I was standing in the middle of Ciar with Zeiyo, wearing my armor, trying to find people to help me get through the dungeon, since I had found the fomor pass that I needed to use. Rubbing my head, I wondered how I had been talked into this nonsense.

Flashback

"Diya", Endelyon called out from the front of the church. I was in the fields, gathering some wheat and barley.

I screamed back, holding onto whatever was left of my spine, "Yes Sister Endelyon?"

Picking grain was too much trouble, I would rather collect eggs.

"Come inside for a second?" she called back.

I happily agreed and ran away from the fields. The sickle and bag of goodies was left behind-- I would really rather collect eggs. Bending down for hours made me feel old.

Inside I sat down in one of the pews as I saw Sister Kristell. She worked for the church in Dunbarton. What she was doing in Tir Chonaill was a complete mystery. She walked over to me with a smile on her face.

"You must be Diya, I've heard a lot about you from Comgan."

"I hope only good stuff" I laughed it off, I had forgotten to tell him to keep it a secret. Oh well, couldn't change it now.

Kristell was about to say something but she stopped, Endelyon noticed.

"Sister?"

"Sorry" Kristell laughed it off, "I was just coming to pick up the box?" Endelyon led her somewhere into another room.

"That was weird" I said aloud when suddenly, Father Meven moved his hand to my chest, "FATHER!" I screamed as I pushed him back, covering myself.

"Diya? Where did you get that?"

"Don't change the topic you dirty old man! What the hell were you thinking!?"

Father Meven turned red and rubbed the back of his head, "Sorry, I didn't think it through. I was grabbing for your medallion. Where did you get it?"

I look at the medallion and I'm hit by a sudden wave of flashbacks of Barri Dungeon, Kim, Zero. This time Father Meven reached for the medallion and I didn't slap him for it. He looked it over and nodded to himself.

"This is a Priest's Token, it's written in Fomor language though. You'll have to go to the fomor in Alby, you can get a pass from Ranald."

"A pass?"

I sighed heavily. The idea of fighting again sounded horrid, and the bruises on my body still stung slightly, but I nodded.

"It's an arena coin, no fighting involved. Just tell him to read it to you, it's very easy…and you'll be excused from today's work." Father Meven smiles as he lets the necklace go and goes to the back, with the two priestesses.

End of Flashback

After that, I did as told and ran into a boot wearing blue goblin named Goro. I asked him to read the medallion for me, and instead, he somehow got me to agree to a trade. He lost his ring in a Basic dungeon of Ciar, he entered the dungeon on his own and the golem took it.

I had spent two hours traversing Ciar beginner before I finally got the pass I wanted. My life wasn't even touched at this point, but I held the pass tightly in my hand. No way in hell was I going to risk me failing, trying to do it on my own.

Just as I was about to give up on finding someone to help and try to beat the translation out of the goblin, a voice of a thousand demons answered my prayer.

"Hey Grandma! Stop sitting around or else you'll never get out."

Kim!? Did she follow me to Tir Chonaill? No way. "Kim, what are you doing here?"

I got off the floor and dusted off my skirt. Behind me stood the young wizard, her arms crossed over her chest as she scrutinized me. Her cocky demeanor hadn't changed one bit in the week since I've last seen her.

Has it really been a week? Well…a week and a few days.

"That's none of your business…what are you doing here?"

Rude, as usual. "I have this Basic pass that's going to expire in a few hours. I need at least four more people, I have to do the boss room on my own." I whined and leaned against the wall, already tired before the fighting had even started. Kim simply turned around and took a deep breath.

"HEY! I NEED HELP WITH A BASIC! GET YOUR ARSES ON THE ALTAR!" she screamed. Everyone in the dungeon stood still, but three people came forward.

Two boys and one girl: one boy was Taylor Box, a nice guy who I've seen sitting around the grasslands once in awhile. The other boy was Sai, I had never seen him before, and last was the girl, she told us to call her Cowgal, she looked like one at least.

I had to admit, Kim was very useful…her big mouth helped attract attention. That and her skills were better than mine…but I'd cut my nose off before I'd admit it.

"Thanks, lets all go together!" I squeal as I drop the pass and we all disappear before reappearing inside.

~*~*~

"Woot! You guys took this whole dungeon on your own." I cheered as I calmly walked into the room with the boss door; I had the key in my pocket. Kim and Cowgal were having a stare down contest, for those two were the ones far ahead of everyone. Sai and Tay walked over to me and patted my shoulder.

"Good luck Diya, we're rooting for you!" Sai said before disappearing.

"We'll be outside, ready to bandage you up." and with that, Tay was gone.

Kim walked over to me and picked off imaginary lint off her pants, "…You can borrow my daggers but you better return them!"

I laughed as I took her blades and twirled them in my hand, they were lighter than my swords and that meant I could attack faster. Grinning, I hooked the mage in my arm and ruffled her hair.

"Thanks, I'll be unstoppable with these!"

Kim pushed me away but I knew now, I finally saw what Comgan saw in her. She disappeared and Cowgal just waved before joining everyone outside.

"Ready?"

"Zeiyo…you're going to help me right?"

The spirit came out and he was floating with his legs crossed, cheeks puffed, "Were you going to use those daggers instead of me?"

"Of course not! You're the best weapon ever, it's impossible to replace you." I flash him a cheesy smile and he nods.

I open the dungeon and thankfully Zeiyo's hand covers my mouth, stiffening a scream. Inside were six metal skeletons and a large golem. He pulls me behind the wall and lets me go.

"This is no time to freak out! Call on your pets, we'll smash them. It'll take a few hours but we can do it!"

"But Zeiyo–"

"No buts!" I forgot how pushy my spirit could be.

~*~*~

Sometime later, I opened the treasure chest and there it was, Goro's stupid ring. I snatched it up and dragged myself to the stone statue. One touch and I was teleported outside. The only person there was Kim.

"Welcome back Grandma."

"Ugh."

I would argue with her but she caught me when I had no energy. Kim didn't say anything else and helped me back to town. We made it back to the square when I told Kim that I needed to go Alby dungeon and we had to drop this coin I had. She still didn't question me and took me there, and we each dropped our own arena coin.

"You're back!" Goro shouted.

"You're the Fomor that sent her into that hell!?" Kim shouted as I walked on my own, I held out the ring and he took it, examining it.

"It is the ring I have lost! Thank you! Thank you! Here…as a reward…I'll tell you the meaning of the words inscribed behind the medal."

"Good." I shoved the medallion back into his hand and this time he examined it and read it out loud.

"It reads 'Dul Brau Dairam Shanon'. 'Dul Brau Dairam Shanon'…meaning something like 'Goddess, please lend me the moonlight'…"

Kim and I stared at him doubtfully, and he stares back, smiling creepily.

Why would a Fomor be guarding something like that? Could Tarlach be on the verge of finding something huge?

"What? That's what it says." He said finally as he thrust the medallion back into my hands. Had it always been this heavy?

"Kim?"

"What?" She turns to me but I closed my eyes and leaned on her shoulder.

"Take me to Dilys now."

"You're going to be okay?"

I think I replied to her but I can't remember. I fainted.

~*~*~

I woke up to see Kim sitting at the edge of my bed.

"What's going on?"

"Finally, you're awake."

Kim scooted off the bed and walked over to me, she looked me up and down before apparently confirming something to herself.

"I told that healer that you were fine, you just needed rest."

Oh no!

I knew Dilys wouldn't let me out of here without a full check; I sat up quickly and threw off the blankets, grabbing Zeiyo.

"Come on, we have to get out of here before Dilys notice us. Think you can do that?"

Kim dusted off her shoulder and smirked, "Easy."

I really needed to stop underestimating this child. We climbed down to the first floor and escaped through the window of Dilys bedroom. We made our way away from the house without anyone noticing.

We had reached the moon gate before I finally slowed down, panting heavily. Sitting down, I leaned against the cool rock face of the moon gate, laughing to myself. Kim sat down next to me, leaning on her arms as she looked at me.

"What's so funny?"

"Last time I ran from Dilys house was when I gave birth to Starlin because she wanted to keep me for two weeks."

An hour passed before we decided to get moving. It was starting to get dark and I had to start cooking soon. I got up and helped Kim.

"Where are you staying?" I asked as Kim dusted her pants.

"At the Inn."

"That's not fair. You can come with me, we don't have much room but Star and Yuki can bunk together tonight. How long are you staying?"

"Thanks. I'll leave in the morning."

I summoned Ivory, we hopped on but accidentally stepped into the light of the moon gate, which took us all the way to the outskirts of Emain Macha. I groaned.

Sometimes I wish we could choose where we wanted to go.

~*~*~

Everyone was home by the time we got back. I helped Kim down and led her into the living room. Everyone was doing homework, except Kori who was designing an outfit for work. Dot and Ay were helping everyone.

"Hi everyone! I'm home, and we have a guest."

"Mommy!"

Yuki and Star ran to me and I lifted them both up, giving them kisses. Kim wrinkled her nose as I greeted the other kids with kisses. I turn back to Kim.

"Kim, this is Star, Yuki, Sularin, Kori, Ckika, Aydub, Yo, Uba and Dot. Kids, this is Kim, the girl who helped me do some work in Bangor. She's going to stay with us for the night."

Kim waved at them, they waved back.

"Mom, where is she going to sleep?" Sularin asked.

Putting down the girls, I pet Yuki on the head, "In Yuki's room. Star and Yuki will bunk together for the night."

"Yay!" my two girls scream in glee as they run off to Star's room.

Deciding that things were okay, I started making dinner. We ate dinner and talked, Kim was relatively silent while everyone else was very animated. Kori went to her room right after dinner to continue her work and Kim went straight to sleep. Dot went to help Star and Yuki set up a tent in Star's room, which left me with everyone else.

"Mom", Uba started, "…I wanted to talk to you…privately?" she made out the last part like a question.

Thoughts ran through my head. She was single, so she couldn't be pregnant. Knights weren't at my doors so she didn't break a law…at least not yet. And there wasn't some homeless pet in her arms, as she used to bring home strays. So what could it be?

I followed her into my room, shutting the door behind us, "What is it honey?"

Uba sits on the bed and I join her, she holds my hand and stares at me.

"Mom?"

"Yes?" my answer was impatient sounding but I was too curious. She flinched and I decided to try to calm down. "Sorry, I'm just curious. What is it?"

"You know that me and Yo had our last class at Ranald today, right?"

I mentally knocked on my head. How could I forget? What kind of mother was I becoming? With the dungeons, church, and my current issue with Tarlach, I wasn't too surprised.

"It slipped my mind. I'm sorry!"

"It's okay! Really! But…Craig offered us work in Emain and we think it'd be great."

"That's awesome dear, you can work with Aydub. But don't think that you'll get special treatments because of that."

Uba smiled as she rolled her eyes, "Mom! We know that already. Ay told us how the job was and everything, but we decided. It'd be better for us…if we moved to Sen Mag."

What!? "So…you're leaving?"

Her hand tightened around mines, "Most of us are going to move together. Dot and Yo and if Sularin or Ckika want to. Star and Yuki have school in Tir, so there is no reason for them to come with. But mom, think of it? I mean, with all of us out of your hair, you can have more room."

"…When are you guys moving?" I saw the logic of it, I really did…but some part of me thought that they would live with me forever.

"We already found a house and we won the bid for it, though it isn't near Ay's. We have plenty of space, so if you want to visit, we'll have a room for you."

"That's great."

"Really?" Her eyes were so innocent, I couldn't tell her that I was actually bothered and hurt by the idea, but I just need to adjust.

"Yep! Plus, now I can rent out your rooms. It's awesome." I lie while flashing a grin, Uba rolls her eyes playful and laughs.

"Mom!"

"Now go start packing, you guys should get be ready for whenever you're going!"

"Thanks mom."

She wrapped her arms around me and skipped off, obviously happy. While I laid down on my bed and sighed.

"Diya?"

"What is it now Zeiyo?"

My spirit sat on the edge of the bed, putting his hand my leg and looked at me with a faint smile, "You did a good thing, don't look so miserable."

"Who said I was miserable? Zeiyo, you need to learn better people skills. This is me…being happy…see?"

I gave a poor attempt at a smile before I buried my head in my pillow, fighting back my emotions while Zeiyo petted my head and said sweet things to calm me down.

We' been inseparable for so long, he knew me even better than he knew himself, since I'm the only thing he came into contact with. Before he was able to summon, only I could hear or talk to him. That really helped us get along. Not even dare mentioning how much I cherish Zeiyo's weapon itself, it was a gift from my husband.

Before I knew it, I was fast asleep with the claymore in my arms while my spirit kept me company through the night.

~*~*~

"Kim?"

Hushed whispers echoed in Yuki's room, waking the stranger sleeping underneath the blue soft blanket with bunnies on it.

"What the maiz is it?" Kim replied groggily.

I bite back a laugh while rolling my eyes, picking up the habit, "Finally! You could sleep through a storm for heaven sake! I've been here for ten minutes."

"Yeah…and you snore!" Zeiyo laughed out.

Kim glared at my spirit and I before she grabbed her bag from the side of the bed, pulling out a piece of bread. "So, what do you want?"

"It's bad to eat in the middle of the night" I warn while standing straight and crossing my arms, "also, I need you to take me somewhere."

"Fine, where are we going anyways?"

Kim stood up and slung the back over her shoulder but I spotted a flash of blue.

Mana herbs? Why would she those…or more better, where would she get those?

"To snowman hill, you do know where that is?"

The tone my spirit used even made me turn and look at him. Where was he getting all this attitude from?

"…I can protect you, but I don't come to Tir often so I wouldn't know." Kim replied with the exact same attitude. I broke the two up as I shoved Zeiyo back in the claymore.

"Forgive him, he's a jerk when he doesn't get enough sleep."

"Am not!" he cried out but it was useless.

I walk to the window, quietly opening it.

After putting one leg out, I wave for Kim to follow, "Snowman hill isn't far from the healer house. We just have to hurry before daylight comes, or else we'll miss him."

"Shouldn't we wear something warmer?" Kim pointed towards our clothing and I stared, "there must be a reason why it's called Snowman hill."

If this was a cartoon, there would be sweat drops on my head...but instead, I just try to laugh it off while putting my leg back in.

"Yeah...there are some coats in the closet downstairs, but we'll have to be quiet."

"Yeah! So shut up!" Zeiyo screamed and I hung my head.

"Too late for that" Kim mumbles while rolling her eyes.

I again push Zeiyo back into the sword and turn back to see her reaching into her bag and pulling out a Trudy Layered Robe and throwing it on.

"I have a robe."

How much stuff can that bag fit?

"Great! Go out the window and I'll meet you downstairs" I whisper as I leave the room and sneak downstairs.

Five minutes flat, I was outside with a Muffler Robe on and a tie around a certain grumpy spirit's mouth while he floated behind me. I spotted Kim planted exactly under the window sill, mumbling things to her combat wand. As soon as she saw me, she stood up.

"Lets go, lead the way grandma."

My eye twitched at the name. I tried to breathe and relax but my emotions get the best of me.

"Stop calling me grandma! You're lucky I don't kick your butt!"

I shout/whisper at the wizard while strangling a handful of air, trying to pretend it was her but failing.

Everyone tells me I have a lot of anger issues. What do they know?

"I said, 'lead the way grandma'. We're wasting moonlight here."

Without another word, I realized that she was right and reluctantly summoned Ivory. We get on and start heading towards Tir Chonaill.

What was I going to say when I got us there? Last I remember, I was sure Tarlach was angry at me for ranting at him. Why was I even bringing Kim? I should have done this alone…

My thoughts wandered off during the ride, and before I know it, we had arrived in Sidhe Sneachta.

"Keep your eyes on the road woman! We don't want to get lost." Kim grumbled, obviously unhappy that she had to come, "Nothing's here except for–"

She stopped when she saw we were now surrounded by coyotes. I snapped back into attention as Ivory let out a neigh, trying to scare them off.

"What this girl does…" I heard a soft male voice murmur.

"Who is that?!" I ask, fear hinting in my voice. The dark knight's attacks are still fresh in my memory and I wasn't even wearing my armor this time around. So I was easy bait, and I also didn't want Kim dying because of me.

Kim averted her gaze and a young spirit popped out of her combat wand.

"Hello", he started in a godly manner, looking astonishingly like Comgan, "my name is Makoto."

Zeiyo mumbles something but the tie around his neck makes it incomprehensible, a problem which I wasn't going to fix.

"Hello?" I wave at the spirit, "Kim, since your spirit seems up to it, mind blasting these puppies? Before they decide to snack on us?"

Kim nodded and Makoto smiled. They unleash a fire bolt, burning most of the coyotes surrounding us and sending the rest of them running.

They'll be back, they tend to forget. I think that but I kept quiet, petting Ivory to calm her down.

Kim glared at her young spirit.

"Little sincerity, what have I told you about coming out of your wand? You waste more energy out of it then when you're in it!"

"Hey, if he didn't, we might have became dog food. And if they killed out horse, we'd be stuck walking all the way…speaking of which, hang on!" I scream as I give Ivory a good kick to the side and she speeds off, fast enough no coyote could catch us.

"If they killed your horse, you would." Kim laughed, "I still have Anak, and Isaki to carry me."

I laughed back, "You'd leave me in the middle of here? You're a true ex-assassin!"

Without knowing it, I brought us through the extra portal and we ended up at the Druid Altar. My heart sped up as we now slowed down to a calm walk. I heard Kim mumble something like 'assassin's law three, leave those that have a chance of living.'

I stopped the horse completely and slide off, I can see the outline of Tarlach but I decided to hide in the trees.

"What am I doing?" I cried to myself while trying to blend in.

Kim, being the arrogant girl that she is, walked towards him boldly. She stopped when she got a good look at him and turned back to me, destroying all my chances of being hidden.

"Diya!" she called out, "There's this guy collapsed in the snow!"

Collapsed!? I run over and see that she was correct, on the floor was Tarlach, still coughing slightly.

"In the name of...what did you do!?"

Not bothering to wait, I bent over and pulled Tarlach onto my lap and check his breathing.

Least she didn't kill the guy

"It wasn't me! He was just here, coughing and muttering about…" Kim took a second to pause, "blood, fomors…"

The young ex-assassin pulled some things out of her bag.

"Give this to him, pour it down his throat!" She announced while tossing a few health potions at me.

I feel myself jerk at the mention of fomors but against my body's protest I catch each potion and pour them slowly down his throat.

"Tarlach? Wake up, you have to wake up before you get a cold."

Smiling, I think about what I just said. It was stupid, considering that he already had a cold but either way, he slowly gained conscience.

"I was never here" Kim whispers into my ear, "I don't think that he wants to have strangers around."

Before I could stop her, she ran off into the trees. A far better hider than I was. Her excuse was lame, I knew her reason…she was part Fomor, so Tarlach might have figured it out. I guess she didn't want to make him any worse.

Still! I wanted to shout out, 'Don't leave me alone with this guy!' but she was too far gone and Tarlach was waking up.

"Tarlach? Are you okay?" I laughed softly as I helped him sit up, "I don't know what you remember, but lying in the snow can you get a bunch of diseases."

"I…didn't think you would come back…" he started, trying to change the subject but ended in a fit of coughs.

"....Why wouldn't I come back?" I patted his back and looked around furtively, silently praying for Kim to come back.

He looked away, glaring slightly in the direction that Kim had ran off.

"I hear something, do you have anything to protect yourself with?" I was about to answer yes but Kim ran through the trees, her spirit out of the wand and coyotes hot on their tail.

"I TOLD YOU NOT TO TALK, MAKOTO! Coyotes suck!"

At least Kim's hood was covering her eyes, but the least she could do was be a little bit more…normal?

"Tarlach! Stay here!" I shouted as I thanked the goddess for answering my prayers. I ripped off the tie on Zeiyo and we took the coyotes down easily-- three wasn't hard. I turned to Kim and smiled.

"Who's old now?"

Kim pointed to Tarlach like a little kid, "Him! He's the one that was pretty much dead! Look at him now! Give him stamina potions!"

Makoto muttered something about how she would make a good healer.

I hope not like Dilys. Or else I'll never go into another hospital.

Zeiyo comes out of the sword and coughs, "Diya" he whines, "Why did you muffle me?"

"You were being loud...sorry, I'll get you a delicious ukulele tomorrow, okay?"

He grined and crossed his arms, nodding. I turned back to Kim and leaned in to whisper.

"Can you tune down the insanity?"

Kim smirked and turned to Tarlach, acting more like her normal self.

"Hey, you a mage or something?" she asked.

Rolling my eyes playfully, I walk over to Tarlach and help him up, letting him lean on me.

"He's a Druid...right?"

Suddenly, I realized. I don't think anyone was supposed to know who he really is. I tried to give Tarlach the eye but instead I was staring at Kim, watching her eyes. Luckily, they were still covered as she pulled out two mana herbs from her bag.

"Here, they are good for mana users, plus they give a good profit. Fresh from Ciar dungeon" Kim muttered, handing them to Tarlach. That explains what she was doing there, "You know, I think I heard some people in Math talking about a druid…"

"Someone in Math?" I asked, tilting my head.

Who would know about Tarlach? He was from too long ago…

Kim shrugged, "I confronted them once, they aren't half bad people. It was the tall one that was scary, the other two…well, one sleeps all the time, and the girl just watches that one." Kim smiled slightly, "Good fighters too, gave me a challenge."

"...Did the girl have reddish pink hair?"

My instincts told me that she was who I thought she was, but the tall one must have been...and that means that was the real Ruairi...

I started shaking without knowing.

Kim looked up at Tarlach, who seemed to be paying attention now. Suddenly, her eyes slowly looked down before she answered, "Er…yes Diya."

"Was she okay?! What was she doing? The tall one, do you know why he's with her?"

I stepped forward, thinking about what else to ask when suddenly Tarlach stood up straight, without even looking, I knew it.

Kim's eyes on the floor? Yep...he must have seen...or maybe he didn't?

"The girl was fine, even tried to stop the tall one from attacking…then we all talked for a bit…I don't know why…" Kim stopped and pulled a fomor token out of her bag, "The tall one gave me this, saying it was a sort of peace treaty between us."

Mentally, I wanted to shout at Kim for believing the man, saying that he was only nice because she was a fomor...but that was out of the question, I instead just sighed with relief.

"As long as Triona is safe...well, we should be leaving I guess."

Tarlach's eyes glared at Kim slightly, "That girl, the one you're traveling with, Diya. Why is she with you?" He asked, more cold than usual.

Coughing slightly, I turned to him and laugh friendly, "Kim? She's been with me since Bangor, of course. She's been helping me with dungeons, you don't expect me to do an entire dungeon alone, I'm far too weak."

But by his tone, I knew it wouldn't work.

"She's a fomor, you shouldn't trust her…" he muttered, softening his gaze as he looked at me.

Suddenly, my anger swirls back as I glare at him and cross my arms, "What the hell do you mean? She's been helping me!"

Tarlach frowned and was about to say something before looked at the sky, it was almost morning.

"You should leave, before the bear comes back…"

Flipping my hair, I shifted my weight on the other leg and stared at him hard, I didn't honestly want to leave, but I couldn't risk Kim killing him.

~*~*~

As they rode Ivory, Kim muttered something about how the snow would be beautiful in the daytime. An idea hits me as I stop Ivory, and turn to the young wizard.

"Kim? Think you can take on a bear?"

"What kind? Grizzly? Black? Brown? Red?" She asked me cheerfully.

"Um…" I tried to remember, was it a brown or red bear? "I think it was a brown...could have been a red. I can't remember..."

"Easy." Kim laughed, "Only black bears are hard."

Without another word, I take us back to Druid Altar but hide us in the trees, much due to Kim's efforts, which were superb.

~*~*~

Sitting in the snow was utter hell, but to make it worse, sitting in the snow while Kim was in a tree, LAUGHING her arse off was just simply beyond hell.

"Shut up before I kick you out of that tree!"

"Fine! Summon Windbolt!"

A golden retriever appeared and dropped a weapon in front of its master, and Zeiyo, being captain obvious, shouted out.

"A red bladed claymore!"

"Take it easy boy" I roll my eyes, a black bladed claymore is sexy looking but they won't accept anything but another rare claymore. Unless it was for eating or fixing. Typical males.

We heard a twig breaking and we all fell silent, Kim had higher vantage point so she looked down and quickly waved at me. I threw my arms up and sucked my teeth, did she think I was a mind reader?

"Bear" she whispered loud enough for probably her dog to hear, but Zeiyo somehow heard and told me.

Kim climbs down the tree, with monkey like abilities that I can't even dream of possessing as we huddle up.

"Okay, what's the plan? Oh, assassin."

Without another word, Kim ran up to the bear, a lightning bolt charged as she hit the bear with her claymore. It growled at her and tried to flick her away.

"Kim! Don't get hurt now!" I cheer on from the sidelines.

What? I'm too old to be taking on bears, last time, the bear almost killed me. No thank you.

Zeiyo leaned on my head and helped shout, "Go! Slice that bear some meat!"

"Silence human!" Kim joked while dodging a swipe of the bear's claws.

Zap! Zap!

I gasped when Kim got hit by a lightning bolt that came from the bear!

Images of Barri dungeon come back, biting my lip I ran in between the bear and Kim with my arms wide open. Shutting my eyes, I felt the impact of the bear's claw slashing past my robe and through my clothes.

Crying out, I fell to my knees and clutched my newest wound, blood getting all over me and the snow, Kim ran over to me but the bear beat her. It slid me into its arms and started licking me. It was painful at first but slowly it started getting ticklish.

"Diya!"

Kim screamed out to me but I let out a laugh/cry as pain shot throughout my body but the bear's tongue continued. Every once in awhile it would glare at Kim, who kept her distance, but kept trying to clean my wounds until eventually I stopped bleeding.

"T-thanks." I whisper, feeling unbelievably weak.

I dragged myself to my feet by pulling the bear's fur. Kim slowly walked over to me and took me from it. I gave the bear a friendly pet on the head as Kim took me... somewhere or another.

At this point, I started fading out but I knew that we were still in the snowy area. Her bag came out, spilling out tons of red bottles and bandages. Smiling faintly, I tugged on Kim's robe sleeve.

"The bear…he's not…so bad?..."

I could hear Kim's voice saying something nebulous-- like that I got hit too hard, that I should be happy that I'm not dead. Sadly…I didn't think that was entirely true.