Verena was not pleased to hear about Drezar when she got back from the party that night.

“That ogress made you cry? I wanna punch her in the face.”

The sisters were bathing in their swimming pool sized bath. Verena was treading water and Tiggy was standing with her feet on the bottom, the bubbly water reaching up to her broad, green shoulders. Her long red hair fanned out in the water around her. She gazed back at Verena with her soft, brown eyes. “Dad made me feel all better,” she rumbled.

“And what does Drezar the ogress even want here?” said Verena.

“She wants to see me. ‘M nervous, but Dad’ll be there an’ he’ll hold my hand, so it’ll be alright,” said Tiggy, her greyish lips twitching to form a small smile.

“Oh right, well at least it’s not Blarsh the ogre popping up,” said Verena. “Dad wouldn’t know what to do then.”

“Yes, he would,” said Tiggy smiling. “’M not worried about the ogres anymore.”

“You don’t think Dad would feel threatened as man of the house?” said Verena.

Tiggy touched a finger to her face and her wide eyes looked puzzled. “Why’d Blarsh the ogre make Dad feel threatened as man of the house?”

“If you can’t think of any reason why, then never mind,” said Verena. “Let’s hope we never do see Blarsh.”

00O00

Atticus and Kojo had a drink late that night after work. As legendary heroes, they had a status in common.

“Being a guidance counsellor, which is what I am, I have to listen to adolescent angsting all day, and it does get monotonous,” said Atticus.

“The team have a way to go, but we’ll get there,” said Kojo. “Hard practice and harder exercise.”

“I turn to finding out all I can about this world.”

Atticus had been through the school library and found an item of interest down in the stacks. It was a self-updating tome on Adventurers. A magical tome that could keep itself up to date with messages on the topic that were still relevant. “This is invaluable for research.”

Kojo guffawed. “Oh Atticus. You do research a lot! This is what you do when in doubt.”

“And this is enlightening,” said Atticus, opening the tome.

Kojo’s interest was kindled. He tapped the page. “See him! Sully Heliot.”

Atticus read aloud: “Following the destruction of Ctharae, Cinderhelm and Rainhagen, the case to rid the world of this terrifying madman is very strong…” He slammed the book shut. “As I suspected. There was always something very unsettling about him and today we saw him send a golem on a rampage to the school. Where we have to look after the kids!”

“I’m hot!” said Kojo. “Now we must fight him? He’s really tough. I can see these things.”

“I’m one to think about fighting smart rather than fighting tough,” said Atticus.

00O00

The next morning, Verena received a summons to the school counsellor’s office.

She sat down in the seat before his desk. “You asked to see me?” She folded her arms. “Sir?”

“Yes, Miss Harris,” said Atticus. “Being your guidance counsellor… which is what I am… I have a duty to ask whether you are under any particular stress at this time?”

“Oh?” Verena raised an eyebrow.

“I am aware that the Beauty Pageant puts, ah… a lot of pressure on a young lady,” said Atticus.

“Mm,” said Verena. She thought of the nightmare she had had, and the awful visions of that demon that kept appearing in mirrors. Atticus didn’t need to know about that. He would just call her crazy and prescribe meds, or something.

“And I am aware that a madman has been threatening your sister,” said Atticus. “This so called Giant Slayer.”

Verena couldn’t sit impassively at this. She gave a little start and bared her teeth at the thought of the Giant Slayer threatening Tiggy.

“I have found out who he is,” said Atticus.

Verena was on her feet. “What?”

“Miss Harris, this Giant Slayer is a dangerous man. I’m terrified of him.” Atticus did look frightened.

Verena hurried round the desk and put a hand on his arm. “Don’t be. Tell me who he is?”

“Sully Heliot,” said Atticus. “But don’t let anymore know I told you. I don’t want him on my case. Look.” Atticus held out what looked like a very old library book open at a page about Sully Heliot. He was an Adventurer, but his story would make hardened criminals shudder. What evil fate allowed this villain to escape justice every time?

“No law enforcer is equal to him. No other Adventurer either. Only stealth and magic can defeat a villain of his calibre,” said Atticus. “If such a magical device existed, it could be wielded by small and dainty hands. By a different type of Adventurer. One without brute strength. One who maybe doesn’t feel confident that she could be the equal in prowess to her parents.”

Verena narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean, Atticus? Just tell me without beating about the bush.”

Atticus reached into the draw of his desk and drew out a reel of glittering silver thread along with a needle. “I was the Brave Little Tailor. My cunning knows no bounds. See this thread of invisibility. I could weave it into garments fit for an Emperor’s new clothes. Take it now. Weave your own path.”

Atticus took a small, paperback book off the shelf. “Homework. Read up on magical poisons. You will be tested.”

00O00

Corey knew Tiggy was apprehensive about getting to know Drezar, but he would be with her. Nadine would be monitoring things too, and for some reason, Jax was going to tag along, and Corey didn’t know how to get rid of him.

In the back garden, the old ogress hobbled out of the old stable, her leg bound in a splint.

Corey clasped Tiggy’s hand firmly. Nadine and Jax hung back.

“Hellooo, ev’ry one,” said Drezar. “’Looo, Tiggy. I wanted ter ask… how’re yoo at huntin’?”

Tiggy wrinkled her shiny green nose in revulsion at this idea. “I don’t wanna hunt.”

Drezar tsked tsked. “How’d yer eat?”

“I’d like to hunt,” said Jax. “Or rather, I’d like you to hunt for me, Drezar.”

Drezar guffawed and pointed at him. “I wanna take yoo to live in a cave with me. I’d do all the huntin’ for us both.”

Tiggy put her other hand to her forehead. “Drezar, please…”

“Yoo can notice ‘andsome yoomans, Tig. So c’n I. Runs in the family. It was Blarsh wot was into pretty yooman girls.” To emphasise the point, she pointed at Nadine, who blushed and looked at the ground.

“Drezar, behave!” said Corey. The ogress was beginning to try his patience.

“No, tell us more!” said Jax.

At that moment, Drezar was distracted by a blue songbird alighting on a tree nearby. These were half tame.

“Mm, looks tasty,” said Drezar. She reached out to grab the bird, but Tiggy seized her arm with both hands.

“You mustn’t eat the birds ‘n animals in the garden,” said Tiggy, her smooth green brow creased in a frown. “We eat meat from the butcher’s shop if we’re hungry.”

“Oh me gran’daughter, yoo are coddled!” said Drezar.

“I think this is enough for today, Drezar,” said Corey. “Back in the stable. Don’t put too much pressure on that leg.”

“I appreciate you, Drezar,” said Jax. “You know we’re both not wanted at the Crystal Prep SpooksEve Ball, just because we don’t go to school there? That’s not right, is it?”

“Noo, me sweet liddle man,” said Drezar shaking her head.

“That’s enough from both of you,” said Corey. “Drezar. Stable. Now.”

00O00

Verena had no desire to see the obnoxious ogress that had made her sister cry. She couldn’t possibly be civil to such an ogress. She didn’t even want the ogress near her family, but now she had a much bigger problem to deal with. She looked into the mirror and saw Mirror Girl staring out of it. The eye holes in her flawless doll mask were twin points of darkness. But she wasn’t cackling. Verena had fashioned a doll mask of her own now, taken from a clothes mannequin. A white doll’s face with rosy pink around the cheeks. She lifted it to her face, then put it down. She had never wanted to hurt anyone, but the terrible Sully Heliot would force her hand. If she did not look like herself, she could deal with it. If she looked like Mirror Girl, she could do things which would normally disgust her. But only under a cloak of darkness. She took the black dress she had worn to her great grandmother’s funeral and wove into it the thread that Atticus had given her. She put it on and smiled when her arms, legs and torso all vanished from sight. Then she cut the hood off her winter coat and wove the invisibility thread into that as well.

The other part of the problem remained.

Verena picked the lock of her mother’s workroom. In the cupboard of restricted items was the jar that contained the wooden centipede that had wormed its way into the sisters’ bedroom that night. A rather nasty little magical construct. Now it would serve a purpose.

00O00

Amber was fuming at her demotion from the Cheerleading Squad. “What right does Miss High and Mighty think she has to demote me!” she fumed to Kimmy.

“You were sort of asking for it,” said Kimmy coolly. “You had no reason to make that poor boy feel even worse about himself.”

They were standing by their lockers. Edd, one of the Creatures and Caverns crew sidled up to them.

“What do you want, nerd?” snapped Amber.

“I think you want to take the Queen Bee cheerleader down a peg,” said Edd. “I know a way you can get to her. And her oversized sister too.”

“Buzz off,” said Kimmy sharply.

“No, I want to hear…” said Amber. She and Edd put their heads together and started whispering.

00O00

SpooksEve had arrived and it was time for the Ball. Tiggy was going with Hal. Verena smiled to see her sister’s green face glowing with happiness. Verena was going with Hunter. Having been a greater Adventurer than Corey, Nadine was the one to escort them just in case the Chief Giant Slayer should show up. Lumpy the tame clay golem shambled up to them, followed by Kojo the coach.

Kojo grinned broadly when he saw Nadine. “Hello Aunty!” he said. “I’m the coach here!”

Nadine beamed and curtseyed. “Hello. Delighted to meet you.”

“Welcome to our Ball!” Kojo pointed at Lumpy. “I don’t like this thing. It’s made from magic. But your girl thinks it makes a mascot and she’s a good girl, so she ought to know? She can kick it if it doesn’t behave.” Kojo mimed kicking Lumpy.

“The golem won’t be any trouble, I’m sure,” said Nadine. “I’ve handled much bigger.”

Kojo put his hands on the shoulders of Hal and Hunter. “Wish my best boys could kick as strong as Tiggy, then we’d always win.” He guffawed. “Good boys, but only human.”

The hall was decorated with crystal chandeliers and depictions of ghosts on the walls.

“Strange custom this,” said Kojo. “Back home we’re all too afraid of ghosts, for...” He gestured with disdain at the pictures on the walls.

He tsked tsked, then left them and walked up to a knot of other Asteroball team members.

At that moment, there was a small commotion at the other end of the hall. Nadine gave a little groan. Jax had entered and there was an ogress with him. Verena had glimpsed the ogress through the window at home. It was that annoying Drezar.

“This is the Ball, Drezar,” said Jax loudly. “I’m taking you.”

Then something else caught Verena’s attention. A line of girls were coming into the hall. They were all dressed in bright green body paint and were wearing red wigs. Amber was leading them, her face now bright green and smug. “Aren’t I scary?” said Amber smirking.

Verena felt a hot, sick feeling of rage in her stomach. Her hands balled into fists and she was breathing through her nose.

“Tiggy, darling…” Nadine put a hand on Tiggy’s muscular green arm. Tiggy was staring at the green painted girls, her brown eyes wide and perplexed.

Verena’s rage was overwhelming. She turned to the wall. There was an ornate mirror with a gilt frame and in the glass there was Mirror Girl! The demon was pointing at Verena and cackling. The awful cackling resounded round and round in Verena’s head. Verena left the others and hurried off to the cloak room. There, she opened her handbag and drew out the invisibility dress and hood, along with the mannequin mask. She found herself cackling madly in a way she didn’t know she could. But when she arrived back in the hall, there was a terrible surprise waiting for her…

00O00

In the hall, the main doors were blasted off their hinges. The Giant Slayer stood there, cloaked and hooded in traveller’s attire, his Jack the Giant Slayer mask in place. He was holding up a painting of a blasted landscape.

“Greetings, you rotten brats,” he said, his rough voice ice cold. “I have come to slay giants, and if anyone else gets underfoot, they die too.”

There was a whirling of wind and a funnel of air, like a tiny whirlwind appeared hovering above the floor. There were flashes of scarlet deep within it.

Nadine gave a cry and threw a chakram at the whirlwind. The air funnel sucked the chakram in and the metal disc was gone.

“Maybe magic can stop this magic,” said Kojo. “Ogre-girl, you need that golem.”

“Lumpy, help!” bellowed Tiggy.

The golem came lumbering forward just as the whirlwind darted towards Drezar. There was a flash of scarlet and suddenly the entire hall was spattered with her thick dark green blood.

Everyone yelled and screamed, but Verena remained perfectly calm. The calm at the eye of the hurricane.

She leapt forward after the golem which stood in the path of the whirlwind as it made for Tiggy, beating its fists against its chest. Whichever way the whirlwind turned, the golem blocked it.

“Cursed monster,” screamed the Giant Slayer.

00O00

Verena returned to the hall, her doll mask in place, wrapped in a cloak of invisibility. She unscrewed the jar containing the centipede and caught the horrible, wriggling thing between her fingers and snapped it in half. She had read about magical poisons. The foul thing would die in seconds. It would only be able to bite once. She took the half with the pincers and put it to the neck of the Giant Slayer…

00O00

Sully felt two tiny pricks on his neck and then a burning sensation.

“So, your string of victories has concluded…” said the bracelet.

Sully staggered from the hall, overwhelmed with visions and sounds…

“No escape!” He yelled. “They’re all around me.”

Out of the darkness, the Flayer loomed at him, her mask-like face creased in a sneer. “Seriously? You’re defeated just like that? Uncool, bro!”

He tried to slash at the Flayer with his sword, but the image shimmered and was replaced with the Butcher of the Steppes glaring at him. “I’d get ready to add your body to my cart if I were still alive,” she said.

Sully felt himself stumble and fall down a grassy slope. He fancied he saw the handless artist gloating over him. “Your bad heart brought you to this end.”

The image changed to the god Nasmus. “I can grant to you the peace of death.”

Now Sully was aware of a pressure bearing down on his chest. A young woman with green tinged skin and a bloody mouth was pushing down on his chest. He couldn’t move. He was paralysed. She opened her mouth as if to scream at him, but he could see she had no tongue. Not hesitating, she raised a knife above his chest, and as she plunged it down, Sully could tell that this one was no hallucination…

00O00

In the hall, Nadine and Atticus retrieved the image of the blasted landscape, recognising its magical properties. They held it up and the whirlwind, which was still trying to get past Lumpy the clay golem, was drawn into it and became a picture again.

Tiggy was comforting Jax who was in shock from the messy death of Drezar. She had picked him up and was hugging him to her. But where was Verena? The hall was pandemonium. Nadine looked anxiously around, but now she saw Verena near the gilt mirror, looking flushed and dishevelled. Nadine breathed a sigh of relief. Both her daughters were safe, and so were their friends. This was such a relief that she was ready to forgive those unkind girls who had dressed as Tiggy. But where was the Giant Slayer?

00O00

Sully Heliot’s body was found the next day in a ditch, with a dagger through his heart. His notoriety was such that rumours of his deeds had preceded him. That he had been a remorseless Giant Slayer surprised no one.

Verena was relieved that she hadn’t actually killed anyone, even one so vile as Heliot. Whoever wielded the dagger had done it. She ought to thank them for doing the real dirty work for her. It was worrying that Mirror Girl had come close to taking her over though. The episode had started when those mean girls were being horrible and dressing up as Tiggy. Could Verena have actually lost control over that?

Mirror Girl first appeared because of the Beauty Pageant. Verena didn’t think she wanted to do any more of them after this. On the stage at the pageant, with her family watching, she addressed the audience.

“Snow White’s speech, about the good she would do for her home kingdom if she were queen, was just so sweet and wonderful. You heard her. She would make a real effort to stop people going hungry… um… I think she should win the pageant. She’s got real strength of spirit! Whoo!”

Verena raised her hand in a cheerleader’s salute.

Take that Mirror Girl, you spiteful demon! Verena didn’t care about the pageant anymore.

Snow White hugged her. “Aw. I thank you so much.”

Her accent made Verena smile. “You ought to be queen,” said Verena. “And have a daughter who is as pretty as you.”

“She will be called Snow White too,” said Snow White. “But I like you. I wish that someday, somehow, you can be a queen as well.”

THE END