Journey to Lazarus

Admin's souped-up Humvee, the Admin-mobile, bounced down the road to Lazarus. The ride was chill, just dodging some cranky squirrels and a bunch of chickens that Mirai handled like a boss. Admin was glued to his phone, looking for trouble, his eyepatch gave him a serious charm.

Rounding a corner, bam! A wrecked carriage on its side, covered in this gross green slime. Looked like slime monsters were hanging around it, all slow and gross.

Princess alert! Tundra shouted, zooming in on the scene with her screen. Admin, we gotta save her!

Eyrie, getting braver, hid behind Mirai, grabbing her leg.

Admin didn't even blink. Phone out, scanning the slime monsters, checking the carriage's energy. Same old Admin.

That's not a princess, he said flatly. It's a trap.

Tundra started to argue, but Admin already had a flamethrower in his hands, like magic.

Admin! What are you doing? Tundra yelled, freaking out.

Admin walked toward the carriage, flamethrower up, silent. Then, whoosh! Fire everywhere, covering the princess and slime monsters.

Everything burned away, the illusion gone. The princess? Just a pile of burnt grossness. The slime monsters? Screaming like crazy. The melting carriage? A busted metal frame.

Demon goop, Admin said, like it was nothing, shutting off the flamethrower. Burns right up.

The demon goop that was left, pissed about losing its fake princess, came at them, dripping acid stuff.

Get back! Admin yelled, pulling out this sick silver revolver from his jacket. Custom-made, super accurate from his phone obviously.

No wasting bullets on the goop itself. He targeted their weak spots: glowing eyeballs everywhere.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three shots, three hits. Each bullet, an eyeball explodes, goop twitched, then became smoking puddles. The rest of the goop got confused.

Admin moved fast, knew exactly what to do. He finished the rest with perfect shots.

Done. The road? Demon goop remains, burnt metal and chemical smell.

Tundra stared at Admin, amazed and scared. You… you knew the whole time?

It was obvious, Admin said, holstering his gun. Too fancy carriage, too helpless 'princess.' Mishanter isn't subtle.

Mirai put away her axe, looking serious. Good, she said.

Eyrie, peeking out, asked, Are they all gone?

Yep, Admin said. Safe now. Let's go. Lazarus Village's not far.

Back in the Admin-mobile, engine starts. They drove off, leaving the burnt trap behind.

They didn't know it, but they just saved the royal family of Lazarus. They had to run away to avoid becoming monster food, Mishanter had his slimes make a decoy.

As they drove closer to Lazarus, Admin couldn't shake the feeling things were just starting. Mishanter was playing hard, and he'd do whatever it took. Admin knew he had to be ready, even if it meant making tough calls, even if it meant torching a fake princess. The world might need him to do it.

The Admin-mobile stopped outside Lazarus. Seemed peaceful. Cutesy houses, straw roofs, stone streets. Happy villagers, clueless about the danger.

Looks… quiet, Tundra said, her screen showing a happy face, but not *too* happy.

Too quiet, Admin replied, on alert. Stay ready.

Just then, silence broken. Rattling coming from the woods. Then, boom! Skeletons, bones clacking. Rusty swords, glowing green eyes.

Skeletons! Eyrie yelled, hiding behind Tundra.

Just what we needed, Mirai muttered, axe ready.

Fight, Admin ordered, already on his phone. Stay alive.

Mirai charged, axe swinging, cutting skeletons. Tundra shot electricity, zapping them.

Take that, boneheads! she yelled, her screen showing pixelated cat faces.

Eyrie, remembered her magic, shields herself, Tundra, and Mirai. Shields blocked skeleton's clumsy swings, bought them some time.

Admin stayed back, focusing on something bigger. A giant skeleton, three times the size, lumbered out of the woods. Huge, chipped sword, every step shook the ground.

That's not good, Admin muttered, checking his phone's weapons. Time for the big guns.

Tapped his finger, a rocket launcher appeared on his shoulder, loud noise. Surprised it wasn't too heavy, he aimed at the giant skeleton.

WHOOSH!

First rocket flew, hit the giant skeleton's chest. Bones broke, but it stayed standing, just a little more messed up.

Not enough, Admin grunted, reloading fast.

The fight went on. Mirai and Tundra fought the smaller skeletons, taking them down slow. Eyrie kept shields up, blocked attacks, helped out.

Admin kept rocketing the giant skeleton, aiming for the joints. Blew up its knees, elbows, even an arm.

Still coming, swinging its sword. Admin knew he had to switch up his plan. Not gonna win with just power.

He aimed for the giant skeleton's head. Rocket right at its face, skull explodes, bone pieces everywhere.

The giant skeleton stood still, then crashed down, bones scattered.

Giant skeleton gone, the smaller skeletons fell apart, didn't want to fight. The place was silent, just skeleton remains.

Admin lowered the rocket launcher, face dirty. Looked around, made sure everyone was okay.

Everyone alright? he asked, voice rough.

Just great, Mirai replied, wiping dust off her axe. Remind me to bring a bone saw next time.

I'm okay, Tundra said, her screen showing a tired but relieved face. That was… intense.

Eyrie ran to Admin, hugged his leg. Thank you for protecting us!

It was a team thing,Admin said, patting her head. Now, let's go into Lazarus. Need to see what's up.