"Human, can you get me out?"** Aepri asked cautiously, studying Sophie's expression.
"Ugh! My name is *Sophie*! Not 'human'!" Sophie huffed. "Just like how not all horses are white—there are black ones, red ones—you can't generalize! And I wouldn't call you 'earthworm,' would I? You have a name—Aepri—so call me Sophie!"
Aepri's giant head tilted in confusion. *"This human talks in riddles..."* Still, she managed to grasp the key point. **"Sophie... can you help me? I'm so hungry, and these crystals hurt!"**
Sophie finally noticed the barren space around Aepri's head—like a lazy person who only eats what's within mouth's reach.
*"Hmm..."* A realization struck her. *This giant worm is a goldmine! Look at all the gems she's left behind!*
"Wait here! I'll get help!" Sophie ordered, sending Kennen back to the village while she scavenged the discarded crystals—purple, blue, yellow, all glittering like treasure.
Charles and Little White, now demoted to assistants, carefully plucked embedded gems from Aepri's skin. Though it stung, Aepri stayed silent. *"If I complain, they might stop!"*
Soon, the entire dwarf village arrived—though none dared enter until Chief Gennar led the way.
Under Sophie's direction, the dwarves dug around Aepri's head. **"If we free her mouth, she can eat her way out!"**
Progress sped up as Aepri's head gained mobility. The dwarves simply hauled away the gems she spat out.
Three days later—**WHOOSH!**
Aepri burst from the mine, her colossal body unfurling under the sunlight. A celebratory **belch** promptly knocked half the dwarves unconscious.
**"Oops."** She wriggled apologetically, sending dust clouds flying.
Sophie gaped. *"She's... the size of three trains! And 400 meters long!"* Now free, Aepri's skin shimmered violet—though her toothy maw remained nightmare fuel.
**"Aepri, where do you usually rest?"** Sophie asked weakly, imagining this behemoth coiled near the village.
**"Underground! I only come up at night to peek at the world."**
*"Thank goodness."* Sophie sighed in relief. *"As long as she stays hidden, no one will panic."*
After bidding Aepri farewell (and stuffing her Phoenix Pouch with dwarf-crafted treasures), Sophie's family resumed their journey.
---
**"Mom, how much longer?"** Charles groaned, carrying both Little White and Agatha.
**"Soon!"** Sophie chirped—for the tenth time.
Charles gritted his teeth. **"Agatha, wanna go to Mom? I'll give you half my snacks... twice."**
Agatha's eyes gleamed. **"Deal!"** She instantly switched to pitiful mode. **"Mommy, carry me!"**
Sophie, who'd overheard everything, smirked but obliged. Little White facepawed. **"Idiots."**
---
**"A lake! Perfect for a bath!"** Sophie exclaimed as a mirror-like expanse appeared ahead.
Charles cannonballed in before she finished speaking. Little White prudently hopped onto the giant shoe-boat Sophie tossed ashore.
**"Mom, I can't—"** Agatha's protest was cut off as Sophie gleefully dunked them both.
**"I'll teach you!"** Sophie laughed, only then remembering her daughter couldn't swim.
Beneath them, unseen in the depths, a shadow stirred.
**"Who dares disturb my waters?"** growled **Belindak**, the lake's guardian—currently nursing a toothache.
**Will Sophie's family escape the wrath of the lurking leviathan?**