The tavern's warmth barely faded from Nyxar's cloak when he stopped mid-sip of water and summoned the black book with a flick of his fingers. Its pages fluttered open, glowing faintly.
A Question No One Expected
Nyxar: "Book. The Bell Beast—gender?"
The book paused. Its letters scratched across the page like a confused cat.
Book: "…Female???"
Bug tilted his head.
Bug: "Why do you even care?"
Nyxar's crimson eyes narrowed in thought.
Nyxar: "Bella."
Bug blinked, then nodded reluctantly.
Bug: "…Okay, that's… honestly better than Shadow Bell."
Across the table Ember lit up like a lantern.
Ember: "Bella? That's adorable!"
A Sudden "Game"
Nyxar stood, silent but purposeful.
Nyxar: "Bug. When did we last test your speed?"
Bug: "Uh… a long time ago?"
Nyxar: "Perfect."
He strode for the door. Bug zipped after him, antennae twitching nervously.
Bug: "Why do I suddenly hear boss music?"
Outside the village, the moonlight spilled across the quiet clearing. Villagers watched curiously from windows. Ember and the spirit hurried after.
The Hunt Begins
Nyxar snapped his fingers. Shadows rippled—and the giant boar materialized, snorting steam.
Nyxar: "Your mission: survive."
Bug: "Wait, WAIT—survive what—"
The boar bellowed and charged straight at the tiny insect. Bug squealed and darted skyward, wings a frantic blur.
Bug: "THIS IS NOT SAFE!"
The spirit floated higher, grinning.
Spirit: "I like this boy more every minute."
Ember clutched her staff.
Ember: "This isn't safe!"
Bug zigzagged wildly as the boar thundered below, tearing divots in the earth.
A Sudden Ambush
Nyxar's sharp gaze caught a tree trunk… shifting.
Nyxar: "Boar—stop. That tree."
The boar skidded, earth spraying. It lunged toward the suspicious trunk—
SHING!
The "tree" blurred, slicing through the air. The boar was cleaved clean in half before it could connect.
A mantis, enormous and blade-armed, revealed itself with a screech.
Nyxar: "Knew it."
Bug groaned mid-air.
Bug: "Come on! We didn't even have the boar for a day!"
The book appeared beside Nyxar, letters glowing coldly.
Book: "Giant Boar destroyed. Summon lost."
Nyxar closed it with a snap.
Nyxar: "Very well… Bella."
Bella Arrives
The ground darkened. Shadows stretched like ink as Bella—the colossal bell-armored beast—rose from Nyxar's shadow, enormous and gleaming.
Ember and the spirit both froze.
Spirit: "By the stars… you weren't exaggerating."
Ember: "It's huge!"
Bella gave a deep, metallic bong that rattled the trees, like an excited puppy announcing dinner.
Nyxar: "Bella. Kill."
With a joyous chime, Bella thundered forward. The mantis struck, blades flashing—but its scythes bounced off Bella's armored shell with a clang!
Bella reared back and crushed the mantis with a single earth-shaking slam.
The black book hovered open:
Book: "+1 Mantis Acquired."
Nyxar knelt, calmly patting Bella's plated head.
Nyxar: "Good work."
Bella emitted a low, happy bell-like squeal.
New Fan Club
Bug landed on Bella's broad back, wings buzzing in triumph.
Bug: "Say hello to our over-excited giant metal murder machine."
The spirit circled, eyes wide.
Spirit: "It's enormous… and terrifying."
Ember: "It's cute."
The spirit whirled in disbelief.
Spirit: "Cute?!"
Ember stepped forward, eyes sparkling.
Ember: "I want to pet Bella."
Bug raised a leg toward Nyxar.
Bug: "Permission?"
Nyxar simply gestured toward the beast.
Nyxar: "Go."
Ember approached cautiously. Bella lowered her massive head like a gentle ox. Ember laid a hand on the cool metal shell.
BONG!—a soft, musical chime rang out, almost like a purr.
Ember giggled, delighted.
Ember: "She's… precious!"
Bug sighed dramatically, settling onto Bella's armored back.
Bug: "Great. We've officially adopted a two-ton doorbell."
Bella's happy ringing echoed through the forest, a metallic lullaby that made even the spirit crack a reluctant smile.