Chapter 22 - With faith and courage, we can overcome giants.

"Whoa..."

That's the only word I can say. The Iskascrapah Mountain is so big and steep, it touches the clouds!

"It's so high!"

"It's not just high, Lionel. it's super high!"

"And we're going to climb that, Kaoru...?"

"Yup! Up to the top!"

Is that even possible?!! We don't even have a rope! Wait... Are we going to climb it with our bare hands?!

"Can we really make it to the top? Before the day ends? And go home before it gets dark?"

"If we don't start now, we'll never make it."

"Awww, man..."

"After you, O mighty swashbuckler!"

"Okay... Okay... Let's go..."

"Iskascrapah Mountain, you're going down! Down I say! Down!!!"

"Awww, man..."

Those star crystals should better be worth it!

As we walk towards the mountain, Kaoru saw something.

"Lionel! Look!"

"What? Where?"

She ran.

"Hey! Where are you going, Kaoru? Wait for me!"

After a few moments, I finally caught up with her.

"Hey, don't do that, okay?"

"Lionel, look..."

"Whoa... What is that...?"

"It's a gate, a glass gate."

"A gate...? Why would there be a gate in a mountain?"

"We're very lucky, Lionel. We, I mean, I, found the secret entrance to the mountain! We don't need to climb anymore! We'll just walk in! Isn't that great?"

"You found the 'secret' entrance that easily?"

"You didn't see it."

"Good point."

Kaoru's really talented.

"Only those with sharp, eagle eyes, like me, can see beyond the trick of the glass gate. Am I not the best, Lionel?"

She deserves the compliment.

"Yes. You're the best. But, how can we go inside?"

"That, I do not know."

"Uhmm... Can you use your magic?"

"No can do. It's a glass gate. It acts like a mirror. It will only reflect my magic."

"What if I use my sword?"

"If you use your sword, you'll break through for sure. But the glass will fall on you... That's really dangerous... You might get hurt..."

Well, we've gone really far now.

I drew my sword.

"Step back, Kaoru."

"But..."

"Don't worry. I'll be careful."

I took a deep breath, exhaled, ran full speed, and swung my sword, hitting the glass gate with full force!

"TIIGGSSSH!!!"

It didn't break! It's harder than I've thought!

I will not give up! I'm going to break this gate!

I stepped back, ran, jumped, and swung my sword!

"TIIGGSSSH!!!"

The cracks are bigger this time but it's still intact.

One more!

I stepped back farther, gripped my sword tighter, and braced myself for the impact.

"This is it!!!"

I ran full speed. Hope I don't slip, that would be embarrassing.

The glass gate got nearer; I jumped, and delivered a flying kick.

"TIIGGSSHH!!"

GOSH!!! What am I thinking?! I'm just wearing flip flops! I could really get hurt! I'm not thinking straight!

Everything happened so fast! I landed, jumped back, lunged, and swung my sword in a sideways arc!

"TIIIGGSSSHHH!!!"

"CRIKK!!! CRAKK!!!"

"Lionel!!! Look out!!!"

I turned and ran as fast as I can!

"CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSHHH!!!"

Broken bits of glass flew everywhere! We're lucky we didn't get hurt.

"Are you okay, Lionel?"

"I'm okay. Are you hurt?"

"No. I'm fine... That's reckless Lionel..."

"It won't happen again. I promise."

I will never, ever, do that again!

"Well, I'm glad you're alright."

"Awww... You care for me."

"Little, very little. Let's go inside shall we?"

Kaoru's is coldhearted sometimes.

"I'll lead the way. Watch your step, Kaoru. There's a lot of broken glass."

"I wonder who did that..."

"Hey now. I really have to do that if it will make our travelling easier."

We entered the mountain.

"I wonder how the mountain looks like inside..."

I stopped on my tracks...

"Kaoru..."

"Yes? What is it...?"

I raised my sword and posed a fighting stance. Kaoru stopped on her tracks.

"No..."

It's ten feet tall. It has red glowing eyes, big body, big armor, huge hands, and a big, long sword. Did I say 'big'? Well, it's really, really, big...

"What is that thing, Kaoru...?"

"It's a boss monster... The Golem Knight, guardian of the mountain..."

It started to move towards us.

"I... I'm sorry Lionel... I t-totally forgot..."

She covered her face with her hands.

"Hey... Don't cry. It's okay. We forget things sometimes. Happens to me a lot, you know."

Silence...

"Don't cry Kaoru... Don't worry... Just stay there and watch. I'm gonna destroy that Golem Knight! Just wait and see!"

Silence...

"I promise, Kaoru, I'll protect you no matter what!!"

The Golem Knight is getting dangerously close.

"So, don't cry! Hey you! Ugly monster! You made my best friend cry! I'll make you pay for that!!! CHAAAAAAAARGE!!!"

The Golem Knight raised its giant sword and brought it down on me. I dodged it just in time! Gosh! You can hear the force of that swing!

As it withdrew its sword and stepped back, I ran full speed and attacked its left leg.

"TING! TING! TING!!!"

It's no use!! Aww!!! My hands are shaking!

I quickly stepped back, away from the Golem Knight. How am I going to defeat this thing?!

As I moved around, I stepped on to something. I lifted my foot, turned my head, and looked down...

"OH MY GAAASH!!!"

Is this the reason why Kaoru almost cried? Is this why she's so scared?

I looked around...

Why didn't I notice...? There are human bones all over the place...

I felt so cold inside, my whole body began to shiver... GAAASH!!! This is really serious!

I shook my head and tried to forget what I saw. I'm scared, but I need to focus! I'm not leaving my bones in this place! Wait, the Golem Knight... OH MY GAASH!!! IT'S GOING TO ATTACK KAORU!!!

I ran with all the speed my feet can muster...

The Golem raised its sword...

"KAORU!!!"

I shoved her away, turned, and swung my sword upwards! At the same time, the Golem brought down its sword,

"TIIIIIIIING!!!"

What a strong monster!! I flew back and fell flat on the ground!

"Aaaaah..."

My hands are shaking and my ears are ringing from the clash.

I slowly got up, held my sword, and posed a fighting stance. I'm starting to breath heavily now...

Gosh... I'm tired, and I'm hurt... Can I really defeat this thing...? What am I going to do?!

The Golem Knight stepped back and posed a new fighting stance. It will attack soon...

"Kaoru!!! Are you okay?!"

"I'm okay! It's you I'm worried about!"

"Me? I'm fine! I'm fine!"

I'm gonna die!

"Can you use your magic to fight that thing?!"

"It's a Golem, Lionel! My magic won't work!"

My luck's run out.

"Lionel... We can run... We can escape! It's okay! Let's go back - "

"No! No! No! NO!!!"

The Golem Knight started to move.

"I'm not going home!"

I ran.

"I'm gonna destroy this Golem Knight!"

I tightly gripped my sword.

"Get those star crystals!"

The Golem Knight raised its sword.

"And have my happy ending! CHAAAAAAARGE!!!"