To love a sword

Chapter 38: Stubborn Warrior

Beta read by Shigiya, Paragon of Awesomeness and FabledLife

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-Guyana, Secret Hunting Ground-

If Momo had to give her opinion on the current situation, she would have to admit that being out in the wilderness wasn’t such a dreadful thing, at least, not for this particular hunt. 

It was always one absurdly fun situation after another with this family. Though she did feel a touch of guilt over what had happened to Rito, she also had to concede — even if only to herself — that it was quite funny. There was never a dull moment with the Yuki family, and honestly, it was far more entertaining than anything that ever happened back in her own home on Planet Deviluke. There, most days were spent wandering the endless halls of the palace, with their father off conquering distant planets or putting down rebellions, and their mother entangled in endless political affairs. 

That left the girls largely to their own devices, and they’d long become very adept at evading their bodyguards and instructors. 

Many envied such freedom, but it wasn’t the kind of liberty they truly longed for — it felt hollow and boring. When their sister escaped to Earth while also managing to escape the environment of the palace, both Momo and Nana felt an unexpected sting of envy. The whole wedding issue was, in truth, just a convenient excuse. Today only reaffirmed that they had made the right choice, and not for a single moment did Momo regret becoming a part of this chaotic family.

"Watch out!" Nana called, her warning catching the youngest pink-haired princess off guard and snapping her back to reality. Both sisters leapt aside just in time to avoid their legs being swallowed up by a gigantic worm that erupted from the earth beneath them with a bone-chilling screech. Had they hesitated for even a second, one of them may very well have lost a limb.

"What the— I don’t remember anything like that ever existing in Earth’s natural history!" Nana shouted with visible distaste at this creature's appearance. Not that Momo could blame her, it was hideous with a capital H. "That’s clearly an alien species! It must have been deliberately brought to this hunting ground!"

Being the expert on animals, her sister’s voice was laced with outrage at this disgusting surprise. Momo’s eyes likewise narrowed at the grotesque worm. The creature’s pale pink body stretched out before them, and its circular maw opened to reveal row upon row of spinning teeth, disappearing into an abyssal tunnel of flesh and mucus dripping down everywhere. Disgust curled through her. 

"I’m not touching that thing," she muttered.

Without their d-dials or any of the tools they were used to, the only weapons they had were crude implements — sharp stones tied to long sticks. She hurled one at the worm with all her strength, only for it to bounce off harmlessly, not even grazing the creature’s thick hide.

"You’ve got to be kidding me."

The worm let out another piercing screech. While the thrown crude weapon hadn’t harmed the thing at all, it had served to get its attention in the worst of ways. Enraged now, the beast surged forward, clearly intending to strike again.

"Let’s just run! Wait, if it’s a worm, then it must be sensing us through vibrations, not sight! If we get into the trees, we can escape!" Nana shouted.

"Are you sure about that?"

"Just trust me!"

Without waiting for another word, both girls sprinted toward the nearest tree, scrambling to climb its rough bark. But before they could even reach the lowest branch, a shadow fell over and then past them. With a loud ‘Bam!’, a massive boulder descended from above, slamming into the worm with a sickening crunch. Flesh burst apart, and globs of viscous, sticky innards sprayed in every direction, drenching the twins in revolting slime.