"You are...!"
You can't imagine how much joy those words brought me! Oh heavens bless you, You Xia!
My mind and soul were reveling, although my body could barely move. Even so, I did my best to express that I was very much alive and listening, soon, my fingers slowly scratched the surface
Thankfully, that ever so slight movement did not escape her keen eyes!
"Dear heavens!" You Xia gasped, covering her mouth "There is someone else down here, and he is alive! Someone give me a hand here!"
One of the boys showed up, a bloody patch of black tissue covering his right eye, or what was left of it. Still, he kept an unbroken smile
"Another lost soul, eh? Hang on, my friend"
As he quickly lifted me off the ground, I felt blessed for not having to feel that cursed water falling over me, nor the frigid ground that menaced to ulcer my back, even if I knew this blessing wouldn't last, I should enjoy.
I was carried along with those who were too wounded to walk. I could notice that this gargantuan hall was filled with immense stone pillars, hollow on the inside, just as the one I was in. I couldn't notice any movement nor significant change on the scenery, except for the sound of gurgling water that grew louder by the minute.
"So, how did you end up here? You sneaked inside...?" The moment my carrier stated to talk, the whole group seemed to realize an important detail. There was simply no way I could have sneaked inside, they saw the first opening of the gates, and that very gates closed behind them immediately after entering.
Even before I could muster the strength to say something, there was already a sharp object pointed at my neck, an improvised dagger made with cloth straps around a shard of rock, rudimentary, but effective.
"He must be a monster, or another trick of the dungeon" That deep voice covered with killing intent sent chills down my spine.
My eyes wide open, almost jumping out of my face, representing my fear and despair did not help me get their trust. I have to find something that serves as proof.
Then, an idea struck my head, a deep breath acted as herald to the words that would save my life.
"As I feel my body withering and abandoning this world as the days passes, each day faster than the previous..." I mumbled, my lungs failing me.
"...I decided to write my memories so the future generations might grow even stronger than I did.." completed You Xia, looking at me with a more relaxed face. "So you are a citizen that took lessons at Thousand Sword City... I guess we can only work together to get out of here, then"
While my conscience oscillated, we were already at the riverside by the time I realized.
"We will tend to our wounds here" said a man whose face was covered by half of a white mask. He crouched and drank handfuls of water, soon rejoicing with a discovery "The water is fresh, too!"
I could see dark purple veins here and there, scattered in their bodies. They have been poisoned. Feeling more awake, I could only ask
"What formidable beast did you face? What is this place? Do you have any antidote?"
Only then did I finally understand my own situation. By the time they had entered the cave, the days of Provation had already been declared for three days . Which meant I have already spent at least three days without sending news to my parents.
This place was one of the provation grounds and they were almost subdued while fighting a stampede of giant centipedes, they had to use every potion and life-saving trincket to survive, but this has wiped clean their resources.
"Although not strong individually, their fighting power as a group is something to be feared"
The half masked man was showing both concern and relief. Certainly, they jumped from the shark to the tiger.
Running my hands around my body, I could verify my inventory and noticed my alchemical satchel was still with me
"Maybe I can make an antidote!" This shy thought was merely a hope we wished to lean on, but it was much better than giving in.
At that moment, all the eyes were centered on me. Even You Xia approached, anxious "are you telling the truth?". I merely nodded "I can at least try, it's not like we have many options here".
They stared at me, the truth was hard, but this doesn't mean it was all lost.
I walked, more half jumping than properly walking to the sides of the river and pulled out a mortar and pestle along with some herbs Madam Chai gave me to study.
"I hope she won't miss them" I whispered.
"Can someone light a fire here? I will need to boil down the extract" I asked the group while showing them a small iron kettle.
"I have some fire-stones with me..." said a guy on the back "...although I don't think I can use them" his suffering was made apparent on his voice, as he raised his arm to show a bandage knotted way too short. He had lost his hand.
I lost my words for a second, mourning for his loss, when a girl with soft voice broken the silence "I will do it". Although possessing a soft voice, her eyes were sharp, with a rock-solid brownish tone. Just the kind of colour I could fall in love with.
Say, voice inside of my head, maybe I should try talking to her later?
Anyway, back to work. As I stretched my arms to collect water from the stream to fill the kettle, I noticed that they were covered in white streaks, scars from the deep scratches and cuts of the carnivorous vines. My veins were dilated, with a purplish tone. There was poison running on them as well. Strangely, I was feeling better by the time, not worse, despite my lack of proper rest.
The pure water of the stream filled the kettle, some of which I poured inside the mortar. I used marysilver flowers, roots of hawkeye, sap from drooling tree and a bit of cinnamon because, you know, taste.
As the pylon punched over the mortar, a squishy sound could be heard, gradually growing denser, followed by a smell pungent enough to make one feel their tongue getting bitter.
"Maybe I should add more cinnamon, and some honey? No no, that would spoil the antivenom properties"
You Xia looked at me incredulous "For the heavens, are you making some dessert as a bad joke? Weren't you supposed to make an antidote?" I could feel she was glaring daggers at me after she heard my commentary.
"Calm down, I know what I am doing!"
As white foam started to rise from the mortar, I was secure enough to say firmly one thing
I have no idea of what I am doing.
Nonetheless, we were already on death's door, so what was the worse that could happen? Die earlier? Die a little later? I would rather regret doing something than regret doing nothing at all!
As the smell grew pungent enough, almost enough to make one feel as if their nostrils were being burned, I approached the kettle, already boiling and added the viscous mix, which soon made a green vapour rise from the kettle, this time wafting a sweet scent of recently cut grass and wood bark, with a small touch of cinnamon.
"See? Cinnamon always makes things better!"
I stretched a smile across my face while looking at the group, specially at You Xia to give back the look of disdain she gave me.
I was brought back from my distraction by a burning smell. I looked down and saw black coagulates forming inside the mixture, which was now dense as pitch.
Quickly I removed the kettle from the fire, almost burning my hand due to the haste, pouring the liquid, or rather, paste, into seven small cups that were laid orderly at the ground.
"Well, there you go! Special antidote!
And that's not all, I will give you guys a special discount of 100%!"
They did not seem much amused. Or so I believed before the girl who lit the fire burst into laugher.
Alright, that's already dangerous enough, my heart is skipping beats and I don't know if it's a crush or the poison.
Yet, they did not approach, seemingly disgusted by the pitch-like drink. Well, first come first served. Someone had to take one for the team.
I quickly grabbed a cup and turned it bottoms up. As the paste ran through my mouth, with a heat almost unbearable I could think only a few things:
First, it was a really bad idea. Second, the taste was almost choking. Third OH MY HEAVENS THAT THING IS AWFUL!
Forcing myself to gulp it down and keep it that way, I raised the empty cup towards the others, trying to hide my own reaction
"See? Completely safe"
As soon as I finished speaking, my actions betrayed my words. I felt my stomach turn and revolve around, I could only run away, before puking it all. a Black fluid with purple and red streaks, and some stuff that I could swear were pieces of my liver fell on the ground. I would have fallen if I weren't holding onto the nearest stone pillar
"Oh my heavens, we are doomed!" wailed one
"That's our end? It can't be!" cried another
"Wait! Look!" You Xia exclaimed pointing at me "Look at his arms"
I tried to look at myself between one episode of vomiting and the other. Certainly, the purple tone was receding, getting weaker and weaker as if there was something pulling it back.
"It is indeed working! We are saved!"
I couldn't see who said that, but I could help but retort with a nauseated voice
"Of course it worked, who do you think I am?"
Soon, those who could, came swarming over, each avidly grabbing and drinking the antidote, being careful to not spill any drop, as if it was the most precious water amidst the desert, and the same scene that happened to me was mirrored by them.
The sound and the acidic smell of vomit occupied the stale air of the cave, but their paleness reverted little by little, as the marks of poison gradually receded.
Then, we administered the antidote to those couldn't drink it by themselves.
The stenching air now entered easier on my lungs, my limbs felt as if grillions were taken away, now moving free. I felt my mind sharp. Ridden from a dullness I didn't even notice was there.
We took our time to change our camp place, going further upstream, at least enough to avoid the smell of the things we left behind.
As we laid down on the ground, forming a circle we gave our bodies the rest they needed, this time, some real resting, bringing solace to our minds as well.
I took the initiative to break the silence "So, what do we do now?"
You Xia stated at me, fire burning in her eyes 'We find the altar and get out"