Mountain of problems

“Hey, Alice. Quick question.” said Josie while they walked.

“U-Um, ok.”

“Do you know what kind of Nightmare Leon is?”

Alice briefly looked up at the sky. “Nightmare Stalker. They have a natural ability to quickly travel anywhere they want.”

“I see. If I had to guess, do they somehow use their energy to achieve this?”

“To my knowledge, yes. There are many theories. But the Ethereal Circle believes they can only go as far as they can see.”

Josie and Alice entered a clearing. They spotted the entrance through the mountains ahead. Suddenly, someone exited the opening.

“H-Help!”

He fainted. Alice and Josie rushed over. They carefully rested him on his back.

“He’s bleeding.” said Alice after she lifted his hand off his chest.

Josie used healing magic. The gray clouds which stared at them dissipated. He gasped and started coughing.

“Who are you people? Where am- ah!”

“Woah there, mister! You can’t get up just yet.” said Alice.

“My name is Josie. This is Alice. Can you tell us what happened?”

“My men and I were attacked. Something got us one by one. B-Barely escaped,” he tried sitting up, only for Alice to stop him. “Please, I have to go back there. Important supplies were left behind.”

Josie exchanged glances with Alice. “If you really need to go back...then let us come with you.”

He paused for a moment. “Are you both capable in combat?”

“Very.” answered Josie.

The man smiled. “Then I accept your offer.”

“Since we’re working together, can you please tell us your name?” asked Alice.

“Oh, right. I never properly introduced myself. My name is Ryan. I am a commander who hails from the Dream Kingdom.”

“Interesting. It just so happens that we were traveling to the Dream Kingdom.” said Josie.

“Uh huh. Perhaps our encounter was fate? Glad to see our destinations align,” he tilted his head toward Alice. “I think I can sit up. May I ask for some assistance?”

She grabbed Ryan’s hand and lifted him up. Once upright, he adjusted his black hair.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” she handed him a healing potion. “Do you need any dream potions?”

“I’m good...but, perhaps one at least. Better to be safe than sorry for what lies ahead.”

***

They made their way through the illuminated darkness. Crystals decorated the walls, which glowed and dimmed on repeat.

“Wow. Are these tele-crystals?” questioned Josie.

“Yep. And many more kinds of crystals too. Or so my father says.” answered Ryan.

“Do all the Kingdoms mine here?” inquired Alice.

“They used to. A dispute happened years back bout who owned the rights. Eventually, it was concluded that the Dream Kingdom owned it. Reason being: our Kingdom existed next to the mountain ever since its founding,” he sighed. “These days, the mountain is inhabited by Nightmares. Which means miners have to be accompanied by knights.”

“Only knights? You can’t hire outside help?” said Josie.

“Where I come from, you would be considered a fool to rely on anyone other than a knight,” he chuckled. “Guess I’m a fool. But who cares! Found help is help earned in my book.”

Ryan stopped partway through a long hallway which seemed to lead to a more open area. Josie and Alice took notice of this and also stopped walking.

“Brace yourselves. Nightmares - whatever attacked us, could still be lurking.”

With steeled resolve, the trio crept inside. Some crates were left behind. A few were completely smashed while others had small holes. No knight anywhere in sight. 

On her knees, Alice checked the cheese holed crate.

“Empty.”

Josie investigated a crate that had a big hole on the top.

“Same here.”

Ryan lifted some wooden rubble, but couldn’t find anything hidden. Suddenly, something rushed behind a crate. Everyone got startled to attention from the loud bump.

Nothing could be seen. But Josie noticed a particular crate moved a little closer to them. She approached while Alice and Ryan followed a few steps behind. The crate began to shake. Prepared for the worst, they watched in anticipation. Shake. Stop. Shake. Stop. And then...a small creature ran towards them and fell on its face. It jumped onto its tiny feet; all proud of itself.

“What the heck is this thing?” said Ryan.

“...Why does it look so familiar?” Alice thought to herself.

Josie observed the strange creature. Its skin tone looked the same as any other Nightmare, yet it was so cheerful. The body reminded her of a pear shape. An enclosed flower rested on its head. Their face felt like a young child’s or a baby’s face.

“It looks so...so cute!” thought Josie to herself.

Josie motioned her hand to pet the Nightmare. Alice gasped. She noticed what Josie was about to do.

“Stop,” Alice pulled her away, “don’t touch em’!”

The Nightmare almost bit Josie’s hand. When the monster realized its failure, it growled like a dog. The flower twitched open. Before their eyes, it morphed in size.

“I knew it...”

Legs thickened. Arms shifted into massive clubs. The cute beady eyes were replaced with menacing daggers. Drool dripped from its jagged mouth.

“This monster is a Nightmare Bloombud!”

A vine launched from its mouth. Josie narrowly dodged it, she wobbled as she awkwardly backed away. The Bloombud homed in on Alice. She waited until it was close and ran out of the way. Splinters scattered as its arm crushed the crate to smithereens. Ryan blasted it with dream energy to no effect. Once again, a vine shot forth. But this time the Nightmare slingshotted itself in the air. Ryan fired more and more. It slammed into the rock he once stood. Appendages bent and quickly pushed it upright. Then they ran and swung their arms in a circular motion. Josie, Alice, and Ryan were smacked into the wall.

Ryan steadied himself up. He got his sword from his magic. The Bloombud, it's posture formerly wilted in waiting, raised its arm and whipped it forward. With a battle cry, Ryan sliced a big piece off.

"Nice! Way to go!" cheered Josie.

Suddenly, it's arm regenerated.

Josie was surprised for a moment. "Then how about," she unsheathed her sword. “A more direct approach!”

Josie made a dash. The Nightmare turned their body toward her. Dragwind deflected. A vine dome protected the monster. Before she took another attempt, a vine grabbed her and threw Josie in the air. Her wings flapped hard till she adjusted, her feet tapped against the wall.

"Alice. A-Are you aware of any weak points," asked Ryan while he fought and defended.

"Um, the flower on its head. Either cut it off or destroy it."

Josie landed. "Great. But how to get past it's defenses?"

Alice took out her daggers. She stared at them for a moment. "I don't know if it will work, but I have a plan."

"Ok. What do you need us to do?"

"Keep it distracted."

Josie flew over the Bloombud and fired dream energy. The vine shield blocked it.

"Hey buddy! We're not finished here." said Josie.

The Bloombud growled and let loose a couple vine attacks from their mouth. Josie maneuvered around them. Ryan made a run for it. Dream energy sent flying. The Nightmare followed. Ryan caught sight of the horizontal whip. He slid along the ground. Josie dive bombed but the shield had risen once again. Alice edged closer to the action.

The Bloombud jumped.

“Watch out!” yelled Ryan.

Josie turned, and saw the oncoming fist. She exhaled flames. The Nightmare crossed its arms. This caused it to crash land. Its legs took the blunt of the impact. Alice started running. When Ryan and Josie noticed this, they attacked on both sides. Up. Down. Up. Down went the vines.

An opening. Alice hurled her dagger. Right leg stabbed frozen solid. Bloombud tried to respond. But the attack was too slow. She swiped the opposite leg.

“Josie. Now!” shouted Alice.

The Bloombud squirmed in place. But The only thing that escaped was its whining cry. She flew in from the side and swooped in. The flower crown fell.

Alice retrieved her dagger and slashed the ice, destroying the legs.

Ryan smiled. “Wow. You guys weren’t kid-”

The Bloombud released a piercing roar. They covered their ears. Sound bounced in every which way until the remnants diminished in tranquil silence. As they watched the smoke disappate, another sound took their attention.

“Guys. I think we need to get out of here!” said Alice.

A stalagmite collapsed onto a nearby crate.

“And fast!” added Ryan.

***

Josie and Alice followed Ryan as they raced against the furious tapping. The sound got louder and louder ever since they left. Josie felt her body was going slower than her mind wanted to go.

“Are we near the exit?” panted Alice.

“Not even close. Still got a ways to go.” answered Ryan.

“At this rate, we might have to face them head on.” said Josie.

“Or maybe...we can slow 'em down a little,” Ryan stopped and cast fire magic on the ground. “Try spreading it on the ceiling and walls.”

With boosted morale, they got to work. Some spots were more flammable than others thanks to certain crystals. Eventually, the passageway became painted with fire. Alice and Josie continued to set fires as they ran.

Alice looked over her shoulder. “I-Incoming!”

Josie glanced behind her. Though she wished she never did. A sea of small Bloombuds scurried towards them. When they made the turn, pained cries could be heard from the Nightmares. Many seemed to have fallen victim to their blockade. But the tapping sound kept pounding on.

A group of Bloombud quickly approached. Josie and Alice used fire magic. Several burned but the others steered away. They swung themselves around and attacked with magic, vines, and attempted bites. One landed on Ryan's head. He panicked and ripped it off his head. In the end, they defeated the Nightmares.

Ryan glanced over. “They’re getting closer!”

Josie hovered, then unleashed Dragwind. Smoke appeared left and right as it hacked through their numbers. She returned to Alice and Ryan. They ran past a mine cart that got toppled by the Bloombuds. Moments later, a Bloombud changed form and crushed the same cart. It roared and headed straight for them. The next passageway was up ahead. Ryan and Josie entered and quickly sped down the ramp. Alice slid down.

When the big Bloombud caught up, it slipped on the ice along with some of the tide. Three potential paths greeted Ryan.

“Go left!” he hollered.

Alice fell to her knees. She tried getting up but her right foot refused. Josie noticed. She scooped her into a princess carry and reunited with Ryan. The big Bloombud was gaining speed, almost on their heels.

“Josie, save yourself. I’m only slowing you down.” said Alice.

Josie looked into her eyes. “I can’t abandon you,” she returned her focus to the path. “There has to be another way.”

“...It’s risky. But,” she smiled to herself in thought. “Best to not overthink it.”

“Hey Ryan! Can you carry Alice for a moment?”

“Sure.”

Josie hovered and handed him Alice. She ascended, then propelled herself. A vine bursted forth. Josie dropped under. She clenched her fist.

“Fire punch!”

The Bloombud crashed into the ceiling. When it flopped back down, rocks rapidly rained. Josie moved out of the way. After the dust settled, rocks were piled high.

Alice and Ryan looked on in surprise for a moment.

Josie lowered her arms. She sighed and dusted herself. "Well, that settles that problem."

Ryan cracked a smile. “Smart move.”

Josie landed on the ground.

“Yeah. Sorry for collapsing the ceiling.” she rubbed her cheek.

“Nothing to feel sorry about. You did what felt right.”

He handed Alice back to Josie. She gently laid her down and healed her foot.

“I’m glad you’re safe.” said Alice.

Josie smiled. “I’m happy you’re safe too.”

Alice sat up. Josie helped her back onto her feet. Alice walked over to Ryan. She held a hand to her chest.

“Was this the only path to the Dream Kingdom?”

“It’s the most direct path. But not the only path.”

“Any idea where?” asked Josie.

“Personally? No. But a friend of mine in Illusha can help.”

“I see. Maybe in five minutes, we can go there.”

“Definitely. My legs are so sore right now.” said Alice.