"Given that the Maliferons had only been in Earth-36 for a few years, they have certainly built an incredible community," Karen muttered to Yassi, who was cautiously walking beside her.
The Maliferons had given them a short tour around the huge dome, which probably spanned at least a few kilometers in diameter. They, however, were only going around the topmost level of the dome; simply the entrance towards the actual, complex community of metal buildings and metal people. Surely, levels underneath them would reveal even more wonders.
The structures within the land were of spiral and curved designs, much like their tastes in dome houses. Many more Maliferons began to appear as they travelled around. They seemed to be quite used to the presence of other species, although that may be because Yassi and Karen were being surrounded by Maliferons from both sides.
The paths were lit up by a mysterious moss that glowed a blue light, and that seemed to especially interest the Luminard Karen.
The group of Maliferons led them down another flight of metal steps and into a wider area. They entered a fancy, silver building shaped like a teardrop, and were told to settle down on the moss-covered, metal chairs. "We will first convey a message towards our leader about your arrival. We will leave our little one, Seera, to keep you company as you wait."
Yassi and Karen could only nod their heads and stare as they were left inside the large, silver building. Glancing around the room, Yassi found the building wide and empty. It was only furnished by several metal chairs. She settled down on one of these, finding the thin layer of moss of little help in making the chair more comfortable. She stared at the familiar Maliferon in front of her, unsure of what to say.
"As you may have heard, my name is Seera," it said. "I am a female Maliferon of six earth years, but my intellectual development would be akin to a 13-year-old human child. I saw you once in my home planet, when I was just three earth years old."
"Nice to meet you, Seera," Yassi said with a smile. "I am Yassi Anne Sorento, otherwise known as the Superhero YAP. This is my friend, Karen. She is a Luminard."
Seera's dark eyes then shined with a silver light. "Is it really true how your skin can glow in various colors?"
Karen laughed at the Maliferon child's curiosity. "Yes, indeed."
And as though to prove her point, she willed her outer layer to glow a bright yellow by thinking of something happy. Seera's eyes widened ever so slightly, and her once nonexistent mouth appeared as it opened in awe.
Then, jumping towards Yassi's direction, Seera quickly asked, "And your powers? I only saw you fly once, and you glowed so bright! Brighter than a Luminard's!"
Karen could only laugh at that comparison, but also felt herself happily waiting for her hero's reply. She, too, was gravely curious of her hero's true powers.
"… There is not much to tell," Yassi muttered, her face contorted into a complicated expression.
Karen almost seemed as childlike as Seera when she complained at her hero. However, while the two were bursting out reasons and complaints to Yassi, she suddenly looked towards the entrance of the building.
"Someone's watching," Yassi said, and when her voice was heard, the peeking intruder quickly hid from their sight.
Seera looked at the open doorway as well. "Oh, that's probably just my brother. He was with us just earlier. The smallest one of us all."
"Jokrum! Come here," the Maliferon shouted at the door. "Come meet hero YAP and her Luminard friend, Karen!"
Slowly, the smaller creature, probably only reaching Yassi's chest, appeared through the doorway. "G-Greetings, my hero and her f-friend named K-Karen… I am Jo-Jokrum, brother of Seera…"
Seera made a sudden laugh, and turned towards Yassi. "Don't mind him. He looks so very much cowardly, but he is much more cunning in the battlefield."
Yassi's brows went up. "Really now?"
Then, Karen made a little huff. "That reminds me of that once timid human boy again…"
Yassi laughed at that, indeed getting reminded of Tanner when she stared at the stuttering, but supposedly wily character in front of them.
"Hah! Once, we had a little sparring bout, but right as the timer started, he quickly grabbed a handful of ferric sand and threw it right into my eyes! I was completely blind during the fight that I lost so easily!" Seera continued.
"O-Oh… I am not so evil, sister! I only know how to level the game… I am so much smaller t-than you and the o-others…" the younger Maliferon said, his voice small and faint.
"Ah! Speaking of bouts, Jokrum, come here…" Seera looked as though she remembered something unpleasant, and then she dragged her brother with two of her arms and walked away from the two companions.
Karen curiously looked at their hunched out forms. They seemed to be whispering together in agitation. She was about to ask her hero about this when she saw Yassi looking at the children with a shocked expression.
'She must have heard their conversation. What exactly did the children talk about that made her hero look so surprised?' wondered the Luminard.
Then, Yassi turned towards the door, her face pale in the blue light. A group of large Maliferons had silently entered the building. Karen saw as the children quickly ran and hid behind some seats. Yassi only looked at the newcomers head on.
"Greetings, Superhero YAP and company, and may the Ferric Goddess be with you," the largest one, already quite touching the high ceiling, announced in a deep voice. He held up a hand unto his chest as he bowed his greeting. "We have come to escort the renowned hero to our leader's presence."
"… I am honored that your clan has received my party well. However, I have to ask, why must I come alone?" Yassi asked, her face stoic and suddenly unfriendly.
The group of Maliferons looked at one another before turning their attention back to our hero. "… It would deem safer that way. After all, the Luminard may not be strong enough to survive the Trials."
Karen flinched at his words.
"We have made an exception this time, Hero, to allow you to represent your companion in the Trials as well. Know that we, the Maliferons, have only ever given such honor only to you, because of your great deeds."
Yassi frowned at this and inched closer to her companion, already glowing a dim purple. Then, she bagan to think.
'I have heard of the brutality of the Maliferons and of their penchant for violence. But to actually force guests into battle is something I never had thought of… We probably won't be allowed exit if I don't pass these 'Trials'. The children know of this, so it may mean that all guests have to go through it… I have no choice.'
However, Yassi's face grew darker, and a thin layer of sweat had appeared on her face. It seemed as though she was struggling with something. She steadily grew anxious and more anxious as she stared around the room. Karen was glowing dimmer and dimmer at the sight of her speechless hero. Then, Yassi's eyes found the smallest being in the room, shakily hiding behind a hard, metal chair…
"These Trials will be a sight to see," the largest Maliferon interrupted her thoughts, the creature sounding almost excited. "The Maliferons have long wanted to see the great hero in action."
Then, Yassi turned to him and said in a clear and loud voice, "I would like to take you on your offer, Maliferon. However, I do have some conditions about it."
The gray beings were silent at first. It was quite hard to distinguish the adult Maliferons' expressions, so Karen and Yassi didn't know what they were truly thinking…
"… State your conditions, Hero."
Yassi almost wanted to sigh in relief right there, but she straightened her back and declared, "I would like to undergo the Trials without the use of my powers."
Eyes widened and gasps were heard. Karen was visibly shocked, and even in her confused state, she knew her hero's condition would only work badly for them. The Maliferons were speechless, but the loudest reaction came from behind them.
"Oh, no! Great Hero YAP, you will only die in your human form if you go through the Trials! You MUST use your powers!" Seera shouted, appearing from her hiding spot.
However, Yassi shook her head firmly, glancing for a short moment at the child's younger brother. "No, I would think it wouldn't be fair if I used my powers. Is it not true that the Maliferon's Trials are to test the worthiness of a person? Then I should face it as I am: a simple woman."
Loud grumbles of outrage came from the Maliferons. However, the largest one held up a hand, and said, "Very well, Hero. I admire your courage. In turn, we will guard you for as long as we can and we will even aid you in your travels afterwards."
Then, the Maliferon's mouth expanded into a gaping smile, the hole filled with a gaping darkness. "That is, if you are still alive to receive our help."
Suddenly, at the end of the Maliferon's words, Karen gasped loudly. "AH HAH... I finally know what those moss of blue lights are!"
Yassi turned to look at Karen in surprise. She wondered why her companion would go about announcing that information in the middle of a serious and dire situation. The Luminard looked at her with her single, wide eye.
"Crushed Pixies! My hero, they have spread around the desecrated corpses to serve as their source of light!" Karen wailed with horror.
Yassi was astounded as well as horrified at her companion's words. She tried to remember how small those creatures were and she wondered how many of those creatures were needed to fill the humongous dome with their light…
She found the largest Maliferon with the same gaping smile, almost as though he relished at the sight of our pale faces.
... Yet, nothing changed in Yassi's mind. No matter what, she had to go through this ordeal or they wouldn't be given help nor be allowed egress. And the way she is now…
She grabbed onto Karen's shoulder and shook her head. Then, Yassi agreed to the Trials and their proposition.
After that, the large hulking creatures filed out of the teardrop-shaped building, bringing with them the frightened children. The two companions were given a few moments to express their goodbyes; their last ones as the Maliferon had said.
"They're evil, my hero!" Karen whispered hurriedly as soon as they were alone. "Why must they do this if they promised us their help?!"
Yassi only sighed. "I already knew to some extent that they wouldn't be too friendly. The Maliferons are a barbaric species, after all."
"But why, my hero, did you ever have to give that proposal?" Karen asked in despair, her skin growing as dark as night. "… Do you not value your life?"
Yassi felt touched by her companion's worried expression, and gathered the larger being into a short hug.
"It's alright, my dear Karen. Perhaps, I won't even need my powers. We don't even know what kind of test I have to go through," Yassi comforted her calmly.
Karen shook her head fiercely. "Did you not hear that child Seera's words? She said you might very well perish without your powers!"
However, despite the pleading words cried by the Luminard, Yassi Anne's conviction to face the Trials whilst powerless grew only stronger.
When the time was up and Yassi was told to go, Karen called out in a hurry. "You must return, YAP! You promised me a telling of your whole story, and I still haven't got it! So, you must pass the Trials and fulfil your promise!"
Yassi stared at the journalist, looking dazedly at the big teardrops from her large eyeball. "… I will return, Karen. And I will tell you this as well. After all of this is over; After I pass these Trials, I will recount to you the story of how I had to go through a similar initiation when I was still a silly student."
Karen nodded energetically. "Yes, yes! You have to tell me more! … Of Zero, and the Vigilantes, and even of that boy Tanner! You have to, Yassi Anne! YOU HAVE TO!"
Yassi slowly nodded, looking at her companion with a beautiful smile, and allowed the Maliferons to escort her out of the building.
For a long, long time, Karen waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, yet her hero did not come back.