Hoshi no Guu (Star Piece Quest) (M)

[Guu]

Eventually, the group came across a 50-foot cliff. When faced with the prospect of scaling the cliff or adding another few hours of walking to their hike… They still had to weigh their options.

Guu could naturally fly her way up, and because of Pitchen’s air abilities, he could fly almost as well as the pink one. Melani was small enough to ride on the princess’ back, which left Bani and Chuck with the climb.

The pink enigma and the cybernetic moogle flew their way to the top and dropped off Melani who secured a rope that extends to the bottom where Bani and Chuck attached harnesses to themselves. Bani was fairly quick, her athletic body making it easy to gain footholds. However, Chuck struggled his way up, each hand barely able to keep hold. Bani, noticing the woes of her partner, called out to him.

“We can have Guu and Pitchen carry you up. I doubt you weigh that much, Chuck.”

“No, I can do this.” Cried out the demon, his voice straining from the weight of his body.

Bani came across a crevasse in the rock and took a moment to sit down and look down at her climbing friend. His face was strained, and at first she thought it was because of the climb, but she had a feeling that something else was going on.

“Hey, it’s not big deal if you can’t climb it, we won’t hold it against-”

“Yes you will, you will mock me like you’ve done this entire journey, like you’ve always have.”

“Chuck...” The rabbit girl said, now concerned. “I never meant to hurt you, that was just playful banter, like we always do.”

“Playful my ass. I’ve been helpless this entire journey!” He yelled out, he almost squealed in pain as his hand lifted his weight again.

“Chuck, you’re not helpless, I mean, you’re part of the team.”

“My navigation was useless, my talents were useless, the only thing I did that helped the team this entire time was heal a cyborg to death!”

“You’re being too negative, you’ve been plenty help so far!”

The demon just grunted in aggravation.

The bunny girl jumped down from her sitting spot and repelled her way down the cliff side.

“The hell are you doing?”

She bounced down just below the demon and started extending a hand for him.

“Come on, take my hand.”

“No, I can do it on my own.”

“I won’t take this angsty shit, we’re supposed to be a team here, remember? So take my hand and we’ll climb this mountain together.”

The demon shot her a look, it looked half strained and half frustrated at first, but it quickly turned into a scowl, as if he was trying to intimidate her out of the way.

Sighing deeply, she reached and grabbed his hand herself. In a reflex action, he swatted at her wrist which repelled him away from the cliff a little bit. As it turns out, the clip holding him to the rope wasn’t properly secured. His harness detached. Bani screamed as she watched Chuck fall towards the ground.

Guu and Pitchen dash by and catch him midair. He was alive, but the rabbit girl could remember the face he wore as they carried him to the top of the cliff: one of a man resigned to an ill fate.

Bani climbed the rest of the way, she didn’t question why the two fliers didn’t carry her back up, she hoped they wouldn’t. She was too preoccupied with Chuck. She need the time to clear her head.

When she made it to the top, the first face she saw was Chuck, sitting on a nearby rock, his maw twisted into a disgusted scowl. It wasn’t directed at anyone, he was just staring off into space. The fall may not have killed him, but they failed to save him anyways.

“I’m sorry.” She said to the demon, it went unanswered, and unheard.