#Fact 2: Travis's favorite color is blue. Yeah, that one is pretty obvious.

~Primrose's POV~

That's astonishing...

I knew the catacombs were reputed to be a huge place, but it was much vast than I thought it would be...

I and Travis started walking through a gigantic area rocked by the darkness, and no matter how much torch lights were fixed over the sandy walls, we couldn't even see the end of the place, which seemed so endless.

The place looked like some ancient ruins, old of at least a thousand years, but even if it looked to be an abandoned place, we have to be very cautious of what we could find.

We also must avoid falling over the precipice which looked so deep that we couldn't even see the bottom while walking through the alleys. However, we could still go down deeper through stairs leading down there, but the compass's direction indicated us to continue through the way.

The place smelled like dust, sand, and the ambiance was inspiring such a feeling of dread. It was like this place has been the scene of a lot of tragedies in the past...

By pure precaution, I stayed close to Travis for making sure nothing happens to him.

Actually, he was still checking his thingy while observing a bunch of ceramic for pots.

"Ah !..."

The boy flinched out when he saw a rat on the left, but calmed down.

"Oh... It's just a rat."

The rat then left by fear, when he passed next to a skull.

"Ah !"

This time, his blood ran cold at the sight of the human rest, as he was pretty shocked.

"Are you alright ?", I asked him gently while I looked down at him.

He sighed.

"...I-it's ok. Thank you."

As he continued to walk while trying to ignore what he just saw, I spoke to him while walking.

"First time you see a dead body, right ?"

"N-no. I've already seen something like that somewhere... Why haven't they buried him in a tomb when he died ? This place is well to bury people, right ?!", he shouted annoyingly.

"You're right... I guess people have believed the person was missing while in reality, this poor person ended his life here, and now his soul might be roaming this place. But it's also possible that a conflict which occurred several years ago, where his killers would have left him for dead, and I don't think they would have agreed to make a luxurious grave just for their enemy.", I suggested.

That must not be easy at his age to see a dead body, even deprived of its flesh and blood. But I guess his reaction was less shocking than I expected, as he even felt bad for the corpse and wanted what was left for him buried.

This boy must have been through a lot of awful experiences... a little like I did...

After my father has been killed, I escaped from my home because I had no other family left. But when I ran off, I didn't have sadly the time to bury my father, and I have still no idea if there was still someone faithful to him who made a grave for his honor.

But I couldn't remember if there were a few survivors amongst all of my father's workers 10 years ago, and if ever I discover my father didn't have the chance to have a proper tomb, I would never pardon these bastards crows...

Speaking about them, I have to clarify something about the man Travis has seen.

"Travis..."

"Yeah, Prim ? What do you want ? ATCHAAAA !!!", he sneezed, as he wasn't used to wandering inside a dusty old sacred place.

We went down a few stairs as I spoke to him seriously.

"I would like you to be sure about the person whom you have spied on. Haven't you noticed an important clue on his appearance ?... Like a tattoo shaped like a crow ?"

He flinched out at the mention of the name.

"Do you believe the man I've followed was one of the guys who killed your father ?!"

"It's a possibility. Are you sure you haven't noticed a crow mark on his arm ? Or on his neck ?"

The boy sat down on a few marches, trying to figure out one more time the direction we have to take, and then thought for a while.

"I-I'm so sorry, but I don't know.", he answered quietly.

"Are you sure ?"

He nodded with regret.

"He was wearing a big coat, so I couldn't have noticed well something which looked like that. And I don't know how exactly that crow mark looked like ! Was it the drawing of the full body of a crow ? Or just the head ?"

As he looked annoyed, I saw some sand gathered on the ground and made a drawing with my finger.

"Something like that."

I represented the mark of the crow as closely as it looked like in my memories, and when Travis observed it, he flinched out.

He then apologized again.

"No... Sorry. I don't recognize it..."

"..."

He watched his compass again and indicated to me to take the stairs from the left again.

We then both walked throughout a long tunnel surrounded by bricks, with a little sand slowly passing through the ceiling like the sand inside an hourglass.

"And you ? Do you think he could be one of them ?", he asked while looking me up.

"I cannot tell. But if ever this man turns out to be one of my father's murderers, we couldn't have a bigger danger to confront than that.", I said coldly, while removing the sand of my hair, and said. "Do you understand, now, why I insisted to go with you ?"

"Yes...", he mumbled quietly, when he said."There."

We turned at the left and crossed another long tunnel, with a few pots where a snake was going out from one of them. The precipice was just at the left side of the tunnel, but we both made sure to walk on the right side.

Travis, with still his silver compass in hand, looked slightly concerned as he asked me.

"What makes these crow tattooed men so special, exactly ?"

"Well, if I have to tell you every rumor we say about them, I'm pretty sure you would have trouble sleeping for 3 nights.", I answered him coldly.

"3... nights ?!", Travis freaked out a little.

"Generally, that band of killers is famous to always operate in the darkness: according to some rumors and stories, they are known to be very well organized and discreet in the criminal underworld. They would mostly kill those who dared to interfere in their plan, before disappearing without leaving any traces."

"No one has ever managed to stop them ?"

"No. No matter how many people start looking for them, they would always disappear after committing their crimes. Some people even wondered if they were rather ghosts, which is mostly a crazy theory... But the main reason why they are like invisible to the world is that no one knows their true identity, and we also say they always slaughtered cruelly all of those who witnessed their crimes... except me, who watched them doing their dirty job to my father.", I explained to him with a frown.

As I felt internally angry, Travis watched at me with pity when he asked.

"And by curiosity, why do they have a crow mark ? Do they like crows ?"

"Perhaps they do. The crow is an animal who's often associated with the fraud and the deceit, but also because they are considered "friends" of death, a theme which is totally fitting with these killers's motivations."

We continued to advance through the tunnel, which the walls become more deteriorated as long as we continued to walk further when Travis asked.

"Do you think there is still a chance to find them one day ?"

"To tell the truth... trying to find one of them might not be an easy thing, but facing them is a much more delicate one. As I told you, they would always escape at those who tried to go after them, so it must be possible that they are very well trained to fight and kill their enemies with no mercy. This is also why since that day, I've trained myself so hard to have a chance to fight them, even if it means to work for 8 years for Helgenish, and the only thing which could only protect me will be... my faith.", I said while looking at my house's words written on my dagger.

"So, I swear I will also protect you, Primrose.", promised me Travis.

I sighed before I stopped in place.

"I don't like to put you in such risks.", I crouched down and faced him. "Travis. We never know what kind of person could be these crows, and I don't think they would even have the kindness to spare you, no matter if you're a kid or not. So, I will repeat it to you again: be extremely careful if ever you meet one of the crow men, and if ever you know you can't do anything to find them, just use your powers to run away as far as possible from him. Promise me, please...", I finished seriously, as I felt quite worried for his safety.

In the worst situation, I still didn't want to put this boy in danger because of my own duties, as I promised to be the one who will kill the man with the man of the crow.

He frowned slightly, as he said.

"I can't, Primrose... There's no way I can abandon you just because you want to protect me..."

"I refuse to be responsible if you..."

"But I don't want you to be responsible of me ! If I help you, it will be only my fault if ever I got hurt ! Okay ? What I want, is that we fight together if ever he shows up !", he shouted calmly.

He was really determined to help me, no matter how many times I insist, but that won't stop me to do anything to protect him.

In reality, I just didn't want him to be killed like how my father has been murdered. Indeed, he was still so young and innocent, even if he sometimes looked quite reckless.

I stared at him and said with a few regret while standing up.

"As you wish, but try not to play the hero too much for me. I know how to defend myself, I mean, you saw me when I fought these bandits, am I wrong ?"

"Do you think you're stronger than me ?", he asked curiously.

"If I'm not, I would have never been able to protect you there, you know. Also, I would like to see the result of all the "training" you have practiced earlier."

"Oh, you know Prim... It was just for a few minutes, but perhaps I became much stronger after that !", he smiled.

I chuckled while ruffling his hair.

"You have still a lot to learn, little guy."

He was really adorable when he tried to justify himself.

We still walked as I asked him.

"Tell me, Travis. After we will finish what we have to do, and after you will do what you planned to do at Atlasdam, what do you intend to do next ?"

He smiled softly.

"I want to find my friends.", he looked so emotive on his words, as he added. "I would like so much to be with them when they need to like they did when I needed help. I don't really know how could I find them all, but I'm pretty sure I'll meet them back soon..."

I felt quite proud of him.

"You're such a faithful person. And it's really good to have faithful friends whom you can count on."

At least, he was not alone. I might not know everything about Travis, but I wasn't unhappy that he has already befriended with some people...

Indeed, it must be so good to have friends whom we can count on, because we can't feel lonely thanks to them, and it also works both ways. I even remember to have friends since my early childhood: my father was the lord of a proud house, so he had many relations with other big families while I befriended with their children. I also got along with some of the domestics who knew me well, like Arianna, one of my father's servants who had often taken care of me, or even... that famous gardener... but I can't remember his name, sadly...

Since that tragedy, I forgot almost every memory of my childhood, and every piece of vision I had of them was just like a surreal dream. So I don't know what happened to each of them, if they have managed to survived and start a new life or not...

While trying to remind them, I felt very sorry about their loss, especially my father. I can't stand that his life was taken away by those heartless strangers.

Honestly, since the day he died, I didn't only feel anger and hate... I felt very lonely.

I frowned slightly when I felt a small hand nicely holding mine, as I stopped.

It was Travis's hand, who still looked quite upset as he looked up at me.

"Primrose... I'm really really sorry again of what happened to your father, and also for all the people who worked for you..."

"Travis..."

"And also... what about your mom ? You didn't tell me if you have a mom."

"..."

Mother...

I could still remember how my mother looked like despite my loss of memory, and it makes me feel bad to think about her

I frowned slightly.

"My mother passed away when I was very young..."

Travis sighed.

"...Sorry... Anyway, I can't stand that these killers had to take you everything just a crystal, maybe... I think that... after you ran away from your home, you may be feeling lonely because of all of that... However, I want to tell you that's not the case.", he smiled softly at me. "Me, I care for you like Yusufa must care for you, and if we do that, it's because we don't want you to be alone anymore. So, do you understand, now, why I want so much to team up with you ?"

He looked up at me, as I felt quite impressed by his words. It's been so long since someone considered me like a friend, and it's also surprising from a child's point of view.

I made the effort to smile.

"Yeah, thank you."

"Let's go together, okay ?"

We both walked by still holding hands, as we keep following the direction shown by the compass.

I'm surprised by how much this boy was very nice, as he was holding my hand like a gentleman leading a lady somewhere. Holding his small but warm hand was making me slightly better and calming both my anger and my loss. Indeed, he has been really nice towards Yusufa, who has sometimes been used to be mocked and humiliated in some ways. In my opinion, it seems that this boy would mostly see things in a positive light.

I admit it: I would like to consider him as my friend, as a little friend to be exact. However, I have to know that the more I got attached to someone, the more I fear for his loss. I don't want to put him in danger and I would never like him to be in that situation, so I have to stay serious and vigilant no matter what could happen.

Bip ! Bip ! Bip !

"I guess it's down there... I hope you're not afraid of the dark too much...", said Travis with a low voice.

We both arrived in front of stairs which led to an area that looked like a room plunged into darkness, where some rows ancient pillars supported the ceiling and made the place incredibly wide.

That place seemed to be really intriguing, it could be able to hide many valuable things from any strangers...

I can feel more danger than before in that room...

"Let's be careful...", I advised coldly to Travis, while we penetrated the area.

We slowly walked attentively between the old pillars which helped us to not get lost, as some of them were looked slightly more deteriorated than others, so I tried to memorize them so we could avoid being lost.

I could see Travis staring at the rests of human bones spreaded against a pillar, before trying to ignore it and continuing to walk forward, still holding my hand as we followed the compass's direction.

The place might be really plunged in the darkness, but thanks to the light from the entrance, although the place looked very deep on the sides, we could finally see a large wall a front of us at the end.

We stopped right on the front of the wall.

"And now ?", I asked the "compass master".

"Wait... !!... We still have to go straight !", he exclaimed lowly, quite surprised.

"Straight ?", I was quite hesitant seeing the wall a front of us. "Are you sure about that ?"

"Yeah, I told you ! Just look by yourself !"

He passed me the tool and after checking it myself, I finally believed that he was right: the red sign on the compass was a front of us compared to our location.

What does that mean ?! Is that really a dead end ?

I sighed while trying to understand.

"Lucky us.", I said ironically before adding. "What are we supposed to do ?"

I must admit that I wasn't very used to use a map after being more focused on dancing days by days, especially with a new tool which I've never seen before.

However, it seemed Travis already knew how to use it for some reason.

So after I gave him back the tool, he explained.

"Maybe if we go left or right, we can find another way."

"Mmhh... You're pretty right... ?! TRAVIS ?! WHERE ARE YOU ?!", I called calmly.

He wasn't next to me while I didn't notice ! But which direction has he taken ?!

I sighed annoyingly.

Why do I always have to watch over him ?...

~Travis's POV~

Despite Primrose's calls, I managed to continue moving along the wall after turning left, trying to find any secret path and get that weird crystal.

"Stay calm, Travis... This place is just very dark, that cannot harm you...", I said to myself while trying to stay brave.

I wanted so much to find a secret path that I went alone without Primrose.

I should have waited for her...

Though I still have my compass to guide me, and if ever I lose myself, I would just have to turn back by walking through the wall, so I could join back Primrose and could check the right side together this time.

I still walked against the wall, next to the high pillars on my left, but I couldn't see any signs of a secret path...

"Maybe it's still further..."

!!!

The ambiance was deadly silent, but too much silent to keep me reassured.

Being alone in such a dark place gave me such a bad feeling like my blood was frozen with such an oppressing ambiance.

I continued to walk very slowly, step by step, trying to watch my compass to forget my fear.

...

...

!!!

Suddenly, through the darkness, I thought I saw movement at the right.

I stopped in place.

"P-prim ?!... Is that... you ?", I asked while feeling inner fears.

I hoped it was her. I wanted it so much it was her and nothing else. Indeed, we were the only two persons wandering in that cave, right ?!

Anyway, something was there.

I don't know what it was, but I had such a bad feeling about this... Must I check what it is ? Or should I just go back to Primrose ?

I was so hesitant that I was too frightened to move, but tried to stay calm.

Maybe it was just my imagination...

I take a huge breath and finally decided to venture at the left, following the pillars. Thankfully the red dot was shining a little light, else I would be in the total darkness. Yeah, I was scared that if the red light would suddenly light off.

Is something right there ?...

I was too anxious to speak, but I kept walking slowly between the pillars.

I was wondering what was the thing I just saw... A ghost, maybe.

Generally, unlike Tressa, I didn't really believe in ghosts because I've never seen one real myself, and only the darkness of the night would creep me out. However, I started to be scared that it would exist...

Or maybe it was a mummy. I remembered a book about monsters which said mummies would live inside pyramids and this place I was looked like to much the interior of a pyramid. Primrose even said that this place was built to bury dead people, which makes me more scared...

...

!!!

What was that noise ?!

It might be a low sound, but I'm sure I heard something ! It cames from the left !

I hid behind a pillar, watching around me all the darkness trying to spot something, but I was sure there was definitely something behind it!

My heart beating faster than usual, and I was too frightened to move my body, not even a single inch, as I tried to breathe calmly by trying to be brave.

Finally, I slowly peered out from behind the pillar.

"Ah !..."

I got goosebumps when I saw a weird-looking creature a front of me, but it didn't move.

Actually, it was completely immobile, like a statue.

It's just a statue... but what is that thing ?!

It didn't look to be the statue of a person, but it has a humanoid form. It has the body of a man, but his head looked like a giant lizard's head.

Is that a giant lizard ?

The statue was standing while raising a sort of stone-headed club with one arm, and a shield with the other one. It might be a rocky statue, but its skin seemed to be made of reptile scales. He has also muscles and a human short, but he has also big feet and a long reptilian tail.

I couldn't clearly see with such a little light, but it was well a simple statue nothing more.

So, have I just been afraid of a statue ?!

I guess so.

"Ah..."

I sighed, closing my eyes while being finally reassured, as I wanted to join Primrose back as soon as possible.

But when I opened my eyes again, I flinched out.

The statue was gone.

I tried to look around me.

"Where... where is..."

"GROOOOAAAAAARRRR !!!"

Suddenly, the lizard creature jumped towards me, as I shielded my eyes in fear.

"WATCH OUT !", someone yelled.

SLASH !

"GRAAAAARGLE !!!"

Thankfully, Primrose arrived from nowhere in front of me and slashed her dagger at the monster's torso, killing him instantly.

She then turned at me.

"Are you alright ?!"

I was so reassured to see Primrose being close to me, but I was still frightened.

"WHAT WAS THAT THING ?!"

GROOAAAAAAR !!!

GROOOAAR !!!

GROOAAAR !!

More roars could be heard through the cavern, as Primrose quickly became serious.

"That's not true ! Lizardmen !"

"Lizardmen ?!!"

"They hunt in a group and can camouflage themselves like statues and they must be watching us since we're here !"

Against all odds, we could see through the darkness more movements, and more of these lizard monsters hidden in the darkness, before some of them charged to us.

"DO NOT STAY HERE !", she yelled at me while helping me to get up.

GROAR !!

GROAAR !!!

Two more monsters went towards Primrose, who made her battle cry.

"aaaaaAAAAHHHH !!!"

She avoided the blow of one of them while kicking the other one.

SLASH !!

She then killed the first one, but while the second one got up, more and more lizardmen arrived from our right.

GROAAAR !!!

GROAAR !!!

GROAAR !!!

"RUN !!", yelled me Primrose.

We both ran through the pillars, chased by a dozen of the giant hungry lizards from behind us and at our right.

GROAAAAARRR !!

While running, Primrose managed to dance and summon her dark magic.

WHIIIIIIIIIFFFFFFF !!!!

The monsters around her slowed down before she finished them with her knife.

GROAAAARGGGGG !!!

GNAP !

I avoided narrowly a lizardman trying to bite me when another one was close to catch me.

So, I jumped in action, crossed my fingers...

SCRAAAAAAATTCCCHHHH !!!

GZZZZZ !!!

GROOOAAAAAAAARGGGGG !!!

I electrocuted the monster with an electric punch while the other one has been touched by lightning too.

However, more monsters started to come, and I better had to still run while following Primrose.

We ran as fast as we could when suddenly lizardmen armed with weapons jumped a front of us.

GROAAAAAAR !!!

Primrose first kicked the closest one violently, while I jumped at the one at the far right and kicked him with both feet.

SCRAAAAAATCH !!!

GRRROOOAAAARRGGGGG !!

There were 3 more monsters to beat, so I and Primrose must act very quickly to get by.

In the heat of the moment, we simply stared at each other almost instantly to communicate.

Okay ! Got it !

Right after I electrocuted my foe, the two middle monsters close to Primrose attacked her with their sharp clubs, but she simply danced while summoning her dark magic slowly swirling around her, avoiding their blows.

Right before the lizardman from the far left was about to hit her, I bounced from my previous foe.

SCRAAAAATCH !!!!

SLAAAASH !!!

GROAAAAAARRGGG !!!

All three creatures were beaten in only one second, one after I gave him an electric knee, and the two others were sliced by Primrose while she twirled in her dance.

We then quickly continued to run.

"Well done !", told me Primrose in a hurry.

As we keep running, more monsters continued to chase us, as we both repelled them with our superpowers, with one the one hand the electric blows, and one the other hand the dark purple evil spells against those evil monsters.

"WATCH OUT !"

I was about to get hit by a lizardman by surprise before Primrose killed him quickly.

Damn, these monsters were way too many ! Maybe more than 10 times the number of bandits who has attacked us earlier, and they were more ferocious and tough than them !

Me and Primrose observed more coming as we fought, when she pulled my arm.

"Keep running !"

We both ran and finally reached the wall.

SLAAAAASH !!!

SCRAAATCH !!!

GROAAAAAAARRRRGG !!!

We defeated quickly the closest one, as we stayed focused.

"Oh no ! The exit !", I exclaimed.

The lizardmen were everywhere: they blocked the exit, they blocked on the right, they blocked on the left, and they were too many to beat them all.

"I'm afraid that we are surrounded !", added Primrose, still ready to fight as she watched angrily at the intruders.

GRRRRRRR...

The monsters stopped to chase us, they were just observing us maliciously, knowing that we were trapped.

GRAHAHA !!

One of them even laughed while growling, while some of them beat their weapon against their wooden shield, excited to eat us.

We stayed close to the wall, as I yelled to the creatures.

"HEY ! MAY WE ASK WHY Y'ALL ATTACKING US ?!"

"That's useless ! They might look like humans minus the head, but they are still as smart as simple lizards !", told me Primrose annoyingly.

"So why are they attacking us ? It's not like we have actually done something bad to them !!...", I retorted, before reminding something and watching some of the monsters who were down. "Except for the fact that we have killed some of them, of course..."

I can regret what I just said, and trying to negotiate with the monsters wasn't a good plan.

Primrose observed the pack spread everywhere in the cavern.

"This room must be where the lizardmen were hiding after humans chased them from the city in the old times. We must have made them angry to have disturbed them, and because it's been years they haven't seen humans, they must be dying of envy to hunt us...", she explained coldly.

GRRRRRRR...

One of the lizardmen has its drool which started to flow from its jaw, as others were still growling at us.

"Are they going to eat us ?", I asked, being a little stressed.

"Perhaps... I also heard that they would also build weapons with human bones..."

"W-what ?!"

But I don't want them to turn all of my bones into a sword !

I guess H'aanit wasn't the only one to make creepy comments...

GROAAAAAARRR !!!

Right now, the lizardmen slowly approached us, as Primrose spoke coldly.

"I don't feel good about this !... I wouldn't be able to slow all of them with my Night Ode dance at once. I'll be honest... if we make the wrong choice, we're screwed."

She's right ! They were too many monsters to beat, and I don't know if I would have enough "battery" to use my superpowers... Why do I have always to be trapped ?!

That's no good... How can we beat them all ?! Or how can we pass through them to go to the exit ?! WHAT CHOICE DO WE HAVE ?!

If we try to fight them, they could outnumber us, and if we managed to escape, we could forget about the crystal !...

The crystal ?! WAIT !

I immediately checked my compass and noticed the red dot was still indicated that it was behind this wall.

COULD THERE BE ?!!!...

I turned behind and started to touch every brick on the wall, leaving Primrose confused.

"What are you doing ?!"

"I got a plan ! If there is really a crystal behind that well, maybe there is a secret button that opens a secret path !"

"Don't say anything stupid ! Those things only exist in adventure tales for kids ! How could you imagine that while we're both about to..."

CRRRR...

My hand started to push a brick which slowly ground.

CRRRRRAAAAAAACCCCKLE !

The wall suddenly shook heavily, when at our surprise, the wall slowly started to create a new entrance, as we could hear like a kind of mechanism.

CRRRRRRRAAAAAAACCCCKLE !

A secret entrance ! Just like in these temple adventure movies !

We could see a sort of wide circular room that was lighted by torches and was surrounded by pillars.

And at the end of the room, we could see something shiny and orange... the crystal !

GRRRRROOOAAR ?!!

Even the monsters were surprised like Primrose was, while I was really happy that it's not our end yet !

"See. A secret path !", I told her proudly.

She sighed.

GROOOOAAAARRR !!!

The lizardmen suddenly charged as she exclaimed.

"Okay ! NOW SHUT UP AND RUN !"

SLASH !!

GROAAAR !!

We quickly decided to go towards the room, running through an ancient bridge, as we observed the room was surrounded by a precipice which wasn't too deep, but we could see... sharp spikes !

I guess we have to be careful to not fall there !

"HERE THEY COME !!", yelled Primrose.

GROAAARRR !!!

The monsters also decided to chase us, as Primrose managed to fight the closest ones.

She avoided and counter attacked two of them, pushing them in the precipice filled with spikes.

GROOOOAAAAARRRGGG !!!

I stayed behind her as one monster tried to slam her with his club.

"Ngh !!!"

She grabbed the creature's weapon with both hands while he tried to struggle for keeping his weapon.

"Primrose !", I yelled worryingly.

The monster continued to push as Primrose was close to falling in the precipice when more lizardmen arrived through the entrance, wanting to help their comrades.

Refusing to let that happen, I dashed towards the coming foes.

GZZZTT !!!

GZZZTT !!

SCRAAAATCH !!!

I jumped and kicked the closest one, pushing him so much that he got thrown on his comrades, making them fall on the sides, like a bowling ball hitting bowling pins.

"RAAAAH !!"

Primrose finally kicked her attacker in the stomach, pushing him in the precipice, and kept his weapon.

"Primrose ! The crystal !", I exclaimed.

I pointed her the crystal which was on the other side of the arena. It looked exactly like the one I've seen from the mysterious man's pocket whom I spied before, and it was shining a beautiful red-orange light, which was brighter than the precious stone I've found at the Cave of Origin. It was floating on a pedestal.

"We have to take it !", exclaimed Primrose while kicking another enemy.

We both ran through the wide circular area which looked like an arena, but when we reached the center, monsters suddenly appeared a front of the crystal, blocking us the road.

GROOAAAARRR !!!

I and Prim stopped in our tracks, as I was surprised.

"What ?! But where did they come..."

Then, the rest of the lizardmen climbed the arena and started to form a wide circle of walking lizards, at my confusion.

"They must have reached us by clinging on the precipice's edges ! They would always try any paths to catch us back !", said Primrose while holding both her dagger and the club she has stolen and told me "Just stay close to me !"

I listened to her and we were back to back, as I was still ready to fight and ready to cross my fingers again, but I wasn't reassured by the situation. We were exactly at the center of the area, while the lizardmen were all gathered just at the limits of the arena.

GROAAAAAHAHAHAHA !!

KLANG ! KLANG ! KLANG !

They all laughed patiently by beating their weapons on either the ground or their shield, grinning as they were impatient to swarm us.

They were too many of them: indeed, there was no other way to escape the arena as they were totally cornered from every side.

As Primrose glared menacingly at them, I tried to remain calm as well even if I was slightly worried.

"Okay... I'll count to 3, and at 3, we charge !... 1... 2"

"No, wait !", she interrupted me angrily, as renounced when she exclaimed seriously. "If you try to charge ahead these beasts, you might kick the bucket ! So, don't do anything stupid !"

GRRROOAAAARRR !!!

Primrose looked pretty serious when she warned me, but I wondered what she had in mind. We can't just let them swarming us and rip us all into little pieces.

She then explained calmly.

"Actually, I have a plan for we could get us out of that mess, but you will have to listen to me, okay ?!"

"Okay what's the plan ?! JUST TELL ME THE PLAN NOW !!!"

GRRRRRAAAAHHH !!!

The lizardmen roared, as Primrose suddenly throw the club she has stolen at my feet.

"HAAAA !"

I flinched out of surprise when she said.

"See that ? Do you think you will be able to hold it by your feet with all your strength ?"

"Err... I can try this ! But then ?..."

"At my signal, you will take my hands, you will use your lightning magic, and then... we're gonna dance together for the first time !"

"WHAT ?!! Don't you think we can do that another time ?!"

"JUST DO WHAT I SAY IF YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR BONES !!!", she interrupted me angrily.

I didn't understand what she wanted to do, but I cared a lot for my bones.

So I grabbed the club on the ground with my feet, holding it tight by the wooden part of the weapon.

GRRRRROOOOAAAAAARRRRR !!!!

The monsters then started to charge when Primrose screamed.

"NOW ! GRAB MY HANDS !"

I did what she said when she started to spin and lifted me by my hands, as I left the ground.

After she created another dark purple zone around her, she kept twirling me around her like she was about to throw me, as I still held the weapon by my feet tightly and then

SCRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATCH !!!!

GROOAAAAAAAAARRRRGGG !!!

GROOOOOAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGG !!!

That was incredible !

I was using my superpowers on the feet only, but the electricity covered also the sharp part of the weapon my feet held and sliced the lizardmen one by one around us, while Primrose continued to spin me around for hitting every monster around us !!

SCRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTCHH !!!

GROOOAAAAAAAAARRRGG !!!

GROOOAAAAARRRRGG !!

The lizardmen around us were easily wiped out and thrown on the precipice, thanks to my powers combined with Primrose's dark magic slowing them down, and we spun so fast that a big ring of blue electricity was forming around us.

I started to feel dizzy from the dance, but I and Primrose stared during our dance to keep me confident. I never thought I would dance with her right after the day I met her !

GROAAAAARRGGG !!!

GROAAAARGGGGG !!!

There were progressively less and fewer lizardmen surrounding us, and after only seconds, the last one was down.

SCRAAAAAAATCH !

Wait ! I think we cannot stop anymore !

"HAH !"

Primrose finally released me and I landed right next to the edge of the precipice.

"OUCH !"

I almost fall in the void, but I was able to recover on my knee, while the club joined the spikes down there.

There was not a single of these scaled men anymore.

While Primrose was breathing after the effort she has done, I was tired as well as my powers stopped themselves.

I smiled at Primrose, reassured that we finally made it.

!!!

"AAAHHH !!"

Suddenly, a hand grabbed my leg !

GROAAAARR !

One remaining lizardman was just down there, clanging to the crackled wall as he tried to carry me to the precipice with me.

"HEEEEEEELP !!!", I screamed while gripping desperately to the edge.

"TRAVIS !!", yelled Primrose worryingly.

She rushed to me as I tried to struggle.

"LET ME GO !!!"

GROAAAARRR !

The monster still held my leg with his large reptilian hand and pulled me even more although he too tried to go up.

Primrose quickly slipped and hang up to the edge.

"YAAAAHH !!"

She kicked the monster who fell in the void, but he also pulled me.

"NO !!"

I started to fall and Primrose immediately reached for my hand.

She wasn't unable to catch my hand.

"TRAVIS !!"

I started to fall in the void and observed with shock Primrose desperately watching me falling with horror when I turned to see all the spikes which covered the precipice.

I could see all the monsters we have beaten down there, all of them were severally impaled from everywhere, all dead on impact.

Will I finish like them ? Impaled by hundreds of spike, like food impaled by a fork ?

I don't want to die like this... But how could I manage to escape that ?! After all the adventures I've known and all the dangers I've ever faced ?! How could my electric superpowers help me in a situation like that ?! Should I get teleported right now ?!

I don't know... I can't feel the small thunder around me like the times where I've teleported... It worked when I fell in the canyon when I was swallowed by that big monster, and also when I was in the middle of a storm... Why couldn't it work now ?!

...

As I faced the end of the precipice, I was a few meters before falling on the spike, as I stared in an instant my hands.

They always helped me, my powers, to get out on difficult situations. Strangely, I think I mostly used them to protect someone else since the beginning, and I never regretted that.

But I should have known before, that if I was still alive, it's thanks to them. They permitted me to keep up, to fly from progress to progress as far as I could... And here I am.

I guess I'm just a simple boy who has superpowers to help himself, and the people he cared for... but what's so strange with that ?!

If I was able to fly so high, I'll fly again and even higher if I wanted to !!

So, I crossed my fingers with determination, and focused myself seriously, before pointing my hand over the spikes and

GZTT !!

SCCCCCCCCCCCRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTCCCCCCCHHH !!!

My hands were releasing so much electricity, so much thunders were hitting the spikes that I fell slower, and slower... until I wasn't falling anymore.

SCCCCCCCCCCCRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTCCCCCCCHHH !!!

I felt like powerful energy in me, as I was only concentrating my powers in only at a point, just at the bottom of the cliff.

That was really crazy: I was unleashing so much electricity that I was starting to "float" a little just one meter above the spikes.

I never used my magic that much, using much more strength than against that giant frozen guardian, but while I was unleashing electricity everywhere in that cave, now I was only focusing at one thunder which looked to be the more powerful I've never made !

I started to slowly go down.

C'mon... Just a little effort...

SCCCCCCCCCCCRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTCCCCCCCHHH !!!

I then unleashed so much more electricity with all my strength.

"haaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH !!!"

I screamed by putting all my strength, using everything I had and exceeding my limits.

And then...

GGGGGZZZZZZZZCCCCRAAAAAAAATCH !!

BRAAAAOOOOOMMM !!!!!

The thunder suddenly propelled me like a rocket, as I could hear like the thunder of a storm when I finally managed to escape the void and almost reached the ceiling.

When I was in the air, I felt so tired...

~Primrose's POV~

"TRAVIS !"

As he was still in the air, I hurried to catch the boy in my arms on landing by sliding over the ground.

Thanks the seven gods he didn't fall in that trap...

To make sure if he was okay, I leaned him down on my lap, the back of his head over my knees, as he was unconscious.

I couldn't believe he would use his powers like that to elevate himself in the air, with just only electricity he would unleash from his small hands. He even used so much quantity to realize such a feat that he lost all his strength.

I was particularly impressed, but I was more worried about his state.

"Travis, please... Answer me !..."

That's no good... Travis wasn't moving at all despite my calls.

"Travis, C'mon !..."

The more I tried to wake him up, the more I was desperate about his state, and I would feel very ashamed.

All of this was my fault... I put him in danger for my own business and despite the promises I gave him, I wasn't able to help him in time.

There's no way... I wanted to lose him like I lost my father...

"HAAAAAA !!!"

He suddenly shrieked, making me caught off guard, as he finally woke up.

He started to breathe heavily, as I smiled and sighed in relief.

"Oh, thanks the twelve gods, Travis !... You're alright !"

He giggled quietly at my sight.

"Primrose... Have you ever tasted apple fritters ?"

He grinned maliciously at me, as I chuckled, surprised by his answer. Seriously, asking me about food was really his first words after he almost died ?!

Indeed, I still couldn't believe what such a little boy like him could use such dangerous magic.

I watched at him.

"...How are you not dead ?"

"I have no idea.", he told me proudly when his eyes widened like he reminded something. "Oh ! The crystal ! I almost forgot !"

He tried to get up, but it seems that he still has lost all his strength after using so much power. His arms didn't even have the force to put him in a sitting position, as he was now lying over the ground kinda like a lazy sloth.

"Sorry, Prim. I think I'm out of battery, for now."

"It's okay, I think you have done enough already.", I reassured him while gently moving his head out of my lap and putting it on the ground.

I observed the pedestal with the shining crystal floating over it, and thankfully the stone hasn't been lost during the battle.

I slowly approached the crystal and observed it quietly when I got filled with wonder by the artifact. It was such a beautiful precious stone, like the treasure every treasure hunters would fight to get...

!... I remind, now !

Now, I was more than sure it was the crystal I've seen 10 years ago. Indeed, seeing that crystal gave me a flash: now I recalled my memory of the day when I spied over my father and the man whom he gave him the crystal.

Now, I was more than sure that the vision I got was definitely real.

By the way, was that really the same crystal which was in possession of the man Travis has seen ?

Of course, it could be possible there were originally two crystals: one who belonged to my father, and the other kept by the mysterious man Travis has spied. I guess there must be such a mystery around these things...

I was about to take it when Travis called weakly.

"HEY !... WATCH OUT !..."

"What's wrong ?"

"When you break into a place to steal its sacred treasure like this crystal, so you might activate, there could be a bunch of booby traps which could shoot poisoned arrows and kill us..."

I just simply took the crystal from the pedestal without really listening to his advice.

A few seconds later, nothing happened.

Travis was quite surprised.

"...Err, maybe they have just forgotten to put some ! He he !", he smiled, a little embarrassed in his tired position.

"Maybe they have...", I answered him.

Now we have the crystal in hand, we have to leave this place, as I believed there might be other lizardmen somewhere in the catacombs. Indeed, I have to hurry to go back to the dorms and being ready to dance before Helgenish's return.

However, it looks likes Travis would spend the rest of the day in that room in this lazy state.

I explained to him.

"All right: due to my job, I will not be able to constantly keep the crystal with me, this is way too risky, especially because we still didn't know who's the owner of the second crystal. So, if you don't mind, I would like you to keep that one with you and to stay safe no matter what happens. You will just stay in the dorms while we girls are out, that's all."

I stowed the shining crystal inside Travis's leather satchel when he apologized weakly.

"I'm really sorry, Prim... Looks like I don't have the strength to move for now...", he tried to get up again, in vain, as he added. "I swear I would have preferred you don't carry my bag for me, but..."

"No, no... you will still carry your bag... while I will carry you."

I then stood up, now carrying the helpless boy on my back by giving him a piggyback ride.

He felt surprised at the first place, but he then leaned on my back, looping his legs around my waist and his arms around my neck.

I was ready to go when I said.

"Feel comfortable ?"

He smiled slightly, as he seemed relaxed on my back, before answering me.

"I... I hope I'm not too heavy for you."

"It's alright. I couldn't leave you alone in such a place, and you're not even heavy to carry.", I told him, before saying quietly to myself. "And you're pretty good to support..."

I smiled calmly.

"What did you just say ?"

"Oh, nothing."

I was about to leave when I heard his voice.

"You know what, Primrose ?..."

I stopped in my tracks when he added.

"I enjoyed having teamed up with you."

He then looked slightly tired, but he wasn't really sleepy, just pretty exhausted after all the effort he has done.

I smiled at his compliment and sighed of relief as he looked so peaceful.

He's really adorable...

I couldn't deny how useful was this boy in my quest to get that crystal: he was even so confident when he accepted to help me, and I'm not even sure I would have a chance to leave that place alive without his help.

Sometimes, I think I should train my fighting skills more than often, just in case, but I never expected this boy to be more resourceful than I expected, even though I had to rescue him a few times. Despite his age, he could be such a good companion...

So, I went towards the exit while still carrying Travis through the darkness.

~Meanwhile, at the dorms~

~Yusufa's POV~

But what are they doing ?!... They could have been back for 10 minutes !...

I was already prepared for the afternoon, and now I was still waiting for Primrose and Travis's return at the windows.

I started to be worried: I don't know what Primrose wanted to do outside, and neither why she also brought that boy with her. I hoped they didn't have crossed the paths of bandits, or neither tried to go outside the desert, but I don't think they would have as they didn't seem well prepared.

I just can't believe Primrose has that damn disease of the blue eye: I thought the Aisemna plague was just a legend we tell to children at Sunshade, especially because we haven't seen a single sapphire-eyed person in the Sunlands... until today.

I just couldn't believe Primrose was living with that, and that she has to hide such a secret from everyone.

That explains a lot about her last performance on stage...

If ever Helgenish learns that, I couldn't imagine what he can do to her and...

"... I told you it wasn't a good plan !"

I heard some voices outside, as I checked outside the window.

Oh no ! Melissa, Violet, and Ellie are already back !

They were walking through the main street while arguing.

"Oh shut up ! I was so close to getting that cute little ring for free ! I even managed to seduce the seller ! Raaah ! If only his fat cow which served him as his wife hasn't come back to expel us by yelling !", complained Melissa angrily.

"At least, this guy got more eyes on you that his wife.", added Ellie sassily.

"Anyway, there was no way I could pay instead at this price ! And finally, I found that ring pretty lame ! ", Melissa got angry.

My eyes widened as they approached the door.

I can't let them notice Primrose is gone ! Else, they will tell Helgenish !

I rushed to our bedroom's entrance and closed the curtains, making sure nothing could be seen.

"Decidedly, Melissa, you never got lucky when you do shopping.", said Violet's voice.

The door opened as the three girls opened and saw me.

"Ah, Yusufa. There you are.", told me Violet.

I was standing a front of the bedroom entrance, quite unsure what to say.

I finally spoke to the girls.

"Err... Where... where were you, girls, outside ?", I faked a smile.

"Oh, nothing special. We wanted to do some shopping, but there was nothing interesting.", answered Violet.

"Oh, I see... I'm so sorry for you, girls.", I told them.

"You were lucky someone has ripped your skirt, else you wouldn't have to come seeing such ugly outfits.", said Melissa.

"We've even proposed Primrose to go with us, but as usual, she preferred to take care of her own business.", added Ellie.

Look like they were going outside without authorization during the break. But now they were back, there's no way Helgenish would figure it out when he will be back.

I tried to stay positive, as I explained to the girls.

"Well... You know Primrose !... It's not really in her habits to hang out at this time... I think we shouldn't annoy her without that ! He he !"

"That's right she acts quite weird, these times. She even had trouble dancing this morning at the tavern, it's not like her to give such an awful representation compared to what she usually does.", said Ellie.

"Unless she might be tired to dance for once and good. After all, I can understand all that fatigue she would feel of being the best of us for years.", criticized Melissa, before chuckling.

How... how dare she say that ?!!

I felt quite angry internally but stayed calm.

"Oh, I don't think she would want to stop dancing right now for just some wrong steps."

The girls stared at me weirdly when Ellie asked.

"Where is Primrose, by the way ?"

"Err..."

That's no good ! Primrose isn't there yet !!

I mumbled when Melissa spoke.

"Oh... As she finally decided to hang out outside ?! Well, too bad she is not there yet ! Guess our master won't be happy when we will tell him !"

She smirked with the other girls.

I can't let them discovering Prim is gone ! I just need to win more time !

"Of course she's here !!... She's just... resting in the bedroom ! He he !"

"Oh, really ?", said Ellie.

I moved nervously my head to nod.

"Can we see her ?", asked Violet.

They all approached the curtains, but I placed myself a front of the bedroom's entrance.

"NO WAIT !"

They sighed annoyingly.

"What's wrong, Yusufa ?", asked Ellie.

"Aren't you hiding something from us ? You'll be punished as well if you keep defending her...", told me Melissa.

"I already told you Primrose was there ! However, I don't think you should go see her for the moment !", I insisted again.

"And why we couldn't ? It's also OUR bedroom, you know !", asked Violet impatiently.

"Why ?! Well... Primrose is... sick !"

This was the best excuse I could give to them, as Violet stared at me.

"Sick ?... What do you mean ?"

I explained to them.

"Err... She has eaten too many fruits this morning ! You know, Primrose would often wake up before all of us, right ? I already told her that she would have health problems if she eats too much, but she hasn't listened to me sadly ! As a result, she had stomach pain earlier and she was feeling so bad that she couldn't resist to throw up on the floor !"

"SHE THREW UP ?!!", exclaimed the three girls at once.

"Yeah, sadly. I swear, we could still smell the vomit in the bedroom. Bwerk !", I faked a disgusted expression.

The three girls all looked at me suspiciously, as I started to stress a little.

Finally, Melissa approached me and smiled maliciously.

"So, Primrose is sick right ? C'mon, let us go see her if she feels better no."

She bypassed me.

"NOOO !"

She then opened the curtain and saw someone standing.

"What's up, girls ?"

It was Primrose ! She finally went back after so long !

As the girls were pretty confused, Primrose looked to feel pretty bad.

"Mmh... I shouldn't have eaten many apples that morning... Thankfully I managed to clean the vomit, but it still smells like dung.", she made a disgusted face.

Melissa tried to smell when she immediately pinched her nose.

"BWEEEEHHH !!! You're right ! It smells like a dead skunk !"

"AH !... Damn you, Primrose !", complained a disgusted Ellie.

"No way I stay here in that pigsty for one more second !", said Violet.

All the green dancing girls hurried outside to take some fresh air, completely disappointed by the odor.

I sighed in relief, feeling reassured.

"Thanks the twelve gods, Primrose ! You're back !"

"Sorry for being late. It took longer than I thought...", apologized Primrose calmly.

"It's ok. I'm happy you're back safe and sound ! Nonetheless, if you were back one minute later, I... Sniff ! Sniff !"

Surprisingly, I too started to smell the stinky odor coming from the bedroom that the others have felt.

"Seriously, where does that odor really come from ?"

I continued to sniff when I entered the bedroom while pinching my nose.

"Wait, Primrose... Don't tell me you dared to... AAAAAAAHHH !!"

I shrieked in fear when I saw what was exceeding under a bed.

There was a big green monstrous hand which has been cut on the ground !

I was so shocked that I fell over a bed.

"HOW AWFUL !..."

I pinched my nose as I understood that this rest of corpse was responsible for the stinky smell.

Anyway, I also noticed Travis who was under the bed, next to the hand, as he giggled and said at Primrose.

"It was such a good plan to take that hand from one of the lizardmen's corpse !"

"Yeah, I guess he really gave us a helping hand !", joked Primrose, making Travis giggle.

Gees, I can't believe they already got along with each other... But what have they done outside ?!

I can't believe they were also attacked by these big reptiles that everyone at Sunshade is dreading ! It's also a miracle both of them made it alive !

Primrose then added calmly.

"I was lucky to think that you would make the others believe that I was sick and threw out as an excuse."

"Oh yeah... Sorry ! I haven't found any better excuse to cover you up !", I answered her happily.

We both stared at each other, while still feeling the awful odor of the hand, as Primrose asked Travis.

"Travis, they're gone now. Could you..."

"Ah, yes ! Sorry ! Right away !"

He picked up the hand and threw out at the window, putting it inside a barrel.

While he started to close the vents with difficulty due to his small height, Primrose then touched her face.

"Oh my... I'm still covered in dust !", she then left the bedroom as she added. "Helgenish will be back soon, I need to be prepared before his return."

"Okay, just hurry !", I advised her.

I then heard a voice.

"Hey, Yusufa."

It was Travis looking up at me while sitting on a bed.

"Yes, Travis ?"

"I have something to ask you, please. I wanted to tell you first because I'm not sure if Primrose would agree...", he watched at me with a small smile.

He has something to ask me ? And why me especially ?

However, I was pretty curious about his request.

"What do you want ?"

~3rd's POV~

Next to the entrance of the dancers' apartment, the three dancing girls in green were still disgusted.

"Ah !... We could still smell it from here ! I can't believe she dared to pull us a trick like that !", complained Ellie.

"Yeah ! I'm really sick of that idiotic girl who thinks she is better than us !", added Melissa on her nerves, before kicking angrily a rock. "Each time, she always manages to get away behind Helgenish's back !"

"Talking about him, he's gonna come back soon. The problem is that I didn't have the time to check my hair. Indeed, we have to become exemplary for the special night at the tavern tonight !", said a desperate Violet.

As they were all pouting, Melissa got an idea in mind when she smirked.

"Mmh... Perhaps there might be a way to get rid of her tonight if she will be the one who will have a solo dance on stage..."

"If you think so... What do you plan to do to her ?", asked Ellie.

"Come here.", advised Melissa.

The two girls approached her, and so Melissa shushed at a low voice what was her plan.

Both Ellie and Violet were surprised as they chuckled.

"Oh ! Come on ! Are you serious ?!"

They smirked as Melissa added.

"With that, I'm pretty sure Primrose would make her last dance, tonight !"

~

A/N: I don't know why, but each time I write the name "Melissa", I always want to punch that annoying dancing girl in the face ! Not you ?

Anyway, I understand most of my story's viewers must have played Octopath Traveler and being a fan (or just being a fan of the game without playing it, like me when I like FNAF even if I have never played a game XD) could be confused about the scenario. Yeah, I admit there weren't magic crystals involved in Primrose's chapter 1.

Once again... THIS BOOK IS A FANFICTION BASED ON THE GAME. So, I'm free to change some things from the original scenario and I want to remind you again the story of the book will be quite different from the game even though they evolve in the same universe.

In a fanfiction based on fiction like a movie, an anime or a game, we can do ANYTHING we want ! For exemple, you can write romantic shipping stories between two characters even if their couple isn't really canon, or write an AU of a fictional story about a certain character in the fiction who died but who has survived in the fanfiction (kinda like an AU where Sachi from Sword Art Online survives).

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed that chapter again and I'll continue to write at a faster rhythm if I can ! See you next time !