II: Caught In the Cradle of Decay
"Oh, come on!" Jonathan shouted. "I've once said that this would happen again, but I never that it would be this damn quick!" He added.
"I've had enough of that castle!" Soma shouted.
"Let's go, we might find our answers in there." Shanoa said.
"Alright!" The three replied and all of the charge through the front.
Before they reach the entrance, Charlotte worries abot Soma and Shanoa. "Do the two of you know how to fight?" She asked.
Soma nodded. "Of course I do." He replied and brings out an axe. "I have this when something dangerous is going to happen." He said.
Shanoa nodded. "I know." She replied. "You'll see how I fight." She added.
"Okay then, I think we'll have no problems." Jonathan said and brings out his whip. "Onward!" He shouted.
The four arrived at the castle. "Kuso…" Soma said. "There's too many of them!" He added.
"I've never seen so many zombies in one place." Shanoa said.
"Charlotte!" Jonathan called.
"Right!" Charlotte replied. "Soma, Shanoa, stand aside!" She shouted.
Soma and Shanoa moved behind them. "1000 Blades!" Jonathan and Charlotte shouted.
Charlotte casts magic around Jonathan as he throws knives to the zombies, each taking a single hit and piercing through their undead bodies.
Then, they stop and Soma claps. "You're good." He said.
"Impressive." Shanoa said. "When did the two of you learn something like that?" She asked.
"Hah, it was nothing." Jonathan replied. "It was Charlotte's magic that helped me throw that fast." He added.
Charlotte blushed. "Stop that, it's kinda making my face all red." She said.
Suddenly, a zombie arises from the ground and grabs Charlotte's leg. "Aaah!"
Jonathan is caught off guard. "Lucky undead bastard!" He shouted. I hoped someday I can do that! You ruined my chance to be the first one!
Soma rushed. "Don't worry, I got this!" He said. "Hah!" He chops the zombie in the head and a red soul exits it and fused with him.
Jonathan and Shanoa wondered about what happened to Soma. Charlotte, on the other hand, is relieved. "Thanks." She said.
"Don't mention it." Soma replied. "It's natural of me to protect anyone near me." He said and begins to remember something.
In a bright sunny day, a lovely couple is sitting on a bench.
"Soma, can I ask something." An orange-haired girl said.
"Sure, what is it, Mina?" Soma asked.
"If something happens like the last time, what will you do?" Mina asked.
Soma raised an eyebrow. "What are you so worried about that, Mina? Of course I'll do everything in my power to protect you!" He replied. "And I'll make sure they'll get the deserving payback!" He added.
Mina smiled and kissed Soma in the cheek. "That's good to know." She said.
Soma's face turned red and he falls unconscious.
Jonathan waves his hand on Soma's face. "Helloooo!" He shouted.
Soma pushed Jonathan away. "Quit it! I'm not deaf!" He shouted.
"Soma, I have to ask about something." Shanoa said.
"What is it?" Soma asked.
"What happened to the red light that entered your body?" Shanoa asked.
"You're asking about the Power of Dominance?" Soma asked.
"Power of Dominance… do you mind giving us some explanation about it?" Charlotte asked.
"It's simply the power to absorb and control the souls of the creatures I kill." Soma replied. "It's something I got from Dracula." He added. "Still, it depends on how lucky I am." I always get zombie souls, please, I've had enough!
"So what other powers you could do with that?" Jonathan asked.
"I can summon a cat if you want." Soma replied.
"Please do." Shanoa said.
"Alright." Soma said and summons a cat that appears in his hand.
The cat meowed and Charlotte is overwhelmed by its cuteness. "So adorable!" She said and takes it from Soma's hand cuddles it.
Jonathan's jaw dropped in what he saw and Shanoa is somehow surprised on how Charlotte reacted.
Soma worries on Charlotte. "Hey, Charlotte, that cat is…" He said.
The cat manages to break free from Charlotte's grip and scratches in the face. Then it runs away.
Soma and Shanoa covered their mouths to avoid laughing then Jonathan grins. "I guess cats don't like you, Charlotte." He said.
Charlotte gets angry and smashed Jonathan with her book that sends him kissing the floor.
Soma and Shanoa removed their hands on their mouths and remained silent.
Charlotte looks at them with a smile. "Alright, let's go now." She said while dragging an unconscious Jonathan to the next room.
Soma sweatdropped. "I think I've found my reason not to mess with a bookworm." He said.
"I have to… agree with you." Shanoa replied and then they followed the two.
Soma and Shanoa sees Charlotte preparing to throw Jonathan to a ledge.
"Whoa there!" Soma said while trying to stop Charlotte.
"What's the problem?" Charlotte asked.
"I have to ask if you're going to throw him there." Soma replied.
Charlotte nodded. "Yeah, I was going to do it." She said.
"Say wha?!" Soma asked.
"It's normal for him to get thrown off." Charlotte said. "He's kinda much of a throwing dummy." She added. "Anyway." She throws Jonathan to the ledge giving the cold feet to Soma and Shanoa.
Charlotte looks at them. "Hey, let's go." She said and jumps over the ledge.
Soma nodded with hesitations. "All… right." He said and he and Shanoa follow her.
Minutes passed and the group arrives at a hallway.
Jonathan's eyes slowly opened. "Ugh…" He said weakly.
Soma looks at him. "Hey, you're awake." He said.
"What happened…?" Jonathan asked weakly.
"You got smacked into oblivion by Charlotte." Soma replied.
"Is that so…?" Jonathan asked.
Soma nodded. "Yup." He replied. "By the way, you looked really funny when you got smacked." He added.
Jonathan raised an eyebrow. "I… did…?" He asked.
While the two are having a nice converstaion, Charlotte and Shanoa wonder on the swinging pendulums.
"I don't think we'll be safe jumping over those." Charloote said.
"What other choice do we have?" Shanoa asked. "We know that there are spikes from below. We might as well jump over those pendulums." She said.
Charlotte nodded. "Yeah, we don't have any other choice." She replied. "You go first and I'll call the other two."
Shanoa nodded and jumps over a pendulum. "That was easy." She said and noticed a chest. "I might as well take what's inside" She takes the contents and jumps to other pendulum. With that, she safely reached the other side.
"Hey, you two, get over here!" Charlotte shouted.
Soma enjoys himself while listening on his MP3 player and Jonathan carefully pays attention on the walls.
Charlotte begins to feel ignored. "Hey get over here!" She shouted and nothing happens.
Jonathan noticed Soma nodding continously. "Hey, what are you doing?" He asked and the white-clad boy replies with nothing. "Hey!" He shouted.
Soma removes his black earphones. "What?" He asked.
"What the heck were you doing?!" Jonathan asked.
Soma shows his MP3 player to Jonathan. "I'm listening to music using this." He replied.
Jonathan raised an eyebrow. "What's… that?" He asked.
"It's an MP3 player." Soma replied.
"M… P… 3…?" Jonathan said weakly. "You listen to music using that small rectangle?" He asked.
Soma slapped him right in the face and grabbed his face. "Do not ever call this a small rectangle!" He said.
"Ouch!" Jonathan said while blood gets out of his nose.
"People like you don't deserve to live!" Soma shouted and gives Jonathan a knee strike on the face.
"Awk!" Jonathan flies back and hits the wall. "What the heck was that for?!" He asked angrily.
Soma brushed his hands. "Don't worry, I just felt insulted." He replied. "I have no grudges against you." He said.
"You look like you have one!" Jonathan shouted right at his face.
"Oh, really?!" Soma asked angrily.
"Wanna make me show why I said that?!" Jonathan asked.
They both show piercing eyes with a typical hate background, Charlotte facepalmed in seeing this stupidity.
Soma shows a mouthwatering curry. "This curry is the most delicious food ever tasted by man!" He shouted.
Jonathan raised an eyebrow. "Oh really?" He asked and shows a noodle bun. "This is the most delicious food ever tasted by man!" He shouted. "This is much more delicious than your crappy-looking curry!" He added.
"What did you say?!" Soma asked angrily. "The only thing I see from that it is too much for a normal bun, bub!" He shouted. "This is much better than yours!" He added.
"Say what?!" Jonathan asked. Then they bang their foreheads to each other. "Grr…."
Charlotte decided to mediate the argument. "Stop you two!" She said. "Stop or I'll be the one to bang your heads to the wall!" She added.
Soma and Jonathan moved away. "Tsk!" Then they hurry to the other side, afraid of what Charlotte said.
Shanoa sees the three. "Took you long enough." She said.
"Did we make you wait for long?" Soma asked.
"Not really." Shanoa replied. "I'm kind of enjoying what I've seen." She added.
Jonathan raised an eyebrow. "You… were watching the whole time…?" He asked.
Shanoa nodded. "I did." She replied. "I felt entertained on your argument with Soma." She added.
Jonathan blushed. "Kinda embarrising… isn't it?" He asked.
Charlotte pinches Jonathan's ear. "Cut it out!" She said.
Soma grins. "Are you feeling jealous, Charlotte?" He asked. "Jonathan is having a sweet talk with Shanoa." He said.
Charlotte slapped Soma right in the face. "No, it's not like that!" She replied.
Soma fell to the ground. "My God! I knew it!" He shouted.
Charlotte grabs Soma on his collar. "Can you please tell me what you have learned?" She asked with an innocently and somehow deadly smile.
Soma hesitates on whether he should say it or not. I think I'm seeing flames behind her. 'Um… it's kinda hard to explain." He replied.
Charlotte tightens her grip making Soma feel more terrified. "Oh, come on now, surely you have something to say." She said.
Soma runs out of ways to get his self out of the situation. "Kuso…" He said weakly.
Jonathan noticed the two and moves away from them. "Glad I'm not the one in there." He murmured.
Charlotte quickly pinches his ear. "What did you say?" She asked.
Jonathan gulped and thinks quickly for dear life. "I said… uh… I said you look pretty." He replied with smiling look.
Charlotte smashed him to the floor without replying and looks at the terrified Cruz. "Where were we?" She asked to herself.
"Aaaahhhhhhh!"
Shanoa looks at them sees the mayhem that just occurred. "What exactly… happened here…?" She asked.
"Nothing." Charlotte replied.
Shanoa sees Soma with pale white eyes and Jonathan stuck on the floor. "I do not think nothing happened here." She said.
A white soul comes out of Soma's mouth. "Something happened." It said. "Charlotte was like killing us." It added and tries to fly off.
Unfortnately, Charlotte grabs the white soul and forcefully shoved it back to Soma's mouth. With that, the white-haired man coughs. "Acckkk."
Shanoa raised an eyebrow. "I just don't get what happened here." She said.
Jonathan tries to get himself out of the floor. "This will hurt until next week…" He said while shaking his head. "So… should we move along now?" He asked.
Soma nodded helplessly. "We should…" He replied. "Before I think… of what will Charlotte do to us...?" He added then the two walks to next room.
Charlotte wonders on the two. "Those two agree on the same thing."
"Just be glad that they're here." Shanoa said. "We'd be pretty screwed if not." She added. "Also, your repayment to them would be needed,"
Charlotte nodded. "I agree on that." She said and they follow the two.
Soma and Jonathan maniacally kill the axe armor. "Wahahahahaha!" They laughed.
Charlotte and Shanoa silently follow.
A pot roast is seen lying on the floor. The group's stomachs begin to rumble inside.
"Should we rest here and eat that?" Soma asked.
"Dunno… the food is kinda making me wonder why it is there." Jonathan replied.
"We should probably rest." Shanoa replied. "So we can be prepared for the upcoming battles." She added.
Charlotte nodded. "I agree." She replied. "Five minutes will do." She said. "I kinda feel we should hurry to finish this." She added.
With that, each member of the group find there spots to rest but finds distance on the pot roast.
Soma stomped the floor. "I've had it!" He said. "I'm going to eat that roast!" He added and gets the food and placed it on the center. "Get here, the three of you!" He shouted and the three went to him.
The four stare at the pot roast.
"So… who'll take a piece of it first?" Jonathan asked.
Charlotte pushed Soma towards it. "You go eat it first." She said.
Soma raised an eyebrow. "Why me?" He asked.
"Aren't you the one who said you're going to eat that?" Shanoa replied.
Soma scratched his head. "I guess so." He replied and takes the drumstick first. "Here goes nothing." He said and eats the food. "Hey, this is delicious!" He remarked and grabs another piece.
Jonathan quickly grabs the plate. "Aw, hell no!" He said.
"Why you…" Soma said and brings out his axe. "What do you mean hell no?!" He asked angrily. "I got me an axe; I'll make you my chopping wood!" He shouted and starts to chop Jonathan.
Jonathan dodges every swing. "Ha ha!" He said.
"Aren't we going to do eat that?" Charlotte asked.
Shanoa facepalmed. "This is getting out of hand." She said.
An axe come flying in front of Soma and Jonathan. Because of that, they ducked but the pot roast gets sliced in half.
"Oh, come on!" Soma shouted.
"Who's the idiot who did that?!" Jonathan asked angrily.
An Axe Armor passed by and the two agreed on something.
Soma rushed towards it first. "I'm going to kill you piece of rust!" He shouted and chops the armor in half. Then Jonathan kicks the chopped helmet. "Aim for the olympics!" He shouted.
The helmet gets blown and hits someone unknown in the shadows. "Oof!"
Shanoa hears the bump. "I think you just hit someone." She said.
"No way." Jonathan replied. "Besides, the only thing it'll hit is the cemented wall." He said. "The only thing it'll hit besides the wall is a monster." He added.
Soma nodded. "I agree." He said. "Let's move forward." He then left with tears beacause of what the pot roast has suffered. Damn it…
Jonathan, Charlotte and Shanoa followed him.
They arrive at the next room. Jonathan noticed Soma having problems with his axe.
"Hey, wanna use this falchion I got?" Jonathan asked.
Soma takes the sword from him. "Arigato." He said and noticed something. "Wait a minute; how the heck did you got this?" He asked.
"Just got it from above earlier." Jonathan replied.
"Dunno how it happened." Soma said. "Anyway, I think I should give you an adivce." He added.
Jonathan raised an eyebrow. "What kind of advice?" He asked. "If it's about how to be popular to girls, I'm going to listen." He said.
"It's not about that, really." Soma replied.
Jonathan lowered his head and sighed. "So much for expectations." He said. "Alright, what's the advice?" He asked.
"Have you always wondered about knives?" Soma asked.
"Hmm… I thought they're useless subweapons." Jonathan replied. "They're pretty weak." He added.
"The knife is not useless actually." Soma said. "In fact, it's a great spam material." He added.
"Is that so?" Jonathan asked.
Soma nodded. "Yup." He replied. "Just throw and perform a backdash." He said. "Be careful you don't get dizzy." He added.
"I'll keep that in mind." Jonathan said and looks at Shanoa. "Hey, Soma, have you always wondered why Shanoa has long hair?" He asked.
"She's a girl." Soma replied. "Why wonder on that?" He asked.
"I feel there's something more about that." Jonathan replied and sees Shanoa stabbing a Peeping Eye right in the eye. She lands on the floor and the two boys see her tatooed back.
"Mother of God…" Soma said.
"Her back's damn beautiful!" Jonathan shouted.
Charlotte wonders on the two. "What the heck was that?" She asked to herself.
Shanoa looks at them with her weapons held tight in her hands. "Is something wrong?" She asked.
Jonathan pushed Soma. "You go tell her." He said.
"Hey, why me?" Soma asked.
"Hmm?" Shanoa wonders why the two are acting strange.
"Hey, umm… how should I say this…?" Soma said while twiddling his index fingers.
Shanoa raised an eyebrow. "Say what?" She asked.
Soma sighed and looks at Shanoa in the eyes. "I have to say that you've got a really… really beautiful back." He replied.
"Eh?" Charlotte wondered.
The two remains in silence. Soma quickly drags Jonathan. "The weather is nice isn't it?" He asked.
"Yup, sure is!" Jonathan quickly replied. Why the heck am I going around with this idiot's gag?
Charlotte raised an eyebrow. "Cold gag." She said.
Seconds later… The group arrives at place with a huge clock.
Soma looks at the clock. "I think I've seen this before." He said and remembers it. "Aha, this is like the place where I fought Zephyr!" He shouted.
Jonathan looks at him. "Zephyr?" He asked. "You fought him too?" He added.
Soma nodded. "Yeah." He replied. "You fought that monster, he was hard isn't it?" He asked.
"Not really." Jonathan replied. "He was tricky on that timestop but Charlotte and I found a way to beat him." He said.
Charlotte smacked Jonathan's head. "In other words, he made ME find a way to beat the monster?" She asked.
"Come on, don't say something like that." Jonathan begged.
Soma sighs. "Good for the two of you then." He said.
Shanoa raised an eyebrow. "So, what are you trying to say?" She asked.
"Don't mind me." Soma replied. "I'm still tired because of the things that happened earlier." He added.
The group arrives at a hallway.
Soma'e eyes widened. "Not this again…" He said weakly.
"Is there a problem, Soma?" Charlotte asked.
"Man, those bloody spikes…" Jonathan said.
"It is going to be a problem since they are spinning." Shanoa said.
"Follow my movements, minna." Soma said as he moved forward.
Jonathan, Charlotte and Shanoa follow him.
The group was able to evade the spinning spikes thanks to Soma's movements.
"You're good at leading, Soma." Shanoa remarked.
"Is that so?" Soma asked.
"You're good really." Jonathan said. "It doesn't bother me having someone to lead." He added.
"At least, you're better than him." Charlotte said.
Jonathan sweatdropped. "Come on, Charlotte." He said.
Soma suddenly fears danger. "Look out!" He shouted and pushed the three away from him.
A white beam appears and hits Soma.
"What the?!" Jonathan asked angrily.
"I did not notice that!" Shanoa said.
The white beam fades and the three are surprised that Soma is still standing. "Ugh…" He said weakly and falls to the floor.
Jonathan and Shanoa quickly catched him before he lands to the ground. "You alright?" They asked.
"I'm fine… I think…" Soma replied weakly.
"Don't move I'll cast a healing spell." Charlotte said and begins chanting.
Soma pants. "Hah… hah…"
"Heal!" Charlotte shouted and a light surrounds the group.
Soma felt rejuvenated. "Arigato." He said and bowed.
"I guess what he said is thanks." Jonathan said.
"Glad I could be of help." Charlotte said.
Shanoa looks at the point the white beam was fired. "What was that?" She asked.
"A beam attack of Gergoth." Soma replied.
"Gergoth!" Jonathan and Charlotte shouted.
"Gergoth, huh?" Shanoa asked. "Do you mind giving me some information about that monster?" She added.
Soma looks at Charlotte. "You have a list of monsters on that book, right?" He asked.
Charlotte nodded. "It is." She replied and opens her book. "Its chuck full of information and my observations about them." She said. "I also wrote some methods to attack them and counter theirs." She added.
"Do you have anything about Gergoth?" Soma asked.
"Sure is." Charlotte replied and flips pages on her book. "Let's see… A… C… There." She said.
"Let's hear it." Jonathan said.
"Ahem…" Charlotte begins to read. "Gergoth: A once gentle beast, warped by magic driven mad by imprisonment. It resembles a gray bipedal animal with much of its flesh rotting off." She said.
"That is something I should feel sorry." Shanoa said,
"It has empty eye-sockets, and its ribs are visible. When it opens its mouth to fire a beam, the gray skin on its head is peeled off, revealing tender pink underflesh. Its feet are protected by armor which can be destroyed if attacked enough. It was a supposedly gentle beast who grew deformed and driven mad by imprisonment. The reason for its imprisonment is of yet unknown." Charlotte said.
"That's it?" Soma asked.
"Yeah." Charlotte replied. "The tactics to defeat can come later." She said.
"Say, Soma, how did you manage to block that attack?" Charlotte asked.
"I used the Final Guard ability." Soma replied.
"The Final Guard, huh?" Jonathan asked. "Hmm… it makes sense that you got out of it alive and with no bruises or anything." He said.
"So you got a soul of a Final Guard in your arsenal?" Charlotte asked.
Soma nodded. "It's… something like that." He replied. Dunno why… but I'm beginning to hear the thoughts of the souls I've dominated.
"I pledge my allegiance to you, my lord!"
"Awwoooooooo!"
"How about a delicious curry, sir?"
"The human skeleton is comprised of many bones."
"People in England used heads of beheaded people for a soccer ball during medieval times."
"* % #* &$%"
Soma covered his ears. Please stop! It's irritating!
"Is there something the matter, Soma?" Shanoa asked.
Soma removed his hands from his hears. "Nothing." He replied.
Jonathan looks in front of him. "Let's go." He said. "I have a feeling that Gergoth is nearby." He added and the group leaves their location.
The group arrives near a ledge. Charlotte looks down below. "Gergoth sighted." She said.
Jonathan noticed Gergoth preparing to fire an attack. "Incoming!" He shouted.
Soma moves in the front. "Stand behind me!" He shouted as he raised his hands to the front.
Jonathan, Charlotte and Shanoa moved behind Soma. Gergoth fires his beam attack.
"Final Guard!" Soma shouted as guards the attack. "Ngh!" He then feels he's being pushed. "Tsk… I won't hold out much longer!" He shouted then he feels supported from behind.
"Come on, Soma, we can handle this!" Jonathan shouted as he helps giving support.
"There's no way I'm going to die in a place like this!" Charlotte shouted.
"We have to go all the way!" Shanoa shouted.
"HYYYYYAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" They successfully guard the attack.
"Alright, it's now or nothing!" Jonathan shouted and jumps off the ledge.
"Let's go!" Shanoa shouted and jumps off.
"I'm way ahead of you!" Charlotte shouted and jumps off.
"You took the words right out of my mouth!" Soma shouted and jumps off.
They land and see Gergoth in front of them.
"He looks strong." Jonathan remarked. "The face is something only a freak would love." He said.
"It seems prepared." Shanoa said. "Be on your guard." She added.
"Let's stick to that plan, everyone!" Charlotte shouted.
"Be careful!" Soma shouted. "Attack!"
Soma and Jonathan dashed to Gergoth's face.
"Eat this!" Jonathan lashes his whip to it.
"White Fang!" Soma shouted and a face of a warg appears and bites it.
Gergoth begins to release something.
"What the?!" Jonathan asked angrily. "Take cover!" He shouted.
Gergoth's entrails are being shot out rapidly. The group attempts to evade each one.
"What the heck is that?!" Soma asked angrily as he evades it.
"I never saw that doing an attack like that!" Charlotte shouted. "This is something to take note of!" She added.
"The note can come later!" Shanoa shouted. "The only thing we should pay attention of is evading its attack!" She added.
Gergoth stops and jumps to stomps the group. The group dodges sideways.
"That was a close one!" Soma shouted and swings his sword to it. "Take this!"
"Here, have a taste of this whip!" Jonathan shouted and gives three hits using his whip at the monster.
"Ignis!" Shanoa calls forth raging flames.
"Help me buy some time, Jonathan, Soma!" Charlotte shouted and begins to cast a spell.
"You heard her." Jonathan said.
Soma flips a bone. "Yeah, right!" He replied and throws it at Gergoth's head.
The bone hits Gergoth like a rubber ball. Jonathan's jaw dropped. "What kind of distraction was that?!" He asked angrily.
Soma scratches his head. "Sorry… It's the only way I know of the word distraction." He replied. "Heh heh…"
Shanoa facepalmed. "Sometimes… I just really… do not understand men." She said.
Charlotte sweatdrops while casting. Obviously, we have another one like Jonathan. Why do I have the lowest luck? "Fireball!" She shouted and the fireball hits Gergoth.
Gergoth begins to fire its beam. Jonathan quickly noticed the degree. "Everyone, duck!" He shouted.
Soma, Charlotte and Shanoa ducked. Gergoth fires its beam.
"Jonathan!" Charlotte called.
Gergoth fires and Jonathan quickly bends backwards.
Gergoth stops and battle continues. Soma quickly slashed the enemy in the head. Shanoa supports him by attacking at the same time.
Jonathan jumps in the air and jump kicks Gergoth right in the head. "Like this?!" He asked and as he bounced from the attack, he lashes his whip. "Hyah!"
Soma makes a skull appear. "Here it comes!" He shouted and kicks it towards the enemy. It hits and bounced off. "Jonathan!" He called.
Jonathan hears his call and kicks the skull to him. In addition, he throws three knives to him.
Soma kicks the skull to Gergoth again and catches the knives. "Ikuso!" He shouted.
Shanoa goes to the right and Soma goes to the opposite. Charlotte begins to cast a spell. Jonathan lands in front of Gergoth. "Hello there!" He shouted and shows his whip. "You know this?" He asked. "No? I'll introduce you to this once more!" He then gives a ten hit combo.
Jonathan ends his attack with a rising whip attack making Gergoth look above. Charlotte finished her casting. "Splash Needle!" She shouted and a burst of compressed water hits the enemy.
Soma attacks with a triple slash to a rising slash and retreats to Jonathan and Charlotte. Shanoa stabs with her heapon and does the same action Soma did.
Gergoth roars in pain. Soma wonders. "Is it over?" He asked.
"I don't think so." Jonathan replied.
Gergoth charges towards them.
"Look out!" Charlotte shouted.
"Evasive action!" Shanoa shouted and everyone makes a run to the side.
Gergoth stops and jumps backwards and makes a cracking sound after landing.
Jonathan raised an eyebrow. "Did anyone hear the cracking sound?" He asked and the floor cracks.
Soma jumps and grabs on the ledge. The floor breaks and it falls along with Gergoth. Jonathan, Charlotte and Shanoa jumps and grabs each other. Charlotte grabs Soma's hand, Jonathan grabs Charlotte's right leg and Shanoa grabs Jonathan's boot.
Soma sees the destruction the crack has made. "That's… a long way there!" He shouted. "And… all of you are... heavy…" He said weakly as he holds on his grip on the ledge.
Charlotte noticed Jonathan. "Don't you dare look above!" She shouted as she blushed.
Jonathan looks above; he blushed and quickly looked away. "Don't worry, Charlotte!" He replied. "I didn't saw your blue panty!" He shouted. "Come to think of it… it had a red ribbon. Heh… heh…" He added.
"Ugh… I hate you, Jonathan!" Charlotte shouted. "You're a complete pervert!" She added. "You are so gonna get it!"
Shanoa facepalms. "I just do not understand relationships these days." She said.
"I have to ask." Soma said. "Who is the one who ate too much?!" He asked.
"I am on my ideal weight!" Shanoa replied angrily.
"I'm following a strict diet on my training regimen!" Jonathan replied angrily. "So… is it you… Charlotte…?" He asked. I'm so dead after this…
Charlotte's face becomes red all over. "No way!" She replied angrily. "Though… I… only gained a little…" She said weakly. "I'm having some changes on my diet…" She added.
"Oh, come on!" Jonathan shouted.
"This is not the time to be arguing!" Soma shouted. "Must… hold on…" He said weakly. "I can't… hold on!" He loses his hold and they fall.
"Waaahhhh!"
While falling, Soma sees Gergoth with its head stuck on the floor from a tall view. "Let's jump kick it!" He shouted.
"You sure?!" He asked.
Soma nodded. "It's the only thing I have in my mind right now!" He replied.
"We have one problem." Charlotte said.
"What is it?" Soma asked.
"I can't jump kick!" Charlotte replied.
"Never mind that problem!" Jonathan shouted. "Let's kick it already!" He added and holds behind Charlotte. "Since you can't kick, we might as well use your weight!"
"That's a great idea!" Charlotte replied and sweatdropped. I feel insulted.
Shanoa sweatdropeed as she obviously noticed the insult. "Let's get over with this already." She said.
"Alright!" Soma replied.
Gergoth lifts his head from the floor but it returns back as the four kicked it in the head.
"Now that's what I call a turkey!" Jonathan shouted.
"You're so not good at jokes." Soma said.
"Enough of ths ridiculous gag." Shanoa said.
"That is why I rarely talk to him after our fights." Charlotte said and the four lands on the floor.
"It was a good idea to kill the monsters before this, huh, Soma?" Jonathan asked.
Soma nodded. "Who knew you were good at predictions?" He replied.
"It was easy actually." Jonathan replied.
Soma, Jonathan, Charlotte and Shanoa are standing at a room that leads to long corridor.
"Let's plan first." Jonathan said.
"What should we even plan?" Soma asked.
"The chances we are likely to encounter monsters in this place." Jonathan replied.
"That's… a good idea." Charlotte said. "Who knew those words will come out of your mouth?" She added.
"A wise plan is necessary, though." Shanoa said.
Jonathan mysteriously makes a white board appear on the wall. Soma's jaw dropped. Shanoa is surprised and Charlotte is getting some mind problems.
Jonathan sketches his ideas on the board. "I have a feeling a monster is above the castle." He said. "Likely, there will be some monsters that will prevent us from reaching it." He added.
"It is common." Soma said.
"You do have a point." Shanoa said.
"It is true and from what I often read in books." Charlotte said.
"So, it's best we kill them first before we go after the boss." Jonathan replied.
"That sounds good enough." Soma said.
"I agree." Shanoa replied.
"Take the lead, Jonathan." Charlotte said.
Jonathan nodded. "Alright." He replied. "Also, it's a benefit for us." He said.
Shanoa raised an eyebrow. "Why say that?" She asked.
"It's good for us to get some items and master some equipment in our own arsenals." Jonathan replied.
"You're right." Soma said. "The things you said are like grinding in video games." He added.
Jonathan raised an eyebrow. "Video games?" He wondered. "What's that?" He asked.
"I'll show you one later." Soma replied.
"Can we get to the slaying already?" Charlotte asked.
"Let's finish this!" Soma shouted and charged to Gergoth. "Take this!" He shouted and pefroms a combo with his sword and the knives he got from Jonathan.
"Hey, give me my fair share!" Jonathan shouted and attacks along with Soma.
"Should we let the two of them finish this?" Shanoa asked.
"Let's just attack with our spells." Charlotte replied. "They'll be angry at us if we are going to butt in their swords and whipfest." She said and begins to cast.
Shanoa nodded. "I see…" She replied and prepares her attack.
Soma perfoms a rising slash that makes him leap in the air. "Alright, take all the things I learned from years of video games!" He shouted and performs an aerial combo.
"Take this!" Jonathan shouted and performs his own combo on foot.
"Raging Fire!" Charlotte shouted and her spell hits Gergoth.
"Ignis!" Shanoa shouted and her attack also lands.
Gergoth begins to suck air that pulls the group towards it.
Soma jump kicks on its head with timing. Jonathan dashed away along with Charlotte and Shanoa.
Charlotte trips and closed her eyes as she feels death is near.
Gergoth begins to bite but bites air.
Charlotte opens her eyes and sees Jonathan carrying her.
"I'm glad you're alright." Jonathan said.
Charlotte's face quickly becomes red.
Gergoth tries the same attack but before it could that. "Go forth!" A white spirit hits it.
"What was that?" Shanoa asked.
"That voice." Soma said. It sounds like Arikado.
The spirit disappears and a voice can be heard. "Finish it off!"
Soma nodded to Jonathan and he also nodded in response.
"Wait here, Charlotte." Jonathan said and lets her stand. "Let's end this guy's misery, Soma!" He shouted and runs towards Gergoth.
"Right!" Soma replied and leaps to the air.
Gergoth begins to prepare its beam attack.
Jonathan roars. "Hrah!" He then disappeared as he dashed.
Soma spins in the air. "Hyah!" He shouted and dashed in the air towards Gergoth. "Eat this!" He then slashed.
Jonathan reappears from behind the monster and Soma lands near him.
Gergoth roars as it slowly dies. It falls to the ground and a red soul exits and entered Soma's body.
"It's over." Soma said.
"Yeah." Jonathan replied and raised his fist to Soma.
"We make a good team." Soma remarked and raised his fist to him.
Their fists make contact like a high five. Charlotte and Shanoa walks to them.
"Well done." Charlotte said.
"I'm impressed with the coordination." Shanoa said.
"Thanks for the compliment." Jonathan replied.
A chest appears from the sopt where Gergoth is defeated. Charlotte opens it. "A grenade and some items." She said and takes all of it.
"In the end, we find nothing why we are here." Soma said.
"You're right." Charlotte replied.
"Still, it doesn't make sense." Jonathan said.
"Dracula is supposed to be the master of the castle." Shanoa said. "Why is it only a beast like that here?" She asked.
"Don't ask me." Soma replied and sees a book. "What's with that book?" He asked.
"That's a grimoire, right, Charlotte?" Jonathan asked.
Charlotte nodded. "Right." She replied.
"A floating grimoire." Shanoa said.
The grimoire opens and suddenly sucks in the group.
"Waahh!"
"Aaaah!"
"Whhooaa!"
"Ngghhh!"
End Notes: I know that there are some things that never happened in the game like the part where the four kicks Gergoth back to the ground. It's a humor attempt. Also, want to guess the souls who are speaking in Soma's mind?
