Part Five

Sighing heavily, I watch as Isadora skillfully navigates up the side of the monstrous behemoth. It's proving to be a tricky climb, but that's exactly what I need—her ascent is drawing all the attention. The fact that Isadora was chosen as king in this test seems like a bizarre twist of fate, but I'm not one to question luck.

Azura, with his characteristic tenacity, is back on the chase, his nose bloodied from his recent tumble. "He's persistent, I'll give her that," I mutter under my breath. But it's too late for him to interfere; we're almost at the monster's head.

I turn to Lysandra with a grin. "Yo Lysandra, ready?" I ask, my plan coming together in my mind.

She yawns, clearly more interested in food than our current predicament. "What the hell are we doing? I wanted to eat more," she complains.

Ignoring her grumbling, I shout to Isadora, "Yo Isadora, throw us as high as you can!" Her nod signals her readiness.

Isadora hurls both Lysandra and me high into the air. As we ascend, I can't help but comment on the beast below us. "That's an ugly ass face, you damn monster," I call down, not expecting any reaction from the creature, of course.

As I reach the peak of our trajectory, Quinn, not too far away, throws a pair of daggers at me. Catching them deftly, I meet her gaze. She's grinning, a clear challenge in her eyes. "I'm going to get you back for last time," she declares.

"Maybe some other time," I reply with a smile, waving nonchalantly as I begin to fall. In one fluid motion, I grab Lysandra and steer us directly into the monster's gaping maw.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

-Mira's POV

Bursting out of the forest, I find myself at the edge of a vast, grassy lake. With a confident leap, I land on the water's surface, standing on it as if it were solid ground, not causing a single ripple. "Hehehe, would you look at that—" I begin to boast, but my words trail off as my eyes catch an unbelievable sight.

"Eh? Eh!? Eeeeehhhhh!!?!?!" My voice rises in shock and disbelief. I quickly coat my eyes in mana to enhance my vision, and there I see it – V, that crazy bastard, jumping straight into the mouth of a gigantic monster. "That fucking bastard! Is he suicidal?" I can't help but yell out, my mind racing with confusion.

Next to land beside me is Zara, but her entrance is far less graceful. She splashes into the water, causing ripples to spread across the surface. I glance down at her with a mix of amusement and irritation. "What are you doing?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

Zara's face turns a shade of red, her voice barely above a whisper. "I thought it wasn't deep since you're standing on it..." she mutters, clearly embarrassed.

Before I can respond, Gareth joins us, jumping in and making an even bigger splash. Water flies everywhere, soaking my hair and clothes. I grit my teeth, glaring at him. "You fucking muscle head! Are you trying to get me wet? Do you know how long it takes me to do my hair!?" I snap, frustration boiling over.

Gareth just grins, standing a couple of feet in the water. Despite being submerged, he's still taller than me. "So what? We're in a competition," he says nonchalantly, clearly not bothered by my anger.

I clench my fist, feeling the urge to give him a solid beating. But before I can act, Elara steps in with a deep sigh, looking at us with a mix of disappointment and amusement. "Oh, my poor subjects, let me assist you," she says, her voice laced with mock-seriousness.

With a wave of her hand, the water beneath Gareth and Zara rises, lifting them up to stand on the surface like me. I roll my eyes at Elara's theatrics. "Oi, Elara, why are you acting like this?" I ask, my tone laced with exasperation.

Elara just smiles warmly, running her hand over her hair to show off the crown as much as possible. It's clear she's enjoying playing the role of the king, even if it's just a game.

Before I can say anything else, Zara whispers to me, "Just let her be Mira. She's been really happy being chosen as the king." I let out a sigh, deciding to drop the subject.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

-Nyssa's POV

The forest is alive around us, a sacred cathedral where every leaf and shadow dances to the rhythm of our noble mission. Each step I take is a step closer to our divine purpose. The power within me surges, a glorious testament to our lord's imminent return. The monsters we encounter are mere offerings on the altar of our cause, their defeat a necessary sacrifice for the greater good.

Oh, how my heart swells with pride and anticipation! The air is thick with destiny, and each creature that falls before us is a whisper of the grandeur soon to unfold.

I turn to Sera, my greatest creation, transformed now into a devoted apostle of our righteous path. Her occasional flickers of doubt, those brief moments when the girl she once was surfaces, are nothing but fleeting shadows. It's beautiful, watching her struggle and then succumb again to the truth of our mission.

"Sera, sweet sister," I say, my voice a tender melody of conviction, "we are the bearers of a new dawn. Our lord's guidance is our greatest blessing."

Her steps, though occasionally hesitant, speak of the turmoil within—a turmoil I find delightfully tragic. The whispers that ensnare her thoughts are like a lover's caress, pulling her back into our embrace whenever uncertainty creeps in.

"We are the chosen, Sera. Our actions are the brushstrokes of a masterpiece yet to be revealed," I reinforce, my words dripping with zealous fervor.

Our sacred duty, to bring about the rebirth of our lord, fills me with an ecstasy that is almost unbearable. I can feel it, the pulse of our destiny growing stronger with every heartbeat. Our final comrade is close, and with their arrival, the final piece of our divine puzzle will fall into place.

"Rejoice, Sera, for soon we will stand in the presence of our lord. Our journey, our sacrifices, all lead to this hallowed moment," I exclaim, my voice a crescendo of devout passion.

Sera nods, her eyes alight with the fire of our cause. The remnants of her former self are being consumed by the flame of our belief.

As I rip apart another monster, a sense of divine purpose fills me. The creature's demise is a necessary act, a small piece in the grand design we are weaving. "By now, no one should be able to see us," I murmur, feeling the isolation of our sacred mission.

A fierce smile curls my lips. "Ah, my lord, we're so close to freeing you from your torment." My voice is a whisper of fervent anticipation. The thought of those who imprisoned our lord fuels a fiery anger within me. "All those who sealed you will tremble at your return," I vow, my fists clenched tightly.

Years of struggle, of pain, and relentless dedication flood my mind. "I have waited so long for this moment," I confess to the silent forest, my heart beating in rhythm with our nearing triumph.

Turning to Sera, I see her as my most cherished achievement. Her resistance to our lord's gift is both admirable and pitiful. "My precious Sera," I say softly, "you fight so hard against the truth, but soon, you will understand. In our lord's presence, everything will become clear."

But then, my thoughts drift to V, causing an involuntary shiver to run through my body. My hands tremble at the mere thought of him. "Ah, V," I sigh, cupping my cheek. The longing I feel for him is overwhelming, a desire that transcends mere attraction. "I wish you could see the truth, join us in our sacred journey."

The idea of being alone with V, of revealing to him the depths of our cause, fills me with a yearning I can barely contain. "We are destined to be together, V," I whisper into the stillness. "To undergo the dual ritual, to bask in our lord's light side by side."

The fantasy of sharing such a profound experience with V consumes me. "How I long to show you the true path," I murmur, lost in a dream of what could be.

"Soon, my lord, soon," I vow, my voice a blend of devotion and madness. "And V, I will return for you. We are meant to be more than mere acquaintances; we are destined to be soulmates in the light of our lord."

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des, standing amidst the spectators, watches the screen with an intense focus. The air is electric with the energy of the competition, a blend of excitement and nervous anticipation. Suddenly, the image of Kael jumping into the mouth of a monstrous behemoth sends a shock through her. "Ahhh! No! Kael! Why would you jump into a monster's mouth?" she exclaims, her voice laced with distress. The sight is too much for her, and tears threaten to spill as she murmurs, "No, no, no, why..." Her concern for Kael is palpable, the fear of his well-being gripping her heart.

Meanwhile, Ash, with his characteristic light-heartedness, responds through the earpiece, trying to reassure Des. "Come on, Des, stop being such a crybaby," he says, his voice echoing with a mix of humor and confidence. "Don't you trust Kael? I wish I could see it myself. I'm sure he looked awesome." His words are meant to be comforting, to remind Des of Kael's penchant for unconventional but effective strategies.

Des tries to compose herself, inspired by Ash's unwavering faith in Kael. "You're right, Ash. Kael knows what he's doing," she finally concedes, wiping away her tears and focusing back on the screen.

Ash, moving swiftly through the corridors of the academy, is focused on reaching their designated meeting spot. The excitement of the unknown element of their mission adds a spring to his steps. "Anyway, I'm almost at the meeting spot. Keep an eye on things from your end, okay?" he reminds Des.

Des acknowledges his request with a newfound steadiness in her voice. "Will do, Ash. Be careful,"

Ash, navigating the corridors with a bounce in his step, can't help but marvel at the suits they're wearing. "Hey, Des, aren't these suits just the coolest?" he chimes enthusiastically through the earpiece. His voice, though altered by the mask, still carries the unmistakable excitement of a 12-year-old on an adventure.

Des's voice crackles through the earpiece, matching Ash's enthusiasm. "Yeah! They're super awesome! Eira really knows how to make cool stuff," she replies, her tone brimming with admiration for their enigmatic benefactors.

Their conversation is a delightful mix of youthful wonder and the excitement of being involved in something far greater than their usual routines. They chat back and forth, their words bouncing like a lively tennis match, filled with the innocence and vivacity of youth.

As Ash rounds a corner, his gaze falls upon the person they're meant to meet. She stands with an air of undeniable authority, her posture exuding a commanding presence. But what truly captures Ash's attention is her striking appearance. Her hair, a magnificent shade of pure white, flows like a cascade of untouched snow, shimmering in the ambient light. Her eyes, a beautiful blend of cyan and baby blue, hold a captivating allure.

"Wow, an elf..." Ash whispers to himself, his awe evident even through the voice-altering mask. He's read about elves in books and heard stories, but seeing one in person is an entirely different experience.

The elf's gaze settles on Ash, her expression one of mild puzzlement. She can't see his face behind the mask, but it's clear she senses he's not an adult. Yet, she doesn't question his presence. Perhaps it's her respect for V, whom she regards as a figure of significant power, that prevents her from delving into the obvious questions.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sliding down the monster's throat is every bit as gross as you'd imagine. Lysandra is freaking out beside me. "What the hell, V! I don't want to die yet!" she yells, her voice echoing in the confined space.

"Shit, I forgot to fill her in," I realize. Turning my attention back up the throat, I yell as loud as I can, "Isadora! Don't fight anyone with pink hair! Throw Oliver at her and focus on the others!" I can only hope she heard me over the cacophony.

The stench in here is overwhelming. I quickly reach into my pouch and pull out two masks, putting one on myself and slipping the other onto Lysandra. It's a small comfort, but it'll have to do.

As we continue our descent, Lysandra glares at me through her mask. "What the fuck, Kael! Why the hell are we in here?" she demands, her voice muffled but her irritation clear.

"Just give it a second; we're almost there."

Suddenly, we fall out of the throat and into the stomach. I grab Lysandra and pull her away from the center, where a pool of acid bubbles menacingly. We land on a surface that's slimy and surprisingly bouncy.