ROME
We ventured into the forest, and the atmosphere felt subtly different, carrying a faint, unsettling sting. The scenery before us was peculiar—towering trees and sprawling plants, accompanied by the mysterious sounds of bugs, animals, or perhaps monsters.
"Wow, I've never seen trees so tall and broad before," Durato marveled.
"I've seen trees this big, as big as the ones back in New Spain Town, even bigger," I chimed in.
"Apart from this spectacular scenery, I don't know if I didn't get enough sleep, but my body feels so heavy. It's like it's harder to walk," Yuweh confessed.
"Yeah, I'm so tired; it's like I'm fighting to go forward," Laylah sighed.
"Let's rest up here a bit," Grandpa Tensei suggested, masking his fatigue with composure.
We settled beside a fallen tree, creating makeshift seats.
"Finally, some rest. There's something off about this place; I just know it," Durato remarked, taking a swig of water.
As we sat, taking a breather, my mind couldn't escape the worry for my village. The possibility of its destruction and the safety of my family loomed heavily. The weight of dread seemed to intensify.
Then, my thoughts veered unexpectedly, recalling the betrayal by my friends. Conflicting emotions swirled—I questioned their motives and the righteousness of their decision. Were they truly convinced I was cursed? Grandpa Tensei's theory about the necklace attracting monsters added another layer of uncertainty. Shouldn't they fear me instead of charging forth to attack?
Grandpa Tensei sensed my distraction and offered sagely advice. "Seems like you didn't tell us everything. You seem to have a lot on your mind. Let it out and focus on being safe and keeping everyone safe, son. It's a cold and dangerous world out here. Overthinking on your problems might cost you your life in a strange environment like this, son."
His words, kind and understanding, resonated, reminding me of my late grandmother's counsel about expressing emotions to avoid a weak heart. I shared this sentiment with Grandpa Tensei, who replied, "Well, you know, most times, old age brings wisdom."
Despite the burden of exhaustion and worries, I recognized the truth in Grandpa Tensei's words. I took a deep breath and confided in him about my village and family concerns. His comforting hand on my shoulder provided solace.
"I understand your concern, son, but we can't let it consume us. We need to stay strong and keep moving forward. And who knows, maybe your village is still standing and your family is safe. We won't know until we get there and see for ourselves. So let's gather our strength and continue on our journey. Together, we can face whatever comes our way."
His encouragement fueled my determination to protect those who had saved me.
"I hope we find a little settlement soon," remarked Yuweh.
"Yea,our people had started a little something. it wasn't much but I know other people might have done the same." Said Laylah.
"Yea, we might find a place with some beds and a little comfort. The wilderness isn't my type of living." Said Yuweh as he wiped the sweat off his face.
After a few minutes, we resumed our journey, and I noticed the air becoming thicker, making each breath a challenge. The climate had drastically changed from the cool beach to a summery heat.
"Does anybody find it hard to breathe and feel like it's harder to move since we entered this place?" Laylah asked.
"Yeah, to be honest, you're right. I feel old. No offense, Grandpa," Yuweh admitted.
"None taken," Grandpa Tensei replied.
"It seems the same for everyone. Maybe we were a little tired and needed some more rest," Yuweh suggested.
"But we just stopped a few minutes ago, drank some water, and rested," Laylah pointed out. "Yeah, something is up," I concurred.
"The air is heavy, and the heat is making it hard for us to breathe," Durato observed. We paused again to catch our breath.
"One thing I'm glad for is that we haven't seen any monsters yet," Yuweh remarked.
"Aw, come on, dude, don't jinx it now. You should have just left that alone. We were all thinking the same, but we said nothing," I replied, a note of caution in my voice.
Our luck took a nosedive right after his remarks. Leaves cascaded from the trees above, showering us like an unexpected storm. The forest stirred with unseen movement in the branches overhead.
"Above us, I can see them, and sense them a bit. This is trouble," I remarked, my voice tinged with unease.
"Guys, we're surrounded, and they are all intermediate level, with a few of them even higher. Be very careful," Durato cautioned with a stern expression.
"Bring it on, pests!" Laylah exclaimed, her fiery determination lighting up the tense atmosphere.
We rose to our feet, scanning our surroundings. My senses sharpened; my muscles tightened as I readied myself for the imminent clash, gripping my short sword firmly. The encroaching darkness pressed upon us, but I strained to make out our adversaries. That's when I realized I was seeing everything in ethereal view—a spectral advantage that revealed our perilous situation, surrounded by twenty or more adversaries.
In the village, facing three spiked dogs demanded considerable effort at my peak strength. Now, however, we confronted a horde of monsters, each as formidable as those dogs. Yet, we were a party of five, or more accurately, four and a half, as Grandpa Tensei needed our protection.
The five of us formed a tight circle in the middle, back-to-back, our eyes fixed on the angry monster monkeys surrounding us. Darkness settled in, but the monkeys' red fur made them discernible. They snarled and bared their teeth, eyes ablaze with fury.
One brave soul stepped forward, hands raised in a gesture of peace. "We mean you no harm. We only want to pass through your territory and be on our way," Yuweh, our spokesperson, implored.
The leader of the monkeys, a colossal beast with fur as red as blood, golden patterns adorning its eyes and hands, responded with a thunderous growl—a clear indication of impending attack.
"I don't think he wants to be our friends at all," Yuweh remarked, cautiously retreating to his original position.
Grandpa Tensei's urgent command cut through the tension, prompting swift compliance as we all instinctively ducked. He wasted no time, becoming the architect of our defense. Stone bullets, propelled at astonishing speed, hurtled toward the menacing monkeys, forcing them to react to this sudden onslaught. In rapid succession, Laylah and I, inspired by his lead, unleashed our own attacks.
"Fireball! Plasma ball!" our voices rang out in unison, releasing volatile bursts of energy into the air. The projectiles crackled and sizzled with searing intensity, but the agile monkeys effortlessly danced around them. It was as if our attacks, infused with fiery determination, appeared sluggish in comparison to their nimble dodges.
"That's insane; they dodged them so effortlessly," I muttered, awestruck.
"Don't waver, let's push forward, Rome," Laylah asserted with unyielding confidence.
Seizing the momentum, she launched herself into the fray, a whirlwind of energy and determination. In her wake, I surged forward, my own resolve matching hers. Durato and Yuweh stood firm by Grandpa Tensei's side, ready to confront whatever awaited us.
The opposing monkeys mirrored our charge, launching themselves at us with a coordinated ferocity. The clash was instantaneous, a chaotic collision of forces. My sword cleaved through the air, cutting into one of the monkeys. I deftly sidestepped its retaliatory swing, slashing through its side with practiced precision. However, these creatures proved hardier than the spiked dogs I'd faced before; my blade struggled to penetrate as deeply.
Before I could fully register the challenge, another monkey closed in on me. A swift dodge preceded a forceful kick to the face, redirecting the momentum and propelling me towards the one I had dodged earlier. A resounding kick to its back sent shockwaves through its form, disrupting its advance. The skirmish continued, a dance of agility and brute force amid the tangle of limbs and flashing weapons.
Meanwhile, Laylah, embodying the fury of a raging tempest, engaged the monkeys with a peculiar, almost joyful intensity. Her face bore a ferocious smile as she confronted them head-on, reserving dodges only for the most essential moments. Devoid of any weapons, she relied solely on the sheer power of her bare hands.
In a display of raw strength, Laylah seized one monkey's hand, twirling him effortlessly before releasing him into the path of three others tailing her. Without missing a beat, she propelled herself toward the oncoming quartet while charging her plasma attack. As the distance closed, she unleashed the charged energy upon the monkeys, who, in a surprising twist, wielded their unfortunate companions as impromptu shields to block the impending blast.
The impact resonated with a thunderous explosion, the force of Laylah's attack sending shockwaves through the battleground. Yet, she showed no signs of letting up. Her relentless assault continued, an unyielding barrage of attack after attack, each strike accompanied by a chilling refrain of "Die! Die! Die!" Her sinister smile grew wider, mirroring the intensity of her onslaught, as the ferocity and speed of her attacks escalated, leaving the monkeys disoriented and struggling to keep pace.
The battlefield echoed with the symphony of snarls and grunts, an intense crescendo of sound as our group clashed with the formidable monkeys. The strength of our adversaries was undeniable, but gradually, the tide began to turn in our favor. Amidst the chaos, Yuweh stood firm, wielding his shields like an impenetrable fortress. Durato synchronized his movements with Grandpa Tensei, their teamwork orchestrating a relentless assault of earth attacks delivered at breathtaking speeds.
As the attacks connected with their targets, a storm of dust particles erupted, shrouding the battleground in a hazy veil. For most, it was a blinding curtain, obscuring their field of vision. Yet, for Durato, attuned to the energies around him, and me, blessed with remarkable eyes of the mind, the swirling dust posed no hindrance.
In the heart of the maelstrom, Durato relayed precise instructions to Grandpa Tensei, guiding him where to unleash his attacks. Yuweh, meanwhile, devoted his entire focus to maintaining an impervious shield, strategically allowing small gaps for Grandpa's potent strikes to penetrate through the defensive barrier.
One by one, the monkeys succumbed to the onslaught, their bodies battered and bruised by the relentless assault. However, despite their injuries, the monkeys fought on, refusing to yield. Their determination was evident, but it was a futile resistance against the coordinated might of our group. The battlefield, once dominated by chaos, slowly transformed into a scene of triumph as our efforts overpowered the relentless foes.
Finally, the battle crescendoed, leaving only two formidable adversaries on the battlefield—two colossal monkeys that resembled more than just their kin; they stood atop a tree, observing as their companions fell one by one. The last of the smaller monkeys met its end under Laylah's forceful foot, its head crushed. Both Laylah and I, now adorned in dirt and blood, redirected our focus to the looming threat on the branch above.
The two gorilla-like creatures descended, landing with a ground-shaking impact—one in front of Laylah and me, the other facing Yuweh and the rest of the group. Yuweh, perplexed by the looming threat, fortified his shield further. Durato, sporting a confident smile, crouched down, placing his hand on the ground. The ground beneath one of the gorillas became quicksand, and it sank in, trapping the creature in a puzzling display of power.
Ignoring the peculiar scene, I faced the charging gorilla. Roaring and pounding its chest, it lunged at us with colossal force. Laylah and I stood firm, deftly dodging its powerful strikes that fractured the ground beneath. Our counterattack was swift; we kicked its legs, toppling the beast. However, its relentlessness prevailed, and it swiftly retaliated by seizing Laylah, hurling her into a tree. The impact was brutal, and Laylah coughed up spit, momentarily incapacitated.
"Laylah!" I shouted, rushing to her aid. Before I could reach her, the gorilla punched me, sending me crashing into another tree. Using my reflexes, I pivoted on my feet and launched myself back at the gorilla, charging an attack with swirling purple fire in my palm. Suddenly stopping, I unleashed a powerful "Fireblast!"
The fire attack was significant, showcasing the growth in my strength since my encounter with my former friend, Kero. As the flames surged towards the gorilla, I heard a faint cry from Yuweh, urging me to stop.
Following his instructions, I halted my attack, only to witness the gorilla absorbing it. Its stomach swelled, sweat appeared on its face, and sparks emanated from its mouth. In a sudden turn of events, the gorilla unleashed the absorbed attack, now intensified and even more massive. The fiery wave surged towards me, reminiscent of my previous encounter with Kero.
With no time to dodge, I stretched out my hands, recalling the lessons from my fight with Kero. The ensuing explosion shook the battlefield, leaving behind a scorched landscape reminiscent of a serious drought—a testament to the raw power exchanged between me and the formidable gorilla.
"No! You impudent ape! You bastard!" Laylah's furious cry cut through the air as she got up then surged toward the weakened creature. Its movements were sluggish, a clear sign of overexertion. Seizing the opportunity, Laylah snatched my slightly damaged sword while deftly dodging the monster's feeble right-hand swing. She delivered a punishing punch to its stomach, a strike so forceful that it seemed to dislodge the creature's eyes from their sockets. In a swift, acrobatic move, Laylah leaped behind the gorilla, plunging my sword into its eye socket. The creature's head thudded against the ground, cracking the earth beneath, as blood splattered in a gruesome display of victory.
Meanwhile, Durato, visibly irritated, maintained his firm grip on the ground, suppressing the gorilla's feeble attempts to move. Veins pulsated on Durato's forehead, a testament to his intense concentration and the frustration building within him.
"Someone hurry up and kill this creature! I can't hold him any longer!" Durato's urgent plea echoed through the battleground.
Without hesitation, Laylah reappeared behind the gorilla, launching a point-blank assault on its face. Her attacks came relentlessly, three strikes delivered in rapid succession, each accompanied by a primal scream of fury. Despite the sustained onslaught, the gorilla clung to life, visibly damaged but not defeated.
In the heat of the moment, with my sword left embedded in the other fallen monster, I seized the opportunity. Swiftly retrieving my weapon, I moved decisively to end the life of the struggling gorilla, ensuring the culmination of our fierce battle against these formidable adversaries.
Surprise and disbelief painted the faces of my companions. "How, how, how are you still alive?" Yuweh stammered, unable to conceal his astonishment.
"I'm not sure, but the attack didn't reach me. It seems like another ability. This isn't the first time this has happened, but this time it's even more effective," I explained, grappling with the mystery of my newfound resilience.
"How'd you do that?" Durato inquired, his curiosity evident.
"Do what?" I asked, genuinely puzzled.
"You know, look at the area. Only where you stood is untouched, and you're still alive after all that. Only a small burn on your hand."
"As I said, I'm not sure. It just happened, but it's a new ability."
"You're sure full of surprises," remarked Yuweh.
"Full of secrets is the correct term," Durato mused as he walked away.
The air buzzed with a mix of amazement and uncertainty as we left that battle-scarred area behind, venturing deeper into the forest to set up camp for the remainder of the night. The mysteries surrounding my abilities and the events of the battle lingered in the air, casting a veil of intrigue over our campsite as we prepared to rest and recover.
"I'm just so glad you're okay, Rome," Grandpa Tensei expressed with a warm smile.
"Yeah, I'm glad as well," I replied, playfully scratching my head.
"What about your hands? If that isn't healed, you'll have an ugly scar there," Yuweh pointed out with concern.
"It's okay; it'll be a testament to our battle fought and won here," I declared, raising my hands theatrically.
"Laylah got all crazy for you, Rome! 'No! You impudent ape! You bastard!'" Yuweh attempted to mimic Laylah, provoking her playful ire.
"You punk!" Laylah retorted, delivering a playful hit to his head. Laughter erupted as they engaged in a lighthearted play fight, with Laylah unmistakably getting the upper hand and teasingly beating him up. The camaraderie and playful banter infused a sense of lightness into the atmosphere, dissipating the lingering tension from our recent battle.
The battleground bore the scars of our intense battle, the surrounding area damaged and marred. Fortunately, the signs of our struggle were more pronounced in the landscape than on our bodies, marked only by slight cuts and bruises. We were fortunate; our adversaries had proven to be formidable foes.