Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! The snow monster rumbled the floor.Rocks and earth sheets floated up as the snow monster grabbed them with its four hands and threw them at the Raccoon.The enormous earth plate cast a shadow over Rain, completely blocking his vision. So he swiftly rushed to the left side.The plate slowly lowered down, wanting to squash anything under its bottom. There was only a meter of light in front of him, just a couple of steps away from escaping this huge plate.But suddenly, the light shut off, and the monster's hand blocked the escape.Although his smile remained.Suddenly, the Golden Saint ran beside him, clenching her sword as light shone under the dark shadow.Swoosh! She swung with full force at that monster's hand.Bam! Smoke flew, and the wind blew the snow away.Two bodies rushed out of the snow dust."Are you crazy, Raccoon!" Ella said as she continued running, following Rain.He swiftly jumped and ran on the bumpy terrain. "I knew you would come and strike that thing." He said. His voice was as delightful as sugary candy."Ugh, if you knew I would strike, why didn't you move in my direction and take this harder route instead?" Ella said, dashing in front of him and blocking the scattered stones."This way is faster. The monster is already in a berserk state. We need their help," Rain said as he continued running.In front of the twos, there is a group of knights seeking shelter behind Calder's Earth Wall."Why?" Ella asked."City, Ella, your spells are too strong.""Ah," Ella responded, as if she understood the meaning, and tightly gripped her sword."Command?" Rain asked.She reduced her speed and ran beside him. "Yes, I will do command. You go and distract it. Your aggro rate is higher, and the monster has already fixed its eyes on you," Ella said.Rain smiled and said, "May the moonlight shine upon you, mistress." Then he shifted and ran in the direction of the monster.Ella smiled and softly said, "What a trouble." She ran towards the shelter of the Earth Wall.Slosh! She slid and stopped in front of them.Calder pounded his chest and said, "Light of Holy—""Thank you, Lord Calder, but that can wait. We are in an emergency," Ella interrupted as she looked at everyone.The potions efficiently did their work, healing everyone, left only minor scratches. It's just to help them unwind.Ella reached her hand out and said, "Remedy."A warmth enveloped everyone, alleviating their pain and anxiety. The knights touched their chests as a sign of gratitude."We need your help, Lord Calder. Thank you for the harden floor spell, but this time the plan has changed. I will use slashing and piercing attacks instead," Ella explained.Lord Calder nodded in agreement.Ella continued, "lord Calder, you will lock the monster on the floor as much as possible. If possible, dug Hole under it, do on its right leg, it already weakens from last strike."Ella turned her head towards the silver knight and said, "And you three, try to help Raccoon distract it. Aim for its face, especially its eye. It will instinctively protect it."Ella glanced at the Captain. He didn't look as scared when he first entered the fight zone. "And Captain, stay behind Lord Calder. Watch for my light signal, and if something goes wrong, use these potions or send a reinforcement code," Ella instructed, throwing more potions to the Wall Captain.Everyone nodded in agreement.Ella nodded and quickly dashed out of the shelter.At far, Rain was already engaged in close combat with the monster, dodging monster's attacks and climbing on its body. The monster tried desperately to strike him, but continuously failed."Is he just playing around?" Ella questioned.Ella bent her knees, causing the floor beneath her to make a clacking sound. In a swift motion, she dashed towards Rain, shining like a comet with a tail of light. Within seconds, she landed by his side.Ella slashed the monster's hand, causing one of its fingers to fly off."Gahhh!" the monster roared in pain. But it swiftly punched another hand out. It aimed behind Rain's back."Fast as ever, Ella," Rain smiled, lowering his body.Ella rotated her body and struck the monster's punch away."It has two hearts," Rain said as he started running closer to the monster. "one in the center like us and another on the left side of its abdomen. Can you pierce it with heaven pierce?"Ella swung at the coming punches. "How did you know?" she asked, following him into the shadow of the monster."I learned it from the sun rock," Rain replied."…" Silence fell between them as both light hide under black shadow."Whoooom!" the monster cried out, trying to locate the two of them. Suddenly, something flew towards its head. Instinctively, it moved hands to block.Crush! Crush, crush, many rock-spear flew at its head.Swoosh! Swoosh! Crush, Spears thrown at it nonstop. The knights executed their duties."Graaaaahhhhh!" the monster's eyes turned pure black, black saliva dripping from its mouth. Its blood veins started to pulsate, and its feet caused the ground to rumble.Tum! Tum! Tum! The earth and stones burst.Calder pressed his hand against the floor, creating an Earth Wall to protect everyone.During the chaos, the golden saint dashed out of shadow.Squish! Squish! Ella's blade sent two fingers flying."Gahhh!" the monster cried in pain.Swoosh! It attempted a heavy punch at Ella but missed, not even touching her shadow.Rain dashed and hugged Ella dodged the attack. Both moved towards the monster's back.Using her blade as a pivot, Ella rotated her body as Rain released his grip on her. She focused on strengthening her lower body, feeling the blood rush to her legs. A white light illuminated her feet as she drop-kicked the monster's right knee.Crack! The bones shattered into pieces.Thum! The monster lost control and its knees collapsed to the ground. It let out a roar of pain, clutching its knee with all of its hands. "Graaaaahhhhh! Whum, Whum." It panted heavily, releasing hot white air from its mouth.Snow falling.Wind chasing.The cold and chill surrounded us, yet our hearts kept on beating.Ella retrieved her sword from the ground. Its dim light reflected on her face, which was obscured by shadows."I'm sorry… for that time." Ella apologized.Flop… flop… flop… Rain walked closer to her. "It's okay."He extended his hand and gently touched her hand that hold sword. Gradually, the light in the field began to fade, leaving everyone engulfed in darkness and coldness. Snowflakes fell endlessly, creating a serene atmosphere. The only source of illumination came from the twinkling stars in the sky, offering a glimmer of hope."Ella.""Hmmm, Rain?""Do not think too much, okay?""Um.""And Try not to cry so much. It'll make your eyes red and sore. Healing spells won't be of much help.""Really?""Yep.""…Really?""Yes, redness under your eyes, clearly seen."Flop, "Mooohhh, talking to you is not pleasant at all. I prefer Little Rock more, silent and peaceful."Flop, "Ha, ha, ha… Sorry.""…""Ella, could you help me send to the sky?""It's cold up there, Rain.""It's okay, Ella. I'm used to it.""…fool, Raccoon.""Thank you.""light of white, our heart tranquil under the warmth of the moon, coy and joy delighting over rain stones, within me, within you, tiny star clearly seen in the waterway of sky, Reverse Moon"In the pitch-black night sky, a solitary string of light connected the earth to the atmosphere.Everyone's breath turned into thick white air. All eyes were fixed upon that white beam. They felt a warm sensation, blended with the scent of night flowers and the sweetness of snow."What kind of spell? Why does the Earth feel so joyful like this?" Calder said, the reflection of the luminous beam shining in his eyes.Even the monsters gazed upwards, stretching their hands in an attempt to grasp it. Their mouths moved up and down, uttering, "Whooom"Above the sky, a man ascended, his body surrounded by golden particles of light."Ria, please.""Yes, brother."Rain's eyes gleamed with golden light, his hair fluttering. His ears and tail swayed as he held a shining bow in his hand. Stars flew to his bow-string and formed into a light arrow. The sky was filled with a radiant warmth, creating a beautiful shade of light."Whoom, whoom, whoom." The monster's hands waved left and right, repeatedly attempting to catch that star. But all its efforts were in vain, as the star was too far away. Pain and sorrow were evident on its face as it desperately tried to obtain it, even lowering its body and bending its knee.Crack! Crack! Numerous bones cracked and blood gushed out, but the monster didn't care. It continued to bend its body."I know it's beautiful…" a small, sweet voice said. Another light on Earth began to shine. The light on Ella's sword gleamed brightly. "But it's too late for you. This is the end line of you."The monster didn't pay attention to what was happening. Its eyes were fixed on the star, so it jumped!However, the ground beneath its feet suddenly collapsed.The monster's legs got stuck in the earth. It used all its strength to try to move its legs.Bum! Bum! Bum! Rocks piled struck up fast, firmly trapping the monster's legs."Graaaaahhhhh!" the monster cried, black tears falling down. Its four hands remained aimed at the sky. "Whoom, whoom.""Goodbye." "Farewell." Two sounds echoed in unison.Swoosh! A golden arrow flew past the monster's body.Twaaaaanck! A blade pierced directly into its heart, creating a large hole that burn bright with white light.The monster fell and crashed to the floor, its life fading away. Black blood slowly flowed onto the earth. Its lifeless eye stilled, fixed at the bright star. It then uttered its last words "whoooom…"Slosh! Ella slid on the snow, her hair swaying. The particles of light around her floated away as she swung her sword once and then sheathed it. "Thank you, White Regalia."Looking at the lifeless monster, she noticed that the hole in its body was huge, but the area where the arrow had struck showed no damage at all.Ella's eyes widened. "It's… red." She approached the monster closely. "It's really—""Ellllllaaaaaaaaa," cried a voice from the far sky.Ella turned her head upward. "Raccoon?""Heeeeeelppppp" Rain fallen fast from the sky.Goosebumps covered Ella's body. Cold sweat appeared on her face, and her stomach twisted. "Fooooolll Racoooon!"Thud, thud, thud! She ran as fast as she possibly could, perhaps the fastest she had ever run in her life."I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm dead. Goodbye mother, goodbye Ria. No, no, no, brother will go with you instead." He pressed his hands together, tears welling up.Ella sprinted forward and dashed. "Raccoon." She reaching out her hands, hoping to catch him."Ellla." Rain also reached out his hand, wanting to touch Ella's hand.Unfortunately, they missed. Ella could only touch his tear."No!" Ella shouted.Thump! Another man jumped off a pile of earth, rushing towards at front like a rocket.He flew quickly towards the helpless raccoon, hugging it tightly.Thud! He landed, his body sliding on the ground, but the impact was too strong and his grip loosened. The raccoon flew out of his arms.Slosh! Thud! Thud! Fum! Rain bounced on the snow and landed further away.Calder shocked. He sprang up, looking around in all directions, but all he saw was a plain snow field.He attempted to walk in the direction of the force, but again, all he could see was white snow. Gathering his courage, he called out, "Miss Raccoon." However, his voice very faint, maybe thinner than paper.Pop! Ears emerged from the snow.Pop! Tail popped up.Flop! Rain's body lifted from the snow. His face, hair, and ears were covered with snow. "Wow, I'm alive."Calder noticed the presence of the raccoon. Thud, thud, thud. He quickly walked towards the snow pile."Are you alright—" Calder said.Rain shook his head, flicking the snow away.Some snow touched Calder's armored plate. He waited a moment, then asked again, "Are you alright?"Rain looked at Calder. "Brother, thank you so much.""O-okay, have you hurt anywhere?" He looked at Racoon's ears as the snow stilled inside.Rain looked at his own arms and legs, finding them intact with no wounds. "All good, just feeling a little cold.""Um, you sat on the snow." He reached out his hand to help Raccoon stand up."Oh, thank you." Rain also extended his hand.Smack! Someone hit Calder's hand."What are you doing, Lord Calder!" Ella exclaimed, looking at him with sharp eyes.Calder was shocked for a moment. "Ah," he then swiftly bowed. "Sorry for my manners, sir." I should not have touched Miss Racoon's hand. What was I thinking? Dummy head of me!Ella turned her head to look at Rain. "Stand up, Racoon."Rain sprang up, his legs and arms shaking.Pad, pad, Ella swept all the snow from his ears and shoulder. "Are you crazy? You had confidence when going up, but you can't get down, huh?""He-he." Rain laughed dryly."Do not 'he-he' on me," Ella said."He—"Golden eyes shone.Rain gulped. His ears and tail drooped."Go back to camp and rest. I will take care of the remaining tasks.""But Ella, there are more enemies at the camp, kids and witches everywhere. Can I stay here? I don't—""Go. Rest.""Okay," he replied and walked back to the city, his legs still wobbling.Flop, Flop, Flop… His back felt so lonely as his tail swung on the surface of the snow. He trudged through the thick snow, leaving a trail of dust with every step. The moonlight glistened on him, giving him the lonely look of a lost child."Nahhhhh," Ella sighed, rubbing her hair. She turned to Calder and asked, "Lord Calder, please help me with the procedure."Calder nodded and said, "Yes, sir. May the light of the tower shine upon you.""Thank you," Ella bowed.She then swiftly walked beside Rain and lifted his right hand over her shoulder."Thank you, Ella.""Hmph, Earth Raccoon pretending to be familiar with the sky.""I used to be in the sky, not falling,""Unashamed, crying like a girl.""It's your fault, Ella, forget me on sky.""What do you mean, Raccoon?""Humph.""Rain?"All the knights walked closer to Calder and asked, "Sir, do you know that beastkin?""Her body is so light," Calder murmured as looked at his hands."Sir?"Calder shook his head and said, "I don't know either, but she also has a follower badge. Maybe she Saint Ella's follower."
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In a far-off place to the south, a big snow monster fell to its knees. Its entire body was still fresh, with only a small burn mark on its heart.On top of the monster's body was a naked young man with waist-length red hair. The field was covered in hot steam, contrasting with the cold temperature.His young face gazed at the white flowers in his hand, warm mellow red eyes shining, and a voice uttered with emotion, "You are here."