chapter four: leaps and bounds // ctf //

So there you have it. I was not entirely sure what had happened or come to pass however I had noticed that the place that the yellow fox is now occupied with what appeared to be a copy of the large flaming thing. I hope that the game programmers were not joking around and materializing another one of these to fight while we were already exhausted. It did not appear hostile towards us however but rather towards the monster we were fighting. What were they say- Wait. Hold up. Was that the fox's voice? Wow it is, awesome. Bunny's digimon had some cool skills unlike mine. I felt a smirk creep to my face despite our current circumstances but I have to refocus. It was obvious now that the thing was buying us time and I should do something.

Let me think... I lost sight of Nayru behind that large beast that had gone charging at her however I believe that the blow was blocked by another of Bunny's digimon. I swear that my digimon should not have been so helpless in these situations. It was as if Farore was holding the group together in some respect. Nevertheless I had no double that Nayru was attempting to care for the digimon that aided her and I could not help her from where I stood. This left Din who had lessened the strain on her injured paw by standing upright on her hind legs, something she did not do often. That burn did not look good however from where I stood. I should help treat it later.

Instantly I heard a large swoop in the air and then the form of the yellow fox flying backwards from her facade. Her form degenerated as well to the point that she looked like Nayru when she was in a smaller form. Think Nayru said the name was Viximon. Nevertheless the sight of that had shocked me. That easily could have been my own Digimon if Bunny's digimon had not intercepted and interfered. I suppose this is a good thing however I am unsure as how we would win at this rate. Somehow however it appeared that the monster was taking damage of some sort and while pestered finally fell. My body took this opportunity to move myself forward to move Din away who appeared unguarded for this.

I moved my hand to Din's paw however Din snatched her injured paw away from me. "I'm fine. Worry not of me." I looked into her ruby eyes however they were motioned towards where Nayru had been. Bunny had gone off to his digimon's side and they deserved it. Nayru had scampered back to my side away from Bunny's group however it was clear to me she seemed exhausted to some degree. I suppose as such was to be expected. I decided to say something to raise spirits and get our minds off of our troubles and what better way than a treat? Here I did not have to worry of calories after all. "How about ice cream next time we're in Hik-" I heard a thunk behind me and fearing for the worst I glanced behind my quickly. What beheld me astounded me. "Farore?" I think she heard me. She did not respond to me, had looked much worse for wear, and her feet looked rather scalded most likely from the dancing previously to keep us safe. The instant I met her emerald eyes Farore had collapsed and her body engulfed in blue lights, replaced with her smaller form that Nayru instructed to me as being a Dorimon. While it was not a good sight, I suppose the worry for Farore's whereabouts was another thing off my mind.

I released Din's paw and scooped Farore into my arms. She moaned mildly however I would like to say she found comfort in my arms. That said it felt as if I was holding a soft furry slab of silly putty however it was nothing I would complain about. Usually it would by Nayru in this position however both of the other two appeared to have other matters on their minds. I should be careful to not hold Farore too tightly. I softened my hold around her as I thought that and readjusted to make eye contact with Bunny. His team appeared to have regrouped well enough if he had suggested to move on. I do not think I can take much more of this. "As long as we hurry before I change my mind." I managed a few steps further with Din and Nayru behind me wordlessly. I could not tell if we were being rather lucky or unlucky in the first place for being targeted.

Also, I was not kidding. If we do not find this flag quickly I am aborting this. I am hot, tired, worn out, and that was just me. My digimon and I were pushing our limits and I wanted to treat their injuries before we accrued more. So far this game has done nothing but punish us for going further with no breathing room. Luckily we had overcome everything thrown at us so perhaps they were done and running out of ideas to kill- "Pyroclastic Flow!" Truly? I do not even know what that is but I am sure the way that Nayru shouted it that meant something not good. Most likely intending to kill us I am sure.

"The hell is that?" The phrase managed to slip however I do not believe this was the time to care about my language. This time even Din did not appear to be aware of what this meant. Her eyes appeared to be on something else. Nayru's however was to the sky. I followed Din's gaze first and saw that in the distance as if taunting me were the two silhouette of what appeared to be flags. I suppose that meant we were close. Supposedly. Looking above there was a large smoke cloud blocking out the sky and looming above ominously. I do not believe that was good for us.

"I will be brief." That is new. Must be serious. I should brace myself. "In essence pyroclastic flows are high-density mixtures of hot, dry rock fragments and hot gases. They have the ability to knock down, shatter, bury or carry away nearly all objects and structures in their way." Delightful. Means that we cannot hide from it, especially with Farore in my arms out of commission. I looked down to her to make sure and Farore had fallen asleep there. The rocking of my steps must have lulled her. Not that it matters if what Nayru is saying is true considering it is coming straight at us. "Generally leads to death and serious injury to people and animals from burns and inhalation of hot ash and gases."

That does not sound pleasant. I could almost feel my entire body cringe and forcing myself to move forward despite this. Din however had turned to Nayru and in the most eloquent way possible spoke her mind. "You are saying that we could and will most likely die from this." Nayru hesitated which did not bode well. I envy Farore at this moment. "In the off chance we do find cover we will be required to remain for days until it passes and even then there is little chance that we will not be affected however we can surv-"

"You mean we are going to die from this." I blinked. Din was being rather snippy. I could only hope that Bunny was not overhearing this. Nayru did not appear angry. Annoyed slight however anger did not cross her features. "I did not say-"

"Enough." Din had heard what she needed to know and I know that this was not going to bode will if it continues. This is where I should step forward. "Stop arguing. It just means I should hurry and grab the flag." Yes, as if the task would be so simple. I am not as good at calculations as Nayru however maybe it was possible to grab the thing before I died in the cloud of literal death. Nayru was conveniently quiet as I said my plan as well. No matter. Nevertheless if I died I would merely respawn anyway. It was not a big deal. That said, why did it feel as if my hands were trembling? This will be the first time I am dying. Perhaps the pain will only last for a moment.

I looked back to Bunny. His team has done quite a bit for my own and I owed it to him to help him live. I did say I would help him when he called upon me and that is what he had done calling me here. I may not be the most honorable person however if I did this Bunny would likely owe me. I would place my money on that and this flag thing is a win win for us both. No reason to not spare him from the pain. "Bunny, run back and find a safe zone. I will grab the flag for us and finish this nightmare." This pain will most likely be ridiculous. I should prepare for it as well as objections from my digimon.

I halted my step and with reluctance I turned heel to listen to Bunny's words as he called for me. We were running out of time so I do hope this was worth it. That said Din and Nayru did not appear opposed to giving a minute to listen, but who truly were quick to rush into death? Nevertheless I heard Bunny's words. He was against this as well it seems and my brows instantly furrowed together at that. The difference is that he was attempted to convince me with flattery. A good tactic. My ego warmed up to his reasoning however why was he attempting to convince me to not attain the flag in the death shroud? Perhaps... no matter. The kid stepped forward and put down the cute fox in his arms. I could only guess the meaning of that. He was preparing to run. "You should not do this, but what are the chances that you will listen to me in the little time we have left?" For a moment I saw that he and his digimon were speaking as well however I could not make it out and instead shifted to something more omnipresent.

My gaze traveled upwards to check how much time we had left, biting my tongue to prevent myself from saying anything foul. The smoke grew larger now. The smoke moved higher, licking up as if trying to touch the sky itself and encase it in its inky blackness. The time we did not have. That said my entire body continued to burn up as well and I could feel the heat consuming my energy. Did I have enough energy left to run? This is not a good idea but there is no reason for both of us to die for this flag. "You should decide on a course of action now. Any later and this would all be for naught." Nayru chimed in finally but it was not something I had wanted to hear. I increased the weight of my jaw on my tongue. I knew what Din wanted me to do and chances are Nayru wished for the same and that was to keep me alive and safe. "But."

But...

Nayru began coughing and I assumed it was due to the growing amount of smog. I was beginning to be affected as well as I felt something clogging my throat and a foul taste coating my tongue. The scent of the atmosphere itself began to burn itself into my brain and the longer I remained I would no longer think straight. I knew that. Damn it, there goes my plan. "Fine. I will treat you to a soda or something when this is over." Despite saying that it simply did not feel right to allow this to happen. It would happen but something did not sit right. No matter as of this moment. I knew that as I was moving away however that I should not look back lest I be wrapped up in some moment as well. Slowly I began to move however in the opposite direction, my eyes attempting to keep track of Din and Nayru at my sides. "Let's move." My footsteps turned into dashing. The small inclines we had traversed up previously now helped my weary feet travel further away from the approaching danger. My Digimon were able to keep up and even move ahead of me, Nayru's ears were even twitching. My guess was that she was attempting to gauge our time and or find a location that would be safe enough to take shelter in. I was almost envious of Farore currently who was sleeping through this event, not that I could truly blame her for being in that state to begin with.

"We are returning the way we came." Din finally announced as she ran off on her own. Nayru and I watched however we knew we had to follow the grey pup so I made haste after her. The game did a good job of making everything feel realistic as I felt as if my body would give away and collapse any minute now, yet now was not the time for such thoughts when the same game was attempting to kill me. I suppose with that in mind however I was getting the better of the two sides of a coin. Worse comes to worse we could take a risk and have Din dig underground for shelter. Bunny... I wonder how he is doing currently. And where was that gate back to the city. A heavy hot breath passed my lips. Shit. How did I get into this lofty mess?