Moon hime

Chapter 17

Sandra's POV

"Alira!" we all shouted as she fell into the cracked earth, now a deep chasm.

"I have to follow her," Dustin said determinedly.

"We'll come with you," Liander offered.

Dustin shook his head. "No, it might be too dangerous. Don't worry, I have the power of Earth. I know what I'm doing."

We understood. As the Earth elementalist, he was most suited for this.

"If we don't return in an hour, come after us," Dustin instructed. We nodded.

Dustin looked at Ice, seeking our leader's approval. Ice gave a slight nod.

"Be careful, Dustin. We trust you to bring Alira back," Aira said.

Dustin jumped into the chasm.

Dustin's POV

I used my power to descend safely. It was pitch black down here, and I couldn't sense anything.

Once at the bottom, I touched the ground, trying to understand why the Earth had reacted so violently. Now, it felt calm.

"Alira!" I shouted because there was no other sound to be heard.

"Alira!" I shouted again.

Why do I feel like this has happened before?

It's like a flashback of everything that happened a year ago.

The day we were training.

Alira also fell into a chasm that day.

Fear consumed me, not for myself, but for the people I love, especially Alira.

I took a deep breath and calmed myself down to think clearly.

I looked around but there was nothing but darkness.

I tried walking, even though I couldn't see because as an Earth mage, I have a strong sense of my surroundings, especially underground.

"Alira!" I called out her name.

But there was still no answer.

I needed to think carefully because time was passing.

I stopped walking when I felt something strange.

Someone was watching me.

"Who's there?" I said softly but with authority.

I intensified my senses and closed my eyes for a moment.

"Help me, Dustin. Help me, please."

I heard a familiar voice.

"Alira!" I shouted and looked around.

I could hear her but I couldn't find her.

"Alira." I called out to her.

I have to save her.

Ugh, I need to think what to do.

I walked and walked, feeling watched as time passed. Alira's voice was gone. This was what Ice felt the day he couldn't help Sabrina. I was scared and worried. Lost in thought, I bumped into something sharp. My forehead throbbed. A memory flashed: "Sharpen your mind, feel your surroundings, don't be fooled." Sabrina's words. Right, I'm an earth mage! I called on the earth to reveal my enemy. I used an enchantment spell, chanting, "Oh, earth that holds my power, show me the shape of my enemy!" The ground shook, my hands glowed. "ALIRA!" I shouted. Alira was trapped in roots, unconscious. I called her name again but a root attacked. I dodged and drew my sword, cutting the roots. But they kept growing back.

Sweat stung my eyes as I fought to keep my balance. The roots were everywhere, lashing out like angry snakes. Each one I cut seemed to trigger a fresh wave of attacks. My arms burned with the effort of swinging my sword, but I couldn't stop. Not now.

I focused on my breathing, trying to calm the frantic pounding in my chest. I had to think. There had to be a way to end this without just hacking away blindly. I glanced at Alira, her form still trapped in the roots, and a surge of determination washed over me.

"I paused my attacks for a moment. I needed to find out who my real enemy was. I stared at the roots pulsating beneath the ground

'Sharpen your mind,' I thought to myself. It was possible that my enemy was underground. I placed

my hand on the earth, serious. 'Powers of nature, grant me enough strength to reveal my true enemy, now!' I shouted, shaking the ground. It cracked, and a strange creature emerged before me. The roots I had been fighting were its tentacles. It had large, glowing red eyes."

My eyes widened in shock as the creature roared, its voice like rumbling thunder. The ground shook with every stomp it took, and its glowing red eyes seemed to pierce through my defenses. I could feel my magic weakening with every passing moment.

This thing was stronger than anything I had ever faced before. My mind raced. I had to think of a plan, and fast. I couldn't just keep swinging blindly with my sword.

Then, I remembered something Sabrina once told me: "Sometimes, the best offense is a really good defense." Maybe I could use the environment to my advantage. I glanced around, my eyes landing on a massive boulder nearby. It was a long shot, but it might be worth a try.

Without hesitation, I focused my magic on the boulder, willing it to rise from the ground. Slowly but surely, it began to float into the air, hovering above my head. The creature let out a roar, clearly confused by this new development. I took a deep breath and held the boulder steady, readying myself for what came next.

I couldn't hold the boulder aloft forever. With a mighty heave, I sent it hurtling towards the creature. It raised its clawed arms to block, but the boulder was too fast and too heavy. The impact sent the creature flying backwards, crashing into the wall of the cavern.

I didn't have time to celebrate my victory. The creature roared in pain and struggled to get back on its feet. I could see the roots that made up its body slowly healing. It wasn't going to stay down for long. I had to finish it off before it recovered.

"As I was about to charge towards the enemy,

I heard a faint cry coming from Alira, as if she was being hurt.

To my surprise, the roots binding her were tightening, as if choking her.ml

'Alira!' I called out to her. She slowly opened her eyes. I saw she was in pain.

'Dustine,' she called out weakly.

'I... I can't use my power,' she said with difficult

I was about to go to her when my enemy attacked me again."

"My eyes narrowed as I faced the monster again. I couldn't afford to lose focus – Alira's life depended on me. With a battle cry, I charged. My sword flashed in the air as I fought back with renewed strength, each blow aimed with precision. The monster was powerful, but I was determined. I swung my sword, my movements a blur. Every clash of metal echoed through the forest, a symphony of battle.

The monster roared, its breath like a freezing gale. I held my ground, my mind focused. I blocked its attacks, looking for an opening. With a sudden burst of speed, I dodged its swipe and countered with a powerful strike to its side. The monster howled in pain, giving me a chance to reach Alira."

But the beast blocked me quickly, and attacked again. I had to find its weakness to defeat it, because Alira's life was in danger

I carefully observed the creature. Then I saw a small, glowing red spot on its head. My eyes widened. Could that be its weakness?

I thought hard and without hesitation, jumped high and charged towards the beast, plunging my weapon into its head.

The beast howled in pain, thrashed around wildly, and then collapsed.

I should have been celebrating my victory, but to my shock, Alira screamed. She was covered in vines and something was strangling her neck.

'Alira!' I cried out. I frantically tried to cut the vines. 'No, this can't be happening,' I said. The vines kept growing. Why was I fighting against my own power?

No matter what I commanded, the vines refused to stop. 'I won't let you die, Alira. I promise.' I screamed as I struck the vines with all my might.

Ahhhhh! I cried out as a powerful shockwave erupted. I would save you, Alira. I would save you just like I was destined to save the Crystal World from darkness. I won't let you go. Even if I have to fight myself

Ahhhhh! I roared. Suddenly, the shockwaves intensified, and I felt an immense amount of energy surging through me. A bright light emanated from my left shoulder. I felt an intense heat spreading throughout my body.

Then, I saw my animal guardian, Leon, the Earth Guardian."

At this moment

My hand is glowing

My animal guardian circled around me

It howled with great strength and courage

Oh, magic of the world, guide and light,

Free the creature from darkness and fear.

Accept our offering, with pure intent,

Open the way to freedom that they need to attain.

I sai

From the roots that enveloped Alira, light emanated and then shattered.

Until Alira fell to the ground, thankfully my animal guardian caught her.

I smiled because I finally managed to release my animal guardian.

My animal guardian was glowing and I carefully placed Alira on its back. I held Alira tightly, who had lost consciousness

My animal guardian flew upwards towards the cliff with Alira and me.