Another Camp: West, North, Norwest

West

“So…” Zeke started with a sigh, his golden eyes looking around at his new team. He rolled his shoulders making his mahogany braid sway. Then he warmed up his wrists. “The music started… how did you start last time?”

“Took down a tent then whatever was inside,” Peter offered. “I am going first since Calla did practically all of the other ones…” His white rabbit ears twitched a bit as emotions showed in his ivory, diamond face. “I see what she meant now,” he added when the tent was gone.

Four tall males were sleeping inside. Zeke followed Zerina’s lead taking the head closest to him while she took the other. Helen had gone in between to take both of the others. The rainbow flames were now freeing the trapped souls. “I am a bit… overzealous I believe was what he said,” Helen offered with an ear wiggle and smile.

“Don’t mind at all,” Zeke shrugged with a smile on his long, green face. “You want to take them all on; I will gladly watch with respect. I can’t move that fluidly. I am your muscles and shield.”

“Yea, he is good like that,” Calla said absently, helping Peter purify all the items. “Why so many items?” she wondered, watching them turning to white ash. She blinked her light violet eyes a few times to help with the dryness in the air. The items were full of negative emotions, as if the items were made of them…

“Because,” Helen started, pausing to stroke Alpha, a bit of emotion showing in her sharp, oval, light beige face and green eyes. “This Camp may not have a lot of M-Ms but it is a high level. In his rush to find something he neglected to look at the size of the M-Ms. This is not going to be easy but… we should only have ten to eleven battles compared to the… eighteen before. They will not be pleasant. Once they start to wake, they will…”

“Eat each other,” Alpha stretched in true cat form, blinking his amber eyes. “Here it is Zeke, you stay on the left side, Helen is in the center, Zerina is on the right side while Calla and Peter alternate and I bring up the rear. Yes, I can do more than heal… I am just that good.”

Zeke nodded, with a smirk, “Lead on, lovely ladies.”

Zerina smiled. Her long, cinnamon colored face and deep blue eyes outlined thinly with white, red, and silver showed that it was a true smile with a hint of a blush. “He actually means that unlike others…”

“Taking down the tent to the right,” Calla explained while trying not to smile. This was the same, so they were done soon. Peter didn’t have much to do so he purified the items with Calla, then the tent on the left. They were starting to wake but even if there were eight in that tent, packed together, it wasn’t a long battle. “That didn’t look hard or is it me?”

“You are talking about the time,” Zerina commented, using her strong hand to help get some of the brown-green blood out of her short, turquois hair so it didn’t collect around her slightly pointed ears. “That took us three and a half songs where the camp before it took us barley two for three tents. That was with Rus’ attitude, so it could have been shorter.”

“Okay, now we stay put and they come to us,” Helen stated, refocusing the team. “This is battle four, but it will be the first real battle.” She finished, rolling her wrists and neck moving forward a bit with Zerina and Zeke. What was before them were eight, seven feet tall, yellow or orange M-Ms.

“I wonder what element they will use,” Peter sighed. He took a moment to blink his dry dark pink eyes. “You want me to work on reflecting while you purify?” Calla shrugged, motioning that they should wait to see what they did first.

They launched a volley of fire and water balls, which was pointless. With a slightly evil laugh Zerina popped the water balls and absorbed the fire. She smiled at Zeke’s laughter as the three of them dived into battle. Alpha put his black tail on Peter and shook his head. The three watched, not needing to do anything but wait for the heads to roll. Zeke and Helen took down three, while Zerina took down the other two, but she also protected them from all the magic by absorbing most of it. Peter and Calla divided up the purification while Alpha sat looking smug.

They took a few steps forward but then Helen stopped them. They waited, but not for long, as ten, white, seven feet tall M-Ms came towards them. Zeke frowned, “How can they be white after what they have done. I mean look at all the souls trapped inside their bodies.”

“Oh, please use holy magic,” Zerina chuckled, trying to make light of the situation.

“Yes, they can use holy magic,” Helen answered Zeke’s unasked question. “We ran into a few at the end of the last Camp. It can be blinding so watch out.”

Alpha decided to stand in between Peter and Calla who figured they were just purifying. The first one let three holy strikes fly but Zerina just absorbed them and used her own magic to dull the light. She then strengthened their weapons and reflexes. It screamed loud enough, everyone winced, but their nightmare flash lasted for only a few seconds. Lightning began to rain down on them. This time it was Zeke that laughed. He could absorb lightning. Before Peter’s ears had time to mess up his short, white hair the lightning was gone, and Zeke’s muscles were glowing happily. He nodded to the others and the three headed into the battle.

Alpha ran interference, taking out ones not paying attention to them. Calla and Peter both had four to purify as the others were enjoying their battle. Calla licked her lips, softly mumbling, “I know why Robbie didn’t put me on his team. All that green skin is making me think about things that I shouldn’t. He is just so… yummy to watch.”

Peter’s ears moved around in agreement. “Helen reminds me so much of Belle. They move so alike it has been hard. I think I would like to fight with her more often, but the few times we were paired together I had a hard time focusing on anything but her. So beautiful.”

The three warriors had no idea they were being watched so closely instead they were just enjoying the battle. It may have been two against one, but they were magic M-Ms not fighters. After the battle was done Alpha left his spot, his black tail curling around behind him as he investigated a pile of white ash that had yet to flutter away. He was about to say something went the music stopped. It had been half an hour.

“I got plenty,” Zerina commented, closing her deep blue eyes and focusing her magic towards the ball that was still in the center of the Camp. She didn’t feel anybody else filling it, so she happily did. “Don’t want silence, they say the most horrible things.”

“Helen,” Alpha started, his large paws moving a bit of white ash away from something. “What are these? There are three of them… they look familiar.”

“Oh,” Helen started moving closer. “I knew that battle was enjoyable. These are soul crystals. M-Ms drop them if the souls inside felt your happy energy and were purified by it before the fire or they enjoyed the battle. They are used to keep the barriers generator around the towns and villages going. As funny as it is, they keep the M-Ms away.”

“So, I can touch it?” Zerina wondered, toeing the white ash away from a crystal that was slightly bigger than her fist. “It is clear and… pretty.”

“Yes, we each earned one,” Helen said proudly, her left ear wiggling happily. She bent down to pick hers up watching the other two inspect theirs before putting them in their vaults.

“Here comes the sixth group,” Alpha commented, returning to his position in between Calla and Peter. “They are tall… eight feet.”

“Yep,” Zeke said with a smile. He changed to his single-handed axe and large shield. “This is going to be fun, who cares if they are more than a foot taller than me. Black means no magic, right?”

Zerina looked at the seven before them with a similar smile on her cinnamon colored, long face, her deep blue eyes sparkling which darkened their outlines. “Correct. Alpha, could you be so kind to take the seventh. I think we want to test our skills. I feel the souls inside. They fought to protect, and they did so valiantly! We will honor them!”

“Agreed,” Helen stated, warming up her body in anticipation. Her green eyes and sharp, oval, light beige face showed no sign of her excitement but her left, long, Elven ear did. With a shrug her long, braided, platinum hair fell back behind her. “I don’t like taking the heads of the sleeping but know what they can do with overwhelming numbers. I also know that they have no honor. But I do enjoy these battles.”

“I will,” Alpha stated proudly, his white whiskers twitching while his black tail swirled around. He looked over the M-Ms choosing one. Then said softly to Peter, “they are magnificent to watch.” Before taking the head. Peter purified it while the three watched the warriors. They did not back down and interestingly enough the M-Ms weren’t talking or sneering but skillfully fighting. They all took the head of one, practically at the same time. Two were together so Calla worked on them while Peter worked on the other. “You are both drooling,” Alpha said softly, sitting down between them with a chuckle. “But they are a great show. I am enjoying not having to do anything. I have a feeling the later battles will be… difficult, so enjoy.”

Both Peter and Calla licked their lips to see that they were both enjoying the display of skill, artistry, muscle, form, and beauty a little too much. When it was over they received a different show as the blood and gore dripped from the warriors mostly naked bodied and the wounds healed while they all stood barely breathing but with joy in their faces. Zeke turned around to see that Calla’s light green, diamond face was pink. He walked away from the two crystals he won to check on her. “Are you alright? Do you need water or something…” he asked with concern in his voice, even if he wasn’t breathing evenly yet. Calla looked at the flames and knew that the spells were done. She reached up, taking his green, long face in her hands and pulled it down to hers. Energy erupted from that kiss as the others chuckled.

“Miss Helen, please forgive me,” Peter started, his long, white ears nervously messing up his short white hair while his dark pink eyes looked so conflicted. “May I hug you?”

She smiled at him, pulling him close for a moment until he sighed. “I understand,” she said simply. “I will send the joy to her, but I don’t know if she will feel it or just a boost in her energy.” She released him as he nodded with a smile. “Well, we just won seven, even Alpha earned one crystals. Our seventh battle will be horrible. Get ready.”

Calla took a few calming breaths while Zeke turned away from everyone to get his body under control. He was a warrior! When he rejoined them, he figured out what she meant. Walking towards them were two males, twelve feet tall with four arms and three heads. One head where it was supposed to be while the other two were on the shoulders. “Oh, goodie. I thought I left the weird with Londra. Is it me or do you just feel all the confidence melting away. I am sure it is from the… twenty-six souls inside begging for purification.”

“They are black…” Zerina said, fisting her cinnamon shaking hand. “No magic… at least there are two. Why am I afraid right now. The bigger they are…” but her words faltered. She closed her deep blue eyes wondering if her white, red, and silver outlines were pale. Where did this fear come from? They could handle this...

“It is from the quantity of trapped souls, with the age of the souls,” Helen explained, fisting her light beige hands trying to find her composure. She had battled plenty like this, but the terror was overwhelming.  “I was afraid of this, but I wouldn’t change it. Those crystals are life savers to so many. We need to cut off all three head within ten seconds of each other.” Before they could speak anymore, the M-Ms screamed. Now Calla and Peter were physically shaking.

“Breathe,” they heard Londra say in their minds. “As horrible as this sounds don’t worry about what might be coming because they are busy deciding who is going to eat who. Just concentrate on what is before you. How do you take on a giant? Take out the legs, remember to purify the pieces if you can cut them apart. You have the biggest advantage, well two. You have Helen and each other. I felt your purity a few minutes ago, such happy warriors. Alpha and Peter keep them apart, you don’t have to engage, just distract. Zeke, Helen, and Zerina work on one at a time. Calla, be ready to purify and if you need help ask immediately.”

“How is it going with you?” Zeke wondered, worried about them all.

“Well, it is complicated. I just got done talking to Helen a few minutes before all of this. I think Rus is okay now… anyway all of that created negativity energy and well… see you when we see you. Pretty sure you will be coming to us.”

Zeke nodded, sizing up the creature, moving to stand with Helen and Zerina. He wondered if Londra had used magic or if it was just her words because the fear was receding and his mind clearing. “Zerina, you have a lot of extra stored right? Could you make a purifying cloud? Think it would help?”

Zerina smiled a bit, “That is a wonderful idea. Let’s see if it works.” She took a deep breath and the white outline around her deep blue eyes began to radiate lightening her long, cinnamon face, while there was a light visible in her short, turquoise hair. The area filled with light and a bit of moisture as the physical fear began to melt away from their body, as if trapped in the cloud that was merging with the ground. “Better, let’s do this! Helen gets the center head, you are on the left, I will take the right. We get to do this two times… we need to free those souls!”

Calla almost laughed at the situation, now that her body wasn’t shaking. Londra’s words helped but the cloud took away what her words couldn’t. Calla was focused on the M-M to the left since Peter and Alph were moving the other farther to the right. She couldn’t focus on both; she had to trust that the two of them were enough. All three heads on the left one screamed since the three of them were running towards it but that didn’t stop them, it did slow them a bit though. Two of the four arms held swords while the other two just dripped poison from their long black fingernails. Helen ran right straight at it, believing in her new teammates. Zeke blocked the left sword, pushing it back just in time to slice the other left hand. Brown-green blood covered him, but it didn’t stay there long. That arm was too slow to react, his axe taking off the hand this time. Calla was quick to use Purifying Flame. They could see the stub slowly regrowing a hand. While Zerina blocked the right side. She disarmed the right-handed sword, cutting off all but one finger while jumping onto the other. She used a spell that made her extremely heavy, so the M-M started to stumble forward. Calla was also burning up the fingers while watching something amazing. They capitalized on the stumble, Helen slid under it, between the legs then came up behind to remove the middle head. Zeke nodded, yanking the growing hand down to help get himself to the left head. The M-M was stumbling to the right, so Zerina just released her spell, jumping up to slice of the right head.

Calla laughed, how could she not. They had been so afraid yet… those three were almost perfect together. Zeke was helping the gore slide off his body while Helen looked back to see if Calla needed help. “She is laughing,” Zerina whispered to the other two, using her hands to clean off her face. “I didn’t think that was funny.”

“Not funny, but oh so lucky,” Zeke responded understanding the humor. “Why am I covered and the two of you just have a little.” He shook a bit, letting more blood fall to the ground to be purified by the spell still going strong. “We need to go get Peter out of there before he can’t breathe. All that jumping would wear any rabbit out.”

“True, but I can see why Belle is fascinated with,” Helen mumbled. “He is something to watch and so full of kindness. He has so much more strength than any would think looking at him both physically and mentally. Yes, it is a good match.” With that the three of them ran towards the other M-M as if it wasn’t twelve feet tall with three heads and four arms.

Peter and Alpha retreated to stay by Calla who was almost done with the other one, just the legs remained. It wouldn’t be long before it was all white ash. Peter leaned against Alpha, trying to calm his racing heart watching the three warriors. He had no idea how they had bested the other so quickly but was grateful.

“I am amazed at this… Impenetrable Skin spell,” Alpha started as if they weren’t fighting something that could squish them flat. “One of the swords sliced me but I couldn’t tell you where. It hurt so much but now the pain is gone and even my fur is perfect.”

“Zeke just hid under the arm without the sword,” Peter mumbled, his breathing almost normal. “It just cut off its own hand. Was it this interesting with the other? How are you?”

“Could you start on the hand,” Calla asked softly. “I just need a moment. That was a lot.”

Peter nodded, his long, white ears straightening to attention as he began to purify the hand just before Zerina removed another. Helen was waiting behind it, and he had no idea how she got there or why it didn’t know. Her stance said she was waiting for the right moment to jump. Zerina used the arm with the sword to lift her up. She sliced off the head on her way down. Zeke seen this and sighed, storing his axe in his vault for a moment, moving up the arm with his long, white, pointed fingernails, he made it just as Helen slice off the middle head. Instantly his axe was in his hand again then the head was off. The three landed on the ground but it wasn’t graceful. Alpha meowed, using magic to bring them back to the group as Calla and Peter worked on purifying.

“The spell is great, but those injuries weren’t caused by M-Ms…” Alpha began as he healed the broken bones from the fall. “Well, that is interesting, they are healing slowly… well I will just help the wonderous spell along.”

“Much obliged,” Helen mumbled, slowly sitting up. “That was almost fun.”

“You are crazy,” Zerina chuckled, leaning against her. “That is why we like you so much.”

“After a drink we go join Londra,” Alpha decided watching the last of the M-M fade away. A bowl of water appeared before him. “I love Spella. We learned so much!” He began to drink as the others nodded, pulling water bottles out of their storage. They had earned it.

North

Alden waited for the spells to be finished before he projected to Rus, “You best pull your weight and protect Londra and Mara or… well just don’t mess up too much. There is so many things I could do to a lizard and still keep you alive. I can make the Challenge look like a dream.” His face did not show any emotion, but he was glad that Rus did nod slightly. Yet, what he didn’t like was how distant his oval, dark grey eyes were… as if he wasn’t in control.

“And what he leaves, I will eat,” Delta added softly. “You have no idea what we do on this end. I hope you don’t wet yourself from fear or better yet, toss your snack.”

Londra smiled at them all. “Same as before and hopefully we have at least the first three that don’t fight back. Delta your job is the eggs, Mara the female, I and Alden will switch out helping Rus take down the males. Alden, why don’t you go first?” He nodded as she stroked Delta. A moment later the tent before them had disappeared revealing four males and a female adding to her basket of eggs.

Mara sighed, using shadows she was behind the female within seconds. Delta squished the eggs with a soft mew while Londra ran towards the males taking off two heads looking over to see that Rus wasn’t even moving yet. She rolled her hazel eyes and moved just enough her lance took off the other two heads. She came towards him with a dangerous smile with rainbow flames dancing behind her. “Hello, I thought you were here to fight? Show you are strong? That was your cue. We don’t say go; we just move. Because we don’t have time to waste. A few minutes could produce another female. A female can produce… well twenty six eggs. Those eggs she can stuff in one large male making twenty six more M-Ms do you understand. Alden will be going in next, you best be with him,” she finished cooly. “Mara? Ready?”

“Yea, we leaving the items?” Mara asked, wiping brown-green blood from her oval, ivory face showing that her violet undertones were darkening. “I think we should.” They all nodded so she took them to their next destination. She bent down to whisper to Rus, “once the tent is gone, move. It is that simple. Do NOT slow us down, lizard.”

The second group was sleeping, one female, six males, and thirty some eggs that Delta disposed of while Londra stroked him. Mara had the female taken out in less than a minute while Alden had removed three heads before Rus even moved. Oh, she was so… pissed off, but she had to keep her emotions in check, or the fire wouldn’t purify. This was not the time to be acting like a child.

As the M-Ms burned Alden went over to Rus, lifting him by the neck. “You must move faster or are lizards slow. If you want to watch then just say so. Are you tired or just lazy. Did you like watching Helen and Zerina do all the work…” Londra came up and touched Alden on his naked beige shoulder. She could feel his anger simmering.

“Alden, don’t add to the negative, I know it is hard but…” Londra mumbled. “We need to move. You are purifying so think happy thoughts of freeing the souls, so the fire isn’t tainted with your anger.”

He nodded. Then motioned to Mara to move them to the third. Alden took down the tent, but they were far more awake than the others. Londra grabbed Rus’ hand, pulling him forward while Mara focused on the female that was about to teleport, while Delta ran in behind. His golden eyes focused on the eggs that were almost starting to hatch; hence he had to get closer. There were only two males and Alden disliked watching, but he had a female to purify and a basket of eggs while watching Londra dance around until she removed two head. Rus must have found a bit of a spine because he removed the other two. He watched the fire, knowing that he had let a bit of darkness in. With shear will he removed the darkness focusing on light… Mara and Londra, while stroking Delta.

“I think the next two will be…” Mara started, taking them to the fourth. The female was an average size, pulling three males towards a circle spell. Each had three hatchlings working on eating them. “Gross,” she sighed, closing her navy-blue Demon eyes for a moment. Londra quickly cleansed the spell while Mara headed for the female knowing that she wouldn’t be able to teleport.

Alden pulled Rus forward, hoping he didn’t toss his snack. His long, brown face was pale while his oval eyes seemed blank. What was wrong with Rus? “Cut off the head of the M-M, because they are still alive, hence the blood pumping out while the creatures are eating. Then cut off the head of the hatchling so Londra can purify. You must do both within five seconds. There are only three so please at least take one.” With that Alden moved by the screeching hatchlings, pushing the nightmares away taking the head of the first then the hatchling. He felt Londra’s Purifying Flame and knew it was true. He looked up to see that Mara was done. He moved to the second looking up to see that Rus had pulled it together to do the third. As the rainbow fires burned, he pulled Rus towards Mara.

“The circle was to strengthen the new versions,” Londra mumbled. “We need to move. Rus, you there?” she waved her hand before his face, and he barely blinked. Something wasn’t right. Alpha said he had pulled it together but once they set foot here, he was… detached. “I will purify the next, Alden you are on the males. When you are ready Mara.”

The fifth was working on stuffing hatchlings in five males that were eight feet tall. They all sighed, moving into action. The female smiled as Mara took her head. Mara looked back at Londra but the fire was pure, and the female M-M was turning to white ash. Rus still wasn’t talking, which was unusual but given what was before them wasn’t pleasant... Alden was able to take out three, while Delta and Rus took out the other two. But during the altercation Alden and Delta both were injured but their bodies were healing.

“We can’t move yet,” Mara said, motioning to the healing wounds. “Even within shadows it would stop the healing. It shouldn’t take long. I will keep an eye on the last two.”

“Thanks,” Londra mumbled, moving towards Rus. “Hello, calling Prince Icarus, are you in there.” She waited for the growl or snarl, but he did nothing. “I thought you were never going back to that version of you, yet here you are watching others fight your battle. Rus, wake up! Are you even awake? Listening? Conscious? What is going on!?”

“Why would WE listen to a worthless female with a chubby middle,” Rus responded flatly.

“Oh, you did not,” Delta started, moving towards them. “Wait, prince? Seriously?”

“Yep, spoiled,” Londra grumbled, rubbing her hands on the off-white, short skirt. “Second son that never had to do anything he didn’t want to do. Yet, something isn’t right. This isn’t one of his normal tantrums. That wasn’t his voice and why say we?”

“He has normal ones?” Alden wondered. “No, wait he does. I have seen them while we were at a small village. You are right, this isn’t normal. But we don’t have time.”

“Nope, moving,” Mara mumbled. Before them was a female with gold skin that was ten feet tall. She wasn’t trying to run or trying to attack, just standing there waiting. Delta smashed her basket, and she just laughed as Londra purified it. They all stood trying to figure out what to do. “She has some sort of barrier around her. My shadows can’t get through.”

“It doesn’t matter,” the female M-M hissed. “These will be stronger.” With that she began to pull energy from the air, it was dark and eerie looking. Londra tried to purify the dark cloud, but it didn’t work. The female pulled a soul out of her body, they heard it screaming for help, but they couldn’t figure out a way to get to her. “You can’t purify it because it is your darkness, your hopelessness, your loneliness, your doubt!” she laughed. “It worked; you die here and once you do they will all fall! All need the leadership of a female!”

Now Londra and Alden were trying a number of spells to break the barrier around her. This is when Rus screamed out in pain. He clutched his chest before falling. Mara turned to see him flailing on the ground, holding his head and chest screaming. Delta went over to him, sniffing. “Not quite right,” he growled, his black tail growing in size while the hair on the back of his large neck started to stand up. This got Londra’s attention.

“You will never find it,” the golden female M-M laughed. “He took it in, and he fed it… it will kill him causing you all to fail. You will all die because of him! This delicious darkness is yours because of him! Humans are so fun to play with!”

“I am checking on him. The ground under her isn’t protected, start there.” Londra projected to Alden, moving towards Delta. “Where is the smell coming from?”

“Don’t ignore me! I can make eggs all day long. I have twenty more souls I can take, and your darkness will feed them. Your fear can become parts that I can weave together… I can make so many! You have so much fear hidden within.”

“Good to know,” Londra dismissed, looking up at Mara. Her navy-blue, Demon eyes were searching Rus’ body while there was a slight glow to her violet-navy horns.

“His right shoulder,” Mara and Delta said in unison.

“I figured it out,” Alden told them through their link. Mara went to join him while Delta stood between the two, his large black head watching both.

Londra cleared her mind and found a… seed? No, it was a spell, no a curse… she blocked everything out focusing on what was causing Rus to thrash around. It was wound within his veins and connected to not only his heart but his brain. If that wasn’t bad enough parts were wound inside his muscles. She needed to protect herself while trying to pull it out.

She didn’t hear Delta join the others or that Alden had broken through under the female’s feet. Mara’s wings were used to help her quickly attack and retreat from the female while Delta’s sword fought to get to the neck. Alden pulled back to calm his mind and soul. He needed to do this for… them all... for her. He needed to do this for Londra because if he didn’t, she would try after… He turned quickly to see power flowing off from her in waves as it surrounded Rus. His moans and screams quieted but Alden could see tears running out of his closed, oval eyes. Delta’s sword finally sliced through her head, and it took all that Alden had to purify this female. He kept thinking of his new family and the souls inside to keep his rainbow fire pure and potent. He did not relax until she was white ash.

Mara was hovering above them, just in case. She came down beside Alden, helping him to the ground. Delta was behind him, supporting but they were all watching as Londra pulled out something that resembled a seed. It was as large as her hand with stringy vine like things moving around it. She watched it for a moment then used the strongest Purification Flame she could do. She sat on her knees panting before whispering, “How long has he smelt strange, Delta?”

“In my defense, he is not one of my favorites and he smells strange anyways,” Delta pouted, rubbing his large head against Alden. “Maybe three days?”

“Can you smell him again? I want to make sure I got it all,” Londra asked softly, closing her hazel eyes trying to get her body realigned. “I connected with Helen, they were having fun, strange as that is. She told me to get rid of it immediately. She would explain later.”

Delta moved over and sniffed theatrically around Rus. “The smell is gone. He just smells like normal moldy water now.”

“Londra,” Mara started a bit breathlessly, her body tense. “We don’t have a lot of time...”

Rus moaned, rubbing his face before opening his oval, dark silver eyes looking up at a worried Londra, with sweat all over her round, light beige face. “Londra?” he said weakly before frowning. Then he looked around to see that Delta was large, Alden was kneeling on the ground, Mara was in full Demon mode, and he was on the ground too? Wait… they were all in their Demon Spider Silk outfits, but why?

“So, are you spoiled Prince Icarus or my friend Rus?” Londra asked, hoping this would streamline the process as Delta moved to help her up.

He sat up quickly, holding his head because he was a bit dizzy. “I told you, never call me that!” he said with a low growl. “I am not lazy or am I going to just exist. I am living!”

“Good, then stand up and help us fight,” Londra said offering him a hand.

“Fight what?” Rus grumbled, taking her hand and testing out his body. It was a bit stiff but other than that he felt alright.

“M-Ms,” Mara said making a motion to look at the brown-green blood sliding off her near naked body and the slice healing on her leg. “We need to go.”

“Wait, that isn’t for another three days?” Rus said his long, brown face full of such confusion that Londra heard Alden laughing in her mind.

“Well, that is interesting,” Delta stated, his tail curling around while his golden eyes glared. “We already finished the first camp and are on the second. One that you insisted on us purifying. Even called us weak… I am not weak.”

“I don’t know anything about that. Londra, I promised you that I would change. It was a vow that got me through the challenge. One I made in blood. I wouldn’t betray any of you… I do like to annoy; it is a big flaw. True I do have some princely fits now and then but never would I put us in danger,” Rus said looking at the four before him, his eyes and body pleading to be believed.

“Well, here is a wakeup call then,” Mara sighed, rolling her navy-blue Demon eyes. “We are on our seventh female which is waiting to kill us. If you want time, we have a half a song until the thirty minute mark. This will be unlike anything you have ever seen. Steel your will and spine. The target is her head, by any means.”

He pulled his weapon out of his vault and nodded.

“Glad you are back, now I won’t have to skin you,” Alden commented as Mara moved them.

Londra was quick to react but not quick enough. The thirteen feet tall, red, female M-M with sixteen necklaces and low hanging… with black, oily hair stood before them throwing hatchlings at them. Mara cried out in pain as did everyone else since they had fallen right into her trap. She didn’t create another female because she wanted them here. She wanted to play. She reached down in her basket to take out another egg but watched as they were flattened and rainbow flames erupted. “May the light be reflected in every color as they purify your body, spirit, and souls. May you find your way into the light! Purifying Flame!” Londra yelled, watching small fires appear around her. Everyone had a hatchling gnawing on them. Even though the pain they were all aware enough to slice off the head then pull it off from their bodies, tossing them to the ground. Delta’s sword was flying through the air but was easily blocked by her six arms as her… two heads laughed at the feeble attack.

“Two heads! Six arms!” Rus yelled, watching the poison being pushed from his brown body, arm, and leg healing. “At least it is healing… what did I wake up into?” he yelled before running towards the female. He dodged the first arm, sliced the second, before the third tossed him back. He growled in frustration, stomping.

“Well, he isn’t watching anymore. That is a relief,” Alden grumbled, rolling his shoulder that was healing. “Can’t quite move yet, it chewed on a nerve. Will be with you soon.”

“I watched! No! I am not that… never again!” Rus growled.

“That is right, keep your mind focused,” Londra sighed, walking towards Mara who was trying to pull her wings in, but they were too damaged. “Keep her busy until I have Mara’s wings inside her. Those… things really chewed on her right wing and ripped her left. It should only take a moment. Oh, the others need a pep talk, so I will be out of my mind for a while.” This caused the others to laugh. Mara watched her face go blank, but her hands and magic continued to heal her wings. Mara would have laughed if it wasn’t for the pain circulating around in her body. The spell was great at healing, but everything still hurt.

Soon Mara’s wings were pulling slowly back into her body when Londra returned to the present. “How is it going?” she asked.

“I cut off an arm and Alden purified it while Rus was the target,” Delta started, his black tail pointing. “It grew back, but it did take a few minutes. I like the music, but I have no idea how long we have been at it. The last one took almost three songs. We have been working on this one for one and a half songs.”

“You are forgiven,” Londra commented, moving to rub his large, black head. “Mara?”

“I will be fine, the pain is receding, and my wings are fine. Which is amazing. I am glad you asked Spella so many questions about wings. Anyways, I just won’t be able to bring them out anytime today. What is your plan?” Mara wondered, moving to get her body realigned. She rubbed some blood off her thin, violet-navy horns happy that her ivory hands with undertones of violet didn’t shake. There was still blood running off her long, blue-black braid. “That was an experience,” she sighed.

“Delta, our key to any battle,” she started, rubbing his large, black back. “Go small and help us fly. Nobody but you can do this. Look at how easily you destroy the eggs…”

“I am great,” Delta stated, returning to his cat size and snuggling into her arms for a moment. “Cutting off the arms until we can get to the head?”

“Yea, according to Helen and Alex we have probably ten seconds to get them both,” Londra reported, pulling her lance out of her vault. “Focus on all the souls within her. We must get them out!” She started to move realizing just how tight her muscles were from standing still. It didn’t matter; they were going to get a rude awakening.

Delta laid on the ground watching the four of them bounce around with his gravity magic making the simple jumps massive leaps. Rus had even jumped all the way over her once but sadly didn’t get close enough to the second head. At least both were on her neck.

She screamed but they continued. Once a hand or arm fell one of them would purify it. Thus, giving them a bit of time while she concentrated on regrowing. Everyone was wearing down when Alden said through their link, “Rus, I am going to strengthen your blade. I seen the last jump. Do it again and get them both. We are running on fumes and still have three more possible battles. Show me that you are back and not that spoiled version.”

Londra and Mara jumped, just to distract. Rus let out a battle cry, jumping into the air, removing both heads since the female was very distracted. Londra landed and immediately began the Purifying Flame. After Rus landed he looked around to see that everyone was panting, even Londra but her light beige hands were steady while her round face and hazel eyes focused. He wasn’t fresh but he hadn’t used any of his magic, at least that is what his body told him. He hated that he couldn’t remember the last three days… rubbing his bald, brown head he stood next to Londra, adding his Purifying Flame to hers. He couldn’t hold it long in his human form, but he hoped it helped. The spell was massive now with plenty of power just to make sure. A minute in they all relaxed a bit as the heads started to turn into white ash. All that was left was the legs when Rus bowed out. Alden and Mara were leaning against each other while Delta was still small, in Mara’s arms watching. The gore slowly dripping off from the three whose eyes were closed.

Northwest

“I just decided,” Alpha stared, snuggling into Zerina’s arms. “I don’t want to be with Londra for this. That was beyond horrible, and that was while it was turning to white ash. I am surprised that you could handle it…”

“Don’t,” Mara warned sharply, her Demon navy-blue eyes focusing on Alpha. With a mostly steady ivory hand with undertones of violet she pushed some gore off from her thin, violet-navy horns then tossed her braided, blue-black hair behind her, just missing Alden who was trying to relax a bit. “If not for Delta we would be… well almost dead, maybe dead.”

“Very true,” Alden added, taking a step away from Mara. He too needed to help get this… yuk off from him. True the spell did... but the slow drip down one’s naked body wasn’t pleasant. He ran his clean hands over his long, accented, beige face then behind his long Elven ears while his marbled blue-green eyes were still closed. As an afterthought he shook his braided, brown hair to help some more brown-green blood slid off. “I admire him more and more every minute.”

“You are now my second favorite Elf,” Delta stated, his black tail circling while his golden eyes glowed. “The first is one of the bakers at Davie’s Den, she spoils me!”

This caused a bit of laughter which is what he was hoping for. When it subsided Zerina asked, “That bad?” Nobody responded just nodded with exhausting accenting their faces. They were all covered in brown-green blood while their group was clean since the walkover had shed anything that was left. She almost felt guilty for being clean.

“I agree,” Zeke started, his golden eyes scanning the area. “Alpha, don’t pick on Delta or Theda, they have worked miracles. You were a large help but dealing with the females… that is a different kind of help.”

“Thanks Zeke,” Delta purred. “We missed you, but I think you had more fun this time.”

“I did, so lizard, what was your problem?” Zeke wondered, looking at how Rus was sitting on the ground while Londra was leaning against him, so she didn’t fall. His strong green arm moved to help support Londra, “you need a nap?” His golden eyes searching them both for answers as to what happened.

Helen followed, using a spell to make sure they were both free of the seed. She nodded to Londra then looked around at the others. Her long, light beige, left Elven ear went stiff signaling that nobody should ask while her sharp, oval face and green eyes showed how dangerous the situation had been. With another nod that made her long, braided, platinum hair, sway she moved away from the three of them to check on the rest of the group.

“Wow, are you that good now that I could have one?” Londra whispered with a hint of laughter, enjoying his large, warm hands on her bare shoulders. He had moved her away from Rus and was supporting her now. “The baddies are coming our way. Mara, you see them yet?”

“Males are gross, but females are disturbing,” Mara sighed, blinking her navy-blue Demon eyes. “The same as our other team, strange as that is. Ten black ones, eight feet tall, with two heads that are side by side and four arms. Why is Zeke smiling?”

“I happen to like the black ones, they fight with a shred of honor and don’t use magic,” Zeke answered, his green muscles dancing with his golden eyes, yet his long face showed how worried he was about Londra. “You purifying?”

“I can do that sitting down,” Londra sighed, closing her dry hazel eyes. “My body hates me right now anyways. I would love to move but I do need a little break after the seed thing…”

“I could imagine,” Helen started so the others didn’t question. “There are no traces left in him or you. Completely amazing that you were able to do it without any real knowledge. There is a spell we all learned to detect them… I will explain after our little nap.”

Zerina shrugged, understanding that they didn’t have time to get into what had happened. Her deep blue eyes outlined in white, red and silver looked around as she tried to push the concern out of her long, cinnamon colored face that was framed by sweaty turquoise hair. “I want to know, yet right now I don’t care. I know I am fighting…”

Peter and Calla exchanged looks. “I will fight as well,” Peter decided, his white ears standing with a bit of pride. His dark pink eyes also showed how much he wanted to move while there was a hint of a smile on his ivory, diamond face. He wanted to show that he could keep up with them all. He then wiggled his white, fluffy, ball of a tail.

“I have plenty of magic left, and enjoyed the walk over,” Calla sighed while smiling at Peter. Blinking her dry, light violet eyes while pushing a few stray strands of golden hair behind her large, light green, triangle shaped Goblin ears. “I agree with Londra, my body is not liking me, but I can purify sitting down… actually that sounds good. Sitting back to back with Londra while Delta and Alpha lay beside us…”

“We will,” Alpha stated, jumping out of Zerina’s arms. “If only to keep you awake.”

Calla chuckled as she and Londra moved to an even section of ground to sit. “I am surprised he didn’t say drool,” she whispered to Londra as they got comfortable with Delta and Alpha around them in their larger forms. Making sure the two didn’t fall over.

“I will warn you if it happens, but it turned out good,” Alpha stated softly, twitching his white whiskers and black ears while his black tail circled.

“Watching Zeke is enjoyable, all those muscles and that body on display. Had to think of something other than the… M-Ms we were purifying. That was the top of my list,” Calla confided softly. “Have you had time to really watch?”

“No,” Londra said rubbing her dry, hazel eyes. “Too much going on, especially this time,” she added as the ten, black M-Ms approached. She reached out to stroke both Delta and Alpha.

“I think we go one on one,” Zerina decided, watching how the M-Ms were moving. “If we need help, ask a neighbor. There are seven of us and ten of them…”

“Yea, got that,” Delta yawned, blinking his golden eyes. “I will hold those three back with a bit of gravity. If we get sleepy, we will just take the heads. So, give us a good show!”

“You already sound that way,” Alpha stated, watching three on the left side stop suddenly.

“Perfect seats,” Calla sighed as the battle began.

She wasn’t wrong, Londra decided. It was the first time she was able to watch without the anxiety of getting to the next battle. Helen had the one farthest to the right, next to Peter who was a better fighter than he knew. Zeke was the next in the row and right before Calla’s light violet eyes. Rus and Zerina were fighting side by side both watching the other. Londra was glad to see that Rus was back to himself even if he was confused. Right before her was Alden with Mara on the end where the other three were waiting in Delta’s magic.

Londra had been so self-conscious of the tight skirt and top with all of her fluff out in the open that she didn’t realize just how that strap around the nipples accented all of the guys’ chest muscles. Then there were the mostly tight shorts… “well this is something,” she whispered to Calla. She now understood completely and wondered if they watched them in the same way… she would guess yes by the way Rus’ eyes were almost popping out of his head. The M-Ms may have had four arms, but they were all keeping up. Then a few arms fell and she with Calla began to purify them while watching the show. Delta touched her with his tail before heading towards the three in his magic cage, while Alpha stayed.

Delta let one out then move the other two before Zeke and Alden who had just finished theirs, but the others weren’t far behind. Delta stretched in true cat form and began to dodge the arms and weapons, jumping around while his sword circled above them. After a while he roared and the sword took the two heads in a clean motion. He pranced back to Londra for his rubs while helping her stand up. The seven purification fames were almost done while the other three were burning brightly and full of color.

Londra was trying to realign her thinking, hoping she wasn’t drooling when she noticed that Helen bent down to retrieve something in the ash. The others did the same thing, pointing it out to the ones in her team. Mara also collected Delta’s.

“What are they?” Londra wondered as Mara handed one to her for examination. “Oh, wait, I remember reading about this. If the stronger spirits inside are warriors in need of a final battle and if the battle is fair, then they drop soul crystals. Or, if our spirit purifies the soul before we take the head. They are used in the magic machines that produce the barriers for the towns and villages, right? A bit strange that the M-Ms drop them.”

“I almost assumed I wouldn’t need to answer,” Helen stated, her left ear wiggling. “It means the next battle will be harder.”

“Something is wrong,” Delta started, growling while power flowed around him.

“I don’t like that smell,” Alpha stated doing the same thing.

“Group together,” Londra instructed but it was too late. Eight projectiles came through the barriers that the two were starting. Londra dodged one but the other sliced her left leg. It was rather deep and started bleeding? That wasn’t right…it should be healing. The poison of the M-Ms made the wounds not bleed so the poison could enter the body easier. Why was it bleeding?

“You all need to come in,” Alpha yelled with a fierce growl at the end. “We can’t make this strong enough with you all so far away. Now would be nice!”

Londra didn’t really look but just brought everyone closer. This is when she noticed what had happened. Peter had dodged his but not fast enough, leaving a long gaping wound on his left arm, almost exposing the bone. Mara was protected by Alden who now had two whitish colored bolts through him, while Mara was calling him stupid while holding him still. Rus had protected Zerina and Alpha but had one in his left leg and one through his right shoulder so close to… and then there was Zeke, sitting on the ground with one right through his stomach. Blood was everywhere. Helen’s voice broke through the buzzing in her ears. “They are tainted porcupine quills that are covered in paralysis poison,” Helen started. “For some reason there is no hint of M-M on them, so the Impenetrable Skin spell won’t help. Very strange… we must heal as we remove them while applying an antidote for the paralysis.”

Londra looked down at her leg, “working on it,” she grumbled. She was searching through her mind and began to heal her leg. If it worked on her then she would be able to treat the others. She slowly stood, using just a hint of magic to wash off the blood because… well just because. She moved over to Peter to make sure it was right. Calla came over to watch, while Peter studied the spell she was using. Helen came over to help after protecting her hands and Londra’s. Removing the quills wasn’t enjoyable for anyone. No matter how horrible they looked the skin spell was keeping everyone stable.

“I can do that,” Calla whispered, “but I can’t do Zeke…”

“Okay, you do Alden, and I will do Zeke. Helen, thanks for the help. Calla, remember to coat your and Mara’s hands,” Londra instructed quietly.

“You are safe,” Alpha started. Zerina was stroking and sharing her mana since there was nothing she could do for Rus, besides yell at him. “They are eating each other so when this comes down it will be the last battle.”

“Not sure how safe that sounds,” Mara grumbled, pulling the bolt from Alden’s second wound for Calla to heal. “I don’t know if I have enough left to dodge these and… all that magic out there. Zerina is awesome at absorbing and redistributing but…”

“I hear you...” Londra sighed.