Author's Note:

Hello everyone! I'm back with another new chapter! Sorry for the late upload though... I got a bit sick for 3 days so I couldn't finish it. But here I am now, I'm feeling better and the chapter is here. With that, I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 12: A Partial Awakening

Cupa's Perspective:

With Chrome and Xander gone, I was left in the carriage with Zoey, an adorable and fluffy guard dog. The two of us were peacefully sitting inside the carriage since we had nothing else better to do. It was raining heavily outside, almost as if there was a storm. I stared out the window while stroking Zoey's soft fur, wondering how the guys are doing.

The weather was seriously crazy outside, yet from the inside of the carriage, I felt at ease. Yet, I also felt uneasy, knowing that my friends are still fighting some dangerous enemy without me. Soon, my eyes began drooping and without realizing it, I dozed off. However, my nap didn't last long due to Zoey's sudden face licking. She continued licking my face until I woke up. And when I did, my face was covered in saliva.

I picked her up and looked her in the eye, "What was that for?" I asked while wiping off the saliva. Then I heard a knock on the carriage door and when I looked to see who it was, to my surprise I saw several armed men. Immediately, I thought that I was in danger but Zoey wasn't snarling at them so I guess she's deemed them friendly.

So, with a bit of hesitation, I opened the door, "May I help you?" I asked. They looked at me, "Is this the carriage owned by Mr. Chrome and Sir Xander?" one of them asked. I nodded, "It is, yes." I replied. It was quiet until one of them spoke once more, "We were tasked to protect this carriage at most by Commander Reynold of the Rapids Assault Group. May we know who you are?" they asked. "I-I am Cupa Mishal. I'm a companion of both Xander and Chrome." I told them.

"Pleasure to make you acquaintance, Ms. Cupa." they said before taking formation, under the rain. Seeing this, I felt bad for them so I decided to offer them a tarp so they can at least cover themselves from the rain. "No need. But thank you for your concern." one of them said. "Are all guards like this?" I wondered.

For a while, I stared at them while they guarded the carriage. Then an idea struck me, "Hey? Mind if I ask something?" I asked the closest guard. "Sure thing." he replied. "Do you know what's going on in there?" I asked, pointing towards the swamp. "Well, a battle is currently undergoing there. We were part of the task force sent to subdue Baba Naga but halfway through our Commander ordered half of us to leave and protect this carriage, as well as the entrance to the swamp. However, we were separated." he said.

"Separated? What do you mean?" I asked. "Our group was separated by a field spell created by the enemy. We were originally more than this but our enemy got us good. As of now, our companions and Commander are trapped inside of that field spell. All we can do now is follow our given orders and hope for the best." he explained.

"Wait! If your companion and Commander are trapped in there, then that means Xander and Chrome are trapped in there as well!" I worriedly exclaimed. "Yes, that is the case." he said. Upon hearing his story, I immediately got worried since my friends had no way of escaping. My uneasiness was spot on, I knew I was right.

Without a second thought, I blurted out, "I'm going to help them out!" which startled the guards. "But Ms. Cupa! You can't go! It's dangerous in there!" one them explained. "Who cares! I eat danger for breakfast! Plus, my friends are in danger so I have to help!" I declared. As if on cue, Zoey jumps out of the carriage and turns into her beast-like form and bark at me. "Great timing, Zoey!" I commended her before jumping onto her back. "High ho, Zoey! Away!" I exclaimed before the huge canine ran past the guards. "Don't worry, guys! Help is on the way!" I thought as we dashed through the marshland.

Chrome's Perspective:

Things aren't looking good, not one bit. At first, it looked like things were going in our favor, that is, until Xander got trapped in a frozen prison and put to sleep. Seriously, just how bad is this guy's luck? I honestly wonder. However, there is no time for that. Why? Well, it's because I'm in the middle of the fight. I shouldn't be really doing a monologue right now. So let me just redirect my attention to the fight and not Xander's bad luck.

So, where we're we again? Oh yeah! Xander, my chubby companion has been incapacitated, forcing yours truly and the commander to fight a magical old lady with a terrible wart problem. As of now, the old lady has focused on both of us now and plans to destroy us all. How wonderful! No really, truly amazing!

Baba Naga flew towards both of us and directed a bolt of lightning at us, hoping that we get paralyzed and incapacitated like Xander. "Too bad, old lady! Your attack wasn't the least bit shocking." I taunted her. She then looked at me, so I stared right back at her. "What? Just so you know I'm not into old farts like you." I said. Quickly, she sent several spears of water at me.

I managed to dodge her attack to annoy and provoke her even more. "Seriously, old lady?! 'Water' you waiting for? Didn't you say that you were supposed to kill us?" I said. "I guess I'll have to shut your mouth first, arrogant one!" she declared. "Now that her attentions on me, Commander Reynold can now help out his soldiers deal with the undead. This would have been easier if Xander wasn't put to sleep." I thought.

So, for a while, I kept dodging attacks from the old coot while annoying her so much that her hair might fall off. Not that she has much anyway. Nevertheless, I also fought back. When I see a chance to throw my weapon at her, I would do so. The majority of my attacks we're blocked but some that managed to get through did some significant damage. If it weren't raining, I would have sent this old lady to the infirmary already.

After a few more backflips, side steps, and insults, Commander Reynold called out to me, "Chrome! We've cleared every single one of them!" he announced. "That was fast!" was what I was supposed to say. Sadly, the old hag used my few distracted seconds to launch several wind blades at me. The majority of the blades only wounded my body, from head to toe, while two of them cut right through my left arm and my right leg.

I lost my balance and my limbs so I fell hard on the ground. "Ow!" I exclaimed as I rubbed my behind with he only available arm I have. Baba Naga cackled, "This is what you get for insulting me! Now there's no way for you to fight back." she declared. Out of nowhere, Reynold appeared and delivered a powerful punch to the witch's face, sending her flying across.

With the old lady the temporarily gone, the commander sprinted towards me. "Chrome! Are you okay?" he worriedly asked. "Yeah I am! You could even say that I'm 'all right'." I joked. "This isn't a time to be joking! You are gravely wounded! You could even die!" he exclaimed. "Nah. 'Tis just a flesh wound!" I explained. "No, it's not! You're bleeding excessively." he said.

I sighed, "Stop being melodramatic and go grab my limbs will ya?" I told him. The commander looked at me confusingly, "Okay? But why?" he asked. "Just do it. The quicker you get those the better." I said. Still looking confused, he got up, grabbed my limbs, and brought it to me. "Okay. Mind putting my leg where it was. I'll put my arm back on my own." I told him.

Without questioning me, he placed my severed leg where it used to be while I attached my arm. And like magic, my limbs have now been reattached. I stood up and did some stretching, checking to see if they are still functioning properly. "How?!" Reynold suddenly exclaimed. "It's simple really. I'm just immortal." I explained. "How?" he asked. "Got accidentally struck by a curse. Didn't die. Crazy Thursday." I explained once more.

The commander blinked as if trying to process what I had just said. I patted him on the back, "Don't think too much about it. For now, think about what we should do with that." I said, pointing at the mean-looking witch flying towards us. "R-right!" he agreed before taking a stance. Baba Naga flew straight at us before rising above us, "I've had just enough of all of you! Time to get serious!" she declared.

Once again, Commander Reynold ordered his men to fire another barrage of arrows at her. Obviously, I joined in to help. But to our surprise, she dodged our attacks instead. The old day was flying all over the place at high speeds. "Holy sh*t! It's a high-speed grandma!" I exclaimed as I watched her go around. Then I saw another bottle drop from above. "Did she drink another potion? Just how many bottles does she have? And where does she even keep those?" I wondered.

"I'll make this as slow and painful for you two!" Baba Naga declared. "But first I'll have to get rid of other nuisances." she added while looking at the guards. "Essence Drainer!" she announced. Suddenly, all the guards were trapped inside a magical cylinder as one by one they fell unconscious inside. Looking at this, Commander Reynold screamed, "NOOOOO!" as he punched the ground.

The wench cackled in delight, "Just so you know. Your soldiers are in a life-threatening situation. That spell will continuously drain them of their very life essence. But don't worry it will consume their mana first, then their strength and stamina, until all that's left to drain is their life." she explained in a joyous manner.

"Release them at once!" The commander ordered. "And if I don't?" she asked. He then spat in her general direction, "Then I'll make sure you suffer more than my soldiers did!" he declared before jumping towards her. Commander Reynold began letting loose a flurry of punches, one after another in quick succession. He was slowly pushing Baba Naga back with his attack yet his enemy continued watching him calmly.

"She's definitely planning something!" I thought. And just as I thought, the moment the barrier broke, she quickly fired a powerful energy beam straight at Reynold. Luckily, he managed to block it with his metal arm guards but it still managed to send him flying into the ground. Seeing this, it was my turn to enter the fray.

I dashed towards her and threw my weapon at full force, only to have it deflected by floating magical swords. One knocked it off its course while the others went straight for me. I managed to jump over them but it doesn't look like she'll be stopping anytime soon. So this time I jumped towards her and let out my own onslaught of attacks if Reynold's attack was just punching, mine had a little more kick into it.

Again, she blocked my barrage of attacks but I manage to break her barrier, quickly I recalled my weapon and pierced her with it. For a second, I thought I got her since my strike was aimed for the heart but it didn't look like that. Baba Naga managed to move away a little at the last second, which helped her a whole lot. I have to admit, she got me in the first half.

Anyway, seeing that I managed to pierce through her right arm, almost cutting off in fact, I tried withdrawing but she didn't allow me too. She grabbed my wrist and held me up in the air, she glared at me with rage-filled eyes. But damn! Does she go to the gym or something? 'Cause her grip is as strong as a Koala! "You really are the most annoying, aren't you?!" she announced. "Can't deny that one. A lot of people do call me that." I agreed.

"Aren't you rather calm?" she asked. "I've been told to keep a cool head at all times." I explained. "Well, I wonder if you can stay indifferent when I do this!" she exclaimed as electricity flowed out of her hands, electrocuting my one lone arm. This surprised her when she saw that she was only holding up my arm that had a wonderful middle finger displayed for her. When she the gift I left for her, she immediately threw it down.

"Hey! That's not what you do when you're given a gift!" I exclaimed. "DIE!" she declared. "She looks pissed! Was my gift really that bad?" I wondered, all the while dodging her attacks. With her distracted, Reynold grabbed her by the neck and threw themselves to the ground which created a dust cloud. "I think should have said watch out, watch out..." I muttered.

From within the dust cloud, Commander Reynold came out and ran to my side. And on cue, Baba Naga flew out of it. "So what's the plan?" Reynold asked. "What else? We beat her up until she' black and blue." I replied. "Can't argue with that..." he agreed. Although looking at our enemy, she looks more beat up than us. I seriously wonder how she is still able to fight us in that condition.

And just I was thinking if she could still fight, the old coot pulled out ANOTHER potion and drunk it, which healed her up and put her back up to fighting form. "Just great..." I muttered before the next wave of magical attacks came. "Where is back-up when you need it?" I wondered.

Narrator's Perspective:

With Baba Naga fully recovered, it looks like Chrome and Commander Reynold are in a tight situation. Unlike the witch, one of them has no means of recovery whatsoever. Chrome didn't have any more potions left for them to use since it was given to the guards, knowing that they might need it. Their position wasn't looking any better by the second.

"I wished Zoey was here..." Chrome muttered, thinking of his dog. "Who's that?" Reynold asked. "My daughter... She could definitely help us." he said. "Sadly, she's back at the carriage." the canine owner added. Their enemy noticed that they were distracted for a moment and cast a quick binding spell.

From the ground up, roots burst from beneath the two men and ensuring them, rendering them immobile for a while. Taking this chance, Baba Naga formed her hands into a sphere while chanting a powerful spell. Slowly, the gap in between her hands filled up with magical energy until it was the size of a cannonball. The moment the chanting was completed, she pointed her sphere of magic towards her ensnared victims.

Commander Reynold struggled to break free from the roots holding him but couldn't do so. Chrome, on the other hand, didn't bother doing so since he knew he couldn't get out and that he won't die anyway. With the spell pointed at them, Baba Naga could only grin with delight, "This the end for both of you!" she declared. From outside of the field spell, Chrome felt a familiar presence waiting to get in. With a smile, Chrome disagreed, "I beg to differ on that." he said.

With those words, a powerful howl burst through the field spell as both Zoey and Cupa came changing in. Shifting her attention towards the sudden intrusion of a dog riding girl, she fired the spell at the intruders instead. The massive canine howled at her general direction, rendering her spell useless, as well as those in effect. That being said, Baba Naga lost her ability to levitate and the barrier protecting her shattered.

Cupa then jumped off her trusty canine companion and yelled, "Bang Punch!" before delivering an explosive punch to her opponents' face, sending her target flying in the opposite direction of her attack. The creeper humob landed safely on the ground that would earn her a perfect mark in a competition while Zoey landed next to her master and bit off the roots ensnaring him.

"Zoey! My precious daughter! You came to save me!" Chrome happily announced while hugging his canine companion. "Wait! That's Zoey? I thought you said she was your daughter." Reynold asked. "She is!" Chrome insisted. "Okay... So, mind helping me out of this?" he asked. "Oh! Almost forgot about that. Zoey, sweetie, help him out, will ya?" Chrome asked his precious daughter. The enormous canine barked in approval and gnawed him out of the roots. "Woo! That feels better!" The Commander exclaims as he cracked a few bones of his.

Now that back-up has arrived in the nick of time, fighting a witch won't be a problem anymore. "Impossible! I can't believe this! How are you able to break through a field spell without destroying the anchor?!" Baba Naga wailed furiously as she approached her opponents. "Why would we tell you? Figure it out yourself, old lady!" Chrome announced, enraging her even more. "Also remember when I said Zoey could help us, Commander?" I asked him. He nodded, "Well, let me tell you something good! We are going to win!" he exclaimed.

"Ridiculous! Absolutely ridiculous!" Baba Naga exclaimed before firing yet another barrage of magical spells. Immediately, the trusty canine howled at the witch's attacks and it all vanished into thin air, like last time her spells we're rendered useless and she came crashing down once more. The commander looked delighted after witnessing the power of the white-haired hound called Zoey.

"It's our turn to be on the offensive!" Chrome declared as she cracked his knuckles. "Let us get this over with and done." Reynold added. "Yeah! What they said!" Cupa added passionately. Without warning, Baba Naga shot a powerful blast of energy towards her annoying enemies, with hopes of executing them all at once. Sadly, the three of them dodged it and split up.

Their plan was to circle their only enemy while launching attacks one after another, giving the witch no time to cast spells or dodge their attacks. Although, Cupa has no idea of this plan and just decided to copy what they were doing. Also, Zoey would only use her magic canceling howl when Baba Naga would try to attack, other than that she just ran around beside her master.

The first to attack was the commander, he jumped off the ground with enough force to shatter it and winded a powerful left hook directed at her abdomen, "Gut Destroyer!" he yelled. Baba Naga defended herself with her usual barrier, she managed to block it but the moment she got separated from Reynold, the trusty canine howled. The barrier disappeared, so Cupa took the initiative and tackled her in the same spot with enough explosive power to disorient her enemy and send them flying towards Chrome's direction.

"Now what should I do?" Chrome muttered his target grew closer. Baba Naga was just a few inches away from him when he pulled his weapon out of nowhere and swung it like a baseball bat at his opponent, sending her flying upwards. Chrome hovered his hand above his eyes and squinted, "That's a home run, right?" he muttered.

"Time to finish this!" Reynold exclaimed as he caught Baba Naga by her arm in mid-flight. "Guess not..." Chrome muttered, sadly. "Tectonic Break!" he cried out as he threw the witch straight into the ground before delivering the final blow, which was a full-powered full-body press that shattered the ground around them entirely, even Xander's icy cage.

When the ground stabilized, Chrome and Cupa went to check on what had become of their enemy, has she perhaps become a pancake or piece of paper was their question. And as they came closer, what stood or sat before them was a tuckered out commander and an unconscious witch right next to him.

"Did we win?" asked Cupa. "See for yourself." the Commander said as he pointed at the unconscious body next to him. "Is she dead?" the creeper humob asked. Chrome pulled out his weapon and used it as poking stick to check if the witch is dead, "Nah. She's still alive but unconscious." he said. "Then I guess we'd better wake-up the other guards and have her cuffed up." he added.

Commander Reynold nodded, "I believe we should do that. I do hope that my troops are still fine after all that." he said while getting back up. Chrome helped him up and even acted as a support to help him walk. "I'm glad that it's all over. One more fight and I think I'll die." the commander joked. "Well it's over so just rest easy." Chrome suggested. He sighed, "I think I will. Thanks." he agreed. "Zoey. Guard the body, okay?" the canine owner asked. With a bark of approval, the enormous canine sat next to the body like told.

"By the way... Where's Xander?" Cupa asked. "Well... He was struck by some sleep-inducing spell during the battle. So he's probably asleep somewhere on the ground. He should be waking up by now since the caster of the spell herself is dead." Chrome explained. "Feel free to get him. He should still be over there." he added while pointing at Xander's likely location. "Oh! Okay then!" she stated before running off.

"That just leaves us with your troops. Come on, Commander Reynold. Let's see how they're doing." Chrome said. The commander smiled, "I know..." he muttered. The two had a bit of trouble getting to them due to the unstable terrain that the commander had created himself. They did manage to get there, only to see something they didn't expect to see.

"Is this a joke?" Chrome muttered. "Impossible! But how?!" the commander exclaimed. Before them were the commanders' troops but they were still trapped inside their magical prison. Their faces we're turning pale and their breathing was looking weak, they were dying. From afar, Cupa's voice was calling out to them, "Guys! I found Xander's body!" she announced while carrying the big fellow on her back.

"How is she able to carry that amount of blubber on her back?" Chrome wondered. The creeper humob arrived stopped near them and gently placed Xander on the ground. The three of them looked at the 190 pounds of flesh sleeping before them. Cupa squatted next to the sleeping body, "Shouldn't he be awake like you said?" she asked while poking some fat. "It feels like his burning up..." she thought.

Chrome scratched his head, "Well, he should be! Even them! They should be awake and fine right now!" he exclaimed. "If this keeps up... What'll happen to them?" Reynold muttered. Suddenly, everything felt different for them, it was like their bodies were getting heavy. Slowly yet surely, the weight they felt brought them to their knees, it didn't take long before their face was touching the ground.

"What's...happening?" Reynold asked. "I have no...clue." Chrome replied. "This isn't...funny!" Cupa exclaimed as she tried getting up. Then a familiar yet sinister cackle was heard as Baba Naga appeared before them, completely unscathed. "It's useless! You don't have the power to defy gravity!" she declared.

"You! How are...you still...alive?!" Commander Reynold screamed with rage. "How? Simple. It's because what you were fighting was simply a body double of mine. I spent all this time watching you fight all out with a clone that only had half my power. It was amusing so to say." Baba Naga said. "When?!" The commander added. "During my high-speed flight was when." She explained. "If what you're saying true...then why didn't we see you?!" Reynold asked. With a delighted smirk, she said, "I drank an invisibility potion, my dear." and flew upwards.

"Now that my spell has taken effect on you all, there won't be any chance that you can escape from this attack!" Baba Naga declared before chanting. Soon the air around them turned dense and heavy, breathing became a difficulty, and a dark wind could be seen swirling around the vicinity. The witch continued her chant, and as she did, the wind began to attach and accumulate around her arms, until it looked like both her arms we're a swirling mass of dark matter.

With her arms now taking a ghastly and ominous form, she looked down upon her opponents and grinned. "Dark Wind Hurricane!" she announced. The witch lifted both her arms into the air and the dark wind increased in size and whirled violently. Spreading her arms out, she positioned her enemies in between her malevolent whirlwind and pressed it against her opponents, completely crushing them as the wind shredded them apart. All the while, Baba Naga cackled in a maniacal manner until the winds subsided.

The winds managed to rile up a thick dust cloud in the process that would soon disperse. And when it did, a small liquid-based barrier was revealed to be protecting them as they looked unharmed. This surprised Baba Naga, especially when the barrier exploded, launching spears of compressed water at her. Due to shock, she was only able to block a few spears. The others flew right through her, only hitting her extremities and no vitals but still damaging her slightly.

She retreated a few meters away to get a glimpse of what just happened. As quick as she could, the witch scanned her surroundings and saw who she thought was already dead to be alive and walking towards her. To make matters worse for her, it seems this individual has some particles floating out of him, an indication that there are status effects active.

"Impossible! How are you still alive?!" the dreaded witch asked. With a smile, that individual decided to imitate the words of his opponent, "How? Simple. It's because you let your guard down after thinking I'd from your nightmare spell. Too bad! I had way worse dreams than that cheeky spell of yours!" he announced. His opponent clicked her tongue and looked so irritated that her face might end up even more horrid than before.

The three people who were brought lying on the ground looked up and saw who it was. Chrome smiled, "Took you long enough, scrub. Did you have a nice dream, Xander?" he asked. "Nah. It was more like a nightmare. Although, I did get something out of it." Xander said. "Oh really? Mind telling me?" he asked. The chubby one shook his head, "Not now, Chrome. I first need to deal with her..." he said.

Both Reynold and Cupa could only look at Xander, they were surprised, to say the least. Although to Reynold whose known Xander a longer time, something about him seems...different. Needless to say, he was glad that he's alright. Cupa, on the other hand, was just really glad to see him.

Baba Naga calmed herself down and regained her composure, "It's just one person. My spell is still in effect against those three, including that anti-magic mutt. This for Lord Herobrine's success!" she thought. With that thought set in her mind, she let out another cackle, "You don't scare me! I'm far stronger than you! This battle is over once I'm done with you!" she declared.

"I beg to differ..." Xander said before assuming a battle stance. His stance was low, his left knee was bent forward while the other bent to the side, his left arm was stretched out and bent a little to the right with his hand in front of his chest, while his right hand reached behind him and held the hilt of his blade firmly. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, "Rapidflow and Slash, Form 1: Stream!" he announced.

As quick as a flowing river, Xander dashed towards his opponent as water encased him during his approach. Instead of straight-up blocking, Baba Naga fired a blast of magical energy, thinking that she could stop him, but the flowing water negated her attack. Due to her mistake, Xander managed to get within range attack. The water crashed into her barrier and when his sword made contact with it and, it shattered.

Xander's blade cut through the barrier and through Baba Naga's right arm, completely amputating her. After her arm was cut off, she writhed in pain and came crashing down. The chubby one had severely damaged his opponent and approached her slowly. "Give up. I don't want to hurt you any longer." he pleaded. The witch glared daggers at him, "I'd rather die! My purpose is to serve and fulfill the desire of my Lord, nothing more nothing less!" she declared.

"I guess...it's time I restrain you." Xander said. Baba Naga cackled which startled Xander, making him step back. The moment he did, the witch fired a strong gust of wind at him, sending him flying towards Chrome and the others. She quickly flew up and into her hut. Xander went to chase after her but the ground shook which stopped him in his tracks. A massive hole, the hue of purple appeared beneath the hut and swallowed it up. But before it did, Baba Naga stood by her window, MENACINGLY, as she glared at Xander. "The next time we meet... I'll be sure to kill you!" she declared before the entire hut vanished beneath the ground.

When Baba Naga had left, all her spells lost its effect due to her being out of range. Chrome, Cupa, and Commander Reynold were able to move again. The imprisoned troops were free but we're still unconscious. And the field spell had vanished, revealing several worried men beyond it. They ran towards there comrades and reassured their safety. The rain has stopped pouring and the sun glimmered brightly. It was over for now. So the three went towards Xander but before they could, he dropped face-first into the ground, the man had fallen unconscious.

Author's Note:

Thanks once again for reading my story! I hope you continue supporting it. And don't forget to leave a review if you liked the story since those are what really get me going. It can be anything from jokes, opinions, suggestions, or straight up criticism. With that said, I hope you have a wonderful day/night! Thank you as always! Take care and God bless! :)