text: “Oh, oh Look, Hannah! This one looks nice and simple.” Amanda said, surprisingly excited as she was reading off the request wall for a quest. “Nope, I’m done! Call me a turkey and stick a fork in me because I’m done!” I snarled and crossed my arms. I have had it with these quests today. They were ridiculous, unreasonable, and no one wanted to pay up. I swear, those people, who were requesting quest, needs to look back on the Guild Guide to understand what was classified as a reasonable quest. Amanda then gave me a pitiful smile as her eyebrows started to curve up. Before I knew it, Amanda was in my personal bubble, wrapping me around her arms while giving me some cheek to cheek action. Arghhh, Amanda was a close friend of mine, but she took the term close literally and had no respect for privacy or personal space. “Get off, Amanda!” I said, and tried to at least gain some distance between our faces, but, it was useless, I was no match for this over grown half breed. “Personal space! Personal space, girl!” She then started to make a devilish grin while giving me an Eskimo kiss. Things were getting weird and unpleasant, fast! “Not until you agree to do one more quest.” She said. “No!” I replied, forgetting the situation I was in. “I’m tired, hungry, and I possibly stink.” “Well, I guess I just have to keep holding on to my little Sweetpea.” Amanda then stopped with the Eskimo kisses, and went back to having our cheeks together. She had me now, and she knew it. I could either do one more simple, tiny quest, or get stuck with this cuddly business with another female, and on top of that, people were starting to stare. I had no choice. “Okay!” I shouted. “Yippee!” And she cheered. I didn’t understand why she was forcing the both of us to go through another doggie dooky storm. Amanda knew, just as I, that we sucked today. Every quest we took was just out of control. Earlier today, we took a quest to chase boars out of a garden, and we were the ones who got chased out of the garden. So, we didn’t get paid. Then there was one where we had to hunt a Jelly Queen Fighter Fish, and that was just the biggest headache. When we finally caught the dang thing, we apparently caught a Jelly King Fighter Fish, and our client wasn’t satisfied. He flipped out about it and refused to pay, but Amanda refused not to get paid. So, she ended up mugging him for the amount owed, and left him with the Jelly King Fighter Fish. That was the funky stuff that left me wanting to give up, and apparently leaving Amanda wanting more. Once I had my freedom, I released a sigh that explained my frustrations, and took a seat on a bench while Amanda dashed back to the request wall, trying to find that perfect quest. “Oh, Hannah!” Amanda shouted as I was trying to rest. “What now!?” “I’ve found a quest that you’re going to just simply adore!” “Amanda, there is no quest that I would possibly ado-” “It’s from Lent.” Just as her words hit me, the blood rushed to my ears, and I felt a second color turning my face. I was speechless for the moment. “N-no way. Let me see.” I said as I found the words I needed. Amanda then came like a ballerina, walking on the tip of her toes moving inch by inch while performing spinning jumps. All that, just to bring me the request form. Once she was in my reach, I snatched it and gave it a good look. It was exactly as she said. It really was from Lent, but what was more breathing taking, was what his request was. It said: I’m looking for a special flower to give to a very special girl, but I can’t seem to find it nowhere. I’m a bit shame to post this, but I really need the help. If anyone knows where the Snow Ice Flower is located, then please let me know, or bring it to me. So, I can finally take the next step in my relationship with her. My mouthed then gapped open and my hands started to sweat. I couldn’t believe it. Lent was finally about to confess his love... to me. “You know what, Hannah?” Amanda said as she snatched Lent’s request form from me. “I stink too. Let’s draw a bath and call it a day.” “No way!” I shouted, but after I realized how eager I was sounding, I cleared my voice and started again. “I-I mean, you always stink, Amanda, and umm... Lents apart of our Guild, so it’s like our duty to assist.” Amanda just looked at me as she pushed her lips to the side. “What?” She continued to just stare with that stupid look on her face without saying a word. “Say something!” I demanded, but she made a hum instead of doing what she was told. I then felt her eyes judging me. I knew what she was thinking, and she was completely wrong! I then clutched my fist as my teeth started to grind on each other. I closed my eyes to try and help control myself, but I couldn’t, I had too much energy stored in me; I had to let it out on her. “Shut-up! You, stupid judgmental panda! We’re doing this quest because we are a Guild and that’s what Guild’s do! So, stop saying we’re doing it because I like him, because I don’t!” After I let Amanda have my rage, she just took a smile to her face. “Sweetpea, I didn’t say anything.” She said. I snarled at her as I turned myself away from her. “You were thinking it, so I just told your mind to shut up.” She then giggled before saying, “You’re so cute, Sweetpea.” “Let’s see how cute you find me, when I stick my sword up your butt hole.” She then turned my threat into a joke as she walked past me. “Stop playing around, Sweetpea. If we’re going to get this done, then let’s get to it. the Snow Ice flower isn’t easy to obtain.” Amanda said, getting serious. Who was playing around? I was serious. If she kept thinking nonsense, then she will find my sword up her rectum. After Amanda got her head straight, we went over to the gate keeper, so we could be transported to where we needed to go. “Good evening, ladies, I’m the gate keeper, Dino, where would you like to go?” Dino the Gate Keeper said. I then hummed and realized, I didn’t have a clue to where this ice flower was even located. But, if I had to guess, then it would be somewhere icy and cold. Arghhh, just thinking about the cold was making me shiver, but luckily for me, my soul was that of a phoenix, which made my normal body temp 298.9 C., and if needed, I could always raise it up, but I wonder how Amanda would survive? “We would like to go to Cave lite by Flames.” Amanda said to Dino the Gate keeper. When I heard that, I nearly flipped my beanie. “Whoa, whoa, wait a sec.” I said stopping Dino the-, you know what? Let’s just call him Dino. Anyways, after I stopped Dino from opening the gate to Cave lite by Flames, I looked at Amanda as if she was crazy. “What are you doing, Amanda? Hello, ice, flames, call me crazy, but I don’t think those two go.” I said. Amanda then closed her eyes while smiling, “Don’t be so quick to call me an oxymoron, Sweetpea.” I then remain silent for a brief moment. It seemed Amanda new something I didn’t. “I’m not your Sweetpea, and I wasn’t even calling you that, jeez.” Even though that was exactly what I was getting at, I still denied the truth. As I folded my arms, I waited for Amanda to say what she needed to say. “Now, if rumors and research prove to be in our favor, then the Snow Ice Flower should be dead center of a volcanic area, the hotter the area the higher the possibility of its existence.” Hearing her, made me looked at her even more confused. I wonder if Amanda was listening to herself? The Snow Ice Flower was a mythical flower that covered itself in a clothing of ice, that was believed to remain at the temperature of dry ice. (Which is -78.5 C. if anyone was wondering). Did I needed to explain myself any further on why Amanda’s theory didn’t even remotely make sense. But I just sighed and kept quiet. Although I was starting to question Amanda’s level of common sense, I decided to hear her out because she usually wasn’t the one to get mythical facts wrong. If anyone knew where the Snow Ice Flower was, then it be her. “You see, Sweetpea,” Amanda said. “I’m not your Sweetpea, but go on.” “Unlike most plants that use light energy for photosynthesis, the ice flower actually uses extremely high temperatures to make photosynthesis, and instead of it releasing oxygen, it releases carbon dioxide, causing it to instantly freeze its roots and eventually freezing itself. So, with the high temperatures it will eventually defrost and repeat its cycle.” “... I... guess that makes sense?” I was starting to figure out why it was a mythical flower. The dang thing didn’t make sense. “Umm, well, to Cave lite by Flames then?” at this point, I was starting to question everything that made sense in my life. “To Cave lite by Flames!” Once Dino heard our request, he put in the coordinates to send us to where we wanted to go. When we arrived, waves of hot lava splashed like the ocean in a storm. The sky was sickly black with matching clouds that created its own lighting. The air was thick and hard to breathe. Amanda, who was next to me, instantly started to sweat and wheeze. She was having a difficult time adjusting to the certain change in climax and atmosphere. That was to be expected of her, from anyone. I’m sure I would have been the same, if my soul wasn’t of a phoenix; it embraced and welcomed my body to heat. “There,” Amanda said, pointing to a volcano, center of the land. “That is where we’ll find our flower.” Amanda then fell to her knees as she coughed, gasping for air. “Amanda, are you going to be okay!?” I said as I went to her aid. She then looked at me with a smile before saying, “Don’t worry, Sweetpea, this is nothing. I will see you through this.” Hearing her words made me return the smile. But still, I couldn’t help feel a bit selfish. “Thank you, Amanda.” “I’ll do anything to help you attain true love.” “W-w-wha? I-I-I, umm, well... No!” my face soon became surprised as I pushed myself away from Amanda. Once I got a hold of myself, I had to remind Amanda what the purpose of this quest was for. “I told you already! No one loves that lazy bum. We are doing his request because he’s a friend and because we are a Guild, nothing more, nothing less.” “Sweetpea, there’s no shame in the burning flames of love.” “Stop calling me that, and the only thing burning is this hot lava. Now come on, we’ve wasted enough time.” I said as I started to lead the way. “Yes, let’s not prolong this quest for true loves test, any longer.” Amanda said, and started to follow behind me. At this point, I realized that it was just easier to ignore her. I couldn’t believe I was actually worried about her. As we hiked our way up the volcano area, it was silent and calm. The only thing you could hear was the environment, and the clicking of our shoes against the dusty old lands. But just then, the ground started to rumble and a screech was heard throughout the land. It made me feel a bit worried of what could be living in this hell resembling place. I was about to ask Amanda, but after seeing her coughing and wheezing, I thought it be best to let her save her strength. As we got closer to the granddaddy of volcanos, a faint blue light found its way through the thick black fog. “Th-that’s it.” Amanda barely managed to say. She was drenched from sweat, her knees were shaking, and her voice sounded as if she was a smoker for years. Once my head registered how bad Amanda was doing, the guilt soon race to my heart. “Amanda, how about you stay and rest. I’ll get the flower from the volcano. Okay?” “No, it’s too dangerous for you to go alone.” Amanda said, trying to show she was fine, but it was too late, I was already running to the top of the volcano. “Well if you can keep up, then you can tag along.” “Hannah! Wait a sec-” Amanda tried to stop me, but I was already realizing why she didn’t want me to go alone. Out of nowhere a dark black dragon appeared before me. His blood red eyes stared me as he opened his mouth to let out his battle cry. “You got to be kidding me. Amanda, why didn’t you tell me there was a Darkness Dragon here.” I said as I placed my scarf over my nose and drew my blades. Before I could even act, Amanda came running with her spear and jumped on the back of the dragon’s neck, and pierced her spear through. “Well, you heard the screech and didn’t asked about it, so I thought you knew.” She said, as she struggled to stay on top of the dragon’s neck, but it was proven to be more of a challenge than she could handle because the dragon started ringing his neck around until Amanda and her spear was off. As Amanda went flying south, it was my turn to get a piece of the action. I wasn’t as reckless as Amanda. I then started running to the side of the dragon to try and reach a blind spot. When I saw an opening, I lunged to stab the side of his ribs followed by a cross slash, but when I struck him, my blades couldn’t pierce his skin. It was like I took a slash at metal. In my moment of surprise, the dragon gave me a tail whip to the cheek that sent me rolling on the ground. Once I regain my balance, Amanda came in next to me. “Hannah, you okay?” Amanda asked, but I didn’t have time to answer because the dragon came in with its razor-sharp wings, trying to take our heads. I ducked then rolled to dodge the fetal attack. Amanda did the same, but she was acting much slower because of this, she got nicked on one of her panda ears. The atmosphere of the place had to be taking a toll on her, plus she was already tired. But I didn’t have time to worry about her because the dragon was giving us an energy beam from the mouth, to be sure we were toast. As soon as he fired, I jumped out the way while Amanda did a back-flip. When she landed, she was barely standing, and the dragon had his eyes set on her. He then ready his sharp wings and came zooming in on her. “Move!” I said as I came just in time to shove her to safety, but in result, I got the ball on my beanie cut off. “H-Hannah,” Amanda said, when I was rising from on top of her. “My crystal edge spear is the only thing that can penetrate its thick skin.” With that, her eyes closed and her breathing went steady. Another thing I wished she had inform me earlier, but now was not the time. I knew what I had to do. I sheathe both my blades, and then picked up Amanda’s spear and ready myself. As the dragon was swirling around us, I closed my eyes and focused on my inner power, my soul aura. With my phoenix soul, I raised my body’s temperature to at least 12,678 C. With my soul aura causing my body to glow hot pink, I dashed into the air charging at the dark beast. He seen me coming a mile away, but instead of trying to dodge me, he chose to blast me with his plasm breath. I went straight through it. Just as I thought, his plasm breath was just a heatwave and my body was hotter than it, so it no longer had an effect on me. With Amanda’s spear, I rammed the dragon straight in his throat. I then lift Amanda’s spear in him, so I could have time to use his head as a stepping stone to go higher into the air. Once gravity had its grasp on me, I unsheathed my swords and put all my body heat to them. As I was coming down, I dove head first with my swords in front to make a X, and I sliced his head clean off like a hot knife through butter. His skin was tough, but with my hot aura, I was able to melt through it. I guess Amanda forgot about my little trick. He was done. As the dragon felled, so did Amanda’s spear, and of course, I retrieved it. “S-Sweetpea, did you do it?” Amanda asked as she was waking up. “You know I’m not your Sweetpea,” I replied with a smile. “And yes, I did. So, just rest, Amanda. I’m gonna grab the flower, so we can go home.” Sure enough, it was there as Amanda said, and as beautiful as the legends told. When I picked it up, I kept up my bodies high temperature, so I wouldn’t get frost bite. When we got home, Amanda put the snow ice flower in a special case, so it could keep its beauty. “Well, Sweetpea, are you ready to give the flower to Lent?” Amanda asked. “I can’t give it to him like this. I’m a mess. Let me at least freshen up first.” Without wasting time, I hopped in the shower, redid my hair, and put on one of my special dresses with a luxurious beanie. “How do I look?” I said as I modeled for her. “You look beautiful, Sweetpea.” Amanda replied, with her eyes tearing up. “You grow up so fast.” “Hehe, stop it, Amanda, your embarrassing me.” Amanda just cupped her mouth as she went to get the flower for me. “Here, go to him.” I just rolled my eyes at her. I didn’t like Lent. I just was doing all this, so I could get free dinner for all my hard work, but I didn’t bother to tell Amanda that, her head was stuck in the clouds. Once I made it to Lent’s place, I took a deep breath and ignored all the butterflies in my stomach. This was it. I wanted so bad to just run back home and say, I couldn’t do it, but my heart wouldn’t let me. Next thing I knew, I was knocking on his door, waiting for him to answer. As the door cracked open, I felt my heart pounding at the sight of his face. “Hannah?” He said as he saw me. “I’m sorry, but I can’t make the guild raid because...” I just sighed, and turned my head to the side. Sometimes I wished he was a better person, but he was a lazy man before being a man. It was only natural for him to make up an excuse to get out of work. “No, Dummy, I’m here because I have something for you.” I said trying to get to the point. Lent’s laziness was something I learned to accept, but I’m still working on beating it out of him. “No way! Is that...” He said, finally realizing the reason why I’m here. I felt my face changing a color as I nodded my head to confirm what he couldn’t believe. “Thanks a million! Seriously you rock!” He then grabbed the flower from me and shut the door in my face... What, the, HECK! I then banged on his door as loud as I could until he opened it once more. “Is there anything else Hannah?” He said while still holding my hard work. “That’s it!? That’s all you have to say!?” Lent then took a good look at me before he spoke his next words. “Umm, Nice outfit?” “You, idiot! What about what you said on your quest form!” “Oh that? Ha, I didn’t think you were interested.” I then calmed down and put a smile on. “Well, I wouldn’t say I’m interested, but I am curious of what this is...” I couldn’t believe I just said what I said. After that, I couldn’t dare look him in the eyes. “Yeah, me too.” I then found the strength I needed to left my head and look at him. This time, he couldn’t look at me as he avoided my eyes. “Her Name is Katherine.” “What!?” “I met her by actually doing a quest. Can you believe it?” I couldn’t believe this stupid, rotten, bum! I went through all this trouble for him! And he’s talking about another girl! Out of sheer spite, I snatched the snow ice flower from him, broke open the container, and ate the dang thing. Instantly I regretted eating it, but I just couldn’t control myself. “Y-you can go f-find your own f-f-freaking flower!” I said, stuttering. Now that the ice flower was inside me, it made me feel chills that I never felt before. “A-and I expect you to be at our G-G-Guild meeting or your k-k-kicked!” I then blew my cold ice breath to his face, so it could freeze that stupid look. “What the...?” He barely managed to mumble because his lips were frozen together. As I was leaving, I made up my mind right then and there that Lent was a lazy pig, and I will never do anything nice for that freeloader ever again.