Morning came quickly. Too quickly for Alria to accept. Her eyelids twitched from the maddening red light that shone into her eyes. She groaned and pulled the sheets over her face. The first few seconds felt great being covered in darkness but it didn't take long for the air inside to become almost unbreathable. Alria pulled down the covers and the light returned onto her face again. She turned away to get away from the light but found the edge of the sofa smothering her. No matter how she positioned herself, one bounds to keep her from peacefully falling back to sleep.
"I can't sleep like this anymore!" Alria screamed, kicking the sheets off her. She hopped out of the sofa and kicked the bed sheets across the room.
"Keep it down woman!" A voice groaned in pain as Roy stumbled into the room, groggily clutching his head. "Some people are trying to…" Alria furrowed her brows as Roy swiftly looked away from her.
"Trying to what?" She demanded, placing her hands on her hips. Her gaze following Roy as he made his way towards her with his head turned away and his hands in front of him. Suddenly, he dove forward in effect of slipping on the bedsheet and landed right in front of her. "Well?" Alria asked as Roy looked up. His face turned overwhelming red as his mouth gapped open. Alria tilted her head to the side in confusion. What was wrong with him? Then it hit her- what she did to make herself cooler last night. Tears of embarrassment formed in her eyes as she stared down at Roy, her cheeks starting to burn as red as his. "No!" Alria shrieked, kicking him in the face.
"Getting to sleep on a bed for a change sure was a nice change." Distol chirped as the team passed through the portal that led to the Sea of Greed. "Today we will split into two teams," Distol announced, stopping in the midst of her track. "First team would be Alria, Roy and- I mean Alria and myself the rest would be another team." Distol quickly corrected herself, intimidated by the death glares directed at her.
"The quest is located on your map, so…" Alria stared down at pile of sand that began to pile up at the tip of her boots. No point dwelling on this morning's event… But what would the elders in her village think of her. Her father will surely disown her and granny would never see her the same way again. She kicked at the sand beneath her and sighed.
"Alria… Alria?" A hand waved into her vision and Alria snapped her head back to Distol who had a concern look on her face.
"Sorry, I just lost my focus for a moment there…" Alria paused and tiptoed as she peered over Distol's shoulder. "Where are the rest?"
"Doing their quest and we should do the same." Distol flipped her map over and handed it to Alria. "As you can see there is a pink and blue blob on the map near the beach that's where we're heading to, to fight the phino and pinkie."
Alria eyes widened as she remembered her previous encounter with the phino. "How bout instead of one on one we should just fight them…. Separately? It might be faster that way… I'll take the pinkie and you can take the phino. Hahahaha" Alria suggested quickly with an uneasy laugh. Distol thought about it for a moment and agreed with her suggestion.
"Pinkie, pinkie, pinkie…" Alria muttered as she strolled along the beach, holding her map in front of her. She followed the map through a pale pathway drawn on the map connecting the beach to the offshore island. To her dismay, where there should had been a dry path to the island; a cold chill washed pasted her legs as the sea laps at her boots.
Now her boots had practically become a soaked sponge beneath her feet- water oozing in between her toes before getting sucked back into her boots every time she lifts her feet off the ground. Grumpily pulling her feet free from her boots, she sat her boots under the sunlight and plopped down next to it.
The sounds of sand being crushed pricked into her ears as she saw a creature walking up beside her. It's four stumpy feet crawled over to the shoreline as it stretched its wrinkly head down to have a swig of the sea water. Alria stared at it with distaste, that thing had probably seen better days or was it just born ugly?
"A wise man once said never judge something by its looks." A voice whispered into Alria's ears. Alria tensed as a dagger pressed against her throat and a claw with rainbow coloured knives by her right as a hand squeezed her shoulder. "That's so true Mario, how is questing coming along girlie?" A more cheerful chirped into her other ear as the hand slid off her shoulder. Alria tried to turn around to see whoever was behind her but the dagger persuaded her otherwise.
"Mario put that dagger away, you are scaring our poor customer!" The other man groaned and the dagger withdrew. First customer? Alria slowly turned around.
"Mario and Reo the trickster duo, pleasure doing business with you!" The voices exclaimed in unison as the lone man strike a pose with his claw and dagger. Alria blinked. "We are skill masters for your specific type of class." The man explained in the same low voice she first heard. "So if you ever have a question about your skills or fighting style, feel free to ask us in Elderine." The man chirped, his voice changing again. Alria had a lot of questions to ask like why on earth is he wearing a red and black jester costume?
"What does it mean by souls required to activate a certain skill?" Alria asked.
"Do you realise when you use normal skills, your claws glow green?" Alria nodded.
"That is what happens when you collect souls, the more you collect the more damage you can inflict with the skill that requires it." Alria continued to nod blankly.
"Basically what Mario was trying to say is the small spheres on your claws would tell you if you have any souls at your disposal." Reo chirped and tossed a scroll onto Alria's lap. It read: Claw mastery. "An exchange from me to you." He grinned. Alria opened the scroll and a green aura emitted from her body. "Good doing business with you," Reo threw a coin pouch in the air and catch it. No wait, she didn't mean to open the scroll in exchange for her whole savings. Alria opened her mouth to protest but nothing came out. She had already used up the scroll, so she could no longer decline the exchange. The man now had a skip in his step as he made his departure. Alria groaned, falling back onto the sand in defeat.
Alria figured she better finish her quest if she ever wants to earn back her losses. She sat back up, her eyes shifted along the shoreline. The shelled creature was gone along with a pair of boot prints on the sand. That's not right. Alria jumped to her feet, frantically looking for that jester but he was nowhere in sight. That clown stole her boots too! Her toes curled uneasily at the thought of walking around barefooted. She could of course wear the socks she has in her bag pack. No that would just make things worse. She must retrieve her boots. Then she spotted it.
Trapped between the gnawing jaws of the shelled creature were a pair of black leather boots, glistening with a small stream of transparent liquid dripping off the sides of the boots. Alria sprinted right for the creature and grabbed her boots. Who knew its jaws had strong grip on it.
"Let go, that's mine!" Alria cried, planting her foot on smooth area of its shell and pulled with all her might. But it wasn't willing to part with her boots either as she felt its grip tighten on her boots. Ew, she could feel its saliva coating onto her hands. With one mighty tug the creature yanked the boots right out of Alria's hands while she tumbled backwards, landing on her bum. This had gone on for quite a while now and her butt began to felt sore. Frustrated Alria grabbed a handful of sand and flung it at the creature.
Her boots dropped onto the sand with a thud, but Alria's eyes remained trained on the creature as it looms over her. The horn above its head gleaming with evil intent of what it would do to her. A mighty roar boomed from its mouth and it charged, its horn aimed at her upper body. Alria gasped and rolled to the side, dodging the creature. But as fast as it halted, the creature came right back at her. Scrambling to her feet, Alria sprinted for the nearest palm trees.
Just a few more feet to safety, Alria thought as she desperately claws her way up the tree. As she reached to get a secure hold above, her left claw slipped out of the crack it made. Alria screamed and wrapped her limbs around the tree in a tight embrace. Her eyes squeezed shut and her teeth grinded against each other whilst the tree continues to shake violently.
"Looks like you are in a-"
"Just shut it and help me!" Alria screamed.
"Wow you're mean." The high pitch voice stated with a huff. Alria opened her eyes and looked up to the tiny girl with pink glass wings flying beside her. Alria stared at the thing, bewildered for a moment before another rumble from the tree snapped her back to her situation. "I don't think I like the tone of your voice." The little thing continued to admonish and turned her head away.
"Please help me Miss Fairy!" Alria cried. She could feel her grip loosening to the persistent shakes.
"First of all, rude! Fairies and Pinkies are two completely different species." The Pinkie lectured, her icy blue eyes glaring at her. "Second, I have a name, so address me as Miss Piera" Alria has no idea how long she could hold on for. "Third-"
"Help me or I will kill you for my quest!" Piera stared at her with disgust and flew behind the tree. "W-wait come back! I didn't mean that, please!" Alria begged, but no response came back. Alria bit her tongue. How stupid of her for blurting out that sentence. Now her death is guaranteed for sure.
An uncontrollable giggle escaped Alria mouth by a surprising sensation coursing through her body. Could this be how people feel when they are about to meet their end? Alria felt irked by her body's behaviour to be laughing at her own death. She pursed her lips together to stop the giggles from overflowing her but the persistent sensation only worsen. Then another raking sensation joined in, Alria's eyes widened and a stream of laughter burst out of her mouth.
"You're stubborn, just fall already." Alria could hear Piera's voice, growling from behind the tree. The sensation stopped and Alria took the chance to catch her breath as Piera hovered next to her whilst she ran her sharp red nails across her long brown hair.
"Please no more," Alria whimpered, her whole body trembling like a wet puppy. Piera smirked and flutters up to her face.
"If I save you from that Boogie Knight, you're going to help me with something got it?" Alria nodded desperately. Piera snickered and snapped her fingers, a tiny blue orb manifested at her fingertip. To Alria's disappointment, she threw it next to the Boogie Knight causing it to gallop away. Alria pouted and slipped down the tree.
"Remember your promise." Piera sang cheerfully as Alria grumbled to herself and put on her boots. Not after she made sure to wear socks for extra protection.
They left the tiny island and went down along the shoreline as they went further Alria noticed smoke coming from a distance and mini tents set up in a distance. A large number of people must be occupying the area. Well there isn't any monster in sight, so Alria came to a conclusion that it could possibly be a group of adventurers throwing a party?
"From here on we should lay low," Piera muttered and Alria cocked her head in confusion. How on earth are they going to do that? They are clearly visible to anyone that glance in their direction. Alria voiced out her doubts and Piera nodded. "You are right; we need a distraction to draw them away from me." Alria scowled at her. She pointed to herself and Piera gasped.
"That is a great idea! You can be the distraction while I carry out my rescue mission." Piera chirped happily. At this point of time, Alria felt like she had a perfectly good reason to just backstab that little Pinkie and be on her way.
"We got a feisty one!" Alria turned her attention to a group of bandana men trudge out of the forest towards the tents. In the middle of the group, bound by ropes tied around her hands and feet, was a girl wearing a bronze chest plate along with chained skirt with leather boots. That's Distol!
Alria watched in shock as they yanked her friend by the rope around her neck towards the tents. More of those men began to crowd around her. Piera decided now would be a great time to sneak into the camp while the perverted pirates occupy themselves with Distol. Alria silently thanked her for the distraction but promised that she would save her later.
Alria hid behind the nearest tent just as a yelp of pain came from where Distol was before it broke into a full out heated argument. Alria peered past the tent and found the pirates holding another woman back as she madly slashed her swords at Distol's direction. "How dare you try to seduce Mara's men!" Alria could hear her scream.
"We are looking for a cage," Piera whispered as Alria darted to the next tent. She could hear voices approaching her direction and backed up into the tent with Piera. Luckily the tent was unoccupied with scraps of fish bones and large bottles with foul smelling liquid strewn around the room. "They should be drunk, let them pass." Piera suggested as she peeked out of the tent, Alria nodded and waited. The tent opened.
A blue orb smashed right into the pirate's stomach, causing him to tilt forward. Alria tightened her fist and with a strong blow slashed the pirates face, causing him to stumble backwards out of the tent. "Where are your claws?" Piera demanded angrily as Alria quickly wore back her weapon.
"They were heavy," Alria whined and the pirate burst back into the room, sword slashing wildly. Alria raised her claws above her head, blocking the sword. Her claws came closer and closer towards her face. Alria gritted her teeth as she strained to push but it would only slow the approaching weapons at best. Not to mention that pirate had yet to use both his hands!
Another blue orb hit the pirate, striking at the shoulders causing him to stumble. Now with lesser pressure acting on her, Alria shifted the angle of her claw and let the sword slide down to her side. She leapt up and left a slash across his chest, her claws glowing momentarily and an orb embodied onto the claw glow green. Great she has a soul now.
Time to try something. Alria closed the distance between them and with a swift bend of her waist to the side, she thrust both her claws to his chest. With a resonating sound, the pirate flew out of the tent and the glow on her weapon disappear.
"Why did you send him out, idiot." Piera hissed.
"I don't know," Alria hissed back. Sure she had put in a lot of strength into the attack but that shouldn't be enough to send anyone out flying. Outside, the sounds of alarmed voices spread like wildfire and Alria knew it won't be long till they surround them.
"Quick this way." Alria slashed through the fabric at the end of the tent, just enough for them to squeeze through. The sounds of boots got louder and louder as Alria desperately shoved Piera out first and squirmed out herself.
"That should buy us sometime," Alria sighed, looking back through the gap she made. She turned and took a step forward. Alria paused. Her eyes bulged at the sight of the sword pointing in between her eyes. Alria gulped and looked up fearfully at the curly haired pirate with an eyepatch. Alria cracked a nervous smile. "Good day to hunt treasures right?"
Alria tugged uncomfortably at her bonds as she glared at Piera fluttering before her. To think that Pinkie tried to escape by herself. Alria was glad she got shot down with a net. "Hey, I am angry too you know!" Piera defended and Alria puffed her cheeks and looked away in defiance.
The female pirate ordered Alria to be tied up to the palm tree and took Piera somewhere else. Why did they have to tie her in full view of the sunlight? Alria blew at the few strands of hair that got stuck to her face from sweat. Her body felt itchy as droplets of sweat slid down her back. She squirmed in her bonds uncomfortably and noticed the stares of a few male pirates directed at her. Was there something on her?
"What?" Alria asked out of curiosity but the pirates turned back to themselves and began to murmur. Were they planning how to abstract revenge on her for injuring their mate? She watched as the pirates nodded to each other and glanced back at her. Alria could see it now. Being at the total mercy of these pirates to be treated as they see fit. She groaned and slumped against the tree, the ropes holding her upright. She just hopes whatever they had in stored for her would be a quick one and not too painful.
The first pirate pushed through the crowd of cheering pirates as he strolled over to Alria and flashed a set of yellow teeth. Alria could only assumed that he was smiling at her. She tilted her head higher to meet his smug gaze. "Look at what I have pretty dove," His raspy voice sending shivers down her spine as he poured a pile of sparkly powder from a pouch onto his palm in front of her. Alria blew it. He staggered backwards, coughing sporadically.
"Are you...okay?" Alria asked with a hint of concerned in midst of her giggles. The man looked back at her with a confused expression as he rubs his eyes.
"Where am I?" He groaned. Alria cocked her head to the side. Is this some kind of trick?
"You were about to ask your buddies there to go to hell?" Alria offered hopefully. To her surprise he actually he actually did as she told him. That didn't sink in too well with them. One of them even drew his sword and charged towards them if it wasn't for the rest pulling him away from their sight. Alria grinned. This pirate was hers to control. With his memories gone, who else would he trust but the first person he sees.
"Now untie me please," Alria chirped. Soon she felt the ropes around her body loosen and dropped at her feet. She let out a sigh as she stretched her arms. Now to get her weapons back and rescue Distol.
Alria ordered her pirate to tie her hands up to avoid suspicion but loose enough that she could easily slip her hands out. They wandered around the tents in search of her belongings. Alria kept her head low and made sure to pace herself into a shuffle as they went by a group of pirates squatting around a cauldron. The stench of fish pouring out of the bubbling pot made Alria scrunch her nose. How could anyone stand that kind of smell? Alria had to fight her temptation to pinch her nose and run as far away from that area, but that would only bring her trouble and she would be captured back in no time. Alria could hold her breath and continue walking.
Ahead of her, Alria noticed an oddly rectangular tent instead of a pyramid shape like the rest. Maybe that's where her weapons are-ah! "Why did you poke me for?" Alria hissed over her shoulder at the spaced out pirate who had his sword pointed at her. Alria digressed and went into the tent.
Inside laid mainly two types of weapons namely the net gun and different kinds of swords. Alria directed her attention to a pair of weapons at the side of a table: It was her claws. Alria snatched her weapon up and wore it. She took
"What's she doing?" A voiced boomed. Alria spun around like a thief caught in the act. She needs a distraction fast.
"Hold her off." Alria ordered to her pirate and bolted out of the tent. Bad move, a group of them were already waiting for her. Alria turned back to the tent and found her pirate laid on the ground with his head stepped into the sand. Alria scowled. How was she going to escape from this? Her eyes trailed down to the net gun holstered on the female pirate's waist.
"Why don't we let the boys take a rest while the two of us battle it out?" Alria suggested, earning a few mutters of agreement from the pirates. Alria grinned and brandished her claws. "What do you say grandma? I won't bite." Alria mocked, closing the distance between them. The female pirate eyed her from the head to toe and smirked.
Alria leapt into the air, her claws raised and glowing. The pirate sidestepped the attack. Alria kept up on the offense, slashing and throwing punches at the pirate; whom had one hand behind her back as she deflects any attack almost in complete ease. Alria needs to get closer if she ever wanted to stand a chance to escape. Pushing the sword to the side, Alria lunged. She was in range. Suddenly her stomach arched backwards and her body stopped in mid-air. Alria got flung back onto the sand as she clutched her stomach in pain.
"Who are you calling grandma?" The pirate spat. Wincing Alria stood up and break into a smile as she waved the net gun in front of her shocked opponent. She pointed the gun at the pirate as footsteps of the bystanders drew near. Swiftly spinning around with the gun held in front of her Alria pulled the net burst out from the barrel and expanded into a large rectangle, entangling the three pirates in it. Alria threw the gun at the female pirate and ran past the struggling pirates.
"Alria!" Alria halted and turned Ditol who had her hands behind her back, tied to a wooden cage filled with Pinkies. Hurrying over to her Friend, Alria carefully used her claws to cut the rope loose. "Thanks," Distol muttered, rubbing her wrist while Alria looks around to see if the pirates are catching up to her.
"We need to get out of here," Alria said.
"Hey! What about me?" A voice squeaked from the cage. Alria peered into the cage to find her little friend. Alria crossed her arms as she held her chin with a hand.
"I don't know… The cage fits you," Alria grinned and stuck her tongue out. She received a tug on her arm and turned to Distol who suggest they make their escape. Alria agreed and Distol volunteered to lead the way.
With the pirates still in search of Alria, the two seeked refuge in their tents and waited till they passed before moving on. The pirates must be quite bent on capturing them back as Alria noticed the patrols consisting of more and more band of pirates. Alria even had to resort to cutting a hole in the tent to shift from tent to tent.
"We made it." Distol announced in awe as they entered a snow white tent a few distance away from the rest of the tents. Alria followed Distol into the tent and her jaw drop. Inside stood a white sheeted bed with a poofy pillow laid on it at the end of the room. Alria felt a pang of jealousy, that bed looks way bigger than the one she had at home. Almost like a home to someone of high authority.
"What are we doing here?" Alria demanded, snapping out of her trance. "This isn't an escape."
"I lied." Distol muttered softly as she continues rummage the drawers. "But I have a good reason."
Distol darted over to the cabinet and pulled open the drawers. She squealed in excitement as she held up a necklace for Alria to see. Alria's eyes sparkled at the sight of the golden accessory which had a gem encrusted in the middle of it. Distol went on to rummage the drawers while Alria admired the necklace. The metal felt soft to the touch with a smooth wavy texture designed onto the necklace. Alria wished she could keep it...wait...
"Let's escape now while we still can," Alria hurriedly suggest but Distol was still paying too much attention on the jewels. Alria pulled her away.
"Not till I get my money's worth," Distol grunted, pushing Alria away.
The door flap flipped open as a pair- one black knee high boot stepped in followed by a wooden stick. Alria looked up at the lady in white as the lady glowered back down at her beneath her hat. Her eyelid thick with eye shadow. She gave off an aura of superiority, even stronger than the other female pirate that Alria encountered.
A sharp jerk on the collar pulled Alria back up with Distol stepping in front of her, a dagger in hand. Where she found that weapon, Alria has no idea.
"Thieves stealing Mara's treasure eh?" The lady drew her sword. "No matter, more prisoners for Mara's pirates to be." ted her long thin bladed sword, beckoning them to come forth. Did she just refer to herself in third person?
"No this is just a misunderstanding," Alria stammered, waving off the accusation. She turned to Distol in hopes that she would try to explain the situation that they got lost. Instead Distol dashed straight up to the pirate.
Deflecting a stab to the hips, Distol moved in with her own stab to Mara's chest. But Mara easily hopped out of its reach and pushed Distol back with her own attacks. Distol tries to close back the distance to gain back the upper hand but the barrage of stabs and slashes kept her away.
Alria sucked in a lungful of air and joined the fight. She leapt in between them with a swipe of her claws, breaking them up. She spun around and blocked a forceful blow that knocked her backwards. She glanced over to Distol. It didn't look good. Apart from the few scratches on her forearms, her hand darkened with blood as she clutched her waist. Alria have to incapacitate her somehow.
"Do you still have some strength left to keep her busy?" Alria asked and Distol shot her a look of absurdness. But nevertheless she still went on ahead to fight Mara with Alria hot behind her heels. An "Oomph!" sounded as Distol flew backwards and almost immediately Alria dropped down into a slide. In the split moment once she slid past Distol, she instinctively stretched her right hand out and met with a sharp jolt. She did it!
Mara landed face flat onto the ground and as she attempts to stand up her peg leg snap. "Woah!" Mara exclaimed as she fell backwards and landed on something soft. Unfortunately, that something was Alria. Alria squealed with disapproval as she attempts to get Mara off her. Just when she began to make some progress, Distol tackled Mara back on top of her now with more weight crushing her. "Get off me!" Alria yelled, squirming to free herself. All of a sudden the fighting stopped and Alria wiggled her way out beneath the bodies and got up. She dusted the sand off her clothes and as she looked up, she was met with a few pairs of eyes locked on her with swords pointed at her.
"Let her go or she dies." Distol growled, pressing the dagger deeper into Mara's throat under those circumstances the pirates withdrew their swords and backs off accordingly. "Leave while you still can," Distol panted. Alria opened her mouth to voice her concern but decides against it and ran out of the tent.
She should get help from the chief. She slowed to a walk and look around. Where was the portal? Suddenly her vision flipped upside down and something slammed to the back of her head and everything went black.