Bits and pieces of the mushroom-trees, including the spores, were stored along with the remains of the beetles that fed on said mushrooms. All had some value for the darkness element they contained, perhaps usable for the upcoming blessing ceremony.

The rewards of the battle itself meant very little compared to the news that came along with it. Melanthina missing, the other two siblings slipping away after Aydan to try to find her. John and Matayal had already exchanged quiet words. They had not even known the two were in peril, but seeing their relief it was clear they would think carefully about what they did in the future. What punishment could their parents provide that would prove more effective than of them nearly dying due to their choices?

If they had wandered off simply searching for excitement, things might have been different- but concern for their sister was completely understandable. Even if ultimately they did more harm than good. There would be things to say later, but for the moment they needed comfort.

While the two parents comforted their children, other members of the group checked on Aydan’s condition. He was alive, though that was about as optimistic as an assessment of his condition could be. Overtaxed spiritual energy, half-healed wounds, and overall a body pushed to its limits. But he would be carried away on a stretcher rather than in a bodybag.

-----

The discussion came up about what to do next. “The future of the clan is at stake…” John frowned. “It is uncertain if we have enough materials to perform the empowerment ceremony without reducing the older generation’s cultivation. On the other hand, we clearly can’t ignore Melanthina’s plight.”

Harta Mulyani shook his head, “I don’t think there’s a good answer to be had here. However, the Mulyani clan has already achieved our goals. We will support you in whatever decision you make.” Though he said that, the Mulyani clan would benefit from spending more time in the air chambers on the return trip.

“She is as much my daughter as she is yours,” Matayal added. “And though it pains me to say it, I think we much take a practical approach to the situation. Either she has found some method to survive longer… or she has already perished.” Not knowing Melanthina’s actual situation, they could only speculate. “As the current head of the Tenebach clan, it is your duty to decide how to approach the situation.”

John nodded, closing his eyes in thought. But there were no decisions he could make that were particularly better than others. “We will focus on searching the area. As a group. We will not split apart and weaken ourselves. The priority will be finding signs of Melanthina, with resources as a secondary objective. If we don’t find anything in the near future… we need to withdraw from the Prismatic Chambers with more speed. Perhaps she will have managed to return to the training group or…” John shook his head. Everything was speculation.

-----

What Melanthina wanted most was to see her family. But, unlike them, she was confident she would see them again. Lucanus and Yustina were a powerful pair, not to mention Deirdre and of course Renato of the Amber Heart. She was safe, and she would not stray from their protection. It bothered her how much she needed it, but she had to accept that.

Nik had drifted away, more into the center of the Golden Tomb Guardians whereas Melanthina remained on the outer edge with several of them directing the light element away from her. They weren’t as good at the job as Nik alone, but then again that required physical contact. She was the young mistress of the Tenebach clan, so she couldn’t exactly go around touching people casually. It would be unbecoming of her.

And without proper affinity, contact would probably do more harm than good.

Even the next ‘day’, when she’d gotten some proper rest, Melanthina found herself in a sort of daze. It wasn’t just the prominent light element, though that didn’t help. It was that she was still alive, which was difficult to believe. She’d learned a lot, about herself and about what she needed to carry with her. Her storage bag didn’t even have rations or much in the way of water.

She relied on others for everything.

That was what she had grown used to, but clearly her reliance had gone too far. As the head of a clan she would ultimately be relying on others for support, but she had to be able to take care of everything one person could handle.

-----

During one break, the parents sat the two down to talk. “We want you to know that we understand why you snuck off,” John said.

“But we’re still upset,” Matayal added. “Because we care about you.”

“Remember, just like you love your sister and don’t want her to come to harm… she also would be sad to hear you got hurt because of her,” John said.

The two siblings said little, simply nodding, their heads held down in shame. That wasn’t the main intent of the conversation, but it had to be done sooner rather than later.

Their group scoured tunnels, slaying anything that got in their way and looking for any signs of… anything. But the Prismatic Chambers weren’t some tiny tunnels, but a sprawling network that spanned almost a whole country. No matter how much ground cultivators could cover, they could not see all of any section. Their time wasn’t unlimited, either. The Prismatic Chambers weren’t exactly sealed like the Crystal Caverns that the Order of the Amber Heart controlled, but there were safer times to enter. These lasted a month or two, outside of which even a group like theirs would struggle to survive for long.

One of the hardest things John ever had to do was declare they were calling off the search and returning. Nobody was happy about that- not himself, not Matayal or Ursel or Tirto. Nor were their allies happy. But, everyone accepted it. Even the siblings.

Ursel and Tirto would be watched carefully, of course. Just because John expected them to grow and learn the consequences of their actions didn’t mean they would have done so immediately. He hoped their talk, short as it was, would influence them. And either they truly listened, or found no opportunities.

-----

Returning through the fire and earth chambers, Melathina grew more comfortable. Nik somewhat less so, but he’d had a chance to refresh himself in the light chambers- and not having to worry about their survival let both relax. They exchanged few words during their gradual departure. When they finally stepped out into the sunlight- a source of light a dozen times better than pure light element infused chambers- Melanthina didn’t have a chance to say anything as she was tackled by her siblings.

“I thought you were deeeaaahd!” sobbed Ursel.

Tirto was clearly using his control of the water element to wipe away his own tears. “We followed after to look for you.”

“... by yourselves?” Melanthina asked. She didn’t get an answer to that, which told her what she needed to know. “... stupid…”

The young adults soon found themselves encapsulated by two more pairs of slightly larger arms- though their parents were not all that much bigger than them anymore. “You made it out.” Melanthina easily recognized her father’s aura, and took comfort in it. She also loved her mother, of course, but their connection wasn’t as deep. It might have been due to the lack of shared element, or something else- not that it truly mattered. Because they were still family. And she was alive.

Off in the distance, she barely spotten Nik being taken in by the elders of the Combining Luster Sect. His return was met with much relief… but more formality and lacking familial love. Melanthina didn’t want to think about that, and pulled her eyes away. She didn’t see the Righteous Flame League anywhere, so there was no indication if that bitch Zoubida made it out. She hoped not. That would be the only positive about everything that happened.

-----

Some days later, in the headquarters of the Order of the Amber Heart. “So,” Renato looked down at his pupil. “You broke through to the Soul Expansion Phase, awakened a new totem, and broke free from spiritual energy restraining shackles.” Ursel nodded proudly. “And then you went and almost got yourself killed.”

“That’s not quite-”

Renato cut her off. “If you’re going to act like you’re invincible, you’re going to need to be quite a bit stronger. I hope you’re prepared to train hard, because I won’t be going easy on you.”

“Understood, master,” Ursel stood up as tall and proud as she could. More strength… that was what she needed. Enough that she could protect everyone she cared about. The whole point of them being on that expedition was training, but it wasn’t enough to stop there.

-----

“I want to visit the leviathan,” Tirto declared.

His mother looked at him, seeing the resolve in his eyes. “You aren’t going to be doing something stupid, are you?”

“You will be with me, mother,” Tirto replied. “I trust that you will keep me safe while I do what I must.”

“And what is that?”

“I need to be in its presence to find totems that resonate with it,” Tirto explained. “It is the strongest power I know, and both myself and the clan would benefit from positive results.”

Matayal looked him over carefully. Tirto was usually not the one to undertake foolish actions, but this most recent time he’d gone along with Ursel- without prompting. On the other hand, he seemed to have thought about this next step, and was set in his plan. “Very well. I can take you… but be aware of your own limits. I know your cultivation has gone smoothly up until now, but don’t forget that thresholds between stages are the most important point… and the most dangerous. Even if you aren’t pushing yourself. You cannot afford to fail.”

Tirto nodded, his eyes filled with conviction.

-----

Darkness swirled inside Melanthina. The blessing ceremony was coming up, and if she could break through to the Soul Expansion Phase before she got the proper blessing, it would mean wonders for her future cultivation. Unfortunately…

Melanthina sighed. If she kept trying like this, she would just hurt herself. Her mind was just constantly distracted with thoughts of… stupid things. That wouldn’t do. She had to focus on what was best for the future of the clan. To that end, she found her father and made a declaration. “Father, I am ready to accept suitors.”

“You are, are you?” John smiled.

“I’m not saying I will marry any of them,” Melanthina folded her arms. “But I need to see who will make offers. For the sake of the clan’s future.”

“Of course. In that case, I will ask for only the most qualified candidates. I am certain there will be many from the Darklands and the Stone Conglomerate eager to make their attempt to win your hand in marriage.”

Melanthina nodded seriously, but her gaze looked off into the distance.

-----

The journey to the Prismatic Chambers had provided much experience to those who went along, as well as opportunities for resources. Overall, the alliance associated with the ‘Club’ had come out in a good position, despite various setbacks. They were not without their casualties. Injuries- some permanent- along with deaths. But the trials and experience would help others improve, and the resources would be used to train their clans and sects.

They weren’t the only ones to have gains. There were other groups of significant power, and not all from the local region. The Molten Sea cultivators and those from the Sky Islands were able to snag resources for themselves, and they continued their encroachment into the area for their own unclear goals, influence spreading ever further as time continued to pass.