Unknown POV

"Under different circumstances, I would dub this the most important mission in the world," Even in the dark, his grin was unmistakable.

The moon was full this evening. That was a good sign. I ignored him.

The silence of the young night was almost unbearable; it was too quiet. Moonlight reflected off the Mirror Leaves and cast the forest into a white glow. A breeze ruffled the leaves, grass, and practically everything in its path. It flowed over us like water in a current.

Water. The mission. Right.

Dropping to all fours, I crept stealthily through the undergrowth. Moon Grass brushed against my limbs uncomfortably, reaching up to my shoulders and poking my chin. Moving in a steady "left-right-left-right" rhythm, I reached the Cave. Glancing behind me, I felt my mouth go dry as he strode through the grass, then stopping to inspect a flower. I would have faced palmed, but this mission was too important. Why did the King choose him? Anyone else would have been better. Even that idiot that ran through the HQ half-naked. Okay, maybe not that guy, but anyone else.

Let me introduce Oliver. He wasn't too bad looking, with blond hair and a charming smile, he would have been what ladies would have called "ideal". His problem? His attitude and big mouth.

I watched the Cave carefully. One move, and you attack, the King had said. My hands felt sweaty. I almost vomitted my heart out when Oliver stepped on a withering Morning Bloom. Shooting him a look, I turned back to the Cave. I shouldn't have.

The roar itself knocked me off my feet. Scrambling, I jumped to my feet and drew my sword, but before I could attack, Oliver had foolishly lunged forward. It caught him with an unsheathed claw. For a second, he dangled from it's claw, swinging around helplessly. Then it was over. It stabbed a claw into his chest, and with a agonizing scream, Oliver dropped from his claw, bloody and unmoving.

I couldn't move. His scream replayed in my head. A puddle of red pooled around Oliver's lifeless body. Blood. Blood. Water.

The mission.

I jumped aside as it came for me, claws outstretched and teeth gleaming in the moonlight. The moonlight, once so calming, now displayed the monster's disfigured body like a spotlight. I would describe it, but I'm afraid I didn't have time to admire its oh-so-horrifying features.

I swung my sword wildly, forgetting whatever training I had been taught. It ripped the creature's skin, and yellow acid spilled out. Howling, it lunged for me again, knocking the breath out of me and throwing me off my feet once again.

I landed with a thud. My whole body ached with being thrown around. The Cave was so close. I stumbled to my feet and staggered blindly to the Cave. I heard a groan. I kept moving.

I heard another scream as the monster clawed at Oliver, making sure he didn't breathe another breath. Leaving me with just enough time to leap into the Cave and find It. Oliver had been the perfect distraction.

It glowed faintly, a blue aura surrounding It. At that moment, the monster came into the Cave, eyes glaring and saliva flying. Panicking, I mumbled a teleportation spell. I can only hope it was sent to the Palace as it faded from view.

The monster reached, and I collapsed.

Mission accomplished.