No one expected the Squashly Inquisition, least of all Jigano. But all it took was one look to assess that this was an opponent he had no way to combat in his current state. His companion, on the other hand…
She seemed to relish the challenge. It was the first time he’d seen the girl take something seriously since they’d met, and he took a moment to appreciate her confidence and ferocity she displayed in the face of a terrifying foe. This was a pumpkin that could break bones or worse – but Edy faced it without flinching.
He might have admired her longer, but the ring of fire that had been corralling their prey shifted abruptly, singing the little gourdling and forcing Jigano to dance to the side to avoid a similar treatment. That, at least, he could do something about. Staying focused on their goal he turned his dodge into a spin, once more relying on momentum to add strength to his blow. The little pumpkin let out a final shriek as it was cleaved (mostly) in two, and the light went out of its eyes and it fell apart at the bard’s feet, nothing more exciting than lightly roasted ingredients.
Its grandpumpkin was, unfortunately, a bit more resilient. The fire slowed it, but it had far too much momentum – and far too little control – to stop its forward lunge. It bellowed in rage as its small fellow was extinguished, and even as the withering of Edy’s life magic began to drain some of its vitality and mass it continued its mad charge towards her and Jigano – flaming, dying, but determined to take one or both of them out with it.
She seemed to relish the challenge. It was the first time he’d seen the girl take something seriously since they’d met, and he took a moment to appreciate her confidence and ferocity she displayed in the face of a terrifying foe. This was a pumpkin that could break bones or worse – but Edy faced it without flinching.
He might have admired her longer, but the ring of fire that had been corralling their prey shifted abruptly, singing the little gourdling and forcing Jigano to dance to the side to avoid a similar treatment. That, at least, he could do something about. Staying focused on their goal he turned his dodge into a spin, once more relying on momentum to add strength to his blow. The little pumpkin let out a final shriek as it was cleaved (mostly) in two, and the light went out of its eyes and it fell apart at the bard’s feet, nothing more exciting than lightly roasted ingredients.
Its grandpumpkin was, unfortunately, a bit more resilient. The fire slowed it, but it had far too much momentum – and far too little control – to stop its forward lunge. It bellowed in rage as its small fellow was extinguished, and even as the withering of Edy’s life magic began to drain some of its vitality and mass it continued its mad charge towards her and Jigano – flaming, dying, but determined to take one or both of them out with it.
