"And this is where your magic succeeds in a place where mine fails."

Raptor's mouth fell ajar. Their turquoise eyes dilated. Moly was a bold friend, but this was very rash. Destinies and prophecies were fickle things, and it's better to be done with them sooner than later.

Raptor stood at the side of the bed. They stared at Buddy's barely living body, contemplating. They did not have the resources to mitigate the damage dealt, nor the abilities to bring the dead back to living. They only knew of one other way.

"Give me some space folks," Raptor said. "This is going to be big and bright."

Raptor took a breath before beginning their little ritual, then bright light engulfed them. Their form could only be seen behind the veil of light as an indistinct blob. The blob deformed, changing shaped to a large serpentine entity of pure light.

Soon, the light faded, and in place of Raptor was a serpent with silver scales. Their noodle-like body defied gravity as it hunched over Buddy without support. They possessed lithe limbs that appeared to be hard as steel, and a crocodilian head that sported golden teeth, pinken orbs, and handlebars for horns.

They held Buddy's head, holding open the wolf's mouth. They inhaled deeply before spewing a blast of life down its throat and esophagus. Buddy's eyes forced open as its body was filled with invigorating energy, and light was escaping from its every orifice.

Raptor transformed back to their previous form afterwards. They collapsed face first onto the tiled floor, groaning. Buddy, on the other hand, sat up, and began coughing out the stagnant blood that remained within.

Stripe released a cry of joy, and proceeded to hug their lupine friend. Metaphor only rejoiced at their side, kept her concern reserved. Buddy weakly smiled.

Hero released a breath of relief. He checked on Raptor who was out cold on the floor, fast asleep, breathing slowly. He carried the overgrown landbird who was surprisingly light for their size, and them upon a soft sofa at a corner of the shop. They slept soundly.

*sniff. *sniff. "Your hallowedness, your crumpets may be burning."

"The tea!" Moly exclaimed in response to Stripe's announcement. Moly ran to the kitchen with manic pace, causing tiny quakes that shook the floor. Smoke was wafting out the kitchen door, but the burnt baked goods appear to be under control.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Hero chuckled at the development. He exited the establishment to catch himself a breath of fresh air. However, the outside was no fresher than inside. All around him was ruined and toasted buildings, and people building fire pits, making themselves some tea and supper.

Hero went to a summit of a small hill; its slopes were composed of rubble and rebar. He gazed upon the vista of the ruined town: Columns of smoke, pitiful homes, glowing specks of distant fire, and felled electric poles. He felt sorry for the town, and within his heart, within his strong blue heart, a passionate fire ignited. He swore that he'll protect this town, from the threats monster like Torc that seek to raze this land.

"Fancy some tea, chap?" Moly appeared. In their hand was a tray of croutons, two teacups, and a kettle of bitter unsweetened tea.

Hero obliged, and both of them sat down for an impromptu tea time. They held a peaceful ceremony under the citrus glow of the dusk sky. It was a solemn moment where they communicated only in eye contact.

"So..." Hero broke the silence. "How long has this monster attacks been happening?"

"Ah. For as long as I can remember. I was only a fresh sprout back then when the monsters of Prometheus wreaked havoc across the Imaginarium."

"I see. That's a very long time."

"Indeed. They had sent waves after waves of monsters each as nasty as before for years now, perhaps even decades."

"Who is this Prometheus fellow?"

"King and father of monsters, bringer of the end, and some other obscure titles. The monsters answer to him."

"I see."

A weight fell upon Hero's heart. He wished this menace, this Prometheus, to stop, but he did not know how. He doubted that Prometheus would cease hostilities soon.

"Shaman Moly, do you know where Prometheus lives?" Hero asked. His location could the first step.

"Way over yonder, beyond the threshold, beyond Forestland, and in the highest summit and heart of Mountainland, lies Prometheus' castle." Moly answered, pointing to a distant mountainous silhouette due northeast. "If you're planning on stopping Prometheus, better prepare a week or month ahead. Many warriors have journeyed for the castle, but nobody has returned to tell about the fate that fell upon them.

Anyway, it's getting late. Cheers." Moly bade. They stood up, and headed for home. "If you'd like more croutons for supper, don't hesitate to visit me at my home."

The sun had by that time, and the orange dusk sky had been replaced with a dark sky littered with glowing points, and shining nebulae. Fine silver thread connected the stars that formed constellations. The cresent moon loomed above, like a silent observer, but a real observer loomed verily near.

Hero found himself tired, yawning. Finding the time peaceful enough, he decided to go to sleep. He was a light sleeper, some sort of ruckus will inevitably wake him up. He dug a small den at the bank of a ditch the dragon etched, curled inside, and went to slumber.

At the distance, a sinister observer watched Hero. It was a strange six-legged husky with compound eyes not unlike a dragonfly's, watched atop a multistorey building. Brown chitinous plates barely visible in the dark of night sheathed its body. It possessed two pairs of delicate insectoid wings on its back, and a pair of antennae ending in pinecone-like bulbs.

The strange dog scowled, showing its wicked pointy teeth. Hero's Prophecy's presence was alarming.

"The queen must know," the dog-bug huffed quietly.