmth of the giantess’ body replaced by the frigid chill of morning.

The sky burned crimson, the furnace of dawn casting its glow over the castle courtyard. The cold, ashen stone was softened by hues of pastel blush, and for a fleeting moment, Heather wondered how a place filled with so much horror could appear so beautiful. She turned on Larissa’s palm to face her.

The giantess stood still, serene, her eyes closed as she basked in the radiance of the sunrise. After a brisk sigh, Larissa opened her eyes, smiled at Heather, and knelt down, lowering her palm until Heather could step onto the cobblestones below.

Heather felt heat rush to her cheeks as she realised Larissa was only dressed in her undergarments. Her gaze flicked, unbidden, along the giantess’ enormous thighs. She felt her heart palpitate at the sight of the underwear hugging her hips, tightly covering her privates, and completely vanishing between pale cheeks. She forced herself to look down.

“Au revoir, little one. Remember what I said: you are not safe until the château is out of sight. And even then… Sois prudente.”

“Thank you, Larissa. Thank you for saving me. I will never forget your kindness.”

Heather bowed at the waist, trying to express as much gratitude as she could without showing the blush on her face. Then she turned on her heel and marched away – letting the crisp sound of crunching stones take her. The weight of Larissa’s gaze eventually lifted, accompanied by the heavy boom of the closing castle doors.

Heather had walked for around ten minutes when she noticed she was approaching a familiar blue coat. As she drew near she saw the rumpled body of carnage was blanketed by a fine layer of frost. Limbs were contorted in odd angles, with caked blood and jutting bone ruining the fine fabric.

Her eyes went wide — she’d completely forgotten about Ren. She anxiously turned to face the castle, but, after a moment, simply shook her head. There was no way she was going to risk getting back in there. All she could do now was hope.

Heather continued on toward the small hill, feeling excitement begin to kindle in her chest. Emma would either be up there or already on her way to the rendezvous — Larissa might have scared her off. Who knows, maybe Mabel and Ada would be there too. Guilt began to cloud her mood, but she quickly pushed it away. Instead, she thought of Essie, her family, what she had done in their name. Tears began to roll down her face, and she let them, she wanted to feel them. The bitter, painful journey was finally at an end. Heather took in a deep breath, and the air had never been sweeter. Afterall, there was no greater pleasure than knowing she’d never have to see this place — or giants — ever again.

Epilogue - Fugitive and Foresight

Word Count: 865

Added: 03/16/2025

Updated: 04/12/2025

F/ff Giant Perspective F/f Age 25-34 Fantasy Adventure Playful Mouth Play Plus Size Degradation Vore Implied Fatal Digestion Domination Cruel Fatal

Larissa let out a satisfied squeal as she stretched. She’d been away from home for far too long. Escorting ambassador Cordelia to Torraf was supposed to be easy, but by the time they reached the volatile nation on their western border it was too late. The country had broken into civil war; Pereh had taken control of the northern coastline; and giants had overrun the southeast. It was a disaster. At least, it was for the diplomatic mission. Despite the turmoil it would bring for Alryon — from disrupted trade to border incursions — Larissa was excited to finally do something other than bully peasants or safeguard lordlings.

Not that she disliked her current posting of being an attaché. She just wanted some more spice in her life, some excitement. Like that thief. Larissa was surprised when Heather broke through her spell of imperception. Usually the little things only managed to notice her by the time she had her hands on them. It made moving through the countryside easier — not to mention grabbing a bite to eat.

At the thought of food, Larissa’s stomach rumbled. She made her way to the kitchen, humming a whimsical melody. She reached for the grain jar when her eyes caught movement. She’d almost forgotten about her. The petite redhead was dragging herself to the back of the table, probably to hide. She hadn’t made it very far, her arms barely capable of pulling her for more than a second before collapsing again.

Larissa carefully plucked her up, feeling the weak hands ineffectually slap at her fingers. She was so fragile, the poor thing was trembling in Larissa’s grip. The redhead kicked at her thumb and it actually gave Larissa goosebumps. She pursed her lips and gave the scared girl a soft kiss. Then she sucked her in, legs disappearing between her lips with a satisfying shlurp.

The tangy taste of salty sweat spread across her tongue — it made her mouth water. She closed her eyes and focused on the texture of cloth and skin tickling her tastebuds. She pinned her treat against her palate, sucking on her before swallowing down a pool of saliva and something hard. Maybe a shoe? She shrugged and began to prod the woman with the tip of her tongue, delicately undressing her.

Larissa idly flipped through her spellbook, her fingers brushing the worn edges of the pages. She stopped when she reached the truth spell, her gaze lingering on an author’s note scrawled in the margins: Ultimately useless! The succinct explanation followed — simply channelling mana through one’s system, the foundation of any spell, was enough to render it ineffective. Larissa smirked. Fortunately for her, neither of the two she had cast it on knew the first thing about wielding mana. Though at least Heather had been clever enough to talk her way around it.

A soft moan escaped her lips as the last piece of clothing came off and felt breasts roll over her tongue. Arms and legs writhed in her mouth, the sensation flooding her mouth again with drool. She swished the naked woman against her cheek, relishing her struggling form against her molars and gums, then swallowed again, sending the clothes down.

Ultimately, it didn’t matter whether the little ones could use mana or not. Most of them couldn’t wield the higher-grade mana anyway, leaving them powerless against the tracking spell, which tethered directly to the soul. Larissa considered herself lucky she’d chosen to interrogate Emma. If the tiny blonde hadn’t attempted to ring that magical bell of hers, her fate would have been sealed far sooner. And thanks to Emma’s confession, Larissa knew about the stolen gold, the murder plot, and got a second breakfast.

Then again…

Larissa trailed a finger down her soft belly then pinched it below the navel. Maybe she shouldn’t? She drummed her fingers on her stomach as she thought.

Grugrl

I just got back from a long work trip, I deserve to enjoy myself. Emma was by now almost as weak as the woman in her mouth, but she wouldn’t be squirming much longer. It would be a shame if it ended before she could have some fun.

Larissa swished the woman around, savouring her flavour while coating her in saliva. She forced her to the centre of her tongue and then…

Glick

She felt the lump travel down her throat, her heart fluttering at the sensation. A small weight settled in her middle, followed by renewed struggles within. Larissa smiled and gave her belly a light pat.

A loud burp echoed through the hall, and Larissa quickly clapped a hand over her mouth. Her cheeks flushed as she let out a sheepish giggle, equal parts amused and embarrassed. She grinned.

Lingerie fell to the floor as she made her way to the bedroom, a familiar warmth tingling in her core. Anna should be home and Larissa wanted to enjoy their week together before her trip to Leggenas. Perhaps she’d ask Anna to come along — she’d always dreamt of seeing an elvish city. And on their way back, they could even pay Heather and her sister a visit.

Larissa stood in the doorway, watching the rise and fall of Anna’s restful breathing, and smiled. Maybe a bath first.

Heather's Heist by CaliTea

Prologue - Plans and Profits

Chapter 1 - Criminals and Castles

Chapter 2 - Drugging and Dangling

Chapter 3 - Heather's Heist

Chapter 4 - Ada Adieu

Chapter 5 - Fight and Flight

Epilogue - Fugitive and Foresight