Jesús: "Hey everyone, back again and sorry for the delay. This time around all I have to blame for this is adult life and work…wait wouldn't that fall into adult life…? Oh well, chapter time…" [Disclaimer] "…I don't own the RF series, nor any of the Anime/Manga/Videogames referenced in this story. All credit for them goes to their respective owners."

Ch. 40

Raguna POV

Marco delivered the Golden Hammer first thing in the morning, in all honesty it was rather surprising for him to be awake this early on break. We invited Marco to breakfast as a thank you for bringing the Hammer and after he left I headed to the Lava Ruins.

"Here we go again. I have to be careful. Carrying this hammer is rather annoying when I think about fighting normally." I said to myself as I made my way across the Lava Ruins.

Walking across the dungeon while carrying the hammer and my sword became more and more difficult as I continued; before I knew it I was winded and I wasn't even close to halfway through the second floor.

"Kin, I think we should leave. I'm in way over my head if I think I can do this alone. I think I'm gonna look for someone who's willing to search the dungeons with me." I said and grabbed the Hammer and my sword as I started the "Return" spell.

Once out of the Ruins I met with Cinnamon, who was fishing in the Lake.

"What's the matter?" she asked

"Clearing the dungeon is gonna be harder on my own. I need this hammer to continue, but it hinders my movements and is actually too heavy to move quickly while carrying it and my sword." I explained as we walked back to town.

"I can see just how heavy it is. You seem to be trembling trying not to drop it." Cinnamon said

"Yeah, guess is pretty noticeable…wow, just how strong is Marco. He was carrying it this morning as if it was nothing." I said and the thought of asking him to join my search crossed my mind but I brushed it off as I remembered Ganesha's story.

"Who were you gonna ask?" Cinnamon asked

"Well there's Eric. But I know as a fact he's not gonna be able to carry this. And then there's…yeah, he might do it…" I thought.

"Who is it?"

"An old friend, though I don't know exactly what he thinks of me." I replied "He moved away back in Elementary school and came back near the end of Middle school. He goes to another High school though."

"I see, well I have to go home and get some break-time homework done. Good luck with you friend." Cinnamon said and we shared a quick kiss as she said bye.

"Come on Kin," I said to my Silver Wolf and we ran towards the residential are of the city.

After walking for a few minutes we reached the house of my friend. After knocking on the door the door opened.

"Hey Man…" I said and he smacked the door close. "Come on Brodick. Open the door."

After a couple second more the door opened and My friend, Brodick, jumped out with a practice sword in hand and attacked. I blocked his attack with my sword and then just pushed him aside.

"What do you want?" Brodick asked

"To ask for your help." I replied nonchalantly.

"What is it?" Brodick said calming down.

"I'm trying to get across the Lava Ruins, Carrying this Hammer along with me is kinda difficult when fighting." I explained

"I see…I'll think about it." Brodick said and started walking into his house.

"Hey man, you still owe me one from that time." I said remembering once back in middle school he forgot his lunch and I got some for him.

"Fine…" Brodick said "Just wait here, I need to get ready. I suppose I don't need a weapon since you got the hammer right?"

"Correct." I replied and then Brodick closed the door to his house.

After a couple minutes he came back out wearing his training gear.

"Ready." He said

"Here you go. Hope you can use it fine." I said

"This is nothing. I carry things twice this heavy all the time in school." Brodick said and started swinging the Hammer around like nothing.

"Alright, since is lunch time right now. How about we get something to eat and then go to the ruins?" I asked

"Sounds like a plan." Brodick replied and we went to get food.

After lunch, which was burgers, we made our way to the Ruins.

"Alright Brodick, I presume you've visited the other two dungeons." I said

"Who hasn't." he replied as if saying 'Stupid'

"Well, then you knjow what kind of things are in here. Ready?" I asked

"Since you asked this of me." Brodick said and we walked into the ruins.

About a half hour passed and we were now in the third basement floor.

"How the hell are we supposed to pass here?" Brodick asked

"There's a bomb on the other side. We can reach that through here." I said and walked through another pathway.

There was a pool of Lava between this pathway and the bomb. Brodick looked at me confused thinking I meant jumping across, which I would if I was alone.

"Fire!" I said and shot a fire ball to the bomb keg.

Brodic looked at me amazed this time.

"How did you do that?" he asked

"Magic…" Literally.

"I believe it. You did just shoot a fire ball out of your hand right?" he asked to make sure he saw right.

"Sure did. Come on." I said and we continued.

To keep light conversation I gave him a quick explanation of how I learned to use magic. We also talked about other things, how we've been since Middle school and our current lives.

"I can't believe you've got yourself a girl now. Here were me and the guys thinking you weren't gonna get together with anyone." Brodick confessed.

"Geez thanks for the faith." I said and we laughed. We reached the fourth bloor stair case and here was the targeted obstacle.

"Here it is…" I said looking at the Bomb catapult.

"What's that?" Brodick asked

"A catapult. Can you hit here with your Hammer?" I said getting out of the way.

"You sure? What if it sets off the bomb." Brodick asked

"That's the idea. It'll hit this debris and let us through." I explained

"I see. Then leave it to me!" Brodick said and got ready to hit the panel.

Once the bomb opened the path we high-fived celebrating we got it right. We continued our path and eventually we reached a group of Minotaur.

"This just got interesting…" Brodick said

"Let's not get carried away. First gotta reach the spawner and break it." I instructed.

"I know that. Why don't you snipe them with that magic of yours?" Brodick suggested.

"Only the first shot would work. I can probably take the spawners out, but it'll alert the Minotaur.

"Go ahead, we can handle them." Brodick said

"Alright…" I said and got ready.

I started charging the fire in my hand and then added the lightning element. Once I felt the ball was ready I started aiming.

'This is my only chance to get this in one go. I can do this…' I said to myself and shot the ball.

The ball flew between the Minotaur and in the area between the Spawners. The ball exploded out and the lightning element hit all around taking out the two spawners and one Minotaur.

"Alright!" Brodick called and rushed in.

"Kin, help Brodick!" I said and rushed in too.

Kin ran forward and picked Brodick up as she ran. Once Brodick was on her back she started running around the battle are and brodic swung at the Minotaur.

"Thanks Kin." Brodick called

A minotaur stood in front of me and swung its axe down at me. I jumped and stood on the axe. As I ran up the Axe's handle I pulled my sword out and slashed at the Minotaurs head going for an "Instakill". The Minotaur saw this coming and lowered his head to block with one of its horns.

"Darn…" I said and then jumped out of a bite attack.

I looked over to Brodick and Kin and they were holding their ground amazingly well. The Minotaur against me got ready for a tackle and I dodged last second and countered its attack.

The Minotaur fell down and away from its axe. When the Minotaur noticed me over it he didn't continue to fight back.

"Hmm?" I said and noticed something in its eyes…It was looking at me as if saying "I've been waiting"

I looked at the minotaur and then I said the first think that came to mind.

"Do I know you?" I said and it stood back up. And just patted my head. "I guess I'll take that as a yes…"

The Minotaur picked up its axe and just hung it at his side. After a couple second later Brodick and Kin finished the two Minotaur the were fighting and came to "My help".

"Watch it man, don't let your guard down." Brodick said

"Wait…" I said and approached the Minotaur. A name came to my mind… "…Red?" I asked and the Minotaur gave a roar that seemed to be of Happiness.

"It sure has been a long time. I'm guessing you're part of his family?" the Minotaur spoke and me and Brodick freaked out.

"If you mean Great-great Gramps Raguna, yes." I replied

"Great-great grandfather huh? So it's been that long since. Your grandfather actually gave me the ability to talk before he died." The Minotaur now known as Red said

"I see, so why are you here?" I asked

"After Raguna's death I went back to the first forest and lived as monster again. I was waiting for the day I met you again." Red said "Please take me with you. I'll help you in your quest."

"Alright, I don't see why not. The more help I can get the better I think." I said and the, now, group of four continued.

I wonder what comes next…

Jesús: "Alright, that's that. Two new companions on this quest. Can anyone say they saw this coming? Meh, leave a comment telling me how many of you thought so. In any case, that's it for this one so I'll leave and work on the next one right away. See ya!"