Chapter 20 - Our loved ones is our inspiration to keep on going.

I can't see clearly, but I surely know those pink, spiraling creatures with many little tentacles: Jellyfish! And a whole lot of them!

The worst part, I'm surrounded...

But even if I'm half blind, tired, cold and confused. Even though the odds are against me, outnumbered, a hundred against one...

I will not give up! I will never give up!

For my parents,

For Kaoru,

For my dreams,

"CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGE!!!"

The group of jellyfish closest to me attacked. I turned, spun, and delivered a great crescent slash hitting four big jellyfish! My attack was strong, but it wasn't enough. The other jellyfish kept attacking. They hit my face, legs, and feet with their spinning, stinging tentacles. I'm scratched really hard!

Their attack is so stunning that I stepped back...

Wrong move...

The jellyfish behind me attacked! Again I was stung really hard! I hate those tentacles! And I hate to admit it, but those jellyfish are good! They're many and they attack all at the same time! What great timing they have! Stop it Lionel! This is not the time to admire the enemy!

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!"

With my remaining strength, I counter-attacked the jellyfish. I swung my sword in a great wide arc! But they easily evaded my attack! I missed! I didn't hit anything! This is not good...

The jellyfish are moving back. I really hope it's over. I hope they'll just leave me be and go back to their homes, wherever it is and eat some snacks...

Not a chance...

The jellyfish are not retreating... They're moving back for their final blow! The jellyfish on my left, right, and above, will attack at the same time!

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!"

I started to run...

Too late...

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!"

It's an ambush...

No, it's worse than an ambush...

I'm scratched, stung, knocked down, and knocked out...

I'm defeated...

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As I lay there on the wet ground, my sight became hazy and blurry. And then, I felt my whole body is slowly moving forward. Huh... Was it the floor that's moving...? Nah, that's impossible. Maybe it's the waves and I'm floating. Besides, this is the cave entrance to the sea... Hmmm... Good! I can still remember things. My fragmented memory's still intact! That's good! But argh!!! My body's hurt and itchy all over... I guess I'll just lay still and let the waves carry me to the shore...

Wrong idea...

Suddenly, strong, streams of cold water shot out against me again...

This cave hates me...

The waters poured for a long time...

"Man, when will this end?"

Sadly, the cave is not done yet...

After the streams of cold water, it was replaced by jets of hot water. I'm really mad and angry at the cave now, but after a while, the warm water actually felt good. I think it's healing my scratches and stings.

When the warm streams of water stopped, I stood up and started to walk towards the light ahead.

"I guess that's over - !!!"

Wrong.

Strong gusts of hot wind blew down on me! Drying me all over! It's really hot! Tired as I was, I ran as fast as my feet can go, towards the light! Towards the end of the cave! I got nearer and nearer, the light getting brighter and brighter. I really can't see where I am, but finally! I made it! I've gone through the cave! Yes! Yes! Yes!!! I've done it! Ha! Ha! Ha! I may not know where I am, but as I fell down, my hands touched the warm sand.

I know...

I'm on a shore!

======================================================

"Lionel...? Lionel... Wake up... Are you okay?"

I opened my eyes... Gosh... Am I seeing an angel? If that's an angel, then, that means... I'm... No... That can't be... The last thing I remember... I fell down and everything went black. I guess I'm really tired and I fell asleep... So, if I'm correct, this girl is Kaoru...

I'm not that wrong after all... She really does look like an angel... With all that sunlight behind her, it's like she's radiating or something. And that cute and kind face...

Wait a minute...

My eyes flew wide open. I quickly stood up and rubbed my eyes.

I looked at her again.

"You've got to be kidding me..."

"What is it, Lionel?"

"Not even a scratch... How did you do it...?"

"What do you mean, Lionel? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine. But you, how come...?"

"I don't understand, Lionel. What's wrong?"

"We went into that cave together, right?"

"Yes."

"How come you're not even wet at all? Ah... Ah... Ah... AHCHOOO!!!"

I sneezed. I really hope I won't catch a cold.

"Excuse me..."

I looked at her again. She's gone! I looked around but I can't find her. All I can see are grey things and shadows. Everything's hazy and blurry. Where are the bright blue sky and the yellow sun? Where are the shore and the sea? It's... gone? That can't be...

I rubbed my eyes and slowly opened them...

"Are you alright, Lionel? I'm worried about you. Is there something wrong? Are you hurt?"

I can see Kaoru again! The blue sky, the sun, the shore, and the sea! Thank goodness!

"I'm alright, Kaoru. Really, I'm fine. It's just my eyes. I'm not hurt."

Not at all, just a little bit though.

She gave a sigh of relief.

"Good..."

"How about you, Kaoru? Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"No. I'm fine. It's you I'm worried about..."

"Don't worry about me. I'm fine. Still... How come you're not wet or hurt or scratched? How did you get out? That's one evil cave I tell you. Why didn't I see you?"

"We got separated when the streams of water came, Lionel. I can't see anything. I shouted and called for you but it looks like that you can't hear me. The sounds of rushing water overpowered my voice..."

"Okay... But how'd you got out without getting hurt?"

"I casted a spell, Lionel. It protected me from the cave. After that, I just walked to the exit. I'm an Elementalist, you know. I'm not helpless."

"..."

I feel bad that I can't protect you Kaoru... I failed miserably...

"I... I'm sorry..."

"It's okay... I guess you're just worried about me."

It's not okay Kaoru. Yes, I'm worried, but back there, I totally forgot about you! I panicked! I'm so weak! I can't even defend myself... Thankfully, you're alright...

"I don't know what you're thinking Lionel but don't be so gloomy, okay? We're here to have fun, remember? I'm okay, you're quite okay, and that's what's important!"

I'll never let that happen again.

"Let's continue on our adventure and forget what happened okay?"

"Okay..."

"Oh, come on, Lionel! You can do better than that!"

She's the nicest friend I ever had.

"Okay!"