Chapter 2 (Will-o'-the-wisp)

So here we are, on our first mission to capture a Will o' the Wisp, a ghost-type beast. Easy level of difficulty, they said. No big deal, they said. But here we are, stuck in an endless loop of illusions, and Pororo and I are definitely not winning any teamwork awards.

Me: (looking around, frustrated) "Alright, Pororo, where do you think this thing is hiding?"

Pororo: (squinting his eyes, looking equally confused) "Hmm... If I were a mischievous ghost light, where would I be? Oh wait, I know! In a place that makes absolutely no sense!"

Me: (rolling my eyes) "Brilliant, Pororo. Just brilliant. Maybe we should split up and—"

Pororo: "—and get lost even more? Great plan! Next, we can try walking in circles blindfolded!"

Me: "Fine, fine. Let's stick together. Just... try to keep up and don't trip over any roots this time."

Pororo: "Hey, that root came out of nowhere! Anyway, I think we should follow the weird glowing lights over there. They look...suspiciously will-o'-the-wisp-y."

Me: (sighing) "Suspiciously will-o'-the-wisp-y? Is that even a word?"

Pororo: "It is now. Come on, let's catch this thing and get out of here."

With a mix of hope and skepticism, we both head toward the faint, flickering lights. The forest seems to shift and change with every step, making it hard to tell if we're making any progress at all.

Me: (looking around nervously) "Are you sure this is the right way? Everything looks the same."

Pororo: "Well, I did say it would make no sense. But look! There it is!" (points to a flickering light)

Me: "Finally! Now, let's approach it slowly and—"

Pororo: (runs ahead) "Gotcha, you little glow bug!"

The light suddenly darts away, leading us both on a wild chase through the forest. After several near-misses and a lot of stumbling, we finally corner the Will o' the Wisp.

Me: (breathless) "Alright, now what?"

Pororo: (equally breathless, holding a jar) "Now, we capture it! Ready...set..."

Both: "Go!"

With a coordinated leap, we manage to trap the Will o' the Wisp in a jar. It flickers angrily but is safely contained.

Pororo: (smiling) "We did it! And we didn't even kill each other in the process."

Me: (grinning) "Yeah, teamwork! Or...something like it. Now let's get out of here before it decides to escape."

Pororo: "Hold on, we need to seal it back in the book the jar won't hold it for so long."

Me: "The book?"

Pororo: "Yes, the book!"

Me: "Where's the book? You're kidding, right? Where is it?"

Pororo: "It's inside you now, genius! You have to summon it! Say these words and repeat after me 'Book Open!'"

Me: "Book Open!" I repeated the exact words, and a bright light appeared in front of me along with the howling of the wind. The Eldritch Bestiary appeared, hovering before us.

Me: "Now what?"

Pororo: "Say the command words, an incantation!"

Me: "What is it?"

Pororo: "I dunno, maybe try using your brain?"

I was reminded of my dream earlier, the spell my classmates laughed at. I took a deep breath and began to chant.

Me: "By moon's light and shadows deep, Awaken beasts from ancient sleep. Return to your eternal keep."

With the spell, the Will o' the Wisp was tangled in a bright light emanating from the book, but it was struggling to escape.

Pororo: "I am surprised you're doing well so far. Now it's my turn. I am the book keeper, and you need me to seal the beast."

Me: "But how do I do that? Do I throw you at it or something?"

Pororo: "Idiot, command me to transform into a sacred key."

Me: "How?"

Pororo: "You were doing just fine earlier making your own incantations and all that. Now do the same with me!"

I thought for a moment and then said, "Sacred tool, transform!" Pororo was engulfed in light and transformed into a magical staff mid-air, with keys dangling on it, just like the wizards use in silly Fantasy movies. I caught it with my hands and nearly dropped it.

Pororo: (furious) "Careful! I'm not a toy, you know!"

Me: "Sorry, I'm nervous!"

Pororo: "Now, you have to hit the beast with your staff!"

I did as instructed and struck the beast. It was enveloped in a blinding light, caged in an orb of light, and flew right back to the book, sealing it. The beast's illusion dispelled, and the surroundings returned to normal. I was back in the old library in the museum. The book flew right back to me when I commanded it to return.

Pororo: (halfheartedly) "Congratulations, I guess. Now release me back to my old form."

Me: "Not unless you apologize and call me master." I playfully teased.

Pororo: "What? No! Never!"

Me: "Then remain like that forever."

Pororo: "I hate you!"

Me: (laughing) "Alright, alright. I'll change you back." I waved my hand and said, "Sacred tool, transform!" Pororo was engulfed in warm light again and transformed back to his usual self.

Pororo: "Ugh, finally. I can't believe you had to ask me to call you master. What a joke."

Me: "Hey, you asked for it! Besides, we make a pretty good team, don't you think?"

Pororo: (grumbling) "Yeah, yeah. Let's just get out of here before I change my mind."

Pororo and I looked at the book and found the drawing of the Will o' the Wisp return to its original page. I was so happy to have accomplished it. Pororo, however, looked more relieved than impressed.

Me: (grinning ear to ear) "We did it! Look, there it is, back in the book!"

Pororo: (nodding, trying to look wise) "Yes, yes, good job. Now, pay attention. The beasts we capture and seal back in the book? We can actually summon them and use their abilities to capture other beasts."

Me: "Really? That's awesome! So, Will o' the Wisp is now our ghostly sidekick?"

Pororo: "Exactly. But don't get too excited. Each beast has a different level of difficulty in catching. Easy level beasts are like Goblin and Fairy tier. They're usually harmless and a walk in the park."

Me: (laughing) "Walk in the park, huh? Like catching a bunny?"

Pororo: "More like catching a squirrel with a sugar rush, but sure, close enough."

Pororo looked at me seriously, or as serious as a small, talking stuff toy could.

Pororo: "Medium difficulty are Demon tier beasts. They're typically aggressive and troublesome."

Me: "Aggressive and troublesome? Sounds like my cousin at family dinners."

Pororo: "Exactly! Except these cousins can breathe fire or throw you across a room. Next, we have Dragon tier beasts. They're powerful enough to destroy buildings with their sheer power."

Me: (wide-eyed) "Yikes, sounds scary! Got it."

Pororo: "And then there's the highest tier, the God tier beasts. Rare, legendary, and incredibly difficult to control or seal. They have immense power capable of destroying a city."

Me: "Destroying a city? Like Godzilla but worse?"

Pororo: "Pretty much Godzilla on a Monday. And they come far in between, thankfully. You won't see one every Tuesday."

I nodded, trying to process all this information.

Pororo: "Your Beast Seeker level will increase depending on the beasts you've captured and have at your disposal to use. The more powerful the beast, the higher your level."

Me: "So, it's like leveling up in a game?"

Pororo: "Exactly! Except with more life-threatening danger."

Me: (grinning) "I'm ready for it. Bring on the next beast!"

Pororo: (sighing) "Just try not to get us killed, okay? I'm too cute to be a ghost."

With that, we closed the book, both excited and a little terrified of what adventures lay ahead. As we headed out of the library, I couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and nerves.