Axel was a fickle-minded person.

Melanie stared at Axel's hand firmly holding hers. The warmth of her flesh gave her a weird sense of comfort, but every time she remembered that it was from this same girl who threatened her a while ago, coldness replaced that warmth and iciness started to seep into her bones. She was feeling an array of emotions and she could not even distinguish one from the other anymore. Her thoughts were messy like a roaring ocean in the middle of a storm.

"Are you ready?" asked Axel when they finally halted. Melanie looked up and restrained herself from taking a step back. Instead, she froze. Axel noticed her stiffness and the one corner of her lips quirked up.

"Seems like you're getting excited, huh?" mocked Axel. Melanie slowly turned her anxiety filled gaze towards Axel. Her body was shaking, and her knees felt like they would buckle anytime. She blinked and opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Axel stared at her intently and her eyes darkened. Melanie understood that look and forced herself to calm down. She inhaled sharply. "Yes, of course."

"That's good to hear," Axel said as neon lights reflected on her face. She pulled Melanie closer, and they both stared at the infinity pool lying in front of them. Axel snaked her arm to Melanie's waist and gently squeezed it. "Brace yourself."

With no chance to comprehend what Axel just said, Melanie's screams became muffled when they suddenly jumped and submerged into the water. The pressure rang into her ears as she inhaled water. She tried to clasp her neck, but cold hands grabbed both of her wrists, brought them down, pinned them to her sides and hugged her from behind. She tried to glance at the person embracing her and noticed that the person had gills. Her eyes widened as she looked up and met Axel's dark eyes.

"There, there. I can see that you're amazed but we need to get out of here first or your shitty lungs will not be able to hold it for long," Axel chimed, speaking with no signs of difficulties.

"It must have been the gills," thought Melanie. "She can alter her own biology!"

Axel took the lead. They somersaulted and began to swim quickly towards the deep end. Melanie felt the pressure becoming intense the further they went deep, but somehow, Axel's holding her body helped her to survive at that point. Melanie stared ahead and completely ignored the skinship. She squinted her eyes and saw a burst of light coming from the seafloor. Axel kicked her webbed feet faster and they advanced towards the light with flashing speed. Melanie could not even shield her eyes from the blinding light.

Melanie felt nauseous when her body finally hit the solid ground. Her head was spinning, and her heart was pounding. She opened her eyes and found Axel hovering above her, still holding both of her wrists and wearing a smirk. Melanie met her gaze and quickly looked away. She felt herself being flustered because of their position. For a moment, Axel looked like a guy and Melanie could not help herself but feel embarrassed and uncomfortable.

Suddenly, the ground vibrated like there was something huge coming their way. Axel quickly got up and pulled Melanie with her, "Okay the fun ends here," she said and started running. "Let's go and find some low-level monsters to kill."

"Low level what?" Melanie was not sure if she heard right. Her eyes widened in horror. "There are real monsters?!"

"Dude, are you okay?" Axel taunted. "I told you that the name of the place we're going is Monster's Lair. What did your tiny brain expect?"

Melanie ignored the insulting remark and shrugged. "I-I don't know. I thought the name was just a metaphor."

Axel clicked her tongue and just smiled. "Your race really overthinks a lot."

Melanie's eyebrows drew together. She shook her head. "N-not exactly. " Then mumbled, "I guess?"

"Watch out!"

Melanie could not even blink when Axel pushed her body down and made her bend her knees. She quickly ducked when she felt something huge coming towards them. Her eyes widened when she heard the walls of the cave rattle and the ground tremble endlessly. When Melanie dared to look up, she saw a huge creature with hundreds of pairs of legs crawling along the walls of the cave. She was stuck in her position and gawked. She could not believe what she was seeing.

"Don't move, Melanie," Axel muttered under her breath. Melanie glanced at her partner through her peripheral vision, and she saw those dark eyes gleaming with excitement. They were staring at the creature with interest, grinning. Melanie could not comprehend what she was thinking.

"Let me handle this," Axel murmured and gestured to Melanie to stay close to the wall. Melanie complied without a second thought. She gulped. Axel is not planning to fight that monster, right? she thought.

Axel then approached the creature. "Hey ugly, look at me!"

Melanie gasped when Axel carelessly goaded the creature. The monster turned its huge head towards her, and it released a resonating roar. Melanie covered her ears in pain while Axel just laughed and pulled out her sword.

"Do you know how many of your kind were slashed by my blade?" Axel taunted. The creature seemed to understand what she implied, and it did not show any hesitation. It opened its mouth and revealed its razor-sharp teeth. A ball of light formed on its tongue.

"Oh, the little one wants revenge. How cliché."

Melanie winced hearing Axel's remarks. She could not understand why the other girl mocked the monster that did nothing but agitate it more. She was putting both of their lives in danger!

"There, there," Axel said and stepped forward. She spun the blade in her hand, "I know you're in pain and I'm proud to tell you that I'm willing to finish it."

Wind circulated on Axel's feet as her muscles became firm and strong. She sprung them off the ground and flew meters away, then landed on the top of the monster. The creature shook its body back and forth, attempting to make Axel fall but did not succeed. Axel's grin grew wider as she positioned the tip of her blade on the creature's head.

"Rest well," Axel said as she lowered down her sword. Melanie choked her scream when it bounced off its hard skin and was thrown meters away. Axel chuckled as if it was not a big deal at all and placed both of her hands on the monster's head. The flesh in her hands tore open and changed structure. It formed into a pair of sharp and thin blades. It penetrated the monster's brain and Axel started moving. The ball of light grew bigger on the creature's mouth as it cried out and faced Melanie's direction.

The monster's pure black eyes looked blank when it met Melanie's gaze. Her face turned pale and was etched with horror when she finally noticed what was happening. Melanie glanced towards Axel and saw her grinning widely. Axel was controlling the monster using the coordinating center of its bodily functions—the brain, and she intended to hit Melanie with the ball of light from the creature's mouth. Melanie covered her mouth and tears welled up in her eyes. She collapsed on the floor and whimpered.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"Sane and weak people don't last long here."

Melanie remembered Axel's words. She tried to act tough even though it did not last long. She tried to conceal her fear and replace it with excitement, but she could not fake it. No matter how hard she tried to hide it, her emotions would eventually prevail in her system. Were her efforts not enough? Why did Axel want to hurt her? What did she do wrong?

She began panicking as the ball of light left the monster's mouth. Time seemed to stop, and she could do nothing but stare at the energy approaching her. The red and orange swirls of lights encircling it reflected on Melanie's irises. It emitted soft vibrations that crawled into Melanie's skin as it came closer. She raised her hand and tried to reach the beautiful fire.

Memories started pouring inside her mind and a song echoed from her heart.

"Mom, please sing a lullaby, " said the young Melanie. Her mother gently tucked her in the bed as the kid yawned. The mother laughed and lowered her head to kiss her daughter's cheek.

"What do you want me to sing, sweetheart?" the mother asked. Young Melanie slightly opened her sleepy eyes and smiled.

"The usual one, mom, " she replied. Her mother nodded and sang.

"When the darkness beats you up,

and the world eats you up,

I would be there.

We will be there."

The mother ran her fingers through young Melanie's black hair to help her fall asleep. The kid continued staring and admiring her mother. She giggled when her mother pinched her nose.

"Nightmarish dreams have trembled you,

Silence of the night freaks you.

I would be there

We would be there.

Balls of tears have rounded,

And we are here to wipe it.

The crazy maze of this world

Making you one of its works."

"Aw. Look at you two," the father said as he entered the room. The mother and daughter looked at each other and grinned while the father joined them. The mother continued singing and the dad joined as well.

"I would be there.

We would be there.

Mommy would be there.

Daddy would be there.

Mommy would be there.

Daddy would be there."

They hugged little Melanie and kissed her. They made the kid feel their love and cuddled on the bed. They whispered sweet things until Melanie finally fell asleep.

"We'll welcome you with wide arms open, our dearest.

Wide arms open.

We'll let you cry on our shoulder, our angel.

Cry on our shoulder.

And when you're lost,

we will be here.

We'll be looking for you.

Our dearest angel. "

A tear rolled down from Melanie's cheek after remembering those memories she had with her parents. She blinked and her eyes welled up even more. She inhaled sharply. Those memories of her with her parents used to make her happy and gave her courage but the situation that she was in now was different. Her heart shattered to pieces once again. Those memories would only stay as memories. If only she could turn back time, she would definitely want to feel their warmth once again.

However, the ball of light beaming closer than before snapped her attention back to reality. The moment her fingertips and the ball of energy touched, it quickly dispersed, and it sent her flying. Melanie groaned when her body hit the wall. She inhaled sharply and mustered her strength to stand up. Her eyes widened in surprise as she lifted her gaze.

Deep cracks on the walls of the cave were created due to the impact. The huge monster lay on the floor with its body scattered into tiny pieces. Green blood oozed out from its flesh, and it released a strong acidic odor that created a fog around them. Melanie continued to look around, squinting her eyes and she saw a figure leaning against the wall. Melanie hesitated but she still approached it knowing that she had nowhere to go if she left Axel there. She heard the unsteady pants of the person. She waved her hands to relocate the fog blocking her sight and gasped upon the sight.

"I'm impressed," said Axel in a low voice. "You almost had me there."

"Y-you're...." stuttered . She bent down and grabbed Axel's arm. She placed it over her shoulder and helped her stand on her feet. Axel coughed as they walked away from the corpse of the monster. When the fog finally cleared, Melanie suddenly became aware of Axel's state. Her dark eyes were bloodshot and the nerves underneath her tan skin were visible. They were bulging and dilated as if they were ready to explode. Melanie settled Axel down for a bit and watched her struggle.

She looked around but no one was there to lend them a hand. She returned her gaze to Axel, and she looked more horrible than before. Melanie suddenly remembered the stunt that Axel attempted to pull off earlier. She should be angry. Axel tried to kill her! Why would Melanie help her now that the tables had turned?

Melanie sighed. There was no use in battling with her thoughts or holding grudges. Even though she did not know why Axel wanted to hurt her, she must do the next right thing. Her conscience would not take it lightly if she left Axel in that miserable state. She lowered herself and cupped Axel's cheek, "What happened to you, Axel?"

Axel's dark eyes met Melanie's purple ones, she smirked, "The poison didn't affect you at all."

"What poison..." Melanie trailed off. She blinked and recalled the fog covering them earlier.

"Yes, and you managed to nullify them all," said Axel as if she was reading Melanie's thoughts.

Melanie shook her head. "No, I—"

"Too bad,"

Melanie caught her breath when someone whispered just behind her ear. She felt her skin crawl just by hearing that high-pitched voice. She forced her feet to move but they won't listen to them. She felt Axel's glare at the person behind her. The corner of her lips tugged up despite the horrendous condition of her body.

"Tamonjie..." called Axel with a warning tone. She tilted her head, still wearing the unpleasant smile, and her eyes darkened, "Don't you dare touch what's mine. Go find a corpse and play with them instead like you always do."

"That's boring. I want to try something new," the person replied and snaked their arms around Melanie's waist and neck, "I hope you won't mind if I want to play with your toy for a little bit."

Melanie gasped. She opened her mouth and shouted the initial words she thought of, "I'm not her toy!" She gathered her courage and managed to set herself free from the person's grip. She turned around and saw the little psychopath who was holding her captive minutes ago. Melanie was visibly taller but the dominance that the girl was giving off looked like she had an invisible huge lion friend with her.

The girl smiled while her long grey hair flowed from her shoulder and her crimson red eyes glowed. "A toy must know her place."

Melanie could not help herself but stare at those intimidating crimson orbs. Her mind played tricks with her, and she thought she heard screams of pain and menace just by staring at the eyes of the little girl named Tamonjie. She wondered how many people have been killed while having those eyes as a witness.

"Stop messing around with her, Tamonjie," said Axel. Melanie looked at her and she saw her leaning against the wall for support, "Did you bring some healing potions with you?"

Tamonjie chuckled, "You know that I'm immune to any physical or emotional attacks, right? Why would I bother to bring one?" she said nonchalantly then her smile faded away. "And if ever I did bring one, I don't see any reason to give it to you," she added and looked at Melanie from head to toe, "Unless..."

Melanie shivered. Tamonjie's stares were piercing, and they were fixated on her. They mirrored her desire, but it was nothing sexual. It was more like Tamonjie was killing her inside her head in the most inhumane way possible. Melanie unconsciously stepped back, and she instantly felt cold trembling hands touching her shoulders.

"You should clean your ears," said Axel. "I said I'm not going to let you play with what's mine."

"Fine! Fine!" surrendered Tamonjie and fished out something from her jeans. She threw it in Axel's direction and the latter caught it effortlessly. "There. It will be a shame if you're going to die now. I still want to see your face when I finally lay my hands on your toy."

"Shut up," said Axel then drank the serum. Tamonjie just smirked and pulled the hood over her head. She glanced at Melanie and stared weirdly again. Melanie just averted her eyes and stood by Axel's side. She completely ignored the little psychopath's crimson red gaze and even her remarks.

Axel threw the empty vial on the ground and winked at Tamonjie. "Thanks, babe."

"Babe my ass, I'm going out of here," said Tamonjie and vanished in the darkness. Melanie turned to Axel and saw her glowing in green light. Her pale skin regained its natural color and her dark eyes returned to normal. She smiled and looked at Melanie.

"Shall we continue our adventure, Melanie?"