Blue flames ripped across the rocky yellow plains like a geyser from the ground. The Caravan of Demons watched in amazement, envious of Jala's magical prowess as it decimated a large horde of goblins.
Kisik, the village chief, kept his eyes glued to the scene. "
Jala glanced back at the amazed group, but ignored the question. "
"
Kajd glared at Jala. A memory burned hot in his mind, forcing a sneer to form on his face. He turned his sights to the large group of children behind him, still being surrounded by the wall of zombie women. Then, at Lucius and Lillian, who kept a lookout for trouble.
With a deepening irritation, he whipped his head forward, forced to watch the back of Jala as they marched forward.
Unexpectedly, Fren pushed past Kajd with her undead sister, Tellan, in hand. Kajd clutched his hands and watched as Fren and Tellan caught up and marched by Jala's side.
She passed along a sack of water. "
Jala glanced and took the water, drinking it. "
"
"" Jala turned forwards again, focusing on the path ahead.
Flustered, Fren played with her finger and held tighter to her sister. "
"Hmm?"
"
"
"< That's good.>" Fren said. "
"
Fren cocked her confused.
"
"
"
"
Suddenly, a rumble struck—the stomping of something gigantic from a dense set of trees in the distance.
"
One after another, the trees were pushed aside like branches, revealing a monstrous creature. Its skin looked as rough as rocks, its eyes as white as pearls. And it long neck stood as tall as the trees.
The creature outstretched its necks and cried out a roar of war.
The valtrop's clawed hands ripped through the ground, chasing them.
In an instant, Jala raised his arm, spitting a torrent of blue flames over the monster. "
Kajd was already in action, taking Fren with him. "
"
Kajd passed a menacing glance to Jala before retreating further away along with the caravan of retreating demons.
Not long after, the valtrop pushed through the flames, its jaws opened, ready to swallow Jala whole.
The huge rock slammed the side of the monster's head, knocking it off balance.
"What is this monster!?" Lillian exclaimed.
She took to Jala's side along with Lucius.
"It's a Valtrop," Lucius explained.
The monster rose again, shaking its head. They turned to tower over the three of them, imposing and threatening..
"They usually hunt in packs of two or three. Where there's one, there's bound to be more."
Lucius and Jala quickly scanned the area.
They all quickly dodge as the monster slammed its clawed hands into the ground, shattering the rocks.
Alarmed, Lucius glanced back to the retreating group, another appearing from the road they took. Then another from the road ahead.
"Tch! It looks like they've been hunting our group. They cornered us. The only way to escape now would be the cliff towards the Sansu lake." Jala said.
"It looks like we'll each have to handle each one alone. Lillian, deal with the one in the road ahead of us, Jala handle this one, and I'll take care of the one in the rear."
Everyone nodded in silent agreement.
The Valtrop they faced again lunged in to attack. Reacting fast, Jala conjured his sword in his hand, blocking the attack.
"I have been growing a little rusty, so perhaps this'll be good practice before I kill Azar."
Lucius sharpened his gaze on Jala. "We haven't forgotten the role you played in this Jala, so don't think simply killing Azar will absolve you."
"I know."
Jala pushed the monster back with all his strength, allowing Lillian and Lucius the space to face the other attacking monsters.
The Valtrop reeled back and turned its gaze to Lucius. Without warning, it chased after Lucius. It outstretched its neck and prepared to chomp with its large fangs.
Its head crashed to the ground from the brute strength unleashed by Jala, who glared with a deep intensity.
"
The monster rose from the ground and shook its head once more. With the pride of a lion, it roared once again and attacked with its claws.
Its dagger claws scraped through the rock and gravel. One after, and it swiped and slashed at Jala, who blocked and dashed through it.
Reading its next move, he blocked its tail with his sword, taking the full weight of its large body as his feet scraped the ground.
Jala pushed the tail back and swung into it. A clash of metal reverberated through the mountainous yellow plains. He sneered at the beast, seeing that only a scratch was left.
Jala distanced himself. He glanced back to Lucius, who commanded the army of undead demon women to attack as he pelted the Valtrop with sharp spears of fire.
The Valtrop he faced suddenly slammed its claws onto him, forcing him to dodge. He backed away to a safer distance and looked at his hands, then at Lillian, who was attempting to overwhelm the monsters she faced with earth spears.
He gazed back up in time to see the valtrop charge at him. Jala prepared his sword and glared at the monster. What a foolish beast you are.
Spikes of Ice erupted from all around Jala and the monster, each one barely piercing the beast. But even this small action seemed to be enough as the valtrop backed away, crying in pain.
Jala aimed his hands straight at the monster, releasing a torrent of freezing cold on the beast. The valtrop reeled back and slowly retreated from Jala.
"< What's the problem?>" Using this opportunity, Jala charged at the beast. ""
Jala swung and slashed at the monster, each one clashing like iron, deflecting off the beast's skin. He kept pressing forward, not relenting for one bit as he swung and slashed at the monster.
Even as the valtrop recomposed itself, slamming its clawed hands at Jala, he dodged and smashed away with his sword, eventually thrusting his sword into the monster's chest. To his surprise, a small flow of blood ran from its chest.
"
Jala pulled his sword back and thrusted his free hand. Unexpectedly, the Valtrop pulled away and distanced itself from him.
Jala narrowed its eyes, watching as the valtrop licked its wound. "
The valtrop seemed to glare back at Jala, piquing his interest. Ice crackled all around Jala as he raised his sword to his side. With a new plan in mind, he charged in.
He dodged its clawed hands, blocked his tail, and ducked under the monster. He slashed under the monster's underbelly, forcing out sparks as he tried to cut through its thick skin.
The monster whipped around in a hurry, knocking Jala away from it.
Undeterred, Jala dug his sword into the ground and dashed in again.
"Raaghh!"
His sword clashed against the valtrop's hands. In a matter of seconds, the monster grasped Jala's sword, tossing him like a rag doll towards the cliffs.
Jala inched closer to the edge of the cliffs.
Alarmed, Fren broke free from Kajd's grasp and ran towards Jala, calling out to him.
Mustering up his strength, Jala stumbled to his feet, but just as quickly fell to his knees, disoriented and dazed. Feeling the rumbling of the valtrop's charge, he glanced up, seeing it ready to attack.
Jala braced himself. Unexpectedly, Tellan showed up in front of Jala, with a spear in hand.
Jala's eyes widened in shock. "T…Tellan!?"
The undead Tellan clashed her spear against the valtrop's claws, bracing to cease the monster's charge. And to both Jala and Fren's surprise, the monster came to a halt.
Jala gazed at Tellan's back. A distant memory reformed and resurfaced before him. A past he was too embarrassed to admit to himself.
With a bubbling resentment, He forced himself to his feet and prepared his sword again.
"
After a moment, Tellan responded, distancing herself from the monster and hopping to Jala's side.
He glanced at her, getting a good look at her deadpanned expression along with her lifeless eyes. "
"Jala!!"
"
Tired of holding back, Jala raised his arm. A cold fog covered his body, and to Fren's shock, an armor of ice slowly formed around Jala.
Undeterred, the valtrop flung rocks and boulders in Jala's direction. Acting fast, Jala conjured a spike of ice from the ground, intercepting the attack.
The boulder, however, smashed through, leaving Jala to cut through, defending himself and Tellan. As the boulder cracked open like an egg, the valtrop pushed through, pouncing at Jala.
Jala pulled and re-poised his sword and clashed against the claws of the valtrop. "
Suddenly, spikes of ice erupted straight from under the beast, stabbing into its belly. The valtrop screeched out in pain.
Not relenting, the valtrop pushed harder to crush Jala, leaving them in a deadlock.
As the two fought within the deadlock, Fren could help but watch in awe. To her surprise, the valtrop, once grey, slowly turned to a pale blue.
"
Slowly, Jala backed off the newly stiffened beast, leaving it at the mercy of Jala. Without hesitation, Jala pressed his hands against the wound on the valtrop's chest. In an instant, shards and spikes of ice erupted from the creature.
"
Seconds later, the valtrop fell apart into pieces, littering the ground with its frozen parts.
"
Jala ignored her, looking to both Lillian and Lucius. Both of them seemed to have dealt with the opponents and were standing, waiting for him.
"I told you not to use that magic." Lucius scolded.
Jala glanced further back, noticing everyone's fixed gaze on him, and a subtle shock spread amongst them.
"
Kisik turned his gaze to Lucius and Lillian. "
"King and queen?" Kajd wondered.
Murmurs and instinct whispers erupted amongst the Bremwall demons, all the while the hunters from Jala's home passed along confused glances. Even Fren was left in a stupor by Kisik's statement.
"
"Psst. Lucius." Lillian whispered. "Are you sure about this?"
"I was hoping to stay anonymous too, but since Jala is known to carry ice magic in my hold, there's no point in hiding it from them."
Lucius glared back at Jala, "Come, we'll discuss your performance later tonight."
Without much retaliation, Jala listened, but was just as quickly grabbed by Fren. He glanced back and, to his surprise, found pleading eyes.
He steeled himself, turning away from Fren. "
He pulled his hands away, marking the continuation of their journey. All the while, Fren could only watch on as Tellan comforted her.