Double Trouble

***Date Finished***: th, 2023----

***Setting:***

***Characters Involved***:
* Aikaterini
* Chloris
* Zephyr
* Kaguya
* Haruki

## Sticky Situation

A few days had come and gone since the trio had set out on their adventures. They faced against different monsters, discovered different creatures small and large, though they still were getting accustomed to one another. Aika was not used to the different personalities of her two new comrades. Chloris had a fiery attitude with an explosive temper when things don't go her way while Zephyr is a timid and shy bookworm who would often at times keep to herself. She wanted to know a bit more about each one so she smiled as she turned her attention to Chloris.

"So, Chloris," Aika spoke in an curiously playful tone, "I don't think you've told me about your likes and dislikes."

Chloris glanced over to Aika with a confused expression on her face with Aika's face turning into a nervous smile trying to hold it together.

"Uhhhhh define likes and dislikes," Chloris queried.

"You know things like...favorite food, hobbies, animal, stuff like that," Aika replied then her eyes widen a bit once she remembered something, "oh! And your least favorites too!"

"Ummmm okay? Well...I like tempura onigiri and sakura mochi," Chloris replied in a hesitant tone as she forced a smile.

"I-I like steamed meat buns and ohagi," Zephyr shyly answered trying not to blush as she started to shake a bit. Aika noticed Zephyr shaking then placed her hands on her shoulder then looked into her eyes.

"Hey hey, what's wrong," Aika asked in a worried tone.

"S-sorry," Zephyr replied in a shaky tone, "I-I'm not used to being asked by someone who wants t-to know about m-me."

"Why's that," Aika curiously asked.

"J-just not used to i-it," Zephyr whimpered a bit, "n-not many w-would want to befriend me because I-I'm too shy and how I come off to others..."

Chloris looked over to Zephyr then placed her hand on her shoulder looking over to her sympathetically. "Zephyr has a hard time speaking to others," Chloris spoke as she turned her attention to Aika, "since she was smaller she was orphaned from a young age and grew up in a broken home. Her foster family didn't want her and grew up on her own which was when her and I met one day and we've been friends since."

Aika's eyes widen as she gazed to Zephyr who shyly looked away as her eyes focused on the ground. "I-I'm sorry," Aika apologized.

Zephyr could only nod as she turned her head back to Aika giving her a tiny smile on her face. Suddenly, a low guttural growl was heard in the distance from behind them as the trio turned around with different facial expressions on their faces. Aika's face had a look of surprise on her face, Chloris had a look of shock, while Zephyr had a look that appeared she was about to cry.

"W-what was that," Zephyr whimpered.

"Not sure, do you think we should head forward," Chloris asked looking ahead in the direction of where the growls were coming from.

"I say no!" Zephyr cried.

"Let's move forward," Aika replied in a brave tone as she headed forward without hesitation much to Chloris and Zephyr's horror.

"H-Hey wait up!" the two screamed out running after Aika. By the time they caught up to her, they reached a dark cave that emitted a deep odor that was hard for either one to stomach. The same growl could be heard from inside of the cave as the trio jumped from the sound coming from deep within.

"D-don't like this place," Zephyr shivered.

"Wait...this is supposed to be where we're to gather the eggs of the two-headed predator beast inside the cave," Aika remembered as she gently slammed her fist onto her palm.

"YOU REMEMBER WHY WE'RE HERE NOW?!" Chloris and Zephyr exclaimed in shock while comically in tears.

"Sorry, it blew past my mind where trying to get to know you both a bit more," Aika nervously chuckled as she brushed the back of her head.

"*And yet...she's our leader*," the duo asked simultaneously.

As the trio descended inside of the cave, a loud roar echoed as Zephyr hid behind Aika while Chloris managed to put on a brave face. Aika bravely pushed forward her expression remained calm while a bit shaken.

"This place is scary," Zephyr whimpered.

"You're telling me," Chloris shivered, "not to mention this place reeks."

"The sooner we gather the eggs, the sooner we'll leave," Aika reassured.

Further the trio trek when they noticed a sight that captured their eyes. They heard the sounds of groans above them as they slowly looked up and noticed two wolf lycanthropes stuck onto the ceiling. One had black hair and gold eyes, the other had white hair and cyan seafoam blue eyes. Zephyr let out a loud shriek before Chloris shook her angrily trying to comically calm her down but to no avail.

"CALM DOWN!" Chloris shouted as she continued shaking Zephyr.

"P-please stop shaking me!" Zephyr cried.

"Hey, are you two okay?" Aika asked running up to the two looking up at them, "let me get you down." Aika focused her energy onto her arm as it started to glow a palish yellow.

**Holy Slash!**

Aika swung her arm down releasing a slash of holy light freeing the two lycanthropes as they held onto one another looking at her suspiciously. Aika gazed at them curiously as she cautiously approached them.

"S-Stay away from us!" the black wolf lycanthrope warned taking a step back.

"No no, it's okay, I'm not going to hurt you," Aika reassured as she reached her hand out giving them a gentle smile. Suddenly, a loud roar echoed behind them as the white wolf lycanthrope turned around shaking uncontrollably whimpering.

"Hey, Haruki what's wrong," the black wolf lycanthrope asked looking down at her.

"I-It's that thing again," Haruki whimpered again pointing in the direction of the roar.

"You don't mind if I help do you," Aika asked giving them a friendly warm smile.

"W-what do

"You know what, I'm going in too," Chloris retorted as she shook her head putting on a brave face then ran in to join the trio leaving Zephyr to herself. She looked down at her feet clutching onto her dress whimpering to herself looking over to the four then ran up to them.

"W-wait for meeeeee!" Zephyr whined.

Suddenly, large quakes began to shake inside the cave as a large two headed lizard appeared as they roared at them loudly. Zephyr shrieked from the monster's roar as she hid behind Chloris.

"Come on Zephyr," Chloris scoffed a bit, "can't run away and hide from your enemies forever."

"The creature's eggs are just further down," Haruki pointed out, "Kaguya and I tried to get them but they're too hard to get around since they have two heads with one always looking out while the other attacks."

"Then we'll have to create some sort of distraction," Aika thought to herself as she looked around to find an opening until she noticed the same substance that Haruki and Kaguya were stuck in, she could use this to her advantage somehow. She picked up some which caused Zephyr to nearly puke while Chloris looked away in disgust.

"Think I'll be needing this," Aika spoke as she picked up some of the goop.

"Uhhhh why do you need this," Chloris asked in a confused tone.

"Let's just say, this will be useful in what I have in mind," Aika replied with a confident smile on her face, "now, Zephyr, I want you to use your water magic and create a mist."

"A-Alright, here goes," Zephyr nodded as her expression changed from timid to serious.

**Water Magic: Bubble Mist!**

Zephyr waved her arms as she released an array of mist surrounding the area causing the creature to looking around confused wondering where the girls were. This left a perfect opening for them as Aika smirked still holding the goop she had in her hand. Kaguya looked down at it confused then looked to Aika with a questionable expression on her face.

"You mind telling me why you have that in your hand," Kaguya asked in a grossed out tone.

"Here's the idea," Aika spoke, "Chloris, I want you to use your fire magic and keep it distracted along with Kaguya with whatever magic your specialty is."

"Earth Magic," Kaguya stated.

"Great! An earth magic user!" Aika brightly smiled then focused her attention to the monster monster that was still looking around roaring in confusion, "Anyways, Chloris and Kaguya you two will keep it busy while Haruki and I will go after the eggs."

"W-wait, y-you and m-me?!" Haruki shrieked in shock.

"Yup!" Aika nodded.

"B-but but but," Haruki stuttered.

"Don't worry, I'll back you up," Aika reassured Haruki as she smiled.

Haruki's eyes widened as she nodded then the two turned their heads in the direction of where the eggs were located. Haruki shook a bit nervously but kept herself together as her expression changed to serious.

"NOW!" Aika cried out as her and Haruki charged in the direction of the eggs before the creature swung it claw towards them.

\*\*Ice Magic: Ice Guard!\*\*

Haruki used her ice magic to block the oncoming attack as a shield made of ice appear catching the beast's claws from the attack! Aika quickly ran forwards noticing the spotted eggs in the distance then in her view she saw the second head roaring at her. Before it could attack, Aika threw the goop at its face aiming towards its eyes hitting it directly causing it to roar out in roar out in pain! Aika swiftly grabbed the eggs then made a run for it as she ran towards the four!

"Move it!" Aika shouted as she ran.

"She got them," Kaguya replied in disbelief, "can't believe her plan worked."

"It's coming after us!!" Zephyr screaming in horror!

"Zephyr, you take the eggs and run with the others, I got the two-handed lizard," Aika ordered, "get going!"

"Y-you don't have to tell me twice!" Zephyr whimpered as she took the eggs then immediately ran out of the cave screaming while comically crying with Chloris and the others following behind. Aika looked up at the beast before her with a serious expression on her face as she drew her sword taking her stance. The beast aimed it claw ready to attack then Aika countered it with her sword but was swiped away by the beast's other claw slamming her into a wall! Aika managed to get back up then she jumped into the air as her arms and sword started to glow a bright palish yellow color.

\*\*Holy Magic: Holy Slash!\*\*

Aika released a slash of holy magic onto the beast slicing it down causing it to let out a painful roar as it collapsed onto the ground. Aika sheathed her sword then headed out to meet with the others outside when Zephyr ran up to her weeping hysterically.

"AIIIIIIIKAAAAAA!" Zephyr wept!

"Calm down, she's fine isn't she," Chloris reassured, "she's Aikaterini right?"

The lycanthrope sisters looked to the trio with wide eyes wondering what they just witnessed inside the cave. They looked to one another then back at the trio. Haruki looked over to Kaguya then tugged at her sleeve in a manner similar to a child.

"Sis, maybe we should travel with them," Haruki spoke looking up at her.

"I mean, we just met them...," Kaguya replied in an untrusting tone.

"The blonde one saved us," Haruki reminded, "if it wasn't for her, we would've been the next meal for their babies."

"That is true..." Kaguya nodded then went over to Aika and her party, "hey, look, what you did back there was really cool and well...we were wondering if...well...um..."

"Can we join your party pretty please?!" Haruki asked jumping on top of Kaguya's head brightly smiling.

"Hm? Oh sure! We could always use two new members!" Aika brightly smiled.

"Yaaaaay!" Haruki smiled, "I'm Haruki, and this is my big sister Kaguya, we're wolf lycanthropes warriors, nice to meet you!"

"Aikaterini, an honor," Aika nodded.

"Chloris, hiya," Chloris chuckled as she smiled.

"Zephyr, and sorry for my cowardness," Zephyr whimpered a bit as she cradled the eggs in her arms.

"It's okay, I tend to be timid too," Haruki reassured.

"Now that we got the eggs, we should head back and report our mission is complete," Aika spoke.

"Yes Ma'am!" all four replied in unison then Aika and her party headed to the guild to report their success of obtaining the eggs and of the recruitment of two new members of their party, Haruki and Kaguya.