Ranryu

Wynn grinned wolfishly, her shadow writing behind her. Spekkio butted in, grabbing Malum. "What is the meaning of this? This is my territory, you failure of a god! I will not tolerate you trespassing in my home!" Spekkio shook Malum for good measure.

"Here Shark! Come ride with me!"

Wynn looked around. "I think I'll follow you on my duel runner. Just in case."

"Wait give me a second." Wynn breathed in, and the energy emanating from her disappeared. "Don't want anyone getting zapped on accident."

"Ah, don't worry about it." Wynn said, rubbing her head. "I only ever murder people who deserve it." "Most political problems can be solved with a well-placed murder" Wynn dismissed her duel runner. "Okay, how does this form of travel work?"

Wynn stuck her tongue out at him. "I didn't leave you. You're here now, aren't you? Besides, you and Shark clearly needed some bonding time." "There we go! Now, who can I murder?" Wynn's shadow suddenly seemed to have more substance. "Don't worry, TAAron. I think Spekkio's helmet has the power of illusion. Right?" "This is true. When wearing it, you will appear to be a harmless child."

"Ppft." Wynn smiled, energy almost rolling off her. "I'd like to see you try to stop me. I have a tracer on Haly. My duel runner can follow her to any dimension she goes." Wynn lowered her voice. "Don't worry. She's just confused, remember?" "Hey, Spekkio, can you bring Lerac and Shark over? It'd be easier that way." Spekkio nodded and the two suddenly appeared in front of everyone.

Attagirl Haly! "Hey guys, could we move this conversation to a safer dimension. Perhaps one without space daemons that are trying to eat us!?" Wynn felt great. That energy bath was exactly what she needed. Now she could actually use her Shadow Magic!

"You caught me! Excellent work!" At that moment, Wynn returned to the arena, looking energized. "Thank you, Spekkio. I understand now. TAAron, you ready to go back?" Suddenly, Spekkio returned to his small fluffy form. "TAAron, as reward for passing my test, I'd like you to have this helmet." Spekkio handed TAAron a simple metal helm. "It may not be able to totally shield you from that mockery of a god Malum, but it can help." "Ah, new visitors!" Spekkio seemed delighted. "Unfortunately, you missed seeing TAAron pass his test with flying colors." Wynn summoned her duel runner to the arena, then noticed Haly and Sykel. "Uh... I won't even ask how you got here. My runner only seats two. How are you guys getting back?"

"Interesting. Now, back to the task at hand. Catch me, young warrior!" Spekkio ran inhumanly fast, his armor clanking loudly.

"And why do you think that is?"

Spekkio stopped running. "Ah, you found the gold. What do you see?"

The blue troll melted away, leaving an armored knight in his place. "Good, but not good enough!" Spekkio suddenly dissapeared, rematerializing a few yards away. "You have sixteen metals. Try some of the other ones."

Spekkio shivered, and suddenly TAAron was looking at a squat blue troll. "Excellent. You recover quickly. Now come and get me!"

"Good! Very good, little warrior!" Spekkio's voice deepened slightly as he took another massive bound across the arena.

Spekkio giggled. "Catch me if you can!! The fluffy god took a huge leap and landed on the other side of the arena. "Unless you use those metals, you'll never catch me!"

Wynn nodded gratefully and ran off. "Nothing scary, don't you worry! Just a simple game of tag! The test will end if you catch me, or whenever Wynn returns!" The god of war leaped in the air with excitement. "Oh, and you may want to drink this!" Spekkio handed TAAron a vial of metals.

"Nonsense! If you weren't a warrior, you would see me as a frog!" The god bounced towards Wynn. "There's one of those energy wells you Aos Si covet in the back room. Go and restore yourself while I test this confused warrior." Wynn looked at him incredulously. "Really!?" She hid her joy and turned to TAAron. "Is it okay if I go? I promise I won't take too long... and Spekkio will protect you from any real danger."

Wynn glanced at TAAron, her eyes narrowed. "And who might you be, young warrior? Wynn is the only person to have visited me in the End of Time for millennia!" As he spoke, the god bounced up and down, seemingly unable to contain his energy.

"I'm not sure. He's always here when I check, but I've also found him in other places around the multiverse." They entered the building and walked down a dim hallway to an open arena area. "Is that Wynn I hear!?" A high-pitched voice called from somewhere above. "Ooh! And she's brought a friend!" There was a loud boom as something crashed into the middle of the arena, kicking up dust and rubble. In the midst of the impact was a strange fuzzy creature. "Welcome, friends!"

"Mmm, the End of Time! Smell that dead air!" The runner slowed as Wynn navigated them through winding cobblestone streets. After a few minutes, they pulled up at a Colosseum-looking building, surrounded by a fancy iron fence. Wynn stopped the runner and jumped off. She turned to TAAron as the wrought iron gates opened on their own. "Remember, don't pick a fight with Spekkio unless you want to loose. He won't actually hurt you, but he might damage your ego, if you have one."

"Perhaps." A light appeared in the distance. "Look, we're here! Remember, ignore the daemons. They just want to eat your soul."

I am not a cello player, but I am a cello appreciator. It is far superior to violin. (Having lived in a house with a beginner violin and a beginner cello, the cello was much less annoying) Go cellos! Go and beat those people who see your cello cases and ask if you play guitar!