CHAPTER 13
The Call for Help
The bustling energy of Eldoria’s marketplace had long faded into the backdrop of the guild hall. The trio stood before the towering mission board, its surface layered with an assortment of pleas, advertisements, and guild-approved tasks. Some of the parchment was worn and curling at the edges, while others were freshly posted, the ink still glossy. Hiro, Jason, and Lyra scanned the notices in silence, each one revealing another challenge or desperate plea.
Jason’s eyes lit up as he spotted a bold headline near the middle of the board: "Urgent! Slime Infestation Threatens Crops and Livelihoods!"
Jason: (grinning) “Slimes? Really? Sounds like the perfect warm-up quest!”
Lyra, standing beside him, arched an eyebrow at his enthusiasm.
Lyra: (calmly) “You’re underestimating them. Slimes may seem harmless, but their acidic properties can destroy barriers, crops, and anything unprotected. Carelessness will cost you.”
Jason: (mock gasping) “Oh no, the acidic terrors! Should I start shaking in my boots now?”
Hiro, his amber eyes focused and serious, ignored their exchange. His gaze remained on the farmer’s plea, written in hasty, jagged script.
"To the guild,
Please send help! The slimes are multiplying faster than I can keep up. They’ve already ruined half my fields, and my family’s livelihood is at stake.
—Jaron Redleaf, Farmer"
Hiro: (quietly) “This one.”
Without another word, he plucked the parchment from the board and handed it to the nearby guild clerk.
The clerk, a middle-aged woman with glasses perched on the tip of her nose, glanced at the parchment and raised an eyebrow.
Guild Clerk: “Slime infestations aren’t uncommon. You sure this is worth your time?”
Jason: (grinning) “It’s the perfect excuse to stretch our legs—and evaporate some goo.”
The clerk gave a noncommittal shrug and stamped the parchment with the guild’s approval seal, her hand moving with practiced efficiency.
Guild Clerk: “Suit yourselves. The farm’s just outside the city limits. Don’t let the slimes eat you alive.”
Jason smirked, nudging Hiro with his elbow.
Jason: “Hear that? Don’t let them eat you alive.”
Hiro’s expression remained unreadable as he turned toward the exit.
Hiro: “Let’s go.”
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Setting Off to the Farm
The trio made their way through the bustling streets of Eldoria, the golden light of late afternoon casting long shadows. Merchants called out their wares as the scents of roasted meat and sweet pastries wafted through the air. Yet, the lively city quickly gave way to the serene countryside as they exited the towering gates.
The fields stretched endlessly before them, their vibrant green hues marred by patches of destruction. Blackened soil and acidic slime trails hinted at the infestation’s severity.
Lyra knelt beside one of the slime trails, her sharp green eyes narrowing as she traced her fingers lightly over the burnt grass.
Lyra: “These aren’t ordinary slimes. Their acidity is stronger than I’ve seen before.”
Jason: (rolling his eyes) “C’mon, Lyra. A slime’s a slime. A few fire punches and—”
Lyra cut him off, her tone sharp.
Lyra: “Underestimate them, and you’ll regret it. Slimes may seem mindless, but they’re adaptable. If they’ve survived this long, it’s because they’ve found a way to overwhelm.”
Jason opened his mouth for a retort, but Hiro’s calm voice interrupted.
Hiro: “She’s right. Focus on the task.”
Jason sighed dramatically, throwing his hands in the air.
Jason: “Fine, fine. No underestimating the big bad slimes. But I’m still calling dibs on the first one.”
As they approached the farm, the sight of broken fences and scorched earth greeted them. A wiry man in patched clothes stood near the edge of the property, his weathered face lined with worry.
Farmer Jaron: “You’re the guild folk? Thank the gods. I thought no one would answer.”
Hiro inclined his head slightly, his gaze scanning the damaged fields.
Hiro: “We’ll take care of it.”
The farmer wrung his hands nervously, his eyes darting to the blackened patches of earth.
Farmer Jaron: “They’ve taken out half my fields already. If this keeps up, my family won’t have anything left. Please, just—please stop them.”
Jason cracked his knuckles, a confident grin spreading across his face.
Jason: “Don’t worry, old man. We’ll have your farm slime-free in no time.”
Hiro and Lyra exchanged a glance, the former’s expression as unreadable as ever, while the latter’s was tinged with quiet determination.
Lyra: “We’ll do our best.”
With that, the trio moved further into the farm, the scent of scorched earth and the faint, acrid tang of acid growing stronger with each step. The sun dipped lower on the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple as they prepared for the task ahead.
Jason: (grinning) “Alright, team. Let’s show these slimes what we’re made of!”
The Battle Begins
The first signs of movement came as the last rays of sunlight disappeared, casting the farm into twilight. From the blackened patches of soil, the slimes emerged. Their gelatinous forms shimmered under the fading light, their translucent bodies pulsing with an unnatural glow. Some were small, barely more than puddles of acid, while others loomed larger, their hulking masses oozing across the ruined crops.
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The hiss of acid eating through vegetation filled the air, and the acrid scent of decay became overpowering.
Jason: (grinning) "About damn time. Let’s squash some goo!"
Without waiting, Jason charged ahead, flames igniting around his fists. His fiery punches connected with the first wave of slimes, the intense heat evaporating them instantly into bursts of steam. The field was briefly illuminated by the fiery spectacle, Jason’s laughter cutting through the chaos.
Jason: (laughing) "These guys don’t stand a chance!"
Lyra remained further back, her sharp green eyes scanning the battlefield. Her hands glowed with green energy as she summoned vines from the earth. The tendrils snaked toward the slimes, wrapping around their gelatinous bodies with precision.
Lyra: (smirking) "Containment is key. No use fighting if they just keep spreading."
With a sweeping gesture, she directed the vines to pull the slimes into pits she had created earlier, sealing them off from the rest of the field.
Hiro stood at the center of the field, his staff in hand, the weapon’s surface shimmering faintly. His amber eyes tracked every movement, calculating the slimes’ erratic behavior. When a particularly large slime lunged at Jason from the side, Hiro’s hand shot out.
Hiro: "Force Projection."
A shimmering barrier of energy materialized between Jason and the creature, stopping it mid-lunge. The slime writhed against the barrier, its acidic surface hissing as it attempted to breach the magical defense. With a flick of his wrist, Hiro sent the creature hurtling backward. Lyra’s vines surged forward, quickly ensnaring the restrained creature and pulling it into a pit.
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A United Front
The trio moved with precision, their synergy growing more apparent as the battle continued. Jason’s relentless offense kept the smaller slimes at bay, his fiery punches reducing them to harmless steam. Lyra’s vines controlled the battlefield, ensuring that the slimes couldn’t regroup or spread further into the fields.
Hiro, with his precise and calculated movements, provided critical support. When Jason’s fiery charge left him vulnerable, Hiro’s barriers deflected surprise attacks. When Lyra’s vines were overwhelmed, Hiro’s Force Projection pinned down the threats until she could regain control.
The battle seemed to be turning in their favor, the once-overwhelming tide of slimes now reduced to scattered remnants. But just as the group began to regroup, the ground beneath them trembled.
From the largest pit Lyra had created, a massive slime emerged, towering over the others. Its translucent body pulsed with a strange, otherworldly energy, and its core glowed ominously. The acidic tendrils it extended hissed against the air, leaving deep scars on the soil as they lashed out.
Lyra: (startled) "That’s not normal. This must be what’s corrupting the others."
The massive slime surged forward, its movements faster and more deliberate than the others. It lashed out with one of its tendrils, the acidic strike slamming against Hiro’s barrier. The force of the attack sent cracks spidering through the shimmering shield, the magical energy barely holding.
Jason: (gritting his teeth) "We’ve got to end this now!"
Lyra nodded, her focus sharpening as her hands began to glow brighter. She glanced toward the nearby irrigation system, spotting a reserve of water. With a sharp gesture, she summoned the water, creating a torrent that surged toward the massive slime. The deluge crashed into its gelatinous body, causing it to ripple violently and weaken its form.
Hiro, seizing the moment, redirected the remaining energy from his barrier into a concentrated blast of Force Projection, pinning the creature in place.
Jason: "Time to finish this!"
With a blaze of determination, Jason leapt into the air, flames surging around his fists.
Jason: "Blaze Impact!"
His fiery punch struck the heart of the slime, the intense heat and force causing it to explode into harmless droplets. The acidic hiss faded, replaced by the quiet rustle of the wind through the charred fields.
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Aftermath
The trio stood amidst the scorched remains of the field, the once-overwhelming infestation reduced to harmless puddles. The air was thick with steam, and the acrid smell of acid lingered faintly.
Jason: (grinning, wiping his brow) "Well, that was a workout. Guess these slimes weren’t so slimy after all."
Lyra rolled her eyes but allowed a faint smile to tug at her lips.
Lyra: "Let’s hope there aren’t more of those... things lurking around."
Hiro’s gaze lingered on the ground where the massive slime had emerged. His thoughts churned with the implications of the creature’s strange energy.
Hiro: (quietly) "This wasn’t a normal infestation. Something’s driving them."
Jason: (grinning) "Well, whatever it is, let’s make sure it stays out of our way. No goo monsters ruining my day again."
The group turned back toward the farmstead, the horizon painted in hues of twilight.
Gratitude
The farmer approached slowly, his boots crunching against the scorched soil. His eyes darted across the now-cleared fields, wide with a mix of disbelief and relief. The once-verdant land was damaged, but it was salvageable—his crops could grow again. He stopped a few paces away from Hiro, Jason, and Lyra, his weathered hands trembling as he removed his hat.
Farmer: "I... I don’t know what to say. You’ve saved my livelihood. My family’s future."
Jason brushed dirt off his shoulders with an exaggerated flourish, a wide grin plastered across his face.
Jason: "All in a day’s work. Just glad we could help, old-timer."
Lyra shot Jason a bemused look before stepping forward, her voice soft but firm.
Lyra: "Take care of your land. It’ll take time, but it’ll recover."
The farmer nodded, his throat bobbing as he swallowed back emotion. From behind his back, he produced three baskets overflowing with fresh produce—apples, root vegetables, and herbs, still fragrant and dewy from the morning harvest.
Farmer: "It’s not much, but it’s the best we can offer. Please, take this as a thank you."
Jason wasted no time grabbing an apple, sinking his teeth into it with gusto.
Jason: (muffled through a mouthful) "Best apple I’ve ever had!"
Hiro accepted the basket with a polite nod, his amber eyes meeting the farmer’s with a hint of warmth.
Hiro: "Your gratitude is more than enough. Take care of yourself and your family."
Lyra, ever practical, inspected the contents of the basket. Her eyes lit up briefly as she spotted a bundle of herbs she recognized as useful for healing salves.
Lyra: "These will come in handy. Thank you."
The farmer’s family peeked out from the farmhouse, waving shyly. The sight of their smiling faces brought a sense of closure to the long day. With a final word of thanks, the trio made their way back to Eldoria, the baskets of produce carried between them.
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A Feast to Remember
Back at The Gilded Lantern, the inn was alive with the hum of conversation, adventurers and travelers swapping tales of the day’s exploits. The trio claimed a corner table near the fireplace, the warmth of the flames chasing away the chill of the night.
Lyra busied herself in the small kitchen area, using the fresh produce to prepare a meal. Her hands worked deftly, combining ingredients with precision. Steam and the mouthwatering aroma of roasted vegetables wafted through the air, drawing the attention of curious onlookers.
Jason leaned back in his chair, his stomach growling audibly.
Jason: "I’m starving. How long is this gonna take? I’m dying here!"
Hiro shot him a look, his voice deadpan.
Hiro: "You survived a giant slime. I think you can handle a few more minutes."
Finally, Lyra emerged, carrying plates piled high with food. Roasted root vegetables glistened with herbs, and freshly baked bread sat alongside a fragrant stew that filled the room with its rich aroma.
Jason dove in immediately, his eyes widening as he took his first bite.
Jason: "Holy shit, Lyra! Where’ve you been hiding these skills?"
Lyra’s lips quirked into a small smile as she settled into her seat.
Lyra: "I figured you’d appreciate something better than campfire rations for once."
Hiro ate in silence, savoring the meal. It was the first real food they’d had in weeks, and the comfort it brought was undeniable.
As the plates emptied, the conversation turned serious. Hiro set down his fork, his expression somber.
Hiro: "If a creature like that slime can appear so close to Eldoria, it’s a sign. The demons’ influence is spreading faster than we anticipated."
Lyra nodded, her green eyes reflecting the firelight.
Lyra: "We’ll need to be prepared. Every battle is a step toward understanding what we’re up against."
Jason raised his mug, his fiery energy undimmed.
Jason: "Prepared? Hell yeah. To us—and to whatever comes next! Let’s show this world what we’re made of!"
Hiro and Lyra exchanged a glance, a shared determination passing between them, before lifting their mugs. The clink of glass echoed through the cozy inn, their resolve solidifying amidst the warmth of the fire.
Outside, the winds carried whispers of coming storms, but within the walls of The Gilded Lantern, the trio found a rare moment of peace and camaraderie, a bond growing stronger with each shared victory.