Luminous Sunset

Chapter Five

Seeing her mom fighting against the Cerberus alone, Stella wants to help. She throws a Rainbow Spellbomb at the Cerberus. It explodes when it lands on the back.

Suzette, in her Cerberus form, runs towards Stella and coats her fangs with Earth Midrash. She attacks her opponent with Luminous Earth Fang with all three heads. Stella panics and does not know how to react. The Luminous Earth Fang connects with Stella and she takes massive damage.

Cecilia sees her daughter hurt. She sprints towards the Cerberus and jumps on her back. On top of the Cerberus' back, Cecilia throws a black Fire Spellbomb at one of the target's heads. The Spellbomb explodes into black fire particles.

It was the middle head that took the Spellbomb from above. The other two heads look up and see Cecilia getting ready for another attack. The two outer heads counter with Luminous Earth Breath. Before the Cerberus could complete the attack, a white Sword was thrown at the left outer head. The Sword enters the mouth and the left outer head accidentally bites down. The blade of the Sword pierces the roof of the mouth.

Stella sees that her Sword had done some damage to the left head. Time to focus on the right outer head now. She throws a Rainbow Spellbomb at the right head, but in her weakened state, Stella does not have the strength to throw. The Spellbomb falls short and explodes on the ground.

Cecilia sees that the right head is about to attack with Earth Fang. She jumps over the right head and shoves a black Fire Spellbomb into the Cerberus' open mouth. The Spellbomb explodes and knocks out the final head.

All three heads of the Cerberus are now taken out. In her unconscious state, she slowly transforms back to Suzette.

Cecilia walks to her daughter and checks on her well-being.

Harold and Edgar arrived back at the pastry shop at the same time. They look inside the shop and do not see the girls.

"They're probably off somewhere." Edgar suggested.

"Yeah," Harold agreed. "Let's talk about the two guys."

"Um, my guy ran away before I was able to question him. I did beat him, though!"

Harold raises his eyebrows. "He ran away? Did you try to catch him?" He shakes his head. "Never mind! I questioned my guy. Apparently, the flower shop owner from last night, her name is Suzette and she sent the guys after us. She heard us talking and deduced that I was the Leaf Wolf and Lily is the Rainbow Girl."

"You guys have a moniker?"

"That's not important right now. Let's go back to that flower shop."

The boys cross the bridge connecting the valley, go past the inn, and straight to Suzette's flower shop. Inside, Harold and Edgar do not see the owner, so they go out to the backyard where they see the Cerberus transforming back into Suzette and an injured Stella being taken care of by Cecilia.

"What is this?!" Harold ran towards Stella. "Are you okay, Lily?"

"Yeah," Stella answered. "Mom and I beat up that woman. She was really strong."

"She just attacked us out of nowhere." Cecilia said. "I don't know why."

Harold explains to the girls the reason why Suzette attacked them. He then turns around and walks to Suzette.

"Alright, lady!" He began. "Why are you after us?"

Suzette glares at him without answering.

"Was it that creature with Wind Midrash? That creature killed someone named Soleil, you know."

Suzette's eyes brighten up. "The Goblin?! He wouldn't kill his own comrade! He just gathers intelligence!"

Harold looks at Suzette. "Really? You said a lot just now. Can you tell me more?"

"Tsk! If what you're saying is true, then I'll be killed if I say anything. They'll send their assassin after me."

"My partner and I are with the police. We'll provide police protection if you're afraid of anyone."

"I'm not taking my chances with you guys. I don't even know you… But…"

Harold waits for an answer. "But… what?"

"If you can take out the Iridescent Unicorn and the Lustrous Goblin, then maybe I'll consider something."

"Is the Goblin with the one with Wind Midrash?"

Suzette nods. "Yeah, he's in charge of intelligence."

"And the Unicorn?"

"He's their assassin."

"Who is them?" Harold asked.

Suzette looks at him and raises her eyebrows. "Take them out and then maybe I'll talk."

"Fine, where can we find these guys?"

"I don't know where the Goblin is from, but you can find the Unicorn in the desert east of this valley."

"That's a start. While we handle those guys, do you think you'll be okay on your own?"

Without answering, Suzette points to the door. "You guys can get out now!"

"Hm, excuse me?" Stella asked Suzette. "I notice you have some orange paint there. Is that fluorescent orange and can I please have some?"

Suzette looks at the corner of the flower field and sees a can of orange paint. "Just go!"

"So, that's a yes?" Stella smiled.

Harold grabs the orange paint bucket and walks Stella and Cecilia out the flower shop. Edgar follows behind. They all go back to the inn.

"The desert in the east, huh." Harold said. "That's where Edgar and I will be going next. Looks like the dead journalist was involved with a group that wanted him dead." He looks at Stella and Cecilia. "Sorry I got you guys into this mess. What will you do now?"

"It wasn't your fault, Harold." Stella said. "I still want the paints for my self-portrait." She looks at Cecilia. "I never knew you were that strong, Mom."

Cecilia smiles. "You and Orchis are strong because of my genes, you know!"

"What about Dad's genes?"

Cecilia glares at her daughter.

With that said, Harold, Stella, Cecilia, and Edgar leave the inn and head east to the desert to look for the Iridescent Unicorn.

Meanwhile, later that day, Suzette goes to the river of the valley. She meets with someone with an icy glare.

"The Leaf Wolf and the Rainbow Girl are going east. I didn't tell them anything. They're with two other people. A guy and a mom." Suzette said.

"Good, I'll let the brothers know."