~Gole~

Poole guides the flying platform into Terror’s land around his castle and I hop off the flying disc.

“I’ll watch you from above. If you fail, I’ll lead Terror through the Doorway.” Poole says and I snort,

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Poole.”

“Stay safe, okay? The world would be a much more lonely place without you.” Poole says seriously and I look back at him.

“I will do my best, Poole. But I can’t promise anything.”

Poole lifts the platform into the air with a nod and I take a shaky breath.

“Terror! Face me! He L Sl! Come out here, you coward!” I roar at the castle, letting my voice reverberate across the desert land around the castle.

All is silent for a moment, and then the gates of the castle open. A giant wind monster made of dark storm clouds emerges and I feel my heart skip a beat. I stand still, petrified, until I hear Poole call,

“Run, Gole!”

I feel my feet run as my stomach lurches. What on Nearth was I thinking? I can’t take on a wind monster!

“Nearth is depending on us, Gole!” Poole calls and I feel my head clear.

I can do this. I must do this. For all Nearth.

“Come on, you giant cloud! Fight me!” I shout as I run, and I hear Terror roar behind me.

“You are worthless scum! I will crush you!” He screams and I run as fast as I can, following Poole’s flying disc.

I run harder and harder until I feel as though my lungs are going to explode. Terror is on my heels. Poole flies overhead, and I wonder if he’s going to have to lead the chase after I’m killed. We cross from Terror’s wasteland into the glowing cats’ jungle. The jungle is filled with silver trees that glow like lamps and have leaves that blink like torch bugs.

Then I see it. A large, swirling vortex awaits me in the distance, and I push myself to the last of my energy. I dive through it, with Terror hot on my heels. I find myself in a maze with a red atmosphere. The floors and walls continuously change. I turn around to see that the portal to the Strange Lands is closed and I smile grimly. Terror roars in his fury and I laugh at him mockingly.

“You’re stuck here.”

“As are you, foolish alterna.” Terror says and I shrug as I leap over a bottomless pit that opens up before me.

“Well, that’s okay. If I must die here, at least so will you.”

I charge through the misty maze and suddenly I’m met by a lime green vortex like the Doorway I had come through. I leap through it and collapse as the vortex closes behind me, trapping Terror inside the maze. I feel myself losing consciousness as a dark mist covers my eyes, and I drift into blackness.