Bo watched the boy’s form disappear into the mist. The air in the clearing seemed heavy now, pressing down with a silence that held his gaze where the boy had vanished. His eyes stayed on the dark trees, hoping against reason for a last glimpse.
A gentle rustle broke the silence as Lucy appeared beside him, her wings whispering with quiet light. She settled herself, her expression unreadable, as she followed his gaze toward the dark woods.
"Did I do the right thing?” Bo’s voice was quiet, almost swallowed by the mist around them. “He’s just a kid, and I sent him back out there alone…”
Lucy’s eyes softened, and she looked down at him with something close to understanding. “You gave him a path forward. That’s more than most get.”
He nodded, but his heart twisted with worry. “Still, I feel like I sent him into a trap… If something happens to him…”
“Listen, Bo,” she interrupted, her voice firm but not unkind. “Everyone faces their own trials, no matter how young or small. He chose to take on his sister’s suffering, to risk himself to find the cure for her. If this is the boy’s fate, whether he survives or fails, it was his to decide.”
He didn’t reply, his gaze fixed on the mist that had already swallowed the boy whole. Lucy watched him a moment longer, then sighed, brushing imaginary dust from her sleeves.
“Well, you don’t have the luxury to stay soft,” she said, her tone shifting back to its usual briskness. “You’ve got your own training to do, and no one’s going to coddle you through it. As you are now, a particularly adventurous mutt could make you its next snack.”
He looked up, mildly offended. “I’m not completely defenseless, Lucy.”
Her wings gave a faint shimmer as she chuckled. “Defenseless? No. But fragile. You’ve survived this long by luck and a little cleverness, Bo, but if you want to keep that boy’s path safe or have any real say in your own, you’re going to need more than that.” She turned, half-smiling as she spoke over her shoulder. “Don’t waste it.”
And with that, she vanished into the mist, leaving Bo standing in the empty clearing, her words ringing in his ears.
----------------------------------------
Two days later, Bo stood in the field outside Lucy’s manor, squinting against the morning sun as he braced himself for another round of training. The damp grass sparkled in the morning light, a peaceful contrast to the endless thuds and grunts he was producing as he hopped about, trying to control his still-floppy limbs. The effort was exhausting, but he was determined to push on.
Aeri hovered nearby, her silver sphere casting a faint glow over the ground. “Are you actually trying, or is this your idea of flopping about with purpose?” she asked, sounding a touch too satisfied with his struggle.
He sighed, pausing to catch his breath. “Hey, I’m doing my best. This whole... squishy body thing doesn’t come with a manual, you know.”
Her light pulsed with faint amusement. “Please, your best has about as much bite as a stale dumpling. Do you want to get stronger, or do you want to be a walking dessert forever?”
Bo gave her a withering look. “Of course I want to be stronger. But look at me—I’m practically a marshmallow with eyes! What am I supposed to do?”
Aeri sighed in mock exasperation. “Your body’s different now. It’s adaptable, flexible—you’re not bound to muscle and bone like before. Think of it as a... living clay, able to stretch, shape, even change as you need.”
He tried focusing on that idea, drawing his limbs closer and feeling for the possibility of transformation. “Alright, living clay… let’s see if I can get something closer to actual hands.” Though he had tried this already for two days, without much result.
Slowly, his stubby arms began to grow, forming vague, mitten-like shapes where his hands should be. He had tried to form more actual fingers, but had only managed a mitten-shape for now. They weren’t perfect, but it was a start. His feet, too, grew slightly, giving him something closer to actual limbs, though they still had a certain… fluffiness to them.
Bo’s face lit up. “Yes! It’s working!”
But then his elation faded as he noticed that his ‘hands’ still resembled puffy, mitten-like blobs. He sighed, attempting to force them into something with fingers. The mochi substance shivered and twitched, but stubbornly refused to form anything resembling digits. No fingers, no thumbs—just vague, puffy stumps.
“Great,” he muttered, his bunny ears drooping. “I’ve got mitten-hands. Super helpful for... absolutely nothing.” He sighed, staring at the fluffy appendages with dismay.
Aeri floated closer, inspecting his work with mild approval. “Not bad for a mochi bunny, I suppose.” She paused, then added, “Though I’d hate to see you try to use them for anything requiring fine motor skills.”
“Baby steps,” he replied, giving her a sideways glance. But inwardly, he felt a strange excitement; the more he trained, the closer he seemed to get to his body’s hidden potential.
As he continued his efforts, trying to shape his arms into something more useful, a soft, chime-like sound echoed around him. A small icon blinked in the corner of his vision, pulsing with a gentle glow. Bo tilted his head, curiosity piqued, as he mentally focused on the icon.
The status window popped up, and he blinked as a new section of his skill tree glowed, an unfamiliar branch lighting up. He concentrated on it, and a prompt appeared in the air:
Unlockable Skill: Detachable Limbs
You’ve begun to explore the flexibility of your body, opening doors to new abilities. This skill grants you the power to create detachable limbs and control them within a meter’s range. Detached limbs retain connection to your main form, allowing for remote actions. Each level increases range and limb control. Can be evolved. Can be fused with other skills.
Bo blinked in surprise, staring at the window. “Wait… I can just detach parts of myself?”
Aeri rolled her eyes. “Don’t sound so shocked. Your body’s practically made for this kind of thing. Just imagine what you could do with a little creativity.”
He scratched his head thoughtfully, pondering the possibilities. “I guess I could... extend my reach, maybe distract enemies with decoys… It’s got potential.” He reached for the skill to unlock it, but found himself stuck. The icon remained dark, and as he stared at it, a new message popped up.
Quest: Trial of Limbs
Prove your adaptability by navigating this unique trial, a challenge designed to test your courage, perseverance, and bouncy resourcefulness. Success will unlock the skill. Bonus rewards await those who excel and achieve the hidden objective!
Quest Reward: Skill Unlocked: Detachable Limbs
Bonus Reward: ???
Bo’s ears perked up. “Wait, bonus rewards? Maybe it’s not just another cruel—”
Before he could finish his thought, a ripple of energy swept through the area. The lights dimmed, and the faint scent of something sweet—like baked goods—wafted through the air. He glanced up, and there she was, floating lazily above them with a devilish grin.
Lucy.
“Well, well, looks like someone’s found their first real challenge.” Her wings fluttered behind her, scattering faint motes of light as she descended. She hovered just above Bo, her eyes glinting with mischief.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Bo’s squishy body deflated slightly. “What do you mean ‘challenge’? This is another one of your traps, isn’t it?”
Aeri, floating beside him, was as relaxed as ever. “What? Already nervous? It’s just a challenge—don’t be such a wimp. Though I’m sure someone as… Limited as you might find it a struggle.”
Bo shot her a sideways glance. “I’m definitely taking this up with HR, this is clearly bullying!”
Aeri floated closer, the usual hint of mockery in her tone softened. “Well, if you can’t handle a little test, maybe Lucy’s right. You’d be a better snack than a fighter.”
He glared at her, rising to the challenge. “Fine. I’ll do it. Whatever this trial is, I’ll complete it.”
She huffed, her spherical body bobbing slightly in the air. “Just hurry up and get on with it. Lucy’s waiting. And you should be grateful; this world is one of her best creations.”
Lucy’s grin widened, and she clapped her hands together, causing a burst of sparkles to fill the air. “Of course it is! It’s also one of my favorites.” She reached down, pinching his cheek playfully, her fingers sinking into his squishy form. “You’re going to love it!”
“I’m not sure about this…” Bo muttered, glancing at Aeri, trying to get some help. Her metallic sphere form pulsed with energy, the faint light reflecting off his mochi-like body, her pleasure evident in those digital-like eyes of hers that were squinted with joy as she just watched.
“Ah, but you’ll gain a very special skill if you pass it,” she teased, releasing him as she hovered back, crossing her arms. “Imagine all the things you could do with detachable limbs—grab things from afar, fight multiple enemies at once, prank people from a distance... The possibilities are endless!”
Bo huffed, rubbing his cheek. “Yeah, but that sounds like an easy way to lose an arm... or a leg.”
Lucy shrugged, a casual wave of her hand causing a shimmer of energy to ripple through the room. “That’s the point. You have to prove you can handle the power. The trial will make sure of that.” She paused, leaning in closer, her grin softening into something almost encouraging. “But don’t worry. I believe in you, Bunbun.”
“It’s Bo!” he protested, though his ears twitched at her words. Despite everything, the encouragement felt... nice.
“Sure, sure. Anyway,” Lucy continued, “if you pass the trial, you’ll not only get the skill, but you might also get something... extra.” She gave him a sly smile, her wings fluttering playfully. “But that’s only if you prove you’ve got what it takes.”
Bo tilted his head. “And if I don’t?”
“Oh, then we’ll just have to find a... different use for you.” She tapped her chin thoughtfully, her expression shifting to one of playful menace. “Maybe as a cute, regenerating stress ball. Or an eternally tasty snack.”
Bo shuddered. “You’re evil, you know that?”
Lucy’s grin only grew. “Aww, don’t be such a drama mochi.” She floated back, her hands starting to weave in the air as the fiery energy around her started blazing ever so slightly. “Now, get practicing. The portal to the trial will open soon. Don’t keep it waiting!”
Bo was about to ask what that meant when suddenly a shimmering portal ahead of him rippled out of the air. With a whoosh, he was suddenly whisked up and thrown into the portal.
The world around him twisted and blurred, and for a brief, dizzying moment, Bo felt like he was being spun in every direction at once. When the spinning finally stopped, he found himself standing—well, bouncing—on solid ground.
But the ground wasn’t exactly normal. It was a massive stone bridge, suspended in the sky. Jagged cliffs and fiery pits of molten lava stretched out below him, and towering castle walls rose high above his tiny bunny form. Massive, black banners fluttered from the ramparts, emblazoned with a symbol that looked suspiciously like Lucy herself, with her signature devilish smile.
The entire castle was alive with sound—drums pounding, guitars riffing in the distance, and an almost rhythmic thundering echoing from somewhere deep within. It was a chaotic, fast-paced, rock-and-roll hell of a trial.
Bo blinked. “Wait… This place… It feels like…”
Before he could finish, Lucy’s voice crackled in his ear from out of nowhere, smug as always. “Are you ready?”
As the words left her, the drums picked up speed, and the ground beneath Bo rumbled ominously. Just as he was starting to panic, Lucy’s playful, yet slightly menacing, voice rang out from above.
“WELCOME, little one, to the ultimate test of your skills! This is the Castle Chaos trial, inspired by a little game I love from your world. But don’t get too comfy—I’ve enhanced it for extra fun!”
Bo felt a lump in his throat as he looked ahead. The path in front of him was lined with floating platforms, some of which were moving in rapid, jerky motions. Giant gears spun on either side of the castle walls, and massive flaming boulders rolled in the distance.
“Extra fun… Right…” Bo muttered, already dreading what was to come.
“Your mission is simple, little Mochibunny,” Lucy purred, her voice dripping with amusement. “Reach the core area of the castle without getting squashed, fried, or, well… Eaten. Along the way, collect four keys hidden in the course. If you complete the trial without getting squished more than three times, you’ll unlock a very special bonus reward.”
“And what if I do get squished?” Bo asked, already fearing the answer.
Lucy laughed. “Well, you’ll get to start all over again, of course! But don’t worry—each time you fail, I’ll be right here to laugh at you—I mean, encourage you~”
Bo sighed. “At least I won’t be permanently obliterated...”
Aeri hovered beside him, her silvery form vibrating slightly, clearly trying to suppress her amusement. “You can also collect special items and coins as you go. There are Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Mithril Coins scattered throughout the level. They’ll be stored in my inventory once you grab them, so make sure you don’t miss any. Oh, and don’t forget about the special wisps—er, I mean, Shining Stars and Luminous Sparks. Collect enough of those, and you’ll unlock… Well, you’ll see.”
Bo narrowed his eyes. “What kind of twisted video game world have I landed in?”
Before Aeri could respond, the ground beneath Bo lurched, and the massive stone bridge he was standing on began to crumble. He yelped and immediately dashed forward—well, hopped forward, as fast as his squishy and bouncy legs could manage.
The music kicked up a notch, the rhythmic pounding of the drums now matching the beat of his tiny heart. Ahead of him, the first wooden bridge platform wobbled precariously, suspended over a pit of bubbling lava. Bo gulped and made a desperate leap toward it.
He landed with a soft splat, the platform shaking beneath him. He barely had time to steady himself before the sound of rolling thunder echoed from behind him. Bo whipped around just in time to see a giant, flaming boulder hurtling toward him.
“RUN!” Lucy’s voice boomed with glee. “Or bounce, or whatever it is you do!”
Bo didn’t need to be told twice. He threw himself off the bridge platform and onto the next, narrowly avoiding being flattened by the boulder. It crashed into the platform behind him with a deafening BOOM, sending bits of stone flying in every direction.
He panted heavily as he landed on the next platform. “This… Is… Insane!”
Aeri’s voice crackled in his ear again. “You’ve barely started. I’d save the complaints for later, if you survive that is~”
Bo groaned but pressed on. The next section of the course was even worse. Giant swinging axes hung from the ceiling, their blades gleaming in the dim light. Between the axes were spinning platforms, each one rotating faster than the last. Bo’s mochi body trembled as he sized up the challenge.
“I’m just as crazy for accepting this…” he muttered before launching himself forward.
He bounced onto the first spinning platform, the momentum nearly sending him flying off the edge. Bo flailed his stubby limbs, desperately trying to stay on. The platform spun faster and faster, and just as Bo thought he was going to lose control, he leaped to the next platform.
This time, he wasn’t so lucky.
The edge of the platform crumbled under his feet, and Bo plummeted toward the lava below.
“No, no, NO!” Bo screamed as he fell.
SPLASH—He hit the molten chocolate lava, sending waves of chocolate everywhere around him as his mochi form gained a chocolatey cover, and just before the world shimmered around him, he could swear that he saw Lucy gazing at him with a predatory look as she licked her lips. Then, within an instant, he was back at the starting point.
Lucy’s laughter echoed through the sky. “Whoops! Looks like you didn’t make it very far. Better luck next time!”
Bo shuddered, rubbing his fluffy head. “That felt… surreal… This is going to take forever…”
Aeri’s voice chimed in, her tone smug. “Hurry up—you’re burning time.”
Bo took a deep breath, steeling himself for the next attempt. He glanced around at the looming castle walls, the fiery pits below, and the giant boulders and axes waiting to crush him. This was going to be the most difficult—and absurd—challenge of his life.
If only he knew what else Lucy had waiting for him later on…
“Alright, Castle Chaos,” Bo muttered, bouncing forward. “Let’s do this.”
And with that, he launched himself back into the fray.