No sooner had Merlynn crossed the threshold, she felt the connection of mana from Flameria cease leaving her with what little mana she had recovered since the fight with Eddy. She took another step forward only to buckle from the drastic shift. “Dammit!” Merlynn cursed as she fell. Before she could get far, she felt all her weight being lifted as Cyrus reached out stabilizing her with one arm.
“You need to rest Merlynn.” Cyrus said sternly. “What I need is a beer and a handful of cigarettes. Then I have some gardening to do!” Merlynn snarked pulling away from Cyrus. She then barreled out the door into the bar noticing the concern and confusion on the faces of the regular patrons.
“Gods Lynn are you okay!?” Daisy’s voice rang out accompanied by crashing plates. “Daisy! Where’s Corey and Dellah!?” Merlynn asked, her voice seeping with worry. Dellah is asleep upstairs and Corey is trying to help with Stumpy, why what’s going on!?” Daisy asked wiping her hands on a towel with a serious look on her face.
“I’ll explain when I get back. When Corey returns keep him here. Let no one past this room, even if we trust them!” Merlynn shouted, grabbing two beers and charged out the doors, Cyrus trailing behind her.
Cars and people packed the street trying to get away from the carnage unfolding as a twenty-story oak tree stomped everything in its path. “Goddamn birds!!!” the mighty magical oak bellowed as it crashed two enormous limbs into the side of a skyscraper. Countless pigeons flew from the shattering building as the massive oak roared, hurling apples the size of a school bus at the fleeing flock decimating them into nothing more than a mist of feathers. As gigantic apples continued flying one smashed into the road cratering the pavement while another smashed into a car garage exploding into a spray of chunks. Car alarms roared out of sync sending the mighty tree into a flailing rage.
“DOWN STUMPY!!! BAD STUMPY!!!” Gloria stood on the corner of the street screaming till she was red in the face. “What in the gods name is a Wisen Wood doing here!?” Cyrus shouted to Merlynn pointing at the tree as he caught up to her side. “A story for another time! First, we’ve got to stop Stumpy!” Merlynn shouted back in concern. “Lynn, Gloria!!!” Abbey called out as she and Fyri touched down beside them. “Fyri! Where have you been!?” Cyrus asked heated, then pointed up at Stumpy. “Oh! Your world has Wisen Wood too???” Fyri asked Merlynn with a sincere smile.
“No…that thing is most definitely from ours. Get as many people as you can to safety, I’ll handle the Wood.” Cyrus affirmed as he started walking towards the monolithic tree. “No worries my man. Any friend of Fyri’s is a friend of mine! I can handle a silly tree!” Abbey beat a fist against her chest then flew off faster than a rocket. “Abbey wait!!!” Merlynn jutted forward screaming but was too late. Abbey was within striking distance in seconds.
“Something heroic but classy Abs.” Abbey spoke to herself. “Someone call a gardener!? Looks like you’re a bit overgrown!” Abbey shouted as she spun her arms around once then clapped her palms together sending a large crescent shockwave at the tree as it aimlessly meandered away from the party. With a resounding slap followed by a crack, the bladed wave sliced into the canopy of the sentient oak, cutting it clean from its trunk. The tree stopped a step after its canopy crashed to the ground. It then silently spun, narrowing its searing golden eyes and gaping glowing mouth on Abbey.
As the two made eye contact Abbey nervously giggled just before being grabbed in a knotty branched grip then profusely pummeled into the side of a skyscraper as Stumpy roared in anguish. After the sixth solid slam Abbey had enough and forced her energy to explode outward in a fiery sphere. Stumpy recoiled from the fire that lashed across its limbs and trunk. In the moment the fire struck the massive tree it twisted and gnarled as its bark turned black as coal. From the crevices of its eyes and mouth poured flame, and with a new wicked grin it turned to Abbey and hurled a gigantic flaming apple directly at her.
As the massive ball of flaming fruit hurdled towards Abbey, she panicked focusing on the absurdity of the situation, but was saved as the flaming apple was cut in a cross then each flaming slice snuffed with a gust of spiraling wind each.
Cyrus strode forward, wind dissipating from his wrists, then leapt high above Stumpy in a single bound. As he rose into the air his voice could be heard everywhere. “Come to me, Masamune!” Cyrus’s voice boomed then snapped all other sounds to silence as the sky darkened and twisted over the city.
Light rolled through the clouds gaining intensity till reaching the epicenter above Stumpy. Within the next second the sky flashed as Cyrus exploded through the clouds brandishing a living bolt of lightning. As lighting would fall to Earth, Cyrus shot to the ground in blinding speed drawing a crackling line of light straight through Stumpy. With a flick of his wrist the lightning dissipated revealing a massive odachi and a blade song later the colossal oak fell to its rooted knees exploding into light filled shards.
Cyrus shifted his weight and suddenly vanished, reappearing amongst the party then instantaneously transformed into a shining silver dragon shielding them from oncoming shards with his glinted feathered wings. Light refracted off his shiny scales as the dark clouds above dissipated, the gleam glowing brighter as he withdrew his wings.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“OH… MY… GOD...A real life dragon!” Abbey squealed in joy as she launched herself at Cyrus, clinging around his neck with glee. As her grip on him tightened you could barely hear his choking complaints, over her ecstatic excitement. “Alright girly you’ve had your fun, now let the pretty dragon go.” Fyri hastily barked. “Please do!” Cyrus whined.
“Oh! I’m sorry…wait…once in a lifetime!” Abbey apologized then pumped her fist with a wicked grin. “Do something for me and I’ll let you go! Nothing bad I promise!” Abbey snickered towards Cyrus. “FINE, just let me go!” Cyrus pleaded. Abbey swiftly released him then floated up to his ear, a small hole behind a horned frill, whispering awfully suspiciously. “Wait what’s a ‘layzar’?” Cyrus asked in vivid confusion.
“Just say it! Then do the damn thing!” Abbey grinned rubbing her hands together like a fly. “Fine…IMMA FIRIN’ MY LAYZAR!” Cyrus roared aloud his head lifted to the sky, he then exhaled a massive, condensed blast of white light that formed into frozen sphere in the sky. A second short blast of fire later, and it detonated the glacial orb into a blanket of snow that gently drifted down to the city streets. Cyrus shifted back to normal as everyone, including bystanders, stared in amazement before roaring into celebration. “Not exactly what I had in mind but I’ll take it.” Abbey smiled brightly reaching out for flakes of snow. “Everyone to the Addled Mimic! A round of food and drink for all!” Merlynn cheered throwing her fist in the air. The crowd roared in greater excitement lifting Cyrus onto their shoulders, carrying him like a rolling wave towards the Addled Mimic. Merlynn walked up to the remains of the massive tree as the crowd crammed themselves into the bar. Nestled within the center was a very large acorn with two teary golden motes wobbling on its surface. “Come on Stumpy, let’s go home.” Merlynn cooed as she cradled the large acorn in her arms.
Back at the Addled Mimic, a rowdy gathering crashed through the door with Merlynn bringing up the rear coddling Stumpy. Corey gave her a wry look of confusion mixed with concern as the people kept pouring in. Merlynn responded with a sheepish grin as she shrugged. He smiled back shaking his head then wrapped a bandana around it. Afterwards he headed back to the kitchen stirring up the crew, as Daisy directed servers to tables which were immediately sat. “Lynn!” Claire wailed as she all but tackled Merlynn clinging to her dearly. Merlynn smiled patting her head then hauled her up to her lips kissing her deeply. Claire melted, her sobbing softly dissipating, as Merlynn pulled her in tighter. “I missed you.” Merlynn shouted releasing from the kiss. “I missed you too.” Claire sobbed slightly wiping at her puffy red eyes.
Claire clung to Merlynn`s side as the rest of the night continued with Merlynn walking around the Addled Mimic checking on everyone. Gloria sat next to Hiro explaining everything in grand detail as she stuffed her face. Hiro held onto every word she spoke, not touching any of the food on his own plate. “I think Hiro has a crush.” Claire giggled into Merlynn’s ear. “I think my little Glory does too.” Merlynn giggled, leaning her head against Claire’s. As Merlynn attempted to approach them Claire stopped her with a hand. “Let’s leave them be.” Claire urged her pulling her towards Cyrus and Fyri whom were both swarmed by a mass of pestering Otaku. “Wow your costumes are amazing! I thought the cons next week though… Excuse me miss but can I take a picture with you…I’m sorry but that is not a proper representation of one of all times most beloved characters…Holy shit these biceps!” Patronized the sweaty horde of assorted fans. “Ladies! Gentlemen! Please give our guests some breathing room.” Merlynn intervened, stepping between them and smoothing out the horde into manageable individuals.
“Fyri would you mind having your picture taken?” Merlynn asked, noticing the relief wash over Cyrus and Fyri both. “What’s a picture?” Fyri asked puzzled. Hearing the sweet tone of her voice the fans swooned in unison. “It’s like a painting only it’s instant and managed with a handheld device.” Merlynn answered as the condescending fan chose to go elsewhere. “Instantly? Sure, I gotta see this!” Fyri answered in disbelief. A pudgy middle-aged man stepped forward holding out his mobile phone. Claire slid away from Merlynn taking the man’s phone then posed him by Fyri. “Remember now hands to yourself.” Claire grinned, taking a quick picture then immediately showed it to Fyri. “By the shifting sands that’s amazing!” Fyri exclaimed in amazement. “It’s a decent photo but we could take better!” Claire added making the man blush. Fyri nodded profusely in excitement. After several more photos and multiple poses the man bowed profusely thanking them and swearing to his loyal continued patronage.
Merlynn then helped the rest of the fans weed through their questions, each promptly leaving after being satisfied. “That was a different kind of terror than I’m used to.” Fyri admitted whipping her brow. “It was refreshing to me honestly.” Cyrus spoke up moving up closer. “I was kind of an outsider to my village, so I got used to a sort of attention similar to that, just closer to likes of that hateful guy that left.” Cyrus added shifting his weight on a wooden beam. “ I’m sorry I got you two involved.” Merlynn apologized, bowing to them both. “No worries, Lynn were friends now! Isn’t that right Cy?” Fyri assured her. “Aye, although our time together was short, I respect you as a warrior, and know you have a good heart.” Cyrus answered, bumping his chest with his fist. “That means yes.” Fyri sighed audibly with a chuckle.
After sharing a hearty laugh Merlynn urged them to follow her. They both agreed then trailed behind her as she weaved through the crowd, all the while holding onto Claire. As they neared the back of the bar, Merlynn called over a server then asked her to deliver a message to Corey and Daisy to meet them in the back. She nodded and saluted her, then took off in a hurry. Afterwards they entered the back room with the portal, each of them sitting on something comfortable around a large oaken table. Minutes later Daisy and Corey entered the room followed by another server holding a platter of assorted drinks. Introductions were made around the table after which Merlynn gave everyone time to break off in casual conversation before collecting their attention. “Everyone if you don’t mind have a seat and get comfortable. We’ve got a lot to talk about.” Merlynn spoke aloud gripping a beer between her hands.