A Dungeon Boss Battle

The scream had come from the front of the group. Lily stood paralyzed in fear, looking up at a massive creature blocking the path ahead. It resembled some sort of mix between a lizard and a snake, and Axel was currently blocking one of its claws with his spear.

Seraphine and I rushed forward to help. I launched a fireball towards its eyes, while Seraphine attacked it while it was recoiling.

To our astonishment, its scales started to glow when hit with our magic. The glow then dimmed and the creature suffered no damage at all.

If this creature has resistance to magic, then...

The problem I faced wasn't how to fight this creature; we did have a strong enough team assembled here. However, I realized that this was once again the point where the game's story would reassert itself. This was an encounter only Axel could win in an impressive show of skill. Lily would be so impressed by his performance that she would start developing feelings for him, putting her on Axel's route.

I should have realized something was wrong the moment our groups met up. But I foolishly assumed it was fine as long as Lily wasn't alone with him.

I had to figure out a way to keep Axel from being the hero of this fight, without exposing my identity in the process.

“This creature’s skin absorbs magic!” Seraphine yelled, “Lucien, we'll need to focus on supporting Axel. Our spells won't be able to hurt it.”

“Do I look like I need your help?” Axel grunted. Right after he finished speaking a swipe of the lizard’s tail knocked him against a wall. To his credit, he got back up immediately, ready to continue the fight.

"Yes, actually!" Seraphine snapped. Axel only growled in response. Their bickering was interrupted by Lily screaming again as she charged forward for reasons I couldn't fathom.

She expertly dodged two of the creature’s claws with moves I didn't think her capable of, but then she suddenly stopped.

What the hell has gotten into her?

"Lily! Watch out!" The monster lunged at her again and I saw Axel turning around to save her.

I couldn't let him be her hero, so I yelled back: "I've got her! Focus on the monster!"

I rushed forward to save Lily. Leaping forward and picking her off the ground. There was a painful burning sensation in my arms as I held her like a princess, while the serpent's claw crashed into the ground where she just stood.

Despite the pain, I managed to land safely and put Lily down. She wasn't even able to stand in her shocked state, so I carefully laid her on the ground and kneeled next to her.

Could it be that I can't even touch Lily without it causing me pain?

Lily looked up at me. "Lucien..." she said in a soft tone, then she shifted her gaze to look behind me. "Lucien! There!"

I followed her gaze and saw a large stalactite hanging from the ceiling in the center of this hall.

"Axel! Seraphine! Lure it closer to the center of the hall!"

They didn't question my sudden command and did as told. As the beast moved forward, I gathered my magic and launched a concentrated bolt straight at the stalactite's base. It connected and the large rock formation broke loose, falling down towards the lizard.

The beast looked up at the falling rock just in time for it to crash into its face, knocking it unconscious and pinning its body to the ground.

All of us waited with bated breath to see if it would move again. It didn't, but it also didn't vanish, until Axel decided to use this chance to slice its head off. As the creature started to vanish, we started to celebrate our victory.

"That was awesome!" Lily cheered, "Lucien, you are amazing! She jumped at me to give me a hug. The pain I felt confirmed my earlier suspicion. I pushed her away, hoping she wouldn't notice.

Axel scoffed when Lily didn't even acknowledge his part in the battle. Somehow it seemed like I had succeeded. Despite Lily being with Axel and the encounter taking place, he didn't get to be her hero. Lily would not start his route today, which meant she may not start any route at all.

However, Lily's odd behavior was bothering me. The sudden moments of skill, the questionable decisions...it didn't seem like the Lily I knew from the game.

Well, that's not quite right. Lily is the player character, so during major decisions or minigames like a combat encounter, it’d be the player that makes choices for her. But without a player controlling her...

After we cleared this boss battle, finding our way out was much easier. We found the dungeon exit not long after. Outside we were greeted by one of the teachers. He was surprised to see the four of us together but congratulated us anyways for completing the field trip without using the emergency stone.

I was still on the edge, waiting for something to go wrong, for the game to reassert itself. But nothing happened. Lily didn't even react when Alaric and Kaelan returned shortly after us. She just stayed by my side and smiled. It took quite some effort to get her to give me some space.

Seraphine gave me a strange look when Lily finally left. "You're not into her at all?" she asked, "I think she really likes you."

"I didn't realize you like to make jokes." I replied.

Seraphine studied my face for a moment, as if she were searching for something hidden beneath my words. She didn't bother with a response, simply turning away with a dismissive flick of her wrist.

"Farewell, Lucien."

As she walked away, I found myself wondering about her demeanor.

What's with the attitude? I thought we were past this.

Before I could ponder further, a familiar shadow fell beside me. Rieva had appeared without a sound, as was her custom.

"My Lord, I-" she suddenly stopped and sniffed. Then she took a step back and spoke again: "As expected of you, My Lord. You have managed to find the Saint."