"Please, Ash, no more."
"Yeah, he said he was sorry please let it go."
"..."
"Well, I think that those fifty minutes have done me some good."
"They better have."
The two said unanimously.
"Now that we're past that bridge, what happens now?"
Minimal light filtered in through the bars above.
"All this darkness is gonna make my mind creative realll fast."
"We were told to clear the five regions but... I don't think I can do that. They've been so good to us."
Ash raised an eyebrow at Charles.
"I wonder why..."
"Why is he looking at me like that, Park?"
Park gently poked his bosom.
"Boop!"
"..."
"Oh..."
Park continued.
"And also, because we're goblins. Remember the potion?"
"And now that we're on that topic..."
"Wow what's that shining over there..."
"Iknowrightsoblackandshinyandallthingsbetween how long does the potion last?"
"Yeah,itsshiningsomajesticallywithitsalluringlustre I don't know."
"..."
"I'm sorry?"
"Hmm...?"
"HmM...?"
"Heh! You guys remember that time when Park and Maruna held hands and..."
"..."
"..."
Ash only received blank stares in return.
He turned to Charles.
"You're on his side now?"
"Ash?"
"..."
"Aaaasshhh...?"
"I don't know, alright?"
"Was this, new grounds for you?"
"Yes, and those damned flowers too."
"I'm sorry but what's up with these wildcards you guys keep on mentioning...?"
"Actually, that's just a moniker that V uses because of well..."
He twirled around a bit.
"...unpredictability..."
"Hmm...?"
"That was fun."
The twirling increased.
"I'll try a bit more."
Sssooo it goesss beyond physssical transssformation...
...Fassscinating.
"What?"
He'sss enjoying it.
"Ash?"
"YEAH?"
"You kind of left us hanging..."
"I DID?"
"Yeah, and if you continue..."
"...AANDD STOP!"
Ash was panting.
"THAT WAS FUNNN!!"
The duo looked at each other and back to him.
"What?"
Ash was walking back to them.
"You don't feel anything?"
Charles followed shortly after.
"Dizziness? Nausea?"
"Maybe Fun?"
Ash chuckled a bit.
"Sooo... right! the wildcards..."
"..."
"What?"
"Errm... Nothing."
"I swear I'm alright..."
Something rumbled.
They took a step back.
"Doesn't sound like it..."
"Gu..."
He retched.
"Seriously..."
"Nope."
Park pushed Charles away from the incoming projectile.
Colorful liquid rushed forth and splattered over the Chambers' walls.
"Guy..."
"Earth cube."
"Hold her hair."
Charles was puzzled.
"You mean his?"
"That's what I just said."
"..."
"I might have heard it wrong then."
Ash didn't show signs of stopping.
"I think I might have to make it wider."
The earthen cube slowly doubled in size gently sloshing the liquid around.
"You've become really adept with your frequency."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"For most people I've met with the earth frequency, they have not progressed with it as much as you have. You have even portrayed some advanced sets of manipulation techniques like for example..."
They both looked at the cube. It had no jagged ends. As simple as the rocky structure looked it had a more refined look to it.
"...and also, back when we got in the..."
"I think you can stop holding my head now."
"You had us shook..."
"..."
"Did your voice..."
In an instant Ash was covered in the huge garments.
"That's not good."
Charles followed shortly after.
"That too."
"Now's when it decides to go kaput?!"
Ash tried to whisper but his rage proved it to be difficult.
As if on instinct they looked at Park waiting to see if he was going to get the same dose they received.
Park flexed his fingers.
"Hmm..."
"You feel anything?"
"Tingling...? Anything...?"
"..."
"Nope. Right. As. Rain."
{The forgotten tome has understood the concept of the Converter Potion]
"What's he looking at?"
{Ink has fed on the concept and its existence is now rising]
{Through understood principles the shifting skill has been perfected and is now complete]
{The new skill is being assigned to the user]
{Congratulations!]
{The new skill is being revealed]
{New skill: Metamorphosis has been recorded]
"Why isn't he changing back. We all took the potion at the same time."
{The skill is currently active. Do you wish to cancel it?]
{Y/N]
{Y]
"Oh look!"
Park slowly felt the clothes loosen as he reverted back to his human self.
"Feels good to be back..."
"Looks like the magic is over."
The trio almost jumped from their skins.
Park's wave-like senses wrapped around a figure of short stature.
"King?"
"..."
"...Yes?"
"Why are you here...?"
"Something's off about him."
There was a clattering sound, right before the huge metal bars that held them in.
"Wait this is..."
"I'm sure Maruna taught you how to use it or rather you saw how she used it."
Park reached out for the blade.
"Can I?"
Charles stepped up to the bars.
"Please?"
"Yeah, let me get it for you..."
"Nuh uh."
Something quick zoomed out of the darkness and ricocheted off the blade.
There was a slight period of silence.
"You almost lost your hand there."
"I almost did, and you know what...?"
Park ushered Charles to the bars with a bow.
"... it's allll yours."
Charles could hear voices coming from the blade. The manner in which the blade pulled him in was unnatural.
"This was specially made for you. A gift if you will."
"..."
"Should we stop him?"
"Maybe he knows something about it? Let's see how it goes..."
Charles picked up the blade and twirled it.
"I hope you're his bloodline, because if you are then..."
Charles gulped it.
His friends' jaws fell open.
"CHOKING HAZAARDD!!"
"ASH! WAIT!"
A force held Ash in place.
Charles eyes became milky white as he went into the lotus position.
"Please don't interrupt the process Mr. Vilderbaum."
"HOW..."
Ash went mute.
"... And some silence too would be really beneficial while you're at it."
"..."
Park extended an arm past the bars and did a thumbs up at the king.
"Good."
"OPEN THE DOORS NOW! HOW CAN THE KING BE IN HIDING WHEN TWO OF HIS GUESTS HAVE PERISHED!"
"WE'VE BEEN ORDERED TO NOT OPEN THE GATES TO THE CHAMBERS! NOT EVEN TO YOU!"
"Have it your way then."
"What's all that noise?"
"Pests."
"Pests?"
There was a sound of something crashing above them.
Charles slightly winced.
"Make sure you keep your surroundings quiet or else he'll reflux."
"How do I..."
"... I'll be back."
"That's not..."
He immediately turned to Charles who seemed to have some sort of difficulty with whatever he was tackling. Beads of sweat formed on his face.
"The only thing I was told was silence..."
The mysterious hold on Ash was gone.
"I'll shout later."
He was now besides Park.
"So, he said silence..."
Park nodded.
"We got something we could use?"
{The Frequency Tab has been opened]
{New Frequencies are ready to be unlocked]
The white icons glowed rhythmically on the black interface.
"What happens if I become a dual wielder? Isn't that something I should keep a secret?"
"Uhm... Park, hurry up?"
Tears of blood trickled down Charles' cheeks.
Choosse thisss one.
An icon glowed slightly brighter than the rest. Park clicked on it.
{Unlock?]
{Y/N]
"What about the dual thingy?"
...
You already know what to do...
"Hah. Life now, Worry later..."
{Y]
{Congratulations!]
{A new element has been unlocked...]
"Skiiip."
"Anytime now Park..."
"..."
Charles was convulsing.
"..."
"PARK!"
"Serene Space."
The surrounding sounds went silent.
The results were almost immediate. Charles calmed down.
Park motioned for Ash to follow him.
He wanted to say something, but Park mouthed back while gently shaking his head...
"It won't work."
Park left the bubble, Ash following suit.
"I hope this works."
"I didn't know Earth could do that..."
They could clearly see their friend floating inside.
"Yeah... Had a major breakthrough."
The clumps of rocks started moving.
"Interesting..."
Ash could not make out the workings of the new unfamiliar construct. He was slowly being drawn in, but Park held him back.
"V taught you this?"
He absently said.
"Sure, as hell did, Pleasestepbackbeforetheyknockyouout thank you very much."
"They look alive."
Charles was floating within; his meditation made much easier.
"Boy, do I have questions for you..."
"And V will answer allll of them..."
he gently tapped Ash's back.
"Don't sweat it, alright?"
"But..."
"Alrighty then."
"Sooo..."
A clump of earth rose in its grasp a crude-like rocky weapon.
"... Want one?"
Tiny little glints started appearing in the dark.
"Why...?"
"...Is that bastard back?"
His words had a subtle hint of animosity as he picked up the club.
"Somehow..."
The king's head rolled up to their cell.
"..."
"...Damn..."
"...They got to him already?"
"Focus..."
"...Remember?"
He pointed at the construct behind them.
"Right. Got it."
The snarls resounded down the hallway.