The cavern was eerily quiet, the faint hum of ancient magic lingering in the damp air. Pale blue crystals jutted from the jagged walls, casting a faint glow over the uneven floor. Cron stood at the edge of the group, his golden eyes scanning the vast chamber with disinterest.
Leona: (irritated) Are we just going to keep walking, or are you going to tell us why we're here?
Cron: (calmly) Patience, Leona. It's a virtue you should consider developing.
Leona: (snapping) Says the guy who never explains anything.
Gilmuar chuckled, his heavy boots crunching against loose gravel as he walked alongside them.
Gilmuar: (grinning) Relax, Leona. This is probably just another one of Cron's 'tests.' Right, oh mighty leader?
Cron: (smirking) Something like that.
Tier was already fiddling with his device, the holographic display projecting a faint map of the cavern.
Tier: (muttering) This place is strange. The readings are all over the place. It's like the energy here is... alive.
Cron glanced at Tier, his smirk deepening.
Cron: (cryptically) You could say that.
Before Leona could press him further, the ground beneath them began to tremble. The faint hum of magic grew louder, resonating through the chamber like a distant drumbeat. The crystals on the walls pulsed with light, their glow intensifying.
Leona: (frowning) What now?
Gilmuar: (cracking his knuckles) Something big, I hope.
The tremors grew stronger, and the ground split open in front of them. A massive, grotesque creature emerged from the chasm, its body a writhing mass of blackened tendrils and molten cracks. Its glowing eyes fixed on the group, and a guttural roar shook the cavern.
Leona: (staring in disbelief) What the hell is that?
Tier: (quickly analyzing) It's... huge. And those energy readings—it's regenerating faster than it's losing mass. This thing's nearly indestructible.
Cron stepped back, his hands in his pockets as he observed the monster.
Cron: (calmly) You'll figure it out.
Leona: (snapping) Figure it out? Are you kidding me?
Cron: (mockingly) No. You three wanted to prove yourselves, didn't you? Here's your chance.
Leona: (furious) And what are you going to do? Watch?
Cron: (grinning) Exactly.
Without another word, Cron walked toward a nearby ledge and leaned against the wall, his posture relaxed. The monster roared again, its tendrils thrashing wildly as it lunged forward.
Gilmuar: (grinning) Fine by me. Let's dance.
He charged forward, the ground cracking beneath his feet as he unleashed a devastating punch. The gravitational force rippled through the air, slamming into the creature and sending it staggering back. But the monster quickly recovered, its molten cracks glowing brighter as it regenerated.
Leona: (raising her Bo) Keep it distracted!
She thrust her staff into the ground, and a wave of purple magic surged forward, creating a barrier around Tier as he scrambled to adjust his device.
Tier: (typing furiously) I'm trying to pinpoint its core. Without that, we're just hitting a wall.
Leona: (gritting her teeth) Work faster, Tier!
The creature roared, its tendrils lashing out in all directions. One struck Gilmuar, knocking him into a nearby wall with a thunderous crash. He groaned, shaking off the impact as he stood.
Gilmuar: (gruffly) Alright. Now I'm pissed.
He charged again, his fists glowing brighter as he unleashed a barrage of punches. Each strike sent shockwaves rippling through the cavern, but the creature continued to regenerate, its molten body absorbing the blows.
Leona: (yelling) It's not working! We need a better plan!
Tier: (panicked) I'm trying! This thing's energy patterns are insane!
The monster suddenly shifted, its tendrils coiling together into a massive spike. It lunged toward Tier, who barely managed to roll out of the way. The spike slammed into the ground, sending shards of rock flying.
Leona: (desperately) Tier, stay behind me!
She swung her Bo, releasing a burst of purple energy that forced the monster back. But the effort was taking its toll—sweat dripped down her face as her breathing grew labored.
Gilmuar: (grinning despite himself) Come on, Leona. Don't let it see you sweat.
Leona: (snapping) Shut up and hit it harder!
The monster roared again, its tendrils splitting into smaller, faster segments. One wrapped around Tier's leg, dragging him toward the chasm.
Tier: (yelling) A little help here! SHIT!
Leona dashed forward, slamming her Bo into the tendril and severing it with a burst of magic. She pulled Tier back, her purple barrier flickering as the monster pressed its attack.
Leona: (gritting her teeth) This thing's going to kill us if we don't do something!
Gilmuar: (slamming his fists together) Then I'll kill it first, with my bare hands.
He leapt onto the creature's back, his gravitational magic distorting its form as he pummeled it relentlessly, each punch capable of trembling mountains. The monster screeched, its tendrils flailing wildly in an attempt to throw him off.
But it wasn't enough.
The creature suddenly shifted, its entire body glowing with molten heat as it prepared to unleash a devastating attack. Gilmuar jumped back, shielding himself with a gravitational barrier as the explosion rocked the cavern.
Leona: (thinking, panicked) We can't keep this up.
The monster turned its glowing eyes on Tier, who was struggling to get back to his feet. Leona stepped in front of him, raising her Bo as the creature lunged toward them.
Leona: (yelling) Stay back!
But before the monster could strike, it froze.
The air around it shimmered, and a faint sound like the hiss of burning embers filled the cavern. The creature's molten glow dimmed, its tendrils falling limp.
Cron: (calmly) Took you long enough to ask for help.
He stood at the edge of the chasm, his golden eyes glowing faintly as he raised his hand. The air around him rippled, and the creature disintegrated into ash with a single blink.
Leona: (breathing heavily) Cron... you—
Cron: (mockingly) You're welcome.
Gilmuar: (grumbling) Show-off.
Cron turned to face them, his expression unreadable.
Cron: (coldly) If you can't handle something like this??
Cron: (boldly) You are not going to survive alone.
Leona: (snapping) And what is that supposed to mean????
Cron smirked, his gaze distant.
Cron: (softly) It means...
Cron: (smirks a bit) You're way too weak.
He turned and walked toward the exit, leaving them in stunned silence.
Leona: (shocked) WWHHAAATTTT??!!??!?!??
Leona's voice echoed through the cavern, her frustration reverberating against the jagged walls. Gilmuar sighed, running a hand through his messy hair as he stepped forward.
Gilmuar: Relax, Leona. You know he likes to talk like that. It's his whole... thing.
Leona: (snapping) His thing is being an arrogant ass!
Gilmuar chuckled, his broad shoulders shaking.
Gilmuar: (grinning) And yet, you're always so surprised.
Tier, still sprawled on the ground, groaned as he adjusted his damaged device. Sparks flew from it as he gave it a light smack.
Tier: (sarcastically) Yeah, great banter, guys. Love it. Meanwhile, I almost got turned into monster chow.
Leona shot him a glare, helping him to his feet.
Leona: (snapping) Maybe if you spent less time playing with your tech and more time paying attention, that wouldn't have happened.
Tier: (deadpan) Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Perfect. Next time, I'll just punch the indestructible monster like Gilmuar.
Gilmuar: (grinning) Damn right you should.
Leona rolled her eyes, but before she could retort, Cron's voice echoed back from the darkness.
Cron: (dryly) Are you done? Or do you need another monster to keep you focused?
The group collectively froze, the tension in the air thickening. Leona's fists clenched as she turned toward the retreating figure.
Leona: (yelling) Maybe if you actually helped instead of standing around and criticizing us, we'd get better faster!
Cron stopped mid-step, his back still to them. For a moment, the air grew heavier, the faint sound of embers hissing returning to the cavern.
Cron: (calmly) You don't get better by being saved. You get better by surviving.
Leona: (furious) Surviving?! Tier almost DIED, Cron!
Cron turned slightly, his golden eyes meeting hers. The smirk on his face was gone, replaced by something colder.
Cron: (flatly) And yet, he's alive. Isn't he?
Leona opened her mouth to retort but found no words. The weight of Cron's gaze silenced her. Gilmuar stepped between them, his usual grin replaced by a more serious expression.
Gilmuar: Alright, enough. We get it, Cron. You're the big man here. But maybe cut us some slack. Not all of us are walking gods.
Cron: (smirking faintly) Noted.
Without another word, he turned and disappeared into the shadows, his footsteps fading into silence.
Leona: (muttering) I hate him so much sometimes.
Gilmuar: (grinning) You hate him all the time.
Tier: (grimacing) Can we please get out of here? My leg still feels like it's on fire.
Leona sighed, reluctantly nodding. She picked up her Bo and began walking toward the exit, her pace brisk. Gilmuar slung an arm around Tier, half-carrying him as they followed.
Gilmuar: (teasing) Don't worry, Tier. If Cron sends another monster after us, you can hide behind me.
Tier: (grumbling) Great. Can't wait.
As they exited the cavern, the faint glow of sunlight greeted them. The harsh atmosphere of the cave was replaced by the crisp air of the outside world. Yet, despite the calm, an unspoken tension lingered between them.
Leona: (thinking) He's right... We're not strong enough. Not yet.
She tightened her grip on her Bo, her eyes narrowing with determination.
Leona: (thinking) But we will be. I'll make sure of it.
Gilmuar glanced at her, his grin returning.
Gilmuar: (grinning) So, what's the plan, fearless leader?
Leona: (firmly) We train. Harder than ever. If Cron thinks we're weak, we'll prove him wrong.
Tier groaned but didn't argue. Gilmuar chuckled, his confidence unshaken.
Gilmuar: (grinning) Works for me. Let's see if you can keep up, Leona.
Leona smirked, her frustration fading slightly.
Leona: (teasing) Oh, I'll do more than keep up. Try not to fall behind.
As they descended the rocky path back toward their camp, the trio's banter slowly returned, their bond unshaken despite the earlier tension. But in the back of their minds, Cron's words lingered, a harsh reminder of the challenges that lay ahead.
The air was heavy with silence as Leona, Gilmuar, and Tier trudged toward the camp, their faces a mixture of exhaustion and frustration. The sky above had darkened into a canvas of stars, the faint glow of their campfire flickering in the distance. Each step they took was weighed down by the events in the cavern, and by the man who had left them to handle it alone.
As they neared the camp, they saw Cron sitting cross-legged by the fire. He wasn't lounging or smirking this time. His posture was rigid, his golden eyes glowing faintly in the dim light as they reflected the flames. The usual air of nonchalance that surrounded him was gone, replaced by a serious, almost calculating energy.
Gilmuar: (grinning despite himself) Well, look who decided to sit this one out. You waiting for us, boss?
Cron didn't look up. Instead, his voice came out calm but firm, cutting through the usual banter.
Cron: (seriously) Sit.
The tone caught them off guard. Gilmuar raised an eyebrow but obeyed, dropping onto a log by the fire. Tier hesitated for a moment, then joined him, his device still clutched tightly in his hands. Leona, however, stayed standing, her hands on her hips.
Leona: (snapping) You've got some nerve, Cron. Leaving us to deal with that thing on our own—
Cron: (interrupting) Sit down, Leona.
The sharpness in his voice made her blink. She stared at him, but there was something in his expression—something unreadable—that made her relent. With a frustrated sigh, she sat beside Tier.
Cron looked at each of them in turn, his gaze piercing. The flames flickered between them, casting shadows that danced across their faces.
Cron: (calmly) I didn't leave you in that cavern to abandon you. I left because I needed to see if you could handle it. If you could stand on your own.
Leona: (snapping) And what if we couldn't? Tier was seconds away from being—
Cron: (cutting her off) And I was watching. I wasn't going to let you die.
His tone was calm, but there was a weight behind his words that silenced her. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
Cron: (seriously) But if you're going to survive what's coming, you can't rely on me—or Dark—to save you every time things go south. You've seen what we're up against. You know the stakes. This isn't just about fighting monsters or dealing with petty threats anymore.
Gilmuar: (frowning) Then what's it about?
Cron's golden eyes met his, and for a moment, there was a flicker of something almost... vulnerable.
Cron: (softly) It's about keeping this group alive. Together.
The words hung in the air, heavier than any of them expected. Cron leaned back slightly, running a hand through his hair.
Cron: (firmly) We've been scattered for too long. Ever since Dark went off on his own, we've been playing catch-up. Surviving, not living. That stops now.
Leona: (quietly) You want us to find him.
Cron: (nodding) Not just find him. Help him. Whatever he's doing out there, he's doing it alone. And if there's one thing we all know about Dark, it's that he'll burn himself out before he asks for help.
Tier: (hesitant) He might not want us to find him. You know how he is.
Cron smirked faintly, the edge of his usual attitude returning.
Cron: (dryly) Since when have we ever cared about what Dark wants?
Gilmuar chuckled, leaning back and crossing his arms.
Gilmuar: (grinning) He's got a point. Guy's always been stubborn as hell.
Leona: (sighing) So what's the plan? Just wander around until we stumble across him?
Cron: (shaking his head) No. I've been tracking him. He's stronger now—stronger than even he realizes. But that strength comes with a price. He's attracting attention. The kind of attention that could destroy him if we're not there to back him up.
Tier: (nodding) Then we need to move fast. If he's attracting enemies like that monster...
Cron: (interrupting) He is. And worse.
The group fell silent, the weight of Cron's words settling over them like a thick fog. Leona stared into the fire, her mind racing. She thought of the fights they'd faced together, the times Dark had pushed himself to the brink to protect them. He'd always been the one to shoulder the burden, to carry the weight of their survival.
Leona: (softly) He's going to hate this.
Cron: (smirking) Probably. But he'll thank us later.
Gilmuar: (grinning) Or punch us. Either way, it'll be fun.
Cron stood, brushing the dust off his coat. His golden eyes gleamed as he looked down at them, his expression resolute.
Cron: (firmly) Rest up. We leave at dawn. And this time, we don't stop until we're back to what we used to be.
Leona, Tier, and Gilmuar exchanged glances. For all their sarcasm and banter, there was a spark of something in their eyes now—determination, maybe even hope.
Gilmuar: (grinning) Alright, boss. Let's get the band back together.
Cron smirked, turning away as the flames crackled behind him.
Cron: (quietly) Damn right we will.
End Of Arc 4 Chapter 4