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Thunder (Part 1)

Thunder (Part 1)

Three Beasts sit far away. Lahar recognizes them. They are the same ones that watched before. "Well, they're enjoying the show," Lahar says nervously, yet with a smile on her face. Bark steps forward. His massive size is just as intimidating as his drill-like horns. His fur matches the dark clouds above. The flames in his eyes grow brighter. Lahar feels a cold chill rush through her body as they stare at each other.

"Looks like he wants to join us," Arena says. He begins to mumble a spell as the wind blows stronger. The Beasts surrounding them suddenly stampede, their hooves stomping the ground.

Without missing a beat, Pie and King take action. Pie's flames burn bright as he spews golden flames from his mouth. King's arms and legs, already stone with fire emerging from the cracks, attack with persistent and calculated strikes any who get near him.

With Arena's final word, lightning strikes down from the sky, each bolt shocking a Beast. The gold streams used to analyze the tree become tentacles with pointed spearheads. They sliver around the battlefield, aiming for legs or wrapping Beasts with tremendous speed.

Even though Arena knows these creatures are as alive as characters in a movie are alive, he is still hesitant to make the final blow. Seeing them in front of him changes things for him. To hear them breathe, to see the footprints on the ground...he can't bring himself to do it.

He finds solace in knowing Lahar feels the same; it's apparent in her actions. She dials the strength of the water gun back as she fires. Each shot knocks them to the ground, but Arena can see they are still alive.

Her aim has gotten better. She now hits three out of four shots, while still moving around and avoiding the Beasts. Her movements are swifter and more elegant than when she last encountered them. Lahar reaches into her bag. She pulls out a vial filled with a green potion with hints of grass.

With haste, she opens the tank of the water gun and uncorks the potion with her mouth. Drops of water and potion fall to the floor as she continues to avoid the battle around her. Where the drops of potion fall, the grass grows to three times its size. Lahar runs back toward Arena and leaves the front line to King and Pie.

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She pours the potion inside and quickly screws the top back on the tank. Then she vigorously shakes the water gun for a few seconds. She is now far from the action. Her breathing steadies as she stares down at the sight.

Arena protects Lahar from any Beasts trying to come close to them, but he finds it difficult, as more and more of them emerge from the ground like weeds.

"This feels never ending," Arena says, keeping his eyes on his surroundings.

"I think if we focus on the three on the back, we can end this. Aren't they the puppeteers here?" Lahar takes aim at a Beast charging toward them. She fires a shot of green water.

The Beast isn't knocked back but is instead entangled by large, thick blades of bright-green grass. It tries to force himself free but to no avail. With his large, sharp teeth, he tries to gnaw himself free. The blades of grass remain intact.

"Wow, that's impressive."

"Thank you. Doc and I have been working on a series of potions to up my game," she says, firing another shot.

Steadily walking across the battlefield, Bark makes his presence known. He lifts his massive hoof up. In one forceful slam to the ground, a series of stone pillars launch from the grass and fly toward Arena and Lahar.

With a burst of fire, Pie knocks one off course. King turns one to rubble with a persist kick. Lahar fires a shot and entangles one in grass. Arena wraps the rest up in his golden tentacles.

One of Bark's pillars passes through all this, but Arena turns intangible and lets it pass through him. He throws the pillars, wrapped in gold, back at the fur ball. The massive Beast stands its ground and shatters the pillars with its horns. Arena can feel his body start to grow heavy. His hands are shaking, and his mind is dizzy. The golden streams fly up to the dark clouds above as he chants a spell that will crack the heavens.

Golden rays of light shine through the break in the dark clouds. Lightning dances in the sky as thunder shakes the ground. The leaves keep a strong grip on the branches as the wind tests their strength.

A storm brews as Arena stares at the Beasts surrounding them. The only thing competing against the thunder is the noise of Arena's breathing. Lahar notices his hands shaking. He seems exhausted, which is a strange sight for Lahar. Normally he is energetic and constantly moving.

"Are you okay?" Lahar asks quietly. "I'll take the lead. You step back and rest for a moment."

Arena forces his body to stop shaking and controls his breathing. He stands straight, just to show her he is fine.

"When is the student worried for the teacher?" he says, trying to hide his exhaustion. "This spell always takes a lot out of me. I guess I can't help overdoing it every once in a while. Stand back and enjoy the show."

While Arena speaks, the large Beast leads a charge, and the smaller ones charge with it. Pie, King, and Lahar prepare themselves until they hear Arena say the last word of his spell.