(Chapter 23) Battle within the mind!

As my eyes fluttered open, my senses immediately assaulted by the silver grass swaying beneath a luminescent moon. I inhaled deeply, the scent of freshly fallen snow filling my nostrils. This was my dream world, a place usually filled with peace and serenity. But tonight, there was an unsettling undercurrent, as if something had been disturbed.

"Something's wrong," I whispered, my voice barely audible even to myself. "This place... it's never felt like this before." As I got up.

"Ellehish, over here," Aruzhan called out, her voice strained and urgent. As I turned toward the sound, my gaze fell on the other soul inhabiting my body. The girl's face was flushed, beads of sweat dotting her forehead as she brandished a gleaming sword.

"Help us!" Aruzhan pleaded, her eyes wide with panic.

My attention shifted to the massive white wolf fighting alongside Aruzhan. Its fur was streaked with blood, and fangs bared as it snarled at their attacker. A giant blood-crimson spider towered over them, its grotesque form casting eerie shadows on the ground below.

"By the gods..." I gasped, realization dawning on me. "That thing... it's the poison coursing through my body, isn't it?"

"Ellehish, we need you!" Aruzhan cried, desperation coating her words. "We can't defeat it alone!"

"Stay strong, Aruzhan," I urged, my heart pounding in my chest. "I'll do everything I can to help."

"Please, hurry!" Aruzhan grunted, narrowly dodging a swipe from one of the spider's colossal legs.

I watched the monstrous creature that embodied the toxin within me, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on my shoulders. This was my battle to fight, my enemy to conquer. And with Aruzhan and the white wolf lives resting on my shoulders, i would not falter.

Gripping my spear tightly as it materialized, I charged toward the spider, determination fueling my every step. As I approached the creature, i bent my knees and leaped into the air and vanished with a wisp of red vapor. reappearing just above it as i aiming to pierce its hide with my weapon.

"Take this!" I screamed, thrusting my spear forward. But to my horror, the tip merely bounced off the spider's hard exoskeleton, leaving no visible damage.

"Damn it!" I cursed, landing back on the ground and regaining my footing. "It's not working!"

"Ellehish, look around you!" Aruzhan shouted, her voice filled with dread.

As i glanced at our surroundings, my heart sinking as I took in the scene. The path the spider had taken was marked by a trail of destruction, the once-pristine silver grass now melted and warped. The sight served as a chilling reminder of the poison wreaking havoc within my own body.

"Ellehish, we must find a way to defeat this monster before it destroys everything!" Aruzhan cried out as the white wolf snarled and lunged at one of the spider's legs, biting down hard but unable to pierce its thick armor.

"Right," I agreed, my mind racing with possibilities. "We need a new approach."

As we fought, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unity between myself, Aruzhan, and the wolf.

We were all in this together, battling against the poison that threatened not just my life but theirs as well.

"Think, think…" I murmured to myself, dodging another swipe from the spider's leg.I had shifted earlier in the fight but had not realized until this point, and as i caught a glips of Aruzhanshe had also transforme.

The realization that our current methods were futile only intensified my resolve, knowing i had to find a way to rid my body of the deadly poison.

"Ellehish! Try aiming for its joints!" Aruzhan suggested, narrowly avoiding a spurt of venomous liquid from the spider's fangs.

"Good idea!" I replied, adjusting my grip on the spear. With renewed determination, I charged once more, focusing my aim on the joint where one of the spider's massive legs connected to its body.

But as I thrust my spear forward, the spider shifted, causing my attack to miss its mark. Frustrated, I gritted my teeth, refusing to give up. "This won't stop me!"

"Keep trying, Ellehish!" Aruzhan encouraged, her voice strained as she continued to engage the spider alongside the white wolf, As she summoned vines from the earth trying to inpale the creature.

The battle raged on, each member of the trio giving their all, even as the landscape around Us continued to melt under the influence of the spider's path. But as we fought, I knew that there had to be a way to win, a way to rid my body of the poison and restore balance to my dreamscape.

"Stay strong, Aruzhan! We'll find a way to defeat it!" I shouted.

"Ellehish, remember your birth sign!" Aruzhan shouted over the chaos of battle.

"Right!" I exclaimed, recalling the stone sign I was born under. As I closed my eyes and focused on activating the serpent stones power.

As I concentrated, a massive white snake erupted from the depths of the nearby lake. The force of its emergence sent water splashing everywhere, drenching the battlefield. The snake's scales shimmered in the moonlight, casting an eerie glow over the scene.

"Great job! Now let's finish this!" Aruzhan yelled, tightening her grip on her own weapon.

The titan of a snake lunged at the giant blood-crimson spider with astonishing speed. Its massive jaws clamped down on the spider's abdomen, crushing it mercilessly. The spider screeched in pain as the snake tightened its grip, green venom spewing from its fangs.

"Looks like we've got it cornered now!" I said, my voice filled with excitement and hope. Inwardly, I prayed to whatever gods were listening that this would be enough to rid her body of the poison. As this was the worst way to test if it worked the same way as in the game.

"Keep fighting, Ellehish! We can't let our guard down just yet," Aruzhan warned, mindful of the danger that still lurked in the spider's remaining limbs.

With a powerful flick of its tail, the snake dragged the writhing spider back towards the bottomless lake. As the monstrous arachnid disappeared beneath the surface, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief wash over me.

"Is it... is it gone?" I asked, panting heavily from the exertion of the fight.

"Seems so," Aruzhan replied, equally breathless. "I think you've managed to remove the poison."

"Thank the gods," I muttered, mtly legs nearly giving out underneath me.

"Your birth sign saved us all," Aruzhan said, managing a smile. "We couldn't have done it without you."

I nodded in agreement, knowing that our teamwork and perseverance had helped us overcome the spider. As i took a moment to catch my breath, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the bond she shared with Aruzhan and the wolf, maybe I could even take it further with Aruzhan.

The moon's light, now unobstructed by the spider's massive body, shimmered across the silver grass as it slowly began to regrow in the wake of the battle. Ellehish surveyed the scene, the nightmarish destruction left behind by the venomous creature fading away like a terrible dream. The once-melted landscape gradually mended itself, the poisoned plants and soil healing under the moon's gentle glow.

"Look around you, Ellehish," Aruzhan murmured, her voice tinged with awe. "Your dream world is recovering from the poison."

"Good riddance," I muttered, my eyes lingering on the newly sprouting grass. I had never expected my mindscape to be so affected by the battle; the experience was both fascinating and horrifying in equal measure.

As we watched the healing process unfold, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for my birth sign, which had allowed me to call forth the mighty white snake that had ultimately saved us all. As i turned to Aruzhan, who stood beside me, still vigilant and alert.

"Without the power of my birth sign, I don't think we would've made it out of this fight alive."I admitted, a slight shiver running down my spine at the thought. "I'm grateful for the strength it gave us."

"Indeed," Aruzhan agreed, nodding solemnly. "It was a wise choice on your part."

"Damn right," I smirked, my usual bravado returning. "I always knew I was destined for greatness."

"Modesty suits you well," Aruzhan quipped, rolling her eyes playfully.

"Ha! As if modesty ever got anyone anywhere exciting," I retorted, winking at my companion.

Despite the lighthearted banter, I couldn't help but dwell on the battle we had just faced. The brutal fight against the spider was a stark reminder of the dangers and challenges that lay ahead, and I knew i would need every ounce of my cunning and resourcefulness to survive.

"Whatever comes our way, Aruzhan," I said, my voice firm with resolve, "we'll face it together, and we'll come out stronger for it."

"Indeed, my friend," Aruzhan replied, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Together, we'll conquer whatever this world throws at us."

With a deep breath, I surveyed the rapidly healing landscape around me, still marred by the remnants of the spider's destructive path. The silver grass glistened under the bright moonlight as it gradually returned to its pristine state. The large white wolf panted beside them, its massive body heaving from exhaustion.

"Thank you," U said, reaching out to pet the wolf's head gently. "We wouldn't have made it without your help."

The wolf raised its head and looked at Ellehish, its eyes reflecting a deep understanding. It huffed in acknowledgment, then turned its gaze toward Aruzhan.

"Your bravery is commendable," Aruzhan added, nodding respectfully at the creature.

"Hey," I interjected, smirking slyly, "let's not forget my awesome spear-work and summoning the snake."

"Of course," Aruzhan replied, rolling her eyes but smiling nonetheless. "Your skills were invaluable, my friend."

"Damn right," I grinned. But as my thoughts wandered back to the harrowing encounter, I couldn't shake the lingering dread that clung to me like a cold sweat. I could feel the weight of my own mortality, and the knowledge that we had only narrowly escaped death gnawed at her.

"Ellehish, are you alright?" Aruzhan asked, concern etching lines into her brow.

"Ah, yeah, I'm fine," I lied, attempting to deflect her worries with humor. "Just thinking about how sexy I must've looked, wielding that spear like a badass."

Aruzhan sighed, but the corners of her lips twitched upward in amusement. "You never cease to amaze me with your ability to find lewdness in every situation."

"Hey, it's a gift!" I retorted, but my thoughts betrayed my levity.

"Seriously though," I said, my tone softening. "Without you and our fierce furry friend here, we wouldn't have made it. We were a great team."

"Indeed," Aruzhan agreed, looking at the wolf with admiration. "Our bond has grown stronger because of this trial, and I believe it will continue to do so in the future."

"Definitely," I replied, reaching out to affectionately ruffling the wolf's fur behind its ears. It leaned into my touch, and I could feel its powerful muscles relax under my fingertips.

As we stood there, basking in the warmth of our camaraderie, I felt the first inklings of peace since entering the dream world. But I knew that this respite was temporary and that reality would soon intrude upon their sanctuary.

"Ellehish, it's time for you to wake up," Aruzhan said gently, as if reading her mind. "We've accomplished what we set out to do here, and now you must return to the real world."

"Yeah, I know," I replied reluctantly, not wanting to leave the comfort of the dream world or the company of my other self. "But I'll see you again soon, right?"

"Of course," Aruzhan reassured her. "We are bound together, after all."

With a final glance at their lupine ally, I steeled myself for the inevitable transition back to consciousness. As the dream world began to fade around me, I felt the strength of our bond, as in the corner of my eyes, a message appeared.

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