HoloJourneys

by vanderblast

A fateful encounter with a fluffy sheep inside a castle dungeon, begins a journey that will change the world. In a world of magic, swords, magical spirits and endless possibilities, Anon, sets forth on a journey with his friend Watame to see everything this world has to offer and to find their origins. The journey won't always be easy, but together, they can always make it through.

24. A Grudge Revealed:Spite Vs Big PP Energy

No door is left unopened while you all race to find the next set of stairs that will take you further up into the dark castle. The threat that the sorceress will kill every last fairy she has captive feels very real to everyone, especially Pomu. Even in the face of such dire circumstances, the forest fairy's eyes blaze with a fierce determination that tells you she has convinced herself that she WILL be a hero today.

You open the door to another empty room, and curse. If the sorceress is so eager to finally meet in person, couldn't she put some directional signs in place? After frustratedly revealing another room devoid of stairs, Watame's excited cries grab everyone's attention a little further ahead. The sheep had managed to find the next staircase!

"Great job Watame!" You praise the sheep and give her a soft pat on the head as you run past her and take the lead going up the spiraling stone stairs.

"How come over half our rescues involve so many stairs!" Polka pants after ascending the seemingly endless staircase for at least a few floors. "I swore off stairs after we rescued Flare! Who puts prisoners on the top floor anyway!?"

"Someone who doesn't want to risk those prisoners getting free." Pomu states. "It's also pretty standard villainy. Ya know, put a bunch of pretty ladies at the top of a tall tower. That way, when the hero finally gets to them, they can bask in the presence of their hero and his mighty physique! Before savoring the moment and-"

"She makes a good point. Not the part about…whatever that was going to be." You interrupt before things can go any further. "If they break themselves out, or get broken out by someone else, getting all the way down to freedom would be hard to do before this witch catches wind of it. I'm kinda hating how much better she is at this whole evil castle master thing than the last one I met."

"That will just make her that much better to beat!" Nene cheers. "Show everyone how much stronger Anon and Water Lady are now."

Nene makes a good point…for the what? Fourth time today? That's gonna take some getting used to, but I kinda love it already. Hector was a dangerous nutcase, but he wasn't nearly as strong as some of the other people I've faced so far, and certainly nowhere near as dangerous as this mysterious witch might be. We're all stronger though, not just me. We've all been growing more and more, and so are our bonds. Those are what will guide us through this dark castle, and bring light back to this forest!

To great relief, you finally reach the end of the current staircase, where a single wooden door lies. Once everyone has had a moment to catch their breath, you cautiously open the door and peer inside. Another hallway…great.

As you quickly walk through the corridor with all your friends behind you, you can't help but notice that the only thing of interest on this floor is the set of double wide wooden doors near the halfway point. With no other options, you stop in front of the large entryway and begin to mentally prepare yourself. This might very well be it. You place a steady hand on the door lever and you are suddenly flooded with a sense of foreboding. It certainly feels like the right place now. You look over your shoulder and are met with the determined faces of your friends. There is no need to ask if they are ready for whatever lies beyond this door, and there is no need to be scared of whatever you may find either. Together, you'll pull through and save Pomu's forest.

With a firm push, one of the two door panels opens to show a huge circular room. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the emerald light emanating from the ceiling. Embedded in the vaulting of the castle's highest point, is easily the biggest emerald you have ever laid eyes on. The oval-shaped gem covers almost the entire center area of the room in a faint light, and at its center, is the clear shape of a woman.

Clad in black robes that open to reveal only one of her legs up to her hip and thick dark leather boots cover up to her knees. The cuffs of her sleeves and the tail of her robe are frilled with pitch black feathers. In the verdant light you can see her dark brown hair fall past her elbows. The face of a middle aged human woman looks at you with pure disgust and disdain. It seems you have finally met this castle's master.

"About time you showed." The woman clicks. "How long does it take a group of misfits to go up anyway? Though with a boy as dimwitted as you leading them, I'm not surprised."

"Couldn't be sure if you had any more of those rabid dogs you call help, ready to greet us along the way." You retort, taking a few strong steps into the room. "Which by the way, are you actually planning to fight yourself this time?"

"Believe me, you'll wish I wasn't." The sorceress sneers. "Can't say I'll miss all the abominations you got rid of for me, especially the last two. I hated looking at those hideous things."

"That's a weird way to talk about your pets, but for someone heartless enough to harm the forest and innocent fairies, I guess I can't expect any compassion." Flare spits, standing tall next to you.

"Innocent? That's rich." The woman laughs lightly with scorn. "Guess I should expect knife-ears to flock together."

"Hey!" You snap, your anger instantly inflamed by such a derogatory term aimed to hurt a girl that you love. Not even conscious of the decision, your spell book is already freed and open within your grip, eager to unleash its power. "NO ONE talks to my Flare like that! I'm giving you one chance. Take back what you said, let the fairies go, and leave this forest alone! Or else!"

"You are in no position to make demands of me!" The sorceress barks back. "The fae are a blight on this world and deserve to be purged! If you're going to stand in the defense of those disgusting menaces, then you deserve to be erased along with them!"

Hearing someone speak with such conviction and venom about the genocide of an entire group of people was making your very blood boil. The way she speaks makes you certain this is not some half-hearted grudge or overexaggerated dislike for the forest and the fairies that make it their home. This is pure, undiluted hatred. You've had absolutely enough. If she won't back down, you won't either.

"I don't understand." Pomu says walking past Undine and Watame to better see the sorceress, and let the spiteful woman see her. "What happened to make you so mad at us fairies? I know we like to play games with people we meet sometimes, and I'm sorry if we made you upset at some point, but that's not worth all this! What could be worth destroying the life of the forest over!?"

"You dare speak to me about worth, fae!? I have lost everything of worth because of your 'games'! Your entire race does not deserve to exist, and with your death, the fae will truly be gone forever!" The sorceress screams, her eyes twitching madly. She then raises a hand toward Pomu, and a dark green ray of magical energy fires from it.

In an instant, you feel yours and Undine's feelings and intentions align. You both step to place yourselves in front of the forest fairy, your combined passion to protect her sparks your resonance like never before. Like the ocean raging amidst a storm, you feel your own mana rising, crashing against the surface of your very being, swelling higher and higher. As long as you both breathe and are connected by your pact, neither of you will let this enemy of nature to have her way. You will NOT let her harm your friend.

"Stellashield!" You shout with resolve, creating your shield of starlight in front of you, that shines with a second layer of azure light from the waters Undine's own power alongside yours has created.

The ray of mana collides with your shield, creating a cascade of splashing liquid as it tries to break through the defense your and Undine's magic has created. The spell meant to kill Pomu where she stood was filled with more magical force and malice than you've ever felt from a single source before, but you hold steadfast. In a bright flash of silver, blue, and green, both your shield and the sorceresses' magic neutralize one another and vanish, leaving only a soft drizzle of water against the stone floor.

"Th-That's….That's amazing!" Pomu gasps behind you, as she beholds the spirit resonance you and Undine share for the first time.

The blue glow around your body from your bond with the water spirit is thicker than it ever has been before. Even drops and small streams of water begin to float around your body. Undine floats beside you; her body completely intangible but she holds such a fierce look in her eyes, as she grips the shaft of her trident tightly in one hand. You feel a pure and strong connection with the waters that flow through this castle, but you are also reminded of where you CAN'T feel the presence of that which helps spring forth life. The surrounding forest does not have a pond, stream, or even a puddle to speak of, and that just further fuels your anger towards the woman who had a hand in taking all that away. You not only owe it to Pomu and her family to bring this villain to justice, but you also owe it to nature itself.

"Tch." The sorceress clicks her tongue at her failed attempt to blast the fairy to smithereens. "More unfamiliar magic. Just what are you, boy?"

"WE are spirit and human united. We shall not allow those who would upset the balance of nature and life to go unpunished. Your ambitions shall be washed away by our combined might. I am Undine, the ruler of the waters." The water spirit declares with authority.

"WE have vowed to protect Pomu and free her family. You want to get to her, you'll have to go through US first! I am Anon, a summoner." You announce with pride with a pointed thumb towards yourself.

"There can be a hundred spirits inside that soon to be husk. I'll gladly eradicate you and anyone else who stands in my way to obliterate the fae from existence!" The sorceress barks back, her body begins to crackle with dark green energy.

Your gaze is drawn to the glowing stone that lies lodged in the ceiling. You feel that it is so much more than a gaudy light source, you feel something similar to the energy you sense within Pomu right now…You can sense her? That's strange, you've never had a clear feeling for the forest fairy's life presence before now. Could it be because of your resonance? Sensing water always becomes more clear, but maybe in this state, you can sense other natural elements and those with close ties to them easier.

"Pomu, you feel it too, right? From that big rock up above." You ask the still awestruck fae behind you.

"Huh?" Pomu seems to snap out of whatever thought she was having. She looks up to the vaulting and gazes into the swirling pools of light within the gem with great intensity. "I do! There's wind and fairy magic in there!"

"Then let's shatter that prison to pieces and free what's inside. I'll keep the intolerant witch on the ropes. Anyone else who wants a piece of her is free to join me." You announce as you secure your spell book within its straps and unsheath your sword.

Already making her move, the sorceress extends a hand toward one of the far walls. A circle outlined with strange runes then appears upon the stone panels, and something starts to growl and poke its head through the etched threshold. A head as black as the stone it magically passes through peaks out, resembling that of a dragon's, but its eye sockets are eerily empty. Once its neck and torso slither through the magical gate, the creature is seen to have no arms or legs, but the solid vines that look like dead weeds, form the appearance of wings along its back. Five tendrils; two on its left, two on its right, and one along its back, resemble a more smoothed out version of its head as they open their maws and reveal sharp teeth and dark green skin.

"Nene will cut ugly weeds and smash stone. Nene likes pretty stones, but if this one has Pomu's fairies inside, she will break it." The girl from Bjornholm announces as her magic takes hold and blesses her with bear claws and ears.

Pomu looks between the shining stone in the ceiling, the sorceress, and her own two balled fists. "Anon…I REALLY want to give that lady a piece of my mind and teach her a lesson for trying to hurt my friends. Not just the fairies you, you all too. What she's doing is unforgivable, but…I need to save my family first. I'm going to help Nene!"

"Count me in for that too!" Polka adds as she happily pulls her baton from her hat. "I can count on you two to have Anon's and Undine's backs right? Watame? Flare?"

"As if you even have to ask!" Flare grins.

"All four of us can be the finale that sends this place crashing down!" Watame then cheers, her face filled with confidence.

"Damn right!" You exclaim. "Now let's do this everyone!"

Focusing your will on the water shifting slightly around your ankles, you cause them to increase and accelerate. With a mighty push from your bent legs, the azure pool propels you at your target, sword at the ready to cut through that wicked smile. The sorceress meets your sword with a pair of steel sickles she must have had strapped to her legs. The grinding of steel and rushing water fills both your ears, as you test the other's strength. To match the power of yours and Undine's souls working together as one, the witch's body begins to radiate a grim shade of green mana. Your feet planted firmly on the ground, you push your sword further down between the two steel crescents that bar it from reaching the flesh of your opponent.

With your opponent locked in place, Undine shifts around to flank the sorceress and waves her trident in an upwards arc and creates a deluge of water that crashes and carries her along the ground. The sound of metal scraping along stone rattles your ears, as the sorceress slows her travels by digging the points of one of her sickles into the ground, to then pull herself out of the water's current. You're not about to let her off the hook that easily, you wave one of your hands and bring the rushing water to an about face, to send it crashing into the witch's knees, causing her to buckle from its force.

Flare and Watame use the opportunity you created to join the battle. Watame lets loose a flurry of magical notes at her target, while Flare throws a particularly big ball of fire. The sorceress quickly rises to a full stand, and a bright light starts to shine from the tips of her curved weapons. She draws the outline of a circle in front of her with both arms going the opposite way of the other. Once the shape is complete, runic characters appear along its edges and it begins to fly forward a few feet as it enlarges to nearly five times its original size. The barrier absorbs each magical projectile Watame and Flare had thrown, and once the threat to her person was neutralized, the sorceress allows the magical shield to dissipate as she begins to channel mana into her sickles.

The hooked blades become green and tinged with a menacing black edge. The sorceress looks at the half-elf and sheep with maddening glee. She begins to slash methodically into the air, each slice sends forth a crescent of black energy that widens and thickens in flight.

You watch the attack burst forth and Undine responds to your heart's desire and has already created a forming current beneath your feet that begins to carry you to your friends. As you surf along the one foot high wave, you switch to your spell book. This woman's magic is as deadly as it is spiteful. You have to defend your friends at all costs.

The wave you ride on crests and curves in front of Watame and Flare, who were ready to try and take this coming assault as best they could. Your spell book shines with power, fueling by your intense desire to keep the ones you love safe.

"Stay behind me you two! Stellashield!" You command, and once again, a shield of starlight, additionally enforced thanks to Undine's waters.

The sorceresses' onslaught pummels your defenses; their sharpened edges of magic cutting straight through the azure first line of defense, and cracking your celestial layer of protection with each hit. Your shield shatters as you instinctually cover your arms with mana coats of starlight, to then take the rest of the sharpened barrage meant for your friends. The sinister sensation of this mana cuts right through parts of your magical armor and right through your clothes, bandages, and skin. The hot pain makes you grit your teeth, but you stand your ground soon the assault ends.

Bleeding, and short of breath, you stare down the mad witch who returns your gaze with a crooked smile. She twirls her sickles by their handle, eager to put them to further use. Beside you, Undine floats, ready to strike when you both choose to. Whoever this sorceress is, her magic is plain deadly. Your resonance is still holding strong though, you can bounce back from this. Once you have a moment to staunch the bleeding a little…

"Anon's hurt….again…" Watame mutters to Flare. "Because he wanted to keep us from getting hurt…"

"I know, Watame." Flare growls, frustrated on three fronts, at the sorceress, the pain you are enduring, and herself. "All because I don't know how to use my magic for anything other than attacking…but you know what!? I may not be able to create shields or heal injuries like Anon can, but I can sure as hell burn the girl that hurt him to a charred crisp! I've had enough!"

"Me too!" Watame cries out, her own frustration and determination rising to the surface. "Let's kick that girl's butt so she can't hurt Anon anymore!"

With burning passions driven towards protecting you fueling their hearts and their magic, Watame and Flare ignite the fire of their counterattack. After hooking her harp to her belt, the sheep bard takes her wooden flute out of her pouch, and quickly plays a woodwind rendition of her quickening spell; its melody makes both Flare and Watame feel lighter, and a light cycle of wind forms around both their ankles.

Flare puts everything into what fuels the magic of fire within her. Her rage, her burning desire to be strong to protect her friends and be someone they can always count on, and the heated will to never be outdone by the boy she's come to respect and love with all her heart. Her fists blaze with powerful red flames; they roar brilliantly as a confident grin flashes across her face.

Both girls sprint past you and charge the sorceress, who swings her sickles in front of her and creates a gale force wind to try and impede their advance. Flare immediately lets Watame take the lead; the sheep lowers her head slightly and the glow from golden yellow mana begins to radiate from her proud horns. The dark wind does little to stop the sheep's momentum, her mana forms a protective cone that displaces the magical force that hopes to keep her and the half-elf from their target. The sorceress looks surprised to see her spell being so easily managed as the pair quickly descend upon her. She slams down her sickles into the barrier in front of the sheep that charges her like a bull; their sharp blades dig into the protective layer of magic, slowing its owner down, but Watame digs her heels and continues to push and pressure the witch.

Flare takes advantage of the power struggle to flank the sorceress to throw a fire-covered fist into her side. The witch suffers a powerful blow from the half-elf, the force causes her knees to buckle while the heat makes her grit her teeth in pain. With her footing destabilized, Watame presses on, gaining ground and with a mighty yell, forces the sorceress into the wall ahead with a final ram from her horns.

The stone walls behind the witch crack from the power of Watame's charge, as the wind is knocked clean out of the dark spell caster. The sheep huffs proudly and takes a few hops backward to give her friend a clean shot at their enemy. Flare begins motioning her arms to set the stage for her next spell. She gathers the flame from her two fists into one hand, and then with the other, begins to channel the power of wind.

"You can call me all the awful names you want, but when you hurt my friends, you've crossed the line!" Flare barks, the raging torrent within her one hand almost reaching the ball of flame that sits in the other. The half-elf then brings both her hands overhead, and swings them down and to hold them a breath apart once her arms are straight in front of her. The fire and wind mix and create a spiraling lance of flame that rockets towards the sorceress.

With no time to run or erect a true barrier, the sorceress curses and channels more mana into her weapons. She brings the sharp hooks up in defense and cuts into the fire that seeks to engulf her. The orange inferno splits at the point where the witch's magic fights against it, its flames singing the stone walls next to her.

"So that's what Flare hoped to make by combining two elements?" You ask in awe as you watch the impressive display of magic. You continue to heal your wounds as best you can with your own healing magic. "It's awesome! She got so much power out of just two simple spells! And did you see Watame too? Her mana made her look like a shooting star when she crashed right into that witch!"

"Just as you and I seek to get stronger for their sake, they have been doing the same for us, summoner." Undine responds to you pridefully. "How are your injuries? Are they healed?"

"I think so." You reply as you exhale from the exertion of using your healing spell. "My cuts are closed up, but I still feel a small burning tingling under my skin almost. Oh well. Flare and Watame are giving their all over there, and we can't slack off either."

Pomu watches as Anon, Watame, and Flare charge into battle with the person responsible for all her recent hardships. It was difficult for the forest fairy to not want to battle alongside them, but she knew her current mission was more important. If she can just smash that stone that lies in the ceiling, that might free all her friends and family! There is just one teeny tiny obstacle…

"That thing keeps trying to grab me!" Pomu screams as she flies desperately away from the strange vine dragon that extends two of its headed tendrils like arms and tries to capture the fairy within their pointed teeth.

"Nene stop mess of weeds!" Nene growls as she catches up to the fleeing fae, and with a hard bend of her legs, uses the instinctive use of mana thanks to her primal blessing, to create a burst of magic below her feet to launch her up high enough to come to the fairy's aid. A single slash from her mighty claws cuts through the hardened skin of the monster, causing it to howl in pain as the mawed appendage falls to the floor with a loud thud.

The monster slithers back slightly, even though it stands three times the height of the girl in front of it, her raw strength makes it second guess recklessly engaging the champion of Ursol. As if Nene can smell its fear, she lets out a ferocious battle cry and leaps toward the creature. Her claws rend through its defenses and cut one of the tendrils it used in hopes of fending off the girl in half. Dark green liquid spills from the monster's insides onto the floor, as Nene stops her assault to catch her breath. When given a moment of reprieve the monster howls again, and the missing vine-like parts of its body begin to regenerate from within its open wounds.

"Nenechi!" Polka calls. "Get away from that thing! It's just going to grow back together again if you keep fighting it!"

Nene's eyes dart between the fennec and the monster in front of her. Every instinct tells her that she should fight, and that the power of Ursol cannot be beaten by what will soon be a pile of dead weeds. Something also tells her that she should listen to her friend. Maybe there is another, better way to fight?

After evading a swift dive from one of the demon's open mouths, Nene retreats to where Polka and Pomu stand together. The monster does not pursue, perhaps its orders were to simply keep anyone from reaching the overhanging emerald.

"Tell Nene what she should do." Nene snarls impatiently. "How can we squash beastie for good?"

"For something to regenerate as quickly as that thing can, it needs a certain part of it to stay intact." Polka ventures a guess. "I saw how it was quick to back away when you were close to its head in the middle. I'm willing to bet money that if you cut it straight down from there, that'll put 'em down."

"I can try to carry you right above." Pomu offers.

"We need those wings of yours ready to make for the stone the first chance you get." Polka counters as she looks at Nene with eager eyes. "You can leave this to me and Nenechi. We got an act we've been dying to try."

"Nene excited to show results of training!" Nene says with glee as she happily skips in place. "Nene is ready Omarun!"

"Let's show this sorceress we're living weed whackers!" Polka cheers as she begins to channel her mana through her baton. She points the head of her ring mistress staff at the far wall above the beast, and a bright ray of purple magic pours from it and forms a single bright line. The fennec clicks her heels together and raises her arms high, and in an audible puff of smoke, the line of mana turns into a tightrope; anchored in front of her by a simple iron pole that sits within a flat circular stand.

"My lovely assistant." Polka starts with an exaggerated bow aimed at Nene, while she sweeps her baton in front of her; the magic glimmers in a thin veil before revealing a unicycle. "Your chariot awaits."

Nene claps her two bear paws together excitedly before hiking her leg over the seat of the stationary one wheeler, and placing her feet shakily on its pedals. The girl's face contorts to that of immense and serious focus. She pushes her legs forward slightly, and the wheel turns to bring her forward a few inches. Nene keeps her arms perfectly straight to help maintain her balance. After a few more practice pedals that take her forward and backwards, she gives Polka a happy nod to indicate that she is ready.

Polka then gives the frame of the cycle two short taps with the tail end of her baton, which somehow causes it to hop into the air and land expertly onto the tightrope. Nene fumbles for a second at the sudden change, but quickly rebalances herself.

"Pedal like you've never pedaled before Nenechi!" Polka commands encouragingly. "Once you get right over the head of that garden gone wrong, we'll kick this act into high gear."

With a nod and a firm salute, Nene's legs begin to push her unicycle along the thin wire. The champion of Ursol steers her one wheeler along the steady incline with crowd pleasing ease.

"Hot dog!" Pomu squeals in astonishment. "How is she so good at that?!"

"A natural born performer if you ask me." Polka says with pride. "Ask her to do something, and she will surprise you every step of the way. Every circus needs a bear, and I think she just might secure that spot in mine."

"Woooo! Go Nene! Ride that tightrope!" Pomu cheers on with her hands cupped to her cheeks. "You got this girl!"

Pomu's excitement seems to give Nene an extra burst of speed; her legs pedal faster, and even as the viney tendrils of the monster approaching below her, she stays focused and poised. A darting stalked mouth snaps at her from the side and threatens to throw her off balance, but she delivers a retaliatory slash and cuts the mouth of the dark tentacle clean off. Nene nods in triumph and sees the other end of the tightrope that lies a few seconds away.

"Now Nenechi!" Polka shouts.

Bending her back and her knees, Nene makes her unicycle hop off the thin wire and begins to fall directly over the middle head of the monster. Polka twirls her baton and aims towards Nene; a bright flash of purple rockets through the air and hits the metal frame of the midair cycle. Under Nene's butt, her seat begins to expand at an extremely fast rate. The entire one wheeler grows larger and larger by the second, and Nene soon stands upright upon its rubber seat.

With an object even bigger than it now overhead, the vine-like dragon cannot hope to escape. The wheel; hot from the friction Nene's speedy pedaling had caused along the tightrope, digs into the beast's central head. It howls in pain under the weight of the still growing object. A couple more pulses from Polka's magic makes the unicycle big enough to completely topple the tentacled monster, causing both to crash onto the castle floor.

Nene then lands in front of the recoiling beast, her claws primed and ready to go in for the kill. Polka approaches the side of her friend and brandishes a set of knives in each of her hands, as a slightly unhinged smile flashes across the fennec's face.

Polka then flings her sharp instruments through the air, professionally piercing the heads of the demon's tendrils and pinning them to the wall behind it. The circus fox happily throws knife after knife until the beast is completely trapped and unable to protect its center.

Nene sees her opening and charges forward, and with a mighty leap, sinks her claws into the belly of the beast and lets gravity pull her down along its torso. She then kicks and digs the toe of her foot into its weakening flesh, and proceeds to climb upward; each grab from her electrifying claws prompts another howl from her prey. When she reaches its neck, Nene stands on its shoulders and with a mighty cross slash, executes the demon. Dark green blood drips from her claws and dress, but she feels satisfaction in the kill.

"God dannng!" Pomu exclaims when she flies to join the pair. "Nene! You're hardcore! I know I saw how tough you are earlier, but that was just brutal!"

"Nene is strongest!" Nene declares proudly as she jumps down from the motionless beast, that then begins to dissipate into nothing. "Now fairy can show how strong she is. Go smash pretty stone!"

"Roger!" Pomu says as she looks up and begins to fly towards the ceiling. "Thanks guys!"

The sounds of the battle in the background catches everyone's attention while you are just about ready to rejoin the assault against the sorceress. Flare, and Watame working together have kept this witch on the ropes, but not a single one of you can afford to let your guard down for a second. When you see the woman's head turn towards where a likely Pomu is on the way to free her kin, you turn to see the fairy soaring up towards her goal. Soon the fairies will be free and you and Undine can bring this witch's schemes to an end for good. Go Pomu! You got this!

The sorceress grunts in frustration. She is not about to let that fairy any closer to that emerald. The witch turns her eyes back to the half-elf and sheep who appear ready to launch another set of spells towards her. She clicks her tongue and lets her sickles vanish in a puff of black mist. The sorceress then raises both her hands; one at the pair opposing her, and one at the stone.

Watame stands in front of Flare to protect her from the pulse of dark wind magic that bursts forth from the sorceress. The two are sent backward, Watame struggles to keep herself upright, but a supportive push from the half-elf helps them both bear the gale. The woman delights in the strained faces of her enemies, but this was only to give herself enough breathing room to focus on her true target.

Once Pomu gets almost within arms reach of the giant gemstone within the ceiling, a deep red pulse of mana erupts from it and sends her hurling back towards the floor. Your stomach drops when you watch the fairy flip through the air; out of control and showing no signs of fighting to regain it. Willing the waters beneath your feet to propel you once again, you race towards where Pomu falls.

Undine swipes one of her arms across her body as she floats beside you, creating a water slide along the stone floor. You let yourself fall onto your backside as you slide along the current the water spirit had created. The forest fairy falls into your cradled arms right before she can hit the ground. The water around you dies down and your movement halts.

"Sorry Anon…" Pomu says as she tries to shake off her dizzy expression. "I messed up. I don't even know what happened."

"Hey don't worry about it." You say as you rise to your feet and let the fairy down carefully until you're sure she can stand on her own. "You'll get another chance. This is far from over."

"Is it now?" The sorceress asks sarcastically as you bring your gaze over to her to notice the mad smile shining along the whites of her teeth.

Another one of those runic magic circles is drawn in the air in front of her; its outline glows and pulses with that same twisted dark green mana. With a thrust of both her arms, the sorceress puts her spell into action. A stream of pure black energy pours out from the circle, like water from a dam that had just been broken.

"Stellashield!" You shout as you and Undine reflexively stand in firm defiance of the dark magic coming your way. A barrier of starlight and water floats steadfast in front of you in the face of the evil onslaught. The second the sorceress' spiteful magic hits your combined shields, you feel it instantly begin to eat away at everything it touches. Undine's layers of water are torn through like termites eating away at wood, and your shield spell is quickly losing its shape.

"Summoner! Perhaps this is one of those moments where the best defense is a good offense." Undine suggests as she struggles to maintain her waters in front of your shield.

You nod your head in agreement. Maybe the type of magic this witch wields is not the kind you can always defend against. You'll put everything you have into this next attack.

Together, you and Undine can overcome anything. She had come to your aid when you first stepped into a place where someone who was truly evil had lived. Just as you put your faith in her that night to save your first and dearest friend, she then put her faith in you to act as her tie to this world. Since you were reunited, you have felt more alive and complete than you ever have in your entire life. When you work together as one, no one can stand in your way. Just like how no one can stop the tide from going in and out, this sorceress will not stop you from rescuing Pomu's family and her forest.

Gathering all your combined feelings of water and the mana that gives it life around your hands, you and Undine begin to weave a spell, together. The waters around you rise higher and higher, and with only seconds before your shield breaks, you will them to begin to churn and converge in the air in front of you.

"Oh indigo purity, be as a holy beast to devour the wicked." Undine chants as more of your combined mana glows in the air and gives shape and life to your spell. You can feel the rage of waters become the very essence of your magic. You remember all that this woman has done to harm nature, which dried up a once lush and vibrant forest. You give your spell everything you have so that it may strike her down.

The Stellashield spell shatters in front of you, showing the encroaching darkness that seeks to snuff out of your light. It's now or never.

"Grand spirit magic: Water dragon!" You and Undine yell to send your spell into action.

The waters in front of you erupt and take their final shape; the image of a mighty wingless dragon with amphibian ears much like Undine's own. The beast of water roars into the air as it surges forth to wade against the blast of dark magic. Yours and the water spirit's magical limits are tested, as you struggle to maintain your joint spell and pour even more power into it.

With a strained yell, you and Undine push your will forward, and the water dragon begins to unhinge its mighty azure jaw; taking in the dark energy within its maw. It flies forward, slowly gaining ground against the sorceresses' spell, who in turn tries to add more power to match your own.

In a mighty clash of blue and black light, the three of you struggle to gain dominance over the other. If it's a battle of wills, you won't lose. You CAN'T lose. A final push of magic brings your battle to a halt, as both your spells cancel each other out in a stalemate that creates an explosion of rain and smoke.

You shield your head and continue to look ahead of you through the water drops drenching your face. The spell you and Undine created together was enough to force that foul magic back, but without striking the caster of it herself, you have to be ready for her next move.

The slowly diminishing mist and smoke ahead of you makes it hard to know where your enemy was. The sound of hurried footsteps rushing past you brings you to full alert. A deep panic sets in that commands you to turn and dive toward the forest fairy that stands close behind you. You see Pomu look at you in shock, and then to your right in fear as you can likely guess what is about to come.

You cover Pomu just in time to catch the blades of both the witch's sickles across your back. Your arms wrap tighter around the forest fairy as you both fall onto the ground. You brace yourself for another strike, knowing full well this madwoman will hack and slash you to bits if it means getting to Pomu, but you won't budge.

"You shall not lay another hand on my summoner." Undine says with rage as she floats to your defense. A glare that could part oceans freezes the sorceress' movements for a second, as if she was contemplating what the true consequences would be for inciting the ancient spirit's wrath. Undine would give her no time to decide, she uses the last of your resonance to create a powerful pulse of water that sends the witch hurling into the far wall. You look over your shoulder and smile appreciatively at her.

"Thanks Undine, I won't lose." You mouth silently.

Undine gives you a warm and trusting smile as she shimmers away due to your resonance fading. You know she's still right here with you, but until you get enough mana to summon her back, she might have to sit the rest of this fight out. As your power boost from uniting with the water spirit then disappears completely, the pain in your back spikes to almost blackout levels. Your arms and knees shake immensely as you look down at Pomu.

"Are you alright, Pomu?" You ask, trying your best to hide your pain behind a brave face.

"I-I'm fine!" Pomu manages to say through shaky breath and welling tears. "But you…you're hurt really bad! Because of me! Again!"

"I'll be alright." You lie slightly and smile. "You're my friend Pomu. That means no matter what comes your way, you can always count on me to be there to protect you."

"WHY?!" The sorceress screeches, having recovered from her sudden displacement and begins to stomp toward you. "Why do you put that…that THING'S life before your own?! Why do you fight so hard to protect such a horrid creature?!"

You lean back and rise to one knee, then place one of your hands against the damn cold stone to push yourself to a full stand. From the corner of your eyes you can see Polka, Nene, Flare, and Watame all make their way toward you. The answer the witch demands is a simple one, but you're positive she isn't going to like it.

"Because I care about her." You say with conviction, before turning to face the sorceress. "She's my friend, and I'll do anything to protect my friends. I'll do anything to protect this world that I've come to love. I don't expect someone who only commands dark demons to know what it means to put yourself on the line for another. To risk everything you are for the sake of those you love."

"You know NOTHING about me, boy!" The sorceress spits, her eye twitches as her balled fists shake violently at her sides. "The 'friend' you are so desperate to protect is part of a race that ruined my life! They took EVERYTHING from me!"

"So they like to play games with people. That's no reason to wipe them all out!" You retort in anger.

"No reason?!" The witch repeats at you, her voice getting more shrill and angered. "Their 'games' are why I lost everything! My home, my daughter…her father…Everything is gone, because of them. You want to know exactly what they've done to me?! Fine! I'll tell you. That way you'll know the mistake you made in trusting that thing."

"I come from a small coastal village, about half a week's walk north of here." The sorceress begins her story, her suddenly tone melancholy and steady. "Fourteen years ago, a trade ship anchored along our shores, needing a place to stop and fix the damage a storm had done to its hull. That's when I would meet the father of my daughter."

"There was nothing particularly special about him, but he swept me off my feet with talks of his travels, and some of the things he's seen. He was particularly interested in the forests of legend in this country. Yes, everyone wants to meet the fun loving and charming fae of the forests, but what the legends like to leave out, is how selfish, arrogant, and malicious the winged freaks really are."

Although Pomu is the only fairy you've met so far, you can say without a doubt that she is not any of those things that the sorceress spits with such venom and hatred. The power of passed down myths and legends is unfortunately just as effective at fueling prejudices as it was where you grew up.

"We shared a couple unforgettable nights together, and then he was off to sail the world again. Neither of us could have known what he would end up leaving behind. Later that year, I was blessed with a beautiful daughter. She was born a little weaker than other children, but we still made due and I gave her the most carefree life I could. It was a good life, we were truly happy, that is…until the fae got involved seven years ago."

The witch stares daggers at Pomu, you could tell she has half a mind to lash out right there to try and end the fairy's life once more. You take a step to the side to hopefully extinguish any hasty ideas the sorceress might have. She takes a deep breath to collect herself before continuing.

"It was as if the very winds themselves turned against us. Plants and crops were uprooted and blown away, fences were shaken apart enough that livestock would run off! No matter how many times we tried to repair the damage that had been done, the winds would pick up and undo our progress! Most people packed up and moved away. They believed our land had been cursed. I believed that as well, and I would have gone with them if I could, but my daughter would likely not be able to endure such a journey."

"So you think the forest fairies are to blame for all that?" You feel compelled to ask.

"I KNOW they are to blame. What other creatures have control over the winds and delight in the hardships of others!? This was no simple change in the weather either." The sorceress snaps. "My daughter's condition started to get worse. She had trouble breathing, like the very air was being forced out of her lungs! I knew the stories of the fae that lived in this very forest, but I was desperate and read every book I could find about the loathsome sprites from front to back. I found a sliver of hope that mentioned that their control of wind magic allows them to breathe new life into nature. I swallowed my pride and made a decision to ask for their help. If it would save the life of my daughter, I would do whatever was asked of me."

"Seven years ago? A daughter?" Pomu asks herself as she goes deep into thought. "Wait! I remember now! You came to our forest back then! Your daughter's name was Lillian wasn't it!?"

The sorceress looks straight past you at the fairy, her one eye twitches again as mana crackles around her clawed hand.

"Don't you dare say her name in front of me, fae." The witch mutters before her rage takes hold, and she flings a menacing ball of charged mana towards the fairy.

Your eyes dart to your spell book that lies on the ground a few feet in front of you, you won't have time to grab it and cast a spell to block this attack. You step fully in front of Pomu and brace yourself for a pounding, but before the magical projectile reaches you, Nene dashes in front of you and smacks the scornful spell away with a swipe from her powerful claws.

"Thanks Nene." You say with relief, and Nene turns and gives you a happy smile when she knows you and Pomu are safe, before turning her gaze back to the sorceress in anger.

"You really knew this woman, Pomu?" Flare then asks to bring up the newest elephant in the room.

"Mhmm." Pomu nods. "One day, a mother and daughter wandered into our forest. I remember being excited to get to play with a smaller human! I was a lot smaller too ya know. We could tell the little girl was kinda sick, so we purposely didn't try to play any pranks on her. Instead of hiding until it would be fun to come out and surprise them, like I did with you guys, some of us decided to just talk to them."

"Some talk it was." The sorceress snarls. "After I told you and your horrid kind what had happened to my home and my daughter, you all just played dumb. One among you claimed that none of you had a hand in the change in the winds near my home, and to make matters worse, you all denied that you knew what was wrong with my daughter!"

"That's not true!" Pomu cries. "I don't really remember any of that stuff about the winds messing up your home, but I remember playing with Lillian! None of us fairies knew why she was so sick!"

"Then why…why only after I got on my hands and knees and begged…did one of your wretched kin decide to do something? I remember it all so clearly…" The sorceress says somberly as she holds a hand over one of her eyes. "A particularly older looking fae, told me there was truly no reversing my daughter's condition, but she did say she could help her. She told me….she told my daughter, that if everything works out as it should, she would wake up one day and be able to live out lifetimes of fun in the splendor of nature. Lilian was enthralled of course, what little girl wouldn't be excited at the prospect of seeing fairy magic."

"One of the elder fairies then cast a spell on her." Pomu recalls. "I remember your daughter smiling so brightly after that too!"

"It was probably the happiest I ever saw her." The sorceress says with what appears to be a soft smile forming on her lips. It then just as quickly turns into a harsh scowl. "I was a fool to have hope. I was so stupid for actually believing my daughter would have a better life. She actually thanked your people for helping her, and that she was glad she got to meet people she thought were fun and pretty. We were both so naive."

"I don't understand, what happened to Lilian?" Pomu asks, although you all could venture enough of a guess of what happened next.

"We returned home, what was left of it anyway. I kept her comfortable as she slept the best I could, hoping each day she would wake up and be able to breathe freely again, like the fae had promised me." The sorceress laments. "One night, not even a week later, after she had a coughing fit that had been steadily getting worse, she was gone."

"Poor Lilian…" Pomu says to herself.

"As I buried her, I questioned every single decision I made up to that point. I asked myself time and time again why the fae lied to me. It all always came back to how they are all horrible tricksters. I was a fool to trust them! Not only did my daughter die because of their meddling in my life, but they had the pure audacity to give me hope! I promised myself I would never forgive them, and would find a way to pay each and every one of them back. That's when he called out to me." The witch continues as she stares up at the emerald stone still shining in the ceiling.

"He had been tricked by the fae as well, and was seeking revenge. He said he sensed great magical potential within me, which I thought was hogwash at first. I had never actively practiced magic once in my life, but the rage and despair I felt when I had to bury my own daughter suddenly made creating power from my fingertips so much easier. The voice offered me a partnership of sorts. Together, we will eliminate the world of the fae for good, so that they can never hurt anyone again. I accepted without hesitation. I would accept any cost and perform any deed to exact my revenge."

"You're wrong!" Pomu blurts out. "Whoever told you we were to blame for all that stuff is lying! Fairies would never mess with the homes of innocent people like that! The magic cast on your daughter was not meant to do what you think either! It was meant to-"

"SHUT! UP!" The sorceress commands with a voice that booms like thunder. "Why should I listen to more of your lies!?"

"Look!" You chime in. "I'm sorry what happened to your home and daughter, but is the answer really to destroy the whole forest and an entire race of people!? You said your daughter loved this forest and the creatures that live here. Would she really be okay with you destroying it all!?"

"I have had all I can stand of your insolence, boy!" The witch trembles with rage, her own mana sparks and ignites around her body, giving off a menacing aura of black and green. "You have some nerve to lecture me about what my own daughter would want! You will regret those words. It is time for you to meet the bane of your existence!"

A feeling of dread creeps under your skin as the emerald light above changes to a deep crimson red. The sorceress then cackles madly, as she points her open hand towards the gemstone and fires a bolt of magical energy towards it. From the stone itself, a second ray of magic meets the other halfway in the air. The red and green energies mix and begin to form a runic circle; and at its center, the depiction of a demonic creature's head is made with the dark red lights. You can only watch as the intangible circle flips and begins to separate into two; one side floats towards the floor, the other the ceiling. As the two circles travel, a form begins to materialize between them.

A torso of golden skin that looks thicker than armor, followed by strong and powerful plated legs, stretch and touch down on the stone floor with the four taloned feet that appear at their ends. A thick and menacing tail sways in the air behind the creature, bringing your eyes back up to behold the horrifying visage of the demon's top half. Four taloned claws that look like they could tear through mountains, and arms covered with spiked plated skin in the fashion of armor, begin to flex and familiarize themselves with movement. Outwardly spiking pauldrons don the beast's shoulders, and wings; blacker than night, span over twice the monster's width as it unfurls them completely. The sound from their sheer movement alone fills your ears with an ear popping gust. Finally, the head of the demon turns and looks down at you; a massive jaw with a full maw of unstoppable teeth. The monster's visage is made all the more intimidating by the five massive horns that mark its cranium. Two point behind the beast on each side, while the last points directly upwards from the middle of its brow, where its dark red eyes pierce your very soul.

"Behold! The instrument of your destruction, boy! Demonic Beast, Grendel!" The sorceress cackles as her spell work completes and the demon roars for its entrance.

"G-Grendel!?" Watame shrieks. "Wasn't that from your story, Pomu!?"

"I-I-I didn't think he was r-r-real!" Pomu trembles. "It was just an old story to scare little fairies."

"Thanks to this human, and your kin, child of Sylph." Grendel speaks, his voice is low, but spine chilling. "I am very much real, and will soon be free to take the skies as my own once again. Your death will mark my freedom and pave the way for my full return!"

"That's right Grendel!" The sorceress cackles. "This is the last fairy. Devour her and everyone who sought to protect her! End their miserable lives!"

"Like I'm going to give you the chance!" Flare barks as she lets loose another combined spell cast of fire and wind towards the golden demon. The lance of flame she creates rockets like a spear at the monster's midsection. The impact creates a cascade of fire around Grendel's torso, but quickly clears to show not even a scratch on his golden skin.

Nene is the next to charge forward and jumps to give the beast's legs a series of quick slashes from her claws. As if looking down at a rat that was trying to gnaw at its ankles, Grendel groans with disinterest and flaps his enormous wings to blow the champion of Ursol away. Another barrage of sharpened water crescents from Flare collide with the demon's arms, again showing no signs of harming him whatsoever. Grendel then clenches one of his clawed hands, and it begins to radiate a thick golden glow. He swipes across his body, creating a wave of thick mana to ripple through the air and crash right into Flare and Nene; blowing them both back toward you.

You duck down and catch the half-elf to keep her from rolling further and possibly getting more hurt. Your legs buckle under her weight due to how battered your body was becoming thanks to your injuries. Watame did the same for Nene, but with considerably more ease than you. Grendel lets loose a howling battle cry toward you all, eager to continue the fight.

You got to be kidding me! She can still summon more demons!? This one is huge too! I don't think I even come up to that thing's shins! It didn't even seem to feel a thing from Flare's magic either. What the hell do we do now!? If this is really the same Grendel from Pomu's story, it's going to be tough to beat. Even so, I vowed to end this madness and save this forest and the fairies. I can't give in now.

"Thanks, Anon." Flare says as she finds her bearings and leaves your arms to stand back on her own two feet. "I can't believe that thing actually can't be hurt by magic. What a pain."

As you try to quickly come up with some sort of battle strategy to subdue this terrifying new beast, you begin to feel a soothing sensation against your once throbbing back. You turn and see Polka; heavily focused and both her hands flat against your wounds as her healing magic begins to work.

"You're a lifesaver, Polka." You sigh in relief as the pain from your injuries subsides a little. "It was getting a little hard to think."

"You're telling me! You got any bright ideas on what to do about our newest friend?" Polka says as she finishes up her spell and wipes her brow.

"No idea. Pomu, are there any stories about how this guy was defeated in the first place?" You say turning to the still trembling fairy, who only shakes her head in response.

"We'll just have to write that one ourselves then!" Flare declares with confidence. "I think I got a good idea on where to start. That weird stone has been glowing red since that demon was summoned, and the sorceress was pretty bent on Pomu not reaching it earlier. I bet if we smash that thing to pieces, it might take away some of that thing's power, and it should also free the fairies too!"

"It might even undo the summoning!" Watame adds with building hope.

"Exactly. I doubt it's going to let us near that stone though, so we'll have to restrict its movements somehow, and I think you got just the spell to help us do that, Anon." Flare says to you with a wink.

"Maybe you're right, but you know I can't quite cast that spell on my own." You say cockily as you move to pick up your spell book. "I bet Polka has some of her juice back after our battle earlier, and I'm almost spent myself, so who wants to do me the honors?"

"It should be me." The half-elf says as she places a hand over her chest. "My magic is basically useless against that thing, so at least this way I can give all I got into some spells that might actually work. Watame can still support us with her magic too."

"You can count on me to try and break that stone the first chance I get!" Pomu sounds off.

"What if that witch makes it explode with magic like she did earlier?" Polka asks. "We may not be able to get close enough to actually hit the thing."

"I can do it then!" Watame volunteers with a raised hand. "Polka, Nene, if you throw me really hard towards it, I bet I can bust through the magic with my horns!"

"Like you did earlier?" Flare asks as she reaches a pleasant realization. "That's brilliant Watame! I bet if Pomu fights alongside us too, they will be so focused on killing her, they won't even notice you in time to stop you."

"Let's do it!" Pomu cheers, seemingly all for this plan that uses her as bait.

"Flare! Behind you!" You say to cut your quick strategy meeting short, when you notice Grendel's vicious claw coming down towards you.

Flare quickly turns and begins to pour her own strength from within to fuel your spell book, its silver-white radiance fights for dominance against the eerie red light that now fills the room. "Blast it back, Anon! Stellaruga!"

Holding your arm steady with your left hand and aim your open palm at the oncoming claw, as a powerful spiral of starlight bursts forth. The spell drills into Grendel's palm, and he retracts his arm in shocked pain.

"Good! Your magic can hurt him after all." Flare says happily as she flips through the book's pages. "Let's get him, Anon!"

"Yeah! I'm ready when you are, Flare!" You exclaim as you hold both your arms out straight.

"The seventh spell! Stellberna Ma Stellar!" Flare chants, unleashing your newest spell.

Solid stars begin to appear all around Grendel and throughout the room. The demon's head turns to inspect the suddenly appearing celestial bodies and groans in anger. By your count there are now thirty stars! You feel a subtle but clear connection to each one. Time to give this demon a surprise he'll never forget.

"I still do not know the magic you wield, little human, but know this; you cannot hope to defeat me. Without the great spirit, you are nothing. I have slain hundreds of would-be heroes like yourself in the past, and you shall not be the last!" Grendel snarls as he raises one of his claws to strike you.

"We won't even be the next." You snap back with snark as you exchange glances with the half-elf next to you. Things may seem at their darkest, but between the light from your book, and the light you feel in your heart from your friends, it won't stay that way for long. "Bring it on! My friends and I will send you right back where you came from!"

"Arrogant human!" Grendel roars as he steps his mighty legs forward, claws raised to punish you for daring to talk back with such vigor.

"Roll!" Flare shouts beside you, causing the five stars you had focused on to quickly rotate and fly across the air to strategic positions along Grendel's path. "And connect!"

Rays of light extend and connect from various stars to form a wide net in front of the advancing demon, who bounces backward after trying to force his way through. You and Flare won't give him any time to figure out your plan, you won't even give him time to think! With the book and your bond to the half-elf connecting your hearts, there's no need to use words. She already knows you have your stars selected and where they need to go.

"Roll! And…Nova!" Flare chants, causing three stars from above the demon's head to come spinning downward until they hang just next to its jaw. Grendel's eyes narrow when they notice the shining multi pronged shape come into its vision, but his confusion is short lived when the stars explode in a bright flash of light.

Grendel howls in pain from your sudden assault and steps backward again. You need to keep pressuring him so the others can break that stone. Keep focusing on your stars, keep working with Flare to keep this beast at bay.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" The sorceress berates the golden behemoth. "You told me no magic could harm you! But you're being pushed around by some parlor trick! Some demonic beast you are!"

"I told you earlier that this magic does not use mana! My skin is not impervious to it! They are only delaying their demise. Their meager magic is unable to truly harm me!" Grendel snarls back.

While the two bickered, you and Flare were already placing stars to set up your next trap. You can barely hide your excitement to see how this one will pan out. If the sorceress is that mad over her ace in the hole stumbling back from a few spells, she's really going to hate what Flare cooked up for him next.

"When we launch our next spell, you guys make your move." Flare instructs your friends in waiting behind you both. The way the half-elf acts with such confidence in her plans, it lights an intense fire in your belly. You can feel your spells getting even more powerful, more responsive, you love this feeling.

"Here he comes, Flare!" You shout as you observe Grendel begin to step towards you again. The half-elf grips your spell book tightly in her hand as she feeds more of her inner strength into maintaining and enhancing its light.

"And there!" Flare suddenly announces. "Connect!"

Stars that float by the demon's feet, legs, arms, and shoulders from the front and back extend their lights, connecting to one another, entrapping the beast and preventing him from stepping further.

"And roll!" Flare commands again, and the front most stars quickly soar up towards the ceiling and past Grendel. All too late does the demon realize he had just been snatched up like an animal in a tree snare. The stars from your spell fly higher and the light that connects them forms the perfect net around the golden skinned monster, hoisting him upwards.

"Useless!" The sorceress spits as she readies her sickles. "I'll gut the fae myself! The boy and the other knife-ear can't stop me while they wrangle you anyway."

The witch imbues her steel with the glow of that malicious mana of hers, and once it reaches its peak, she begins to slash methodically into the air. Each swing sends a dark crescent of sharp mana hurling towards you and Flare.

"Watch out guys!" Pomu warns as she flutters over yours and Flare's heads to then land in front of you both. The fairy takes a deep breath while bringing her hands together in a ball close to her chest.

Okay Pomu, this is your big chance. Anon and the others have protected me this whole time, now it's my turn to return the favor. I just need to reach deep inside, remember what I'm using my magic for, and I can be just as brave as they are! They didn't even let a horrifying monster like Grendel slow them down. He's not gonna make a snack out of this Pomu, no sir! First I'll stop this lady's dangerous magic from hurting my friends, then I'll help stop Grendel for good. I just need to send that scary magic of hers somewhere else! I can do this!

Pomu's convictions fuel her magic and the building sphere of air that spins between her hands. She watches the first of the sorceresses' cleaving attacks race toward her and focuses on sending them away. Bringing her arms across her body, she creates a path of mighty wind that diverts the oncoming crescents and sets them on a new trajectory. Forced to ride the force Pomu created like a cart on rails, the dark magic flies fast into the side wall of the room; cutting and even breaking through completely by the time the assault finally ends. The first fairy beams with pride at successfully defending her friends, but that pride is short-lived when she sees the sorceress running towards her with a very angry look on her face.

With the demonic beast hindered, Watame, Polka, and Nene enact their plan to destroy the stone that is hopefully what is giving Grendel his power and physical form. Polka begins to concentrate and pull out as much mana from within that she can. Between her heavy spell work and back to back battles, she was just about spent. She would do this though, for her friends, for their smiles, and to stick it to a girl who wants to take smiles away from others. The circus fox twirls her baton in a small circle over the ground; purple mana begins to flurry softly from its head. Digging deep, she focuses on the shape and material she needs the object that she wants to create to be.

A final push from her thoughts and magic, and a bright puff of purple smoke rolls over the stone castle floor. The thick magical air clears to reveal a very large and taunt looking trampoline; painted in Polka's signature colors. The circus fox wipes the sweat off her face and lets her arms and shoulders slump.

"One…One express trip to the giant emerald? Ruby? The giant magical prison or power source thingie." Polka tries to add frantic flare to her presentation through her clear exhaustion. She raises an eyebrow at Watame and Nene's concerned expressions. "Look. Three back to back performances is a lot even for me. I'm gonna need a serious nap after this."

"Thanks Polka!" Watame happily chirps when she realizes her friend is just tired from the magical exertion. "Take a big bite of Anon later, that's what I'd do if I were you~"

"Is Anon tasty?" Nene asks as she climbs onto the colorful bounce pad.

"I think so." Watame feels the need to answer as she climbs up behind her friend and gives the elastic surface a few small tests by bouncing up and down lightly.

"Oi! Focus, you two!" Polka scolds her distracted friends, but is also more than willing to change the topic right there. "You're only going to get one good shot at this, and you'll need to time it just right. Nene, you'll have to throw Watame as hard as you can towards the stone when you reach the highest point of your jump. Understand?"

"Yes! Nene understands!" Nene nods vigorously.

"The rest will be up to you, Watame. With the strength of Ursol behind you, and those horns of yours, you should have no breaking that oversized mood lighting apart." Polka continues to instruct. "Now start jumping!"

Watame places both her hands on top of Nene's bear paws that grip her gently, but securely. They begin to bend their legs and jump in unison. Each time they rise and fall, they are sent higher up. Polka looks on pensively before she notices the sorceress charge towards the other group with her sickles ready to tear flesh. The fennec straightens her hat, and exhales in exasperation. Game faces, Polka. The show still needs its star fennec.

"Pomu! You alright over there?!" You call out when you're forced to notice the deranged witch making slashes at the fairy within your peripheral vision. You want to help fend her off, but the spell requires almost all your concentration to keep strong and active. Even just moving a step or two to the side could cause enough of a lapse for Grendel to break free from the celestial net you have him trapped within.

"Just fine! No need to worry about your Big Boss! Just keep that Grendel under wraps! Woah!" Pomu replies as barely manages to fly above a slice from one of the sorceress' sickles meant for her stomach.

"Dammit! This spell takes so much to power, I can't even fling a worthwhile spell at that witch!" Flare says through gritted teeth next to you.

"Just keep focusing, Flare! Pomu will be fine." You try to assure the half-elf.

"And besides!" Polka's voice chimes in before the clang of metal rings in your ears. "I'm here to help!"

You turn your head over your shoulder to see the circus fox with the sorceress' sickles hooked over the shaft of her baton. She looks like she could be on her last legs, but hopefully Watame and Nene can break that stone before you all run out of gas. Just a little bit more.

"You misfits are getting on my last nerve!" The sorceress hisses as she tries to overpower the fennec. "Just let me gut the fae and be done with it!"

"Sorry, the girl's kinda grown on me." Polka manages to say through haggard breath. "I got a feeling deep down she's got a lot of smiles to give the world, and I'd be a poor excuse for a clown if I let you take that away from everyone!"

"The fae are only good for two things! Making people miserable, and DYING!" The witch snarls as she begins to channel her mana once more. Her face contorts with maddening glee.

"You forgot something!" Pomu shouts, now behind the sorceress with her arms hooked around her waist. The fairy plants her feet firm, and begins to bend backward, using all her strength to lift the deranged woman off the ground. "We're…great at…surprises!"

With a final and somewhat painful bend of her back, Pomu completes her motion's arc and suplexes the sorceress' head onto the cold hard floor. The woman grunts and coughs in pain from the impact and her sickles fall from her hands onto the floor. Pomu unhooks her hands and quickly distances herself from the woman whose back falls flat on the floor without the fairy to support her.

"That was awesome Pomu!" Polka cheers as she gives the fairy a loud high five. "There's no way she saw that coming!"

"I didn't see it coming either!" Pomu says through quick breaths. "My body just kinda moved when I suddenly thought of an action scene from one of my favorite books. I had no idea I could actually pull it off!"

"Speaking of pulling it off, I think you'll want to keep your eyes towards the skies for what's about to happen next." Polka says with a wink as she points up at the ceiling.

The fennec's comment causes both Pomu and the groaning sorceress to point their heads upward, where Nene and Watame are approaching the peak of their latest jump. Nene grips the sheep's hands tightly in hers as she begins to spin her body. While the pair rotates, Watame begins building and exerting mana from her proud horns; covering the pair in a bright yellow dome of light. Once Nene builds up enough momentum, she lets the sheep go, launching up at an angle towards the glowing red stone. The mana radiating from Watame makes her look like a comet as she flies towards her target. The sorceress curses loudly when she comes to realize the plan her enemies put into motion.

"Grendel! They're trying to destroy the stone!" The witch yells, and in a desperate attempt to impede Watame, causes the shining gemstone to pulse with red magic, but it is not enough to deter the sheep's flight.

"Nova!" Flare yells when their exposed plan rouses the demon to fight harder against its entanglement, setting off several explosions from your stars around its body, making it yell in frustrated pain.

Grendel's rage fuels his own strength as his terrifying claws finally tear through the rays of light that connect your stars to one another and keep him bound. His mighty wings unfurl as he straightens himself to a stand. He is going to attack Watame!

"Flare! We're almost out of stars! We need more spells! Now!" You say as you free your sword from its sheath and begin to charge the demon. "I won't let that thing lay one finger on Watame!"

"I can't just cast more spells while keeping the Stellberna spell active!" Flare argues before she begins to have a thought. Wait….why can't I? I've combined my own spells into one already, I bet I can do the same with Anon's book! This book can help him do anything he believes he can do. It's not just about him though, this book responds to me too, and Watame, and Polka. If I believe I can, I bet I can cast the spell Anon needs! I hope this works like I think it will, here's goes! You better come through for me on this, book! Make Anon as strong as I know he can be! Help him soar like the bright star he is to me!

"Here we go, Anon! The second spell, Stellaruke!" Flare yells after digging deeper than she ever had before to fuel the book's power; its light rises past her head and shines to almost blinding levels.

More strength and speed suddenly fills your body as you become coated in starlight. Your mind only focuses on stalling the demon that prepares to take off after your sheep. Even with your enhanced body, you might not make it in time to stop the gold behemoth, but you then notice you still have a mental link to the few remaining stars that float in the air. Both spells were actually active at once! They can buy you the time you need!

"Roll!" Flare yells, her heart responding to your call as her face begins to beat with sweat. Two stars then fly themselves in front of Grendel's face, who raises a claw to swat them out of them away. "Nova!"

As Grendel's golden clawed hand reaches one of the stars, it explodes and knocks his arm back involuntarily. That was just enough time for you to reach the beast's ankle. You jump onto the middle of one of its talons, and thrust your sword down into Grendel's golden skin. Your shining blade pierces the armored hide of the demon as it howls in pain. You quickly remove your sword and twist your body to deliver a swift slash across the ankle that sits behind you.

"Wretched human!" Grendel roars as you seem to now have his full attention. "You are only an annoyance without the help of the great spirit!"

"And I bet you won't be so tough without that stone that helped bring you here!" You retort with a grin, as the demon suddenly remembers his original goal and turns back towards the glowing red gemstone in the ceiling.

Watame's powerful horns; hardened and made even more formidable thanks to her mana, crash into the overhanging crystal; the sounds of shattering precious rock deafens the entire room.

"What have you done!?" The sorceress wails, her face gone completely white as she watches the red shards of crystal change to green during their descent, and fall to the ground.

"Freed my friends!" Pomu answers as she holds her arms up in victory.

The demon whose foot you stand on, stumbles back two steps, which urges you to jump off. Your satisfaction in your plan is short-lived as you look up and realize that now Watame is falling with no safe landing in sight. Without thinking, you begin to run toward her, hoping to catch her before she hits the ground.

Grendel grunts and regains his balance, his massive wings lift him off the ground as he begins to glide towards Watame.

Dammit! Even with the stellaruke spell I won't be fast enough! I can't reach Watame in the air before Grendel does! What do I do now!?

Anon! Flare's voice calls to your heart through your book. We need to move some stars! We have a couple left, make a line from you to Watame! Just believe in yourself and your spells!

You put your faith in the half-elf and try your best to focus to do what she asks, you spot three lone stars that are the closest to you, and imagine where they should go next in your mind.

"Roll! And connect!" Flare's voice booms, moving the three celestial shapes into position; their connecting rays form a rail along the air leading right to Watame. "Jump on, Anon!"

As soon as the starlight around your airbourne foot makes contact with the light from the suspended stars, you feel yourself instantly grounded to it. Another sensation tingles under your feet, and with a mere thought, you are pulled along the starlit line at incredible speeds. In a flash you are already at the second star, and the third is only a second away, along with your beloved sheep. You zip past the flying demon and sheath your sword. Watame's purple eyes lock onto yours when she sees you approach her as if you were skating on the stars. Her smile widens, even in the face of the horrifying creature that pursues behind you.

The sound of Grendel's open hand against the air clues you in to when he hopes to strike you, so with a heavy bend of your knees, you launch yourself from your starlight railing and dive towards Watame. The demon's claw misses you by mere inches as you fly towards your sheep, who embraces you with open arms. With your arms firmly around Watame's soft body, you pull her close and shift her so that she is safely held like a princess under your hands.

"You did it, Watame!" You beam. "That crystal is coming apart more and more by the second!"

"Your combat sheep will always come through for you, Anon!" Watame chirps back. "Although, my head is just a tiny bit sore from that one…it was a lot harder than it looks, and Nene might have thrown me just a little too hard."

With the scenery of falling ruby and emerald shards behind her, Watame's smile is simply enchanting. This could almost be the perfect backdrop for something romantic…if there wasn't still a bloodthirsty monstrously tall demon behind you, which makes you remember that you might just need a real escape plan.

Grendel howls as he dives at the two of you, enraged and eager to kill. You then feel something pinch the cloth around your ankles, and you are suddenly yanked down through the air before the monster's claws can clap you between them. Looking down, you see both Flare and Pomu; each with a hand raised in your direction, and you realize they had snatched you from the sky using wind itself! With the force of gravity and their unseen tethers pulling you down, you reach the ground in seconds. You set Watame down gently and smile with gratitude towards Pomu and Flare.

"So now that we smashed that thing, why isn't Grendel disappearing?" Polka raises the burning question.

"And where are tiny fairies?" Nene adds.

"Maybe they're hiding?" Watame ventures a guess, trying to stay positive.

"I told you…" The sorceress scowls as she slowly rises back up to her feet. "The one you fight so desperately to protect is the last fae alive. The rest of those disgusting creatures, their energy was harnessed and taken by Grendel. Only through harnessing a tremendous amount of pure magic was he able to return! These past few years, I slowly lured the fae, one by one, to their deaths!"

"They can't be gone!" Pomu shakes her head, not willing to accept what the witch tells her. "I still sense them! They're here, somewhere!"

"All you sense is the remnants of their spirits." Grendel says with a dark chuckle. "The stone you broke was not meant just for containing their energy, but to also act as an anchor for me in this world until my strength is fully replenished."

"So you'll stick around a few extra minutes, but once you're out of power, you'll go right back where you came from!" You taunt.

"While I would only need a few minutes to squash the life of you, human, there is a way that my return can complete without the life energy from the last fae." Grendel says, seemingly already sure of his plan.

"Yes. Grendel only needs a bit more magic to become a permanent resident of this world once more." The sorceress concurs with an air of foreboding. With a wave of her arm across her body, the witch then phases into pure blackness that flies overhead and vanishes to reveal the woman's form below the feet of the giant winged demon. "If this is what it's come to, I will gladly pay the price for the sake of my revenge. This is also my atonement for being so careless. To think I actually let you mutants and misfits get the upper hand and almost undo everything. Show them no mercy, Grendel."

Without any verbal acknowledgement, Grendel lands, but even his softest and controlled fall sends vibrations that can be felt under your feet. The winged demon then leans over slightly and takes the sorceress within his grasp. He lifts her up slowly as you look in morbid curiosity, the witch only looks down at you all with pure disgust on her face. Grendel then tilts his head and opens his massive jaw, and with a simple separation of his claws, drops the sorceress down his throat.

What the hell did you just witness? Grendel was the instrument of the woman's revenge against Pomu's people, and she just let him eat her? You can only continue to watch in horror as the shape of her body bulges from the demon's throat, before falling into its gut like a stone.

"H-He ate her!" Watame shrieks with a pointing trembling hand.

"That is so messed up." Polka almost whispers.

"I think I'm gonna be a little sick." Pomu says as her cheeks start to sport a slightly green tinge to them.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" You shout at the demon. "Wasn't she your ally?"

"You heard her yourself. She said she would pay any price to enact her revenge." Grendel says calmly as he pats his stomach. "With her magic, I will not only be able to go where I please, but I will be that much stronger as well! Her magic potential was immense, that is why I sought her out."

"Just so you could eat her?!" You ask in welling rage.

"Only because of your interference, summoner! Yours and Undine's appearance was not accounted for, but now I have all but secured my future reign of terror over this world! After I end your life, Sylph will likely never come back to haunt me again!" Grendel answers as his body begins to radiate a thick golden glow.

How much worse can things get?! Grendel's mana is growing with every second. Everyone's magic besides mine won't even leave a dent in him. Probably worst of all…no fairies came flying out of that stone. Are they really gone? Is all they are now just energy for this demon? What the hell can we do?!

Don't lose hope, summoner. Undine's voice speaks out in your mind. Although I am not there to help you, I believe that you can triumph over this ancient evil. Remember, someone before you had overcome a similar challenge to seal this monster away. You must not give up. We cannot allow this evil to roam the world unchecked.

I know Undine! But I'm running out of options. I don't have the mana to summon you back, almost everyone is tapped out themselves, and only Watame can probably read more spells from my book right now.

And have they given up? Tell me what you see, summoner.

You follow the water spirit's instructions and turn to face your friends. Battered, sweaty, worn, and a little frightened, but they all look back at you with such conviction. Even Pomu's eyes tell you she hasn't given up yet. Watame holds your spell book firmly against her body. The sheep looks at you with such trust and admiration that you berate yourself for having doubts.

No. They haven't given up one bit. You're right, Undine. Together we'll find a way to beat this demon, and save Pomu's forest for good. Thanks for the pep talk. I won't let you down.

"Everyone." You start while you unsheath your sword and let its blade rest on your shoulder. "There's just one more thing standing in our way. Once we put this demon down for good, the forest will be saved. I don't know how, but I know deep down that there's no way we'll lose this! Now let's blow the walls off of this place!"

"I'll be at your side forever, Anon!" Watame declares as she opens your spell book and its pages start to shine brightly. "No matter what scary things we find, we'll face them together!"

"And I wouldn't have it any other way." You chuckle proudly. "Now why don't you kick off this battle with your favorite spell, and we'll crush this demon!"

"My favorite, hmmm?" Watame hums with a confident grin. "If it's fine with you, I'd like to try out this new one."

"New one?" You ask, confused.

"Yup! An extra line became readable on top of your seventh spell! It's a new version!" Watame beams.

"Let it rip then, Watame!" Polka cheers.

"Here it comes! Stellberna Ma Stellaruke!" Watame shouts, putting all her powerful feelings into the spell.

From your free hand, a ray of silver-white light flies forward, and at the end of its flight appears a single bright start. Just like with the normal version of this spell, stars begin to multiply around Grendel, who still swells with power as he looks to be finishing his own adjustment to the sudden influx of magic within him. You look down at your body, it's coated with the veil of starlight that gives you strength, speed, and protection. Each star has a specific placement in your mind; an indicator of your connection with them.

"It's just like what we did earlier, Anon." Flare tells you and Watame. "If you connect more stars together, you can travel along them and really give that Grendel a beating!"

"I did promise Watame that we would do the finale together." You grin. "Let's do this!"

With a spell that will allow you to get up close and personal with Grendel, you might just have a fighting chance. This may be a demonic beast who has gone down in legend for his strength, but you feel like your legend is just beginning. Time to see whose story ends here, and whose will continue.