Luminous walked into the cave, she was generally surprised to find the inside looking more like a small house with its navy blue carpeted floor, a couch that sat off to the side, and the small bed in the back corner. The lantern lights shined across some bookshelves and books that were splayed across the floor.

“Hey! Who are you and what are you doing here!?” Yelled a boy’s voice.

Luminous looked up to see someone staring down at her from a wooden balcony in a dark blue trench coat, with a blue snowflake pattern face mask and goggles covering his face. He was standing next to what looked like a makeshift chemistry lab.

“What are you dumb or something?” Asked the boy. “I asked. You.A. Question!” He said with each step down the stairs.

He stood right in front of Luminous as if he were bigger than her, but his face only came up to her chest. She stared down at the top of his wavey snowy looking hair. It looked so soft and fluffy it was almost tempting to touch.

“Answer me, girl!” Yelled the little boy getting impatient.

“Oh ya, uh. You must be an apprentice right? So..d.. do you happen to know where the wizard Vainglorious is?” Stuttered Luminous.

“Make it quick what do you want and what do you have to offer me in return?” Asked the little boy crossing his arms. “My time is valuable.”

“You? Huh?”

“Oh for folklore...I’m the powerful wizard Vainglorious!” Yelled the little boy.

 “Yo..You’re the powerful wizard Vainglorious?!” Sputtered Luminous.“But you’re like 9 years old!”

 “I’m 12!” Vainglorious yelled back. “I just haven’t hit my growth spurt yet is all…besides what’s your excuse, you’re obviously a kid with how short you are and how babyish your face is, but your boobs are way too big you tavern wench!”

“Huh?...What?!”

“Hahaha! He’s got you there short stuff.”Laughed the Dawn of Fate.

Vainglorious jumped hearing the masculine gruff voice come out of nowhere. He looked around the cave but saw that no one else was with them.

“He does not, my boobs are of normal size.D cup is normal.” Replied Luminous. “I’m perfectly normal.”

“Pfff sure you are.” Scoffed the Dawn of Fate.

Vainglorious looked closer at the huge sword strapped to the girls back.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Asked Luminous.

“Let me ask you something then,” Said the Dawn of Fate. “what about you do you think is normal short stuff?”

Luminous paused a moment shifting her eyes around the room as if looking for the answer.

“Is your sword talking?” Asked Vainglorious.

“Huh? Am I what?” Asked Luminous.

“Who’s asking?” Retorted the Dawn of Fate.

“Wow, that’s incredible.” Said Vainglorious. Moving behind Luminous to get a better look at the Dawn of Fate. “How did you enchant the sword to talk?”

“Oh, I didn’t.” Said Luminous.

“Oh..” Said Vainglorious, the excitement in his voice immediately dying down. “Well then, what do you want? Let’s get this over with.”

“Well, I got this sword because I need it to help me save my friends. And. I mean, there was a ball that night, and I was going to ask Chasm. Because the red prince encouraged me to.”

“The red prince?” Asked Vainglorious, raising his eyebrow.

“Ya, the red prince has always been there for me for as long as I can remember.” Said Luminous. “He was there for me when Maybell pushed me into the duck pond. He also comes and sneaks me a cookie behind Brenda bots back wherever I’m grounded. He also got me out of that tree that one time…”

Vainglorious looked Luminous up and down as she rambled on. He noticed that she was wearing a cotton pink button pajama shirt with a chicken pattern on it, with short black shorts, she wasn’t even wearing shoes, just dirty white socks. 

Oh, folklore, someone at the tavern must-have screwed her screws loose. Thought Vainglorious. She actually thinks she knows the prince of the red kingdom.

“And what does your “dear friend the prince” have anything to do with me?” Asked Vainglorious.

“Well, you see the red prince and Cham got kidnaped by the crow king.” Said Luminous. “And Master Mouse said you’re the only one…”

 “Master Mouse!” Interrupted Vainglorious. “You’re with the magic counsel! I told you before that no I won’t join you! I have a right to my powers and to use them freely how I want! So no I won’t be doing things for the magic counsel! And you can especially tell Master Mouse to shove it!” 

“But Vainglorious! I need to get my friends back! You’re the only one who can…!” 

“How many times do I have to say no!” Yelled Vainglorious. An array of ice shot out towards Luminous’ face.

“Ahh!” Luminous jumped back typing over a little backpack.

A map and some of its other contents spilled out of it as Luminous hit the carpeted ground.

“Luminous!” Barrett burst into the cave. Only to see Luminous laying on the floor cowering surrounded by sharp pointy ice. Vainglorious towering over her. “Vainglorious you bastard!”

Vainglorious turned around to see the muscular hunter charging towards him with his greatsword drawn.

“Too much heartbreak so you put up a wall, not even summer will make the ice thaw!”

Vainglorious summoned a thick ice shield in front of himself. Barrett’s greatsword clashed with it.

“You brought Barrett with you!?” Yelled Vainglorious. “Why?! Are you stupid or something!?”

“Actually, bringing me along was smart.” Retorted Barrett. “People know you’re dangerous and attack people you don’t agree with, you little gremlin!”

“Seriously! You’re going to play Mr. protector here?” Scoffed Vainglorious. “I know you’re only doing this because you want a reason to attack me for not using my powers to suit your needs!”

“Why?! Why won’t you use your powers to heal my grandmother! She was nothing but nice to you! Letting you into our own home whenever you wanted!” Barrett bashed Vainglorious’ shield with his sword. Tears brimming his eyes. “You know she still gives me little lunch boxes to give to you and she always asks me how you’ve been and if I’ve seen you! So why!? You of all people know that if she dies I’ll have no one!” Screamed Barrett slashing into Vainglorious’ shield harder as tears ran down his cheeks.

“See that’s the thing!” Vainglorious shouts back. “There my powers I can use them how I want! Then you threatened to report me to the magic console so you can control me! You're selfish!”

“I’m selfish!?” Yelled Barrett his sword finally breaking the shield. Ice scattered around the room leaving Vainglorious open. “Who refuses to help an old lady who takes in selfish little runaways boys!” 

“The graceful look of her Beauty at first glance, but her glare will prick you if you dare ask her to dance!” Chated Vainglorious.

“Barrett look out!” Shouted Luminous seeing icicles spring from the cave floor towards Barrett.

 Barrett jumped back. The ice scraped his jeans, tearing them a little as it cut his skin.

“Get out! Get out get out get out!” Yelled Vainglorious the icicles chasing after Barrett.

Luminous’ eyes widened when she saw the icicles coming towards her. Barrett grabbed Luminous’ hand pulling her up, running out of the cave with her.

“And stay out!” Yelled Vainglorious.

Icicles filled the entrance. Making it look like the cave had sharp pointy teeth.