"Alright, let's see. This way… then over there… Come on, Nainai!"
The duo crossed dusty streets, dead-end alleys, and even an abandoned garden where an old one-eyed cat stared at them with grave authority, lifting one long sharpened claw in a clear threat.
After a long detour that tested Violet's patience, they finally reached the clearing where the well stood.
The place was neglected: grass had grown tall and wild. In the center sat the well. Violet approached to inspect it. It was fairly wide, encircled by a low stone wall.
A wooden roof covered it, and a rusty old pulley hung from the frame, holding a worn-out bucket.
Violet stepped closer, cautious but seeing nothing strange. Once at the stone rim, she leaned forward, peering into the empty darkness below.
"Uh… anyone there?"
No answer.
Well, let me try again…
"Helloooooo… anyone down there?"
Silence.
Violet pulled out the map the merchant had given her and examined it.
"Did we get the wrong well?"
She stepped forward, resting her hands on the rim so she could lean even farther.
"Heyyyy!!! Can you hear me?"
Nothing.
"Did that merchant get it wrong?"
Violet turned and noticed a small stone near her feet. She picked it up and dropped it into the well.
"Ow!"
The voice echoed from inside.
"Ah, so you are there!"
Violet leaned further over the rim, peering into the darkness.
A voice rose from the bottom.
"Who are you?"
Violet gathered her courage.
"Um… good morning. My name is Violet. Are you the well that steals people's things?"
"Still with that stupid story? Listen, girl, get lost!"
Hey, how rude!
Annoyed, Violet tried again, attempting to keep her tone diplomatic.
"Well, actually, there's a problem."
No answer.
"You see… I came here to retrieve a barrel. I know it fell down there, and I'd like it back."
"No!" The answer was immediate and sharp.
Violet felt her nerves tighten. She really didn't want to waste time arguing with a well, but she forced herself to handle the matter calmly.
"…May I ask why?"
"It's mine!"
"See, that's exactly the problem. That barrel isn't yours! Its rightful owner wants it back, and—"
"Go to hell!"
The insult hit Violet straight in the chest and froze her in place. The twitch in her eye returned with vengeance.
"Oh no, that's it. Who do you think you are? You're just a well! You can't keep everything that falls into you!"
"Of course I can, girl. Ever heard of gravity? Good. Now get out of here."
Violet was seconds away from a full-blown meltdown.
"Listen here! You're giving that barrel back right now, or else—"
"Or else what? What do you think you'll do? Scare me with that crow-screech of a voice? You echo in my walls and it's annoying. Now scram!!"
A… crow???
That did it.
Nainai, curious about all the noise, had stepped closer, peering into the well.
"And what are you staring at, you walking barrel? Looking for trouble?"
Violet stepped forward, leaning dangerously far over the rim.
"Hey!!! Watch it! Leave Nainai out of this!" Violet was seething.
"How dare you—"
Suddenly, a powerful jet of water blasted out of the well and hit Violet right in the face.
She froze in shock. The water was stagnant, slimy, and foul, soaking her completely from head to toe.
You little…
She leaned over the well again, shouting furiously.
"You'll pay for that! I swear I'll—"
Another jet—stronger than the first—hit her full force.
Below her, the well gurgled with amusement.
A laugh echoed behind her.
Violet turned.
Nainai was clutching his belly, laughing his heart out.
"You too??? Aren't you supposed to be on my side?!"
She spun back toward the well.
"Listen here! You stupid pile of moldy rocks and rotten water, I'll—"
Another blast drenched her completely. That was the final straw.
Now I'm breaking you.
"So you want to play rough, huh??? Fine—your choice! Move, Nainai!"
Violet shoved the dwarf aside, stuck her staff into the well, aiming downward. Fueled by sheer rage, she unleashed a barrage of violent magical attacks.
"Ow! Stop—ow! That hurts—stop!"
Wails of pain rose from the depths of the well.
Violet, completely overtaken by rage, ignored the well's cries and kept firing her spells straight into the darkness at the bottom.
"Ow! Stop! I said stop! Fine—fine!! You win! I surrender!"
A sudden, violent gurgle echoed upward. Something was rising.
Violet jumped back, dragging Nainai with her as the dwarf stared at the scene, mouth hanging wide open.
The well erupted, spewing coins in every direction, then a chair, several empty bottles, and finally… the barrel.
"Enough! Take whatever you want and get out! And don't ever come back!!"
Satisfied and wearing a downright demonic expression, Violet leaned over the rim and yelled into the well:
"Thanks! And next time think twice before provoking an adventurer!"
Soaked all the way down to her underwear and lost in a delirious fury, Violet shoved the barrel through the city streets. She kicked it, dragged it, and pushed it with an unexpectedly feral strength, while horrified citizens jumped out of her way to let her pass.
She'd also attracted the attention of a few guards who approached, drawn by the noise. When they tried to scold her, Violet snapped at them like a demon, her eyes turning blank white and her teeth sharp and monstrous. The guards recoiled immediately, deciding it was wiser to step aside.
A handful of children—and a small dog—fell in line behind her, imitating Nainai. They followed her in a little procession, chanting and mimicking the thunk-thunk-thunk of the rolling barrel like a sing-song nursery rhyme.
When Violet reached the shop's door, she flung it open with a shove and kicked the barrel inside. It flew across the room and landed right in the center with a heavy thud.
"Oh gods—what is happening?!"
Pal stared in pure terror as Violet entered the shop, surrounded by a dark aura and still wearing that sinister, demonic expression.
"You and I need to talk!!!"