9 Cold Dungeon
"Hurry up you klutz!" Ares called out to Mana has she tried to fasten her pace. It was a long flight of stairs, it seemed even longer for Mana since she was so out of shape. She fixed her long white scarf around her neck as she tried to catch up.
"Ah- ah sorry please...wait...." She huffed clutching onto her long trench coat that was opened a bit at the front so you could see her long pale pink skirt. Mana dressed warm but she didn't dress up for an adventure.
"How stupid are you?" Ares asked coldly turning to face her. "Why would you dress like that?" He asked with annoyance. Mana became flustered so she unconsciously took a step back. She missed a step causing her to fall back.
"Ahh!!" Mana screamed fearfully as she closed her eyes. After a couple of minutes she didn't feel her head against the floor so she opened one of her eyes. To her surprise Ares was holding onto her hand with no effort at all.
"You done?" He questioned coldly, pulling her close to his body. "You are such a pain in the ass." He mumbled as he bent down. "Tch, get on my back." Mana gulped nervously but did was Ares said. He stood up with ease and began walking up the dimly lit staircase.
"Ah I'm sorry if I'm too heavy." Mana apologized noticing that Ares had to adjust himself a couple of times. Ares didn't respond and continued walking up the stairs. Once he reached the top of the staircase he gently set Mana down.
"The floor is icy." He stated when Mana clumsy tried to stand up. She wasn't even moving that much but ended up slipping around. "Hold on-" Ares mumbled grabbing her warm hands. Mana shivered feeling his cold ones.
"You're cold..." Mana whispered finally noticing that Ares wasn't really properly dressed for this weather. Ares let out a low growl as he pulled Mana into his chest then carried her bridal style. "Ah- w- wait!" Mana tried to protest with embarrassment but Ares was already walking to the dungeon floor. "A-"
Suddenly a loud rumbling sound filled the dark cavelike room. A giant plant sprouted suddenly and latched one of its vines around Mana's leg. She let out a squeak in surprise as it pulled her out from Ares' grasp.
"AH! AHHH!!" Mana screamed in fear. She was turned upside down and was getting sung all over the place.
"Shit!" Ares yelled as he pulled out his large black sword. He jumped up trying to cut the vine only for him to be hit with another vine that just sprouted. The vines holding Mana moves deeper underneath her skirt. Her eyes widened with disgust and were automatically filled with tears.
"Ah!! Please help, Ares!!" She called out but then the vines covered her mouth.
"The teleportation crystal I gave you before!! Use it now!!" Ares called out but the vines already had a tight grip around Mana's arms. "YOU BASTARD!!" He screamed as he swung his sword at the middle plant. It immediately let go of Mana then died. Ares dashed quickly to catch Mana. "I'm such a failure!! I can't even protect someone from a plant!!" Ares cried angrily. His hair covered his face so Mana couldn't tell what he really was feeling.
"Ares..." Mana reached over to touch his face but Ares suddenly grabbed her hand. He pulled her hands away from his face trying not realizing he was squeezing her hands to tightly. Mana bit her lip at the sudden pain. "That- That hurts..." She said softly, surprisingly Ares let go.
"We should keep going."
