Sophie

Only moments after Drannis triggered the event preceding the final boss encounter, a shadow fell across them all. Something large had passed over the volcano's mouth and now blocked all external light. It could only be the water demon, as the monster's voice boomed out:

"YOU HAVE TAKEN MY PRIZE FROM ME! NOW I SHALL TAKE YOUR LIVES FROM YOU!"

What came next began with the unmistakable rush of a storm, but the sound grew immensely louder as water began to pour down all around them like a flood from the skies. Suddenly they were in the midst of an unending waterfall that sizzled as its flow reached the very bottom of the volcano and started mixing with the lava there, releasing a constant stream of scorching steam all around them. It was no wonder Chessa had warned them to back away from the edges.

Of course, having said that, Poof wanted nothing less than for Sophie to go right up to the edge and hold her out so she could get "properly steamed." Given that Poof had literally never shown any interest in bathing of any sort before, the young astralist didn't quite believe the astral was being sincere.

"I SHALL TRANSFORM THIS DOMAIN INTO ONE MORE BEFITTING MY MAJESTY, AND THEN IT SHALL BECOME YOUR TOMB!" the voice of the water demon boomed from all around them.

Suddenly even more water cascaded down, crashing powerfully into the edges of the black, volcanic rock platform. The compounding pressure caused the ground first to shake and then to break fully away from the rock bridge that had connected it to the rest of the mountain.

Shrill Meeps filled the air and Poof's telepathic voice suddenly screamed in her head. 'We're falling! WE'RE GONNA DIIIIE!'

Sophie wanted to say something snarky to the little astral mage about how Drannis and Chessa had thoroughly explained everything the final event would entail before triggering it. Clearly Poof hadn't been paying as much attention as she should have been. She also knew that calling the puffball out would only lead to time spent pointlessly arguing, so instead she gave reassurances.

"We are not going to die," she calmly replied, squeezing a little tighter. "This could be fun for you if you'd just relax a little."

Sophie wasn't just saying that, either. She found the freefall far more enjoyable than she'd ever expected. A part of her wondered if this wasn't what it might feel like to fly, which had always been one of her goals. She couldn't wait to soar atop Sneakers one day and see what the world looked like from his perspective. She knew that it was likely to happen as she continued growing into the upper tiers, but for now, she would set those thoughts of the future aside so that she could focus on enjoying the weightlessness of her current moment instead.

Within seconds, Drannis practically repeated Sophie's own advice, shouting, "Stay calm. Our descent will soon be softened, making the impact practically nothing. But once we land, we'll have only 30 seconds before the demon fully emerges and combat begins. Make all due preparations!"

Shortly after his declaration, there was a quick lurch that dramatically slowed their freefall. In Sophie's arms, the tight ball of muscle and fluff began to slowly relax. 'Hey, this actually is rather nice now.'

Sophie gave a light laugh and gently stroked the astral's fur. 'Enjoy it while it lasts,' she replied.

They were still falling, and though the deluge from the mouth of the volcano above them was growing increasingly distant, the flow of the water itself was not slowing. Instead, the hissing from where it hit the lava and turned to steam was growing louder by the second.

Xanax peered over the edge. "We are nearing the bottom."

"Is that why it's getting so much hotter?" Laura asked while raising her hand to her forehead to wipe away the sweat.

"Is it?" Tristan asked.

"Yes, Tristan," Chessa said. "Not all of us are gifted with heat resistance as part of our Class."

Sophie wiped her own dampening brow as her eyes returned to the swordsmith. Now that she considered it, she'd never seen him break a sweat no matter how hot it got. She knew it was one of his Class abilities, but she still envied him a little.

"I fear that it will only continue to worsen for most of you until we end the fight," Drannis added.

"How much worse are we talking about?" Kitara asked, fluttering nearby. "This is already stifling. Do you mind if I sit, Sophie? I just need a moment."

"I don't mind at all," the astralist replied, shifting Poof slightly so she could brush off her shoulder. It was clear that Kitara had taken a liking to her, though Sophie doubted she'd ever know precisely why. No matter how much she might want a bit more space, she wasn't going to turn the kindhearted healer away when she looked so miserable.

The fairy descended as daintily as a feather and began to slowly move her hands about as they glowed a faint cerulean. She sighed at the end. "Ah, that's much better. And for your neverending kindness, I'll get you, too."

Sophie watched as Kitara repeated the spellcasting motions, but this time as the fairy's hands ceased glowing, Sophie felt something like a cool breeze envelop her entire body and force out the oppressive heat.

"Wow, that's much better. What spell was that?" she asked.

"[Perfect Equilibrium]," the fairy answered. "It neutralizes all terrain effects for ten minutes, which should easily cover the whole fight. It's just really mana intensive." She paused briefly as she began tapping her chin in thought. "Though I suppose I've got mana water, and some time before this encounter..."

Kitara: Anyone else feeling overheated? I've got a spell that can offer some relief.

Only Drannis and Tristan replied in the negative.

Sophie smiled as the fairy lifted off slightly, her hands moving and glowing again. 'It's always cool what other Classes can do,' Sophie sent to Poof across their bond.

'Yeah, but are any of them a First?' the astral thought in reply.

Their descent ceased with a sloshy splash that resolved itself into a slight bobbing of the platform. Sophie found the motion reminiscent of the Crafting Ark and oddly comforting. In their current situation, it was clearly the result of all the water still flooding into and mixing with the lava all around them. The huge waterfalls continued to pour down.

"30 seconds!" Drannis announced.

Kitara finished casting her spell on the last of their allies only a couple seconds later, then she returned to Sophie's shoulder and immediately started gulping down mana water. "I'll be sure to lift off again before the fight begins," she said in between sips.

Sophie didn't respond aloud. She was too busy trying to mentally review the battle plan with Poof.

'Aww, we can't do the ride bit again?' the astral asked, mostly ignoring Sophie's attempts to get her to focus on the upcoming battle.

'Poof, that 'ride' was the scripted event before the fight, which is coming next. It only happens once per run, if at all, and it's unlikely we'll be returning to this raid after we complete it.'

'Oh, puff!' the little diva replied. 'Well, I definitely don't want to come back just for that. For such a fiery place, there's too much water everywhere, and it's making my fur frizzy.'

'Poof, your fur doesn't look--' Sophie caught herself. Poof's fur did look to be a frizzy nightmare. 'It's not that bad, though if you like we can clean it once we kill that water demon.'

'The one that caused the rain?' Poof asked, overloading the final word with more hatred than Sophie thought any weather deserved.

'Yes...'

'And is causing this downpour?'

'Yes,' Sophie thought with another exasperated sigh. She couldn't help but notice that the cascading falls were beginning to slow, with the water converging on what she remembered--even through the chaos--was the north area of the platform.

'Then it must be slain!' Poof replied.

Sophie sighed. 'That's precisely what I've been trying to talk to you about.' She pointed the astral toward where the brackish mix of water and lava was beginning to rise from below. 'And here it comes now. Just remember to focus on the boss, alright? The faster we kill it, the faster we can get out of this volcano.'

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

'I will kill the accursed watermaker!' Poof swore, eyes narrowing.

"It's forming!" Chessa announced. "Everyone to starting positions."

"Look at that cyclone of power and evil," Manama said in awe. "I could write a stirring chorus just about--"

"5 seconds," Drannis interrupted.

"BEHOLD, USURPERS! DESPITE YOUR EFFORTS, MY POWER SHALL STILL GROW IN THIS PLACE. I FEEL YOUR MIGHT, AND ONCE I SLAY YOU, I SHALL ABSORB IT AND BECOME STRONGER THAN EVER!"

The words emerged from the vortex of rising water that actually stepped onto the platform at its northmost point. It was wreathed by steam so thick it nearly resembled a cape around the demon's consolidating form. More and more of the water that had been dumped into the lava beneath them twisted upward into the ever-growing boss, like some titanic being born of the storm. But unlike the last time they had faced it beneath the Flaming Willow, here the water demon was alone.

That was precisely why Sophie knew they would have no problem defeating it even in such an inhospitable place.

Opie: He's already down to 94%? Chessa: That's from the damage we did while retreating after the Cinderbark fight. Great work, everyone!

Cross and Drannis were both steadily approaching the vortex's base, which was now beginning to look increasingly like two solid feet.

"BOW BEFORE THE UNDENIABLE MIGHT OF KRUSHYL-THREKS'NALIK!"

With that declaration, the two fluid arms of the water demon began to whip around the monstrous aqueous body, lashing out toward the two closest targets, Drannis and Cross.

It stomped clockwise around the perimeter of the platform while leaving bubbling pools of water in its wake. Sophie knew that those boiling pools would eventually fade away, but in the meantime they were all spraying scalding water, forcing her and her allies to stay away from the monster's path. That wouldn't normally be all that bad, but they also needed to spread out to avoid taking extra damage from the geysers, which would shoot up from under three of them at random, scalding them and anyone nearby for lots of damage.

Chessa: Here come the first bubbles.

Practically on cue, the water demon shouted at them again. His voice was nearly loud enough to make the platform shake beneath them all.

"RISE FROM THE DEPTHS, MY MINIONS! RISE AND FIGHT MY FOES!"

Despite all of the discussions and planning that they'd managed to do in preparation for the final battle, Poof was seemingly offended by the bubbles that suddenly began popping out of the water all around them and floating toward the platform.

'Poof, stop! Don't target the bubbles! Kill the boss!' Sophie pleaded, but then the first [Impending Wave] debuff went out on none other than herself.

Sophie: Crap! Wave on me! Come to me, quickly!

Almost immediately, nearly all of her allies began sprinting to her current position. Their coordination and teamwork was impressive, which only made Sophie consider the apparent lack of those traits from her little astral mage, who was currently refusing to listen to her directions. Poof was still firing off missile after missile at seemingly every bubble she could see.

"Poof!"

'No! The bubbles are the enemy!'

When the enormous, targeted wave came crashing down on top of her, Sophie had eight other bodies clustered around her to split the damage. She barely took any damage at all, meaning that it went exactly as it was supposed to.

Chessa: Great job collapsing, now spread out again!

Sophie returned to the silent debate with her astral. 'The water demon is the enemy here, Poof.'

'Maybe you're the enemy here,' the astral replied, and she even had the audacity to stick out her tongue.

Sophie had to fight to keep her temper under control. She couldn't allow herself to get too distracted by the immaturity of one of her astrals when this fight had the potential to get so complicated. 'Quit being dramatic and just fight the boss!'

Poof fired off another [Mana Bolt]--and this one actually did zoom straight to the demon. 'Whatever you say, but Tristan would agree with me.'

Sophie heard a strangely gaseous popping sound, not unlike something about to ignite, and a heartbeat later the geysers erupted under Laura, Drannis, and Kitara.

"BY WATER, BE PURGED!" the demon shouted.

At nearly the same exact moment, Laura shrieked, "Gods above!" The one-armed woman had clearly been caught off guard by the geyser appearing directly under her. Luckily she'd also been far enough away from others to have not inflicted any extra damage.

Drannis: We were spaced well this time! With practically no warning on the geysers here, it is imperative that we continue to maintain our distance from one another. Laura: Yeah, no kidding. That totally startled me! Xanax: It came too quickly for me to adjust my positioning. Chessa: There's a distinct popping sound preceding each, but that's the only warning you get, so try to listen for that. Kitara: I was actually able to outfly mine. Laura: Must be nice. It really hurt, and I'm absolutely soaked now.

Sophie knew exactly how Laura was feeling but didn't want to add any more clutter to the chat. The only one who didn't seem to have minded was the scaleborn, Xanax, who was literally standing in what remained of one of the bubbling pools even now. She had no doubt he would jump toward whoever might be unfortunate enough to spawn a geyser, if it spawned in melee.

Beside the scaleborn, Sophie saw Tristan weaving through various strikes with his oversized greatsword. It was still impressive to see the boy move the enormous piece of steel as easily as if it were some common twig. He kept the greatsword constantly flowing from one strike to the next without pause. Whatever his parents had paid Jamal to teach him swordsmanship, she had no doubt it was worth it.

"Bubbles touching down, adds incoming! Don't let them reach the boss," Chessa called out, "and the next wave is in 45 seconds."

"That quickly?" Laura asked with a slight wheeze.

"It's a minute cooldown!" Chessa explained for what felt like the fiftieth time to Sophie.

"Don't let a single freaking add get to the boss!" Opie added. He was standing in the exact center of the platform with Kitara only a few paces away, and both of them were single-mindedly focused on Drannis who was seemingly having a grand time in front of the boss.

Sophie saw a volley of Chessa's arrows all swerve toward the small liquiform monsters that were waddling their way toward the water demon, and Tristan also peeled off from the boss to engage several. The little elementals were reminiscent of ducks, with their awkward gait and their feathers that were clearly made of rippling and boiling water. Their heads were still crowned with horns and the odd protruding bones that only served to reveal that there was something truly awful about them. They felt like a natural addition to the wreckage of this once-beautiful place.

When enough arrows or seemingly any direct attack struck them, they burst into briefly damp spots on the glassy black terrain that steamed and evaporated all too quickly. The problem was that there were just so many of them, and they all moved with single minded determination to reach the demon.

There was one, Sophie saw too late, that did not get popped before it could reach the water demon.

"COME, MY MINION! WREAK HAVOC ON THOSE ASSEMBLED AGAINST US!" the demonic voice boomed.

"Crap! Explosion inc--!"

Chessa couldn't finish her warning before the whole mountain shook and a pulse of forceful water burst out of the demon in a radius of pain, battering them all. Sophie found herself on the floor, gasping. Poof had fallen or rolled out of her grip but was still nearby. That one impact had taken a third of her health, and nearly half of Poof's had vanished with it.

'Poof, are you okay?' she asked even as she cast [Heal Astral].

The response was angry, almost frantic, and more than a bit concerning though at least it didn't sound like she was in pain. 'More and more--! Just so many bubbles!' The little astral was firing off [Mana Bolt] after [Mana Bolt]. They streaked out of her in seemingly-random directions, reminding Sophie of Poof's manic reaction to the rainstorm outside the volcano.

Opie: ANOTHER EXPLOSION ABSOLUTELY CANNOT HAPPEN!

Sophie tried to pan her gaze around the platform as she stood, but she didn't like what she was seeing. So many of the explosive adds were out there now and marching toward the massive vortex of the water demon, yet Poof wasn't firing at them or the boss, only other bubbles. She wasn't helping enough, and given their current situation her last remaining astral could probably, more reliably, do more with his crowd control: she needed Sneakers.

Sorry, Poof, she thought but didn't send along to the mage. Instead she began to activate her unique [Sophie's Ring of Exchange] while thinking of her bird-like astral. There was a brief moment of agony as she recognized once again the gaping absence in her spirit where Mister Biggs should have been. She would not be able to bring him back until well after they'd finished this endeavor.

A second later, Poof was gone and the emerald majesty of Sneakers appeared roughly in her place.

'We need [Napnap Gas] on the biggest clusters of these minions. They cannot be allowed to reach the big boss!'

'Got it!' Sneakers practically chirped back to her. He'd never been one to mince words or question her. Sneakers was an astral of action, and he proved it once again by immediately soaring into the air above the platform and circling it. Seeing through his eyes briefly, Sophie saw how he first examined the situation and mapped the current positions of all their allies and enemies. She pulled her vision free of his as he began flying toward the largest cluster of adds and proceeded to drop his AoE-stunning gas bombs on them.

"Sneakers has a bunch of adds stunned," she announced

Almost immediately she saw the half-giant tank disengage from the boss and hurtle across the platform toward them. "Give me a few seconds to gather, and then I'll AoE them down."

"Do we need to switch over to AoE on the adds?" Chessa asked. "Cross, are you going to be able to kill them all yourself?"

"If the bird can continue to stun the groups until I arrive..."

Sophie bristled at the thought of her magnificent astral being called a simple bird, but she also let it go for now as she knew it would only distract from the task at hand. Instead, she merely provided reassurances, "Of course he can. As long as we can stay ahead of the spawns--"

"I'm staying on the boss regardless," Laura said. "Every lightning spell I cast is dealing increased damage. It's all 'super effective.'"

"Then you are right to stick with it," Drannis acknowledged. "The faster this monster falls, the better! Focus, my allies. The next debuff--"

"It's on me!" Manama cried out.

Only then did Sophie realize just how spread out they had all become.

And she was on the opposite side of the platform.

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