We spend what seems like an hour or two resting before Horita gets up.
"Is everyone rested?"
"Yeah."
"All good."
"I'm ready to go."
"Alright. Let's do this then."
We all make way for the second ogre.
~15 minutes later~
"Is that it?"
In the distance, yet another big creature stands idle.
"Yeah… wait look! There's something glowing behind it!"
I point out the bright glowing blue orb shining behind the ogre.
"Perfect. Okay, let's take down that ogre. Raiga, you can still use that power you used to take down the last one right?"
"Yeah, I should be able to… Zenion!"
Once again, the blade materializes in front of me.
"Wow! That's so cool!"
Koda jumps and excitedly checks out Zenion.
"See! I told you you'd have some cool power!"
"Um… I think it's spotted us."
"Alright everyone. Let's get that orb!"
Horita, Yuna, and Koda cast magic and throw it at the ogre.
(Okay, second time. I got this.)
With the help of the others staggering the ogre with magic and the swords power, I strike it down with relative ease compared to last one.
"Good work everyone."
We all approach the blue orb.
"Raiga, do your thing."
"Whatever."
I touch the blue orb and once again, it explodes into tiny particles.
You have collected 2/5 Blue Orbs!
"That's the second one, only 3 more to go."
"So I guess we're going to have to turn back around and head the opposite direction because it's a dead end over here."
"Yeah, let's go everyone."
~A Day Later~
A day passed and Raiga and the group collected the 4th orb.
"Ok everyone. There's only one straight path down that way. That should be where the last orb is. Let's take a break and get some rest before we go."
We all find a spot and sit down. A few minutes later both Yuna and Koda fall asleep. Horita and I sit in silence for a bit until he speaks up"
"They must've been really tired, all this on a little kid and a young girl have to be incredibly stressing."
"What about me? I'm a young boy, aren't I?"
"Haha, yeah you too, I guess. For someone so young, you're surprisingly tough. You work out?"
"Not as much, I just did some martial arts."
"Gotcha."
"Hey Horita, you got anyone you wanna get back to?"
"Yeah, my daughter. She's 12 years old. We lost her mother when she was only 2. She's had no one to rely on but me because we don't have any other family. I'm really worried about her."
"Well, we'll get this last orb and finally get out of this damn place. I'm sure you'll get back to her."
"Hopefully so but what about you Raiga?"
"Yeah, I don't got anyone but my best bud. My parents have been dead as long as I could think and I was raised by my gramps. He taught me martial arts and trained me. He passed a few years ago though."
"I see why you're so tough now. You know, as much as this situation we're in is crazy and unbelievable, I've enjoyed getting to know you guys."
"Hey, don't get all sentimental on me now. Hahaha."
"Haha, sorry but if you're gonna listen to me rabble on, that's what you're gonna get."
More time passes by while we talked about our lives.
"Anyways, we should get some sleep too. No idea what's in store for us tomorrow."
"You're right."
Raiga and Horita fall asleep.
~The Next Morning~
"Alright, is everyone ready? We have no idea what could be waiting for us with this last orb. It could be another ogre or an entirely different and stronger creature."
"Yeah I'm good to go. Yuna? Koda?"
"I'm ready."
"All good!"
"Alright then. Let's go."
We make the trek down the road to the last orb.
~15 minutes later~
"Hey, I think I see something."
Yuna points down the road and we all spot it. Something bigger than anything we've seen before. It's definitely not an ogre but something even worse and more dangerous.
"What the hell is that thing..?"
"I don't know but the orb is right behind it."
The last blue orb glows brightly behind the giant monster.
"We're gonna have to beat that thing to get to the orb and finally get out of here. You guys ready?"
Everyone nods.
"Alright, let's go!"
I charge ahead at the monster summoning Zenion in my hand. The closer I get to it, the bigger I start to realize it is.
(Ok, can't back down now. We finally reached our way out. Gotta keep going!)
The creature eyes lock with mine and before I can fully react, it swings its giant club down at me.
"Oh shi-!"
I barely avoid the attack but it throws me off balance. I recover my stance and continue to push the attack. Behind me, magical attacks of fire, lightning, and wind shoot at the creature. Instead of staggering it though, they were ineffective.
"What?? It ignored the attacks?!"
The creature took advantage of the shock and swung down its club again. I get my sword up and it collides with the club sending me sliding back to the others.
"You alright?"
"Yeah. It's surprisingly fast for its size."
"Our magic doesn't work against it at our current levels either. This is bad."
"What even is that thing?"
"I think I've one of these before in a video game! They're called Trolls!"
"Troll? What a weird name. Hey Koda, you know if they have any wea-"
"Guys, it's headed for us!"
The Troll, full charge, runs its club across the ground and swings it upward, sending heaps of the ground toward us in a straight line.
"Dodge!!!"
We all run and dive out of the way as debris fly past us.
"Alright, we can't stand around. Attack it with whatever you got!"
Using my speed and quickness due to the buff from Zenion, I quickly close the distance between me and the Troll.
(Let's do this again, shall we?)
The Troll swings down its club and I roll out of the way. Keeping the momentum, I use the opportunity to strike its leg. The Troll roars loudly and recklessly swings its club at me. I quickly run out of the way. Behind me, I watch a large stream of lightning hit the Troll.
"Holy shit!"
With Troll now finally staggered, I take the opportunity to close the distance again. I leap up and drive my sword into its throat. The Troll struggles but I use all my strength to continue pushing the sword into it. After one more roar, the Troll finally collapses.
"Is it over..?"
"Yeah. We got it."
"Thank God…"
I put away my sword and walk back over to the others.
"Yuna, that was crazy! What was that??"
"Oh, I just spent the SP we got from defeating the ogres on it. I wanted to save it for the right moment."
"That was awesome!"
Koda jumps up excitedly.
"Alright guys, let's grab the last orb and finally get out of here."
We all head toward the orb.
"You know the drill Raiga."
"Mhm"
I reach out for the shining blue orb.
"Come to papa- Wait what?"
Out of nowhere, a red screen pops up right in front of my face.
All Enemies Must Be Defeated Before Exit!
"What? What is it talking abou-"
"Raiga look out!!"
"Huh?"
…
…
Many thoughts and emotions were running through my head. Shock and relief. Relief? Why am I feeling relief? Because I'm alive? Why? Why am I alive right now? I get up off the ground and rub my finger across my cheek. Blood latches onto it and trickles down my pointer to the ground. This isn't my blood. Time felt like it froze. Right in front of the orb, the Trolls club crushed the ground around it. But right in the middle, was a pool of blood. I looked around frantically. Deep in my mind, I knew but some part of me had hoped it wasn't the case. Koda and Yuna were behind the Troll, with matching expressions on their faces. Horita? Was gone…