Disturbed Pattern [LEON]

This time Leon was a bit flustered because he realized something. “I know it's same as usual. It will kill me and I will wake up in my world but what after that? After I’m back in this world, where will I be?”

Yes, this was a confusing situation for Leon.

Every time he would re-arrive at the same spot, golden trees under violet skies where Noel would always be there waiting for him but that place was too far from where they are right now. So, if he respawns in the same spot, how will he reunite with Noel and others?

But before he could think anymore or do anything, the red-eyed shadow completed its task.

Leon woke up to his own reality.

His thoughts were heavy, tangled in the mystery of what would happen.

And yet, there was nothing he could do.

Just like always, his day unfolded as ever.

Until night fell. Until his eyes closed once again. Until he returned to the other world.

Back to the dream.

Something unusual happens.

Instead of reawakening beneath the golden trees as he always had,

He was still there.

Here, in the very same forest where he had last fallen.

Even though there were no golden trees, there was Noel who was there to welcome him,

“Welcome back, Leon”, Noel said with a gentle smile.

Leon was shocked by this different phenomenon, he had several thoughts.

“How? How am I here? What caused it to be different?” Several thoughts ran wild into Leon’s mind then he came to a certain realization.

Noel

The only thing he could think of was Noel. Was she somehow connected to this phenomenon? Of course, she hadn’t cleared up about how she knew me before I knew her and how she knew about the place and time of my arrival.

She always swayed it off by saying I told her but I don’t remember and the cause of why I haven’t pushed her to actual answers is that I think even she doesn’t know it. She acts perfectly natural and I don’t think she’s hiding or what.

Leon was lost in thought but there was someone who was more shocked than Leon himself, the triplets.

They were in awe because of what happened yesterday night and what’s happening right now.

In their eyes, Leon faded away into nothingness causing panic among themselves until Noel who was calm about the situation calmed them by elaborating on this situation but even so, they were still shocked.

Then, questions arise from one after another from the triplets,

“Oh my god, Leon appeared out of nowhere?”

“What is this strange phenomenon?”

“Are you even human? Are you actually a ghost? Are you a spirit?”

“Where did you go at night?”

“How are you suddenly here?”

The flood of questions. They were like little kids filled with curiosity.

Leon was overwhelmed by questions until Noel calmed them down and made them understand by saying everyone had one or two of their secrets, and not to pry too much.

Noel was above their curiosity for the triplets so they didn’t pry much but they had a new insight towards Leon thinking he was a mysterious entity.

After a while, their journey continued.

Vestering through dense forests, crossing rivers, and battling monsters.

Direwolves with their fangs gleaming like daggers would lunge from the shadows, only to be frozen mid-leap by Noel’s magic before Leon shattered them into icy shards with his blade.

Goblins were swift and cunning. They swarmed the group in the dark of night, only to be impaled by the triplets’ synchronized spear thrusts.

Horned rabbits were deceptively small but terrifyingly fast. They moved in blurs of red and silver as their razor-sharp horns sought flesh but they were no match for Leon’s fire nor for the overwhelming force of the triplets.

Ogres were towering and grotesque. With flesh-like stones and eyes full of primal hatred, they proved to be the greatest challenge. Noel struck the ground with a surge of frost magic, encasing their legs in ice, allowing the triplets to tear them down with precision.

The days went by along with their adventure and journey.

One day, as they entered the clearing, they felt a presence.

They suddenly came across a minotaur.

A humanoid bull-like monster with immense strength and physical abilities, it was holding a gigantic rock club. This was much stronger than their usual encounters.

The intense battle took on.

The minotaur charged.

The triplets with their coordinated attacks dodge and counters it. Noel also assists with ice magic. Faster than anything its size should have been capable of.

"SCATTER!" Noel’s command rang out, and they obeyed in an instant.

The triplets darted to the sides, splitting into formation. Leon ducked, rolling just as the minotaur’s club came crashing down.

BOOM.

The earth split open. Dirt and rock erupted into the air.

Had he been a second slower, he would have been reduced to nothing but pulp.

"That thing is fast!" one of the triplets growled, barely evading a follow-up swing.

Another triplet lunged in, only to be batted away.

Leon gritted his teeth.

“We have to bring it down.”

Noel was already in motion, chanting under her breath.

Ice magic spiraled around her fingertips, swirling like a blizzard in miniature.

Leon darted forward with a flame-covered blade slashing at the minotaur’s flank.

The beast roared in rage, spinning in terrifying speed with the club swinging straight for Leon.

"Oh no."

"This is bad."

"LEON, DODGE!"

The triplets’ shouts reached his ears just as the shadow of the club loomed over him.

Too fast.

Then,

CRACK!

The minotaur’s arm froze mid-swing.

Leon’s eyes widened.

Noel stood with one arm extended, her magic still shimmering around her fingertips. She had frozen the minotaur at the last possible moment.

An opening was created and Leon didn’t hesitate.

With a burst of speed, he lunged.

The minotaur snarled but it was too late.

Leon’s sword plunged deep into its chest.

It shuddered.

Roared.

And then…

It fell.

The ground shook as its massive body collapsed.

For a long moment, nobody spoke.

Then Noel smirks,

"From now on," she exhaled, a glimmer of amusement in her eyes, "the enemies will only get stronger."

The real challenges were yet to come…