The Ultimate Battle

To be completely honest with herself, that strange turn-based combat they were all involved in was quite different from the fight Nona had imagined. And infinitely less epic.

That kind of fighting had been established as one of the combat rules to avoid unnecessary confusion and ensure equality during the battle. But still, it felt quite unnatural being forced to stare for several minutes at a scary-looking monster that was right in front of her without being able to defeat him, just because it was not ‘her turn’ yet, and she had to wait for her companions to move or carry out any action.

Also, the fact that, sometimes, their attacks ‘failed’ - Adish in particular cursed every time a spell failed to land - confused her a lot, especially when she was right next to the monster and the hit was impossible to miss.

Finally, every time that an ally was about to receive a hit - even if it was a tiny one - Thorny got hysterical because Nona wanted to move there and offer support, making the most of her new super armadillo shield that deflected practically any attack.

Almost an hour later, and between comings and goings and turns wasted because they were not used to fighting like that, they had barely advanced through the beach. Adish, Vesper and Thorny had to spend several turns waiting for the cooldown of their spells, and by then Lorian was about to run out of throwing knives because he had been covering for Adish and Vesper as they were unable to act.

The current battle had a very strong component of strategy. And Nona totally sucked at it.

So, Nona decided to make her first summon.

“Finally.” Captain Ania said with exasperation after appearing right next to Nona. “Tsk, you should have asked for help before the beach was overflown with enemy monsters.”

Just ten minutes later, the entire group was about to reach the shore.

Captain Ania’s advice of summoning both elven mages and the thieves of the capital - her sister Enia and Boris included - proved to be the key to emerge victorious in that first area. The mages’ spells succeeded in hindering the monster’s advances, and the thieves' agility allowed them to hit the monsters’ weak points accurately, barely wasting turns, allowing Nona and Captain Ania’s to make the most of their strength to quickly defeat them all in a couple of turns.

Nona was initially a bit hesitant to leave her allies behind, but Ania’s and Enia’s offended snorts and claims that they had everything under control convinced her that she and her group could safely proceed - she only hoped that the sisters didn’t fight between themselves, because they were constantly arguing.

The next part of the fight took place on the platforms floating over the ocean. The first platforms were quite close to the ground, so they could simply jump to reach them. The monsters that appeared there were quite easy to defeat, and after checking that they were not respawning after being defeated, they took the risk to summon Cecile.

Once the blacksmith dwarf provided Lorian with more throwing knives, they kept their advance. As the platforms floated higher, Nona and Vesper - shifted into her panther form - needed to help Lorian and Adish to reach them. As they gained altitude, the monsters to fight became tougher too, but all the training Nona took during the past months paid off.

She didn’t need to summon any more allies until they reached a platform that was completely empty. When several seconds passed and no monster appeared, everyone tensed.

“Oh, great! It seems like we can take a small rest.”

Everyone but Nona, who if it weren’t for the hurried warning of her companions, would have used one of the magic sleeping bags that the elves had lent them to recover some vitality. She still had the sack in her hand when a whirlpool suddenly appeared in the ocean, and a colossal kraken violently materialized.

“Damn, you were fighting so impressively that I forgot for a moment the peabrain you are sometimes,” Thorny facepalmed as the top of the Kraken’s head and red-injected eyes slowly entered their vision.

“Come on, how was I supposed to know that it was a trap?!”

“It was obvious, Nona!” everyone shouted while facing the spine-chilling creature.

Thankfully, the massive beast was slower than them, which allowed Adish to drink the powerful antidote in his turn, and also cast a Globe of Invulnerability spell which fully protected them from the deathly sweep attack that the monster made with his tentacles, that would have surely thrown them flying away.

Of course, all Vesper’s attempts to talk some sense into the monster were fruitless.

“Nona, I think this would be a good moment to summon the elf’s boyfriend,” Adish hurriedly suggested.

“We are not even formally dating, mage, so stop calling him foolish appellatives," Lorian said with irritation.

The Happy Seahorse landed on the water with a loud splash, meters away from the kraken. Almost instantly, Nona heard Isabella shouting a suggestion that made everyone hesitate - her father included.

“Come on, Nona, trust me! I swear he’s a good guy!”

“Isabella, sweetie, the fact that you get along with him and often play with his children doesn’t mean that he takes our side when a fellow sea monster is here!”

The advantage of the turn-based battle was that no matter how impatient or ready to kill them the kraken was, he was forced to wait until Zander and Isabella’s discussion ended, with Nona deciding to risk it all trusting Isabella, and her own instinct.

When the sea serpent appeared, confusion was evident in his big yellow eyes. The serpent looked at the Kraken - twice as big as him - then at Nona and her group, and finally at the ship. Tension didn’t even have time to set, because Isabella’s happy ‘Hi, Rupert!!’ softened the sea serpent’s eyes. He lowered his head and allowed Isabella to ride it - and also Waffle, since apparently the seal had officially taken the role of the girl’s guardian.

“Well, glad to see that our leader is not the only crazy one around,” Thorny joked.

Despite all the extra support, the fight against the kraken was a strenuous one. They couldn’t go all out yet, since they were certain that they would have, at least, another big battle waiting ahead. They had to attack very carefully and coordinate to choose which powerful attacks and spells they could afford to use, because probabilities were also high that they didn’t have a moment of rest before reaching ‘the final boss’, as Thorny called the Goddess.

Eventually, with a lot of patience, The Happy Seahorse cannonballs, and the sea serpents water attacks and lunges, the kraken eventually was defeated.

“You sure you don’t want to spend a turn visiting him?” Nona asked when seeing Lorian throwing not-very-subtle glances towards the ship where everyone was celebrating their victory against the kraken.

After a short pause, Lorian shook his head. “No, there is no need.” His tone darkened a bit before muttering the next words. “It has been almost a year since the last time I saw him. Probably he already has someone else–”

“Hey, young lady, Lor is up there with you, right? Do you think I can borrow him for a second?”

“Sure!” Nona rapidly agreed, before Lorian could even react. The elf then muttered a sulking ‘Borrow him? I’m not an object’, rearranged his hood, and reluctantly stepped down the platforms in the direction of the ship.

“Guys…” Vesper admonished Nona, Adish and Thorny who were watching Zander and Lorian’s reunion without bothering to hide their interest, “you could be nice and leave them some privacy–”

“Aaand they are making out on the deck. Pretends to be shocked.”

“HAH?” Thorny was still snickering when Vesper approached Nona, who had joined her hands together letting out a happy ‘Awww’. “Well, they didn’t waste time.”

“Speaking of making out,” Adish softly elbowed Nona. “Maybe it would be a good time to summon a certain healer.”

They came all the way back through the platforms to the first one, which was closest to the ocean. Zander and Lorian were so focused on their own world - meaning, making out - that they didn’t realize that Nona and the rest of the group were also there until she pronounced Aecor’s complete name.

“Well, I was starting to fear that you were not even going to summon me,” Aecor said from the water, with an ironic tone that made Nona offer him an apologetic smile.

“Are you sure you aren’t mad for not having chosen you for the main team?” she cautiously asked, kneeling down on the platform to be closer to the merman - and she missed to notice how Vesper dragged Adish and Thorny a few meters away to give her some privacy, despite their protests. “Just so you know, each member offered to leave an empty spot for you, but after carefully analyzing our abilities and the fact that we were going to mostly fight on the ground we thought–”

“Don’t worry, Nona, I understand that I may be good boyfriend material, but it seems I am not competent enough to deserve fighting by your side–”

“A-Aecor, it’s not that!”

The merman burst out laughing and leaned both of his forearms on the platform, grinning playfully.

“You are too easy to tease. I love it.” When Aecor leaned forward to kiss her, Nona didn’t even think about dodging it, even if she was frowning at Aecor for his teasing. The merman then continued talking, in a lower tone so that just Nona could hear him. “Happy birthday by the way. I cannot wait to celebrate it with you.”

Nona chuckled. “Well, if everything goes according to plan, we will hold a party afterwards so–”

“I meant you and I. Alone.” The intensity of Aecor’s words and the way his eyes were shining saying them made Nona's stomach clench. “If you want, of course.”

Nona swallowed, fighting against the blush that was about to set in her cheeks for the images that Aecor’s offer had put in her head.

“I do. I really do. But before that, I’d like to go on a couple of dates.” Her next words were tinged with nervousness. “Are you okay with postponing a bit…uhm…that other celebration?”

Aecor smiled with affection before leaning forward again. “Of course I am. I’ll wait as much as you need.”

Nona smiled with relief before enclosing her arms around Aecor, hugging him tightly. “I love you, Aecoralisinuyutarinedotisamu.”

Aecor returned the hug, burying his face in the crook of Nona’s neck. “I love you too, Nona.”

They allowed themselves a few seconds before Nona reluctantly pulled away. Almost at the same time, Lorian rejoined the group. The way the elf cleared his throat and said a too professional ‘Shall we proceed?’ provoked laughs among the group, and some well-deserved teasing.

Once Aecor used his most powerful healing spell to completely cure the entire group, everyone climbed up the platforms again.

The last platform was so high compared to the previous ones that, to Adish’s dismay, Nona summoned Red to reach it.

As soon as they stepped on it, a portal appeared in the middle of the platform. Everyone tensed when recognizing the man that exited from it.

“Long time no see, brats.” Conrad greeted with a toothy grin while more men of the Black Orchid appeared through the portal. “I must say you look way more intimidating than the last time we met. Especially you, young Adish. Though maybe the fact that you are not half-dead because of that allergy of yours has something to do with it.”

By the time Conrad finished speaking, more than forty soldiers and mages had stepped onto the platform. The last person who exited the portal was Ylaria. The archmage still carried her signature rag doll as she approached Conrad, remaining a couple of steps behind him.

“Ylaria V’in Thalier.” Lorian’s sudden words made the archmage fix her eyes on him with surprise. “Does that happen to be your whole name?”

Ylaria exhaled a surprised laugh. “Well, little elf, it seems like you did your homework. Then I assume you know what our people did to my clan.”

The archmages’ tone was pretty light, almost cheery, but the grip on her doll tightened, betraying a deeper emotion.

Lorian nodded solemnly. “I know. The years that followed the Great Schism was a dark era for the elves. Some were too proud to accept staying in the North Continent, claiming that our race deserved to live wherever they pleased, like the Thalier clan. But with the Battle of Rosethorn being so present, and in order to avoid more conflicts, measures were taken to prevent anyone from leaving.” Lorian’s tone turned more somber. “Disproportionate, cruel measures. And with all the discrimination we used to suffer, I assume that joining this despicable man was the only choice you had…”

“Hey, I’m right here!”

“...not to mention that there is no bigger insult to the proud elven race, the one that took everything away from you, than collaborating with a human like him. But is this way of living really worth it? Is there any point contributing to bringing suffering to others when doing that won’t even help relieving your own?”

“OK, have you finished with your teary speech already, pointy-ears?” Conrad tiredly said, without even noticing a fleeting doubt passing across Ylaria’s face. “Great, because I’m starting now.”

“Damn, why does this dude have the initiative? I want to burn his ridiculous beard!”

Conrad directly started his turn moving until he was right in front of Adish. The man smirked, and delivered a strong punch to Adish's face.

Or rather, tried to.

Because the hit didn’t land, causing Conrad to blink confused while Adish smirked.

“W-What the hell–? But I used the Storm Giant Potion to boost my stats!”

“Hehe, sorry, dude: but that robe four-eyes is wearing has the highest possible Dexterity.”

“You have a last chance to do the correct thing, Conrad.” Adish said with a calm tone that contrasted with the harshness of his eyes. “Turn yourself in, and use your unfairly gained wealth on the hometown you ruined. Prove that you have at least a minimum of decency, and that you are not the worthless asshole that you seem to be.”

Conrad closed his open mouth and exhaled an incredulous snort.

“Like HELL I’m going to use my money on dirty, pathetic commoners.” He then addressed Ylaria. “It's your turn now, right? Use Haste on me right now!”

“Hihihi, no, it's not.”

“W-What? But I thought your initiative was the best!”

“I mean, it was months ago, but now the good girl’s stats beat mine.”

Conrad’s eyes focused on Nona, who merely smirked, extracting a scroll from her bag.

“Do you want to do the honors, Adish?”

The mage grinned and bowed his head. “I will be in your debt, leader.”

Nona used Haste on Adish. The light that had been illuminating the ground under Nona’s feet travelled to Adish, indicating that it was his turn again.

“You know, Conrad. I had my doubts about which spell would be more suitable to kick your ass when we met again. But then I realized…” Adish clenched his jaw while pulling up his sleeve, “...that a piece of shit like you doesn’t deserve to be finished with magic.”

The brutal punch that Adish delivered right at Conrad’s face didn’t miss the objective.

A couple of Conrad’s teeth were knocked out before his eyes rolled back and he heavily crashed to the ground, in quite an undignified way.

A collective ‘EEEEEEH?!’ resounded on the platform, mixed with Ylaria’s boisterous laughs.

“W-What the actual hell?!” Thorny stared at Adish’s revealed biceps. “Holy shit, I just realized: why the hell are you so strong now?”

Adish smiled proudly. “I trained with our leader this past month to be ready in case this moment came.”

“WHAT? And you didn’t tell me?!” Thorny brought an affected hand to his chest, seeing Nona’s apologetic expression. “I thought we were friends!”

“And we are, Thorny! But Adish made me promise to keep his training a secret because he didn’t want Lorian or you to laugh at him!”

“H-Hey, you weren’t supposed to say that last bit either!” Adish said, nervously adjusting his glasses when Thorny and Lorian slowly grinned.

“Uhm…guys…” Vesper timidly said, interrupting the upcoming teasing. “The combat is still on, and it’s my turn. What should I do?”

“Oh, right!” Nona cleared her throat and turned towards the confused Black Orchid soldiers. “OK, so, given that your boss is KO, and my business is with the Goddess alone, why don’t you simply surrender? I mean, we can keep fighting if you want, but I don’t recommend it, right Vesper?”

With an innocent smile, Vesper suddenly shifted into a gigantic Sabre-Toothed Tiger. Even if she was still in full control, she let out a powerful roar.

Several Black Orchid men fidgeted in place, throwing hesitant looks at Ylaria.

After a few apprehensive moments, the archmage merely clicked her tongue.

“You know what, good girl? You have a point. I just joined because the chaos promised to be entertaining, but you all are way too leveled up. I could certainly beat you, but it will be too slow and boring. And these turned-based fights suck a lot, so, I’m out, he-he-he!”

The Black Orchid soldiers stared in disbelief at their boss’ right hand abandoning them while whistling to herself. Then they stared at the Sabre-Toothed Tiger. And finally, at Nona smiling charmingly at them.

They all dropped their weapons at the same time.