The Dragoon then halted in the hallway, just stopping before the door behind Teemo and Matt.
"What's wrong?" asked the Loplin, pushing the door open after realizing Layla didn't enter the room.
The Dragoon looked like she was in a trance, her ruby eyes losing their sparkle and her mouth agape.
"Oi, Teemo! What's wrong with her?" asked Matt as he grabbed the girl by the shoulders and tried to shake her awake.
"What? Crap, don't touch her!" yelled the Felidae.
Teemo quickly yanked the Loplin away as the girl remained still. The rabbit had dropped onto the ground due to the sudden jerk and then sprang back up when he saw the streaks of aquamarine roots all over Layla's legs.
"Why? What the hell is that?" questioned the Loplin.
"Brine King's curse. She may be powerful enough to defeat him but not enough to quell the aftermath. When you use too much of his power, your body is subjected to wear and tear because of the curse. If any of us touches her skin now, we will be affected."
"Then how about her? Can we use a Healing Crystal or something?"
Before Teemo could say anything, Layla opened her mouth to speak first.
"Ground beneath, lies a creature deep. Woven by darkness, for her children had been eaten, she would weep. Her days are dark, the end is near… As she has awakened from the sea."
"The Mother who weaves the most webs will resurface before the Mother of Creation," chanted the Dragoon, still holding onto a trance-like state.
Meanwhile, as the duo were panicking, Layla opened her eyes to a large space of emptiness. Both the sky and floor were gray as thick mist blanketed the area. The Dragoon sniffed the air… It smelled like the sea…
Has she been teleported? What was going on? She then took a few steps forward, trying to navigate through the thick fog. After what it felt like a few Tocks, Layla came across a silhouette of a large being.
"Hello? Could you help me?" asked the Dragoon, as she approached the thing.
Before she could get close, the entire area transformed into a meadow with lush greenery. The Dragoon was shocked when the transformation happened but took a deep breath and looked around.
The skies were blue with white fluffy clouds floating everywhere while mountains lined the background. The grass felt soft beneath her boots as she walked forward.
"Do you know where you are right now?" bellowed a deep voice.
The Dragoon freaked out as a large, crab-like being stood before her. The crab person was towering, taller than Teemo. He had a large crab shell on his back while sea brine covered his form. His clothes were tattered but they had the resemblance of a pirate's getup.
Next was his face, ridden with barnacles and pale blue skin. His hair looked like seaweed while his eyes were pitch black… Or were they hollow? Layla couldn't tell…
"Do you know where you are?" asked the big thing again.
"Not a single clue. And who are you?" replied the Dragoon, stepping back from the figure."I am surprised that you can't remember me… I'm outright insulted…" complained the crab person, with a raspy voice.
"What do you expect? I am a bartender, I see lots of folks and bashed a lot of skulls."
Layla took a long hard look before realizing the identity of the figure before her.
"Ah… Now I remember who you are, you are the Brine King that I defeated a year ago. Why are you here before me and where am I?" asked Layla as she glanced around.
"You destroyed my body, not my soul. As such, my soul and powers have latched onto you. As for this place, you should take a look behind you for more information," instructed the Brine King, pointing behind Layla.
The Dragoon spun around and widened her eyes as her heart fluttered with hope. A giant tree coated with white cherry blossoms stood before her. The petals were slowly falling, drifting away as the gentle breeze brushed by."As the petals fall, white flowers brushing by
The tears overflowing in my eyes
Now the wind, gently brushing my cheeks
Carries the flowers away with my dreams," recited Layla as she closed her eyes.
"I've sent out a message using your physical form to warn everyone about the impending doom. So you should know as well. The Mother of Webs awakes and she shall wreak havoc before the alliance strikes," said the Brine King, summoning his sword.
"What alliance?"
Before Layla could get an answer, the roots on her legs went away and the girl topped forward, with Teemo catching her. She blinked and realized she was back as she caught the familiar scent of both the Felidae and Loplin.