You can’t move.
The monster advances, its clawsclack-clack-clackingon the alleyway as it scurries toward you, jaws unhinged, huge pointy teeth a-snapping.
That’s it.
You’re about to become food for a giant bug.
Unless—
The sword!
The teeny-tiny, stupidly sharp sword!
You pull it out of your pocket, screaming some sort of unintelligible, terrified battle cry as you charge, waving it wildly where you wield it between your thumb and forefinger.
Yes.
It’s that small.
It really is little more than a letter-opener.
Naturally, the skaddler—the giant scorpion-like monster—is not in the slightest bit frightened by your antics. This was probably a bad idea, but it’s too late now.
The monster corrals you further back into the corner of the alley.
“Help me!!!!!” you scream, seconds from shouting Ziros’ true name for everyone nearby to hear. Not that anyone seems to be hearing you to begin with, or if they are, they sure aren’t coming to your rescue. “Someone, helpmeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!”
No one responds.
Of course no one does.
Ziros can’t hear you from here. There’s no way. And who else would go up against a giant scorpion monster like this?!
You’re trapped. Cornered and alone.
So much for the magical bond or whatever linking you and Ziros. Looks like this is the end.
You shut your eyes, bracing for the worst—when you remember youcan’tdie. Well. You certainlycan, but if you do, so will Ziros.
And you can’t bring yourself to let that happen so easily.
Not without at least putting up a good fight.
As the monster lunges for you, you feel something change. It’s a strange, tingling sensation, like static racing down your arm and out through your hand.
The sword pulses in your hand.
Yes. The tiny sword.
Only, it’s not so tiny anymore.
You lurch back, dropping the hilt as the sword glows, spinning in the air, golden, glowing light flashing out around it like some sort of magical anime girl transformation sequence.
What in the heckin’ heck!?
Fortunately, this whole crazy magical transformation sequence seems to have caught the monster by surprise, too, and it rears up on its hind legs, backing away with a snarl.
The suddenly-full-sized sword lands in front of you, blade down, hilt sticking up for you to grab. Which you do. In a hurry.
