The Moon has Awakened

Chapter 6

Varian was fascinated by the magic of the forest around him, even though he stated he doesn't work with it, he still found magic itself extraordinary. But nobody told Varian that though the wood was enchanted, there were also monsters out in this forest, and he didn't even know. He was studying a shimmering white rose when he heard a snarl behind him, his muscles tensed as he dropped his pen and note pad as he slowly turned around to see a beastly demon with it's claws out, manically smiling at him ready to strike his defenseless prey. The creature darted toward the alchemist when a scream barely left his throat. In that moment however, an explosion occured several feet away from him and the demon retreated from the site, and when the orange smoke cleared, Varian saw a boy at least a year or so older than him, his back turned and all he saw of the teen so far, was his small blond ponytail and his dark green outfit, sliver padded armor on his shoulders and spiked cuffs on his brown finger-less gloves. The boy turned towards Varian's direction and he saw his emerald eyes and black glasses and at that moment, his cheeks began to burn slightly seeing the face of his savior. But the boy had a self-absorbed grin and said, "This your first time.. Goggles?" Varian's admiration shifted to annoyance when he heard that comment. "Yes actually, this IS my first time, I was going to thank you but I don't think you deserve it." Varian retorted. The teen laughed in his face and taunted, "Ha! Please, that's quite generous, but save your sympathy would you weakling?" Varian's cheeks burned hotter, but now out of anger and embarrassment. "Well, if you would excuse me, I am going to keep going." Varian responded, picking up his notebook and pen. The blond boy then got defensive, knowing who this kid probably was in the first place and insisted, "Now wait a second Goggles, I'm coming with you, if you can't even fight back a demon, going alone is basically suicide." Varian rolled his eyes and replied, "It's Varian, SUSPENDERS, and how would joining me benefit you?" Now knowing this was indeed the person he needed to follow, he said, "Please VARIAN, the name's Hugo, and about what it is in for me, I at least get to see you prove my point that you won't make it out alive, so what do you say.. Goggles?" Varian was ready to blow this guy up with a solution of his because of Hugo's insults, but he sighed, he honestly never wanted to be alone on this quest to begin with so he groaned and said, "UGH... Fine, you may come with me Hugo, but just feel lucky I can still actually tolerate you." Hugo smirked and said, "Yeah yeah, whatever you say Goggles, now what are you even doing out here?" Varian grumbled as he ignored his new travel partner. "No seriously, what am I getting myself into?" He asked mockingly. "Hmph!" Varian said, rolled his eyes as he marched into the forest with the cynical Hugo trying to talk to him. After 30 minutes, Hugo was actually getting a little upset with Varian's stubborness. "Varian, I'm not trying to be sarcastic, I genuinely want to know where the heck we're even going." He said as Varian suddenly stopped. "Ha ha, very funny, come on Goggles, let's move." Hugo enunciated, annoyed with the alchemist. But he walked up and saw that Varian was fearfully looking down at his left arm, it was becoming encased in black rock once more. Hugo looked back, realizing that some of the grass behind them was dead and the ground beneath their feet was beginning to blacken as well. "Hey! Goggles, hey! I didn't mean to actually make you upset, is this a curse or something?" Hugo exclaimed, he was actually a bit concerned for him. "Oh frick.. Did I make him that bothered?" Varian's streak of blue hair began glowing once more and Hugo then tried to shake his shoulders, only to realize that his skin was cold as ice... TO BE CONTINUED...