Note: I thought the monster was called a "Hagger" rather than a "Hugger," just like I thought "Ludgar" was "Ludger." The former debuts here, and the latter will have a role in the next chapter. Things happen a little bit differently, as things did in the last chapter, but the results are the same. Plus, there's a bit of graphic material in this, so be prepared for a little squick: nothing too significant, but just a forewarning.
And rest assured, all six WILL eventually meet, but it'll just be a bit longer until that happens. There are some things I'd like to get out of the way, as there are details in the game that are kind of glanced over that I want to give proper attention to as well. With that, here's the first boss battle!
Full Metal Hugger
In contrast to their earlier mood, Duran sat sulking in a chair in the check-in at the city's inn, the keeper (who suspiciously looked very much like the shopkeeper in Jadd, same turban, and everything) making erratic movements to try and garner attention. This whole trip was for nothing. Shit. he mentally hissed. What the hell am I supposed to do now?! he slammed a fist down on the table before resting his head in his hands. He couldn't go back! He swore not to return until he gained the necessary strength to defeat that wizard, and not to mention, he had up and left without notifying the king! Had he succeeded in the former, the sting of the latter would be far less. Yet now, was he just supposed to return empty-handed?! Had he been handed his father's sword for nothing?! To hell with all of this!
How was he supposed to respond to any of this? 'Oh yeah, you now have a faerie inside your head that means you have to get this sword. Otherwise, Mana will fade from the world, and horrible monsters will break out and kill everything and everyone!'. Honestly, what sort of choice was he given in that matter?! Did he know if the Priest of Light was exaggerating or outright lying? Duran dismissed the latter: angry, he knew better than to declare such a man a liar. But to hear such a thing and have it thrown on him. Duran didn't know what to think. He didn't even believe, even now, that any of this was real.
Since the whole scene in the temple, Faerie had kept herself quiet, yet she sensed everything he was feeling. As far as he was concerned, for the time being, she didn't exist. It was all he could do to keep himself from blowing up entirely. He found his thoughts interrupted by a yawn, realizing then and there that he hadn't slept for a good day or so. He had no intention of staying here long, yet he couldn't deny that, at the moment, he needed sleep.
A Few Hours Later
Help me,… the young man turned. Help me...please… despite the need for sleep, Duran couldn't help but flutter his eyelids as he rose in bed, his chest bare, having taken off his armor and top. Help me…
"What the…" the soldier moaned, rubbing his eyes. "Who...what…"
Ah, good! Duran nearly leaped out of his skin. He was about to chastise Faerie for startling him, but he realized soon that the voice was nothing like hers. This one bore a higher quality pitch, not to mention glitz, but it was male. You're awake! Sorry about the wake-up call, but I'm in a tight spot!
"Who...who are you?" Duran asked aloud, looking around. "Where are you?"
In the cave! The voice said. You know, the cave you just went through!
"Wait." Duran paused. "You were watching us?" he was about to address the voice again but was cut off.
Yeah, sort of. But I'm not a creep! Honest! The voice assured. Look, it was me watching...but not exactly.
"What does that mean? Does that make no sense? Who are you, anyway?"
Sorry, but I'm kind of pressed for time! And so are you, if you can hear me like this! Before Duran could even ask further, he was rattled and forced from his bed by a sudden, monstrous tremor that shook the entire inn and from the panicked cries everywhere in the city. Cries of how it was happening again, that this was a sign of impending doom, and how, most strikingly, that the Goddess perhaps had abandoned them. Hear, or rather, feel that? The voice asked. THAT'S what was watching you. It's been giving the poor folks here a lot of grief too.
"The hell?" Duran got to his feet; he only garbed his pants for sleepwear, armor, boots, and socks on the other side of the bed in his room. "What WAS that?!"
A real meanie, that's what! The voice said. And it's got me! Ate me, just like that!
"Ate you?!" Faerie suddenly spoke; having been quiet for so long, it startled Duran. "But shouldn't you be...wait." she paused. "Mana... Mana is radiating off of you!"
Yeah! You've got it! The voice cheerily declared, despite its formerly melancholy tone. I'm sorry to ask, but I'm in a pickle here and need your help! I, quite literally, need a hero!
Duran bit his lip. Yet again, something else was being thrust on him that he didn't even quite understand. "Faerie?" he asked, despite his vow to not talk to her before. "Who is this guy? You know him?"
"He...I can't tell for sure, but he's directly tied to Mana like I am," she explained. "Only...only it's slowly being drained from him." She gasped. "Oh no!"
"Oh no, what?"
"If he remains like this, he'll die!" she panicked. "Quick, please! I-I know you're still mad at me, but-" Faerie stopped dead in her tracks as she saw Duran putting his gear on right away. "What are you doing?"
"What's it look like?" Duran said. "You said it yourself; if he isn't rescued, he will die! We can't just let that happen!"
Faerie was left speechless, eyes widening as he completed putting everything on. "Duran…" she found herself smiling.
Exit to Cascade Cavern
"Ah, hewe we awe!"
The sky was painted with an assortment of oranges, violets, and pinks, the sun setting over the horizon. The city was but a short distance away, Kevin looking on in awe. "Wow…" he said aloud. He then noticed the large temple. "Priest of Light there?"
"Uh huh!" Charlotte confirmed. "Gwandpa's the most impowtant pewson in the city!"
"And...you think he can help me?"
"Suwe!" the girl answered. "He can do anything! Mostly." she was then set down, Kevin beginning to move towards the city. "Oh, wait!" Charlotte grabbed his hand. "Um...somebody came hewe to wawn Gwandpa of the beastmen. So…" she noticed Kevin's features falling. "Oh no! He WIWW see you! But the peopwe hewe...weww...maybe you shouwd hide."
"Hm, yeah. Maybe." it wasn't exactly a situation he wished to find himself in, but given the treatment he received in Jadd, perhaps that would be for the best.
"I'ww hide too!" Charlotte declared. "Because...weww, I kinda weft without tewwing anybody. Gwandpa's pwobabwy mad…" Hearing footsteps, Kevin outright tossed Charlotte in the bushes, he leaping in not long after, hiding entirely from the person walking their way. "Hey!" she growled, spitting out a few leaves.
"Sorry." the beastman sheepishly said, noticing a small, yellow creature not too far from them. "What's that?" he crawled over and saw a small sign around its "neck."
"This is Springy; please don't take him. He's my pet, but I can't keep him inside. He likes candy, but beware if you tease him, he bites."
"Spwingy!" Charlotte crawled over to the creature, patting the Springstepper on the head and cooing. "So, Mik had to put you outside aftew all…"
"Mik?"
"He's a fwiend." Charlotte explained. "Though…" she rubbed the still sore spot on her back. "I'm still gonna give him a piece of my mind."
Cascade Cavern
He could've sworn that he had seen a couple of people as he made his way back into the cave. Well, whatever. At the moment, there were more important things going on. "Ok, I'm here," Duran said. "Where are you?"
Ah, yippie! The voice exclaimed happily. I KNEW you wouldn't just leave me!
"I still have no idea what's going on, but...no. I couldn't." Duran answered, looking around the familiar environment. "I'm STILL not going to be involved in this whole 'get the Mana Sword' thing, but…" he trailed off, sighing. "I can't just let a defenseless person die."
"Duran…" Faerie began. "Thank you." the two started going further into the cave, though their trek had just begun. "If you hadn't come along, I don't think I would've made it."
"What?" the soldier exclaimed, shocked. "You mean you would've…?" Faerie nodded. "Why didn't you say so?!"
"Huh?"
"I mean, yeah, the whole 'being inside me' is weird, but I wouldn't have just let you up and die! If that was the case, you should've said something sooner!" Faerie found tears beginning to well up in her eyes.
"Well, isn't that touching?" Duran heard, yelping upon feeling a hand on his shoulder. Angela only giggled. "Pfft! And to think, I thought that sword made you look cool!"
"What are you doing here?" Duran asked, not in the mood for her comments, yet he also saw Hawkeye and Riesz with her.
"Same reason you are," Angela answered. "We're going back to Jadd." she then huffed. "Trip here was an enormous waste of time."
"Wait!" Faerie then said. "I...don't think you should do that!"
"Give me one good reason-" Angela was cut off by yet another tremor, knocking Angela right off her feet and nearly everyone else.
"That," Faerie explained, the self-proclaimed magician massaging her sore buttocks.
Oooh, is the little missy ok? the voice asked; Duran smirked.
"She's fine," he said. "But where are you?"
"Huh?" Riesz questioned. "Who are you talking to?"
"Oh, he has people living in his head," Angela responded, looking to Faerie. "Looks like he just gained another." Duran fumed, even more so when Hawkeye chuckled at what she said.
"This is no time to joke around!" Faerie responded. "There's someone in trouble!"
"Trouble?" seemed to get everyone's attention, even Angela's. "Who?" Riesz asked.
"I don't exactly know who," Faerie answered. "But he has Mana practically radiating off of him!" she paused, then gasped. "Oh, by the Goddess Herself! We can't delay! He must be saved!"
"Whoa, where's the fire, little lady?" Hawkeye questioned.
"I knew it! I KNEW there was something more about him!" the winged woman cried out. "Hurry! We have to hurry, or he'll die!"
This seemed to get everyone's attention, even Angela's. "I get that, though; where is he?"
I'm up here! The voice said, unheard by all but Duran and Faerie. Go up! You'll find me there!
"Ok!" the soldier nodded, looking back to the three. "Sorry, but I've got to go."
"Wait!" Angela then said. "That's it? You're just going to go off like that?" she scoffed. "Geez, you're more thick-headed than I thought."
Duran turned around. "Excuse me?!"
"She's kinda right, you know," Hawkeye added. "Aren't you just following a blind lead here? Let's just say from experience, that's the LAST thing you want to do."
'Yes, because your line of work is SO honorable.' Riesz thought, giving a light scowl. She hated to admit it, yet the thief had a point. "Do you know for sure if this… "person" is genuine or not? After all, how do you know that this isn't some sort of trap?"
"No way!" Faerie shook her head. "He's telling the truth. I...I can feel it. And if we don't do something soon…"
"Look, Faerie, it's not worth it," Duran said, looking to the other three. "I don't get it either, but…" his mind wandered back to that night at the castle...all the fallen soldiers. "But I can't just stand idly by and let someone…" he turned away. "My mind's made up. I'm going." he then dashed off, Faerie close by.
Angela, Hawkeye, and Riesz only looked on as the wild-haired soldier went on his way. "Well...he's a goner." Angela sighed. "Seriously, what's he thinking?"
"...you think it's true, though?" Hawkeye suddenly asked, the two young women looking at him. "I mean, none of us thought him having a faerie with him was possible until we saw it. And, well, even if it wasn't any help, all that the Priest of Light said," both young women observed that he seemed to be pondering something. And whatever it was, it seemed to be rather distressing to him. So then, he began going the same way Duran had gone.
"Whoa, hey! Where are YOU going?" Angela questioned.
"Well...it's like he said. You can't just stand by and watch someone…" he bit his lip. Despite the effort to push them back, a specific individual with blonde hair and his sister came to mind. Hawkeye said no more before he took off.
"Oh, not you too." the violet-haired 'sorceress' huffed. "Men. Am I right?" she then looked to Riesz, who also seemed deep in thought. "Oh no, not YOU too!"
"Make no mistake. I think he's being foolish." the Amazon looked in the direction the thief and soldier had gone. "Yet...even if he is being tricked...I can't simply allow him to go in without anyone backing him." She sighed. "Even that Nevarlian thief…" her pace was slower, but she too headed in the direction of the other two.
"H-Hey! You can't be serious! Wait!" Angela called out. Yet it seemed Riesz was undeterred by her words. "Well...fine! You'll be sorry!" she huffed and folded her arms. Then she realized. Just she was here. No one else. And yet not. All the creatures in this cave were her company now. All those creepy, nasty creatures. "H-Hey! Wait!" she shouted, rushing off. "Don't leave me!"
Wendel
Both Kevin and Charlotte poked their heads out from the bushes right next to the temple. Rather convenient that all of Wendel had a line of foliage from the cave to the temple. Still, it seemed that such luck had run out, as there was still the door to the temple, with several other priests and nuns walking around it. The minute they saw Kevin, despite this place being a holy place, it'd probably not be suitable for either of them. "Gweat." Charlotte sighed, though she realized what window was above them. "Howd on." she told Kevin, grabbing a small rock and throwing it at the window. It bounced off, yet no one came. Then another, and another, and another, until finally, a green-haired boy went to the window.
"Who's-ow!" he shouted as a pebble met his head.
"Ooh! Sowwy!"
"Wait…" Mik looked around before looking down. "Charlotte?" the blonde nodded, noticing someone else was with her. "Who's that?"
"Uh...a fwiend." Charlotte said. "Wook, Mick, I need you to hewp me get him inside the tempwe. He needs to tawk to Gwandpa."
"But...wait." Mik squinted his eyes, then widened them in panic. "He's a-" he was silenced by another small pebble thrown his way, ducking in turn. "Hey!"
"Quiet!" Charlotte hissed. "He's a good guy!" she insisted. "Wook, he's got a probwem, and needs to see Gwandpa about it!"
"What do you want me to do about it?" Mik asked.
"Howd open the window!" Charlotte said, turning to Kevin and gesturing to the ivy covering the temple's side, which was only a few inches away from Mik's window. She then, to Kevin's surprise, leaped upon his back. "We'we coming up!"
Cascade Cavern
The rushing water of the waterfalls filled his and Faerie's ears, going over a naturally formed bridge. "Wait!" Faerie then said, looking upward. "I feel it," she said, fluttering upward. "The Mana energy, it's coming from up there!" Suddenly, another tremor came, Duran just nearly losing balance before it finally stopped. Thank the Goddess that the bridge didn't break.
That's him! the voice called out. That's the big fat meanie that ate me up! If he gets out, Wendel, Astora, and even Jadd will have a bad time! Even worse than I am!
"Ok! Don't worry! We're coming up now!" Faerie called up; Duran nodded and went across the bridge to another part of the cave. "This way!" Compared to the previous trip, the soldier found that this trek through the cavern had much more direction, with Faerie essentially serving as his guide.
"Hey, one question, though!" Duran asked, a few Batmos disturbed by him as he ran by. "Why didn't you say anything before when I went through here?"
I'm trying to conserve my energy the best I can! The voice answered, sounding a little winded. Only when I saw how you handled those goblins did I even think I might have a chance! By the way, thanks for taking those guys down a peg. I can't begin to tell you just how ANNOYING they and those equally uncouth Hobgoblins are! All they do around here is fight and disturb everybody else! I can barely get any sleep at all, thanks to-
"Um, maybe less talking, more leading?" Faerie suggested.
Huh, yeah. Right. Ok, uh, just a bit more up, and you'll find me! The voice paused. Or rather...you'll find "him." The voice stopped, seemingly sensing the chill that coursed through Faerie and Duran while he tried to suppress it. Look, just...follow my energy! I don't know how much longer I have! Please!
Their movements were tentative at first, yet ultimately, the two began moving yet again, their trek beginning to turn into a climb, several stone bridges helping in allowing their journey to continue further upward. As they continued, they both noted that these tunnels and sections seemed "Goblin-less." Indeed, ever since they entered, there hadn't been one sign of any of them when they had been so prevalent. While it was beneficial for them, both couldn't help but wonder where exactly they were-
"RUN!" Huh? Before either Duran or Faerie could ask each other what was going on, a horde came running by them; they had to duck to the side to avoid being trampled by the swarm of both Goblins and Hobgoblins running. "Pick up the pace!" some said, clearly afraid. "Don't lag! It'll get you!" So on and on, the swarm went, both human and Faerie puzzled and confused, even more so when the two leaders that had previously been accosting them before noticed them. "Do NOT…" the Goblin leader said.
"Go in there!" the Hobgoblin leader finished, running off with the rest of their troops.
Duran and Faerie moved away from the wall and then looked in the direction they all ran in from. Going through the opening to another stone bridge, the space before them appeared to be a darkened hole, the light more sparse in that particular cave portion. Then, another quake came to pass, Duran and Faerie retreating in the archway until it passed, noting how close that particular one felt. 'It's in there, isn't it?' the soldier thought. 'You're in there.'
Yep. the voice said. I-I'm sorry. I wish I didn't have to ask for this. But please. If it means anything, be careful.
Faerie looked at Duran. "You SURE you want to do this?"
The soldier nodded, slowly but steadily, continuing forward.
Wendel
With one last pull up, Kevin and Charlotte made their way through the window, entering one of the many rooms in the temple. "Ok, now," Charlotte began, getting off of Kevin. "How many peopwe awe awound?" she asked Mik.
"Not too many," he answered. "They've all been out looking for you. At least, they were." he sighed. "I didn't tell them about how you got out, but…" he twiddled his thumbs. "They kinda found Springy and forced me to put him outside."
"Oh!" Kevin exclaimed. "That thing was yours?"
"Yep." Mik nodded. "Found him outside a few weeks ago! But they said monsters don't make good pets." he looked at Charlotte. "But I think they might've thought I helped you out, seeing as they may be forced me to give up Springy. And that I'm grounded. Forever."
Charlotte now was the one twiddling her thumbs. "I'ww go down with Kevin to see Gwandpa." the young beastman was about to speak up, but the girl interrupted. "You don't know youw way awound hewe, and you don't wanna be caught now, do you?" Well, when she put it like that, she had a point. But, then, she looked at Mik. "And...I'ww teww him I weft on my own. You didn't have anything to do with it."
"But Charlotte-"
"C'mon!" she tugged on Kevin's hand. "We gotta get going! And fast! Peopwe are going to be coming in soon!" With that, she practically dragged him out of the room, leaving Mik alone; he looked at a sewn-up bed sheet underneath his bed.
Cascade Cavern
"Well...we're here." Faerie quietly said, though her words echoed throughout the large, dark chamber. "Where are you?"
Shh! the voice said. Not so loud! He'll hear you!
"But, you WANT us to find you, right?" Duran questioned, noting to keep his voice down.
Well...yeah. But still...that doesn't mean I- the voice was cut off, Duran and Faerie startled by another quake. Then another, and another. Wait a moment. Despite their force, these tremors didn't feel more robust than before. No. These were lighter. And more frequent. 'Too late.' the voice uneasily said. It's coming! Hide!
"Where are you, though?" Duran questioned while stepping near a large stalagmite to conceal himself.
...inside.was all the voice could say, the shaking coming closer.
While the chamber wasn't well lit, it wasn't wholly lightless, allowing Duran and Faerie to see the general shape and objects that resided in it, that tiny bit of relief unable to be discerned as good or bad when the presumed source of the loud THUMPS they had felt when they entered. Neither looked, but it sounded big, massive. Big and curious. It was unknown whether it could smell them, yet it was looking. Something had entered its domain. Small, but there was something about them. Energy. Similar energy that it had encountered before.
Duran and Faerie had little time to do anything other than roll out of the way as a giant claw came down on the rock formation they were hiding behind, forcing them out into the open and in the line of sight of the massive creature that had taken to dwelling here. Their assumptions were correct: it WAS big. Enormous, gigantic even. Before they stood a beast with six legs and a large central body, all of which were coated in what appeared to be a hardened shell with spiked sections, notably near the eyes and on the back, as well as around the joints of the legs, the shell color differed between the areas, the central body an orangish-brown while the legs were a turquoise blue. It bore large, white eyes with slit pupils and a large mouth with several snaggletoothed fangs, all around the size of Duran's forearm at most. Yet even in awe of its size, both of them found themselves searching for possibilities as to what exactly it could've been. Spider? No, there was no second segment; plus, not the right amount of legs. A crab? Hmm, perhaps, especially considering the shell, though there were no claws. Whatever it was, however, it seemed that it didn't take too kindly to them being in its territory. However, how it looked at Faerie didn't sit well with her. Dare she say; it looked like what she imagined it did upon seeing something it might want to eat.
And when it opened its mouth and lunged, the winged woman's suspicions were confirmed.
Hiding in Duran, the soldier leaped out of the way and drew his sword. The creature thrust down one of its legs, the young man jumping out of the way and slashing at the leg, only to have his blade bounce off the hard surface. Damn, this thing's shell was denser than he thought it was! Nevertheless, this got its attention, and it whirled around to face him, opening its mouth and thrusting itself forward, Duran rolling out of the way again.
"The hell?!" Duran cried out. "Why's it trying to EAT me? Or rather, eat you?"
"It's the Mana!" Faerie cried out. "LOOK OUT!" the creature lunged, Duran leaping out of the way. "It's the Mana energy I have!" she explained. "Just like how it ate that other person, er, whatever, it wants to consume me and get MY Mana!" another lunge, another dodge.
Exactly! the voice suddenly said. You have to get me out of here, please!
"A little hard to do that-" Duran was interrupted by having to move out of the way again. "When you're constantly having to get out of the way-GAH!" a leg extended outward, the pointed edge of the ligament striking the young man right in the center of his chest, sending him flying against a stalagmite and bouncing off of it, landing in pain riddled heap. His sword was dislodged from its grip, landing on the creature's other side. "Damn it to hell!" Duran cursed, getting up again, but he found a leg slamming down on him, pinning him to the ground on his stomach. Not hard enough to pierce him, yet with just a bit more pressure, the creature very well could've torn right through him. Instead, he felt himself being dragged closer, and then he felt another leg place itself on him, this time on his lower half.
Then, it began to pull.
Duran gasped in shock, and Faerie shrieked, the former realizing what the creature was trying to do. He tried to struggle, Faerie emerging to try and fruitlessly beat against the legs, but the pulling continued. Further, further, further-
PLONK!
The creature was momentarily distracted from its task and turned to see just what had hit it.
STAB!
The monster roared in agony, Riesz's spear having up and pierced one of its eyes. Drawing back, the Amazon, despite her rank and past experiences with combat, winced as clear fluid drained from the slice she had delivered, the entire eyeball deflating like a popped balloon. There was no blood or anything of the sort; it simply reduced and became little more than a soggy, flat piece of flesh, the socket empty and revealing a blackened spot.
"Eugh…" Hawkeye grimaced, then looked to Riesz. "Little extreme, isn't it?"
"Hey, you're not the one that was about to get torn apart!" Duran shot back, thankful to get back up on his feet, yet the problem of his sword remained.
Angela was the last to come in through the entrance, clearly irritated. "THERE you are! How dare you leave me...behind…" her words faltered upon realizing what she and everyone else had walked into. She immediately shrieked and gestured to the creature. "That's a Hugger!"
Everyone was puzzled. "A what?" Hawkeye asked, but no one could get in an answer as it lunged forward, its enormous mouth open and teeth ready to catch one of them and chew them in half. Riesz rolled out of the way while the thief took hold of Angela's wrist and ducked, sending both of them to the ground. Usually, the young woman would've issued quite the complaint about such rough treatment, but the massive creature they were with sort of put all that on the backburner.
"A Hugger!" the "magician" repeated. She remembered well the image of the creature she had been reading in one of Jose's books that she was to study. Along with various magical abilities, elemental differences, effectiveness, and general enchantments, she was also to explore the different creatures that could use such skills, which, unfortunately for her, covered quite a range of various flora and fauna. "It's a creature that usually resides in cave systems and underground tunnels!" she cried out, separating Riesz and Hawkeye from the next slam with its leg. "But they NEVER get this big!"
"Is it some sort of mutant?!" Duran asked, still trying to get the creature back to his sword.
Sort of! The voice said. It's because it ate me that it's so gigantic! And it gets your faerie friend; then it's going to get even bigger!' Oh, wasn't that lovely? But, listen, you can't attack the outside! It's hopeless! But, the voice then said. But, I'll give you a hint: try underneath!
Underneath?
WHAM!
"AHH!" Duran was drawn from his thoughts as he saw Angela lying on the ground, doubled over in pain, with Riesz and Hawkeye on the other side of the creature. The Amazon rushed forward to try and attack the other eye. Yet, a hardened lid that closed vertically than horizontally prevented her spear from piercing it, her weapon bouncing off of it, yet due to the longer handle, she could keep it in her grasp, albeit, it did nearly slip. Angela began to stand, seeing that the creature had centered its attention on her, inching closer to her, one of its legs raising, aiming right for the center of her chest.
It never met, though.
A form stepped in front of her fallen state, his shield blocking what was aimed at her. Her green eyes widened as Duran struggled against the monster, standing and keeping its leg away, yet the struggle could only last for so long, and the young man was clearly on the losing end. Hawkeye and Riesz looked on, struggling with what to do. The hide was seemingly impenetrable, and its only vulnerable spot, its eyes, were a good ways away from them. It could just kick them back, as it had more than a few legs to spare to keep itself balanced. Just then, it seemed that the thief got an idea. To Riesz's surprise, the violet-haired young man rushed forward and slid underneath the creature; daggers were drawn out and scraped along the underside. The Hugger yowled as Hawkeye came in on the other side, Duran having been forced to his knees fighting against the creature's force, yet now he was free; he and Angela were able to move away. All four of them looked on and, to their surprise, saw what appeared to be light emanating from underneath it.
"What the…" Angela moaned, still clenching her teeth in pain, yet it was clear that something was happening.
Yes! Almost free! Duran heard the voice say, clearly ecstatic. Just a little more, and you've got it!
"Wait…" Faerie began, Duran, feeling her growing realization and her shock. "You! You...you're a-"
We can go over the details later, hun! But, right now, could you get me out of this little pinch?
"Little?!" Duran shouted aloud. "This, let alone THIS thing here, is ANYTHING but little!" He was cut off from complaining further by the Hugger opening its mouth, yet instead of lunging forward, what appeared to be bubbles poured out from it, spewing them all over the three. They shared confusion, yet it soon became apparent that they were far from harmless; they popped and sent waves of pain everywhere they touched, skin turning red and swollen where they popped.
Riesz found herself unable to accept that she was long out of reach. Despite her lingering opinion of the thief, she took a page from his book and slid under the creature, momentarily blinded by the light. Though she saw something in the slits created by Hawkeye that made her gasp, she was still in shock when she came out on the other side. With a kick, she moved all three of them, the three falling over like dominos as the creature raised on its hind legs, exposing its underside. Yet there was no time to strike as it opened its mouth yet again, but instead of bubbles, a white, hot light began to form, shooting out and leaving a large crater where the four once stood; they had managed to get out of the way. Its assault wasn't over, though, a hot beam from its single eye shooting out, everyone just barely ducking out of its way as it tore through the stalagmites littered throughout the chamber, getting to the cave walls and leaving deep gashes in the rock.
"I...I saw something." Riesz breathed out when she got the chance. "There was a face."
"Face?" Angela asked.
"Yes." Riesz nodded. "A face...or something along those lines. I saw it through the gashes made. Something...I think something's inside there!"
"What? That doesn't make any sense!" Angela shot back.
"Well, neither does this thing being so big, but here we are!" Hawkeye mentioned, their eyes on the light pouring out from the delivered wounds as the Hugger lowered itself.
"Hurry!" Faerie pleaded. "I feel it weakening! But so is the one inside! His energy is nearly spent! Hurry, or he won't make it!"
Suddenly, the creature leaped into the air, increasing to everyone's surprise. Then, the light disappeared from view, everyone wondering where exactly it could've gone. Did it run away? Their answer was soon delivered to them as the light became visible again; seeing it approaching them, its intentions to crush them all became known. And even more, there was nowhere to run.
"HURRY!" Faerie hollered. "HURRY! NOW'S YOUR CHANCE!"
It was then that Duran understood. But could it reach that far? If he didn't try, they'd all be doomed. "Wait, what are you doing?!" Angela shouted; he rushed out in the center of the chamber while the rest huddled in the farthest corner they could. Then, holding out his sword, he aimed and waited. Not exactly how the weapon was supposed to be used, but if it were the only thing that would work, then it would have to do.
When it had reached just a few yards away, the soldier threw his sword upward, striking the Hugger where one of the gashes was made, the Hugger howling in pain as Duran then rolled out of the way to join the others. The Hugger began to writhe and swing its legs wildly, roaring as bubbly foam poured from its mouth. Then, the outer shell began to break, streams of bright light running out of it like the gashes. Then more and more cracks were formed until several holes were created, this going on until eventually, the creature was entirely consumed in light, blinding everyone from seeing anything more.
Then, when everything had cleared, the creature was gone. And in its place was a far smaller and presumably, far friendlier soul that had floated in their direction.
"Ah, finally!" he said, voice chipper and relieved. "I thought I was NEVER going to get out of there!" it then noticed the bewildered humans. "Oh, so sorry! How rude of me! Name's Lumina, Elemental of Light, Mana Spirit, and overall nice guy! Nice to meetcha! A pleasure!" the being was tiny, around the same size as Faerie, it appeared to be an ever-changing wisp of light and smoke, its ends dancing like a flickering flame, yet it also bore something of the look of a cloud, puffy and soft. The center of the wisp was a golden color with two white eyes. On the outside of its form, light shone off it, creating a rainbow spectrum to fade in and out.
Faerie emerged from Duran with widened eyes. "I KNEW it! I KNEW I felt something about you!" She then smiled. "You're an Elemental!"
"Yessiree, little lady!" Lumina giggled. Rather cheery for something that was presumably on death's door before. "And thank you ALL for releasing me from the belly of that Full Metal Meanie! That guy was such a brute! They went and gobbled me RIGHT up and didn't even bother to ask me how I felt about it! Am I right? I swear!"
"Uh...yeah," Angela said.
"You're...most welcome?" Riesz said after.
"Yeah. What she said." Hawkeye answered.
"I think." Duran finished.
"Lumina," Faerie took charge of the conversation. "It's good that we found you. The-"
"Tree is withering." Lumina finished and then looked at the humans. "And Mana itself is fading from the world." His pleasantness died, grim foreboding taking its place, he looking upward to seemingly the ceiling. Or rather, something above it. "The Seal is weakening too. The emissions off it just reek with the energy of what's sealed inside it." it then sighed. "I don't think it'll be long now…."
Note: Somewhat of an ominous note to end on, but it's to work into the next chapter. Also, Angela will be able to show off her new skills, but it will be at a pivotal point a little further. After all, things technically are still just beginning.
Thank you all that have read this, and I hope to hear from you all!
