The New Techniques

The next day, the duo headed on out to Serpent's Coils. Virginia purposely hid the key beneath her shirt, and didn't talk about her dream, so she wouldn't upset Jet. He didn't need rattling at this moment, not when he was concentrating on how best to tackle the Demon. They would need every ounce of energy they had if they were to win. If they didn't, well Virginia didn't want to think about what would happen after that.

When they arrived, they found a not-so-warm reception waiting for them. There, standing in the door to the dungeon, was an army of Shadow Gobs, brought from Boot Hill no doubt. They each had the power to destroy a human in one blow, but that wasn't what scared Jet and Virginia. It was the sheer number of the monsters that caused the two to pause. Many separate groups, Virginia's magic couldn't handle that

much, and Airget-Beam was only a single enemy attack. They needed to devise a plan if they were to win.

"Let's try something new," suggested Virginia, "When we created the Airget-Beam, we focused on the single Shadow Demon to get our aim. What would happen if we focused on every single Shadow Gob in this room? Could our attack be much larger in range?" Jet shrugged, he had no idea. But they had nothing to lose. If it worked, they could continue onwards. If it failed, well they were going to be an entrée anyway.

The two friends joined hands, and began to concentrate on the army of Shadow Gobs that were fast approaching their position. Energy began to crackle like a thunderstorm all around them. Suddenly, it burst out, hitting every monster in the room. Instantly, they were all turned to dust. Virginia let out a sigh of relief.

"Well, that was sure powerful. Hey, Jet, how about we call that attack the Airget-Storm? It looked like a storm, except the lightning bolts were green instead of the usual yellow or white. If you don't like it, we can change the name. So, what do you think about my idea?" asked Virginia. She looked at Jet, as her heart began to flutter in her chest. For he stood there, a man who conquered his greatest foes, holding his head high and his eyes looking forward towards tomorrow. He'd look perfect in one of those fashion photos.

Jet told her, "It doesn't matter to me. I just want to get this done and over with. I mean, we may be the ones who hold the power of Filgaia inside of us, but you're just a young girl and I was just born. This is not the type of work we should be starting on. We'd do better off on a treasure hunt, guaranteed money in those, and we need the money to eat. So, let's continue onwards, and talk about this when we get back."

* * *

Later on, they came to a room that would later be the site of a battle between Jet, Virginia, two men who would become their teammates, and the team of the female Drifter, Maya Schroedinger. There, their eyes fell upon a Shadow Demon like no other. He was taller than the undead monsters that inhabited their birthplace, but with a similar shape. Except for the addition of spikes and horns sticking out on its back and head. The creature let out a roar to rock the building, causing Jet and Virginia to nearly fall down. It was an earth shattering scream, that loosened some of the stones, nearly causing one to fall on Virginia. It was a lucky break that Jet pushed her out of the way in time. When they got their footing, they turned to face the Demon. Virginia stepped forward, determination in her eyes. "We came as you told us. Now the game is up. You will pay for all the evils you have committed, never again will you hurt a human being." The young girl brought up her Duel Pistols, to show she was serious. That was followed by Jet aiming his Airget-lamh.

"Humans, do you actually think you can defeat me?" inquired the monster, "I have lived in this place for hundreds of years, trapping many who come to seek treasure and the remnants of the Demons. You are here for the one purpose of becoming my nourishment. Those other agents did a good job of luring you both to this spot. Now, you will die." With that, it charged up the Reflect spell, placing the magical barrier on it. Jet and Virginia put away their ARMs, they had only brought them up to look impressive. All along the two had known it would come to this, the use of magic and their combined Filgaia Power skills to defeat it.

Joining hands, they began to concentrate on their enemy. Firing the Airget-Beam, it managed to hit their enemy. But the Shadow Demon wasn't down yet, countering with the skill Phantom Hazard. The Dark energy caused both warriors to take damage, and make them have to refocus their attacks. Another one of their Airget-Beams did little to hurt the creature, it was almost as if the Shadow Demon had another barrier.

"Your attacks are feeble, now you die!" it told them. Then, it shot its shadowy horns at each one of them, to impale them and knock them down. But before they hit, something amazing happened. A barrier flew out of their still joined hands, made of the same energy that was part of the Airget-Beam and Storm. It was decided then to call the new skill the Airget-Barrier, since it guarded against attacks. But they had to get back to the battle at hand first. Somehow, they had to overcome the Shadow Demon's barrier to win.

Virginia exclaimed, "Dist Dims! The Sacred Staff of the Guardians, it's inside of my body at this very moment. If we use that, there's no way we can lose. And if we combine it with our Airget-Type skills, we'll have the power of every Guardian as well as the planet itself on our side. We'll be an invincible force."

Jet looked at her. "I don't know what you're saying, but you'd better do something quick. I don't think that creature is going to sit still much longer. Once it gets over our blocking its attack, then we're in for it. Remember, it can drain our souls in one blow, if we let it touch us. So be careful, if you die I'll kick your butt." He gave her a smirk, as if to say he was joking. She understood, just happy she had taught him

how to laugh. Even if their lives would be short, his especially, at least they could share that one moment.

"Dist Dims," she screamed, "Sacred Staff, come to your owner and do her bidding to destroy evil."

"Airget-lamh, Sacred Sword, lend me your power to vanquish my enemies," Jet called out next.

Together, they chanted, "Guardians, Planet, hear our pleas. Combine your powers, use them to defend us and the people of this world from those who wish to do them harm. Airget-Cannon!" Then, the most amazing thing happened. A staff came forth out of Virginia's body, with a pink hand hold and silver on top. Airget-lamh sprung to life, and began to merge with the staff. Together, they formed a long ARM, one that had never been seen before. The two put their hands on top of it, and concentrated. A large beam, wider and longer than the Airget-Beam, flew forth out of the weapon. It hit the Shadow Demon, and turned it to dust almost instantly. Jet walked forward to pick up the Gella, and the two tired warriors went to town.

- - - -

Teefa's Last Words…

Yeah, Ginny's flirting. Well, she said he looked hansom, certainly all kids that age are looking at people like that. I remember looking at magazines just to see the cute stars in it. And, also remember, I did have crushes on how many RPG characters when I was young? Come to think about it, still do.