Paltio stared intently at Desirnight, but his mind was divided. On one hand, there was Toco-Toco, trapped in a living nightmare intertwined with a desire that seemed as bittersweet as it was confusing. He was his friend, his mentor, and the one who had been training him from the start. He couldn't abandon him, not after everything they had shared. But on the other hand, there was the deal with this dual creature before him. Golden wouldn't have imprisoned Desirnight without a powerful reason. Could releasing this being endanger not only the world but the entire universe?
"What are you waiting for, boy? See, it's a fair deal... well, somewhat fair," said Desirnight, rotating its masks with a fluid motion. "Besides, if you help me, I'll train you as an extra bonus. But you'll have to let me out into the world. It's your decision, boy. Tick, tock... Time is running out. The longer your friend stays in that place, the harder it will be to get him out. He'll end up stuck in the nightmare, becoming nourishment to my delight. Come on, boy, hurry up. This offer will expire soon. Is it a yes or a no?"
Paltio closed his eyes tightly, trying to imagine what his loved ones would do in his place. What would Golden do at a time like this? He thought. I think he wouldn't leave Toco-Toco there and would agree to this being's demand. Then, he remembered Mok. Mok would tell me that a friend's life is worth more than anything... although there's also the issue that this thing could harm the world if released.
"And Alita?" he reflected. She would do it and then trick the entity with her cunning... but that's not really my style. He smiled faintly at the thought, but he knew it wasn't who he was. "Ron, no. He'd just say to punch the enemy and free the cat." He shook his head. That wouldn't work here either.
Then he thought of Lukeandria. She would outright kill the being before even wanting to talk. Definitely, those last two wouldn't be good options. Finally, he remembered his grandfather. If my grandfather were here, he would save him without hesitation because he thinks like Mok. After all, he was his teacher. Rykaru came to mind. He would also want to confront it and save Toco-Toco at the same time.
"What would my parents say?" he wondered. They always said: 'Do what your heart dictates.' He slowly opened his eyes, taking a deep breath. What do I do? What do I do? He murmured to himself, trying to put himself in the shoes of someone he knew.
Finally, he made a decision. If I release it, I can try to capture it later. I'll try. He said to himself, If I give my word, I can't take it back. After all, someone of royalty isn't trustworthy if they don't honor their agreement.
"Boy! Well, I'm getting bored. Tick, tock," Desirnight pressed, its tail twitching impatiently.
Paltio stared at it for a few seconds before speaking with determination: "Alright, I accept your deal. But guarantee me that you'll let me save Toco-Toco and that you'll train me. Only then will I set you free."
"Good that you agreed, boy. You're not stupid after all... though still a little bit," said Desirnight, laughing with both masks in unison, their combined laughter creating a strange echo that resonated in the air.
But Paltio didn't let himself be intimidated. "I need something that guarantees you're not just giving me empty words," he insisted, eyeing the dual creature distrustfully.
"Well... At least you have a brain, good," Desirnight replied, slightly tilting its body. With an elegant motion of its claws, it conjured a contract that floated between them. Then, with one of its sharp claws, it made a small cut on one of its human-like arms and let a drop of its blood fall onto the paper. "Alright, now it's your turn, boy. You must sign as well."
"Yes, but first I need to read it all," Paltio stated, extending a hand toward the contract. He carefully took it and began reading each line meticulously, searching for any hidden traps. After a few moments, he nodded in satisfaction. "It's fine, I agree."
Desirnight smiled behind its white mask, but before it could approach, Paltio raised a hand to stop it. "Wait. You're not stabbing me with that claw. You might cut off my entire arm," he said, pointing at the creature's massive claws.
"Crybaby," Nightmare muttered from its dark mask, though without losing its mocking tone. With a quick gesture, it pulled out a small knife and tossed it to the boy. "Here, kid. Do it yourself."
Paltio caught the knife carefully, briefly thanking the entity before making a small cut on the palm of his hand. He let a drop of his own blood fall onto the contract, which immediately began to glow with an intense light. The paper floated in the air, vibrating as if alive, sealing the pact between them.
"Good, boy, the contract is ready. Go get the cat, and then we'll train. Hurry up, you don't have much time," Desirnight said, its voice blending with a sinister laugh. "Although, remember, time in this place is relative... It barely moves unless I will it to."
With a fluid motion of its claws, Desirnight opened a dimensional rift in front of Paltio, revealing a dark space brimming with energy. Without hesitation, the young man stepped into it, feeling the rift close behind him. On the other side, he found himself in the place where Toco-Toco was trapped under an endless pile of bones.
"Hold on, Toco-Toco, I'm coming for you," Paltio murmured, quickly advancing toward the mountain of bones. He heard a mournful wail coming from within, a faint meow that broke his heart. "Toco-Toco, hold on! It's me, I'm going to save you!" he shouted as he began removing the bones one by one.
But every time he pulled out a bone, another appeared in its place, as if the pile were infinite. Paltio frowned, frustrated. "Damn it, these things never end... How I wish Golden were here to guide me on what to do right now," he thought, gritting his teeth as he continued trying.
Suddenly, an idea crossed his mind. "Golden... Golden!" he exclaimed, raising his arms to the sky. Closing his eyes, he focused all his thoughts on the powerful golden warrior, wishing with all his might for his energy to guide him. At that moment, a surge of power coursed through his body, enveloping him in an intense golden glow. His hands were covered by metallic green gloves radiating pure energy.
"Awesome! Golden's power really works," Paltio said excitedly, flexing his newly empowered hands. Determined, he began using his fists to pulverize the bones surrounding him. For a brief moment, he managed to glimpse the feline trapped at the center of the pile, but just as he thought he had made progress, the bones reappeared as if they were alive.
"I need more power," Paltio murmured, further intensifying Golden's energy. His body glowed with an almost blinding light as he channeled all his willpower into freeing his friend.
Paltio was at 50 percent of Golden's power, launching rapid attacks with his hands and feet, striking the bones with precision and strength. But no matter how many he destroyed, the bones kept reappearing as if they were alive, multiplying before his eyes. What do I do? Paltio thought, frustrated but determined not to give up.
Then he made a decision. He increased his power to 80 percent. His body began to shine with even greater intensity, and though the armor covering him was incomplete, the aura surrounding him became overwhelming, almost palpable. It was as if the air vibrated around him, charged with pure energy.
"Who is that?" Toco-Toco murmured weakly from within the pile of bones. Then, with a trembling voice, he added, "Leave me... This place is my fate."
"Never!" Paltio shouted firmly, his voice resonating like thunder. "I'm not giving up. I'm going to get you out of there, Toco-Toco. Just you wait." With renewed determination, he channeled all his power to 80 percent, unleashing a wave of devastating blows. The bones began to crumble faster, bringing him closer and closer to the trapped feline.
"Toco-Toco, it's me, it's Paltio!" the young man yelled, hoping his friend would recognize him. But Toco-Toco's voice sounded distant, almost defeated. "Paltio? There's no Paltio. He's not real," said the cat, curled up in a fetal position, as if trying to protect himself from something invisible.
"I'm almost there," Paltio muttered through gritted teeth, focusing all his energy on breaking through the bone barrier. However, just as it seemed he was close, balls of cat hair began to form around the prison, sealing the place completely. They were as hard as the toughest material on the planet, impenetrable even to the most powerful blows. No matter how hard Paltio tried to break them, they wouldn't budge an inch.
Toco-Toco briefly opened one eye upon hearing Paltio's voice but then closed it again, murmuring wearily, "Go... Let me sleep here forever."
"Toco-Toco, don't give up!" Paltio exclaimed, his voice filled with desperation and conviction. "I haven't given up either. This is just an illusion, very real and cruel, but I'm going to get you out of there. I promise!"
"You can't..." the cat responded with a mournful meow. "Leave me... Meow... Leave me here."
"I won't!" Paltio declared firmly, his eyes burning with unbreakable determination. He decided to increase his power at all costs. For a moment, a helmet began to form over his face, partially completing his armor. His aura shifted, becoming brighter and denser, like a miniature sun illuminating the area. With all his might, he shouted, "I'm not leaving you here, Toco-Toco! You're my friend, and you're coming with me!"
With a fierce roar, he unleashed a powerful strike toward Toco-Toco's prison. The impact released a golden ray that illuminated the entire space, radiating an energy so powerful it made the air vibrate around him. The pile of bones and the balls of hair began to disintegrate, crumbling like sand beneath a storm.
Finally, Paltio's hand touched Toco-Toco's paw. "I've got you!" he exclaimed, gripping his friend tightly as he pulled him out of the prison.