Madremonte walked a few steps ahead of the group of women, so Sarah and Layla took the chance to clear some doubts.

  —Master… I’ve noticed something, I don’t know if my perception is failing me. Do they… emanate Legend Koa? —asked Sarah.

  —That’s right. Fairies always emanate Legend Koa, different from how we humans do —answered Master Yianiss.

  —And can they use Beast too? —continued Layla.

  —No. Cryptids can emanate Beast Koa; they do it the same way they handle Legend —clarified the Master.

  —Interesting… so only we can use all three Koa? —Sarah became excited.

  —Demons can do it too… —Yianiss suddenly stopped—. Girls, alert. Prepare yourselves.

  Immediately, from the trees, squirrels, rabbits, and other small corrupted animals jumped toward them, wrapped in twisted Legend Koa.

  —Tor— —Sarah prepared to attack, but the Master stopped her with a gesture.

  —Wait. You rely too much on Legend and Beast Koa. If you waste it before the crucial moment, you’ll be defenseless. Use more Nature Koa.

  The Master created tiny green energy darts and launched them with surgical precision. The creatures fell instantly.

  —But… are they dead? —said Sarah, saddened.

  —Their souls were already damaged. There was nothing to be done —murmured Layla.

  —Heh, they’re just unconscious —smiled the Master.

  Madremonte, who had observed everything in silence, raised her scepter. It shone and purified the fallen little animals.

  —We must hurry —she said gravely.

  —I wonder if I should start using my Plus and Minus ability more —Layla sank into her thoughts after her Master’s suggestion.

  On the other side of the forest, the Candileja burned with frustration.

  —Stupid Madremonte and her morals toward humans… why does she love them so much? —she growled.

  —That’s how she is —answered the Tunda—. Focus. The Patasola may appear.

  —She won’t come for us —said the Sombrerón, serious.

  —Why so sure, shorty? —mocked the Madreagua.

  —Because her resentment is toward Madremonte… and because we have company.

  Before them stood five elemental figures:

  The Wandering Flame, The Enchanted Water, The Silbón, The Incandescent Man, and The Echo of the Void.

  —What are you doing working with the Patasola? —asked the Hijo del rayo.

  —Working with her? —laughed the Wandering Flame—. We work for ourselves. We’re tired of humans. The forest belongs to the elementals. Join us, there’s no reason to fight.

  —We don’t like humans either, but we’re not going to corrupt the jungle without reason —answered the Candileja.

  —Then die with them —roared the Enchanted Water, launching powerful jets.

  A melody from the Sombrerón created a wall of wind to block them, but the Silbón dispersed it with a brutal shriek.

  —Well… only fighting remains —said the Madreagua, throwing herself into battle with her siblings.

  Meanwhile, Sarah froze as she sensed that avalanche of Koa in the distance.

  —Master… what is that? It’s too… overwhelming —she gasped, falling to her knees.

  —What’s happening, Sarah? I can barely perceive it —said Layla, confused.

  It seems Sarah developed a greater sensitivity to Koa… interesting, thought Yianiss.

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  —Sarah —the Master’s voice hardened—. If you can’t stand before a Koa that isn’t even directed at you… quit. You’ll be dead weight for your companions. Get up or abandon this.

  Shaking, Sarah took a deep breath and managed to stand. They continued until they reached a clearing surrounded by enormous trees whose bark looked like petrified faces.

  A greenish figure awaited them.

  Long, tangled hair. Rotten, humid greenish skin. Something like a wood trunk for a torso. A single gigantic claw-shaped foot. Nearly two meters tall. The whole air reeked of corruption.

  —Oh… you brought company. Excellent. More food for the forest —smiled the Patasola.

  —Enough. Leave the forest in peace —Madremonte pointed her staff.

  The jungle trembled. Falling leaves. Birds fleeing. The wind roaring.

  Meanwhile, Yianiss leaned calmly against a tree. —Handle it yourselves—

  —Master… are you joking? That thing surpasses us! —Layla shouted.

  —Why won’t you help us? —asked Sarah, desperate.

  —I can defeat her in an instant, but if I do, when will you learn? Go ahead… show me what you’re capable of. If things get complicated, maybe I’ll help —she yawned.

  —Don’t worry, humans. I’ll stop her —promised Madremonte, launching energy from her scepter.

  The Patasola dodged with a leap.

  —Is that all? Mixing with humans weakens you —she mocked, emitting a shriek that summoned more forest creatures.

  They were bigger this time: bears, snakes, living trees.

  —They’re stronger than before —said Layla.

  —We’ll have to defeat them anyway —Sarah activated her Koa.

  In seconds, both were fighting with everything they had. Layla cut through living trees with her technique:

  —Spear of the Icenos!

  —Girl, watch out! —shouted Madremonte.

  The Patasola was behind Layla, leaping with open jaws:

  —Infectious Bite!

  Sarah created a Nature Koa shield, which the Patasola shattered, but it managed to save Layla.

  —Thanks… —whispered Layla.

  —Don’t lose focus —answered Sarah, without taking her eyes off the creatures.

  While they fought, Yianiss observed without being bothered: creatures avoided approaching her by pure instinct.

  —Stop now, Patasola! —roared Madremonte, extending huge roots to trap her.

  But her enemy was too fast.

  —You’re more boring than in the stories —she mocked, amid shrieks calling more creatures.

  Layla was at her limit. Sarah was busy. And the Patasola lunged at her again.

  —I GOT YOU, LITTLE GIRL! —she roared. Anyone bitten by her infectious bite became possessed into her service.

  Layla remembered the Master’s words.

  —Use more Nature Koa… that’s it!

  —PLUS AND MINUS: MINUS! —her body shrank instantly.

  The Patasola missed her completely.

  —Where are you, human? —she growled.

  —Here. PLUS! —Layla returned to her original size and punched the creature’s abdomen with a powerful Nature-Koa-charged strike.

  The Patasola was sent flying.

  —Good, Layla… you’ve improved a lot —smiled Yianiss.

  Furious, the Patasola roared, making all the creatures focus on Layla.

  —Perfect… that’ll give me some time! —Madremonte murmured, concentrating Koa and chanting quietly.

  —A thousand against one isn’t fair! —shouted Sarah, launching herself into battle, accompanied by the purified creatures Madremonte had freed.

  The Patasola and her minions quickly defeated the creatures helping Sarah, but they bought her time to regroup with Layla.

  —Well, a thousand against two is more acceptable —Sarah smiled at Layla.

  —You’re insane —Layla laughed, exhausted—. They’re going to kill us.

  —Do you still have energy for your wind? I have an idea —said Sarah.

  —Yeah… one more time —Layla took a deep breath—. Spear of the Icenos!

  —GO TO HELL, HUMANS! VIRULENT RENDINGS! —the Patasola’s claws turned red.

  —Layla, now! —ordered Sarah.

  —DESTRUCTION OF CAMULODUNUM! —the spear spun like a drill, creating a fierce wind.

  —THAT BREEZE IS TRASH! —roared the Patasola.

  —NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THAUMATURGES! —shouted Sarah—. FROZEN SWAN FLUTTER!

  Her attack struck Layla’s wind, boosting the freezing effect.

  The Patasola began freezing rapidly.

  —W-what is this shit? —she growled, her body stiffening along with her creatures.

  —It worked —said Layla, panting.

  —Well… I expected her to freeze more —said Sarah, disappointed.

  The Patasola, furious, began breaking the ice with effort.

  —Once I’m out, I’ll make you my slaves! —she roared.

  —Hey… aren’t you forgetting someone? —said a voice behind her.

  It was Madremonte, fully charged with energy.

  —When I’m done with them, I’ll come for you —snorted the Patasola.

  —I’m sorry, but you won’t hurt anyone else.

  —SHUT UP! —the creature lunged desperately at her.

  —The forest can bless… but it can also curse —whispered Madremonte.

  —LAMENT IN THE JUNGLE!

  The scepter glowed. Branches, leaves, and flowers grew from the ground, climbing the Patasola’s rotten skin, devouring her alive.

  —No… what are you doing to me? —she screamed.

  —The forest decided you would be its food —Madremonte declared.

  In seconds, no trace of the creature remained. The forest began healing itself.

  On the other side, the elemental battle halted.

  —Seems they defeated the Patasola —said the Enchanted Water.

  —Impossible… were those human women with Madremonte that strong? —the Silbón was surprised.

  —The game is over —said the Sombrerón, adjusting his mandolin.

  —No point in continuing —said the Wandering Flame—. Think about our proposal. We’ll meet again later.

  And they vanished.

  The elementals wondered if they should go thank Madremonte and the humans for eliminating the forest’s corruption, but decided to retreat as well.

  Yianiss stood up calmly.

  —Alright girls… you did an excellent job. I’m proud of you.

  Madremonte approached.

  —Thank you, esteemed ladies. Without you it wouldn’t have been possible to defeat the Patasola. If you ever need anything, my forest is open to you.

  They said goodbye, and the three women began the journey back.

  —Thanks for saving me, Sarah —said Layla, exhausted.

  —Hey, you saved me too. We make a great duo. We’re thaumaturges —Sarah smiled.

  Yianiss listened proudly.

  These girls passed the test. They must now go to Apalacide with Yu-Han and company.

  The battle against La Patasola marked one of the toughest confrontations so far, but also one of the most important. Sarah and Layla truly showed what it means to be thaumaturges.

  Fun fact: The combination of “Destruction of Camulodunum” and “Frozen Swan Flutter” was inspired by old-school anime attacks where two techniques merge to create a greater effect. And Layla’s “Plus and Minus” was conceived as a magical version of the size-shifting seen in ancient folklore and comic books as well.

  If you enjoyed the chapter, leave a comment or a follow—your support helps me tremendously to keep writing.