After recovering from my clairvoyance session with Elder Audun, which had worked far better than I had thought, thanks to some guidance from Fang, looks like he was handy after all. I had seen exactly where he taken King Kahli, but if he was still alive was another matter as the elder had wounded him before leaving him there with no food or water. I suspected it had been some time since then, perhaps it was too late, but we still needed to retrieve a body so the people could mourn the loss of their king, but I was still hopeful he was alive, wouldn’t really know until we got there.

I was accompanied by Link and Dash leaving Desvulp the same route I had seen in my vision, sure I couldn’t see a thing, but Larana was guiding me, our connection allowed her to know what I saw too.

Raziel walked closely beside me, he was on guard, wanting to keep me safe after the attack from yesterday. I think he was overreacting considering I had Link and Dash with me, and I very much doubted she would attack so soon after the injuries we had caused during her little assassination attempt.

After a short walk we came to the caverns, a large rock with many holes in it. I could sense all the cavern entrances and remembered exactly what I saw in my vision.

“Is it really safe in there?” asked Dash nervously.

“Empty caverns,” I answered. Elder Audun used to play here when he was a child, since then most of the Animalia of Desvulp do not venture out this way, due to this rumour he started.”

“What rumour?” asked Link curious.

“That it is home to giant scorpions.” I let out a laugh. “We all know they aren’t that scary.”

“Which one do we go through?” asked Dash. “Bet it is even more of a mix match inside.”

“It is a maze inside, just hope King Kahli hasn’t strayed too far from where he was left.” I lifted my hand, sending Larana’s wind throughout all the caverns. “He entered through that one.” I pointed to one on the far left. I let out a sigh, knowing this was going to be a pain.

Entering the caverns, the light bouncing off amber rocks, the walls all carved like smooth arches, obviously carved out by some great animal or talisman.

“A sacred animal,” answered Larana picking up on my thoughts. “A great desert serpent used to call this cave home.”

“Desert serpents,” I repeated. “Any left?” I wondered out loud. “Oh sorry.”

“It’s alright,” said Larana. “Unfortunately, they all suffered the same fate as most sacred animals, these caverns are most probably all that remains of their existence.”

“I still can’t get my head around it,” I admitted.

“What are you talking about?” questioned Dash.

“It’s nothing important,” I responded, not wanting them to know the truth about the origins of talismans, sure they didn’t use them, but it was hard enough for me to accept the fate that been forced upon them, especially after seeing Mila and Larana’s memories and the suffering they endured during the process. I almost refused to use their power, which would have been worse off for them, perhaps even falling into a slumber from not being used.

“These caverns are impressive,” commented Link. “Seems they were created by some ancient creature.”

“This way.” I kept walking, sensing all the tunnels around me with Larana, seeing the path Elder Audun had taken in my mind so clearly. I just hoped we were not too late to rescue the king.

Walking in silence so I could focus on the path we were taking. I heard comments from Dash and Link about it getting darker as we progressed, which was no surprise considering that these were caves.

“Can’t see,” moaned Dash. I grabbed hold of Raziel’s sword, holding it up, engulfing it in his fire. “Much better.”

My nose twitched. I could smell something, burning, smoke, maybe an old fire. “Faster guys,” I said, walking at a fast pace. I wanted to run, but maintaining the wind current I was using to see would have been harder to keep stable.

I had no idea how long we had been walking for, but up ahead I was picking up a new scent, from an animalia.

“Someone is there,” said Link also picking up on the scent.

The tunnel suddenly opened up, to a huge space. A space I could only guess was what the great serpents who used to live here called home. The scent of ash was stronger here, he had been lighting a fire, a bit dangerous but with all the tunnels, the smoke would have gone somewhere.

Ahead I sensed someone laying on the ground, there was signs of life, but they were weak. Breathing was shallow and energy almost non-existent.

“King Kahli.” I rushed over to his side, using Raziel to light the old fire, so the others could see clearly.

“We found him,” said Link.

I hovered my hand over him, sensing the energy around him, finding the old wound Elder Audun had inflicted, it had become infected from not being washed out or treated. He was skinny and very weak.

“Mila.” I called her forth. “Heal him.”

“If I do, it will take me longer to heal you,” she responded.

“My eyes will be fine for another day or so, but he is far more important,” I argued. “He is needed for Desvulp.”

“Alright.” Her energy surrounded King Kahli’s entire body like a blanket. “He is very weak master, the infection goes deep, it will take me some time to heal the harm caused.”

“Take as long as you need Mila,” I responded, releasing more of my power to her. “You guys might as well get settled.”

“How bad is it?” asked Dash.

“He has a severe infection caused by a wound inflicted by Elder Audun before he brought him here, he is under weight for his species, not exactly much food down here. I am guessing he has been in great pain and if we were any later coming here, he would not have survived.”

“Not good then,” commented Dash.

“Let Fang do his work,” said Link, sitting by the fire.

“I will help Mila,” I said summoning forth our fused armour. Unleashing her power more, remembering how Milliana had healed so many within a bubble of water, I needed to do the same.

I stood up, raising my arms above King Kahli. The blanket of water Mila had placed upon him began to change shape, forming into a large bubble. I could sense the colours of blue energy forming within it, concentrating Mila’s healing abilities.

I could tell this was an advanced technique as I felt a greater strain on my power, using her constantly to heal my eyes, was using up more power than I thought. Alright technique number two. I began absorbing light particles around me; I could sense them all so clearly.

“That’s it master,” encouraged Mila. “Just like Master Fang use to.” She sounded happy.

I wasn’t sure how long I spent on healing King Kahli, first healing the wound inflicted, then moving on to the infection, slowly curing his body of it. One thing I could not do for him and that was restore his weakened state caused by no food.

I could feel my job was done, so slowly placed him down upon the ground before dispersing the healing bubble. Mila’s armour disappeared and I just let myself fall to sitting down.

“How is he?” asked Link.

“Better, but we won’t really know his mental state until he wakes up,” I replied. “But it would be good to get him out of here.”

“Allow me.” Link lifted his hand, creating a slay from his power.

“How is it you are able to make anything?” asked Dash.

“Just my power.” Link shrugged as if he didn’t even know.

Dash looked at me, considering I had met Link first. “Don’t look at me, it comes in handy, that is all you need to know.”

“Alright,” he nodded quickly accepting it.

The three of us, gently moved King Kahli onto the slay. “Raziel, would you mind pulling it?” I asked remembering that both of the lion were not a fan of being used as a horse.

“Not at all,” he nodded, taking his place at the front, where I wrapped the rope around his neck.

“Thank you Raziel.” I lifted my hand to blow out the fire, having our only light source return to being Raziel’s sword. “Let’s return to Desvulp, seeing King Kahli will restore calm within the city.”

“Good, I don’t like it in here,” shivered Dash.

We left the caverns and headed back to Desvulp.