Melody of the Holoverse

Episode 17: Dogma's Denial

Gargantuan in both stature and frame, the limbs thick enough to shatter planets with a single squeeze. Curly fur, gray like ash and as unkempt as wild grass. But more than a mere feral beast, his back adorned with a sizable mark—dense pink lines that curved into the shape of a skull with razor-shape teeth.

The rancorous beast glared at me through crisp amber irises, his growls low yet deafening. And as my meagerness cast upon me like a beam of the moon, my awe and terror spun like two sides of a coin.

"What do you mean she's going to die!?"

They dashed through the trees—the dragon and the swordswoman—trying to keep up with the Keeper who leapt hurriedly from branch to branch.

"Remember that dilemma I mentioned before?" Filian reminded them. "Well, I don't know how she did it, but your friend's managed to put herself front and center. And believe me when I tell you, she's not gonna last. This problem is way beyond all of you."

"Look," Pluto said, "I know we failed your little test, but we're not some frail kids. We can hold our own."

"I respect the confidence, but this isn't me trying to bring you down. I'm speaking pure truth. You'd be in over your heads if you tried to face this."

"And do tell," Selen said, irritated, "what exactly makes you think we can't handle what you throw at us?"

"We're dealing with someone who nearly destroyed Mythica Park."

The outsiders fell quiet.

"It happened about two months ago," Filian explained. "Everything was going great—perfect, even. Then, out of nowhere, one of our residents, Igor, starts throwing a tantrum. He wanted to bust out of this place like his life depended on it. Part of me wondered if it actually did."

"Must be pretty strong if he almost destroyed this place," Selen said.

"You have no idea. The Queen didn't choose him as a pet because of his fabulous eyelashes."

Pluto raised an eyebrow. "Queen? Of the Ember Empire?"

"Of the Underworld," Filian clarified. "She comes to visit from time to time. At first, I thought Igor was throwing a fit because he missed her, but that wouldn't make sense because the big guy is usually so well-behaved." Her face darkened. "Pair this dilemma with what happened with Nina and I can only assume something's going on in Sincasa."

The dragon and swordswoman looked to one another, their stomachs tensing with unease.

"How does Violet play into this?" Pluto asked.

"Well," Filian said, "she's currently face to face with the big guy. It took all my strongest fighters to bring him to his knees. And even then, the best I could manage was sealing him at the heart of Mythica Park. The Queen's essence lingers there, so we've been able to keep him calm. But this setup will only work for so long. Sooner or later, he's bound to go on another rampage. I've been trying to think of a solution in the meantime." Sadness bled from her heart. "That includes putting him down for good. Kaichou entrusted me with this place, and if I have to, I'm putting the integrity of Mythica Park above all else."

Selen was shocked. "You've got a pretty heavy plate."

"You have no idea, kid. Come on. Let's hurry before your friend gets torn limb from limb."

My breath came in spurts, my knees like jelly and my mouth desperately dry.