Book Three Chapter Forty Six: TT_Hunter2

Book Three Chapter Forty Six: TT_Hunter2

The child version of Sencha Bard seemed remarkably unperturbed by the fact hed just time travelled. Instead he was still trying to greet Qube according to whatever strange training hed been given. Qube had always assumed that his bowing etc had been something hed been taught at his Bard College, but instead it seemed to be natural to him.

The Hero, after his initial reaction, had grilled Qube about everything thatd happened in the memorys past.

Right, he said eventually, well, I dunno how were going to deal with this when the memory ends, but lets go get you that lute. In fact

Theyd walked around to the front of the house. The now brightly coloured memory didnt show the Royal Guards, but a flick of the hourglass had shown they were still there. Circling back around to the alleyway behind the houses, the Chosen One had made Definitely Bad Guy and Qube boost him and Sencha Bard up to the top of the wall, before reaching back and dragging Qube up to sit next to them. Their legs dangled over the wall as they looked out into the brightly-coloured garden before them.

The backyard was completely filled with extremely lethal looking traps. The Hero nodded.

That explains why it pinged on the traps and magic in the grey-past, the Chosen One said sagely. I bet you anything that if we jumped back, theyd all be active now and wed have to try and disarm them blind. Clever. He dug the back of his heel into the stone wall. I bet this was Cazzas idea, he said, sounding almost proud of how difficult the Temple was. He always was a tricky little the Hero cut himself off with a cough.

Sencha Bard, who would normally be interested in pursuing information about the Devs, was instead studying the traps with a professional eye.

While I could disable several of these traps, doing it within the timeframe provided by the hourglass would be difficult, he said thoughtfully.

Oh, we dont need to do that, the Chosen One said, twisting around and holding out a hand to the party behind him. Here, hand me the kid.

But even if we memorised the locations of the traps, I couldnt get past them without having to disable some, Sencha Bard said, frowning.

Nah, see, this is the beauty of breaking things, the Hero said as the small urchin was boosted up by Briar, who reared up to her full height to carefully place him safely next to the Chosen One. Hey kid, you want that lute? he asked, pointing at the shining instrument visible in the bay window.

More than anything, the child replied.

Awesome! the Hero said. A terrible premonition stole over Qube.

Chosen One, she said, standing up on the top of the wall. Please dont

But she was too late. The Hero had already gathered up the small, defenceless child and thrown him directly at the lute.

[Lesser Shield]! Qube cast just in time to protect mini-Sencha as he smashed through the bay window and landed directly on the lute.

Now you! the Hero happily declared, grabbing Sencha Bard.

Noble Patron! Sencha Bard said, reverting to his old name for the Hero, I must protest this undignified!

Then he went flying too.

[Lesser Shield]! Qube quickly swapped out protecting the child to shield the Bard as he smashed through the shattered glass, narrowly missing landing on his younger self. The Bard jumped up and swung around to glare at the Hero.

That was completely uncalled for! he snapped, forgetting his diplomacy in his rage.

Oh, who are you? a breathy voice could be heard from within the room.

Fank you mysterious stwanger, mini-Sencha said, raising eyes filled with hero-worship to his older self.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

What I, thats quite all right Sencha Bard was flustered.

But Chosen One, he just said he trusted you with his life, Qube said. She was pretty sure that hadnt been the full truth, but still! That was a grand statement to just be dismissed out of hand.

Nah, I get it. Trusts gotta be earned, and all that. Anyway, Sexy Screamy Spider Briar, you gonna be cool with us going into the memory spell or whatever? the Hero asked, turning away from the still surprised-looking duo.

The arachnid shrugged. Im never cool, only hot, she replied. She reached out and tapped the panel with her title on it, and gently picked up the half-plucked flower. Once again the walls fell away, the coffin sank into the floor and then everything dissolved into nothingness.

The Forbidden Forest Temples pit was now laced with thorny vines twisted into lethal looking knots. Several of them seemed to be writhing slightly, as if alive.

Hm, the Hero said, from up on the clifftop theyd been teleported to. Looks like were supposed to try and fight the monsters in the past without hitting the invisible vine boys. Also gives us a hard time limit on defeating the beasties. Huh. For all they got lazy with the decor, they really thought up from twisted time stuff for the actual puzzles.

It certainly seems a lot more complicated than the other Temples weve done, Qube said as she frantically tried to memorise the positioning of each vine cluster.

Makes sense, its the last one, the Hero said, jumping off the cliff and landing heavily on the ground far below.

[Lesser Shield]. Why would that make a difference? Qube asked as she dropped down after him.

Ah, you and the others stay back a bit, the Chosen One said, causing the others to hesitate before following them into the pit. Sexy Briar, you come with me. When we switch time, well grab the kid and run back to you guys, then Definitely Bad Guy, I want you to spam the enemies with as much fire as you can. They werent expecting us to have a fire user with us, so you should be able to wipe them, while we avoid the vines.

Why wouldnt they expect us to have a fire Mage with us? Qube asked. The Chosen One swallowed hard.

Well, we didnt have one in the original Forbidden Forest Temple, did we? he replied. Qube frowned as she examined this reasoning.

But why

Okay, time to go! the Hero said to Sexy Screamy Spider Briar, grabbing one of her fuzzy arms. Watch out for that one cluster, otherwise we should be fine. He flicked the hourglass, checked where Svetlana was being instructed by her father, and moved over to her side.

Huh, the sand seems to move slower in this one, he said, staring at the tiny hourglass he was holding. Another flicker, and Svetlana already had her gifted crossbow ready. All right, he said, looking back at the party and then switching his gaze to Sexy Screamy Spider Briar. We all ready? he asked, a note of gentleness entering his voice.

Im always ready to go, Sexy Screamy Spider Briar purred. The Hero looked pained, and turned the hourglass over, sending the group back to the past.

Hello, Svetlana said, looking up at the Chosen One, are youurk!

The Hero, displaying none of the respect an heir to a throne should expect, picked Svetlana and, for the second time that day, threw a little girl through the air.

Catch! he called to Sexy Screamy Spider Briar, who easily caught her wood elf self and loped back to the others. Go Sparky, go! the Hero called, racing back to the group.

The Mage quickly calculated the distance to where the grey monsters were swarming after the Fighter.

[Fire Wall], he said, his spell flaring to life directly behind the Hero. With a flick of his fingers the wall swept towards the monsters, engulfing them entirely. The monsters didnt even hesitate, piling after their fallen brethren as they were all rapidly burned to ash.

Now thats how its done! the Chosen One crowed, dancing around. Oh yeah! Insta-wipe!

Svetlana looked up at Sexy Screamy Spider Briar, her crossbow still clutched in her tiny hands. Her legs were slowly being consumed by the arachnids form.

Thank you, she said, looking herself directly in the eyes, before dissolving into nothingness. The Hunters claws briefly clutched at empty air, then relaxed.

Just a spell, she said to herself, before the Forest Temple disappeared, and they returned back to the future.