Amin's POV:
I walk calmly through the streets of the capital. The bustling streets are now a desolate and depressing wasteland. The ornaments and pistons that once adorned the atmosphere are now crushed in the streets, giving off an air of loneliness and sadness. I look with some sadness at some musical instruments and various plates and forks abandoned during the escape. The scene only strengthens my determination to kill the witch so we can return to the festivities.
"It's a real shame, don't you think, Amin?"
- ...You can say that. The fact that people had to abandon their plates and instruments in the middle of the street to flee only shows how sudden it all was.
"A party pooper like that witch doesn't deserve any mercy. Let's kill her and give the town its energy back!"
Unable to contain myself, I stare at the small blue orb floating over my shoulder only to let out a small laugh.
"...I don't remember saying anything to make you laugh."
Somewhat annoyed, I feel Nere staring at me. I return a radiant smile to the orb before speaking.
- How could I not laugh? You rarely get completely serious. In fact, I'd say this is the first time I've seen you so aggressive.
"Of course I'm going to get aggressive! You know parties are very serious to me!"
I can't help but smile at her comment. The party-loving water spirit has turned serious for the first time. The sight seems so surreal that I almost forget we were heading towards a battle. Before stepping out into the large plaza where it's waiting, I pause for a few moments. I stare at the blue orb while it looks puzzled. I look at it for a few seconds before saying it.
- ... Are you ready?
"..."
He doesn't answer my question. He remains silent for a few moments before exhaling an exaggerated sigh.
"Why are you asking that now? Are you getting cold feet?"
- Not at all. I was just thinking this would be our first solo fight against a witch.
"Kukukuku, to think little Amin would be so nervous in his first fight. Really… You really never know what fate has in store for you."
With a somewhat deep voice, he finished his sentence. Silence reigned for a few moments before a voice echoed in my head.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure to protect you so we can party again."
In what seemed like a whisper, Nere reaffirmed his conviction. A warm feeling surged in my chest as a tear threatened to fall. The amount of trouble this little orb has caused me is almost as numerous as the stars in the sky above Mim… Despite everything, I can't remember a single one that wasn't fun.
- You know… Despite all the trouble you cause me, I just can't hate you.
"No one could ever hate me. Don't blame yourself; you just fell prey to my powerful natural charm."
I give him one of my best smiles while bursting out laughing. Nere does the same. We laugh for a few moments before stopping and staring straight ahead. At this point, words are no longer necessary. I look at the orb as it makes a slight movement as if nodding its head. I return the gesture before resuming our walk.
We walk a few meters before someone descends from the skies. The previously calm wind begins to swirl around the witch while lightning and storm clouds cover the entire capital of Mim.
- I was waiting for you, hero of the water. I hope you took one last look at your beautiful city, because it will be the last time you see it intact.
Her words, mixed with thunder to give her voice more theatricality, resonate in different corners of the city, as if to corroborate her words. Thunderbolts of enormous power destroy some of the surrounding houses while flames erupt from them. Despite all the commotion, I don't even look back.
- Do you think it's such a big deal to destroy a few empty houses? Go ahead, destroy them as much as you want. The citizens of Mim will rebuild them as many times as it takes. Also...
The City of Water. A city that, in addition to being the birthplace of the hero of water, also has one of the main churches that worships the lord of water, Uriel. Despite these important facts, the City of Water was never categorized as such for either of those two reasons. The reason it was given that name is because of the enormous amount of water that flows through it. Since the city was founded on a collection of islets, hundreds of thousands of liters of water flowed beneath the thin soil on which it stood through hundreds of canals. Although they were not visible to the naked eye, it was undeniable that this current of water was part of people's lives.
With a single movement and a command from Nere, several manhole covers flew out of their places in an instant, moved by several powerful masses of water that rushed at full speed toward the houses that had been on fire a few moments ago. The fire inside them was extinguished in an instant as a light rain fell on the square.
- Don't underestimate the power of water in the capital of Mim.
The witch, clearly fascinated by the spectacle, clapped her hands in excitement after seeing the demonstration of the water hero's power.
- Impressive! Simply impressive. It will be worth hunting you down, water hero!
- Try it if you can.
In a swift movement, I launch myself toward the witch. Although I can't fly, I use a mass of water to lift myself toward her. Before I can reach her, a powerful thunderclap stands in my way.
- Wait, water hero. Since I let you make your display of power, why won't you let me make mine?
Not understanding what she meant, she pulls something out from under her robe. I stare in amazement at the object she pulls out.
- A flowerpot?
- It's a gift from my beloved granddaughter. Although it pains me to break it, I don't want to scorn her gift. So allow me to show you all my power, my dear water hero.
Before I could respond, she drops the flowerpot from her hand straight to the ground. I stare at the flowerpot in terror. Time seems to stop as it falls to the ground. Slowly, I try to stop its fall, but it's too late... for me.
- I won't allow it!
Before the flowerpot could hit the ground, a pillar of liquid fire rises from the earth where it would have fallen. The flowerpot and everything in it are scorched in an instant. From the shadow of one of the houses, the fire hero appears with a huge axe in his hand.
- I won't allow the vegetation witch to help you this time.
I turn to see the witch, who appears to be trembling as she stares at the spot where the flowerpot was vaporized. Her frustration is palpable as her face reddens noticeably.
- Looks like you won't be able to-
- Pufff hahahahahahahahahahahahaha.
A shrill laugh echoes around her. The thunder surrounding her accompanies her tantrum, making her look even more terrifying.
"It seems destroying her granddaughter's gift drove her mad."
Without responding, I raise my guard against the witch. The situation and a bad feeling run through me as I see the witch laugh.
- Vegetation witch? Who the heck is that? It's the first time I've heard such a funny name!
Her laughter and cheerful tone are completely out of place with the environment, making the hairs on my body stand up. An inevitable premonition hits me.
- I guess you didn't hear me, Fire Hero. But I'll show you what My Power Can Do!
A huge bolt of lightning strikes right through the center of the plaza where the heroes were standing. The power was enough to make the ground shake. Even though the lightning had already passed some time ago, the ground continues to shake. Not only did it not stop, but its power grew stronger. Something was coming out of the ground. A sound of something breaking echoed throughout the capital. A cracking sound filled the air as the shaking only grew stronger.
- What the hell is going on?
Before my answer could be answered, the ground suddenly stopped. We looked around in confusion only to find huge cracks in the ground. Just when it seemed like it was all over, something huge burst out of the cracks. Something green protruded from the ground. Soon, something that looked like a giant arm emerged from the earth.
- Witness the power of the storm witch!