Kirby: Star and Moon Warriors

Chapter 19: Soulless Heart (Elfilin POV)

     I couldn't believe that it was finally becoming real. We were closer to Void than ever before. I almost felt like turning back.

Almost. I knew what we had to do.

"How do we know if this is the right cave?" Flamberge asked Taranza.

"You see those footprints?" He pointed to footprints leading deeper into the cave.

They appeared to be somewhat recent.

"Those are Marx's," Taranza told us. "I remember that he tracks in everything. Coming back after a trip to Sand Canyon isn't fun."

"What are we waiting for?" I asked. "Let's go find them!"

We all took off down the path of the cave. I stayed slightly ahead of Taranza, who was leading the Rebellion Warriors. Bandee was leading the Star Warriors not far behind us.

Eventually, the two groups ran side by side.

"You know, maybe we'll find Kirby," I told Bandee.

I had heard about him going missing.

"But if he's in Void's clutches... I don't know. I'm just really worried about him."

"Kirby's strong. Wherever he is, he's handling his own."

"I really hope so."

The beginning of the tunnel had started out narrow, but got wider as we went through. Eventually, it opened up into a large cave. Tall rocky pillars stood in a few areas of the cave. There was one at the far back of the cave, which was wide enough for a person to stand on, and look down at the ground below like a king surveying his subjects. Behind this pillar was a wall of lava, adding a menacing tone to the cave. In the cave gathered a group of Moon Warriors.

The Warrior at the top looking down on everyone was...

"Kirby?!" I half yelled into the cave.

The name escaped before I could stop myself. Moon Warriors turned to face us, some even with their weapons drawn. I looked between Taranza and Bandee, who were standing on either side of me. Bandee looked nervous, while Taranza looked determined, with maybe even a little bit of anger.

"Wãrrìørś, śtåñd dōwń," Kirby told them.

I was surprised when I realized it was Kirby talking. It didn't sound like Kirby, and he was commanding the Moon Warriors. The fiend's illusion did not faze Taranza.

"Void!" He shouted. "What kind of sick plan is this?!"

Void Kirby looked down at him with a sinister grin.

"Wèłł, łöök whò ít īš. Įt śęęmš ÿõü'rė fíñåłłÿ hërë, Tàràñžà. Wé thòùght ÿóú rãñ øff tō płāÿ príñćē wïth ÿôûr łïttłé ghòšt frīëńd. Būt łøøk ãt ÿõü! Ÿōû'vē gãthërëd ã pártÿ, áńd ñów ÿøū wãńt tō płāÿ hērō! Høw ćhàrmîñg, ÿét ïñčrêdíbłÿ hópëłëśś. Høw ãbøút ìñ hõńõr õf ÿøür rètûrñ, wé gívê ÿóú äñd ÿøúr frįęñdš å kíñd wëłćømë?"

"How did you kidnap Kirby?" Bandee asked with the same amount of anger that Taranza had.

"Ì hād ā çøüpłë of ÿöür łíttłê frīëńdś dø thė jōb fõr mē."

Void gestured to Marx and Magolor. Magolor looked down at the ground with guilt in his face. However, if Marx had any remorse, he refused to show it.

"You didn't," Taranza hissed, shooting them a look.

None of us were prepared for the sudden cry of "Møøń Wårrįōrš, åttāćk!"

Moon Warriors sprang into battle.