DELTAREI: A Deltarune AU. [16+] (NOW COMPLETED)

Chapter 11: The Story Continues

The sun was setting on yet another day in the Dark World. I was standing atop the cliffs with Risk and Noelle again, watching the sky change colors. Risk didn't seem mad that I had been going to the Dark World without his permission, at least not yet. Risk crossed his arms, eyeing Ralsei with skepticism. We made our way to Ralsei's castle in silence, anticipation building in the air. As we approached, the castle stood tall and proud. We couldn't help but admire its beauty. Ralsei stood outside, waiting for us.

Ralsei- "Welcome back to the Dark World, my friends," he greeted us warmly. "I have an important task for you this time."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes jokingly, muttering under my breath, "When does he not?" Every time we met Ralsei, he had another quest for us to undertake, and this time was no different. Risk and Ralsei exchanged greetings, with Risk simply saying his name rather calmly. Ralsei, undeterred by Risk's lack of conversation, smiled and got straight to the point.

Ralsei- "My friends," he began, "I have a task for you today. There is a dangerous creature that needs to be defeated, and I need your help. There is a creature in the forest who has been causing chaos in the Dark World. It is a fearsome beast, and it must be stopped. It's named the 'Gloom Stalker,' and it has made its lair in a nearby cave."

Risk, being his usual confident self, couldn't help but boast, "Pfft, a Gloom Stalker? That sounds like a piece of cake."

Ralsei sighed, a hint of skepticism in his voice.
Ralsei- "It's not quite as easy as it sounds. The Gloom Stalker is a formidable foe. It has the ability to disappear into thin air and attack from unexpected directions. On top of that, it has a strong connection to darkness, and its attacks grow more powerful as the light fades. This creature is not to be underestimated, my friends. You will need all your wit and determination to defeat it."

Then, after that, we agreed to embark on the mission, with Noelle and Risk nodding in agreement. As we approached the mysterious cave entrance, I couldn't help but notice a hint of nervousness in Noelle's eyes. I reached out and took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"We've got this," I whispered, hoping to ease her fears. She nodded, and together, we braced ourselves for whatever lay ahead.
Just as we were about to enter, the Gloom Stalker burst out of the cave, its fearsome growls echoing through the forest. We quickly sprang into action, readying ourselves for the fight that lay ahead.
I could feel Noelle tense up beside me, her nose lighting up with a faint glow - a sign that she was feeling nervous.

"We can do this," I muttered, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "Just remember what Ralsei told us. Be prepared for anything."
Risk stepped forward, unsheathing his real sword. Flames danced along the blade, casting an eerie glow on his face. He charged at the Gloom Stalker with a roar, his sword slicing through the air.

Just then, the Gloom Stalker retaliated with a wave of darkness, sending it surging towards us. I braced myself for impact, summoning my own fire powers to defend us. I hurled a torrent of blazing flames at the creeping darkness, creating a barrier between us and the Gloom Stalker.
The Gloom Stalker towered over us, its twisted form bathed in shadow. Its body was covered in a thick layer of thorns, each one jagged and ready to inflict pain. Its eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, fixated on us with a primal hunger. It raised its claws, preparing to swipe at us with devastating force.

Jack- "Stay behind me Noelle, I'll hold it off."

I fought bravely, parrying the Gloom Stalker's attacks with Risk's sword. Risk lay behind me, injured, while Noelle was nearby, preparing to join the battle. But the Gloom Stalker was relentless, its claws narrowly missing me each time I dodged. Suddenly, in a moment of distraction, the Gloom Stalker's paw swept me off my feet. I hit the ground hard, gasping for breath. The Gloom Stalker loomed over me, ready to deliver the final blow.
I laid motionless on the ground, the Gloom Stalker preparing to deliver the final blow. Just as things seemed dire, a surge of cold air washed over the scene. Noelle stood beside me, her hands raised high. Her eyes glowed with a chilling intensity as she summoned her powers. Snowflakes danced around her, growing larger with each passing moment. With a final gesture, she unleashed her icy energy upon the Gloom Stalker. Icicles of freezing cold erupted from the ground, encasing the Gloom Stalker in a tomb of ice.
Noelle quickly handed us each a Revive Mint, a special remedy that worked wonders on our injuries. We swallowed them, and soon enough, we felt our energy returning. Risk stood up, holstering his sword.
"That was close," he muttered, a relieved smile spreading across his face. We exchanged glances with Noelle, a newfound respect for her shining through. She had truly saved the day, freezing the Gloom Stalker and stopping it from harming us any further. As we left the Dark World, Ralsei quickly opened a portal back to our own world. Emerging into the snowy night, I tripped on a patch of ice, sprawling onto the wet pavement. Risk helped me up, a hint of a smile on his face.

"Thanks for everything," he said to Noelle, his voice a rarity in the cold night air. She nodded silently in response, her breath puffing in the chill.
Risk pulled me along, his steps quickening on the slippery pavement. Together, we moved closer to home.
(Ya'll really thought I was gonna quit on this AU haha. 🤣)