Tyler lay at the back of Kai’s tongue, his tiny body pressed against the slick, ridged surface as the warm, damp air surrounded him. Every breath he took was filled with the overpowering scent of the sunflower seeds Kai had been eating. The constant vibrations of Kai’s heartbeat and breathing reverberated through the enormous space, reminding Tyler of just how small and vulnerable he was. He had to act, and quickly, before Kai swallowed him by accident.
“*Kai!*” Tyler shouted, his voice a faint whisper compared to the booming world around him. He pounded his fists against the slick surface of Kai’s tongue, trying desperately to make himself known. The texture was tacky and ridged, making it difficult to get any real traction, but Tyler didn’t stop. “*Kai, it’s me! Tyler!*”
There was a slight shift, and Tyler felt himself sliding backward, dangerously close to the dark abyss of Kai’s throat. Panic surged through him, and he doubled his efforts, pounding and tapping against the undulating tongue beneath him. Every subtle movement of Kai’s mouth sent tremors through Tyler’s tiny body, and he knew time was running out.
Suddenly, there was a pause. The powerful muscles of Kai’s mouth stopped moving, and the pressure seemed to lessen. Tyler clung to the slick surface, his heart racing as the darkness around him gave way to a faint light. Kai’s lips parted slightly, allowing a rush of cool, fresh air to enter the humid space.
Then, through the dim light, Tyler saw it—Kai’s massive hand, moving slowly and carefully into his mouth. The giant’s fingers, each as large as a tree trunk to Tyler, moved with deliberate care, as though Kai had felt something unusual and was now investigating. Tyler’s heart leapt. This was his chance.
“Kai, I’m here!” Tyler shouted again, though his voice was barely audible against the booming sounds of Kai’s body. He waved his arms, tapping frantically against the giant’s tongue as the enormous fingers drew closer.
The giant’s fingers brushed against him, the warmth of Kai’s skin almost overwhelming. Tyler clung to the fingertip, feeling the immense power beneath the surface. The giant’s touch was surprisingly gentle, and Tyler could sense the care with which Kai was exploring his mouth. Slowly, the fingers lifted Tyler from the back of Kai’s tongue and out into the cool night air.
Tyler blinked as he was bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight, the fresh desert air a stark contrast to the stifling humidity of the giant’s mouth. Kai’s hand cradled him carefully, the enormous fingers forming a protective barrier around Tyler’s tiny body. The vast desert landscape stretched out beneath them, but Tyler’s attention was fixed on Kai’s face.
Kai’s amber eyes, wide with concern and curiosity, were locked on the tiny figure in his hand. His brow furrowed, and his expression was a mixture of relief and disbelief. Tyler could see the confusion in his friend’s face as Kai tried to process what had just happened.
Kai’s deep voice broke the silence, his words slow and deliberate, as though he were weighing each one carefully. “Little one…” he began, his voice carrying the soft cadence of his people. “I didn’t know you were there. My mouth… it could’ve been your end.”
Tyler, still catching his breath, nodded. “I was trying to get your attention,” he said, his voice trembling slightly. “It was close, but I’m okay.”
Kai’s brow furrowed deeper as he regarded the tiny figure in his hand. “The spirits guide us in strange ways,” he murmured, his eyes narrowing slightly. “I did not think to check the seeds again. I thought you were safe when I saw you before. This size… it is not right. It is dangerous.”
Tyler let out a nervous laugh. “You don’t have to tell me twice.”
Kai’s lips curved into a small smile, though the concern never left his eyes. “*You blend in with the seeds, like a grain in the desert sand,” he said quietly. “But this…” He shook his head, his voice filled with a hint of guilt. “This was not how things were meant to be. I must be more careful.”
“I don’t blame you,” Tyler said quickly. “I got caught up. But Kai, I don’t know how much longer I’ll be like this. We need to figure out what’s going on.”
Kai nodded slowly, his amber eyes flickering with thought. “The kiva… the place where you shrank… it holds answers, but also danger. It is a place where the spirits walk between worlds. You touched something there, something ancient.”
Tyler felt a chill run down his spine. “I don’t even know what it was. Everything happened so fast.”
Kai’s gaze softened, and he lowered his hand slightly so that Tyler was closer to his face. “The elders will know,” Kai said, his voice low and measured. “*They have seen many things. They know the old ways, the stories passed down by our ancestors. They can help us understand.”
Tyler looked up at the giant’s face, his heart steadying at the calm confidence in Kai’s voice. “Do you think they’ll be able to help me get back to normal?”
Kai considered this for a moment, his eyes scanning the horizon as if seeking guidance from the spirits. “The spirits will decide,” he said softly. “But we must act with respect. This power… it is not something we control. It must be balanced.”
Tyler nodded. “So, what do we do next?”
Kai’s amber eyes met Tyler’s, and the giant’s expression grew serious once more. “First, we go to the elders,” he said firmly. “They will guide us. And I will not leave you alone again. I will carry you as long as this curse lasts.”
Tyler felt a wave of relief wash over him. “Thank you, Kai. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Kai smiled, the warmth returning to his expression. “You would survive,” he said with a hint of pride. “But it is better not to be alone in times like this.”
What should Tyler do next?
1. Agree to go to the elders immediately for their wisdom and advice.
2. Suggest going back to the kiva to investigate what he touched, hoping to reverse the effect.
3. Ask Kai to take him somewhere safe to rest and plan their next steps.
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