The Boss Troll part 3

Kim realized shortly after she first attacked the troll that this was going to be harder than she realized. While the cut she made on its hand didn't heal right away, she could still see it healing. Then even when Owen cut of part of its other hand, it almost immediately started to regrow.

In all, she wasn't confident that they would be able to do much. Or at least not unless fire is used, which made Kim wonder. What happened to Patrick? Even Patricia hadn't come through with them. She wanted to look around, but with how the troll was moving around, she couldn't say that if she'd be able to do so without getting hit by it.

Just like a man to be nowhere to be found when he's needed, Kim complained silently.

While it's attacks didn't look like they would hurt her as badly as the bugbear's sword, she couldn't imagine it feeling any good. However, it did seem to be focused almost entirely on Bart, which surprised Kim. She would have thought that the stinging of blades cutting into it would have drawn its ire more than Bart's quarterstaff, but she didn't know how trolls thought, so all she could do was be glad it wasn't focusing on her.

However, she couldn't help but look on in horror as Bart suddenly flew through the air, having tried blocking an attack that looked like it pushed the block aside as if it wasn't even attempted. Not that Kim could understand how any of Bart's blocks had actually worked up to that point anyway.

Then she saw the troll take Owen's sword from him as if it was pulling a sucker out of a bag. Almost effortlessly. She had no reservations at that point. They were in trouble.

"Hold it off, I need t go check something," Kim said, as she disengaged from the troll. Not that it was really difficult. It had turned its focus on Elwin and Leon.

Kim springted towards the door they'd come in, only a little concerned as she didn't see Elin where she'd left the girl, but knowing what happened to Bart, she couldn't be surprised.

As Kim reached the door, she saw Patricia and Patrick, pushing against what looked like air. Whatever was keeping them out, it really had bad timing.

Then as Kim approached whatever was keeping them out, she found that she couldn't leave either. There seemed to be a barrier that kept them out and her in. It didn't seem to have any substance, nor did it feel any different. She swung her sword at the barrier to see if maybe she could cut it, but as it connected with it, she suddenly felt the inertia in her blade suddenly reverse and push back, throwing her off balance and ending with her falling on her back against the cold stone floor.

"We tried that already," Patricia said.

Kim put her hand to her head as she sat up, her head spinning a little. "Why didn't you guys get through before the doors closed?" Kim asked.

"They slammed shut before Patrick could enter," Patricia replied. "I was right behind him and when they closed, we pulled the thing to open them again, but at that point we ran into this barrier thing."

Kim glanced back at the battle. The others seemed to be holding their own, but she couldn't say for sure if that would last. Especially with how the troll seemed to regenerate any of their attacks as it they were made.

"Did you try using any of your abilities to get through it?" Kim asked, feeling a sense of panic begin to well up inside of her.

"No, we wanted to keep from wearing ourselves out before we came in," Patrick said.

Kim sighed. She couldn't argue with that logic, but at the same time, it didn't matter how well rested they were if they couldn't enter to help to begin with.

"Did you try getting through one at a time?" Kim asked, grasping at straws at this point. Not sure what might allow them to get through the barrier.

"Sort of," Patricia said. "When I opened the doors, Patrick was right there to try and get through, but then this barrier was there."

"Well, why not have Patrick back up a little before you try to get through," Kim suggested, wondering if maybe its because of Patrick's system's connection with fire. After all, that's what they needed right then.

"Alright, we'll try," Patricia said, pushing Patrick back gently, while taking his forearm in her and while she grasped her forearm.

Kim backed up herself for a minute, in case the space was needed, and watched as Patricia was able to pass where the barrier was, but then as Patrick got close again, she stopped, unable to get any closer. Though, she was able to withdraw it.

Kim sighed. While it was a pain, it was clear that whatever was powering the barrier, was doing everything it could to keep Patrick out. Which meant, it was actively keeping them from being able to bring in any fire related ability.

"I think whatever is creating the barrier is trying to keep just Patrick out," Kim told them.

"I'm not going to let you face that thing alone," Patrick told Patricia.

"I won't be alone," Patricia told him, withdrawing herself completely from the barrier. "There's the others in there already."

Patrick sighed. "You know what I mean," he said, wrapping his arms around her.

"Well, why not give me a grope for good luck and see if there's anything in your system that could possibly help," Patricia suggested.

"Alright," Patrick sighed, as he slid his hand inside of Patricia's overalls to feel her up. "Status."

Kim looked away, not wanting to see what was going on between the two, but also not sure if she should return to the fight right then.

A moment later, however, she was glad she did. "I see, that might be helpful," Patrick said.

Kim turned back to see Patrick still fondling Patricia, but smiling widely.

"What is it?" Kim asked, hoping that it would be something that would be viable.

"I can add a fire element to a weapon, but I think your sword will be better suited for it, since Patty's weapons are made of ice," Patrick said.

"Get on with it then," Kim said, holding out her sword, not really caring to see Patricia's lovely chest defiled by a man's touch.

Patrick closed his eyes and called out, "Attribute enhance, fire!"

Kim didn't have to ask if it worked, as her blade immediately lit up in flames. Kim glanced at Patrick, saying, "Thanks."

Then she quickly started running forward, vaguely aware of Patricia behind her following. Although, somehow she couldn't say why, but the closer she got to the troll, the more she felt like she was moving through molasses. Everything about her felt like it was moving slower. Whatever was causing this didn't want fire to get near the troll. Or at least that was the only reason Kim could think of.

"What's wrong?" Patricia asked as she approached.

"Not sure," Kim admitted, enjoying the view of Patricia's breast hanging out of her overalls, since she hadn't fixed the strap that apparently had been undone so Patrick could get in there easily. "It's like something around here doesn't want any fire near the troll."

Patricia stopped and looked around. "Do you think it might be something else in here?" she asked.

"Could be," Kim admitted. "Elmo checked the trolls stats and I don't think it said anything about being able to keeps it's primary weakness away from it."

"How about you then continue forward and I'll see what I can find around here, okay?" Patricia said.

"Sounds good. Though, if you find Jonas, feel free to enlist him to help. He might be able to see what might be the source of the problem," Kim told her.

Kim let her attention return to the troll, aware at how much effort it was taking her to get back to the battle. It was not like she was having to walk with a hundred pounds all over her. She couldn't help but wonder if her stamina was getting depleted faster because of this, but she didn't want to take the time to check her status. Especially since the troll could potentially turn to her and attack, leaving her defenseless for a moment. Which wasn't a particularly happy thought for her.

As she approached, she couldn't help but notice Sonya off to the side, almost looking like she was constipated with how her face was scrunched up, trying whatever it was that she was trying.

"What are you doing?" Kim called out to her, as she slowly made her way forward.

Sonya fell down on the ground, looking around frantically. When she saw Kim, she yelled at her, "Don't scare me like that!"

"Sorry," Kim called back, not really caring if Sonya had gotten scared. "Just wanted to know what you were doing."

"I was trying to turn into a salamander," she said, matter of factly. "But something was blocking me from doing so."

Kim nodded. "I'm pretty sure there's something around here that's trying to keep fire from the troll. Maybe you should help Patricia look for it," Kim suggested. "After all, you can't do much if you can't transform, right?"

Sonya sighed. "Fine, I'll do that," she said, sounding like she'd had her favorite toy taken away from her.

Kim shook her head. She really didn't care to have to deal with this. She was maybe a hundred feet from the troll and at the current pace she was going, she thought it might take her around half an hour to cross that distance. Which meant she might be worn out before she even had the chance to swing her sword at it, hopefully keeping it from regenerating anymore.