Chapter 11: Firebending Masters

Luna: *She dragged her feet, looking up to the setting sun.* "Can we rest? We've been walkin' for ages!"

Nathan: "We're only a forest away from Concern's Gate-"

Trevour: *He collapsed onto the ground, catching the guild's attention.* "S-Sorry, everyone."

Rachael: "We've walked non-stop. Don't apologise, Trev."

Karol: "Ahh." *He plunked himself on the grass, adjusting his dancer-like boots.*

Luna: "Kool-" *She grunted and sat down, lying on her back.* "Damn-.."

Rachael: "I reckon, Luna, hehe." *She sat down next to Luna and focused on Karol.* "Aren't your feet sore?"

Karol: "Nah uh-" *He shook his head with an exhausted smile.* "We learn weally weally young, to condense more Astragons around our feet than normal."

Rachael: "That's a wicked idea." *She spoke in amazement, watching Karol adjust the boots to his convenience.*

Luna: *She looked at her arms, noticing she was covered in sweat.* (Rank.. Sweatin' as usual.)

Trevour: "I'm quite beat.. How about you, little meister?"

Karol: "I'm fine." *He smiled like a child and tilted his head, implying he was okay.*

Nathan: *He rested against a tree with his hands on his head.* "Why do you sound so concerned, Trev?"

Trevour: "Your-" *He glanced away from Karol and looked at Nathan.* "His entire body turned to sand."

Nathan: "What?" *He spoke on his breath.*

Luna: "Bullshit."

Trevour: "That would've exhausted an incredible amount of stamina to perform."

Karol: "I... Feel ohkay."

Champion: "Perhaps I could shed some light into this manner? From my observations, it seems Karol used your Neurons to help support his unusual state."

Trevour: "What do you mean?"

Champion: "It's very rare for any person really to change the quality of their body. From the glances I saw, he was an actual element."

Trevour: *He recalled the swirling dirt around him.* "Yes he was."

Champion: "This is a mastery far beyond that of teleportation. The only entity told of being able to do things like that is the Valkyrie herself."

Luna: "A Valkyrie? Mythology." *She spoke to herself and glanced at the champion.*

Champion: "When I was studying Rostical, I learned about myths and legends. Very fascinating stuff."

Trevour: "So, the little meister used my Neurons to stay in that form?"

Champion: "From a guess, yes. It's amazing you didn't fall unconscious right away."

Lezard: "Does someone require Lezard's services?" *He giggled and cracked his fingers, as if he was happy to be of service.*

Rachael: "You've been a massive help, Lezard."

Lezard: "Ooo, Lezard does like being massive-"

Luna: "Eww!" *She pretended to throw up, causing Destiny to hiss at Lezard in agreement.*

Champion: "Could you please heal Trevour, Lezard?"

Lezard: "Yuppers." *He hobbled up to Trevour and spread his arms, causing a white glyph to glow underneath him.* "Quick healing shot, HEALING IMPLOSION. Quick internal light, INVOKING AURA"

Karol: "Could you tell us moar about your bwothers and sisters?"

Luna: "Yea, why were they goin' all ape-bat shit on ya?"

Trevour: "They originally kicked me out because I can't control solid rock or lava. They wanted me to join their guild several times when I was in the warriors, but I was too weak.. Last night was the anniversary of-"

Rachael: "You don't have to, Trev."

Trevour: "It's okay.."

Nathan: "..."

Luna: "Anniversary of wat?"

Trevour: "The death of my parents.. I showed Rachael and Karol the memory of that event and-"

Nathan: "They didn't like it."

Trevour: "Exactly right, sir."

Karol and Rachael: "..."

Trevour: "The situation escalated and got a little temperamental."

Lezard: *He suddenly hit the back of his neck, as if a mosquito bit him.* "Sounds frightening."

Trevour: "This was the first time one of my siblings has ever attacked me with killing intent, though."

Luna: "It makes sense."

Nathan: "Huh?" *He looked confused.*

Luna: "From your siblings' perspective, it was an important day and you were showin' your friends the memory-.." *She paused, as if it sounded strange.* "Wait, wat did you mean by that?"

Rachael: "Two sides of every story, I like it Luna."

Luna: "Ah, wateva."

Lezard: "So much character development-" *He suddenly hit the back of his neck again.*

Nathan: "Crystalline Membranes?"

Trevour: "Exactly right, sir." *He took bigger and more relaxed breaths, as Lezard's light continued to heal him.*

Luna: "Membranes? Sounds rank as."

Destiny: "Yeup."

Nathan: "They're crystals that are able to store people's memories-"

Luna: "You bullshittin' me?"

Lezard: "Ouch-" *He rubbed the back of his neck, triggering a flashback.*

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Lezard: "Unlike before, will you let me know what's happening?"

Millard: "Yes." *He placed his hand over Lezard's neck and concentrated, causing flames to burn on to his skin.*

Lezard: "Ouchies-" *He instinctively tilted his head away but didn't move back, as if he knew what Millard was doing.*

Millard: "There-" *He stepped back and lowered his arm.*

Lezard: "That hurt more than I recall."

Millard: "Do you remember what that glyph does?"

Lezard: "Of course. It has different uses. One would be, it'll allow you to track someone's Neuron signature, the other is a vice-versa effect."

Millard: "Oooo-" *He giggled, wiggling his bottom to each side.* "I've raised you well."

Lezard: *He placed his hand on the small tattoo-like glyph on his neck.* "You'll let me know when you've found mother monster?"

Millard: *He nodded his head.* "I'll keep you informed through the glyph."

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Lezard: *He gasped in realisation and stepped back, causing the light to fade away from Trevour.* "Father monster?"

Trevour: "The light stopped? Am I all good to go, sir?"

Lezard: *He glanced at each party member in a serious-like manner.* "I-I'm sorry, little monsters. I need to go."

Nathan: "Where?" *He sounded surprised.* "We're in the middle of nowhere-"

Lezard: "I need to go.." *He shook his head and started to walk back.* "Father and mother monster, they're calling me.. These old bones can feel it."

Rachael: *She looked at Nathan.* "Nath?"

Lezard: "It's okay, children. Go ahead, I'll meet you at Concern's Gate or who knows where." *He tried to put on a smile, covering up his growing eagerness and nervousness.*

Nathan: *He looked up, noticing several stars twinkling in the sky.* (I wasn't expecting to waste a whole day and not be at Concern's Gate already.)

Karol: "You kan't leave us, Wezard."

Lezard: "Naww, but I have to, little one."

Trevour: "What's the plan, sir. I don't feel comfortable letting Lezard go through The Igloo Forest by himself."

Lezard: "Thankies, Trevmeister, but I'm fine-"

Nathan: "No.. He's right." *He looked at Lezard.* "You're one of the most important people to the guild-"

Luna: "Thanks."

Nathan: *He glanced at Luna, trying to hide his smile.* "What I'm trying to say.. You might be crazy weird, but.. You're part of this guild. If it's really important, we'll go with you."

Lezard: "Naww!" *He shook his bottom to each side.* "You make my heart throb with manly happiness. Hugs?!"

Nathan: "No."

Luna: "Rank."

Lezard: *He lowered his head in a defeated-like manner.* "Okies."

Luna: "So, we're goin' on a side quest now?"

Champion: "What is so urgent? And why so suddenly?"

Rachael: "You did have the whole day to tell us."

Lezard: "When I saw father monster, he imprinted a tracing glyph on my neck.. Once there was activity from mother monster, it'll respond and let me know."

Champion: "And it recently started to activate?"

Lezard: "Yes-sir-ee."

Nathan: *He looked a little worried.* "Whereabouts is it?"

Lezard: "The very good news, is that, it's close." *He pointed in the direction they were headed.* "It's North from where we are."

Trevour: "That would either be The Hollow Plains or The Frozen Backwater Village."

Luna: "You could say, Pumpkin Valley, I still wouldn't know where shit is, aye."

Nathan: "It's only an hour detour from where we're heading." *He spoke with a smile, as if he was relieved it was close.*

Rachael: "We got to meet Trev's siblings, time for Lezard's parents."

Karol: "I whant mine next!"

Lezard: "Bwarharh." *He giggled at Karol's half serious, half joking attitude.*

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Millard: "The party finally made their way out of Concern's Gate." *He hobbled out the cave, suddenly gasping with fear.*

Alicia: *She jumped up in shock, staring at Millard.* "W-What's wrong?"

Millard: "It's scary in the dark."

Lance: "Pssht." *He grunted, rolling his eyes.* "Stupid, old fart."

Millard: *He chuckled, looking down in thought.* (I understand the seriousness of this situation. So I need to keep these youngsters relaxed-)

Alicia: "Millard, there's something I want to ask."

Millard: "Of course, little one?"

Alicia: "Will we be okay when we find Kath?"

Millard: "What do you mean?"

Alicia: "She seemed confused and didn't want to fight before. What if she's different?"

Millard: "We should be fine if she doesn't use her Ougi."

Lance: *He sighed and grunted, walking into the forest.* "Pssht, Owgees, Grand Rostickal and Azures. They're all the same to me."

Alicia: *She walked behind Lance and looked at Millard.* "What's the difference between them?"

Millard: "Well-"

Lance: "Blah blah blah." *He moaned like a child, sticking a finger in both his ears.*

Millard: "Azure Bursts are special techniques almost anyone can use."

Alicia: "So you really don't need to know Rostical?"

Millard: "Rostical is not required."

Lance: "Blah blah blah." *He grunted like a child, walking ahead.*

Millard: "Most Azure Bursts are activated through weapons, but experienced fighters don't need a weapon."

Alicia: "Why are they called Azure Bursts?"

Millard: "It's said, the first person to have mastered Azure Bursts would turn into a shade of blue while using one."

Alicia: *She nodded her head in understanding.* "What about Grand Rostical and Ougis?"

Millard: "Grand Rostical is self-explanatory, an ultimate variant of one's Rostical. Very rare to use though."

Alicia: "Oh?"

Millard: "An Ougi is an individual skill learnt by the user."

Lance: *He stumbled over several roots on the ground, walking through the forest.* (It's dark.)

Alicia: "A skill? What do you mean?"

Millard: *He sighed in thought, pushing away several bushes.* "Can I get away with just saying it's strong? It's really hard to explain."

Alicia: "Tee hee, it's fine."

Millard: "But there is one thing."

Alicia: "Y-Yes?"

Millard: "When someone uses a Grand Rostical or Ougi, sometimes the area will darken."

Alicia: "D-Darken?"

Millard: "When this happens, the user is essentially invincible."

Alicia: "How?!"

Millard: "Something to do with their Astragons, it's best to avoid the Ougi altogether."

Alicia: "R-Right!" *She nodded her head, looking confused.*

Millard: "It's something you need to see for yourself. Like I said, it's just too hard to explain."

Alicia: "..."

Millard: "Is there anything else?"

Alicia: "Well, I always thought Grand Rostical was the strongest attack someone could use, but Ougis sound very powerful."

Millard: "Well, an example would be my Ougi is slightly weaker than my Grand Rostical, while yours could be the opposite."

Alicia: "I never thought of it that way."

Millard: "Then you have some enemies whose defence excels in physical based techniques."

Alicia: "Which would make Grand Rostical stronger in that scenario?"

Millard: *He smiled, clapping his hands.* "Good work."

Alicia: "Th-Thank you."

Millard: "People who can't use Rostical can use Ougis and sometimes the other way around-"

Lance: "Are yas done yet?" *He stopped and turned around, waiting for Alicia and Millard to catch up.* "And how much further do we have to walk?"

Alicia: "Umm."

Millard: "The Hollow Plains isn't that far away-"

Kath: *She suddenly flashstepped in front of the party, grabbing Millard by his robes.* "There you are!"

Lance: "Sh-Shit nuggets-"

Alicia: "Millard!-"

*Kath flashstepped away with Millard, blasting wind in Lance and Alicia's face.*

Lance: "Gah!-" *He squinted his eyes, rubbing dirt out of them.*

Alicia: "W-What are we going to do?!" *She coughed, looking at Lance with urgency.*

Lance: "Well." *He shook his head, brushing dirt off his arms.* "Let's go to The Hollow Plains anyways."

Alicia: "What if they aren't there?"

Lance: "Don't think like that."

Alicia: "R-Right!" *She nervously cupped her lunar shaped pendant, nodding her head.*

----------

*Lezard, Nathan, Rachael, Luna, Karol, Trevour and the champion walked through a forest, listening to owl-like noises hoot in the distance.*

Lezard: "H-Huh?" *He looked up, touching the back of his neck in shock.*

Rachael: "What's wrong?"

Lezard: "They're close!"

Nathan: "If they're Consultants, shouldn't we at least feel something?"

Trevour: "I concur, sir. We should definitely feel a large Neuron signature."

Lezard: "Trust me, children. They're close."

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Kath: *She flashstepped in the middle of Hollow Plains, violently throwing Millard across the ground.* "Pathetic, scum."

Millard: "Kathalestel?" *He grunted in shock, lifting himself off the ground.*

Kath: "You foolish man! I don't know why, but I keep thinking about you."

Millard: "Kathalestel-"

Kath: "You're hindering my work performance as a Consultant!"

Millard: "What are you saying?"

Kath: "I will terminate you, now." *She grunted in a stern manner, facing Millard.*

Millard: *He watched the moonlight shine off Kath's glasses, taking a step forward.* "I will end your pain and suffering."

Kath: "Pain and suffering? Ha ha! Don't make me laugh. I love what I do."

Millard: "No, you're being consumed by your own power. This is not you-"

Kath: "Stop talking!"

Millard: *He stepped back, watching a swirl of grass spiral around Kath.* (Huh? Her Neurons-)

Kath: "I will have to do this myself!" *She screamed at Millard, blasting powerful gusts of wind across the plains.*

Millard: (Her power-) *He covered his face, as the wind's power intensified.*

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Luna: *She gasped, as Destiny hissed at the same time.* "Sh-Shit?!"

Destiny: "Yeu!" *She quickly floated into Luna's arms, shivering in fear.*

Champion: *She gasped with widening eyes.* "Oh my.."

Karol: "Th-That's the sayme Neurons that stole my mummy and daddy." *He squealed and quickly ran to Rachael, tightly wrapping his arms around her leg.*

Lezard: "Are you satisfied with those Neuron signatures?"

Rachael: (Unbelievable..) *She looked at her hands, noticing her fingers twitch.* (I haven't felt like this since we encountered that Nancy captain years ago.)

Nathan: *He puffed out his chest.* "Let's keep moving."

Trevour: *He took a deep breath, trying to keep his composure.* "I don't feel as frightened as I would, knowing that I have my guild by my side."

Luna: "L-Loser.." *She tried to emphasise how lame Trevour was.*

Rachael: "..." *She placed her hand on the back of Karol's head and followed Lezard through the forest, as he led the guild forward.*

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Kath: *She raised her arms, causing a red glyph to spiral underneath her.* "Raging flames, fall down, snatching heat-"

Millard: "She's already going to strike-?" *He mumbled under his breath, adjusting his hat.* "Powers of the never ending red, beat and skip through the winds-"

Kath: "FLAMING WHEEL" *She pushed forward, causing a wave of blue flames to spiral towards Millard.*

Millard: "FIRE'S PULSE" *A ring of fire swirled around his hand and he pushed forward, causing a large ring of fire to block the blue flames.*

Kath: "What-?"

*An eruption of red and blue fire violently exploded in front of Millard.*

Millard: "That was close-"

Kath: "You think blocking my Rostical was a winning act? How dare you insult the Consultants! I cannot tolerate this type of behaviour!"

Millard: (I promise I'll end this suffering of yours-)

Kath: "FLAMING STORM" *A cluster of flames swirled in front of her, forming itself into a ball.*

Millard: "Raging flames, fall down, snatching heat, FLAMING WHEEL"

Kath: "Harh!" *She clicked her fingers, blasting an eruption of bright red flames at Millard.*

Millard: "..." *He quickly moved his hands, causing a swirl of flames to ring along the ground.*

Kath: "A direct hit-"

Millard: "Harh!" *He raised his arms, causing a tornado-like swirl of flames to erupt around him.*

Kath: *She watched her fire collide into the tornado-like fire, noticing the flames merge together.* (He used his own Rostical around himself to block my fire?)

Millard: *He stared at the swirling wall of fire around him, taking a deep breath.* (That was close.)

Kath: (I can't see, the fire-) *She flashstepped along the ground, spotting Millard in the fire.* "FLAMING STORM"

Millard: *He swayed his arm to the side, extinguishing the swirl of flames around him.* (What Rostical did she-?)

Kath: *She pointed at Millard, focusing on a cluster of forming flames above him.* (I'll explode this fireball directly in your face!)

Millard: (Her Rostical is slightly different from mine, but luckily she hasn't changed her fighting style.) *He moved around the cluster of fire, crossing his arms.* (Despite how far one travels, the Rasticsplash would still kill the opponent. But merely moving behind the fire-)

Kath: *She watched the fireball grow in size, suddenly exploding around Millard.* "Grr!" (How did he know to move around it?! Foes wouldn't recognise such a blatant weakness to that Remenistal-)

Millard: "FLAME BOLT" *He spread his arms, shooting eight fireballs towards Kath.*

Kath: *She frowned at Millard, taking a step back.* "Flames consume and burn my Astragons, HEAT LANCE" *She pretended to throw a spear, hurling eight blue lance-like flames at Millard.*

*The fire lances and balls collided, causing bright red and blue flames to light up the plains.*

Millard: *He stepped to the side and flicked his wrist, causing a spurt of flames to blow out from his fingers.* (I needed to release some heat-)

Kath: (His power almost rivals my own-)

Millard: (I can't hold back!) *He started to run towards Kath, frowning in determination.*

Kath: *She focused her attention on Millard, raising her arm.* "Lushes of aqua, crush, MERCURY BLAZE" *She dropped her arm to the side, causing water-like fire to wave down.*

Millard: "Forty four, Fire Stroke." *He waved his arm upwards, causing a slash-like line of flames to block the blue fire.*

Kath: *She covered her face, watching blue and red splinters of fire extinguish past her.* "Tssk-"

Millard: *He formed a fist and jumped into striking distance.* "Ha!" *He punched towards Kath's face, causing a stream of fire to scorch out of his fist.*

Kath: *She gasped and bent down, cupping her hands.* "Rharh!" *She lifted her hands, causing a wall of blue fire to block Millard's attack.*

Millard: *He watched strings of bright red flames, flicker in a fluid-like manner around the wall of blue flames.* (She set that defensive wall of flames fairly quickly, but-)

Kath: *She opened her hands, pretending to push the fire away.* (His fire-)

Millard: *He formed a second fist and punched another wave of flames, causing his fire to brightly light up the surrounding area.* (You weren't expecting this, were you?)

Kath: *She gritted her teeth, watching spurts of bright red flames burn the ground past her blue flames.* "It's strong!"

Millard: *He straightened both arms, watching his flames overwhelm Kath.* (I've been training off screen to fight you, my love.)

Kath: *Her feet slid back, as she struggled to keep her wall of flames up.* "Grr-" *She frowned and pushed to the side, extinguishing all the flames.*

Millard: *He awkwardly stepped to the side, staring at Kath.* (She extinguished the Neurons powering my flames causing the fire to die out-)

Kath: "Your power-" *She spoke in disbelief, pushing her glasses up with one finger.*

Millard: "My love, Kathalestel. It's time to end this."

Kath: "Silence, you must be terminated!" *She stamped her foot, causing multiple eruptions of blue flames to swirl around her.*

Millard: *He stepped back in shock, forming a fist.* (Her Neurons continues to rise!)

Kath: *She lunged forward, waving her arms in a fluid-like manner.* "RIPPLING FIREY WEB" *String-like fire streams, rippled through the air towards Millard.*

Millard: "Dang it-" *He spun around, raising his arms in the air.* "FLAMING WHEEL"

*A swirl of flames spiralled around Millard, erupting high into the air.*

Kath: *She watched the strings of fire extinguish in Millard's swirling flames.* (He's clearly mastered that Rostical-)

Millard: "Cosmic flames, crash down, blasting burns-" *He raised his arm and twirled it around, as if he was stirring something.*

Kath: *She frowned and formed fists, causing rings of flames to spiral around her hands.* (Only until now, I've realised how foolish it was mastering only one elemental affinity-)

Millard: "SPIRAL FLAMES" *He dropped his arm, causing a barrage of waterfall-like flames to crash on top of Kath.*

Kath: *She crossed her arms, covering her head.* (I thought I was the only one that could create such flames out of nowhere-?) *She leant forward, unaffected by the flame's heat.*

Millard: (She's acting like the fire's water!) *He watched the fire continued to pour on top of her.* (Her clothes aren't even catching alight!-)

Kath: (Take this!) *She kicked the ground, causing a swirl of blue flames to spiral around her foot.* "FIRE BLAST"

*A suddenly burst of bright blue flames exploded Millard's waterfall-like fire.*

Kath: "Pathetic." *She grunted in confidence, ignoring the strings of flames around her.*

Millard: *He squinted his eyes, staring at the extinguishing flames.* (She used the sudden burst of Neurons from that Rostical to negate my Rostical-)

Kath: "Materialising fire in the air is powerful." *She hunched forward, glaring at Millard in anger.* "But I'll show you how it's really done!"

Millard: *He stepped back, standing in a battle-ready pose.* (Our power is almost equal, the only way I'll be able to win is to effectively parry my Rostical into a combo-)

Kath: "Grand Rostical."

Millard: *He gasped with widening eyes.* "No!"

Kath: *She took a deep breath, cupping her hands.* "..."

Millard: *He looked up, staring at the night sky in fear.* (I have to charge up a Grand Rostical with the intention to just block this attack!-)

*The moonlight which shined on the plains, slightly dimmed, causing the area to become darker than normal.*

Kath: "Now, time for your termination."

Millard: "Recite the crimson words, volcanic courage inflame my might, four corners meet and combine-" *Several red glyphs spiralled around him, suddenly expanding in a 3D-like manner.*

Kath: *Red glyphic symbols and seals materialised in the air around her.* "FADING SUNS"

Millard: "MYSTIC SCORCHING STRIKE" *Swirls of glass-like spheres made of white flames materialised in the air around him.*

Kath: "Take this!" *She screamed at the sky and a beam of yellow magma crashed down on top of Millard.*

Millard: "Harh!" *He pushed up, blasting the balls of white flames into the magma.*

*Sounds of shattering glass echoed across the plains, as the spheres of flames smashed into the magma.*

Kath: *She watched continuous balls of white flames, materialise in the air around Millard.* (He's withstanding my Grand Rostical?!)

Millard: *Strings of magma splattered around him, burning the grass into yellow flames.* (Just a little longer-)

Kath: "Hahaha!" *She smirked in confidence, as her eyes glowed an eerie yellow colour.*

Millard: (An object's strength is determined by its weakness-) *He twitched his fingers, causing the balls of white flames to shatter in one spot.*

Kath: *She watched spurts of white flames, explode inside the magma.* "Inside? What?"

*The magma suddenly exploded and scattered, raining bright yellow strings of magma across the plains.*

Millard: (Excellent-)

Kath: "How dare you!"

Millard: (By concentrating on the one spot, I was able to explode the Rostical as a whole-) *He took a deep breath and clicked his fingers, causing the magma to instantly dry up.*

Kath: (That must've been a powerful technique if it caused mine to explode in that manner!-)

Millard: "I've held back for all these years, to unleash everything I've got on you right now."

Kath: *She watched dry charcoal rain around Millard in anger.* "I won't go easy on you!"

Millard: "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Kath: *She spread her arms far apart and spun around, causing two green waves to scorch the air.* "Burn his flesh!"

Millard: (Green flames?!)

Kath: "..." *She pushed forward, blasting the flames at Millard.*

Millard: *He watched the green waves of fire burn the grass, as it rumbled towards him.* "SPIRAL FLAMES" *He raised his arms and quickly dropped them, causing a waterfall of flames to erupt down from the sky on to the ground.*

Kath: *She watched her green flames suddenly explode, as it collided with Millard's fire.* (Even at that level, it will not completely stop my flames-)

*Two streams of green fire suddenly scorched past Millard's fire, spiralling towards him.*

Millard: (Oh my-) *He quickly spread his arms far apart, separating the green fire away from him.*

Kath: (I see an opportunity-) *She grunted in thought, taking a step forward.*

Millard: *He looked over his shoulder, glancing at the green flames in shock.* (Her fire still bypassed my Spiral Flames-?)

Kath: *She jumped through the weakened fire, flashstepping in front of Millard.* "Weak!-"

Millard: *He stepped back in shock, watching a delayed trail of green and red flames extinguish behind Kath.*

Kath: "You were dismissed as Consultant, and now the dismissal of your life!"

Millard: "My, you jumped through my Spiral Flames-?"

Kath: "Ougi." *She placed two fingers on Millard's chest.* "Bakana Flare."

Millard: "No!-"

*A multi-coloured, volcanic-like eruption, blasted Millard across the plains.*

Kath: *Her hair and surrounding grass, violently blew back, caused by the sheer power of the flames.* (Perfect-)

Millard: "Argh!" *Different coloured flames burnt his robes, causing him to grit his teeth in pain.*

Kath: *She leant forward, ignoring the extinguishing flames around her fingers.* (Due to the termination of so many warriors, I've learnt how to follow up on my Rostical-)

Millard: *He touched the ground, sliding back on his feet.* (A direct hit from her Ougi-)

Kath: "Cosmic flames, crash down immediately, blasting burns, SPIRAL FLAMES" *A ball of green flames formed itself in the air, suddenly erupting down in front of Millard.*

Millard: "Did she miscalculate my distance? Her Rostical clearly missed-"

Kath: "Confusing winds, burning fury, five powerstarter, FIRE BLAST" *She tapped the ground with one foot and a wave of flames formed in front of her.*

Millard: "I don't understand-" *He reached behind him and a burst of flames caused him to instantly stop.*

Kath: *She threw her arm back and punched the wave, crashing the wave of fire towards Millard.* "With this, it should be the end of you-"

Millard: "I don't understand what you're thinking, but-" *He mumbled to himself, preparing to jump into the air.*

*The wave of fire hit the Spiral Flames, causing its speed to increase.*

Millard: "H-How? The two Rostical combined-" *He watched a tower sized wave of fire crash in front him.* "N-No-"

Alicia: "Frosted skies reveal the truth, please with the power strike forward, FREEZING HOLLOWS" *A tunnel of ice pierced in between Millard and the wave of flames.*

Kath: "What?" *She watched the ice instantly turn into water, wetting the grass.*

Millard: *He looked at the water with widening eyes.* (Here's my chance!-) "FLAME BOLT" *He crossed his arms and spread them, blasting several fireballs into the tower sized flames.*

Kath: *She watched multiple explosions push back her flames, before extinguishing into nothing.* (What intercepted my flames giving him a chance to strike back-?!)

Lance: "O-Old fart!" *He yelled at the top of his lungs, running onto the plains.*

Alicia: (G-Good, we made it in time.)

Lance: "Good work, thunda-thighs, your Rostickal reached them all the way from over here."

Millard: *He looked worried, motioning them to stop.* "S-Sorry, children! I need to do this myself!"

Alicia: "B-But!-"

Lance: *He touched her shoulder.* "Respect the old fart's wishes."

Alicia: "But-"

Lance: "If someone else comes, we'll smash their face in, OK?" *He smirked at Alicia.*

Alicia: "Alright-"

Lance: "Oh, and don't interrupt me, dick sniffer."

Alicia: *She looked at Millard, cupping her hands.* "HEALING RINGS"

Millard: *Two rings of white light spiralled around him, causing him to sigh in relief.* "Thankies."

Kath: *She rubbed her forehead in anger, flicking hair out of her face.* (It looks like his friends won't interfere.)

Millard: (I'm at a disadvantage. I lost the ability to flashstep in order to maximise my Rostical's raw power-)

Kath: "Harh!" *She jumped up and kicked the ground, causing another green wave to crash in front of her.*

Lance: "Shit! That fire is green." *He grunted with a dropping jaw.*

Kath: "Harh!" *She kicked the fire, hurtling it towards Millard.*

Millard: *He spun around and swung his arm across his face, causing a bright red flame to twirl around him.* (Blast this brittle body!)

*An explosion of green and bright red flames, erupted in front of Millard.*

Lance: "Their fires collided-"

Alicia: "Their power is even stronger than that captain."

Lance: "W-Wat captain?" *He stared at the flames dance before him.*

Alicia: "The one that defeated Zayden in one hit."

Kath: (He keeps blocking my fire with another fire at the last minute.)

Millard: *He waved his arm, extinguishing the flames.* "FIRE BLAST" *He shouted, punching both hands towards Kath, causing two streams of flames to erupt towards her.*

Lance: "Man, it looks like they're fire bendin'."

Alicia: "F-Fire bending?" *She tilted her head at Lance, staring at the bright red flames.*

Lance: "Never mind."

Millard: "Kathalestel, let's put an end to this!"

Kath: *She stepped to the side, flashstepping out of the fire's range.* "Don't tell me what to do!"

Millard: *He noticed Kath in the distance and lowered his arms, causing the fire to extinguish.* "You've taught me-"

Kath: *She focused on her hands, causing her fingers to twitch.* "Save your lectures! Ougi."

Alicia: (O-Ougi?)

Millard: "You've taught me, friendship isn't about who you've known the longest. It's about those who met you, and never left your side!"

Kath: "..."

Millard: "Kathalestel. I'll never ever leave your side again-"

Kath: *Her eyes glazed, as she pretended to ignore Millard.* "Gentle fists acquire the power of Remenistal, Scorching Roharnia."

Millard: *He stared at Kath with widening eyes, stepping back.* (The Roharnia arts? The strongest variation of hand to hand combat-)

Kath: *She raised her arms and smirked, as a red aura-like swirl enveloped her hands.* "Now, once again, time for your termination-"

Lance: "Wat's that?"

Alicia: "I-I don't know? It looks like visible Astragons?"

Kath: *She stepped forward, flashstepping in front of Millard.* "This will end you-" *She punched across Millard's head, causing a line of red aura to swirl past her fist.*

Millard: *He hopped to the side, avoiding her punch.* (Blast it-) *The red aura touched the tip of his robes, causing it to violently shred to pieces.*

Kath: "Tssk." *She jumped forward, raising a fist.* "Harh."

Millard: *He hobbled to the side, avoiding her violent-like punch.* "Close-"

Kath: "Hah!" *She lunged forward and punched to the side.*

Millard: *He jumped back, slicing a wave of bright red flames down.* "..."

Kath: *She casually raised her arm, blocking the fire with the aura around her hands.* "Pathetic-"

Millard: *He turned around, glancing across the plains.* (I learnt how to compensate for my dwindling speed-)

Kath: *She stared at Millard's back with a frown, causing the aura around her hands to expand.* "Don't you dare turn your back on me!-"

Millard: *He pushed forward, blasting fire out of his hands.* (I don't have very effective close range Rostical, so I need to create some distance-)

Alicia: *She watched Millard slide along the grass, propelling himself with the fire.* (He's using the fire to push himself across the plains-)

Kath: *She flashstepped in the air above Millard, suddenly punching him on the head.* "Hahr!"

Millard: "Argh-" *He awkwardly tumbled across the ground, causing swirls of flames to extinguish around his hands.*

Kath: *She touched the ground and punched her hands, causing the aura to pulse around her fists.* "You can't escape from me-"

Millard: "I wasn't escaping." *He lowered his head, holding his head in pain.* "I was buying time to gather enough Astragons to perform this Rostical."

Kath: *She shook her head, standing in a battle-ready pose.* "You have nothing that would impress me-"

Millard: "This Rostical can be performed by those with a fire and ground elemental affinity."

Kath: "Like I care-?"

Millard: "Gravel and sand manipulate to my command, move like a drill and make them feel-"

Kath: (I completely forgot that Remenistal existed!-) *She jumped back, flashstepping far into the distance.*

Millard: "COMET'S VIEL" *He watched streams of sand swirl up from the ground, quickly forming a boulder in front of him.*

Lance: *He stared at the boulder in amazement and shock.* "Sh-Shit nuggets-"

Millard: "Harh!" *He pushed forward, blasting the comet towards Kath.*

Kath: *She stared at the boulder, as fire spurted around its sides.* "Tssk-" *She straightened her arms, preparing to block the comet-like boulder.*

Alicia: "I-It looks like a shooting star-"

Kath: *She grunted and braced herself, as the boulder slammed into her.* (Tssk-) *Her feet slid back, as spurts of flames and pieces of rock blew past her.*

Millard: *He took a deep breath, awkwardly standing up.* (So she didn't flashstep out of the way.)

Kath: (I knew you would set up another Remenistal if I moved out of the way, I use the very same technique!-) *She watched the aura around her hand, pulse against the boulder.*

Millard: "Now-" *He took a deep breath, spreading his arms.* "Recite the crimson words, volcanic courage inflame my might, four corners meet and combine, MYSTIC SCORCHING STRIKE"

Lance: (Mystic Scorching Strike?) *He watched glass-like spheres of white flames, materialise in the air around Millard.* (It's like Ash's Mystic Shield Strike-)

Kath: *She nudged her hands forward, shattering the boulder in front of her.* (That took longer than I thought-)

Millard: "I'm sorry, my love!" *He shouted at the top of his lungs, shooting the spheres towards Kath.*

Kath: "Tssk." *She frowned and raised her hands, running towards Millard.* "Such simple things-" *She spun around, smashing a sphere away from her, causing a pulse of white flames to scorch the ground.*

Millard: (She shatters them as if they weren't even made of fire-)

Kath: *She jumped forward, smashing two more spheres past her.* "Once I reach you, I'll choke you with my bare hands!"

Millard: *He grunted in desperation, stepping back.* (I want to save my strongest Grand Remenistal for a surprise-)

Kath: "Useless! This isn't a game!" *She jumped forward and flicked her hands, shattering two spheres of white fire to each side.*

Millard: (Useless? Indeed-) *He lowered his arms, causing the spheres to burn out.*

Kath: *She looked startled at first, before smirking in confidence.* "Given up?" *She noticed the aura around her hands swirl away, causing her to stop.* (The Ougi finished?)

Millard: "Do your worst, Kathalestel."

Kath: "Hmm?" *She focused all her attention on Millard, spreading her legs in concentration.* "Alright."

Lance: "Don't tell me he's given up?"

Alicia: "I-I don't think so."

Kath: *She took a deep breath and the grass around her burned, becoming charcoal.* (Activating-)

Millard: (She intends to finish me!)

Kath: *Her eye twitched, as black glyphic tattoos drew themselves all over her body.* (Self-inflicting glyph, complete.)

Millard: (The level of her Neurons is at its peak-) *He looked over his shoulder, glancing at Alicia and Lance.* (This is bad-)

Kath: "Haaargh." *She pushed forward, scorching a vortex of green flames at Millard.*

Millard: "FLAMING WHEEL" *He clapped his hands and watched a swirl of flames spiral along the ground in front of him, before exploding into a tornado-like swirl of flames.*

Kath: *She watched the flames touch and explode in a flammable-like manner, causing them to extinguish.* "Hmm?"

Millard: *He quickly swayed to the side and punched several times, blasting balls of fire at Kath.* "FLAME BOLT"

Kath: *She raised her arms and punched downwards, scorching two streams of green lightning in front.* "Pathetic." *She squinted her eyes, watching flames splinter past her.*

Millard: (Even putting maximum Neurons into each attack, it's only breaking even?!)

Kath: *She spread her arms and leant forward, screaming out a flame-thrower-like blast of blue flames.* "INCINERATING HORROR"

Millard: "FLAME BOLT" *He shouted at the top of his lungs and continuously punched forward, shooting balls of fire into the stream of blue flames.*

Alicia: *She gasped in amazement and squinted her eyes, watching bursts of flames scorch the grass underneath it.* "W-Wow-"

Kath: *She leant back and wiped her mouth, frowning at Millard.* "You still stand?"

Millard: *He lowered his arms, staring at Kath in a weary-like manner.* "..."

Kath: "Fine!" *She screamed, gritting her teeth with a struggling frown.* "Fire will consume this entire plain!"

Millard: (What does she intend to do with such power-?)

Kath: "FLAMING WHEEL, FLAMING STORM, FLAMING BLAZE, SPIRAL FLAMES, HEAT LANCE-"

Millard: *He watched multiple glyphs spiral around Kath in shock.* (All of those are boosted to their maximum level!-)

Kath: "FIRE BLAST" *She kicked the ground, causing blue, green and red flames to erupt high into the air around her.*

Alicia: "Arh?" *She squinted her eyes, due to the brightness of the flames.*

Lance: "I-I've never seen such a huge wave of flames before!-"

Millard: (I have to be patient. If I'm just a second late, I will die!)

Kath: *Her hair flicked back, as she bathed in the warmth of the fire.* (Even I can feel the heat of these flames.)

Millard: "Untouchable flames, splinter from the divine spirit, burning courage engrave my immense power, scorch thout foe-"

*Swirls of black flames, flapped on each side of Millard.*

Alicia: "W-What is that?!" *She pointed at the black flames in shock.*

Kath: "You've allowed me to charge this up. No fire of yours will extinguish these flames!"

Millard: (I'm excited and nervous, knowing this will be the end-) *The black flames twirled up into the air, forming a bird-shaped figure.*

*The black flames swayed around Millard, causing the air to warp around him.*

Kath: *She watched the black phoenix flap high into the air.* "What? I've mastered all fire based Remenistal, but I don't know that!-"

Millard: "I have no intentions of extinguishing your flames."

Kath: "W-What?! I cannot tolerate this!"

Millard: "Go! PHOENIX BLASTER"

Kath: "No!" *She enthusiastically pushed forward, rumbling the multi-coloured flames at Millard.*

*The phoenix screeched through the air, diving directly towards the flames.*

Kath: "I thought you said you had no intentions of extinguishing my flames?" *She spoke in a condescending manner, as if it wasn't possible.*

Millard: "..."

*The phoenix slammed into the flames, causing the fire to swirl around it.*

Kath: "M-My fire?" *She gasped on her breath, staring at the fire in confusion.*

Lance: "The fire. Wat's goin' on?"

Alicia: "I-I can't explain it, their power is out of my knowledge."

*The multi-coloured flames swirled into a cluster, forming into a massive sized phoenix.*

Lance: *He awed, staring at the massive multi-coloured phoenix.* "Whoa."

Kath: *She gritted her teeth, frowning in desperation.* (He used the power of my Remenistal and combined it with his! I never would've thought he'd do something like this.)

Millard: (I'm sorry-) *He closed his eyes and dropped his arm with a hesitant face, causing the multi-coloured phoenix to dive directly towards Kath.*

Kath: "Inconceivable-" *She whispered on her breath, lowering her arms in defeat.*

*The phoenix exploded on top of Kath, causing swirls of fire to incinerate the area around her.*

Alicia: "Eek-" *She covered her face, as immense blasts of hot air slammed against her.*

Lance: "Argh-" *He gritted his teeth in pain, walking in front of Alicia.* (This wind is effing hot!)

Alicia: "L-Lance?" *She noticed Lance block the wind, causing her to lower her arms.*

Lance: *He realised what he did for Alicia.* "Well, you are the healer, so wateva."

Millard: *His robes and hair rapidly flapped behind him.* (I wasn't expecting the Rasticsplash to be this powerful!-)

Kath: "Impossible!-" *She awkwardly stood at an angle and coughed, as the fire around her violently vaporised.* "Millardestel?"

Millard: "Kathalestel?" *He whispered in disbelief, staring at Kath, unsure.*

Kath: *She struggled to breathe and stared at Millard, as her eyes reverted back to their normal colour.* "It hurts."

Millard: *He sprinted towards Kath, catching her before she started to fall.* "Kathalestel!"

Kath: "K-Kill me."

Millard: *He looked down with a smile, staring at Kath in his arms.* "I finally get to hold you again."

Alicia: *She heard an echoing screech in the distance, causing her to turn around.* "Do you hear that?"

Lance: "Huh-?" *He looked to the side, noticing several blurred sticks screech past him.* "O-Old fart!" *He shouted at Millard, stepping forward in shock.*

Millard: "Not now, child-"

*Three arrows pierced through Millard's chest, causing him to cough out blood.*

Millard: *He gasped and looked down.* "G-Good."

Kath: "Good?" *She stared at the arrows, looking at Millard in a worried-like manner.*

Millard: "None of them hit you." *He looked over his shoulder, scanning across the plains.* (No one is there? It must've been shot from a fair distance.)

*Alicia and Lance staggered over burnt grass, running up to Millard.*

Millard: "Lance, Alicia!"

Lance: *He bent forward, placing his hands on his knees.* "Old man?"

Millard: "Lance, could you take Kath to Alicia's village, and Alicia-"

Alicia: "Yep, I know." *She nodded her head, as her hands glowed white.*

Millard: *He smiled with gratitude.* (Good.)

Kath: "There's something you need to know-" *She whispered under her breath, before falling unconscious.*

Lance: "Don't slow me down, stinko." *He picked up Kath, looking back to Alicia.*

Alicia: "The village is straight down the path."

Lance: "Alright."

Millard: *He watched Lance and Alicia run out of his sight and stood up, observing the arrows.* (Purple green arrows?)

*Millard took a deep breath and held it, running his finger along the arrow's tip.*

Millard: (They're ridged. It would be wise to leave them be.)

*Sofia and Zephyr flashstepped in front of AriAri village, staring at Millard in the distance.*

----------

Luna: "Those Newrongs." *She grunted in disbelief.*

Rachael: "Is it me, or is it getting harder to breathe?"

Champion: "It's the sheer level of Neurons and Astragons." *She hobbled behind the guild, as she struggled to keep up.*

Lezard: (Please make it on time. Please!) *He thought to himself in desperation.*

Nathan: (These Neuron levels are completely off the chart.. What exactly are we meant to do?)

Karol: "I'm sckared!"

Trevour: "Me too, little meister, me too." *He ran in fear, as his armour quickly rattled with each step.*

*A bright fire swirled in the very far distance, followed by the sounds of several roars.*

Lezard: "Those flames!" *He looked through the treetops, intensely staring at the bright flames in disbelief.* "It's father monster!"

----------

*Millard, Lance and Alicia stood inside a country-like village, glancing around them in fear, watching a bright swirling tornado burn around the outskirts of the village.*

Lance: *He stepped back, observing the area around him.* "Where is everyone?"

Millard: "And the captain, Zephyr." *He grunted, looking to each side.* (I should've known better to take my eye off him.)

Alicia: *She observed the self-inflicting glyphs.* (We have completely different patterns, Millard's glyph is curly, Lance's glyph zigzags and mine is made of circles.)

Millard: *He took a deep breath, looking up into the sky.* "I sense movement, they're coming."

Alicia: "W-What?"

Lance: *He held his stomach, twitching his eye in pain.* (It still hurts-)

Alicia: "Do you need more healing-?"

*Several Scoldrants jumped through the fire and screeched, as they fell to the ground.*

Lance: "Wat's wrong with 'em?"

Millard: "These are just Scoldrants." *He watched flames flicker on their bodies.* "They simply couldn't handle the heat of my flames."

Lance: "Flamin' shit nuggets, no pun intended-"

Zephyr: *He suddenly burst out from a nearby hut, looking down at the party.* "Take this!" *He pulled the string back, aiming a long purple-green arrow.*

Alicia: *She looked up, squinting her eyes.* "I think he's using a real arrow-"

Zephyr: *He flicked the string, causing the arrow to lose its image.* "Perfect-"

Lance: "Where did the arrow go-?"

*A loud screeching sound echoed, causing Lance to look around in confusion.*

Millard: "Garh-" *He faintly cried out in pain, as the arrow pierced through his chest.*

Lance: "M-Millard-?!" *He stepped forward in shock, frowning with desperation.*

Zephyr: *He clicked his fingers, materialising another arrow in his hand.* "You can't help him!"

Lance: (Dammit, what can I do?!)

Zephyr: *He aimed the arrow at Millard and pulled the string.* (I've been trying to go for his head this entire time, but I've been missing my target-) *He flicked the bow, shooting the arrow at blinding speeds.*

Millard: "Karh-" *He stepped back, as another arrow pierced him through the shoulder.*

Lance: *He watched Millard step back with widening eyes, helplessly shaking his head.* "P-Piss off, you heap of shit!-"

Zephyr: *He noticed surviving Scoldrants, slowly stagger towards the party.* "You have no time to worry about me."

Alicia: *She stared at the Scoldrants, as her lunar shaped pendant glowed white.* "Locki, I understood these words once you assisted me."

Scoldrant: "Grarh!" *It roared and twitched its fingers, causing steel-like nails to extend out.*

Alicia: "Unwritten holy laws, strike down thy foe-" *She looked up, raising her arms.*

Lance: *He stepped away from the Scoldrants, looking at Alicia's glowing pendant.* (Her voice echoed like she was using Rostickal, but it didn't sound icy-)

Zephyr: *He landed on the ground and looked up, watched light materialise in the air.* (Light? Wasn't her elemental affinity ice?) *He watched flickering orbs of light hover above the Scoldrants.*

Alicia: "Please!" *She shouted, causing the orbs to expand into ribbon-like strings.* "SHINING RAIN"

*The ribbon-like lights suddenly moved like razor blades, blasting down into each Scoldrant.*

Lance: *He chuckled in amazement, watching the blades of light pierce through the Scoldrants.* "Shit, bitch."

Alicia: (Th-This warmth? Is this Radiatons?) *She whispered to herself, watching the blades of light dissipate into nothing.*

Zephyr: *He nervously stared at Millard, looking at his bow in confusion.* "How are you still standing?!"

Millard: *He coughed and waved his arm, snapping the arrows with a slice a flame.* "I won't give up."

Lance: (M-Millard's pretty beat up-)

Millard: "Confusing winds, burning fury, five powerstarter-" *He stamped the ground, igniting a swirl of fire around his foot.*

Zephyr: (He can't possibly have enough Neurons to perform a high levelled Rostical to hurt me-)

Millard: "FIRE BLAST" *He punched the air, causing a burning wave of fire to crash towards Zephyr.*

Zephyr: "W-What?!" *He slowly took a step back, frozen in fear.*

Sofia: "Sorry, I can't have him die just yet." *She giggled and flashstepped behind Zephyr.* "Neurons draw, Astragons to my command, Radiatons move to my will, four corners meet and combine, MOONLIGHT REFLECTION"

*Holy swirl-like noises screeched, as a wall-like golden shield instantly rose in front of Zephyr.*

Sofia: *She smirked evil-like, watching the fire burn around the shield.* "Too easy."

Millard: "The shield's too strong." *He clicked his fingers, causing the fire to splinter away.*

Sofia: (Moonlight Reflection is the stage above a mastered Mystic Shield.. Not even a Consultant can break this!) *She licked her lips in a confident-like manner.* (But it exhausts a lot of your stamina.. And to win the game, you need to distribute it in a smartly manner-)

*Sofia grinned evil-like, watching the wall-like shield fade away with a divine swirl-like noise.*

Alicia: (Did she say Radiatons?)

Lance: (What can I do?) *He had a flashback of splashing water in Zayden's face.* "Shit, I'm actually usin' my head?"

Alicia: "Lance?"

Lance: "Bitchface, use a strong ice Rostickal around them-" *He pointed at Sofia and Zephyr like a child.* "And, Millard, use your fire 'round the ice."

Millard: "Of course, child. I'm always up for new ideas."

Alicia: "O-Okay." *She closed her eyes, cupping her hands.* (When Locki activated my pendant's power, several incantations came into mind.)

Zephyr: "Th-Thank you, Sofia."

Alicia: (Also Millard's glyph is giving me heaps of energy.)

Sofia: *She puffed in boredom, watching her shield shatter like glass.* "Get them now, 'kay, Zephyr?"

Zephyr: "Yes!" *He reached over his shoulder, unsheathing another purple-green arrow.*

Alicia: "Frostic stars, rain forth-" *A dark blue glyph shined underneath her, as a ring of ice pebbles swirled around Sofia and Zephyr.*

Sofia: "Harh?" *She looked down at the swirling ring of ice pebbles.* "Trying to raise the level?"

Alicia: "FRIGID STORM" *She raised her arm, causing the ice to blast up in a tornado-like manner.*

Sofia: (Tee hee, it's like we're stuck in a prison.) *She giggled and reached out, watching the ice cut her finger.*

Lance: (That's like Millard's Flaming Wheel-)

Millard: "Scorching screeches, hurdling down, miserable heat, FLAMING BLAZE"

*Fire ignited on the ground and suddenly ringed around Sofia and Zephyr, instantly melting the ice.*

Zephyr: "What are they doing?" *He watched a twirl of water sway around him, as sweat dripped off his face.*

Sofia: (Hopefully a killer combo?)

Zephyr: "Sofia, I-I don't feel comfortable-"

Sofia: "Shut up, I'll make sure nothing happens to you."

Zephyr: "A-Alright." *He nodded his head, pulling the string back.*

Sofia: (But I don't have a cheat system, so you'll be excellent fodder material.) *She discreetly smirked, sticking her tongue out evil-like.*

Zephyr: "Harh!" *He flicked the string, blasting the screeching arrow at Millard.*

Alicia: "ICICLE EDGE" *She jumped up and dropped her arm, blasting an ice spear in front of Millard.*

Millard: *He watched the arrow instantly shatter the ice spear to pieces.* "Excellent work, Alicia."

Zephyr: *He glanced at the glittering ice, watching his arrow fly past Millard.* (She altered the course of my arrow-)

Sofia: "Stop thinking and get out another one." *She grunted in a stern voice, rolling her eyes.*

Zephyr: "Y-Yes." *He nervously stuttered, unsheathing another arrow covered in sparks.*

Lance: "My throat, I feel like I'm going to vomit."

Millard: "No, accept it. Your body is trying to learn something new-"

Sofia: "If I was an archer, I'd try to shoot an arrow as fast as I could." *She spoke in a condescending manner, tugging on Zephyr's shoulder.*

Zephyr: *He struggled to focus.* (My eyes can't-) "The heat of this fire."

Lance: "Lightning strike both sides-" *He lifted his arms and crossed them, causing wing-like streams of electricity to spark on each side.*

Millard: (Unfortunately I'm almost at my limit-)

Lance: "Flashing and flowing, call upon the secrets-" *He twirled his body and red lightning spiralled around him.*

Alicia: (Th-The lightning's red, I've never seen it in that colour before.)

Millard: *He took several steps back, as the lightning grew in size.* (A new Remenistal?)

Lance: "Summon the beast of roaring thunder-" *He stopped and crossed his arms above his head, causing the lightning to become static.*

Sofia: (The lightning around the man has stopped, and his Neurons have increased? He's about to use it-) *She squinted her eyes with anticipation, smirking with excitement.*

Lance: *He jumped on one foot forward and pointed at Zephyr.* "DRAGON'S BREATH"

*A red thick tornado-like swirl of lightning roared towards Zephyr and Sofia, taking shape of a dragon's head.*

Zephyr: *He gasped in shock, lowering his bow.* "Sofia!-"

Sofia: "Nice, but it's incomplete. You can break it with an arrow of yours." *She smirked, talking without worry.*

Zephyr: (Hope Sofia's right, that Rostical looks devastating-) *He flicked the bow and shot an arrow at blinding speeds, breaking the lightning's momentum.*

Millard: (Dragon's Breath? What a powerful Remenistal to know in your move pool-) *He watched scattered streams of lightning string in the air.*

Zephyr: "Ha, I did it?"

----------

Karol: "D-Dhid you hear that rawr?!" *He squealed in shock, as he continued to run with the guild.*

Lezard: (What is happening over there?!)

----------

Lance: *He dropped to one knee, as the arrow screeched past him.* "Th-That lightning? What the freakin' shit nuggets was that?!"

Sofia: "Oh well, all that hype for a lousy incomplete-" *She watched the sparks fall to the ground, causing her to notice the water under her feet.* "Nicely done! Yee harh!" *She giggled in excitement, jumping up into the air.*

Zephyr: "Sof-?" *His body violently twitched, as electricity streamed in between his limbs.*

Millard: (What a smart boy-)

Lance: *He took a deep breath and collapsed onto the ground.* (My face, fingers, hands, arms! Everywhere hurts-) *His body twitched and his hairs stood up, due to the static.*

Sofia: *She landed next to Zephyr, staring at the party with an evil smirk.* "Tee hee."

Alicia: *She ran over to Lance, helping him up.* (His body is covered in burns.)

Millard: *He hobbled up to Lance and Alicia, shaking his head in amazement.* "Good work, child."

Alicia: *She watched blood drip on to the ground.* "Millard, you're losing a lot of blood-"

Millard: *He shook his head, glancing at Sofia.* "If there was only a way to boost my power furthermore. I could finish them off with a powerful Remenistal."

Lance: *He stared at the numerous arrows in Millard's body.* (How can Millard stand?) *He thought in respect.*

Alicia: *She placed her hands over Lance, causing rings of white light to spiral around him.* "HEALING RINGS"

Lance: "W-What about that?" *He grunted, pointing at the self-inflicting glyph.*

Millard: "Unfortunately, I'm already using its strongest level."

Alicia: "I-I don't know any other way to boost Rostical with what we got."

Lance: (A way to boost a Rostickal?) *He gasped in pain, due to the burns which covered his body.*

Sofia: *She bent down, inspecting Zephyr with a bored expression.* "Number four, you care to wake up?"

Lance: (Boost? Wait a minute-) *He had a flashback of when he helped Season prepare for Battling Oxident.* "Millard!"

Millard: "W-What is it?" *He coughed out blood, taking the opportunity to catch his breath.*

Lance: "I got another idea."

Alicia: "W-What is it?"

Lance: "Help me stand next to Millard." *He grunted in pain, ignoring the rings of light which spiralled around him.*

Alicia: "Y-Yep-"

Sofia: "I said, wake up." *She slapped Zephyr on the face and giggled.*

Lance: "Do you have something to cut with?"

Millard: (I hate to say, but I've underestimated Lance's intelligence-) *He gave Lance a blade which was concealed in his robes, looking at Zephyr and Sofia.*

Lance: "Trust me, Millard."

Millard: "S-Sure?"

Lance: (I remember exactly what it looks like.) *He lightly carved lines on Millard's arm.*

Millard: *He squinted his eyes in pain, looking at the lines in confusion.* (A glyph?)

Alicia: (What is he doing?)

Millard: *He watched the glyph glow, causing him to chuckle in amazement.* "As soon as Lance connected the last line, the glyph instantly glowed on his arm."

Lance: "Really, at a time like this-?"

Millard: "This power?" *He straightened his back, facing Sofia and Zephyr with confidence.* (Using the glyph that boosts the spectator's announcements and drawing it on me?)

Alicia: (He's standing up like that despite his wounds-?)

Millard: (I can recalculate the formula so the glyph works on me, but an average person wouldn't be able to use this.)

Lance: (I hope it worked-)

Millard: "Untouchable flames, splinter from the divine spirit, burning courage engrave my immense power, scorch thout foe-"

*Black fire swirled underneath Millard and twirled up, blasting Lance back.*

Millard: *Dirt swirled around him, as he focused all his attention on Sofia.* "PHOENIX BLASTER"

Zephyr: "A-Ah?" *He moaned into consciousness, looking up to Sofia.*

Sofia: "Great, you're awake."

Zephyr: *He slowly stood up oblivious to his surroundings.* "W-What happened?" *He rubbed his head, facing Sofia in confusion.*

Sofia: "We defeated the opponents, our mission is completed."

Zephyr: "E-Excellent." *He smirked with accomplishment, holding his arm in pain.*

Millard: *He pushed forward, blasting an enormous black phoenix at Sofia.* "At this level, nothing could survive it." *He spoke with killing intentions, watching the phoenix screech towards her.*

Zephyr: "Did you hear that?" *He turned around, startled, noticing the air warp around the black flames.* "N-No!-" *He leant to the side, preparing to flashstep out of the way.*

Sofia: "Actually-" *She grabbed Zephyr's shoulder, holding him in front of her.*

Zephyr: "What are you-?"

*The phoenix dived on top of Zephyr and Sofia, suddenly blasting them high up into the air.*

Lance: *He looked up, watching the phoenix flap its wings.* "Whoa-"

*An enormous bomb-like explosion of black flames, rippled the air.*

Millard: "Harh!" *He pushed down, blasting the black flames into the ground, causing another explosion.*

Alicia: *She rocked to each side, as spurts of black fire stringed out of the ground.* "A-Amazing."

Sofia: *The straps tying her hair together, snapped off in the fire.* (Haheahe, this is fantastic!) *She giggled, watching her skin burn.*

Millard: *He leant forward, watching the black flames extinguish into swirls of fire.* "Done."

Alicia: "I-It's over?" *She lowered her arms, watching splinters of black fire scatter across the village.*

Lance: "W-Wicked-"

Millard: "What?!" *He gasped in disbelief, staring in front.*

Lance: "What, wat?!"

Millard: "You survived?"

Sofia: "Yup." *She giggled, throwing a black human silhouette of Zephyr onto the ground.* "Thanks, Zephyr."

Millard: "What a heartless monster!-"

Sofia: "Heartless? I'm doing this for love." *She frowned and coughed out smoke, holding her chest in pain.* (Despite using Zephyr as a shield, the Rostical still damaged me to this extent-?)

Lance: (That was incredible!-)

Millard: "For love? A monster can't-"

Sofia: "Don't call me a monster-" *She watched Zephyr's body crumble to pieces, noticing a layer of glass on the ground.* "It was just game over for him-"

Kath: "Sofia, stand down." *She walked out of the wooden hut and staggered towards Millard, staring at Sofia.*

Sofia: "Umm, no thanks."

Kath: "Excuse me? Failure to listen to-"

Sofia: "Oh, you really bore me." *She closed her eyes and smirked.*

Alicia: *She stared at Sofia, causing her to shiver.* (Something about that woman-)

Sofia: *She opened her eyes, staring at the party with shining gold eyes.* "Judging by your looks, you've ran out of continues?"

Kath: "G-Gold? I had no idea, you were hiding this from me?"

Millard: "You're one of them?!"

Lance: "One of what-?"

Sofia: *She took a step forward, reaching towards her waist.* "Now, it's time for me to kill the Consultants themselves-"

Kath: *She shook her head, facing Millard.* "I've still got enough power."

Millard: "For what?"

Kath: "You know, the strongest fire based Remenistal."

Millard: "But our wounds-"

Alicia: *She shook her head, cupping her hands.* "HEALING RINGS" *She swayed her arms around Kath and Millard, causing rings of light to spiral around them.*

Kath: "Are you ready-?"

Sofia: "Ready for what? It's been a real drag following your orders, Kathalestel."

Millard: "Show her respect!-"

Sofia: "Nah." *She stepped to the side and pulled her arm forward, causing a line of sparks to scatter around her whip.*

Millard: "I'm ready."

Sofia: *She flicked her wrist, violently whipping the air.* "I'll start with the Radiaton girl, then-"

Millard and Kath: "Hi-Ougi."

Alicia: "W-What-?!" *She stepped back in shock, causing the rings of light to dissipate.*

Lance: "A-Aye-?"

Sofia: "Hi-Ougi?!"

Millard and Kath: "O' fiery spirits feel our power and awaken-"

Lance: *He watched the light fade, causing the area to become dark as night.* (Everything is pitch black-?)

Millard and Kath: "Sacrificial glyphs form and spiral, open the gates to the Astral plains-"

Alicia: *She watched enormous bright red glyphs spiral in the air.* (There's glyphs everywhere? Is this even a Rostical? Is this even happening?!)

Millard and Kath: "Show us, prove to us that the legends are true!-"

*Large star-like twinkles flashed in the sky, causing everyone to look up.*

Millard and Kath: "Dark flames cover the skies, rain down and bring forth your total destruction!"

Sofia: *She gasped with widening eyes.* "I'm not a fool!" *She formed fists and puffed out her chest, blasting two sets of fluoro white aura-like wings out of her back.*

Millard and Kath: "METEOR SWARM"

*The twinkles in the sky, blasted down at blinding speeds, exploding into tower sized spheres of scorching flames.*

Lance: "..." *He stood on the spot, frozen in disbelief, watching meteors rain down around him.*

Sofia: *She turned around and blasted high into the sky, avoiding the falling meteors.* (This is crazy, I can't believe it! I'm not ready for a game over!)

Alicia: *She spun around, staring at a forest of flames.* (Fire is everywhere?! Is this the power of the Consultants?!)

----------

Lezard: *He stepped onto a dirt path and looked into the distance, watching meteors rain down.* "What is-?"

Luna: "The fuck is that fuckin' fuck?!" *She screamed in disbelief and readied to run the other way.* "We gotta run!"

Rachael: "Luna!"

Luna: *She squirmed out of Rachael's grip and attempted to run away.* "It's meteors! We're gonna-"

Nathan: *He caught Luna in his arms.* "It's Rostical.. We're fine."

Luna: *She shivered in shock and slowly leant out of Nathan's arms.* "Th-Them meteors was just a Rostickal?"

Rachael: "There's Rostical that can even summon meteors?" *She whispered to herself in shock.*

Lezard: "Their Remenistal knows no bounds.."

Nathan: "Are you okay?" *He held the side of Luna's face.*

Luna: *She looked away with blushing cheeks and turned around.* "Wateva."

Champion: "Not even I could use such a Rostical, even at my full strength."

Trevour: "For Lezard, let's keep going!"

----------

Millard and Kath: "Tssk." *They separated hands, causing the area to revert back to normal.*

Lance: *He glanced around the village, shaking his head in confusion.* "The place is damaged, but, from what we saw-"

Kath: "Argh." *She grunted in pain, collapsing to her knees.*

Lance: "Wat about that chick?!"

Millard: "Her power is fading, she's retreating."

Alicia: *She stared at Millard, biting her bottom lip.* (This man has gone through all that, and he can still stand.) "Let me heal you-"

Millard: "No-"

Alicia: "You need to be healed-"

Kath: "Millardestel, my love."

Millard: "Kathalestel." *He smiled, rubbing ash off her chin.*

Kath: "M-Millardestel, please. I won't be able to control my actions."

Millard: "I know-" *He looked away, coughing up blood.*

Alicia: "Millard, I have to heal-"

Millard: *He shook his head.* "No-"

Lance: "Please, Millard. If you won't do it for the stinky bitch, then do it for me."

Millard: (Lance?)

Kath: "The robed woman, he's released her."

Millard: *He gasped, looking at Kath in shock.* "You don't mean-?"

Kath: "Yes."

Millard: "I feel horrible leaving these children to deal with her."

Kath: "We should've retired a long time ago." *She smiled, staring into Millard's eyes.*

Millard: "I see your point."

Lance: "Who?"

Alicia: "What?"

Millard: "Children, step away."

Lance: "Why?"

Millard: "Now, children!"

Kath: *She closed her eyes and smiled.* "Finally." *She rubbed her cracked glasses, slowly opening her eyes.*

Millard: "I've saved this for you. Once when you had your Radiatons, I learnt this technique from a Sacred Knight."

Kath: "My love-"

Lance: *He shook his head with confusion and impatience.* "Why won't you let her heal you?!"

Millard: "It's too late, my tale's coming to an end."

Alicia: "D-Don't talk like that-"

Millard: "If I start to relax, the internal bleeding will kill me. If I wait, then the self-inflicting glyph will exhaust my body."

Alicia: "N-No."

Lance: "Millard.."

Kath: *She noticed Alicia and Lance's distressed faces.* "I don't know you. But, I thank you." *She stood up, facing Millard with a readying smile.*

Millard: "Ougi."

Lance: "..."

Millard: "With the sacred flames which run through my body, my power and spirit call forth, the flames in my heart have been ignited, call forth, give this old man a break-"

Lance: "I-I thought-" *He paused, looking at the destruction of the village.* "I thought you wanted to resolve things with Kath?"

Millard: *He looked down with watering eyes and smiled.* "Celestrial Lancer."

*Five bright red swords materialised in the air around Kath and Millard.*

Alicia: (I thought he only knew fire-)

*A piece of wood near one of the swords, suddenly engulfed in fire.*

Lance: *He stared at the sword, stepping forward with curiosity.* (They look solid-)

Millard: *He appeared relaxed and sad.* "Don't touch them. They are made of the strongest fire I could make."

*The swords tilted angle, pointing towards Kath and Millard.*

Kath: "Millardestel." *She whispered and nodded her head.*

Alicia: "I don't understand what's happening? Will these heal your-"

*Millard sighed, causing the swords to suddenly pierce through their bodies.*

Lance: "Oh, shit-"

Alicia: *She covered her mouth, shaking her head in disbelief.* "..."

Kath: *She watched the swords vaporised into nothing, gasping for air.* "I'm happy." *Her knees buckled, causing Alicia to run up to her.*

Alicia: *She caught Kath in her arms, dropping to the ground.* (Why would they suddenly do this?)

Millard: *He fell backwards, causing Lance to catch him.* "My dear, child?"

Lance: *He shook his head, looking at Millard with sadness.* "Am I cursed?"

Millard: "I-I'm sorry?" *He coughed and looked at Lance, as blood ran from the sides of his mouth.*

Lance: "I don't know why, but I respect you. You're actually the third person in my life-"

Millard: "Respect? You? Me?"

Lance: "Don't be so surprised, Millard, you old fart."

Millard: "You always know what to say to get these old bones shaking."

Lance: "I regret not doin' so earlier."

Millard: *He sighed with a smile.* "Give me your hand."

Lance: *He held Millard's hand.* "Wat is it?" *His throat swelled, causing his voice to sound distorted.*

Millard: "This is-" *He grabbed Lance's wrist, holding it tightly.* "To remember me by."

Lance: "The b-bangle?" *He squinted his eyes in pain, as his skin sizzled around Millard's fingers.*

Millard: "There."

Lance: *He looked at his wrist, looking under the bangle.* (A phoenix?) "Aha, you gave me a tattoo?"

Millard: "Your world is terrible. But, I enjoy the chocolate."

Lance: "W-Wat? You've been-?"

Millard: "Ssh, child."

Lance: (He's been to Dee Highs?)

Kath: "It hurts, please lay me down."

Alicia: "Y-Yes." *She gently placed Kath on the ground, stepping back.*

Millard: "Could you please lay me next to Kath?"

Lance: "S-Sure." (His body is getting cold.) *He grunted, placing Millard next Kath.*

Kath: "You must've gone through so much."

Millard: "..."

Kath: "I wouldn't have been able to endure what you did if our positions were reversed."

Millard: "It was horrible." *He smiled, as tears ran down his face.*

Kath: "W-What was your drive?" *She shivered, losing movement in her body.*

Millard: "All I wanted, was to see that smile on your face."

Kath: (Smile?) *She looked shocked, noticing her unintentional smile.* "I must've been happy to see you."

Alicia: *She sniffed with watering eyes.* "M-Millard." *She whispered with quivering lips.*

Lance: "Is this seriously what's happening?"

Millard: *He tilted his head and coughed.* "Lance. You're not cursed."

Lance: *He lowered his head, shaking his head in realisation.* "You knew all along didn't you?"

Millard: "You two, remind me of Kath and myself."

Alicia: "..."

Kath: "Where do you think we will go?" *She looked at Millard, noticing her legs glow white.*

Millard: "To Valhalla? Becoming Neurons and Astragons?" *He mumbled in amazement, as his legs disintegrated into tiny white orbs.*

Kath: "Maybe even Radiatons?" *She giggled in pain.* "What about Lezard?"

Millard: "He knows."

Kath: "I see."

Alicia: "..." *She sat on her knees, biting her bottom lip.*

Millard: "Don't be sad, children. I've lived through multiple lifetimes, and, I wouldn't have this end any other way."

Lance: "Y-Yeah." *He grunted in pain, as the self-inflicting glyph faded away.*

Millard: *He focused his attention to Kath, staring into her eyes.* "We'll be drawn together."

Kath: "We're soul mates, right?"

Millard: "I love you."

Kath: "I love you too." *She twitched and moved her arm, touching Millard's cheek.*

Millard: "Remember, I'll never ever leave your side again." *He smiled, sighing out his last breath.*

Kath: "I will always be with you." *She stopped breathing, as a tear ran down her face.*

Alicia: *She started to whimper.* "W-What can I do-?"

Lance: *He held Alicia's hand, shaking his head.* "I don't know either-"

*Millard and Kath's body suddenly disintegrated into tiny white orbs, slowly floating up into the sky.*

----------

Destiny: *She looked up, staring at the sky.* (The sun will be rising soon, I can feel it.)

Luna: (We've seriously walked an entire twenty fours hours?! Fuck that.)

Destiny: "Yeup."

Rachael: *She straightened her arm, watching Lezard, Karol and Nathan walk ahead.* "Let them just absorb what's happening before we all walk in."

Luna: "OK."

Champion: "Oh my, understandable."

Lezard: *He walked into The Frozen Backwater village, observing the fire-based damage.* (I was too late?)

Karol: "Lezard?!" *He ran into the village, tripping on his own foot.* "Oof-" *He fell to the ground, coughing out dirt.*

Lezard: "Karol, I was too late." *He walked forward, continuing to observe the destruction of the village.*

Karol: "Umm-"

Nathan: *He walked over Karol and grunted, picking him up with one hand.* "Were we really too late?"

Trevour: *His armour rattled, as he staggered into the village.* "Whoa, this situation looks temperamental!" *He mumbled in shock, staring at the glass on the ground.*

Karol: *He brushed dirt off his pants, looking at Nathan.* "F-Fanks, Nafan."

Nathan: "Lezard?" *He mumbled, sympathising with Lezard.*

Lezard: *He noticed Millard's cone-shaped hat, causing him to rub his arm in a comfort-like manner.* "He was here."

*Nathan, Karol and Trevour walked towards Lezard, watching him pick up the hat.*

Lezard: "I will avenge my mother and father's death." *He brushed charcoal off the hat, placing it on his head.*

Nathan: "Who did this?"

Lezard: "I don't know who's to blame.. Mother and father monster are gone." *He spoke with quivering lips and adjusted the cone-shaped hat on his head.*

*Rachael, Luna and the champion walked into the village, noticing the damages in shock.*

Luna: "Holy shit.."

Champion: "The sheer level of damage.. An unimaginable amount of flames burnt here last night."

Lezard: "...-" *He dropped to his knees and placed his right hand on the dirt, feeling it with his fingers.* "They were here... I can feel the slight traces of Neurons-."

Trevour: "What in the Astral Plains happened?"

Lezard: "Mother monster was consumed by the yellow-eyed contagion."

Trevour: "The C-Consultant? Really, sir?!"

Karol: "Ah huh." *He nodded his head, as if he could verify it.*

Nathan: "..." *He looked angry and turned around, punching a straw made hut.*

Trevour: "Sir?"

Nathan: "This is really aggravating me. This is exactly what I was worried about.."

Rachael: "Nath?"

Nathan: "Making friends and worrying about them." *He mumbled with his deep voice and avoided eye contact.*

Luna: *She discreetly stared at Nathan.* (Aye?)

Champion: "Even the Consultant.. This symptom may be more serious than anyone could have imagined."

Nathan: "No-.. The Scoldrant Users understood the reality this disease could cause."

Lezard: "..." *He looked down with watering eyes.*

Rachael: "Then why don't they do anything?"

Nathan: "It doesn't matter.. Lezard, it's cool if you want to head back to the ship."

Luna: *She continued to observe Nathan.* (He's really sweet and caring.. He doesn't like to show it, but it's there.)

Lezard: "Thankies, Nathan.." *He sniffed with a puffy nose and started to walk out of the village by himself.*

Rachael: *She formed a fist and shook her head.* "This isn't cool. I'm going with Lezard."

Champion: "I will, too. I would be more than happy to help comfort him if he allows me to." *She started to hobble towards Lezard.*

Nathan: *He nodded his head.* "We'll head to Concern's Gate and we'll meet up at the Sheridan."

Rachael: "Sounds good." *She looked at the champion and walked towards Lezard, placing her hand behind his back.*

Lezard: "Thankies, you two." *He sniffed and held their arms, as they walked with him out of the village.*

Karol: *He watched Lezard, Rachael and the champion walk out of his sight.* "Will they be fine?"

Nathan: "Yeah."

Luna: "Let's go, aye."

Destiny: "Yeup!" *She meowed in agreement.*

Trevour: "What a bunch of turbulence our guild has gone through in the past few days."

Luna: "I reckon." *She grunted, as they started to walk through the burnt remains of the village.*

Karol: "We've been frew a lot-" *He tripped on his own foot.*

Nathan: *He caught Karol before he fell over.* "I thought you stopped tripping over your own feet a few years ago."

Trevour: "Let's keep moving forward, everyone." *He tried to hide his sadness for Lezard.*

Karol: *He walked across the dirt and heard a glass-like crack, causing him to look down.* "Holy Neurons, it's gwass."

Nathan: "This is what Rostical does." *He glanced at the village in a spiteful-like manner.*

Trevour: "Do you speak from experience, sir?"

Nathan: "I do, but I don't want to talk about it."

Luna: (I don't understand how being friends with someone for more than three years, you still don't know all there is about them.)

Destiny: (What do you mean?) *She floated out of Luna's arms and hovered around her.*

Luna: (Like, why not just tell them wat's bothering you..)

Destiny: (Nathan?)

Luna: (Yea. His pathetic hate towards Rostickal, and the whole titles thing. Like, why not just tell us?)

Destiny: (There's stuff about you that you haven't told the guild.) *She looked at Luna's wrists.*

Luna: *She stared at her own wrists through Destiny's vision.* (Oi, that's different!)

Destiny: (How?)

Luna: (Well-.. Ahh, shut up!)

Destiny: "Yeup." *She floated higher, out of attacking range.*

Nathan: "..." *He sighed and purposely focused ahead, trying to ignore the damages.*

Trevour: "Poor, Lezard.."

Karol: "Yheah. I haven't seen him so sad befour."

Nathan: (That guy is always so chirpy, all the time. It was a real buzz kill when I saw him like that. It felt even worse when he tried to hide it.)

Luna: "Wow, talk about an emo atmosphere, and this is comin' from me." *She grunted, as she walked with Trevour, Nathan and Karol out of the village.*

Trevour: "I wonder how that poor fellow is going."