𝙏𝙃𝙐𝙉𝘿𝙀𝙍 // 𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙪𝙚 𝙭 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙮

When [Y/N] came to, it was dark and silent. She didn't know how long she'd been unconscious for with the walls so dark it felt like she was being closed in on. It was claustrophobia at its finest.

She got to her feet, stumbling into the wall.
"Rogue? Kuschel?" she shouted, but got no response. She tried again, to call out for someone, anyone she knew, but got no answer.

She staggered along, eyes rheumy, until she came across hushed but angry muttering. She stumbled towards the source where a large, buff man in the same hooded cape and arm was holding his sword to the neck of a small girl - black-haired, with her eyes squeezed tight with fear.

"Sound Dragon's Roar!"

[Y/N]'s voice came out hoarse and raw but, having been still for so long, her magic power had almost fully replenished and it seemed to do the trick as the robust man was sent reeling and hit a wall. He then collapsed with a thunk.

The girl's eyes snapped open and she turned to her hero - the were red and brimmed with fear.

"Novalee?" [Y/N] gaped, "it's me, [Y/N]! We're here to rescue you and Vivienne!"

Novalee stood in shock for a tense heartbeat or two before she flew forwards and hugged [Y/N] tightly.

"You came..." she cried, "I thought nobody would rescue us."
"I'm here, just like last time," [Y/N] ruffled her hair reassuringly and the girl flinched.

"I escaped from where they were keeping us prisoner," Novalee confessed quietly, "they were going to take me back, and you arrived. They have your friends there."

"You know where they are?" the Sound Dragon Slayer breathed, "please, take me to them. We have to rescue them."

"Are you sure? You're hurt," the girl frowned.
"I'll be fine. You're not too banged up, are you?" she shook it off and checked Novalee over.

"No," Novalee shook her head, "they protect me."

She pointed into an empty corner of the room. Even with scrutiny, there was nothing. [Y/N] brushed this off and blamed it on a traumatised child's imagination.

"Lead me to them, Novalee," she said. Novalee hesitated and then nodded, running off in the direction she had presumably just come from.

It wasn't long until you were met by a small gathering of the same hooded, armoured men.

"There's that brat!" one shouted, pointing his finger.

They drew back their bows and shot arrows. Before [Y/N] could react, a barrier of pure shadows shielded her and Novalee.

"Rogue?!" she gasped, glancing around for the Dragon Slayer.
"No," Novalee shook her head, "me."

"You learnt Shadow Magic!" [Y/N] gasped again.
"Yes," Novalee nodded, "get them. I have your back."

With the reassurance that the girl would protect her, [Y/N] leapt into action.

"Sound Dragon's Vibrant Burst!" she landed among them and sent out a multicoloured flash of magic, destroying their armour and knocking them down. One came at her with a sword and, just as promised, Novalee created a branch of shadow to block it and smash him aside.

"You're pretty good with that, kid!" [Y/N] said as Novalee ran to her.
"I've been learning for nearly seven months now," her tone was proud, but Novalee's blank face didn't change, "ever since you rescued me. I thought your magic was cool, so I wanted to be a wizard too..."

"Aw," [Y/N] patted her head, "thanks."
"It's okay," the girl nodded, "we're almost there!"

The two continued on until they reached cells, making light work of the men guarding them. One by one, they released the trapped people.