Chapter 5

Sweet Memories-Quick Comeback

This new creature was even more humanoid in its physical features. The fighters could see long hairlike shapes emerging from behind its "head". It had a plain face but it basically looked quite human. It evidently was female due to the presence of "breasts" on its upper chest. But like its previous form, it too had a tapered abdomen and hovered in the air, a body composed of air and bound together by some dark magic. It too was an obstruction to travelers and it too preyed on humans.

Already sweating and a little bruised from the first fight, no one was even ready to stand straight when the monster struck out its hand, shaping it like a sharp stick, and plunged it deep into Bolgan's meaty thigh.

"Arghhh!!!" his cry of pain echoed throughout the mountain region. Disturbed and scared, birds flew out of their nests, wild dogs paused for a moment and all manner of creatures stopped to ponder the source of the sound.

"Bolgan!" Rina was the first one to react by simultaneously throwing a flurry of knives and unleashing a violent rune attack on the womanlike mist monster.

The blades impaled it just as flaming dragons circled and descended upon their victim.

The devastating combo of both weapons and magic would have killed any other large creature but this time it didn't work. The monster simply drew back its "hands" and this time aimed for Rina, as it "stitched" itself back to normal with amazing speed.

Everyone watched spellbound as the hands surged towards Rina.

Rina was about to duck when she felt Eilie push her aside.

Eilie's eyes went wide as she the sharp hands cut her arm, not even close to sever it thankfully, but enough to cause her agony.

This time nobody was waiting for another attack on their comrades.

Furious, that the monster had attacked him and his sisters as well as hurt Eilie and himself, Bolgan ran forward letting loose a wild roar, all the while ignoring the throbbing pain he felt where his right leg used to be.

He punched the monster right on its face with a massive right fist and followed it by a combo of punches any boxer would have been proud of. He finished his assault with a right hook to the neck and a left uppercut right below the head. Jumping back, he glanced behind him to see Rina deftly binding up Eilie's wound as the young girl silently cried from the immense pain.

Jowy, seeing that the monster was distracted by Bolgan's furious and efficient response, jumped into the air forwards. He twirled his staff and brought one end right on the creature's head and was greeted by a roar of pain. He retreated as quickly as he had attacked and again tensed his muscles, ready to strike another blow or evade an attack.

After this, the monster became more careful. It really wasn't that damaged by the recent skirmish, but it too had feelings and it didn't like being hurt. Slowly scanning over the standing warriors, it decided to pick Eilie for the next move. After all, it reasoned with itself, the girl couldn't move very much and would most likely die or become unable to fight leaving only four of her companions to contend with.

So that was it: the girl with the short purple hair would be the first to die. The others would soon follow.

The monster was very confident. After all, nobody had ever managed to defeat it. All that was left of unwary travelers and hardened fighters was the bones lying at the bottom of the cliffs that bordered the mountain pass.

But it didn't count on Riou.

*You blasted demon! How dare you even touch Eilie! I'll make sure this'll be the last fight you ever have!*

Suddenly shouting, "Back to Hell demon!" Riou charged towards the demon with full speed and proceeded to give it a thrashing of its life.

Rina, Bolgan, Jowy and Eilie watched as he attacked the monster with all his might. Even the monster was taken aback with the boy's yell and it hadn't recovered properly.

Being too quick and nimble for the monster to hit him, Riou managed to punch, kick and hit it with his deadly tonfars. Instead of tiring, he seemed to get faster and stronger every time he swung his tonfars and the Mist Monster was hurting badly, as Eilie watched with worried eyes.

In an act of desperation, the monster swung it hands upwards and luckily hit Riou on the chest. As he fell back to the ground, it decided to attack Eilie now before it lost its chance. Turning back in the direction of the wounded girl, it saw Rina, her hand spread forwards and Eilie brandishing a couple of knives in her other unwounded hand.

Two figures landed behind it and were able to each give it one good hit before jumping back. The monster, now enraged, turned towards them.

That was when Rina struck. Her hands already glowing bright orange blazed and a large fireball erupted from her spread palms. It flew directly at the monster's back.

The monster felt the searing pain on its backside but could do nothing as it screeched around and finally dissolved into thin air like its predecessor.

Riou barely able to stand, finally keeled over due to the sudden exertion. Rina quickly ran over him followed by Jowy, Bolgan and Eilie.

Seeing that he was just exhausted, Rina told them that they would camp here tonight.

Jowy gathered dry wood and started a fire, as Rina took care of Bolgan's wounds. His knee was fine as ever as it had not been cut very much as Bolgan insisted, but his sister made him drink some healing medicine and bandaged it.

On the other side of the camp, Eilie tended to Riou. His breathing was ragged and the bandage around his stomach had come loose. Washing the wound carefully, she put on a fresh bandage. When he woke up, he would have to have some medicine just in case.

Squatting underneath the stars of the night with her secret love and a "hero" of some sorts, Eilie wiped the teenage boy's face with a cool, damp cloth to clean off the grime and dust. She felt completely at ease doing something she would never imagine she would be doing; the only problem was...

Tomorrow would be the last day she would ever see Riou. Eilie, Rina and Bolgan being travelers and Riou going home to Kyaro.

*Sigh*

Why was life so difficult? Just when you thought you found something to cherish, you lost it just like that.

Riou gently stirred a little and grimaced as he slept on, unaware of Eilie's thoughts.

It was a long night for Eilie.

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AN-

Wow, that sure was long

Nice to see that at least one person enjoys this fic

Sorry to update so late, but I'm having my exams right now

Wish me good luck!

And yea, I know its a bad title