Memories of Drimi's childhood flickered in her eyes as the beast advanced. The monster was farther than she thought. The final image before the memory dissolved was only an illusion.
. . .
As the beast sprinted toward her, Asahi and Aletha screamed.
"MOVE! Get out of there!"
Like her father, Drimi wouldn't go out without a fight.
Embers seared her face as she braced, feet rooted for stability. Clenching her fists and jaw, Drimi heaved debris from her legs, closed her eyes, and inhaled deeply. She stood, poised in silence to confront the beast.
(Thump.)
(Thump.)
(Thump.)
The goblin barreled forward, flinging buildings onto the plains. Villagers cowered behind a ruined wall, dreading the beast's attention. Drimi squeezed her eyes shut, growled, and panted.
"URRGGHH!"
Adrenaline.
A surge of adrenaline jolted Drimi. Despite her wounds and agony, it dragged her upright. Although the path ahead was uncertain, she remained steadfast in completing this task and restoring peace.
"Grr…"
Suddenly, as Drimi swept her messy dark hair out of her eyes with one hand, a memory of her father's voice echoed in her mind.
://"If you were ever to fall down, if you ever near your demise, ALWAYS display your bravery by standing tall, despite being in your worst. Show your opponent who the better person is, even if you were to die."://
Then, something ignited within her—a current of power, resolve, and wit, surging like lightning. Instantly, Drimi lunged, battered the beast, raked her fist across its green hide, and drove a punch through its gut.
Everyone gasped.
Yet the goblin showed no reaction.
"ROAR!"
The goblin swung; Drimi was hurled into the air, crashing and sliding toward fire as heat burned her skin. Phthonus, Asahi, and Aletha screamed as she hit the ground.
"DRIMI!"
She shoved herself upright, brushed ash from her legs, and, blood streaking her face, smiled.
"Quiet! I'm fine."
Despite her injuries, Drimi fought on. She pummeled the beast. Her movements were so swift that purple streaks slashed the air. Each blow threw wild shadows, painting shifting lavender shapes around the creature.
"ARRR!"
The beast hurled Drimi through a wooden wall; flaming splinters scattered around her. She staggered up and mocked the goblin.
"Ugh, it hurts!"
Adrenaline flooded her. She felt invincible, memories rushing in a torrent.
Suddenly, Drimi sprinted up the wall, vaulted high, and slammed the beast to the ground. As it struck back, she dodged its wild blows, wrenched its right arm, and hurled it into a ruined field.
A tremendous blast rocked the ground, flinging trees, shrubs, and debris skyward.
"What is she doing?"
The wanderers and Phthonus watched Drimi's combat prowess. The field blazed with explosions, roars, fighting, and crimson—almost unbelievable.
Asahi mumbled.
"What is happening? Is Drimi okay?"
Phthonus chuckled nervously and patted Asahi's back. He seemed confident but was uncertain about Drimi.
"Of course she is! If you were to see what Drimi did in the past, you would be shocked at the possibilities of what this strong woman can do."
Asahi's eyes broadened.
"Really?"
Just after, Drimi soared through the air, battered and pummeled by the beast. With each blow, crimson sprayed. Her bones cracked, her eyes flickered, and her head snapped back and forth. Her entire body stung, yet she kept smiling.
Asahi and Phthonus rushed across the fields, shoving debris aside as they ran to reach Drimi. Their urgency was palpable, breaths ragged with worry. Drimi, drained of energy, forced herself upright, but her vision blurred as blood trickled into her eyes. Ears ringing, she collapsed, her mind flooding with vivid memories as she fought to stay conscious. The past wove into the present chaos, threatening to pull her away.
* * *
"Sally, this is Akwan. Akwan, this is Sally."
A breeze ruffled their hair, a fresh ocean scent in the air. The sun shone as trees danced near bright shores. Akwan's dark hair shifted as he looked down in thought.
"Hmmm…"
An awkward silence fell. Drimi, Sally, Phthonus, and Belial glared with impatience. They looked younger. Phthonus wore his mask, but his hair was shorter. Belial looked more human, a glimmer in his emerald eyes. Akwan was in his original form, and Drimi was unchanged.
As the ambiance of the waves crashed onto the shore, Akwan theorized.'
"Sally? Quite frankly, that's one of the most absurd names considering that your presence originated from Astait. It makes me guess how you managed to get a strong woman like Drimi to save you…."
Belial released a deep sigh, pushed Akwan, and whispered to young Sally with a friendly tone.
"Kid, just ignore this guy's nonsensical speeches. He doesn't KNOW better other than to think, haha. Anyway, I'm shocked that you could get Drimi to save you. You potentially look like one capable of joining our faction."
Drimi swiftly facepalmed and sighed.
"Dude, stop being so hurried on Sally. The only reason I saved her is that it's the right thing to do. I saw her near a shore… freezing to death."
The entire group backed up.
"Freezing to death?!"
Drimi nervously scratched her head.
"Y-Yeah… she still refuses to tell me the full story. Anyways…"
Drimi turned proudly to Sally, who remained quiet and shy, intimidated by the prospect of speaking. Conversation had become a rarity for her after so long in isolation.
"So… Sally. What do you think about living here, in Pladtioa… with these three other dimwits and me?"
Belial and Phthonus growled.
"Hey! We're not--
Drimi hastily interrupted with a threatening aura lingering over her face.
"Yes, you are. Now shut it."
All three fell silent. Drimi sighed and continued.
"I apologize about that. These three can be stubborn at times. It makes me feel like I'm the well-nurtured, sophisticated one, like a mother, watching over three scoundrels." She turned to the sunlight, her hair flucutating in the wind.
"You see, when I found you, I saw someone with so much potential, just like I once had. There's a strength in you, Sally —a spark that reminds me of my own journey. By joining me, you're not only entering a group but forming a connection with someone who truly believes in your strength. So, if you choose to join us, I can offer you my private lessons and training to help you become as strong as I am. Together, we can be family, looking out for each other and fighting for what we believe in."
Belial whispered to Sally.
"Psst. This is quite rare, as Drimi usually NEVER offers anyone--
"WHAT DID I SAY?"
Belial quivered.
"R-Right… sorry..."
Drimi took a deep breath and settled down.
"So… what do you say…? Are you willing to start a newer, better life with me? I promise I'll protect you no matter what."
The three of them glare at Sally, waiting for an answer. Drimi patiently waited and smiled at her.
"So…"
Immediately, Drimi felt Sally's grip tighten against her hands. Her face flushed with a look of surprise and shock. Of course, Belial, the stubborn boy he was, commented.
"Wow, Drimi, I never knew you could blush like that."
Instead of slapping him directly in the face, Drimi took a deep breath and ignored him, cherishing this moment for a little more time.
And then she pinched Belial.
"AGHHHH! HEY?!?!?"
Sally and Drimi lightly laughed and giggled. That sweet, innocent smile on young Sally's face was a sight Drimi would never forget.
* * *
As the laughter faded in Drimi's memory, the present chaos surged back into focus.
Dashing through the burning dirt, her breath grew uneasy. Her long platinum hair flew upward as she heaved and lunged herself over the tumbling debris, structures, and flames.
Suddenly, urgent worry for the wanderers after the crow man's 'kidnapping' refocused her thoughts, tying her current rush to memories that surfaced as she raced through the village.
* * *
Her mind wandered further, recalling a vivid training scene: two stood near a green expanse dotted with moss, flora, and fungi. Opposite the training dummy was a target. The sun shone on Drimi's face. If anything, she looked thrilled and excited for what was coming next.
"Okay, Sally. So, since you are a rookie, I'm not using myself as a training device. You need to hit those targets and whack those training dummies with force."
Just as young Sally was about to scurry toward the dummies, Drimi stopped her.
"Hey, hey, hey, I didn't tell you to go, didn't I?"
Sally slowly nodded. Drimi chuckled.
"It's fine; I'll teach you the basics of combat. With those clothes of yours, I don't believe that you even have a 'smidge' of combat history in ya'!"
Sally and Drimi would always train, leave, and return to this exact area through multiple days, if not weeks. She taught Sally how to use her fists, kick, use a makeshift knife, and, most importantly, how to block.
Over the coming years, Sally grew considerably larger. She gradually began to eat more, speak more, and even fight more. Her height noticeably increased, almost reaching shoulder height to Drimi in just two years.
"Okay, Sally, you know what to do."
The training dummies were tossed out of the area, demonstrating how quickly Sally had grown. Finally, after a few moments of silence, Sally raced through the bushes wearing a t-shirt and rugged pants. Drimi grew suspicious of Sally, even blushing a little, but allowed her to stay in her outfit.
"Okay, I'm coming, master Drimi!"
"Hey, Plat. You know not to call me that!"
"Pfft, I know! Okay, Drimi."
Immediately, Sally started to swing her leg. But just before her toe could even reach the surface of Drimi's body, she was hastily flung toward the ground.
"Sally, ya' need some workin' to do."
Drimi gasped and blushed as her eyes accidentally peered directly at...
"Also, put on some better clothes. Your behind is showin'!"
Sally's face turned apple red.
"U-Uh! OKAY!"
She scurried across the bushes with a warm face. Drimi facepalmed and shook her head. As the wind blew against her long, dark hair, she released a deep sigh and mumbled to herself.
"She still has a lotta work to do."
After that, months later, Sally was worthy enough to fight her first monster. Of course, that never ended well; she was touched by a slime and cried. Drimi tried to hide her laughter, knowing that it was embarrassing to see an almost-grown woman cry like a toddler.
However, she slaughtered the beast and helped Sally, saying.
"You need to stop crying. It's... embarrassing..."
Sally scratched her head and nodded.
"Yes, um... Drimi."
It would then be that Drimi would push Sally to try to fight beasts, until she learned the hard way. Throughout the years, as Sally's height surpassed Drimi's height, Sally was truly fighting beasts using the combat skills learned from Drimi.
"There ya' go! Slay that killer!"
Sally struck a sizeable brown wolf, who clung onto her and tried to claw her back. However, she tossed it into the air, then did a crazy backflip, eventually injuring the beast. Drimi applauded.
"Wow, great job, Sally! Now finish 'em off!"
Sally became distracted and was nearly torn apart, but Drimi intervened just in time. Sally let out a deep sigh and called to Belial for help.
"Come on! Heal Sally! She's injured. Sigh, I can't believe it."
After that, Drimi continued this cycle to save Sally over and over again, gradually getting better after each fight. She was stronger, taller, and even more persistent. It grew to the point that Sally was almost unrecognizable to her past self. And then... all of it leads to the present...
* * *
Finally, as Sally approached the outskirts of the village, she saw Drimi in the distance, fighting the beast, with shiny crimson blood flying out of her leg. Her pink eyes widened, and she reached out to her.
"DRIMI!"
She slowly tilted toward Sally, coughing and smiling. Her long dark hair was stained in crimson, craters of her body were strewn everywhere in the plains, and the others were lying on the ground, injured.
Drimi knew she should stop, yet she continued for the sake of the village. The moment she saw Sally, a complex wave of emotions washed over her. Pride surged as she witnessed the strength and courage Sally had grown into, mirroring her own struggles and triumphs. Yet, beneath that pride lay a touch of regret for the past times she had pushed Sally so hard, uncertain if it might have been too much. But more than anything, hope filled her heart, knowing that Sally was here and could make a difference.
Sally's present appearance flashed to the illusion of Sally's younger self, running across the flashing red and green plains.
The smile, the dress, all of it made Drimi form a tear over her eye.
"Plat… S… Sally…"
This was HER moment.
The moment that proves what years of training with Drimi can do.
Perhaps, instead of being saved by Drimi another time, Sally could finally save HER.
. . .
Sally raced across the hill, kicking through the brittle dirt, feeling the pendant dangling over her hip jangling and illuminating her body. The blinding sunlight pierced through the clouds, glimmering and casting its light toward the field.
"I'm…"
She was breathless.
A blue luminance shone underneath her feet, pressing and staining across the ground.
Asahi watched as Sally was juggled in the air. Though he felt sympathy and pity for her, he remembered what would happen if he interfered. So for that, he instead raced out of the battlefield and searched the village for Aletha; as cowardice it was, it was the only right thing he could do.
In the meantime, Sally continued to fight with blood, sweat, and tears covering her face. She was pummeled and tossed, flipping into the air with her soil perched out from her pendant.
Its baby blue essence scattered across the beast's bulging face, freezing its skin and paralyzing it temporarily, as if a bucket of pure ice were being poured on it.
"GAHHH!"
When the essence leaked out, its sparkles coated and buried the monster in a frosty fog. Sally slid her body down a slope, leaped up, and turned her eyes toward Drimi.
From the hazy horizon, battered and changed, Sally realized the woman before her was not the Drimi she remembered.
(You know how to swing, but do you know how to crawl?) A past voice, one from a young face with long dark hair; Drimi, the past.
Sally bit her lip, clenched her fists, and accelerated across the sea of flora.
Revealed beyond the curvature of the hill, tattered in bruises, half of her hair shriveled up, her attire nearly stained in ash, it was Drimi, who still wore a smile on her face.
Sally's heart stopped, tears flew down her cheek, and her body trembled.
"Drimi!" She shrieked as she raced down the hill.
Drimi skillfully chuckled and slowly tilted her head toward Sally by dragging her body across the ash.
"S...Sally?"
"Please!"
As Sally lowered her arms and cradled Drimi's head over her arms, she noticed her eyes froze with fear, timorous as the ground trembled.
(Thump.)
Her body was stiff, and her arms, trawling over the dirt like a lifeless doll, Drimi painfully pivoted her arm and mumbled to Sally.
(Thump)
"Sally… b-behind… you."
Sally turned her head.
(Thump.)
(Thump.)
She slowly lowered Drimi's body against a soft bed of flowers, pushed herself upward, and wiped ash off her face.
A fresh swell of rage rose in her, recalling all the emerging moments she had shared with Drimi, and she clenched her fists.
The training, the two-kilometer race, the smiles, the laughs, the cries, the love, and yet despite all of the countless flickering events, nothing could replace the loving embrace Drimi made when she saved Sally.
She trembled and wiped away her tears, kneeling down to Drimi and caressing her arms around her body. Her long platinum hair brushed softly against Drimi's face, her chest pressed against Drimi's, and her eyes peered directly through Drimi's dull, hollow amethyst eyes.
"Drimi… p-please… I t-thank you so much."
Drimi slid her crimson-battered fingers down Sally's face, forming tears and shaking her legs from the excruciating pain.
"You… were like… a mother to me.'
Tears welled in Drimi's eyes. Though her pain allowed only a smile, she knew her love for Sally was strong, but the pain overwhelmed her.
Sally smiled and wiped Drimi's tear. Her heart thumped rapidly, her face warmed up, and her eyes trembled.
"Do… you want me to…?"
She pivoted her hot pink eyes toward a round, glistening silver pendant attached to her side. As she glared at it, she remembered the deceiving face of her father. A false look, a corrupt entity.
That pale face, chapped lips, thin beard, and platinum hair; that sight haunted Sally throughout all her life.
Sally remembered his large, cold hands lending her that pendant, with unique, sparkling, glazed minerals encased in a glass substance.
* * *
"You take care of this now? You hear?"
Sally remembered his blistering slap stinging on her face, followed by a loud yell.
"YOU HEAR?! ANSWER!"
Of course, Sally couldn't answer; she was too young and had no experience with the language yet.
"Damn you…"
Sally was tossed away to the ground, spat on, and stepped from the man's foot.
"Filthy scum… take care of it. This is your only gift. Use it… when you're in trouble. Or be a peasant and get enslaved by the opponents who managed to encounter you."
Her eyes flashed back to the present, Drimi almost passing out from the suffocating fumes.
Tears flew in Sally's eyes. She had no idea what to do, was afraid, and feared that it was all her fault.
Deep within Sally's trembling eyes was a furious, vengeful glow. She took a deep breath and glared at her pendant. She was so terrified and anxious that her words were almost unintelligible.
"My… father. I don't know. I should... I should--
She gently placed it on the ground and trembled as she hovered her hand over Drimi's face, whispering.
"I... I'm… sorry. I'm s-s-so sorry…."
Drimi grasped her hand.
(Pyunk.)
Sally yanked her arm away and shuffled her feet. Drimi lifted her body upward and whispered faintly.
"Sally…"
"...yes?"
She brightly blushed, feeling as if Drimi was tantalizing her with her worn wrist. She was confused and shocked.
"Drimi?! What are you doing?"
Drimi covered Sally's mouth and muttered.
"Sally."
She slowly lifted up, and despite the crippling pain Drimi was in, she winked and said in a zealous tone.
"Ya see that pendant? I recall that a long time ago, you would always keep it in your pocket, only if we were in a dire emergency. It was one of your 'strongest secrets', you said. So... how about you do it for the rest of the idiots in this village and me, would ya'?"
Sally knew that Drimi's aggressive regard for the villagers was just a joke, like most of Drimi's personality. Sally slowly nodded and replied.
"D-Do what...?"
Drimi roughly pulled Sally closer to her face and, jittery, grappled onto her dangling pendant. As the beast now rushed and was distracted from the stampede of individuals, Drimi leaned against Sally's soft cheek and tapped her lips against it, as a mother would kiss a child. Then, in a quiet yet determined voice, she wiped crimson off her face and whispered to Sally.
"Defeat the grievances of your past; power isn't all about strength. It's all about how much you can confront your weaknesses and doubts. That's what your ability has! I offered you a new life, and all I want in return..."
Sally clenched her bottom lip between her teeth, positioned her eyes toward the jewel, and smiled. Drimi continued.
"It's for you to be confident."
Her hollow eyes sparkled and glittered with bravery, determination, and will. This surge of magic and power flew against each part of her mind, spewing out like bubbles popping in the water. The entire surface of foliage rippled and splashed out, with moss, logs, trees, and soil collapsing into a swirling frothy mess.
Then, deep from under the soil, a rumble shook and trembled everyone's feet. Her fingers tightly grasped the object one more time before...
... its silver texture splattered and spewed out like exploding rocks. It disgorged sparkling essences across the ferns, vegetation, and flora. All scorching flames-- extinguished from the emerging bodies of water. The sun now sparkled over the clear sky and the ground, trembling rapidly from a massive, gaping opening that had caved into the earth.
The villagers, Phthonus, Drimi, Asahi, and even Aletha, watched as an enormous geyser materialized at the center of the bubbling field. Clear and muddy puddles of water spanned across the village; all of it streamed and flew down toward the dormant platinum-sapphire-colored geyser, nourishing and dampening the flora.
A herd of rocks rolled down the hill, captivating and colonizing the geyser as if it were their home. Asahi screamed at the villagers.
"WATCH OUT!"
(Thump)
(Thump)
(Thump)
Phthonus gritted his teeth, having no choice but to run to the villagers to individually push them away from the shimmering geyser.
Deep within the center of the village, nearest to the well, Aletha gently caressed The Fruit on her arms. Her curiosity got the best of her, leading Aletha to observe and analyze what was below the well.
However, as her gleaming silver eyes peered down over the curved structure, far within the depths was a sight, unlike anything she had ever seen.
Beneath her gaze was—
"... no, that can't be. I... c-can't believe it. This is the sole reason why the large goblin beast traveled here..."
There, a surge of all memories from the mind of the goblin rushed into her mind. She grew nauseous, almost dizzy from the sudden event. However, the pulsating blue light deep from the depths of The Well saved her from the memories and repelled her body away from the cobblestone rim.
"AHHH!"
Aletha trembled, conceding that the blurry flickers of the goblin's past effectively adjusted the views of the beast for her. She clenched her fists and conveyed to herself.
"I must go... now!"
Instantly, Aletha precipitously picked up The Fruit and hustled through the roads to get to the beast.
Regardless, just as Aletha surpassed the tip of the outskirts of Milmoor...
"Was... I... too late?"
She panted heavily, sweated, and choked from the deadly fumes, feeling the sloshy substances of the fabricated water dampen and moisten her feet. Her eyes widened at the sight of a massive geyser emerging from the ground, Sally levitating and unleashing streams of water, and the beast charging down the hill toward her.
Aletha gasped, knowing that the beast was in danger.
"NO!"
Her heart roughly pumped. Aletha pushed through the masses of debris, ferns, and bushes. She felt a sense of relief at seeing Asahi, Phthonus, and the villagers safe, but also stared at the mess. As she pushed a wagon with her own bare hands, Aletha mumbled to herself.
"I... h-hope it isn't too late. I must give The Fruit to the beast before he reaches the geyser. There is a misunderstanding here... all of the goblin's actions were misunderstood."
She scampered on the ground, waved her arm, and hollered out her brother's name.
"ASAHI!"
He swiftly turned his head, smiled in relief, seeing Aletha dash toward him from a distance.
"A...letha...? Why do you still have The Fruit with you?"
Breathing heavily and gasping for air, Aletha tried to reply.
"I was... I... was going to tell you that..."
Just as she could reveal the truth, a green luminance suddenly arose from a distant hill, illuminating a patch of trees.