The duo moved closer to the crevice before they nodded to each other; Ash went in first. He shimmied his way through before noticing how dark it was. Reaching into his pocket, Ash took out a small, rounded bronze coin. It was an artifact made to amplify light; Ash pressed the inscription on it.
The previously flat coin had bronze steams weave along the pattern of the coin before the bronze steadily rose upwards. It was now a beautiful bronze lamp, Ash took a pebble sized rock out of his bag before placing it inside the ball. The rock started to glow inside of the lamp which emitted a warm light.
With light helping the two boys to gradually visualize the cave, it looked ordinary despite a slight odor. The two walked around and looked for anything alive… or dead.
Nothing of interest stuck out to the two about the cave, so they settled down to go over the rightfully stolen map. The terrain consisted of a massive Jungle, Cavern system, Swamp, Forests, and Valley.
There were only a few places mapped, they described either deadly locations or places with seemingly valuable treasures. It wasn't the most detailed, but it gave the boys an idea of where to go. The info on surrounding beasts was a life saver for the two.
One of the commonalities about beasts from this realm was the fact that a lot of them had: blood, poison, earth and air affinities. Neither of the boys could tell if there were beasts of other elements but it made them sweat. Kaz especially, none of the elements listed as most common aligned with his own elements. At the very least, the boys would know what to expect from a lot of the beasts.
"Ash, I hope I can find a bond because the odds of me finding one here aren't looking too great."
"Yeah, I seriously wanted a bond aligned to water or electric affinities. I had a dream that my first bond was the child of an ice phoenix," said Ash as he bounced around while he spoke.
"My beast would've been a dragon but I think I can settle for a nine-tailed fox," said Kaz as he waved his hands around excitedly.
The boys laughed at each other for their wildness. Both knew how ridiculous it was for them to dream of having such beasts. Dreaming for people of their status was dangerous. However, how could children understand that yet.
That laughter came to an end when the two boys felt a unique but resplendent vibration from their souls. They solemnly looked at one another before, setting their eyes on a certain rock in the cave.
Ash and Kaz slowly walked to the rock and heard something; neither could make out what it was, other than a strong sense of danger. Ash readied himself and pushed the rock away while Kaz stood ready to fight with his mace in his hand.
Inside the covered whole, they saw an even smaller cave. The two decided to search inside the cave lest they miss any opportunities. Kaz hammered a nail into the end of a rope and dropped the other end down the hole. This time Kaz went first.
Inside the smaller cave laid bones, and dirt but there seemed to be no trace of anything as he could see nothing else in the cave. Kaz came through the hole and looked around.