The menacing Demonic Beast, Grendel, towers above you; his body radiating and almost oozing thick golden mana that shares the same hue as his armored skin. He was already formidable and terrifying before, but with the dark sorceress in his gut feeding him an extreme amount of magic from within, your fight just became that much more challenging. Even in the face of this monstrous legend, you won't back down. Everyone is here with you, ready to give their all. After you take Grendel down for good, this castle should crumble, and the magic that's draining the forest of its life should disappear too. Grendel and the sorceress told you that all the forest fairies besides Pomu are gone, their lives cut down so that their energy could be used to revive this beast, but you can't believe that. Even now, while this demon stands tall and ready to strike, you can still feel the faint energies you felt earlier from the emerald stone when it was intact. It's a very distant feeling, but you know that it's still there; something…familiar. You have to believe that the fairies have a chance to come back, and you'll use that belief to help you to win this battle.
"Let's do this, Watame!" You shout with confidence.
"You got it, Anon! Go show that bully how strong we are!" Watmae resounds beside you, her energy fueling the book's power along with your spell. "Connect!"
Three bright stars unite with bright rays of starlight, creating a straight path upward to Grendel. You jump onto the gleaming rail, and are instantly sent traveling along its path. The speed you travel through the air is almost disorienting, but you refocus your senses when you reach the final star that floats next to the demon's head. Grendel's crimson red eyes turn to look at you; surprised at your sudden appearance.
You bring your sword down in a powerful slash that grazes the demon's cheek; flakes of his armor-like skin fall to the ground as he grunts in pain. Grendel then lifts one of his arms to make a retaliatory strike at you, but you and Watame are ready.
"Roll! Nova!" Watame shouts from the castle floor, commanding two stars to fly to position and detonate themselves in front of Grendel's mighty claw. The bright explosion makes the demon reel back, but it quickly recovers and looks at you with murderous intent. You use your connected starline to retreat back towards the ground, before the second swipe Grendel takes with his other hand can reach you.
As you grind down the celestial railing you begin to envision your next move. Watame's ground view of the battlefield gives her the perfect perspective to guide you on where your next stars should go.
"Roll! And connect!" The sheep calls out again, creating a tail of light perpendicular to the one you ride on; it quickly inclines up to another star that fires another ray of light toward the back wall.
After jumping onto the newest railing, you are quickly carried upward as you bend your legs to carve into the sharp upcoming turn. Grendel snorts when you suddenly change directions on him, but he simply turns his massive body and makes a quickened step to pursue you. His cold glare was so fixated on you; the summoner, that he didn't even notice the two stars that float on opposite sides of his shins.
"Connect!" Watame calls out once more, and a tripwire of starlight appears right in front of the demonic beast.
Grendel curses when he feels the sudden taunt light take away his balance, and can do nothing but fall face first towards the ground. Not willing to bear the embarrassment of falling for such a simple trap, Grendel flaps his mighty blackened wings; the force from the gusts they create can even be felt from your position over the beast.
"That's just fine, Grendel. Pick yourself up." You grin as you prepare to jump down onto the back of the winged demon.
"We got you right where we want you." Watame says with a smug grin of her own. "Now roll! And…Nova!"
Another pair of multi-pronged stars come spinning through the air to take their places; one under one of Grendel's wings, the other under his opposite forearm. Watame's command causes both to explode in a bright flash of light, which delivers another punishing blast onto the demon. Grendel is forced to his hands and knees by the sudden attack and he grunts in anger.
You land safely onto the demon's back and immediately thrust your sword down into the black leather of his wings. Pulling all your might, you begin to shear the thick hide that makes this beast capable of flight, as you run towards Grendel's head. The demon shakes violently to try and dislodge you from his wing, but you're not stopping until you reach that ugly mug of his. Another pained yell comes from Grendel next, now whether it was from your sword continuing to slice through its wingspan, or the next set of stars Watame set to explode behind the demon's knees, only he would know, but there's a good chance it was because of both.
"That's it, Anon!" Watame cheers you on. "Keep going! One, Two! One, Two!"
With Watame's magic finding its unique way into your body, your legs move with even more vigor. The incision across one of Grendel's wings finishes when you reach his neckline, and you quickly use your strengthened legs to run further to stand on the beast's shoulders. Grendel snaps his neck toward you, his eyes burn with such rage and hatred that would make a lesser man quake in fear, but not you, not when you have the best sheep in the world at your back. You crank one leg back behind you, and with all the strength you can give, you deliver a powerful kick into the bottom of the demon's jaw.
Grendel's neck is forcibly bent in the direction your foot sends it. A curved impact from your kick ripples around his golden chin. You're not nearly done with him yet. Focusing your mana, you cover your blade in a thin spiral of wind; its current gives some extra bite to your sword. Once again you thrust your blade deep into the monster's armored hide, this time at the top of its pectorals. You grip your sword's handle with both hands and swing yourself from your perch atop Grendel's shoulder, allowing gravity to take you. The sharpened blade, thanks to your cutting winds, helps tear through the monster's armored flesh, making him howl in pain once more. Your trip is short lived as he manages to bring one of his claws around to swat you; sword and all, away. The force from Grendel's palm sends you hurling towards the far side of the room, before you finally collide with the stone castle wall. The impact was enough to wedge you into the stone slightly, but thanks to the veil of starlight enhancing your body, you should be able to get up again.
"Anon!" Pomu cries out as she watches you get flung. Before she can think about what she should do, or how she can best help, Watame's mighty footsteps are already sprinting towards you.
You blink your eyes a few times to refocus after your harsh crash, and the shape of the golden behemoth; claws raised and running towards you, comes into full view. You can't help but crack a smile, you know there is nothing to worry about. Grendel doesn't know a thing about true teamwork, and he's facing a team that's been overcoming the odds since they met.
Watame uses her own voice to give extra pump to her steps as she begins to match speeds with the mighty Grendel. The book still shining in her grip, she begins to chant a series of spells to send stars right in the demon's path. The appearance of the celestial bodies gives the monster an instant of panic, as he forces himself to a halt to avoid either another explosion, or another tripwire.
"And…connect!" Watame yells as she brings more mana into her horns to help give her the power of a battering ram, as she pivots and charges her head into the ankle of the demonic beast. The force of the sheep's headbutt is not enough to topple the beast on its own, but after nudging him into a set of celestial rays located at shin and waist height, Grendel falls over with a giant thud as he whines.
You flex your body to break your way out of the you shaped indent into the wall. After landing on the floor, you run to be side by side with Watame once more.
"Now Watame!" You tell her as you prepare to give your all into the next spell.
"Right Anon! Roll!" Watame answers your call and causes every last star still hanging in the air, to come shooting down upon Grendel's fallen form. The beast can only look around anxiously as he watches the celestial shapes float over his body, he already knows what's coming next.
"Nova!" Watame yells with more feeling than before, and in a blinding flash, one star after the other explodes right on top of the demonic beast.
"They're amazing…" Pomu says in awe, as the smoke from your last joint attack almost obscures the side of the room you are on. "How did they do all that!? They barely said anything to each other, but they, they just!"
"The best way I think I can explain it." Polka begins with a scratch of her chin. "Is that it's kinda like an internal dialogue. We don't really know that much about Anon's spell book, but when I use it, and I put all my feelings into it, it's like Anon knows exactly what I want to do. I can kinda hear what he wants at the same time, and we just bounce back and forth."
"It's not just that either." Flare chimes in. "The number of battles those two have fought side by side with each other, and their passion to help each other achieve their dreams, has made them completely in sync. Anon's call, Watame's response. They know exactly what to do for the other. This is what trust looks like on the battlefield. When you trust someone else in battle, it allows you to take risks that you couldn't normally, because you know someone will be there to catch you."
Trust huh? I think I know what Flare might be talking about though. When we first stormed the castle, the way Anon and Nene fought together, it was like they knew they could never lose while they had each other. And before, when we fought those horrible fairy imposters, Polka and Anon knew exactly what to do without saying a word. It's the same with all of them. They all trust each other so much…I'm such a silly Pomu for not trusting them sooner…I kept so much bottled inside because I was afraid of being alone again. That's the old Pomu! The new and improved Pomu is going to show everyone that they can always count on this fairy to come through for them!
As the smoke clears around Grendel, you and Watame take a much needed moment to catch your breath. The strain from using the seventh spell in its enhanced form had taken its toll on the sheep next to you. Sweat pours down her face as she takes deep panting breaths. The physical effort you put into that counterattack as well is felt more and more by your muscles as soon as the spell wore off. That hit you took that created a you shaped dent in the wall is just starting to make itself known throughout your body. If this demon's body is impervious to normal mana based magic, your best bet will be to crack a hole in that armor, and finish him off with the fifth spell.
From the thinning veil of dust, you can see Grendel slowly lift himself up. He raises a steady claw that glows with thick golden mana, and with a simple swipe down across his body, sends a blast of pure mana towards you and Watame.
"Stellashield!" Watame shouts as you step in front of her with your hand already raised. A large shield of starlight appears to protect you both from the thick rush of mana. The pressure of Grendel's magic is immense, but you and Watame give all your have to keep your celestial layer of protection intact.
"Loathsome summoner!" Grendel roars as he watches his attempt to harm you fail. "Your meager magic will not keep you and the demi-human safe from me for long! Without the power of the water spirit, you are NOTHING. You are all NOTHING to the likes of me!"
Summoner. I don't mean to distract you from your efforts in fighting Grendel, but I believe I may have an idea that will help. Undine's voice speaks out in your mind, a voice you more than welcome as the pressure to your own body and spirit mounts.
"I'm all ears, Undine." You say aloud, earning a questioning look from Watame, that quickly turns to a bright smile when she realizes her beloved water spirit is reaching out to you.
This demon seems to have some deep rooted fear for myself and my sister. I cannot remember if my sister had indeed battled such a beast, but if he fears us as if we were ghosts, I can certainly play the role of one.
Undine's own clever scheme makes you grin. It makes you consider how you quickly became the main target of this mad sorceress' demonic creatures once it must have become clear who Undine was, and her tie to you. The witch herself did not seem to put your death as a priority over Pomu's, but someone was certainly urging her to do so. That someone is afraid of what you are, or what you can become.
"Watame, give me a charge! Undine and I are gonna scare the skin right off that big jerk." You say, ready to give Undine's psychological warfare a try.
The sheep beside you nods and chants the command to turn your shining shield into energy that funnels into your closed fist. A split second is all you two have to diverge and run out of the blast of magic that Grendel had sent your way. The golden mana collides against the castle floor with a loud crash and splashes a mix of light and dust through the air, but under its cover, you and Undine begin to set the stage for your plan.
"Hey Grendel!" You shout through the waning smoke. "I brought someone back to the party to say hi!"
The golden demon has his arm poised to unleash another projectile of magic against you, but you see his body jolt and freeze when he sees the water spirit floating beside you.
"Hello, Grendel." Undine says with an air smug superiority. "I believe you were just raving about how my summoner is 'nothing' without my help. It appears as though you wish to fight me yourself, so I asked my summoner to allow me to take part in this battle once more."
Grendel hesitates like a dog caught between wanting to run or bark. Time to add more coal to the fire.
"I think he's been afraid of you since the second he realized who you were, Undine." You add smugly. "Why don't we show him the magic your sister told you about? That thing that can put away demons like him for good."
"Y-You're bluffing!" Grendel snaps, enraged but still not willing to make his next move. "There is no way you can know the methods that wretched Sylph used to seal me away!"
"I will allow my summoner's actions to speak for themselves." Undine declares with a wide grin.
With the starlight from your charged shield shining in your left fist, you channel a little wind mana into it to give yourself a shimmering mix of green and silver around your closed hand.
"Here we come Grendel! Time to put you back in your cage!" You announce with bravado before running forward towards the demon.
"As if I would let you-" Grendel begins to say before Undine flies upward with incredible speed to bring herself right up to his face, causing him to freeze once more.
You look up and see the stunned demon's jawline directly above you.
"Stellaruga!" Watame shouts from the distance, causing your spell to unleash itself from your hand and rocket upwards at Grendel.
The beam of starlight hits directly under the demonic beast's chin, forcing his head to bend backward like he was struck with a powerful uppercut. Grendel steps backward, struggling to maintain his balance, his body shakes as it attempts to restabilize. You then aim your sword forwards, and charge at one of the beast's feet, thrusting your sword halfway into his golden skin with the help of your mana coated blade.
Grendel grunts as the foreign object pierces his flesh, but his pain quickly fuels his growing anger. Having regained his footing, he lifts the foot that you currently twist your blade within, and with a powerful kick of his leg, dislodges your weapon and sends you flying.
While you fall and skip away along the stone castle floor, Grendel turns his gaze back to Undine and narrows his glowing crimson eyes.
"It seems that my enemies have resorted to mere trickery, just like the fae. You pose no threat to me as you are, Undine, and your summoner does not have the power to seal me away." The demonic beast snorts at the intangible spirit.
"Perhaps not, but even so, you fear him. You are not used to being harmed, are you? The simple fact that my summoner and his companions have injured you, has doubt washing over you. You know that he will bring about your end, and I will look forward to watching him achieve his victory." Undine states as she shimmers away in a twinkle of blue light before Grendel can form a rebuttal.
After your involuntary flight, Nene and Watame both help you back onto your feet. You hold a hand to your head in an attempt to get the throbbing to subside.
"Anon is okay?" Nene asks, possibly the most unsure of herself you've ever seen.
"Yeah, Nene, I'm alright." You half lie. Even though Undine's ploy scored you a good blow against Grendel, he might have returned it two-fold. Even so, the fact that you're up again, means you have another chance.
"Anon! Look!" Watame suddenly gasps, pointing towards the golden demon.
You expected the beast to be already flying toward you, but you are instantly caught off guard by what the demon proceeds to do next.
"Hey!" Grendel yells as he punches his own gut. "Don't. Get. Lazy. In there!" He continues to slam his fist into himself with each breath. "If you want that fairy dead, start pumping out more magic! I need more!"
"He's trying to force more mana out of the sorceress he ate!?" You tense up in shock, the idea that the witch might still be alive within the demon's gut makes your own stomach turn.
The winged monster finally stops pummeling himself as a massive surge of golden mana starts to pour from every crevice of his body. Grendel lets loose an ear shattering battle cry that also sets some of the building magic around his body free. It feels as though a tornado suddenly touched down where Grendel stands. While you try to shield your eyes from the blistering winds, a flicker of gold skirts by you, and suddenly a sharp pain can be felt along your leg. You look down and see a small clean cut through your pant leg; drawing blood.
Before you can think of asking Watame to cast the shield spell, Pomu and Flare come and stand tall in front of everyone.
"Flare, make a wind wall with me!" Pomu pleads as she begins to focus her magic and winds under her own command begin to pick up in front of her.
Although she has not cast the exact spell the fairy is asking for before, Flare makes an acknowledging nod and begins to bring her own magic to the surface. If her magic can't be used to harm this demon, she will put all she has into using it to make sure he doesn't harm her friends.
Together, fairy and half-elf create a thick wall of air that rushes toward the ceiling, that keeps Grendel's razor sharp winds from reaching you all.
"So now what?!" Polka yells over the rushing gale.
"What else?! We keep fighting! We'll find a way to punch a hole in that demon and put an end to all this!" You say resolute.
Big talk, but how are you gonna back it up? Grendel just managed to make himself even stronger. I'm not even sure Urou Stellaruga will be enough to put him down on its own. Even so, so many things are counting on us to win; the fairies, the plants, the animals, and potentially countless innocent people! I don't know how, but we WILL find a way to stop Grendel and win this battle. I refuse to let him have his way and take the freedom of the skies all for himself! And I refuse to let him take Pomu's life!
Your own convictions give you a second wind as you straighten to a full stand; tall and proud.
"Watame. Cast the Stellaruke spell!" You ask the sheep beside you.
"Are you sure, Anon?" Watame asks back. "He might be too strong to charge at now…" The sheep struggles with your request at first, but you lock eyes with her, and almost instantly her apprehension vanishes.
"I'm gonna stop this storm! And I'll show Grendel what a real storm looks like!" You shout with your grip tightening around your sword's hilt.
"I'll be right in front of you, Anon!" Pomu joins in. "Just follow me!"
"And Nene right beside you!" Nene announces with fierce determination.
"Flare, Polka, Watame, hang back for now to stay safe and get a little more rest." You start. "Keep the second spell active as long as you can, Watame, but save enough to cast the fifth to finish off Grendel. That'll be our grand finale."
The happy wink you gave your sheep seems to do wonders for her; her smile widens and her deep purple eyes light up as she is no doubt envisioning the moment you two work together to bring this great evil down together. Becoming a legend alongside this fluffy sheep sounds just wonderful.
Watame then powers your spell book with her inner strength and casts the second spell. You mentally prepare yourself and look to the champion of Ursol who looks back at you with confidence.
"Alright Pomu, lead the charge!" You give the command to the forest fairy who nods and begins to put one foot in front of the other, pushing her protective barrier of wind forward to shield the three of you.
Even with Pomu's spell dispersing most of the harmful bladed winds, the sheer force they create around you is staggering. Like trying to breach the perimeter of a hurricane, the three of you take slow and heavy steps to advance yourselves closer to the golden demon.
The situation is dire, but you can't help but crack a smile at the scene in front of you. Pomu, a goofy forest fairy who had only known whimsy and sunflowers probably most of her life, is now at the front of your charge towards a beast so terrifying that its myth had survived through countless ages. You can't help but see a bit of yourself in her too. A person who pushed themselves past crippling fear to do all they can to help free their loved ones. You are definitely proud to call Pomu your friend.
Amidst Grendel's own magical exertion, he just begins to notice your squad approach his proximity. Through the swirling magical winds you can see his expression darken with a malicious glee. Grendel swings both his arms to cancel his chaotic hurricane. The air suddenly coming to a calm surprises you all. Pomu lets her wind barrier dissipate as you stop your advance and stand before the demonic beast.
"So the child of Sylph actually thinks she can pose a threat to me?" Grendel grunts bemused. "Not even your meddlesome creator could defeat me. What hope do you have?"
"You're looking at em'!" Pomu declares proudly. "These guys are my hope! And ya know what else?! I'm gonna be their hope too! Together, we're gonna kick your ass and free my family!"
"Not only do you cling to false hope of defeating me, you desperately delude yourself into thinking the fairies can be saved." Grendel chuckles maliciously. "You rely on a band of misfits! The summoner and the girl blessed by the bear god are far too inexperienced and worn to help you."
"For someone who knows about Ursol, he's sure underestimating her champion." You chuckle at the demon's blustering. "Let's show him what you're really made of, Nene."
Nene grunts in acknowledgement, the energy crackling around her claws rising with her rage. To answer this challenge, Grendel kneels forward and brings one of his massive claws down, hoping to crush you beneath it. Those sharpened spears for nails dig into the stone floor mere feet in front of you as you jump away to avoid being run through. You take the chance to step forward and take a heavy overhead swing towards the demon's hand. Thanks to the celestial mana coat around your blade, you chop right through the tip of one of Grendel's nails. He recoils in pain and closely inspects his blunted talon.
"Miserable human!" He snarls as he grips his injured hand with the other. "If you did not have the wretched celestial magic, you would be dead by now!"
"I could say the same about that golden skin of yours!" You retort back. "So why don't we just agree all our gifts are fair play?"
"I got a gift too!" Pomu chirps as she flies up in front of Grendel's view, causing the winged demon to stare in sudden confusion. "You probably remember the saying; 'a pinch of fairy dust', right? How about we try a whole fist full!?"
Pomu then brings her hands from the hiding spot behind her back, and opens them fully to unleash a flurry of light green specks into the demon's eyes. What must have felt like getting an eye full of sand, causes Grendel to immediately cover his eyes and howl in pain.
"Conniving trickster!" He curses. "You fight with no honor! Just like your creator!"
"Don't you dare talk about Lady Sylph that way!" Pomu huffs as she gathers and channels her magic to blow a heavy gust of wind at the stunned demon. Grendel is forced to take a few steps back as his eyes continue to wince and twitch from the foreign substance speckling them from within.
The way you then see Grendel's body jolt, tells you that Nene just sunk her claws into him. The demon looks down over his shoulder to see the champion of Ursol; the nails of her mighty bear claws sink into the demon's tail and cause blood to trickle downwards. Nene then begins to pull with all her might, the radiant mana she oozes from her transformation starts to cover her entire being. Grendel is forcibly pulled from below while being pushed from above by Pomu's winds. With a sudden jerk of her arms, Nene takes balance away from the winged monster and begins to spring him in a slow circle. Heels dug in, Nene increases her momentum; spinning and spinning, until with a loud, ferocious battle cry, removes her claws from the tail of the beast to send him hurling into the castle walls.
The black stones that make up this horrifying structure crumble and break under Grendel's weight as he crashes. Without its lower stones to support it, the masonry above him falls on top of him, creating a large hole in the room that reveals the still overcast skies above the decaying forest. While Grendel recovers from the humbling Nene just gave him, you run up to her and give her an ecstatic smile.
"That was amazing, Nene!" You beam. "I can't believe you picked him up and tossed him!"
"No one….No one underestimates Ursol." Nene grins between heavy breaths.
"That. Is. ENOUGH!" Grendel roars as he rockets to his full height from underneath the rubble. The sheer malice and thickness of the mana he exudes can be felt from the other side of the room. He then begins to make slow, enraged stomps toward you. "I have endured your paltry existence for long enough! Not even the dust from your bones will remain once I am through! You're first, summoner!"
In unbridled fury, Grendel spreads his wings and leaps towards you. With only you in his sights, he glides at a breakneck speed, his crimson eyes fixated on reaching you. You quickly run to the wall behind you, at least this way the beast can only charge you from the front. However, even the stone wall is not safe from Grendel's aggression, as he thrusts his own mighty fist through the dark stonework and brings his arm down towards you, breaking the wall apart around you.
While you try to avoid the falling rocks, you are caught within Grendel's grasp as he plucks you from the ground like you were a small flower. His grip tightens around you, stressing your body to its breaking point. You manage to slide your sword arm out, but even with the stellaruke spell strengthening your body, you can't manage to budge any further. As Grendel gives you a firm squeeze that you are pretty sure threatens to snap your bones in half, you look down and see all your friends hurrying to come to your aid. You unfortunately don't have a lot of good choices right now. If you and Watame try to launch an attack spell using the book, the starlight that protects your body from being crushed will fade. You'll just have to use your mana to help reinforce your body long enough to hold on, but that doesn't mean you still can't help everyone slay this beast.
With great effort, you throw your sword down at the ground in front of Flare's path; its blade lodges it right into the stone floor. The half-elf looks up at you with a mixture of confusion and worry, but you give her a confident grin. Your undying trust in one another says all you need to without words, and she pulls your sword from the ground and continues her charge towards Grendel alongside Watame and Polka.
With your friend properly armed now, you focus your mana around your arms, the magical armor you create pushes the demonic beast's grip ever so slightly back, but he puts more of his strength into squeezing the life out of you. A few more seconds of this, and you might be done for, maybe there is a way to buy yourself the precious time you need.
"What do you think will happen first, Grendel!?" You gasp through waning breath. "You managing to crush my bones, or my friends giving you a few more scars to be ashamed of? You only have a few seconds. One mistake and my friend will take more than just a nail from you. You haven't gotten to see her fight for yourself, but she's even better than me! The only reason you lasted this long was because she specializes in magic. What do you think will happen when she focuses her magic through MY sword? The sword that has cut through you time and time again."
Your bluff gives the demonic a brief pause, he looks to be deeply considering his options. His confidence has been diminishing with every blow you and your team have dealt him. He knows better than to underestimate his opponents by now.
"Then I'll simply be rid of you! Even if you survive this, you will not be able to stop me from mangling your friends and the last fae! Goodbye, summoner!" Grendel grunts in frustration. He then turns toward one of the still intact walls of the castle's top floor. You feel the world around you shift as he brings his hand with you in it overhead, and brings it down sharply, letting you go as his arc downward begins.
You are sent hurling through the air, unable to do anything to change your trajectory or stop yourself. Bracing yourself for the worst, you cover the top of your head with both your arms and prepare to collide with the oncoming wall, and pray that it stops you from falling out of the castle and to your very likely death.
"Hold on, Anon!" Pomu's voice shouts as you feel someone position themselves behind you in midair. The forest fairy wraps her arms around your waist to secure you as you feel your velocity decrease slightly.
Unfortunately, the fae's efforts are not enough to keep you both from crashing through the castle stone. Your eyes shoot open in panic when you hear the sound of breaking rock. You quickly twist your body to see Pomu's completely dazed expression. The fairy actually shielded you from the impact.
"Pomu! Why did you do that?!" You almost scold the barely conscious girl. "My body's a lot stronger than yours, you shouldn't have done that!"
"Had to…help you…my friennnnnd." Pomu replies in fading slurs. "You can…always count on me…summoner…"
The poor girl used all her focus to get those simple words out before going out cold. Beyond you is the forest's horizon. You can clearly see where the part of the forest that contains Pomu's home begins; the verdant tops of the trees swaying slightly under the grayed skies. You can also see the struggling forest that surrounds what was likely once a vibrant field, before the sorceress brought this dark castle here and began her plan for vengeance. You're reminded of everything you fought so hard for up to this point, and your vow to Pomu, and yourself. As the dead grass of the field below gets closer and closer, your chances of fulfilling those promises are looking bleak.
"Hey! Pomu! Wake up!" You desperately shake the dozed off fairy as you both spiral downward, the floors of the castle zip by beside you. "We need your wings to survive this! Wake up!"
Dammit, it can't end like this! Not after I got so far! But what can I do!? Pomu's unconscious and can't fly! Maybe I can at least save her…this will definitely hurt a lot more than when I fell out of Hector's castle into the ocean….
Summoner! Undine's voice yells within your mind. There is one last thing you need to try! You must awake my sister! It is your only hope!
Alright, but how!? We still have no real clue how you and I found each other the first time. I don't even actually know anything about Sylph yet. Pomu says she might have liked this field a lot, but would it even act as a connection for her anymore? Everything's withered.
Even though my own shrines were in pieces, you still found meaning in them, and that brought us back together in Lu'Shaldor. If my sister did create or find comfort in this field, that spark should still be there. You may also know more about Sylph than you think. You have no doubt noticed similarities between Uisce and myself, correct? I believe that Sylph also held a similar love for her own children and created them with the qualities she also values. Think about WHO Pomu is.
Who Pomu is? Well that's certainly a fun question. She's been so many different things since you met her just one day ago. She started out as an unseen trickster, getting a lot of joy out of your confused, surprised, and even exasperated expressions. Her preferred taste in reading material might be very questionable, but she's also hospitable and did everything she could to make sure you and your friends were comfortable in her home.
You've seen Pomu be afraid. Afraid of being all alone again, afraid of fighting monsters, and even afraid of you getting hurt or worse. Even in the face of all that, she didn't run away. She may have needed a few not so gentle pushes to fight against her fears, but when she did, it was quite a storm to behold.
A gentle breeze that can bring you smiles on a bright day, a howling storm to help blow away the wicked, or even just a nudging wind to help push you in the right direction. These are all things Pomu embodies. These are all the qualities of the wind that you worked so hard to understand. Throughout your entire ascent up the mountain, and through this castle, your connection to the invisible guiding force that blows through your world has grown stronger and stronger.
"Please. Please hear my call! I need you! We need you! Sylph!" You shout with all your heart as gravity promises to bring your life to an abrupt end.
Your eyes are clamped shut while you hold the unconscious fairy close to you, hoping to at least protect her from the fall. You feel your world spin around you, and suddenly you feel your travels end. Opening one eye slowly, you look around, not knowing what you should expect to see. A darkened void surrounds a singular patch of grass that emits a light green glow.
This place feels familiar, but not at the same time. Then the thought hits you like a blast of wind across the bow of a ship; this is just like when you first met Undine!
"Pomu! Pomu wake up! You're not gonna believe this!" You try to rouse the fairy awake from her slumber by shaking the fairy as she stirs slightly while laying on her side.
"A-Anon?" Pomu says groggily, her eyes blinking slowly up at you as she tries to focus on you. "What happened?"
"Thank the gods you're okay." You say relieved. "You saved me, Pomu! You probably just saved everyone too! Look where we are!"
Pomu turns her head slowly around as she rises to her feet with you gently helping her. Her face suddenly goes white.
"This feels weird, Anon! I feel weird. Oh god! We're dead aren't we?!" The fae begins to panic.
"No we're not dead! Calm down. This is it!" You can barely keep yourself still as you feel an urge to hop up and down. "Okay okay. Now that I'm here…what do I do now? The first time things just kinda happened like-"
"If you called my name, I bet that means you want to form a pact!" A chipper and slightly high pitched girl's voice calls from thin air, instantly cutting through Pomu's momentary hysterics. "Wait…there's two of you? That's never happened before, at least, I don't think it has? Ah gee! My heads all jumbled and foggy when I try to remember…"
"Your name?" You repeat as the voice begins to ramble, and then your chest jumps at what you might have just accomplished. "Yes! That was me! Are you Sylph?! Did it actually work?!"
"That's me!" The voice answers gleefully. "And what do I call you?"
"I'm Anon!" You exclaim. "And this is-"
"Is that one of my little Rainpuffs?!" Sylph's voice rising in excitement.
Before you can answer, a bright flash of green light erupts in the middle of the glowing grassy knoll. From it, a woman's shape emerges.
Verdant green hair falls and curls only slightly just above her shoulders . Her front bangs are parted in the middle to expose most of her forehead and not get in the way of her emerald green eyes. A face that is fair and sports pointed ears, smiles with ecstatic curiosity looks at you with a widening smile. Behind her bare shoulder line, you can see thick translucent wings, much like Pomu's own, proudly displayed. Sylph's garment is a simple pale green sleeveless dress that ends just above her knees. From halfway down her forearm to her wrist, are what might be considered tattoos of simple flowers. A similar pattern marks her shins down to her ankles, her bare feet float just above the grassy surface of what you know to be her realm.
"It is one of you!" Sylph squeals with joy as she quickly floats to a starstruck Pomu. The wind fairy who looks to be just a few inches shorter than you, but still taller than Pomu, begins to pat the blond head of her servant. Sylph then inspects Pomu from every angle, humming signs of approval at her physical assets.
"Do I know how to make 'em or what?! The Sylph genes treated you goooood! You're the perfect picture of everything a fairy should be! And not only are you super cute! You brought the summoner to me!" Sylph chirps pridefully. "What's your name?! I gotta know so I can thank you properly."
You tap your foot anxiously while you wait for Pomu to respond. There is still a very angry legendary demon out in the mortal world that needs slaying. When the fairy next to you still doesn't utter an answer, you look to her and see that she's become a mumbling mess.
"Y-Y-Y-You're y-you're….L-Lady Sylph…." Pomu manages to get out, looking more dazed than when she broke the castle wall with her head. "Ohmygosh! I-I-I."
As you about to give the fae a small nudge back to reality, she drops to her hands and knees and practically plants her face in the grass.
"Great Lady Sylph!" Pomu practically shouts. "I'm sorry! My name is Pomu Rainpuff, but I did not bring the summoner to you. I'm a sorry excuse for a Rainpuff! Anon found you all on his own. I only got in his way!"
"That's enough of that." You groan as you yoink the apologetic fairy back up to her feet by her arm. "You DID help me, Pomu. Who you are, showed me the kinds of things Sylph might be too, and that helped me reach her."
"R-Really?" Pomu asks in disbelief. "I really helped?"
"Pomu, you risked your life for me, of course you helped! You're going to help save your entire forest." You say with pride as you clasp both of Pomu's shoulders.
"What's that?" Sylph chimes in. "What's wrong with Rainpuff forest?"
"Oh crap! Yes!" You say, snapping back to the task at hand. "Short version; a witch with a vendetta against the fairies teamed up with an ancient demon to wipe them all out, and unleashed a strange fog that's draining life from the forest. My friends are probably still fighting them right now, so we need to get back and help them!"
"Sounds serious." Is all Sylph says, her expression still bright.
"Great wind spirit, Sylph." You start with deep respect. "Please form a pact with me. I need your help to save the lives of my friends, the forest, and all the other good things that live in our world."
"Ooooo you know what you want don't cha?!" Sylph smiles at you. "I'm guessing this isn't your first rodeo either."
"That's right! I already have a pact with your sister, Undine! She can't wait to see you again!" You add, quickly losing sight of the matter at hand again.
"Big Sis Undine!" The wind spirit gasps. "For real?! Reuniting with one of my favorite sisters AND making my debut in the middle of an epic battle!? You're an interesting human to be sure! So what are we waiting for!? You got yourself a pact buddy!"
You gladly take Sylph's extended hand in your own and give it a firm shake. Finally, one of your goals is realized. You actually made another pact with one of the great spirits. She's going to help you take down Grendel.
"Alright Sylph. I'm ready to go back whenever you are. I don't think I have the mana to summon you fully right away, so I'm giving you permission to possess my body so you can help save my friends." You say confidently.
"Possess you?" Sylph tilts her head to the side. "What do you mean?"
"You know, do a spirit possession." You begin to explain. "Undine did that to me when we first formed our pact. It let her use my body to fuel her own magic. You can do the same, right?"
"Sorry, summoner. I got no idea how to do that!" The wind spirit shrugs.
"Then we might be sunk…" You whine. "What are we gonna do now?"
"Man, that really got you down in the dumps." Sylph comments. "If you need a little more mana, would Pomu be willing to give you some?"
"That's true, Anon!" Pomu says, finding her full voice again. "I can give you enough to summon Lady Sylph to our world!"
"Hey that's right." You say, your own spirits starting to lift again. "You really don't mind Pomu? I might need quite a bit, but hopefully if we pool what we have left, I can complete the summoning."
"For you, Anon, you bet!" Pomu says with a bright smile.
"Alright!" Sylph claps. "I'm gonna be a real solid girl in the real world again! Okay, places everyone. We gotta time this just right."
"What do you mean?" You ask.
"Well the only thing keeping you from hitting the ground back in the mortal world are my winds holding your both in place." The wind spirit says with an upwards pointing finger. "Once we leave this place, without my power, that wind goes Poof! So you're going to summon me the second you're back. Should be easy for an experienced summoner like yourself, right?"
"S-Sure." You reply nervously, but quickly resolve yourself when you remember what's on the line. "I'm ready Pomu."
"Alright, now just hold still." Pomu says a little sheepishly as she turns to face you. She then places both her hands gently on your cheeks, causing you to tense slightly. The close proximity combined with the fairy's bashful expression is sending a lot of different signals to your brain.
Before you can voice any sort of protest, Pomu closes her eyes and her palms begin to glow a soft green. Unlike when you were given mana by curious elves in the city of mages, this receiving of someone else's mana is fulfilling, comforting, and warm. You reflexively raise a hand and place it over one of Pomu's, earning a slight jolt from the fairy. You soon feel energized with a rush of pure wind mana.
"I think that should do it." You announce to Pomu to prompt her to stop her transference of magic. "Are you ready to see the world again, Sylph?"
"I got no idea how long I've been gone for, but you betcha!" The wind spirit replies with enthusiasm. "I'm ready to make my grand entrance! Here we go, guys!"
In a bright flash of green, your world changes. You and Pomu are back in the air alongside the castle. Gravity immediately takes you both, as you begin to plummet towards the ground. Your stomach immediately drops, but you focus on what you need to do. Without a second to lose, you begin focusing all the mana you now have. You detect the presence of the wind spirit alongside your soul, and bring your magic to the surface to summon her back to this world once more.
"Oh mighty wind spirit, I call upon thee! I summon you, Sylph!" You shout with feeling as you let your mana surge to let the wind spirit through the door that separates her from your world.
The ground keeps getting closer as you begin to worry. Did you complete the summoning? It feels like you did, but where is Sylph?
"Anon!" Pomu gasps as she seems to wake from her daze. You suppose while in Sylph's personal realm, her physical affliction was lifted momentarily. She holds her hands over her eyes.
Right before the two of you collide with the earth, a whirlwind forms from underneath and begins to lift you upward. You slowly open your one eye to see the castle walls pass you by as you quickly ascend upward. The force from under your now outstretched legs continues to push you and Pomu higher and higher. It's as wonderous a feeling as when you rode down the mountain of the Taloncalw thanks to that mysterious jet stream. Then, making her appearance, is Sylph, flying alongside you up the castle's height.
"Sorry about the close call!" She chirps. "Kinda took me a second to get used to my real wings again. You would not believe the chrinks you get after endless sleep! But I'm all stretched out now, and you're not a gross mess on the ground! We're off to a good start!"
"You're awesome, Lady Sylph!" Pomu squeals. "I've never gotten to fly without using my wings before! And the way you saved us just in a knick of time. I would have tried to do the same thing!"
"Gee, I wonder who you get it from!" Sylph winks. "So, where we headin', summoner? Top floor?"
"Oh that's right, I guess since you didn't possess me you don't have access to my memories." You begin to say, remembering how Undine was able to get all the information she needed by peering into your mind. "Yup! The very top, there should be a nice opening that we fell out of too. Take us back as fast as you can. My friends might be in trouble."
"Another timely rescue, coming right up!" Sylph giggles, as she straightens her body along with her wings. With a sudden burst of magic, you all are propelled upward even faster. The turbulence almost gives you whiplash as you are forced to look straight at the blurring black masonry of the castle instead of up. You can feel your ears pop before abruptly coming to a full stop.
From your free float upon the winds of Sylph, you have a full view of the top floor of the castle through the large break in its structure caused by both you, Pomu, and Grendel. With his monstrous size, you spot the golden demon immediately, but your eyes continue to dart in every direction until they find the forms of your friends.
In the middle of the circular room, amidst stone that is either broken apart or scarred by magic, stands Grendel, his back turned to you. Beyond his hulking physique you can barely spot the shapes of Flare and Nene, both standing defiantly towards the beast, it looks like Flare took the hint and put your sword to good use. Thankfully it doesn't look like you were gone for that long. Grendel must be pretty confident after he thought he got rid of you. Let's see just what he thinks about your newest friend.
"Hey! Grendel!" You roar, bringing all eyes on you, and some very relieved gasps.
"Anon's back!" Watame cheers from beyond where Nene and Flare stand. "I knew he would be!"
"So the fairy managed to save you from the fall." Grendel grumbles as he turns to face you. He then goes to continue his likely boasting, but his eyes go wide when he sees the newest addition to your team.
"You're right about that. Pomu did end up saving us from the fall." You say smugly. "But she's not the only fairy that helped me get back up here! I believe you two have already met."
"Th-That's impossible!" Grendel stutters, his eyes darting from Sylph and Pomu who flutter at your sides. "It's another trick! You think I don't know what illusions the fae are capable of?! You must have had her disguise the water spirit!"
"It's really me!" Sylph chirps before her brow furrows and her smile fades. "Hello. Grendel."
This simple greeting, laced with disdain, was enough to drive home to the demon that he was in the presence of the genuine wind spirit. His eyes go ever wider in shock as his jaw drops, you even think you can see his legs quiver slightly.
"When you said someone teamed up with an ancient demon to try and wipe out the fairies, I definitely didn't expect it to be Grendel. I helped lock him away up good." The wind spirit muses. "By the way, where are the rest of the Rainpuffs anyway? I thought once I was in physical form again, I would feel their presence all throughout the forest, which by the way, I'm more than just a little miffed that someone thought it would be okay to hurt my favorite spot like that."
"They…well…" You begin, not really sure how to break the news to Sylph that her children's spirits were used to fuel this monster's return.
"The evil witch took them away." Pomu says, not making eye contact with the great wind spirit. "That's how Grendel is back too…"
"I see." Is all Sylph says before turning her gaze back to the demon in question. "So not only did you bestow a foul affliction on my beloved forest, but you also HARMED MY CHILDREN?!" The wind spirit's voice then booms with such a force that it blows a mighty gust of wind at Grendel, who holds his claw to shield his face.
As Sylph shakes with rage beside you, the winds that hold you in the air become erratic as they quicken. You wouldn't need to be connected at the soul to know how mad she is right now. You can safely say you share the wind spirit's hatred for this demon. You're more than ready to put him down for good.
"I may be a little rusty, summoner." Sylph then says to you in a low, agitated voice. "I can count on you to help me punish this jerk, right?"
"Sylph, you can count on me for anything." You respond proudly.
"M-Me too! Lady Sylph!" Pomu chimes in.
"I'm pretty glad you two were my welcome party. Okay! I'll follow your lead, summoner!." Sylph says with a hint of eager aggression.
"Alright! Just throw me at that monster and he'll be seeing stars!" You give the wind spirit a thumbs up.
"You like to get right in the thick of it huh?!" Sylph asks rhetorically as she begins to channel her magic. "You're an interesting summoner already, that's for sure! Alright! Get ready. This one's coming in hot!"
Bringing both her arms overhead, Sylph causes the winds around you to turn and converge, like you were being gently held within someone's embrace. That windy caress suddenly shifts, almost tightening its hold around you, and with a loud grunt from the wind spirit, you see her bring her arms down as you are shot from the pocket of air like it was one of Polka's cannons.
You fly towards the still shocked golden demon with incredible speed through the air. Fighting against the pressuring winds, you bring your one arm forward and grip it tightly in place with your other hand. You then let your heart connect to that of your beloved sheep who had undying faith that you would return. You can feel so many emotions from her through your spell book right now. All those powerful feelings will spark a spell that will kick off your final counterattack against this horrific monster.
"Now Watame!" You shout as you nearly reach Grendel's curved snout.
"Stellaruga!" Watame shouts back from the castle floor, the light from your spell book shines like a beacon.
Your spell erupts from your palm and lands dead in one of Grendel's eyes. The demon howls in pain and immediately covers his eye with the palm of one of his claws, which then takes the rest of your blast. When your spell subsides and gravity begins to run its course, Grendel swipes at you with his own claw.
"Stellaruke!" Watame chants again as you brace yourself for impact.
You feel Grendel's hardened skin slam against your body, swatting you away like a meddlesome fly. The next moment is a blur; the demon's visage leaves your vision as the outline of the room whizzes by. You then feel something push against your back and cushion your angled fall. The ceiling is the next thing to come into focus as you seem to be sliding along the ground with something cradling you.
When your movement stops, you look over your shoulder to be met with Flare's strained face. She opens one eye and your gazes meeting puts a smile on her face.
"You know, that was probably your worst plan yet." Flare snarkily says, but is unable to hide her relief. "What did you think was going to happen after you attacked?"
You can't help but chuckle while you wear a grin of your own. "Guess a part of me knew you'd come to my rescue."
"I should start charging you." Flare fires back.
"But I don't think I have enough money to pay for such excellent service. Is there something else I may offer you in exchange?" You continue to play along, knowing full well this is not the time or place for this kind of flirting, but damn is it fun to do anyway.
"Anon! Flare! Are you both alright?!" Watame shouts as she races toward you both with Nene and Polka close behind.
"I'll bill you." Flare ends your exchange on her terms, as she lets you stand and help her to her feet.
"We're alright." You happily answer your sheep as she practically crashes into you for a big fluffy hug. After that comes Nene, and then Polka, joining in on the group hug.
"When we saw you and Pomu fall out of the castle, we got so worried!" Watame almost sobs. "But…but I knew you would be okay! And you came right back! You even flew!"
"That's just one of the many perks you get when you're buddies with me!" Sylph announces as she and Pomu come fluttering down to land next to you. "That was so cool, summoner! I don't think I've ever seen magic work like that before! You still ready for more?!"
"You bet!" You exclaim as you give everyone a tight squeeze before being freed from your fluffy imprisonment.
"If you're going to charge straight in again, at least take this." Flare says as she hands you your sword. You smile and gratefully take your trusted blade back from the half-elf.
"Guess I should get equipped too!" The wind spirit remarks as she holds both her arms straight out. Then, in a bright flash of green, a steel chakrum appears within each of her grips. Along the circular metal weapons are the etchings of flowers, fairy wings, and even lines that might depict the blow of the wind. Sylph's knuckles almost go white as she grips their handles made from woven thick vines.
"Those weapons!" Grendel gasps as his now one good eye looks down on all of you. "It's really true then!"
"Is it finally getting through that thick head of yours, Grendel?" Sylph scoffs. "It's really me, but I suppose you need an official introduction."
The greater wind fairy takes a commanding step forward to put herself at the front of your group, as she twirls one of her bladed discs around her finger. Sylph then lifts a foot behind her, and her large wings begin to flutter to take her slightly off the ground. She takes a deep breath through her nose, and exhales slowly through her mouth.
"I am she who binds the heavens' messages along the skies." Sylph begins in an authoritative and proud tone. "I am the wind's orchestrator, Sylph! Your time has come, Grendel! This time I'm going to erase you for good! Let's go, summoner! Pomu! We're gonna fly!"
"R-Right!" Pomu exclaims, clearly trying to overcome still being starstruck by the wind spirit calling her by name.
Grendel's expression and presence falters, as the reality of the situation begins to come crashing down upon him. The very thing he was hoping to prevent by eliminating you, has finally come to pass. You have brought Sylph back to this world, and together, you'll put an end to his evil ambitions here and now.
"Let's do this, Sylph!" You announce as you take a firm step forward, sword in hand. "I got your back! Now let's get this jerk back for everything he helped that evil sorceress do."
"Then how about we kick this into high gear!" Sylph responds as she begins to let the storm swelling in her heart free. "She then takes off towards the golden demon, a trail of green sparkles litters the air behind her.
"Even if you have returned!" Grendel snarls, his anger fueling his composure. "You won't be able to stop me! I'm even more powerful than when we last battled! Thanks to your creations and the human!"
"Did you always bark this much?!" Sylph retorts as she flies around the shoulder of the demon and throws one of her chakrams in a straight line. The bladed weapon spins through the air, carried along by Sylph's own winds, as it grazes one of Grendel's arms, creating a visible gash along his golden skin. Before the angled disc can hit the ground, it suddenly changes its trajectory; flying back upwards and around to then be caught by the wind spirit who circles to catch it.
"Lady Sylph's even more amazing than I could ever have dreamed!" Pomu gushes beside you as she watches her great ancestor soar across the battlefield, dodging each strike from the demonic beast, and delivering a punishing counterblow with one of her throwing weapons.
"Yeah she is!" You agree. "Let's not fall behind, Pomu!"
"Right!" Pomu nods, getting hyped up. "Time to show this demon what I'm made of when I'm full of big PP energy!"
Before you can even pose the question of what exactly Pomu means by this, she flies off to battle. You roll the confusion off your shoulders and try to bring yourself back to the thrill of the fight. You almost start to run forward before you feel someone tug your arm from behind.
Watame is smiling at you, you can tell there's a lot she and the others want to say to you right now. The brief instant they thought they lost you was probably a lot to process. They might even be afraid of going through that again.
"Go get em', Anon." Watame nods her head at you. "I'll be ready to cast the fifth spell at a second's notice."
"Polka and I will be ready to catch your butt the next time you get slapped across the room." Flare says both genuinely and in jest.
"Nene will be ready to help husband too! Once she rests a little more…" Nene says before slumping her shoulders. The poor champion of Ursol probably did a lot of the heavy lifting while you were summoning Sylph, you'll have to be sure to thank her properly later.
"You guys are the best." You say, trying to hold back forming tears. "I'll help end this in a flash so we can bring the forest back to life, and reunite Pomu with her family!"
Then, before you can allow yourself to get any more emotional, you turn and charge towards Grendel. The golden demon may be still brimming with power, but you never felt more confident in yourself. All of Sylph's strong feelings are thundering within your very soul right now. There is nothing that will stop you from fighting at her side, and fulfilling your vow.
You watch Grendel desperately try to rend Sylph with his mighty claws as she buzzes around him like an angry hornet. Another failed attempt to catch the wind spirit results in her throwing a chakram that slices through the side of Grendel's torso, making him instantly reel and cover his side with a hand. Pomu then flies to be at the end of the weapon's flight path, as she takes it by the handle and twirls to then send it back on a return trip.
Grendel manages to dodge the delivery made by the forest fairy, but in doing so, leaves himself open to an attack from another angle by Sylph. Her sharp disc cuts right through one of his blackened leather wings, creating a small horizontal slit in it as it then flies towards you.
"Summoner! You're up!" Sylph shouts as she flies to catch the chakram Pomu had just thrown.
Taking the hint to do just what you watched Pomu do, you snag the flying weapon from the air when it gets close enough. In a fluid motion you bring your arm in and then fling the circular weapon back up at Grendel. Its bladed edges grind along his thigh, and is then caught by Pomu who now flies behind the beast.
You can feel Sylph's excitement grow as she watches the pieces of her plan fall into place. The winds around Grendel grow stronger, their force pressuring and preventing the demon from making swift movements. The way she flies with such purpose and confidence is breathtaking. Pomu is trying her best to match the wind spirit's speed and poise, but she looks like she's having a lot of fun dishing some hurt to the supposed bane of her people.
"Hey summoner! Jump on in! The breeze is just perfect!" Sylph calls to you as she finishes catching her second chakram.
Before this part of your adventure began, you would have thought there was no way to do what the wind spirit was asking, but after the lessons you learned from the Talonclaw, you have opened yourself up to a new realm of possibilities. Faith in the unseen has guided you here, supported you, and even helped wake the ancient wind spirit from her slumber. There is no hesitation in your steps as you jump to land your front foot on the tail end of a rushing jet stream.
Almost as if you placed your foot on solid ground, you stabilize in mid air, upon the very winds themselves. You begin to glide along the force made from Sylph's magic like a boat along the waters. They take up upwards, bringing you face to face with Grendel. The demon's one good eye twitches and narrows upon you.
"Summoner." He grunts, his voice low but enraged. "I need only kill you, and my troubles will finally end. Sylph can't protect you forever!"
In a fit of rage, Grendel's mana radiates from his body, and from his spiked shoulders, come sharp crescents of mana. You bring up your sword to guard yourself, your trip along the slipstream won't allow you to dodge the attacks in time, but you suddenly feel a spark from within you heart and you lift your open palm forward.
"Stellashield!" You hear Flare's voice cut through the raging winds around you, which conjures your celestial shield in front of you to absorb Grendel's angered assault.
While your shield garners the focus of the demon, Sylph and Pomu fly up around his blindside, and together they dive legs first into Grendel's neck. The impact knocks him off balance, and causes his magical projectiles to fly off uncontrollably, slicing into the walls and ceiling of the room.
Flare then charges your shields energy into your free hand, and you continue your flight around the hulking monster. Grendel begins to slash blindly into the air, simply hoping that he catches you or one of the soaring fairies around him within his talons. When you are brought close to his hip, you pour mana into your blade to give it a sharpened edge of starlight before digging it into the beast's hardened skin, and begin dragging it along as you fly.
Grendel howls in anger, and one of his claws comes to squash you like a mosquito. Another strong spark in your heart urges your hand and body to turn and rise in your defense again.
"Stellashield!" Polka's chant comes, erecting your star-shaped barrier that Grendel's claw harmlessly bounces off of.
Another failed attack, which meant dire consequences from Sylph and Pomu. They play another deadly game of catch with each other, and every toss of the wind spirit's own weapons tear through Grendel's hide, the flakey remnants picked up by the surrounding cyclone. After Polka gives you another charge of starlight that glows in your right fist, you pull your sword from Grendel's flesh and ride the winds higher up.
That's two charges now. I've never launched the Urou Stellaruga spell with any energy charged up before. I wonder how strong it'll be? Hopefully strong enough to blow Grendel to pieces!
As if sensing the threat you now pose against him, Grendel begins flapping his tattered wings to elevate him higher.
"No, I will not accept this!" Grendel shouts madly. "I am the demonic beast! I refuse to be taken down by this group of misfits!"
"What's the matter, Grendel?" Sylph says smugly as she takes a floating position at your side along with Pomu. "You look a little frustrated. Is this battle not going as easy as you thought it would? Well that's what you get when you try to bully people!"
"Sylph!" The golden demon snarls. "If only that foolish human destroyed the summoner as I ordered, none of this would be happening! You wouldn't even be here!"
"You're the one who shouldn't be here!" You snap. "You manipulated that woman just so you could come back, didn't you?! There's no way the fairies were ever to blame for all those things that happened to her!"
"And so what if they weren't?" Grendel retorts with a toothy grin. "All I did was give that woman a target for her aggressions. Long have I waited for someone with enough magical potential to appear close enough to my influence that could help me escape. I merely fed the fire that already burned in her heart."
"You're heartless." Pomu says softly, before her temper begins to ignite. "How dare you take advantage of a grieving mother like that?! Don't you even feel the least bit bad for what you did?! She could have been moving on with her life, but you kept her locked inside with her own hatred….that's just awful."
"In the end, we saw each other as no more than tools to get what we desired. The difference however, is now that I have what I want, I am under no obligation to see her wishes fulfilled." Grendel remarks as he begins to fly higher, and in a pulse of golden magic, causes the winds Sylph had made to calm. He then looks above and swings one of his claws overhead to fire a slash of golden energy through the ceiling, breaking it apart and revealing the slowly parting clouds.
"Awww don't try to leave now, Grendel!" Sylph mockingly whines as she resides to attack the beast once more. "We're not done paying you back yet."
In response to Sylph's taunting, Grendel angles his wings and begins to beat them in hard, full flaps. Their sheer size combined with the magic he exudes, knocks all three of you down towards the floor. You flip and tumble through the air, unable to fight against the demon's gale. The wind spirit positions herself behind you and helps soften both your falls with a frantic fluttering of her wings.
Your feet rejoin the stone of the castle floor while the winds from above continue to hold you down. Through squinting eyes you look up and see Grendel continue to ascend until he hovers past the hole he made in the roof.
"It may be humiliating, but I will leave to fight another day. I cannot risk being hit with another one of the summoner's strange starlight spells." Grendel seems to begin rationalizing to himself. "With the human within me, I will remain in this world and have my revenge."
Dammit! The fifth spell won't be able to reach Grendel from this far away. He's not going to just let Sylph bring me close enough to cast it either. That damn eye of his is just laser focused on her and Pomu….wait, Pomu! She can trick this demon and create the opening we need.
"Pomu, quick!" You say turning to the forest fairy who then turns to you at attention. "We need someone to become Pomu."
Pomu is quick to get the gist of your request and grins widely. In a puff of green smoke, your final gambit begins. Grendel responds to your sudden action with a harder beat of his wings, which blows away the dramatic flair of Pomu's magic. The demon then keeps his good eye pinned to the two figures he sees with bright wings on their backs. As long as those two are still on the ground, no harm can reach him.
Grendel then begins to notice something….off. The figure in white with pointy ears, and clear wings behind her is a bit too…tan. Pure horror then paints his face as his jaw drops, and his head begins to sweat with the realization that he had just made a fatal error. The three figures he spots below are none other than Flare, Polka, and Nene. Polka was given a full "Pomufication" to give her the forest fairy's exact appearance. Flare only revived a slight touch, just enough to give her attractive fairy wings at her back. Nene was well, just Nene, but a body to help convince the demon you might still be there long enough to not suspect he had been tricked.
Over the demon's head, flies you and Watame. Sylph and Pomu had given you an express trip upward with a burst of wind from Grendel's blindside. The demonic beast sees you both and is stunned to see the very thing he was trying to escape, now has him trapped.
"N-No! You can't do this!" Grendel spatters.
"It's over Grendel! Now taste the defeat!" You shout, letting your rage and convictions bubble to the surface with the spell that is about to come.
"Urou Stellaruga!" Watame shouts, causing a surge of power within you unlike any you've ever felt from your spell book before.
The energy you charged earlier is unleashed, along with a wave of starlight that shifts and turns in the air to form the great bear. It shines brightly in the overcast sky, and its form is larger and more grizzly than ever before. The celestial bear now looks to contain shimmering plates of armor around its forepaws, where a multi-pronged star is etched into its surface. Grendel swings one of his claws to combat the beast that converges upon him, but he is unable to ward off your most powerful spell as his sharp talons are deflected by the bear's thick hide. The celestial beast lets loose an ear shattering roar as it dives at the demon, both paws find their way on Grendel's shoulders and begin to pin him down towards the earth.
The winged demon fights for his life against your spell, clawing and pushing against anything he can to hopefully gain some dominance. You and Watame will not let up. You will both put an end to Grendel's evil once and for all. You'll both take him down and this dark castle with him.
Giving it everything you both have, you both make a final push of your wills through the spell book, giving the bear a surge of power that allows it to brush Grendel's defenses aside and rend him from the chest down with a slash of its mighty claws. The aerial struggle then reaches its end as Grendel cannot keep Urou from biting the demon's neck; its teeth puncture his golden skin with ease. After a couple more swipes across the demonic beast's face, he loses all strength to fight back, his wings furl, and the great bear presses down on the demon's front to hurl them both towards the earth.