A greyish light washed over their little campsite, the sun having not quite risen above the mountains.

Amanda let out a groan, unpeeling her face from where it had become stuck to the forest floor during the night. Her hair stuck out in all different directions, more chaotic than usual. Rubbing dirt off her cheek, she sat up and tried to get her bearings.

Just beside her Maliae peacefully slept on her side. Moss had grown around and under her as a cushion, the forest naturally bending to her subconscious.

Amanda glanced to her other side, frowning when she didn't see Akko sprawled out. With a grunt, she heaved herself up off the ground, stretching out her stiff muscles as she did.

"Akko, please." Came a muffled voice from behind her.

Over on Diana's side of the campfire Akko was sprawled out haphazardly, one leg laying across a disgruntled Diana's lap. Her sleeping bag was unzipped and spread around her.

Amanda stared for a moment at the scene in front of her. Akko sleeping next to Diana. Akko with a leg over Diana Cavendish's lap. What was she doing there? What had they been up to?

After a moment, the scene in front of Amanda finally penetrated her sleepy brain, and a shit eating grin spread across her face. The likelihood that anything other than sleepy cuddling had happened was slim to none, but that didn't mean Amanda couldn't have some fun at the uptight witch's expense.

"When I agreed to come on this trip I expected you two to get up to something. I just didn't think it would happen on the first night."

"Wha-?!" Diana's head shot up, finally realizing she had an audience to her struggles.

"Couldn't hold back any longer princess?" Amanda's smirk broke as she couldn't keep the laughter at bay any longer. She doubled over, clutching at her stomach as she laughed. "And after you were just telling me to keep it in my pants."

"We were doing nothing of the sort!" Diana exclaimed, heat rising to her cheeks as she desperately tried untangled herself from Akko.

All the commotion roused Maliae. The Dryad sat up and stretched, brushing a few locks of hair from her face and taking in the scene as Diana continued her struggles.

"So you say." Amanda snorted. "Who knows what you get up to when we aren't here!"

"Oh my!" Maliae gasped, covering her mouth as if scandalized. She hid her amused smile behind her hand as she did.

Finally extracting herself from Akko's tangled limbs Diana stood, looking more disheveled than Amanda had ever seen the heiress.

"Akko nearly fell prey to a Will-o-the-Wisp last night, I needed to make sure she stayed close to me so she wasn't lured away again."

Amanda smirked, her laughter calming down to a mild chuckle. "If I knew a Will-o-the-Wisp was all it took to get in your bed I would have gotten myself lured away too!"

"WHA- she was not! I-! You-! Humph!" Completely flustered and at a loss for words Diana turned on her heel and stomped over to where the supply bags sat, rifling through them for what Amanda could only assume was breakfast.

"You are certainly an interesting group of witches." Maliae giggled softly.

Amanda threw her a wide grin. "It's not a trip with Akko, Diana and yours truly if you can't get in some good old fashioned teasing over their relationship."

Maliae's eyes glinted as her interest was piqued. "And what would you say their relationship is exactly?"

Amanda crossed her arms over her head, leaning back on her heels as she thought. "Hmm, they're either secretly boning or complete idiots." She nodded to herself.

"I see." The Dryad chuckled quietly.

"Guh. Where am I?" Groaned a bleary-eyed Akko. She rolled over and pushed herself up, sitting with her legs tucked under her as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

"You're in the middle of the woods with your best friend, a hot dryad and your girlfriend." Amanda responded helpfully.

"Oh right. On a trip with Diana…" Akko blinked. "Wait girlfriend?! You're not my girlfriend Amanda!" Akko jumped up, glaring at Amanda indignantly.

"What? No I- Diana. I was referring to Diana. Ugh whatever you numbskull."

Diana flicked her wand and the sleeping bags flew back to her and rolled themselves up, the rest of their things soon following. "Grab your bags you two, we can eat on the walk."

Diana handed Amanda a bagel and rolled her eyes with a sigh, obviously not over the little teasing from earlier.

Walking over to Akko she handed her a muffin, giving her a small smile. "Here, Akko."

"Thanks Diana!" Akko gave her an all too bright smile and stuffed her mouth.

"I'm glad to see that the events of last night have left you unphased."

Diana offered Maliae a bagel but the Dryad shook her head. "I'm quite alright, thank you. I'll pick some berries as we walk."

"Alright girls, let's be on our way." The group grabbed their bags and followed Diana out of the protective bubble that was their campsite.

Diana paused. "Maliae, since you claim to know where the cave entrance is, why don't you lead the way?"

"I'd be happy to." Maliae responded. "Although I haven't seen my friend, Tokei, since the resurgence of magic. Before the other creatures and I went dormant, we would meet at the base of the mountain and share information and trade goods."

"Wait so you don't actually know where the caves are?" Amanda asked.

"I've seen the direction she comes from and know it was never a long walk to outside the cave, they didn't venture far after all."

"That's better than nothing!" Akko said, cheerily.

The air rustled around them, the wind much calmer at the base of the mountain than it had been when they were flying above the treeline. The party made their way up the steep incline of the mountain face, with Maliae leading the way. Diana was in second, followed by Akko and then Amanda in the rear.

Maliae paused by the side of an outcrop, peering into one of the many crevices. "It should be around here somewhere."

Akko glanced around excitedly. "Let's split up and look around!"

"No. We should stick-" Diana started.

Amanda pushed her way to the front. "Good idea Akko! Whoever finds it wins! And the loser has to say the other is the best witch around!"

"Oh it's on!" Akko yelled, giving Amanda a determined glare.

Not wanting to give the other a seconds head start, the two whipped around and sprinted off in different directions.

Maliae giggled lightly at her companions' antics, her laugh sounding like a windchime blowing in the mountain breeze. "Witches now are so much more energetic than the last time I encountered some of your kind."

Diana let out a sigh, her strict posture slumping slightly. As if, out of sight from a certain witch she had trouble maintaining her confident aura.

Maliae studied the serious witch. The emotions she could feel floating around her were nothing like those of the other two witches. It was a heavier aura, laced with responsibility and longing.

Diana stared after Akko, watching the witch struggle to roll mid-sized rocked over to look under. "Witches now are certainly special".

"Diana! Hey Diana! I found it!" Akko came running up, waving her hand, out of breath and face flushed from a mix of excitement and exertion.

From somewhere among the rocks, Amanda groaned. "Aww man."

Akko skidded to a halt in front of Diana and Maliae, pausing to catch her breath and giving Amanda the chance to make her way back to the group.

Amanda ran a hand through her hair as she walked up to her party members. "Well, a deal's a deal, Akko." She took a deep breath, groaning slightly as she breathed out. "Akko's the best witch, or whatever." she mumbled.

Akko smiled mischievously. "What was that? I couldn't hear you."

"UGH ALRIGHT! AKKO'S THE BEST WITCH AROUND! HAPPY?!"

Akko beamed, her chest puffing up with smug pride. "Yup!"

As Diana watched Akko's glowing smile, its infectious aura snuck its way into her heart, wrapping and coiling around her. Filling her to the brim with a feeling she had been determined to cast aside. Her heart defiantly betraying her mind as it longed for more, the craving only growing stronger.

She shook her head, cutting herself away from its warm embrace before it could take hold any more than it had. "Alright Akko, why don't you show us where you found it."

"Okay!"

The girls followed Akko up a steep pass hidden behind a large boulder, the path significantly narrower and more treacherous than their original. The wind had picked up considerably from the light breeze it was when they started.

The group was much higher than they had thought, the forest floor nearly 100 feet below them. One misstep and they could plummet down the mountain side.

Maliae gulped, pointedly not looking down as they carefully picked their way over rocks and roots along the edge. She subtly grabbed onto the fabric of Amanda's shirt to steady herself. This may not have been far from her home, but the terrain was already so vastly different.

Coming to the end of the path Akko crouched down, craning her neck to get a glimpse of a ledge a few feet down to their right. "The entrance is right down there. I'm pretty sure I can jump it, but…" She glanced back at Diana. "I'm not sure if you or Maliae can make it."

Maliae gulped, gripping the fabric of Amanda's shirt tighter. Falling to her death was not something she had planned on when she decided to join the entertaining group.

Diana raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?" She stepped forward, drawing her wand. "You do remember you are a witch, do you not?"

"Geh." Akko averted her eyes bashfully. "Oh yeah…"

Amanda snorted, throwing Maliae a glance as if to say 'can you believe this girl?'.

Maliae gave her a shaky smile back, still unsure how they were going to make it down safely.

Diana cleared her throat. "Exstructos!"

The rock wall shot out in horizontal pillars in front of them, quickly forming a mountain staircase leading down to the cave entrance.

The sudden formation shook the ground around them, eliciting a sharp gasp from Maliae as she gripped Amanda's arm with an iron grasp to steady herself.

Diana stepped down onto the first pillar. "Come along, girls."

Maliae, with some coaxing, followed Diana and the others down to the entrance of the cave. She pressed her body as close to the mountain side as she could, the wind growing stronger the more exposed they became, whipping her hair around.

The group reached the bottom and crowded around the cave entrance. The cave stood a few feet taller than the girls and overlooked a sharp drop-off.

Maliae hesitantly peeked over the ledge, "This doesn't really seem like how Tokei described the entrance…"

Akko scratched her head. "Are you sure? I couldn't find any other caves like you described. You did say you haven't talked to her since you went dormant."

"There is a chance the entrance has changed in that time. We will need to be careful of other potential changes." Diana said thoughtfully.

"I suppose that's true." Maliae conceded. She looked around uncertainty, the land couldn't have changed that much in a few hundred years, could it?

Amanda peered into the dark expanse of the cave before them. A shiver ran down her spine. "Hey, is anyone else getting an ominous vibe from this place?"

"Well the trolls of this mountain have always been relatively harmless. I never had much trouble with them. If this really is their cave they should be no problem for such powerful witches." Maliae replied, partially to convince herself.

A rustling flap of wings caught their attention. A large black raven landed on a dead scraggly tree branch sticking out between a crack above them. Its glossy feathers glinted purple in the light of the rising sun.

"Hello there." Diana took a step closer. "Can you tell us if there is a path to the top of the mountain?" She tapped her chin. "Or perhaps, if there are any beasts we should avoid on the mountain side?'

The large raptor tilted its head, blinking slowly at the group.

The girls glanced at each other uncertainty. Diana was an expert in many animal languages, and crows were the signature witch companion, there was no way it didn't understand her.

Diana frowned, and turned away from the bird. "...Alright…"

"How did he even get up here? Isn't the wind too strong?" Akko tilted her head as she stared at the raven. Its black eyes unblinking as they bore into her. She shivered and turned away, something about its demeanor was unsettling.

"That is a good question."

Amanda squinted at the shadowy cavern, trying to pry it's secrets out with her scrutinizing. "Hmph. Well..." Her gaze eased up and she rolled up her sleeves. "Guess this is our best bet."

Diana and Akko shared a look. They had been through plenty of adventures. Even if there was something strange about the situation they knew it was their best bet at reaching the top. Besides, they had escaped worse things together than a creepy cave.

Akko gave Diana a half smile and shrugged. "Shall we go?"

The tunnel was so wide the four could walk side by side. Stalactites jutted down from the ceiling, the occasional drop of water splattering into shallow pools around them.

Akko reached out a hand and ran it along the cavern wall. Her fingers brushed up against a cold slimy mucus. "Oh bluh! Gross!" She hastily retracted her hand, wiping her fingers off on the front of her shirt.

They soon left the light from outside behind them, and were swallowed up by the pitch black expanse. The three witches illuminated their wands, the greenish hue only reaching out a few feet in front of them.

Maliae shuddered slightly, there was nothing but cold hard rock at her feet. Even outside on the mountain small weeds and shrubs had been able to force their way through the cracks. But in here. She could feel no life. Was this what the world had to offer? If so, she'd gladly stay in her forest forever.

The flickering green light from their wands did little to help them tell how long they had been walking. Only the growing dread of what they might discover at the end of this massive slimy tunnel.

Diana was about to call for a break when the cave opened up to a massive chamber, the light emanating from their wands spilling out into the cavern.

A small lake filled the middle of the cave, and numerous side tunnels of various sizes littering the walls around them. Some of the tunnels began at ground level, while others opened up far above them, precarious ledges leading up to a few.

The group stopped, taken aback by the sudden change in their surroundings.

"Huh." Amanda leaned back on her heels, gazing up at the darkness above them, ceiling nowhere in sight. "Well, now what do we do?"

"Yeah uh, how do we know which one to take?" Akko asked uncertainty.

Maliae bent down and ran her hand along the ground. "If only there was a root system, I would be able to feel the path it followed. But I'm not able to feel any sign of life for quite a ways. As if something about this place is blocking any growth."

Akko scratched her cheek. "Well I haven't seen anything alive in here at all, unless you count slimy goop."

"No, I definitely do not count slimy goop." Maliae said, repulsed at the very thought.

Amanda snickered, watching Maliae throw a disgusted look toward Akko. "Well, we could just pick a random one and hope for the best?"

"No," Diana stepped forward, "blindly picking a path would be a waste of time, not to mention we could get lost. I'll send out a beacon light that should lead us to a path to the top." She paused, frowning slightly. "But, it could also alert any creatures residing here of our presence."

"Eh, a few tiny trolls are no match for me." Amanda said shrugging.

"There could be more than just trolls in these caves." Diana readied her wand. "Stay on your guard everyone."

"Gaoth Aotrom!"

A wind swirled up around her from the ground up, engulfing her before flying off to the middle of the lake. It condensed into a ball of wind, and began to glow yellow, growing brighter as the air spun faster and tighter. Once it was about the size of her head it stopped shrinking, casting a bright yellow light out across the surface of the water.

"You gotta teach me that for my next show." Akko said, gawking at the floating light.

The party watched the glowing ball of wind hover for a moment before floating up and towards a cluster of smaller caves on the other side of the lake.

"Alright! Looks like it knows the way to go! Nice going Cavendish." Amanda said triumphantly.

As they celebrated their mini victory something shifted in the darkness across the lake and far above them. A menacing aura radiated towards them, and the air suddenly felt cold.

Akko felt a shiver run down her spine. She rubbed her arm and glanced around uncertainty. "Hey… does anyone else get the feeling we aren't alone anymore?"

Amanda cocked her head "Huh? I don't -"

A blood curdling screech drowned out the rest, slicing its way through the air around them. The girls doubled over in agony and cried out, clutching their ears.

A massive beast hurdled towards them at an alarming speed.

With scarcely any time to recover they threw themselves to each side, giant claws snapping close, clutching at the now empty space they had occupied.

Akko scrambled to her feet, recovering first. A monstrous creature loomed over them, cutting them off from the exit and each other. It beat its leathery wings as it regained its balance, powerful blasts of wind surging over them.

Just behind the beast Akko could see Diana helping Maliae up. Confident that Diana wasn't hurt she turned her eyes on the monster in front of her.

The creature was some kind of giant grotesque bat. From what Akko could tell its wings were each bigger than her old dorm back at Luna Nova. The monster's glowing red eyes were filled with rage; Akko could only guess at the horrific thoughts running through it's mind at the sight of 4 healthy young morsels walking right into its lair. Slimy spit dripped out of its mouth and down its sharp fangs as if its insatiable hunger couldn't be contained by a mere mouth, spilling over the edge.

Even though the strong wind from the beast's beating wings kicked up dust and clouded the air, Akko could make out the 3 giant claws on each foot, claws that looked large and sharp enough to leave a deep gash in even the strongest of creatures.

The beast regarded her for a second before it seemed to make up its mind, turning its attention on Diana and Maliae. Diana struggled to pull Maliae by the arm behind her so she could cast a barrier shield.

"HEY LOOK AT ME YOU UGLY MONSTER!" Akko yelled without a second thought.

Its ears twitched and it cocked its grotesque head, caught off guard by the sudden noise.

"THAT'S RIGHT YOU SLIMY BASTARD! I'M TALKING TO YOU!"

She heard a scandalized "Language!" come from Diana, but didn't have time to reply as the bat swooped down towards her and Amanda.

Before she registered what she was doing, she had turned and was sprinting along the side of the lake, Amanda right on her heels.

The vicious red glow of the bat's eyes burned so bright they could see the light growing closer to them as they ran.

"What is that thing?!" Amanda gasped as they ran.

"No idea! But it sure doesn't want to be our friend!" Akko yelled back.

Her heart pounded in her throat as she ran up one of the slopes that surrounded the lake. Her feet dug into the ground, kicking up gravel and dirt as she ran.

"AKKO!" Diana cried out, the fear and anguish in her voice echoing off the walls around them, reverberating in Akko's chest.

Akko glanced back, just in time to see giant claws heading right for her.

"Metamorphie Faciesse!"

A colorful blast shot out of her wand, engulfing her in an instant. Erupting from the puff of smoke a hawk flew up and narrowly avoided the incoming attack as it crashed into the side of the cave, sharp claws sinking deep into the earth.

"Vega Walras" Amanda yelled as she ran.

Without losing any momentum Amanda jumped and spun in an arc over the beast as it struggled to pull it's claws free from the ground. At the peak she straightened out, the heel of her foot aimed right at the bat's snarling face, smashing into it with the force to ram its head against the wall, despite it's thick neck muscles resisting the force of the blow. Rocks flew in all directions as the monster's head slammed into the rock wall.

Amanda jumped back, landing lightly on her feet.

"Nice one Amanda!" Hawk Akko called to her as she soared above.

Diana and Maliae ran up a respective slope to a ledge as Akko and Amanda drew the giant bat away from them. From there Diana had a good vantage point to support her friends fighting up close. The "fighters and tanks" as Akko liked to refer to them as.

"Is there anything we can do?" Maliae asked frantically, watching the two girls narrowly escaping the bat's clutches.

"As soon as Akko and Amanda are a safe distance away from the creature I will be able to hit it with a heat spell to give them some time to recover. However, from this distance, accuracy and the potential to strike one of them are my primary concerns." Diana's eyes tracked Akko and Amanda's movements intently, waiting for an opportunity.

"I never thought there would be a Fluiúan here." Maliea whispered, more to herself than Diana. "They had been driven out when I was last awake."

"It seems as though things are quite dissimilar to what you remember." Diana said, adjusting her stance as she readied herself to cast.

Maliae knelt down and put her hands on the dirt. If she could just find a plant, any plant, she would be able to help too. She probed the ground with her consciousness, expanding the search farther and farther as she found nothing.

"Murowa!" Diana yelled as soon as she saw Amanda jump out of the way.

A bolt of light streaked out and collided with the beast. The blast of hot air hit Akko and Amanda, knocking them both back slightly. Amanda staggered back, catching herself before she could fall off the ledge.

Spinning in the air, Hawk Akko reoriented herself and flew to the other side of the monster, just as it ripped it's claws from the ground with a snarl.

"Metamorphie Faciesse!"

Just before landing Akko burst through a puff of smoke as a kangaroo, landing on the tips of her massive feet.

Disoriented from having its head bashed into the wall, the bat wheeled around, snarling and baring its fangs. The strong odor of decay coming from its breath nearly crippling the girl's senses for a moment as it hit them.

"Now Amanda!" Kangaroo Akko choked out, covering her nose.

Pivoting on her right foot Amanda spun and slammed the back of her heel into the beast's head, knocking it towards Akko.

Rearing back on her massive tail, Kangaroo Akko kicked hard, meeting the beast's marred face as it flew towards her.

The giant bat was sent flying towards the middle of the lake, spinning and toppling over itself as it fell through the air.

With bated breath, Diana watched for another chance to get in a strike that wouldn't hurt her friends. As the beast fell she unleashed another blast of magical energy. It carved through the air, streaking towards the flailing monster.

Just as the spell was about to collide with the beast, it pulled its wings in tight, diving towards the water.

The spell exploded in the air where the creature had been just moments before.

Just before it hit the water, the beast spread its wings, catching the air and soar up into the inky abiss above.

The girls barely had a chance to catch their breath before another ear shattering screech ripped through the air, incapacitating them as they covered their ears desperately. The pain didn't last long, but the terror that shred and slashed its way to their hearts left them gasping for breath.

The oppressing aura of hatred and rage filled the cavern, prickling against their skin. It seemed they had only managed to enrage the creature.

Shaking off the feeling that wrapping around her, Akko transformed back into a human. "I have a plan! Just like the Ogre, Diana!"

Without waiting to hear Diana's confirmation she ran to the edge of the ledge, sliding down the wall towards a path lower down that led to a cave smaller than her fist.

Hearing her call, the bat beat its massive wings as it flew towards her. With its claws extended it swooped low, hell bent on snatching her up and slashing right through her soft flesh.

"Metamorphie Faciesse!" She cried. Transforming into a mouse and slipping right between the deadly, yellowed claws. She dove into the crack of a cave, barely small enough to make it through the entrance before it widened out.

"Murowa!" Diana cried, this time not aiming at the beast itself, but at the jagged rocks jutting out above its head.

The blast of magic ripped through the side of the cave, shaking the girls to their core as they gripped the wall for support and watched as giant rocks raining down on the beast.

Shrapnel from the exploded wall shred through the beast's wings. Thick blood droplets splattered against the dirt.

A large boulder crashed into the monsters head, dragging the flailing beast down with it as it fell towards the water.

Closest to the blast, the narrow passage around Mouse Akko began collapsing in, the entrance now sealed shut. She scampered as quickly as she could down the narrow and winding tunnel, rubble and falling rocks crashing down around her.

The ground beneath her cracked and split open. She dove forward, desperately trying to run up the rocks faster than they could fall. In her desperation her foot slipped and she slammed her head against a rock, losing consciousness and falling into the crack beneath her.

The bat let out a hideous howl as the mountain of rocks overpowered it, a gurgling silence replacing its cry as it plunged into the water, weighed down by the continued fall of rock after rock.

Amanda, Diana and Maliae watched with bated breath as they waited for the dust in the air to clear, a few rocks still slipping into the water.

"Is it dead?" Amanda called out, not waiting for a clear view.

Maliae reached out with her consciousness towards the lake. Concentrating on any presence she could feel. A faint crackley feeling brushed up against her senses. That of a dying plant, clinging to life, reached out to her for help.

The dust settled and the girls could clearly see the damage the cave in had caused. A mound of rocks piled up in the lake, peeking out from the water.

Amanda trotted down the slope towards the water's edge.

Maliae focused harder on the lake, something was growing stronger. "Wait, I don't think- "

The pile of rocks rumbled and quaked, toppling over each other as the monster broke through to the surface. The brute force of the last push sending rocks flying. Blood dripped from the monster's misshapen face. The rips and tears in its wings did nothing to prevent it from lifting into the air as it pumped it's massive wings.

"Ack!" Amanda dove out of the way as one of the rocks sent flying hurtled towards her. It crashed to her left and shattered, a few smaller pieces hitting her.

"Murowa!" Diana shot another blast at the enraged beast.

The bat whipped its head around toward Diana and Maliea. Slobber spewed out of its mouth as it snarled at the girls. With one powerful thrust it took off at the pair, flying right at the bolt of magic Diana had sent.

The spell exploded around the bat, light erupting all around it. Through the explosion of light the ugly, misshapen head of the beast emerged. It no longer cared about an easy meal, it was out for blood even if it had to sacrifice its body to get it.

Diana staggered back as she hastily threw up a shield. The sight of the bloody and mangled monster hurtling toward them with such destructive determination terrified her to her core. After all her hard work, was this where it ended?

Her heart pounded out of her chest, she could barely hear Amanda scream, everything was muffled. Why wasn't it Akko screaming? Was Akko ok? She blinked, everything seemed to be moving so slowly. The bat was only a few yards in front of her. It was diving head first, mouth wide open and fangs bared, not showing any signs of slowing down. If it was unphased by her attacks, it wasn't likely the barrier would hold it back.

Her chest ached with it's locked away secrets, selfishly begging to release them. At the sight of such horrifying bloodlust, they became too much to bare. If she made it out of this -

"Eri a beri nin!"

Maliae stood in front of her, as sturdy and determined as an Oak. Her arms were outstretched and she glowed a blindingly bright green. The scent of spring washed over Diana, newly sprouted trees, fresh soil.

Brown seaweed erupted out of the water. It intercepted the great beast and wrapping around its body. The kelp squeezed tighter and tighter. The bat was frozen in the air mere feet away from them.

The monster writhed and fought against the immobilizing hold. It took a huge breath, preparing to screech.

"Faug!" Maliae cried.

The seaweed twisted and turned, wrapping around the bat's neck and mouth. Maliae closed her fists tight and the cords clamped down harder, strangling the mighty creature, digging into its flesh.

Seizing the chance, Diana pointed her wand at the pile of rocks that had fallen into the water. With a flick of her wrist they flew at the bat, pummeling the beast. The mass of rocks surrounded it, trapping it in a rock prison.

Maliae dropped her arms with a gasp and fell to her knees. The tangle of rocks and seaweed fell into the lake, dragging the bat along with it. It hit the water with a huge splash.

Looking over the edge Diana could see a dark red color tainting the water, spreading out from between the rocks. It was over. They did it.

"Diana. Diana! Are you ok?" A hand shook her shoulder. "I can't believe you did that Maliae! That was incredible! You both were!"

Diana blinked, trying to clear her blurry eyesight. She touched her cheek and felt a slight dampness. She was alive. They were alive. Relief washed over her and all the tension holding her up left her all at once. She sunk to the floor next to Maliae.

"You saved us" Diana breathed. She laughed slightly and shook her head in disbelief.

"I didn't notice the Creepvine at first since they were nearly dead."

"Well it's a good thing you did!" Amanda said, she reached her hands out for Diana and Maliea to take. The girls each grabbed a hand and she pulled them up.

Diana looked behind Amanda. "Where's Akko?"

"I don't know. I lost her when she turned into Rat-kko while the rocks were falling on us."

"WHAT?! Why didn't you look for her?! She could be hurt!" Diana's voice cracked and pushed past Amanda frantically, running down the slope.

"There was a lot going on!" Amanda cried. Amanda and Maliae quickly followed her.

Diana ran across the cavern to where the original cave in had been. "Akko! Akko are you there?" She pushed a rock out of the way. She struggled against another before whipping her wand out. Her hand shook as she pointed it at the rocks.

"Diana calm down! You shouldn't use magic yet!" Amanda grabbed Diana's arm. "You haven't regained your strength. Collapsing from excessive magic use won't help Akko."

"I have to find Akko." Diana said weakly. She shivered, the fear and exhaustion racking through her body.

"Let me search for her presence. I can feel the life force of others more clearly if I concentrate." Maliae stepped next to Diana, using a soothing voice to try and calm the frantic witch.

Maliae cleared her throat and put her hands against the rocks. She closed her eyes and began glowing a faint green. She frowned, there wasn't anything under the rocks, dead or alive. She spread her consciousness farther, searching the nearby tunnels.

"I feel her! It's faint but she's alive."

"Thank Jennifer." Diana gasped. "Is she hurt? Where is she?"

"I don't sense any major disturbances in her aura. I believe she's just unconscious." Maliae opened her eyes. "Her aura is coming from a tunnel below us. Wait a moment, she's moving?!"

"What?!" Diana readied her wand. "Move out of the way."

"Wait Diana! You're too weak!" Amanda flung her arm in front of Diana. "If you use up any more magic before you recover you'll pass out."

"Then you do it! Akko is in trouble, none of this will matter if I let something happen to her." She cried, nearly choking out the words.

"Wait! There is another life force with her! It doesn't seem malicious. It must be one of the trolls!" Maliae said, her hands still firmly against the rocks concentrating on the auras.

"Is it your friend Tokei?" Amanda asked.

Maliae shook her head. "No I know her signature. But it is similar enough that they must be apart of her clan."

Amanda turned back to Diana. "Diana, she'll be ok. It's Akko. We've both known her to get out of worse situations. Just breath for a second."

Diana paused for a moment before nodding slightly and taking a deep breath, letting it out slowly. She looked at Amanda, finally noting how exhausted and beat up the other girl was. There was a cut across her cheek and dried blood speckled her skin and clothes.

"You're right, I'm sorry. I let my emotions get the better of me." She took another deep breath to steady herself. "Maliae do you think you could lead us to Akko? I do not have the strength to cast another seaking light yet."

"Diana you look like I could blow you over. And I'm sure Maliae could use a break, I know I could. Rat-kko will be fine for a few more minutes. We need a breather."

Diana hesitated. Amanda was right, with her panic gone she could feel the fatigue seeping into her bones. "I suppose a few minutes couldn't hurt. And stop changing her name. She goes by Akko, not Rat-kko. Furthermore, she transformed into a mouse, not a rat."

Amanda flopped down and leaned against one of the rocks. "Yeah, yeah. The only change to her name you'll accept is Akko Cavendish."

"Amanda!"

Deeper in the caves a stout magical being hummed a cheery tune. It twirled a wand in one hand and dragged a small mouse like creature by the tail behind it. Oh what a lucky day today was it thought.

A/N:

Well, life got in the way again. But I had a lot of fun writing this fight scene! I'm hoping to finish up the next chapter by next week. Fingers crossed haha.

The bat was based off of a cryptid, Olitiau, that described a giant bat like creature. And Maliae was speaking Sindarin, which is one of Tolkien's elvish languages.