"Look around you Akira~," The monster said with a sadistic grin.
"Look at all the pain you caused~," It said as its hand tightened further around his neck.
"Look at them Akira~" it taunted.
"Look at them boy", the playfulness gone from its voice.
"LOOK AT THEM!" It shouted for a final time before everything went black.
.
.
.
"WAKE UP YOU DOLT!"
Eyes shooting open, Akira tried to jump back only to smack his head into the wall he was resting on. Rubbing his now aching head, he looks up to see the concerned eyes of Ashley staring back at him. Simultaneously, he feels a weight on his shoulder, lured to turn his head away from her, he's greeted by Totara's hand. Following it to the older man's face, which held a small worried frown.
Turning his head away from the man he looks to the elf with annoyance on his face, his eyes gaining heat in them.
"Why did you yell in my ear, Ash?" Annoyance and heat in his tone as his eyes started to twitch.
"You were tossing and turning all night, and then earlier you started to scream as if you were in pain." Her voice shakes with slight worry and fear.
"And you don't, oh I don't know, think shaking me was a good idea?!" He snapped, his annoyance turning into anger as his voice began to rise.
"I tried, but nothing worked… I got worried, ok?" Ashley said worry now clear in her voice for the annoyed boy to hear.
Sighing he turned his head downwards trying to calm his raging heart and emotions while trying not to look at her, With another sigh he turned back to her with tired eyes and gave a small but soft smile.
"I'm sorry Ash… I'm sorry I snapped at you" He said, tiredness seeping into his voice.
"It's fine… just don't do it again" She responded, before standing up and turning away and going to her stuff.
Seeing her leave, Totara looked back at his friend who was now staring into space, and shook his head. He walked back to his side of the opening while spearing glances between Ashley and Akira.
If he was being honest he's worried for the two and hopes that they fix whatever problem they are having soon. Or else they will all be killed when facing the final boss, alas all he could do was wait for them to calm down.
With Ashley…
While on the outside she held a neutral expression, on the inside her mind was a mess of thoughts and emotions. Hundreds of thoughts flew through her mind. Like what had him so spooked, what was his dream about, worried for his well-being and was annoyed at him.
"I mean come on how can he be so rude! That ass, he only thinks about himself. Honestly try to make sure that he's ok and he gets mad at me?!?!" her inner voice raged.
"Like seriously why do I even bother with him sometimes… tho that said, I'm still worried. What was his dream about that had him so scared, I've never seen him so terrified" She thought, her anger giving way to the worry inside.
"Damn it Akira, why won't you just tell me what is wrong, you always do this… damn stubborn bastard." Her thoughts were broken by a hand waving in front of her face. Turning to see who it is, she's greeted with a smile that is all too familiar to her.
"Hey Totara what's up?" She asked, returning his smile.
"Are you ready to go, ley?" He responded, leaning against the wall with all his supplies packed and ready.
"Ohhh, uhhh It seems so. Is Akira ready?" She asked while sealing the rest of her stuff.
Once she finished she walked over to Akira who was moving quite slowly. Seeing this, the two stopped a few paces away and decided to talk till he was done.`
"I'm glad Akira gave us these scrolls we can seal all of our stuff in, honestly it's amazing!" She said with excitement visible as she bounced on her heels and in her tone.
"Yha I get what you mean, honestly it's an ingenious idea he had," Totara said while leaning against the wall.
"He was never good at attack magic but when it came to support, he was the guy everyone would go to. Tho I wish he had sold them before it was recreated by Slilika. Inc" He said with a hint of anger in his voice.
Every time he thought of what they did all those years ago his blood still boils to this day. Those bastards were the reason Akira is how he is today.
"What do you-
"Hey, guys I'm all packed and ready, let's move" Before Ashley could say anything, Akira's voice ended the conversation.
Turning to meet his eyes the two looked worried as the teen seemed to be barely able to stand still, he swayed from side to side, head and shoulders dropped, and eyes that darted all around.
Stepping forwards and placing a hand on Akira's shoulder, Totara looked at him both saying nothing yet the silence said it all, nothing needed to be said. Ashley just looked on with a neutral face not showing any emotion… yet if one was to pay close attention one could see the slight quiver in her frame.
As the two males of the group continued to stare at each other, Totara finally turned his head and sighed, taking his hand off his old friend, and walking next to him as he spoke.
"Just take it easy ok?" He asked, looking at the ground, Akira only nodded. Seeing this Totara silently dipped his head in understanding and walked forward.
Looking at the only person in the opening, Akira opened his mouth to say something, yet nothing left his mouth. Ashley looked at him before walking right past him.
Looking down, Akira let out a sigh that was filled with so much raw emotion that he could not tell where it started or ended, raising his head and turning to follow his companions.
Sometime later…
"Totara how close are we to the boss room?" Ashley asked, looking around her she could only assume that they were close. The walls around them had a running pattern of an unknown language, that all pulsed with a blue light. The walls were made of gray brick, some chipped and cracked with flora growing in between them.
"Actually we're here," he said just as they turned a corner, only to see the door to the room open.
"Wha?" is the only thing that left Akira's mouth.
Turning to the rest of the group, he looked at them with a raised eyebrow. Rolling her eyes the young elf walked forward brushing past the young man. Sighing at what just happened the boy spun his head to Totara.
Looking at the elf's retreating back, Totara shrugged his shoulder and walked after followed by Akira.
In the boss room…
When they entered the room it became lit with torches that gave off a white flame. Looking around the adventures could not help but marvel at the size and beauty of the room. The room was wide and spacious, made of gray bricks on the outside. Its surface was covered in depictions of a monster and runes that glowed blue just like the ones they saw not too long ago, the flora was unkempt and overgrown in some places.
As they continued to marvel at the size of the area, soft chuckling, and slow clapping could be heard, turning to where they heard it. The group looked at what seemed to be the corpse of the boss. Sitting on its body was a figure cloaked in shadow.
Standing up, the being jumped down on the area, its figures not being seen. Around 8'0 with long raven black hair with red tips, a curvaceous body that would make men and women turn their heads, purple skin, and slanted draconic blue eyes with black sclera. The being had a long purple scale tail with both Its hands and feet being covered in scales.
The female creature stood right in front of the group, as its eyes gaze at them it meets the eyes of Akira and a seductive smile slowly spreads across her face.
"We meet once more my dear Akira~," She said, smile becoming sadistic as she saw the fear on the boy's face.
Staring down the creature whose voice was the same as the being who haunted his dreams.
"No".