Proctor: Alright! It’s time to begin, everyone ready? THEN GO!

--- Chapter 89 ---

Everyone swiftly runs into the woods, hoping to be the first to collect a lantern. As they dash and weave, something smashes into Red’s face. He stops and rubs it off. It’s twitching, small little wing flap aimlessly. A moth, a giant moth the size of his palm. His jaw tenses up as he throws it, and jumps back.

Red: Ew, nasty!

A low hum is heard, he turns around to find a swarm of these giant moths barreling out after him. Red releases a whimper before running at full sprint. Screams are heard all around. Back at the camp, a male proctor walks up to the lady running this thing.

Male: Man, you really are a sadist huh?

Proctor: What do you mean?

Male: Really? Right after devil moth mating season? Not to mention this forest’s guardian.

Proctor: Ah, relax it will be fine. We are here. Plus, the association let me borrow Sigma, just in case things get out of hand.

Male: Sigma?! How did you manage that? First, you need the council’s permission, and then you need… Her, permission.

Proctor: Would you believe me if I said I asked nicely?

Male: Nope not at all, you’re the opposite of “Nice”.

Proctor: Hey! I can be nice when I want to.

Male: Then I guess you have never wanted to.

Proctor: Yup haha.

They both laugh a bit, then the man sighs.

Proctor: They’re going to be ok. We can take on everything in there, single-handedly. Including the guardian.

Male: But they probably can't, and we can move fast, but by the time that rocket goes up you never know.

Proctor: Stop worrying Joey.

She walks over and places her arm around him.

Proctor: It will be fine.

From this, it cuts back to Red, running and screaming from blood-sucking devil moths. His insignia forms an Ouraborus around his lips as he spins.

Red: You know what! DIE DIE DIE DIE! RED DRAGON FIRE!

He breaths out bright red flames, annihilating every insect behind him. He then hears a scream amidst the other screams. Luna’s scream. Without thinking he dashes through the forest. He finds Luna on the ground covered in devil moths, with two hobgoblins wielding thick branches.

Red: I can’t fire the ball, I don’t want to hurt Luna!

The insignia splits into two and forms two swords. He runs and jumps over Luna, slashing the two hobgoblins. They didn’t even realize they were attacked, and they burst into flame and were reduced to ash. He looks back at the moths and goes to pull them off, but one of the monk twins walks into this little open area. He lifts his hand, palm facing Luna.

Monk #1: I call upon Zathon, origin saint of light, shed thy holy light and free thy friend from the grips of darkness.

When he says this, her body begins to glow a bright light, and the moths disintegrate. She starts to get up.

Luna: Thank you, you two.

She lifts her head, and she’s sobbing.

Luna: I hate bugs!

She shouts in a whining tone. Red and the monk kid look at each other and chuckle a little.

Red: Alright, let’s go, we have to find a lamp, you can come with me-

Luna: No.

Red: Huh?

Luna: I said no. I, I don’t want to go with you.

Red: Why not?

Luna: Ever since our first fight, I relied on you. The only time I fought on my own was the time I used that light power. But even then, I don’t know how I did it, and I don’t even remember what happened really. So, I’m doing this on my own. If I fail, I fail! Remember this isn’t a team test.

Red: I- hmm. If that’s how you feel, then good luck! But watch out, cause your my enemy now. Im gonna get a lamp. And if it's between me and you, I’m going all in.

He says with the same warm smile he had when they met.

Luna: R-right.

She blushes a little, and stands up swiftly, and runs fast into the forest away from him as if she didn’t want him to notice. Red stands up and looks at the monk.

Red: Thanks, I appreciated your help.

Monk #1: Oh it’s no big deal. I do what I can to help.

The twin comes running into this space, catching his breath.

Monk #2: There you are. I need your help.

He looks over at Red.

Monk #2: And yours as well.

Red: Why me?

Monk #2: I found a lantern.