Chapter 25: Eye of the Beast

In the West Branch, a small oasis sat next to a large mountain. All around it, dozens of tunnels had been dug by a single woman, floating in a boat that seemed to move itself.

Holding out her hand, the brunette caused the Earth to her right to seem to shatter before a large tunnel began to expand outward. From above, it seemed like thousands of pedals of a flower had formed around her, spinning in various strange patterns.

A few of the tunnels had staircases that led into the abyss. Holding her arms across her chest, the brunette sighed and turned, seeing a strange beast appear resting by her feet.

"Go away," The woman opened one of her eyes and sighed, "You're cute, but I can't take care of you,"

"Mm?" A small furry black bat with three long tails and yellow eyes looked at the woman like someone had just stolen it's future. Holding out its arms, the girl Kellen, finally gave in, letting the little creature hop into her palm as the found of footsteps trembled the ground behind her.

"They're here. Stay underneath my jacket," Kellen picked up the little, strange beast and gently slid it down her back. Feeling it's teeth sinking into her back, beginning to gently take a sip of her blood, Kellen nearly burst into anger. However, seeing Reece behind her, Kellen stood up and tapped the boat, causing it to shoot to the sandy shore full of six beautiful woman and one man."

"Howard, Kellen here is our top earth user," Reece smiled and held up Howard's hand. "She's a higher rank than you. It's only polite you shake her hand."

"Nice to meet you. Yes, I'm Kellen the Fierce!" The girl jumped off the boat and spun in the air. "Ha, I'm beautiful right? Before I grew these cute black wings I used to be a up and coming singer. Want to hear me sing?"

"Uhm, can I book an appointment," Howard put his hand behind his head and laughed. "I-I think I pissed off my girlfriend. You can help me, right?"

"That's twice as expensive, but yes," Kellen nodded her head, "What did you do to her?"

"It's what I did," Harley patted Howard on the back. "I got this guy to say he'd date me too in front of his girlfriend. It turns out. He was in prison so long he didn't know what that meant."

Howard and Monica had been in their room.

He started giving her a massage on the back, over her clothes, before Monica turned to him glowing underneath the lamplight of the West Branch Suite. Putting some oil on his hands, Howard gently rubbed the exposed part of her back before 'that' got brought up.

"Howard, do you like Harley?" Monica asked, "I mean… What do you think of her?"

"She's really pretty. However, she hasn't asked me out yet. I don't know what I'd say!" Howard had smiled at her and brushed back her hair before returning to her shoulders. Seeing her face turn red, he gently rubbed her shoulder blades before kissing her once on the forehead. "All I know is I died over 100,000 times just to save you!"

"I know, and I saw it! You're an idiot Howard. When are you going to grow up? Do you like me, or do you like her?"

"I-I like both of you," Howard said, raising his eye brows, watching Monica slither away from him with anger and disdain. "However, you're my girlfriend! My very first girlfriend." Howard patted her on the leg and smiled.

"Howard, you… you are so naive. I don't know if I can be with you," Monica said, grabbing at the amulet on her chest with tears in her eyes. "I-I don't know if I can do this any longer! You're starting to remind me of Zack! You're just too carefree!"

"Monica, I'm a good listener. Don't leave."

"No!" Monica got up and rushed to the door, springing it open. The brown frame jingled before Monica dashed into the darkness of the stairwell. Crossing his arms, Howard kicked back, looking at the ceiling before a knock came from beneath him.

"Can I say something?" Harley said, walking into the room with a smile. "Howard, will you go out with me?"

"Sure," Howard said with a smile. "What do you mean go out?"

"HOWARD! WE ARE OVER!" Monica screamed, tossing the ice amulet into the air and over towards Howard's hand. "I-I can't believe you! I-I gave you my first kiss! I-I just let you touch my waist!"

"Well, you'll get over it," Harley sighed and walked over to Howard. "Anyways, I was listening in and thought I'd ask you out on a date. We got to go anyways. Reece told me to get you."

"Did-did I just screw up?"

"What are you talking about," Harley walked over to Howard and put her hand over his eyes. "You just got the best thing you could ever dream off. Trust me."

###

Howard looked at Kellen after telling her the story, and begged her one more time to sing a song.

Hearing his request, Kellen smiled before nodding her head. Putting her arm around him as she walked him over towards a tunnel.

"So, that's what happened! Ha! I love how honest you are!"

"Where's the tunnel, Kellen?" Reece said, crossing her chest. "Which one is the most promising."

"Over there. It has the biggest Ki signature. Check it out," Kellen yawned and tossed a remote over to Reece, stretching as her beautiful shadow split into three under the setting sun. "I'm not sure what it is, but I'm excited about it!"

"Me too," Reece walked into the entrance way and nodded her head. "Let's hope something that can help us is lurking in those shadows."

###

Deep inside the caverns, sinuous road, a grinding sound could be heard.

Holding a fireball in her hand, Reece shivered with a mixture of fright and angst as a small little bug hopped onto the wall in their path.

"Omg! Omg! Make it go away!" Reece face palmed herself before a beam of light shot into the small bug in the craggy path. Turning it into a crisp, Reece finally couldn't' take it and sprung behind Howard, hugging him with all her might.

"Is-is it gone?"

"You melted it to smithereens," Harley said, gently pushing Reece forward. "Come on. There is a line back here, hurry it up."

"I'll go first." Howard snapped his fingers before a lantern manifested in his hands, forming from a small ball of flames. Tapping it forward, Howard created three more lanterns that spread down the tunnel, creating a clear view of its endless halls.

"Wow, you're getting good and channeling kid. Where did you learn to do that?" Reece said with a frown. "I-I didn't learn how to shape fire until a year after I arrived."

"Heh, I practice a lot," Howard nodded his head. "When I'm dreaming, I train. Why? Is that unusual?"

"Very, but we can talk about that later," Reece pointed at the tunnel ahead. "You-you go ahead kid. I-I should tell you a little secret about me to make our connection stronger right. I'm T-T-Terrified… of…. Bugs…"

"Heh, just like my mother." Howard nodded his head.

Walking into the tunnel, Howard explored the entire underpass before finding a strange opening. Entering into it, dozens of stalactite could be seen drooping down from the massive rock enclosure. Hundreds of spears of crystals joined them, cousing the cave to glow as three lanterns entered inside of them.

"This-this looks like a nest." Howard said, pointing at the giant spider webs. "Are you going to be okay, Reece."

"I only have trouble with small bugs kid, I-I'll be fine." Reece shivered seeing a small spider dropping down a string of silver thread before she pushed Howard forward. "On-on second thought. You-you go first! Show us what a man can do."

"Ha, just like captain!" Kellen put her hand against the ground, closing her eyes to feel the endless vibrations.

Earth users in the Furnace could detect movements for hundreds of miles, detecting subtle movements in the ground with their enhanced senses. Picking up her hands, Kellen looked nervously at Howard nonchalantly walking forward before she slammed her hand into the ground.

Immediately, a wall formed, blocking Howard from going forward.

"Don't-don't move a single step, Howard," Kellen gulped and leaned into Reece's ear. "Reece, Harley. On my mark. Attack with all you got."