A Quest for the Stars

"Apus."

The tunnel echoed with the sound of quickened footsteps and the occasional water drop from the ceiling. Clara continued her jog down the dusty, foggy tunnel with Apus and Tsukuyomi. While not paved like the main road, this makeshift tunnel had no bumps down the path, allowing Clara to maneuver herself gracefully without tripping, even with sharp twists and turns along the way. Her mind was only on the road ahead and the people behind her, for she knew that if she was allowed a moment to think about her own safety, fear and hesitation would hamper her fighting ability.

She had taken the time to cast a spell which summoned a thin red sphere around herself, almost invisible to the naked eye. Even with this form of protection, the elven girl was starting to have doubts. "I meant what I said back there. Cassiopeia will pay for what they did to Alistair, and I plan to win this fight. I don't know what awaits us at the end, but I want to learn as much as I can if victory is impossible."

"Looks like you thought about this at length, though just minutes ago you didn't even know this would happen," Apus commented.

"I know. But if it hadn't been for you, neither Lenoria nor I would be here right now. Ever since the day of the fire, I felt like I've been living on borrowed time. I can't shake the feeling that, sooner or later, I have to give it back. That's why I haven't hesitated with any big decisions. When Lenoria was given that job offer, I knew I had to go with her. As for Instructor Gardens, I knew I had to share my feelings with him, even if it hurt. I didn't even think twice when Lenoria had me sing for the giants."

Clara stopped once the final turn was made, and only then could she feel her legs tremble. There was a light at the end of the path, and anything she had to say had to be said now or be held back forever.

"I'm scared, Apus. Just like that day of the fire, I'm alone. And this time, Lenoria won't be there at all."

Apus landed on Clara's wing and patted her head with his wing. "If you have other ideas, I don't mind hearing them out."

Clara bravely shook her head. "N-no." Clara felt a presence behind her. Whether it was a product of her mind or a manifestation of faith itself, she could feel a ghostly hand on her back that quietly encouraged her to keep going. "Whenever Lenoria can't help me, she'd cheer me on. I can't help but think she'd be doing the same right now."

She moved one foot forward.

"And when I was trapped at the school fire, she risked her life to save mine. The least I can do is return the favor. But I also want to return with a smile on my face, and I want her to smile, too. That's why I'm going to win."

Her resolve strengthened, Clara dashed towards the light, at which point the path slowly opened for her. Crossing over the rocky arch, she found herself at a small clearing about 40 feet in diameter. Vines dangled on the walls, and thorny roses surrounded a small rocky platform at the center. There was no way out besides the path she just came from, though a small hole on the ceiling was wide enough to bring some of the sunlight inside.

Something that stood out in the beautiful garden was the pile of rotten vegetation on the leftmost corner from Clara's point of view. It was best to steer clear of it; the smell was almost as bad as Thomas on a good day.

"Cassiopeia!" Clara wasted no time in calling her adversary out. "I know you're in here, so come out and face me before I set this entire garden on fire!"

It wasn't long until Clara got a response; she heard mumbling from the pile of rotten vegetation as if something - or someone - had been stirred from their nap. Clumps of green burst out as a tiny hand clawed its way out from the inside, a small creature about three feet in height wearing an olive-green cloak and wooden mask following right behind it.

"Who are you," the tiny creature asked, "and why haven't you fallen asleep?"

"Looks like someone didn't study elven physiology," Clara taunted. "Are you the one behind the fog?"

"And what if I am?" Despite the difference in both size and numbers, the small creature did not show fear. "It's only until I fulfilled the Lady's wishes. Once I do that, I promise to be on my way."

"And who is this 'Lady' of yours?"

"It doesn't concern you, elf. All the Lady wants is that red bird of yours, along with her missing plaything. If you hand over your stone, I promise to spare your life as long as you don't get in my way."

"Plaything? Does he mean Alistair?" The fact the creature was able to see Apus set Clara on full alert, and it was safe to assume this Lady of his knew of the existence of the Soulstones as well. "Apus is a friend of mine. What makes you think I'll hand him over to someone like you?"

The small creature impatiently snorted air out of his nostrils. "I get the feeling you're going to be difficult."

"I can't let him know Alistair is in the tunnel." Outwardly maintaining her confidence, Clara stepped forward. "I don't have to be if you simply call off the fog and hand over your stone, Cassiopeia."

The small creature chuckled. He retrieved a silvery blue gemstone from his cloak. "I think not! If you refuse to obey, then I have no problem taking what I want by force. Arise, Titan!"

The ground shook beneath them, prompting Clara and Apus to brace themselves as the mass of rotten vegetation started moving on its own. It first formed an enormous pair of legs, and the construction slowly went from there.

"A shambling mound! Tsukuyomi, go after it!" Clara heard no response from her eidolon. She turned around to find, to her horror, that Tsukuyomi had been brought down to one knee.

"Heeheehee," the small creature cackled evilly, "looks like even your giant machine can't fight off the poison from my Abyssal Roses."

"It affects eidolons, too?" Not wanting to risk Tsukuyomi falling asleep, Clara only had one option left. "Apus, fuse us!"

"You got it. Hang on!" Apus flapped his wings furiously, causing his Soulstone to shine with a bright vermilion color. Clara hovered in place while Tsukuyomi was reduced to an orb of light. This spherical light flew in the direction of its mistress, hardening Clara's body with a green alloy which took the form of a green suit of great armor. A samurai helmet was constructed around her head, and her mouth was replaced with a sheet of metal.

Now that Clara's transformation was done, and now twice as large, the logical thing to do would be to attack the wielder of the Soulstone before he could finish the summoning of the shambling mound. But Clara was not one to simply throw the first punch. The one time she got careless had placed her inside a cell, after all. She decided that, for better or worse, it was better to inspect the battlefield in case anything changed.

The vines dangling from the walls started wriggling, but they did little else. This gave her the feeling they were there for more than just show, but until she could confirm her theory, she had to avoid aerial combat unless it was absolutely necessary.

Knowing that the shambling mound could arrive at any moment, she decided to focus on defense first before doing anything else. With delicate hand movements, Clara's large outline became blurred and wavering just in time for the massive plant monster's arrival. The new arrival stood about 8 feet in height and had become a mass of wriggling vines and dripping slime on two tree-trunk-like legs.

"Titan, smash them to pieces!" The creature's commanding voice moved the mass of vegetation forward with lumbering steps just as the dice rolled for initiative.

Rolling Initiative

Clara's initiative roll 1d20+8 = 13

Small creature & shambling mound initiative roll 1d20+3 = 9

Clara thought quickly and clutched her guitar. Once again, whether it was her imagination or a true manifestation for the faith she had in her friends, she could hear Tizoc's encouraging words along with a pat on her back.

Clara, you can do this.

"I won't let you down!" With a strum of her guitar, Clara's bardic magic briefly summoned the roar of a jaguar. The roar was enough to make the little creature panic and stay still for a moment, making his shambling monstrosity pause in its tracks. A vermilion light enveloped Clara's body with a burning aura as the spell enlarged the fists of her eidolon. She thought back on Tizoc's transformation a few nights ago and, for a brief moment, she felt like a large, predatory beast herself. "I'll follow your example, Tizoc!"

"Titan!" The small, robed caster stomped repeatedly in place. "What are you loafing around for? Crush her!"

Quaking footsteps accompanied the charging monstrosity. Clara had just finished casting her spell and raised her hand just in time to block the attack. The force of the creature pushed her back, but thankfully she managed to deflect the tackle and thus avoid most of the damage.

Clara, don't let that big bully scare you!

"Aquamarine! Of course!" Thinking back on the day she faced the giant matriarch, Clara sang an aria the same way Aquamarine did that day. Finding renewed resolve within herself, the elven girl stood ready while the cave echoed with her robotic yet melodious voice.

The plant monster continued its assault and slammed both of its vine-like limbs down on the strengthened Clara. The first blow landed successfully, allowing the tendril to wrap around Clara's arm tenaciously.

"Gotcha," the small creature cried victoriously. "Huh?"

The feeling of victory didn't last long. The creature observed as Clara safely pulled her arm away from the mound's tendril to prepare a vicious counter.

"Don't get careless, Titan!"

The plant monster's tentacled maw wriggled ominously as it continued its assault with its other arm. Clara was horrified as the tendril caught her this time, crushing her arm as it constricted her. Pieces of metal flew out as the creature maintained its hold.

The tides had quickly turned against Clara. She had already determined she couldn't take down such a monster on her own despite being equally matched in strength, but she had a different plan to achieve victory. She remembered how the creature recoiled from the jaguar's roar, and in that brief moment, the plant monster stopped in its tracks. Only after the creature barked orders at it again did the massive creature continue with its attack.

Thus, if she needed to end this fight quickly... "I have to strike the Soulstone user! But how do I break free?"

Apus hovered next to Clara. "Clara, you're not looking so good! If that monster keeps you there any longer, you definitely won't get out of there!"

"I can't just leave! What about the others?" The tightness around her mechanical arm caused Clara to end her singing. "L-Lenoria..."

----------

A few days ago, Lenoria had knocked Clara's staff out of her hands during a training session back at the keep in the Jaguar Lands. Clara clumsily picked up her staff, tightened her grip, and assumed a battle stance by holding her staff horizontally with both hands. But even like this, Lenoria went for the wrists and knocked it away again.

"We can do better, Clara. Let's try again."

Clara knew the point of the exercise was to prevent the terrible fate of getting disarmed, but she knew she was outmatched by Lenoria from the beginning. Disappointed in herself, the young elf kicked away her staff with frustration and stiffened her shoulders. "What's the point? We both know melee combat isn't my forte."

"And you won't improve with that attitude. I mean, come on; what are you going to do if, say, Thomas breaks out of jail and finds you?"

"I slap him and call the guards," Clara answered matter-of-factly.

"Oh, right." Lenoria suddenly remembered how much of a wimp her example was. Clara would have to do little else to incapacitate him. "Mind if I try something?"

"Sure."

With Lenoria's instructions, Clara held out her left arm. Lenoria grabbed it by the bicep with a tightened grip, something that immediately gave Clara a greater sense of discomfort.

"What if one day, he broke out and somehow got stronger than me? And the worst part is that, like the little imp he is, he isolates you so that you can't call for help? What then?"

Clara tried to pull herself away, but Lenoria wasn't budging. "O-okay, you made your point. Please let go."

"Come on, Clara. Where did last night's bravado go?"

Alistair simply observed, but deep down he felt Lenoria wasn't handling things the right way. He wondered how strong the bond between the girls was, which ultimately contributed to his lack of interference. His healing magic had been restored for the day, so if either of them got seriously injured, he could jump in and heal them. For now, he had chosen to wait on Lenoria's word.

Clara whimpered after her repeated attempts to break free yielded no fruit. The longer she tried, the angrier she got. Until...

"I said let go, Thomas!" Reeling back her delicate fist, Clara went for a haymaker right for the eye...

----------

...and pushed the shambling monstrosity a good ten feet away. Rose petals scattered as the monster tried to keep its footing, giving Clara the window she needed to distance herself and rethink her strategy. Thankfully, her new form had powerful flame jets on her back which allowed her to stay away by ascending over a dozen feet in the air by the time the monster regained its footing.

The small creature was flabbergasted, gazing upon his ruined rose garden. "Titan, you clumsy oaf! Look what you did to my garden!"

"Your garden is the last thing you should be worried about!" Despite her face shielded thanks to the mask, the small creature could feel a terrifying gaze coming from his opponent. Now that she was out of reach from the shambling monster, all she had to do was dive bomb towards the caster and, hopefully, this would be over.

Clara gave thanks to the people she met on her trip to Thule, as well as her best friend in the world. Thanks to them and their tactics, victory was at hand.

Or so she believed.

"I won't lose to some elf nobody!" The small creature held up his Soulstone, unleashing a blinding light from it. "Plants and vermin of the wild, I command you to protect me!"

The rustling of leaves filled the air, echoing across the clearing and well into the tunnel. Clara felt a sudden jerk on her leg, followed by her arms and other leg. The vines from earlier had grown in length and wrapped themselves around her limbs, holding her in place in midair.

"The vines came alive?" She could feel a fifth vine forcefully wrapping itself around her neck. Slowly but surely, the vines squeezing her limbs caused more chunks of metal to fly out, and soon enough, her neck could suffer the same fate. "Alistair....Lenoria..."

"You shitty elf!" The small creature finally revealed his blue-skinned face when his eyes bulged to a ridiculous size, causing his wooden mask to snap at the string and fall to the ground. The shambling mound seized its movements, a sign of the small creature's fury and focus on a single objective.

"A mite?" Clara briefly recalled her knowledge on mites. "Cassiopeia...is a fey creature?" Her eyes widened with dread and anticipation. "No! That means..."

"How dare you scare me! By order of Her Majesty, you shall be the first to die!" The creature roared with furious malevolence. "Creatures of the underground, I find this woman guilty! Hang her!"

The vines tightened around Clara's hands, legs, and neck. From the direction of the tunnel - as well as the surrounding area - Clara could hear skittering everywhere. Much to her horror, she could see tiny dots gathering on the ground to converge into a growing mass. "Spiders!"

Clara & Tsukuyomi (Fused) Sheet

These are Clara's base stats when fused with Tsukuyomi. I noticed sleep is listed under both saving throw modifiers and immunities, but this is for the unlikely event that her immunities are compromised. She has retained her spells and class features as well, and the following parameters have been modified for the current battle.

Blur: 20% concealment chance. (1d100 is rolled if an attack roll hits; the blurred creature automatically avoids the attack regardless of result if the result is 20 or less.)

Inspire Courage: +1 morale bonus to attack and damage rolls, as well as Will saves vs. fear effects

Lesser Evolution Surge (Improved Natural Attack): Increases base weapon damage (2d6 -> 2d8)

Shield spell: AC 18 -> 22 (Shield bonus; cast before chapter start)