"Onii-Channn!!"
Ivy’s desperate scream pierced the tunnel just as a sharp web of poison tore through the air toward her. Her eyes were squeezed shut, her little hands up like a useless shield, as the horror of the monstrous spider bore down on her.
"Ivy!" Aiden’s voice roared with urgency.
Then—
"Crytalian Barrier!"
The glow of magic erupted between Ivy and the danger. Lysandra had leapt in front of her without hesitation, her arm outstretched and her barrier shimmering to life in time to block the deadly silk. The poisonous threads sizzled harmlessly against the glowing shield.
Ivy slowly opened her eyes. Her breaths were short and shaky as she stared at the green-skinned figure in front of her. Lysandra, panting but defiant, held her ground.
Lysandra glanced over her shoulder, her smirk unbothered despite the sweat on her brow. "You’re such a pain in the rear, brat."
Ivy’s eyes filled with tears. She looked down guiltily. "T-thank you... I’m sorry..."
Before anything else could be said, a blur of motion flashed before the girls. Aiden was already moving, his body propelled by pure emotion. With one furious cry, he drove his dagger into the spider’s ribcage, finding the exact joint where the armor was weakest.
The spider shrieked, the sound unnatural and vile, echoing like metal grinding against metal.
Aiden didn’t stop. His muscles tensed. With a twist of his blade, he sliced outward, splitting the creature clean in two. The spider’s twitching halves hit the ground with a sickening thud.
A moment of silence followed—broken only by Lysandra’s sharp gasps as she lowered her barrier and stumbled slightly, her knees trembling. She caught herself, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand.
Luna’s fingers tightened around Aiden’s arm the moment he returned. Her eyes were narrowed, concerned, and her ears flicked in agitation. She hated that Ivy had come through. She hated the risk. But most of all, she hated the idea of losing Aiden, even for a second.
Ivy stood frozen, her face red and wet with tears, her hands clenched tightly at her sides. She thought he’d be angry. Maybe even send her away.
But instead—
Aiden crouched in front of her, his expression unreadable at first.
Luna stood quietly behind him, eyes softening, her tail low. Her heart clenched.
Ivy couldn’t meet his eyes. She trembled, ashamed. "I-I... I’m so sorry... I just wanted to be with you... I didn’t want to be left behind..."
Aiden’s arms wrapped around her gently but firmly, pulling her close to his chest. Ivy let out a broken sob, hugging him back immediately. That warmth—that safety—was all she needed.
"Dummy..." Aiden murmured. "Didn’t I tell you to stay put?"
"I know... but... but I got scared when you left. I didn’t want to be alone again..." Ivy’s voice cracked.
Behind them, Lysandra stepped closer. Her face was flushed with guilt, and she looked away.
"I’m sorry too," she said quietly. "I should’ve stopped her... but I wasn’t fast enough. It’s my fault she followed."
Aiden shook his head gently, still cradling Ivy. "You saved her. That’s what matters."
Lysandra looked surprised, but then slowly smiled. That smile... it held something warmer than gratitude. She watched Aiden with admiration that she could no longer hide.
Luna knelt beside them, brushing Ivy’s hair softly. "You scared all of us, little one..." she said, her voice calm but clearly shaken. "But... I understand. You missed Master too, didn’t you?"
Ivy nodded, wiping her face against Aiden’s shirt.
Aiden kissed the top of her head and finally let her go. Then he stood, eyes scanning the dim shadows ahead.
"Luna."
She rose instantly beside him.
Aiden glanced back. "Ly, keep her close. Stay behind us. This place isn’t going to get any safer."
Lysandra gave a sharp nod, stepping protectively beside Ivy, who grabbed onto her skirt nervously.
Luna’s ears twitched. She turned slightly, her eyes narrowing. "Master... I hear them. More of them."
Aiden’s gaze sharpened. "How many?"
Luna sniffed the air, her body growing tense. Her claws glowed faintly, her fangs poking from beneath her lips.
"Five. No... six. Maybe more. Coming from both ends of the tunnel. They’re fast."
Aiden exhaled, cracking his knuckles. "We’ve got no time to waste."
Lysandra’s held onto Ivy. Ivy stood still, clinging to her side.
"I’ll protect her," Lysandra assured. "No matter what."
Luna looked over at them, then leaned in closer to Aiden.
"Master... if it gets bad, promise me you’ll fall back. I can’t lose you."
Aiden turned to her, smiling faintly. "And leave my girls behind? Not a chance."
Luna bit her lip, her gaze full of emotion. "Then don’t do anything reckless. I am already sacred enough."
"I’ll be fine. We’ll be fine."
She hesitated, then pulled him in for a kiss—a short one, full of desperation and love.
"...If anything happens to you," she whispered, her voice low and trembling, "I’ll tear this dungeon apart."
"Sounds like a plan," Aiden replied, voice light but eyes deadly serious.
Suddenly, a loud skittering noise echoed from the tunnel.
Then another.
Dozens of red eyes glimmered in the shadows.
"They’re here!" Luna hissed, claws snapping out.
Aiden shifted his stance, crouched low, dagger ready.
"Let’s dance."
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END OF Chapter 25: MONSTERS!
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