Chapter 9: Artistic Memories

Yaxoc and Yaxocara emerged in a strange dimension, a surreal world where everything seemed to be made of paint. The vibrant hues swirled like liquid, blending into abstract patterns under their feet.

"This is... weird," Yaxoc muttered, squinting at the surroundings. "The textures here are awful—looks like something out of a botched art experiment."

Yaxocara ran her fingers along the air, almost feeling the thick presence of the painted environment. "I think this place is made of paint. Nothing here feels solid or real."

As they wandered further, they noticed a stark contrast ahead—a section of the dimension completely devoid of color, painted only in black and white.

"Look at that," Yaxoc pointed. "What's with the colorless zone? It stands out like a sore thumb."

Yaxocara tilted her head. "It's either symbolic or just some lazy artist's idea of a contrast theme." She shrugged. "Either way, it's unsettling."

They cautiously stepped into the monochrome area, their footsteps echoing in the eerie silence. Almost immediately, Yaxoc spotted a familiar figure.

"The kid from before—Olnu!" Yaxoc exclaimed, pointing. "Let's get him!"

Yaxocara bolted toward the child, but before she could reach him, a dark figure materialized from the shadows. Yurgion, cloaked in black, lunged forward and struck her with a spear, sending her stumbling backward with a cry of pain.

"Damn it!" Yaxocara groaned, clutching her side as her angelic essence began to glow, rapidly healing her wound.

Yaxoc's eyes widened, and he rushed to her side. "Yaxocara! Are you okay?"

"Do I look okay?" she snapped, her voice sharp as she straightened herself. "Focus on the fight!"

Yurgion grinned maliciously, blending into the monochrome surroundings like a living shadow.

"He's using this place to his advantage," Yaxoc muttered. "We've got to paint this zone—force him out of his camouflage."

Yaxocara raised a brow. "How do you figure that out so fast?"

"It's obvious—he's relying on the black background to disappear. If we add color, he can't hide."

Yaxocara's eyes lit up as an idea struck her. "Wait! I saw paint buckets earlier!" She dashed back to the edge of the colorful zone, grabbing as many as she could carry. "Think these will work?"

"Perfect," Yaxoc nodded. "Either swing the paint with your sword or use some kind of spell. Go big—we need to coat this entire area."

"Got it," Yaxocara said, unsheathing her blade. She opened the buckets and began chanting.

"Buckets of paint, imbue my blade. Let the brush of fate bring Picasso's shade!"

The paint swirled up, coating her sword in vibrant, glowing hues. The blade shimmered with energy as she lifted it high.

"Okay, Yurgion—time for a makeover!"

"Amplification of Paint: Chromatic Burst!"

A massive orb of multicolored energy materialized above her, its radiance spreading across the monochrome zone.

"No... No! NOOO!" Yurgion roared, his figure flickering as the colors began to engulf him.

Yaxocara unleashed the orb, and it detonated with an explosion of vibrant paint, coating every surface in a kaleidoscope of hues. The once-dull zone became alive with color as Yurgion was sent flying, his camouflage shattered.

With Yurgion gone, Olnu stood frozen in the aftermath, his blind gaze unable to perceive the chaos around him.

Yaxocara quickly ran to the child and scooped him up. "Gotcha!"

Olnu didn't resist, remaining calm in her arms.

Yaxoc crossed his arms, smirking. "Why didn't he kick you? You're carrying him like he's a baby."

"Because I'm better with kids than you are," Yaxocara teased, cradling Olnu with a grin. "Don't be jealous."

"Jealous? Me? Never," Yaxoc huffed, rolling his eyes.

"Alright, enough banter," Yaxocara said. "Let's find a way out of this place—and keep the kid safe while we're at it."

With Olnu in tow, the two continued their journey through the now-colorful dimension, ready to face whatever came next.

As Yaxoc and Yaxocara, with Olnu in tow, walked through the strange and colorful place, the buildings around them were splashed with vibrant paint.

"Huh, this is definitely the weirdest place we've been to," Yaxoc remarked, his gaze sweeping over the chaotic surroundings. "I might want to watch my back here—don't want to end up sealed."

"Yeah," Yaxocara muttered, holding Olnu a little closer. "And I'm still wondering what we're gonna do with the kid."

"Can't you just put him down? He's got legs, you know?" Yaxoc said bluntly.

Yaxocara shook her head, grinning. "Nah. I'm keeping him. Adopted, temporarily. Got it?"

Yaxoc rolled his eyes. "You treat him like he's your son."

Before she could respond, a sudden explosion echoed through the area, making Yaxocara instinctively shield the child.

Yaxoc whipped around, his eyes narrowing as he recognized the figure emerging from the smoke. "Ogamak… Seriously, what's with you following us around?"

"I need that child," Ogamak growled, his finger pointed squarely at Olnu.

Yaxocara stepped forward, blocking Ogamak's view. "Hell no. You're not laying a finger on him."

Yaxoc, uninterested in the back-and-forth, glanced at Ogamak, his fists glowing with intense energy.

Ogamak sneered. "I see you've maxed out your essence mastery. But that won't stop me, Yaxoc."

Before Yaxoc could respond, a sharp voice cut through the air.

"Ogamak, I see you're the one who sent those idiots after Olnu." Lanais stepped into the scene, her eyes narrowed as she looked at Ogamak with barely contained disgust.

With a flick of her wrist, she tossed Lucius and Yurgion to the ground in front of him, their bodies battered and bruised.

"Tell them not to mess with me again," Lanais said coolly, turning to Ogamak, who was too stunned to speak.

Ogamak chuckled, though there was no humor in it. "I didn't expect a woman like you to take them down so easily."

Without warning, he lunged toward her, aiming a heavy blow. Lanais didn't even flinch. "Is that all?" she asked, her voice calm.

In an instant, she punched Ogamak square in the face, sending him crashing through multiple buildings like a ragdoll.

Yaxoc and Yaxocara stood frozen, their jaws hanging open.

"How the hell...?" Yaxoc mumbled, wide-eyed.

"How are you that strong!?" Yaxocara asked, equally stunned.

Lanais turned to face them, her expression unreadable. "You have Olnu, correct?"

Yaxocara nodded, her fingers still clutching the child. "Yeah, I do."

"Put him down. I'll send him to safety," Lanais instructed, her voice soft but firm.

Yaxocara pouted but sighed, gently lowering Olnu to the ground. "Go on."

The child took slow, cautious steps toward Lanais, who offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, you'll see him again soon. Thanks for taking care of him."

With that, Lanais stepped into a portal with Olnu, disappearing without a trace.

Yaxoc and Yaxocara were left standing in stunned silence, unsure of what to do next.

"So, uh... now what?" Yaxoc asked, glancing at Yaxocara.

"Maybe we should find a way out of here," Yaxocara suggested, waving her hand dismissively at the unconscious bodies of Lucius and Yurgion. "And ignore these idiots on the floor."

Yaxoc nodded, turning away. "Yeah, let's get out of here."

As they walked away, a portal suddenly appeared in front of them.

"Look! This is our chance to escape this crazy place!" Yaxocara exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement as she ran into the portal.

Yaxoc paused, looked back for a moment, then shrugged and followed her in.

Meanwhile, Xavy and Fate stepped onto the scene, looking down at Lucius and Yurgion lying unconscious on the ground.

"Oof, guess those two got a real taste of humility," Fate said, eyeing the fallen figures with mild amusement.

"I'm pretty sure it was that goddess of the universe who humbled them," Xavy replied, his voice laced with curiosity.

"Wait, you mean Lanais?" Fate raised an eyebrow. "You told me about her last week. She looks insanely strong."

"Yeah, she's the goddess of the universe for a reason," Xavy said with a smirk. "But trust me, she's still no match for us."

Fate playfully slapped him on the back. "You might be right, but try not to act like you're invincible, dude."