Soon the figure stepped into view, and the cave seemed to shrink around it. Max, Nina, and Evan froze as their eyes widened in disbelief. The dwarf was enormous, its body towering at nearly three times their size.

Each step it took echoed like thunder, the ground trembling as though it could barely bear the weight. Its sheer presence dominated the cavern, forcing them to confront the monstrous difference in scale between themselves and this being.

At first glance, its massive build and broad frame made it look like a creature born of the wilds, something primal and untamed. Its arms were thicker than tree trunks, and its chest rose and fell like the heaving of a mountain.

The sheer size of its head and the thick, rugged features of its face gave it a frightening appearance, one that could have easily been mistaken for a monster from the depths of the secret domain.

But as the three of them stared closer, their shock deepened for another reason. The dwarf was not wild. Its ancient appearance carried dignity rather than savagery. Its beard, long and braided, flowed down its chest like strands of silvered steel, while its hair was tied back in a manner that spoke of culture and care.

Across its massive body, it wore clothing that was both strange and refined. Thick robes woven from a dark, sturdy fabric covered its figure, bound with a belt of metallic plates that gleamed faintly in the dim light of the cavern. The garments were not ragged but well-kept, adorned with faint symbols etched into the fabric that seemed to shimmer when the giant moved.

Its eyes, set deep beneath a heavy brow, glowed faintly like embers. They were sharp, filled with clarity and focus, not the dull gaze of some beast. Each movement it made, though heavy and deliberate, carried control rather than chaos.

Max felt his chest tighten as he took in the sight. This was no wild monster. It was an ancient being, intelligent and powerful, its very existence pressing down on them like the weight of the world.

Even Evan and Nina, who were from the Divine Realm, were left speechless. Their breaths quickened, their hearts pounded, and yet neither of them could summon the courage to speak.

The giant dwarf had arrived, and it was clear that what stood before them was not a creature to be underestimated, but a living relic of something greater.

It halted only a few paces away, its immense shadow falling over Max, Nina, and Evan. For a long moment, it stood still, its ember-like eyes studying them with an unreadable expression. The weight of its gaze was as heavy as the pressure binding their bodies to the ground, and none of them dared to speak. The silence stretched, broken only by the deep, rhythmic sound of the giant's breathing.

Then, without a word, the colossal being moved one of its hands. The movement was slow, deliberate, and filled with strength. From within the folds of its robe, it produced three thick slabs of meat, each piece larger than a human head. The meat looked fresh, faint steam rising from its surface as though it had been cooked or at least warmed by some unknown method. The aroma was rich, carrying a strange but savory scent that filled the cave.

One by one, the dwarf lowered the pieces of meat onto the ground in front of Max, Nina, and Evan. Its movements carried no hostility, only a quiet, measured purpose. When the task was done, it did not linger. The giant straightened its massive frame, its braided beard swaying slightly as it turned. Without sparing another glance, it began to walk back the way it had come.

Thump. Thump. Thump. The cave trembled again with each step as the being disappeared into the shadows, leaving behind only the three slabs of meat and the stunned silence of those who remained.

Max, Nina, and Evan could only stare at the food before them, their minds racing. The being had not attacked, had not spoken, and yet it had acknowledged them in its own way. It was an act neither of savagery nor of indifference, but of intention. They had been noticed, judged, and provided for by the giant dwarf.

"It gave us some meat?" Nina's voice trembled with surprise as she stared at the slabs lying before them. She had braced herself for something terrifying, but never once had she imagined that the being approaching them would leave behind food. The thought unsettled her, filling her with confusion more than relief.

"Was that really a dwarf?" Evan muttered, his expression contemplative. "It had the features of one, but its size was overwhelmingly large. How could something so massive be considered a dwarf?" His mind raced as he recalled what he knew. The Divine Realm was filled with countless races, dwarves included, but nowhere in their long histories had he heard of dwarves reaching such monstrous size. The encounter had shattered what little certainty he carried about the world.

"Why give us meat to eat?" Max spoke aloud, his calm voice carrying a hint of curiosity. He stared at the thick slabs, the steam rising steadily from them. His eyes narrowed slightly, weighing possibilities.

"Maybe the giant dwarves want to keep us alive so we don't die of hunger," Nina suggested. Her tone was uncertain, almost questioning her own words.

Evan, however, shook his head. "No, it can't be that simple. There has to be another reason. Nothing here is done without intent. If they wanted to feed us, it means more than just survival." His voice was steady but firm, his suspicion clear.

Max fell silent for a while. He lay there against the ground, the weight pressing him into the stone as his mind turned through possibilities. After a long moment, he exhaled slowly and came to a decision. "I guess the only way to know is to eat the meat. That's the only way I will find out what this is all about."

"Eat?" Evan shot him a sharp look. "You would need to sit up for that, to move your arms and hands. Are you certain you can even manage that in this place?" His tone was half doubt, half warning.

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