I won't say this again. I already did a few chapters ago!

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Potion Peril

Chapter 6: To Defend is To Care

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White Rose's Journal

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Cleric's Log, 535

Minutes later, Skuld upgraded the mine carts with more carts that were left in this ground layer, and built what they resembled jet packs. Musashi helped her attach the packs on each side at the middle cart.

"They should arrive momentarily." He said.

At first, we all thought things went smoothly; everyone reported to the area where the carts are located, the extra carts were loaded with the gorgons' belongings, and the carts were restored thanks to Skuld's special anti-rust and tarnish solution. I have been wondering why the queen and her servants hadn't arrived yet. So I walked back to the ruined palace and checked. What I saw was something I wished I'd never see again. . . .

"Ssstrange. This mirror wasssn't here before." Said the right-hand gorgon.

However, I wasn't the only one who feared the cursed mirror. The queen warned her people not to look at it and leave it behind. Suddenly, a sinister voice was heard by all of us.

"What'sss the problem, Your Majesssty? Ssscared of your inner demon?"

Instantly, a gray light flashed through the cracks and doorway, scaring off the gorgons. They slithered franticly towards us, including the queen. Seconds after, a very shady-looking gorgon came out, with vibes of bloodlust coming from her. She looked awfully like the Gorgon Queen. I calculated her and the mirror.

"One of the Mirror Entities . . ." I whispered.

"Ah, ssso you've encountered it, child? Missstressss Black Rose wasss ssso kind of her to transssport it here. Now that I've returned, it'sss time for me to take on my other ssside. And if you're thinking about leaving me here, aren't you forgetting these?"

The Gorgon Entity moved aside, revealing a blanket full of gorgon eggs. The Moms-to-be gasped, yet paralyzed in fury.

"Our babiesss!! Give them back!"

One guard tried to get them, but she got knocked back by a force field.

"Tsk, tsk. If you want your future back, hand me the Orb, unlessss you have a motive to defeat me . . ."

"I got a motive, so I'll fight you, demon!" Oichi yelled as she dashed forward, readying her halberd. Immediately, she twirled her polearm and pierced the barrier into ethereal bits.

"Very well, human child. I now come forth!"

The dual began, weapons clashing between the wielders. Dust clouds picked up from the feet and tail. Battle cries blocked all sounds we couldn't hear anymore. However, Oichi, from what I sensed, is losing stamina quickly from a long period of the fight. It's almost like she's going to slump to the ground. But the glint in her eye said otherwise; she was planning on something. Oichi faced the nest of vipers as the demon's hair. She threw the halberd into a thin stalagmite and got it to fall onto the tail, immobilizing the mirror gorgon, who screeched in pain.

"Now, it's another blow, vile fiend!" Oichi stated as she shifted into a new stance.

I was shocked at what I saw. Oichi was casting a spell, and spun gracefully like a dancer. Though she chanted the incantation in Japanese, I can clearly understood what she said.

"Destruction of nature, gather in flame! Fire!"

Instantly, the snake nest ignited, causing the mirror demon to flail uncontrollably. The stalagmite that nailed her tail still stood, making the struggling entity to leave at a price; a torn tail. She slithered quickly in agony, she fell into a chasm nearby. And later, a huge thunder crash sounded, finishing itself with an explosion.

"What in the free world just happened?" Shara asked.

"The mirror being hasss met her demissse." The Gorgon Queen answered. "Ssshe plummeted into the thunder quake crack and ended up into the energy core of it all."

"Good riddance." Musashi said. "Now we can bail back to the overworld. Grab the eggs and we'll leave."

The eggs were definitely safe inside the cart, thanks to spare robes, cloth armor and a padded layer over the brim. We all thought everything was ready for departure, but another voice came out of nowhere again.

"Hmph. It seems that my snaky pawn lacked tolerance to the petty abilities. No matter. You, my Realm Crossers, are interesting to me. I'll let you leave here, if any of you are eager to challenge me."

The source of the voice appeared in black smoke, revealing red over black eyes that glowed like the maddening inferno. She wore a strange long tunic, with a mysterious crest, made of silk and flax with black fur on the collar and sleeve ends. There was even a chain for a belt. Her legs were covered in fishnet stockings with French cut lace, and knee-cut, steel-toed boots, all black. But one of her arms was protected with a long gauntlet made with shells of unknown origin. Her skin, hideously, was dark gray while her hair is ghostly white. From the characteristics of her appearance, she looked like a winged demon; elven ears, pronged tail, sharp teeth and nails. The demon faced me into my eyes, smirking.

"So we meet again, White Rose. And I see new faces with you."

"We . . . met?" I asked, before recognizing her ghastly eyes. The same eyes that looked down on me when I descended from the barren world's cathedral months ago. "It IS you! What do you want with me?!"

She chuckled. "I have my reasons, child. But there'll be a time to answer your question. After all, I came here merely to see how strong you've become. Sadly, I've changed my mind and I shall have someone else fight me, instead."

"Hah!" Oichi laughed "I'll take you on, too. Besides, the duel with that pawn of yours was a just a little workout. Are you ready to be taken down?"

"Hm? Even though I'll accept your challenge, I don't think you'll defeat me that easily." the demon laughed as she took out a huge, wicked scythe. "Let's go."

The two charged at each other, but the demon vanished when Oichi tried to strike at her. Marche, noticed a black cloud nearby, which sped up toward the Fire Muse.

"Behind you!" He pointed.

Oichi swung her halberd at the cloudy form and clashed at her as if it was a sword fight. The demon struck with a vertical slash, but Oichi blocked it, trying to push aside. But the fatigue in her was on the rise. I could tell by her heavy breathing.

"Can't . . . hold on . . . Much . . .longer." Oichi stuttered.

"Pathetic." the demon muttered. "Is that the best you can do, human?"

Oichi, angered, pushed her back and charged forward. Suddenly, she tripped over a rock.

"Eek! Ouch . . ."

The demon walked toward her and raised her scythe again, all ready to finish Oichi. But miraculously, a cloaked figure appeared quickly in front of Oichi and actually slashed and stunned the demon with a gorgeous white sword, shouting . . .

"Everyone, leave this demon to me. Evacuate now!"

"That voice . . ." Marche spoke softly. "That sword . . . Llednar?!"

"We can't just abandon you!" Oichi said. "We'll all beat her together!"

"No, Oichi! She's too strong for all of you! Get out of here while I hold her off! Another thunder quake will happen soon!"

He was right. Another thunder quake started and it was much worse than before. Even the stalagmites were falling down everywhere. Something told me that this shadow had seen the light at last and decided to make a sacrifice that would save the Clan's life as well as me and my friends. Haru grabbed Oichi and boarded the carts.

"Llednar! No! You can't do this!" Oichi yelled in sadness.

"Forget about me! But because of you, I'm doing the right thing as a true warrior. And Marche, live your life to the fullest for me and your friends!" Llednar told them before attacking demon who was no longer stunned. "Escape, NOW!"

"Let me go, Haru!" Oichi shouted.

Haru still clutched on to Oichi's arm and said, "It's for your own good! He won't be happy if you stay here. All you can do now is believe in him."

I read Marche's mind. He finally figured everything about the letters, Oichi's plot and assistance for Llednar. He looked at him from the distance as the carts started its return trip to the overworld. He and Oichi shouted for the Biskmatar . . .

"LLEEEEEDNAAAAAAARRR!!"

I was full of remorse and sorrow from their cries. I came to Oichi and Marche, comforting them. I decided to make a promise with the two.

"Guys. I know it's unbearable to lose someone important to you, but in case if Llednar survived both the fight and the quake, Toboe and I will come back here and find him. If not, Oichi and I will find that demon and avenge Llednar's demise."

"Me and you finding him?" Toboe asked from the third front cart.

"I've taught you how to ride a broomstick, and since you can use magic, you'll be okay." I reminded him.

"Okay, White Rose." He responded.

"If you're really going to take revenge for Llednar, alright. I'm counting on you." Marche agreed.

A few moments among ourselves passed, and we arrived back on the earth's surface. Clan Nutsy returned to town, and so did my friends. But Toboe stayed by my side. He must have kept his word for me. Or was it something else that gotten him to help me? He was up to something; he didn't think, but thought silently. Either he learned about angels or maybe he hung out with me often since he joined the cause? Yet, whenever he helped me out, I get this funny feeling growing within me . . . But the former wolf interfered my thoughts.

"White Rose, are we ready to embark on our search?"

"Yes . . . Yes we are." I nodded as I leapt through the rocky rubble of a valley. "C'mon, let's go."

The surrounding were no longer glorious since that massive thunder quake. Even the ruined palace had been smashed to bits. Then again, those gorgons needed a new home at the surface. However, Llednar could have been around here, buried somewhere, waiting for his rescue. Suddenly, I sensed Toboe noticing something unusual. I landed near him and asked.

"Did you find something?"

"Only footprints that lead to that pond of some kind." Toboe answered and pointed out.

"They're definitely footprints, that's for sure. Not feminine ones, either." I added.

"Does this mean Llednar survived the rocky disaster?" the former wolf asked me.

"He might. He could be wounded or worse, dying. Nevertheless, if Llednar's down there, we'll have to get him out." I responded as I focused my energy.

"Yes, ma'am!" He saluted like some military trainee.

Using the power of Fathom Echoes, its elemental power got amplified, changing my outfit and my legs into a more aquatic appearance. Toboe blushed at me from beholding for a small time period.

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Toboe's Journal

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Dear Journal,

Have you ever wondered if a boy or a man would be head over heels if they encounter a beauty from the ocean? Well, I did. Actually, White Rose the angel turned into a mermaid by using Fathom Echoes, the Orb of Water. I was about to transform, too, but I got stunned by her looks. Her droopy ear-fins within the loose, flowing hair. Even her mauve sleeve-fins and the webs between her fingers looked lustrous. Her violet whale-like, yet scaly tail was the center of the attention, with the beads loosely wrapped, crisscrossed to the band at the base of her fin. White Rose wore a simple, pale blue toga with nothing but a rope as a belt and a collar with a cute, stout-looking starfish. She stood on the sub-ground with her fin base.

"White Rose, you're gorgeous!"

"Huh?" She turned her head to face me.

"Uh . . Er . .nothing, nothing at all." I stuttered as I caught my breath into reality.

"Okay, okay. Transform already, Toboe. The Biskmatar's waiting."

After I changed into merboy, wearing a lavender toga with a red kelp belt. I looked too simple. I had a thought that White Rose would think less of me, compared to her appearance. I decided to find something along the way to give myself some pizzazz. We dove into the water pit. The path seemed so dark, but small glowing things could be seen from the distance. We followed the luminous trail, and followed even more. The two of us swam into a rather huge place with glowing aquatic plants. It was a lovely site, indeed. I shook my head and followed White Rose, who sensed something unusual, to an air pocket beyond the icky algae. In that air pocket was an unconscious and familiar young man, somewhat older than me. We checked closely after we got out of the water.

"Llednar . . ." White Rose muttered, checking his pulse. "He did survive, but . . ."

"But what?" I asked, looking closely.

We felt a jolt down our spines as we found a gash on Llednar's chest. White Rose quickly cast a healing spell, but the wound didn't close.

"Drat." White Rose sighed. "Wait . . . Mom's trick!"

She took out a plump mushroom and consumed it. But as she swallowed it she retried the healing spell, making the wound close this time, and the bleeding stopped. Llednar slowly awoke.

"Ugh . . . .did I defeat her?" He asked us.

"I don't think you have. The demon must've escaped." I answered.

"How was that possible?" He asked again.

"A demon's body has the ability to heal wounds overtime, even severe ones. I guess when you thought you impaled her or something with that sword of yours, it must've got her in a sense." White Rose explained.

Llednar gave an explanation of his own.

"But she fled into the waters here. I chased her, dodging an enormous falling stalagmite above me. Earlier, the demon wounded me with a blow from her huge scythe. The wound became unbearable, so I swam to this air pocket and rested. If it wasn't for your healing spell, my hour would've arrived sooner. I have a question for you this time."

"Spill." I confirmed.

"Why the heck are you helping me out when I committed a horrid deed?"

White Rose gave him the answer.

"You made it up for it by creating a diversion for us to evacuate the area, and you taught Oichi how to use magic. So we had to return the favor. And also . . .we have to check you and Marche for something important. For now, we gotta get outta here."

"I could go with you, but my lungs suffered some shock they're having from the gash. I don't think I can hold my breath that long."

Remembering something from a book, I took out a reed and blew a bubble balloon two to three times the human head size. I took it and place it on Llednar's head like a diver's helmet.

"Wear this." I said. "You don't have to hold your breath now with this balloon. Just breathe normally."

"And where did you get the ability to change into merfolk?" Llednar asked.

"We'll explain after we check you." White Rose responded.

The three of us dove back into the water and swam to where we came, but a boulder was in the way. We tried prying it out, but we slipped.

"It won't budge!" I huffed and puffed. I suddenly whispered mentally.

Huh?! I can talk underwater, too?! I thought it only happens in the cartoons or comics . . .

"LOOK OUT!!" White Rose yelled at Llednar and me.

"Look out for . . ." Llednar turned only to see a gigantic squid. " . . .what?"

He look up, seeing the creature's eyes. The squid roared at us with rage. White Rose tried to communicate with him, but he jabbed her with one of his feelers, sending her to a rocky wall.

"Ack!" she shouted, bracing herself.

"WHY YOU!!" I shouted angrily, readying my staff and muttered an incantation.

"Water that we breathe,

But the fiend of the deep

Who intakes it . . .

Let the heat rise within,

And weaken!"

The squid stopped attacking from my spell that took effect. And I finished casting with the last command.

"Boil!"

The squid's tentacles started to shrivel up as he screeched. White Rose swam quickly and hacked a few tendrils away with her war fan. The squid tried to attack us, but he missed, crushing the boulder into bits.

"The path's cleared up!" Llednar shouted. "Let's bail!"

"Right!" White Rose and I confirmed as we swam out to the surface.

We felt somewhat tired from fighting and swimming, but our adrenaline reacted when White Rose froze strangely for a second, meaning another danger was near. After we reverted back to our original forms, I turned to the water pit, and saw the squid leaving the depths. He just screeched at us with rage. We had no time to deal with him, so we fled to the entrance of the mines. White Rose and I grabbed Llednar's arms and took him up with us since we noticed he can't leap high enough. At the entrance, we found that the others were having a problem at the field outside the mines. White Rose and I took a closer look at the cause; it was the same monster we fought back in the watery path.

"Wah! How did he . . .?" White Rose wondered.

"No time, you two! The squid has something in his feeler!" Llednar pointed out before withdrawing an elegant white sword and dashed toward the aquatic beast. "I'm coming, Marche!"

That was Marche caught in the creature's grasp. For some reason, his clan can't seem to harm him. Even Lightning spells can't work . . . Then I noticed he was muddy all over.

"No wonder the spells aren't working." I said. "With the mud and dirt, the bolts can't touch him. White Rose, ready to give this cur the Aqua Bomb?"

"Teehee, I got the "Aqua" if you got the "Bomb". Let's go!" She smirked cunningly as she readied her war fan.

We ran toward the squid, casting our spells. I chanted a different Water spell, Hydro Bubble, while White Rose performed Aqualung by twirling her fan towards the monster, creating a ring of water, which closed into a whirlpool. I moved my hovering staff before me, making it glow and raised my arms then pushed my arms, aiming at the squid. A puddle appeared beneath the staff, and water rose, forming into a water-filled bubble.

"Hydro Bubble!" I shouted the spell's name.

"Aqualung!" White Rose yelled.

My bubble plummeted, but the gushing brine from the watery vortex caught it and both spells combined. The floating rapid carried the rolling bubble without bursting it. We both shouted the attack and pointed at the squid in unison.

"WATER BOOOMMB!!"

In seconds flat, the bubble was thrown by the spray and exploded on the squid's prong, soaking the drying mud . . . Before he got washed up by the rushing beam of brine. Marche was released from the tentacle and ran back to the clan.

"He's soaked!" Skuld shouted. "Shock him again!"

The Black Mages cast Thunder, but for some reason, Llednar absorbed the spells into his sword, giving it an electrical enhancement. He jumped and performed a "V" slash on the creature. The squid was stunned, but in a Nanosecond, electricity surged throughout his body, electrocuting his interior before the exterior. Finally, the monster slumped to the ground, all fried up.

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TBC

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Did the last part make you hungry? It happened to me for sure as I wrote this. Do what you can, or just take a break. These chapters won't go anywhere!