Chapter 8 - The Boss Golem

The ground trembled as the golem lumbered toward them, its massive arms swinging in destructive arcs. Arianna immediately planted her staff into the marble floor. "[LUX BURBUJA]!" she yelled as a brilliant white light surged from its tip, expanding out in a protective dome that engulfed Tipha and Lima. She then turned back to Clive and pointed the staff at him with a warm smile. His body was then surrounded by the light shield, just in case.

With a confident smirk, Tipha flipped through her floating grimoire. She raised her hand towards the golem, summoning a crown of flames that flickered to life around her head and a pair of infernal wings sprouting from her back. "[IGNIS CORONA]" she muttered. Fire swirled around her arms as she hurled a series of fireballs at the golem, each one exploding against its marble skin, leaving scorch marks. The creature raised it's arms to block the barrage. 

Meanwhile, Lima was already charging ahead. She snarled, her small figure growing and stretching, silver fur bursting from her skin until she was a massive, towering wolf beast. "Lima won't let you hurt the Master or his friends!" she yelled as her piercing eyes locked onto the golem's legs, the weakest point in its towering structure. She leaped with a feral growl, her massive claws slicing through the air with deadly precision. Clive had seen Lima fight before, but her movement here was extraordinary.

Her claws connected with the golem's legs, sending cracks through the marble. The golem made a low, mechanical sound that echoed through the room. Lima didn't stop, circling the golem with inhuman speed, slashing at its legs again and again. Each hit sent more marble chunks flying, slowing the creature's movements. The golem swung one of its huge arms at Lima, but she deftly dodged, jumping to the side with a snarl.

The golem's resilience was astounding, and it pressed forward despite the onslaught. Its blue crystal glowed ominously, and suddenly, it slammed its fist into the ground, sending a shockwave rippling across the floor, catching Tipha off guard. Tipha stumbled back, her shield flickering from the force. Lima was forced to leap away to avoid being knocked over, but the golem was slower now, its legs heavily damaged by the fox beast's relentless attacks.

"Lima will kill him!" Lima yelled as she prepared to dash for the final blow. She saw the staggered Tipha and knew that she could one up her competition by taking down the golem.

"Wait! Lima!" Arianna called out, "Not now—" but she didn't listen. As the golem crumbled, Lima moved in for the final strike, her massive wolf form snarling with deadly intent. Her claws gleamed as she lunged for the golem's core, aiming to tear it apart once and for all. But just as her claws were about to make contact, the golem's blue crystal flared with a sudden burst of energy.

The golem swung its massive arm in a last-ditch effort to defend itself. Lima, caught off guard by the sudden movement, was struck hard in the side. "ACK—" she squealed. The force of the blow sent her flying across the throne room, her large form smashing through the air toward a marble pillar near where Clive was watching in fear. She crashed into the pillar with a sickening thud, the impact sending cracks through the stone.

Lima let out a pained whimper, her body crumpling to the ground. As she lay there, her massive silver wolf form began to shrink. Her fur receded, and within moments, she was back to her small, frail girl form. She clutched her side, wincing from the pain, her breaths coming in shallow gasps. Tears formed in her eyes, but she tried to hold them back, weakly looking around for Clive.

"LIMA!?!" Clive yelled, running as fast as he could to be at her side. He knelt beside her, cradling her injured body in his arms. "Oh no…no…no no" he panicked.

The elves both saw the scene, and immediately turned their offensive onto the golem, who seemed to be taunting by raising its hands up in the air. "Tch…" Tipha muttered. Without any other words, she flipped through her grimoire and raised her hands once more. "[IGNIS…HURACAN…]" Around her, flares of fire magic began to converge around her. Arianna stood behind her, casting [LUX BARRERA] in front of them.

Clive couldn't care about all that, all of his focus was on Lima. "L-Lima?! Are you…"

"M-Master…" Lima groaned, "It hurts…It hurts."

Clive reached into his pouch and pulled out a healing potion that Arriana gave him. He tried to make Lima take it, and even though it did work to some extent, it wasn't enough. Clive then brought her closer to his body, hugging her head to his chest. "Lima…I'm here…." As Lima calmed down her breathing, Clive caressed her head with his hands…and noticed that it felt strangely warm. 

He eyed his wrist, and realized that his emblem was glowing again, just like how it was when he first saved Lima. Her body trembled as she groaned, but then, something strange began to happen. A soft blue light started to emanate from her, growing brighter with each second, forcing him to shut his eyes tight against. He could only feel some strange power coursing from his wrist into her. Despite this, he clung to her, unsure of what was unfolding. Then, without warning, he felt a shift in her size. Her form suddenly expanded, growing heavier in his arms. He stumbled forward blindly, unable to hold the weight.

When the light finally began to fade, Clive blinked rapidly, his vision slowly returning. The first thing he noticed was the softness beneath him, his head resting against something warm and plush. As his eyes adjusted, he looked up and saw not the childlike figure of Lima but a striking, fully grown woman. Her silver hair, which had barely touched her shoulders before, now cascaded down her back in flowing waves, shimmering like threads of moonlight. Her fox ears twitched slightly, more defined and regal in appearance, while behind her, five magnificent tails swayed gracefully, each one thick and plush, covered in soft silver fur that gleamed in the dim light.

Her face had matured as well. She no longer had the round, innocent features of a child but the refined, stunning beauty of a woman, similar to the elves. Her cheeks were high and smooth, her almond-shaped eyes, glowing faintly with a soft blue hue. Her lips, full and perfectly shaped, curved into a gentle smile as she gazed down at Clive with an affectionate, almost maternal look. Clive, still dazed from the brightness, realized he was lying across her lap. The softness of her thighs pressed against him, and he blushed deeply, realizing the intimate position he was in. Yet, Lima seemed unbothered, gently stroking his hair with one of her soft, delicate hands.

"Master…" she said with a new soft yet mature voice. "Thank you…"

Clive's heart skipped a beat as he looked up at her, flustered and overwhelmed by her figure. "L-Lima?"

Lima then sat Clive up beside her, giving him a head pat this time. "Lima will be back after she takes care of that golem" she cooed. "Be a good boy for Lima, okay?"

"O-Okay…"

Lima then stood up, and walked towards the battle between the elves and the golem. Clive couldn't help but stare. Her chest was now generous and full, her waist tapering into a tight, toned abdomen that accentuated her hourglass figure. Her hips flared out sensually, and her legs were long and shapely. Every movement she made was elegant, as if she were in complete harmony with her new power. An icy aura followed her at every step, her five bushy tails swaying with her hips. The once frail fox now had the body of a goddess. Just what was this fox…and what power does he actually hold on his wrist?!