Worshipper Arc: Chapter 15. Out of the Cave
After the astral body of Ava faded into nothingness the cave began to collapse.
Everyone is in a state of confusion….
"WHAT IS HAPPENING!" Cera questions with fear.
"THE CAVE IS COLLAPSING!" Aleister informs.
"Why is the cave collapsing!" Aleisa asks with fear.
Valoran faces the group who are in a state of fear and begins to answer.
"Ava!" Valoran replies.
The others face him all in confusion as to why Ava who just disappeared had anything to do with the current situation.
Valoran, who noticed the confusion on everyone's faces, elaborates on his answer.
"When Ava disappeared, her magic which was infused within this very cave, every tunnel and every subatomic particle infused with her magic maintained the cave's integrity. Now that's gone the cave has become unstable." Valoran answers
Saying this the cave integrity became less and less stable.
Giant chunks of rock dropped from the sealing which Valoran destroys to protect the others with his eyes.
"We need to get out of here!....NOOOOW!" Sage instructs.
"Wait…" Valoran stops them.
The others look at Valoran.
"We have no time to waste. Let's leave!" Aleister instructs.
Valoran begins to explain why he wants them all to wait. "Since the beginning I had my eye on 3 adventures who were lost in the cave. Thanks to sight I was able to do just that." Valoran reveals.
The others all look astounded to hear that 3 adventures are alive.
"3?... Are alive?" Sage asks for confirmation.
"Indeed" Valoran confirms.
Valoran quickly opened 3 portals from which 3 adventures stumbled through. (A female elf, A male human and A female demi-human)
The others all look relieved to see that 3 adventures are still alive and immediately rush to help them regarding the situation they are currently in.
"Are you all alright?" Aleister kneels to the ground to help them.
The three adventurers are in a state of confusion as just a second ago they were somewhere else.
"I am fine." The demi-human replied.
"I'm alright" The human replied.
"I'm okay as well." The elf replied.
All of them get back on their feet.
"Where are we?" The human asks.
"We asked questions later. We need to hurry out of here!" Egor suggests.
As he said that the entire cave comes down.
Everyone closes their eyes and moves their heads to either the left or right preparing to die…
However after a few moments they all realised that they were alive. Slowly they open one eye then the other only to watch Valoran preventing the huge rubble from crushing them by casting layers of dome like barriers around them which are strong enough to withstand the enormous rubble of rocks.
Valoran and the others soon realise that all the Arachnators that were inside the cave walls are also dropping on to them.
Everyone is in a state of panic. "AHHHHHH" Tiara screams in fear.
Aleister reassures them that the barrier Valoran created will be able to keep them all safe.
"It's all right. We are safe here…No need to worry" Aleister reassures in a calming tone.
More and more Arachantors drop from the sealing as more rubble drops on them with no end.
Eventually Barachnators begin to drop and land on the barrier.
Hundreds of Bachnators and Tens of thousands of Arachnators begin to attack the barrier, a huge amount of them are crushed by the rubble, only to regenerate from it and become immune to physical damage thanks to evolving to have extremely durable and hard skin and skeleton.
Everyone now at this point has reached the point where they hold each other in fear.
Valoran casts separate barriers on each of them and then brings down the main barrier.
"What are you doing?" Tiara asks with a crying tone, concerned for his safety.
Valoran turns his head slightly, so that one eye faces her.
"Don't worry about me…but you might want to close your ears right about now" Valoran says with a smug face.
Tiara and the others all look confused once again as to what he means by that.
Valoran casts extert (explosion magic). In a single moment a huge explosion occurs and a bright flash of light as bright as the sun temporarily blinds the entire group.
After moments pass and the bright light fades away. They open their eyes to witness that they can see the sky above them.
As the group realises the situation, they come to realise that the cave is nowhere to be seen and that they are standing inside a crater left by the massive explosion a moment ago.
"W-Where is the cave?" Egor questions in disbelief.
"I-I-It's gone…it's just gone." Sage replies not being able to understand it herself.
"Valoran. Did you destroy the cave?" Cera asks for confirmation.
Valoran, who once again left the entire group speechless, begins to clear up the air. : Yes. I saw no other choice but to destroy the cave along with those monsters, to ensure that they will not spread and cause widespread chaos" Valoran informs.
The others understanding why Valoran did what he did are grateful to him for saving them.
"We owe you our lives and gratitude, Valoran." Aleister speaks with sincerity, bowing his head.
The others follow Aleister's motion, bowing their heads along with him to show gratitude and respect.
The female elf adventurer who has been lost in that cave begins to speak her mind: "U-Umm…when I was lost in that cave…I was sure I would never see a sunrise and sunset again. I was sure I would not see my loved ones ever again. Thanks to you I am now able to do these things once again." She says, closing her eyes and smiling with sincerity.
Valoran grins a little as he is glad he managed to save her and is now able to see her family and the beautiful sunrises and sunsets she obviously loves. "You're more than welcome." He replies with a little smile.
The human male adventurer also begins to speak his mind: "I-I truly was a fool for thinking that I could venture into this cave despite the horrible stories I was told. I am truly grateful to you for saving me. Perhaps I will stop adventuring for good." He says with gratefulness but at the same time disappointed.
Valoran witnessing the conflict within this boy gives him some advice. "Listen to my words, yes it was foolish of you to venture into that cave by yourself" He opens up with.
The boy hearing that causes him to be even more upset with himself, lowering his head in shame, staring at the ground.
"But." Valoran is not finished…."You now understand the importance of safety and how dangerous arrogance can truly be. You have the potential to become a great adventurer, you're still young and you will make mistakes just like you did by venturing the cave all by yourself, now you will take that mistake and turn it into your strength by perhaps joining a party." Valoran advises the boy.
Hearing those words the boy no longer sobs and raises his head now filled with determination to become much stronger.
"I will. I will learn how to become a great adventurer and I will join a party" The boy declares.
Finally the female demi-human also approaches Valoran to share her gratitude: "Thank-you from the bottom of my heart. I-I can't thank you enough. I made my peace dying in that cave, whether it was starving to death or being killed by those monsters. B-But now that I am breathing fresh air and realise that I will not die-" Tears begin to drop from her face, unable to finish her sentence due to the immense happy emotion running through her.
Valoran cuts in: "Rest assured your thanks was more than enough, no need for tears they don't suit you. Smile." Valoran replies.
Hearing those kind words she immediately wipes her tears and begins to smile.
Valoran then makes sure that everyone is alright.
Tiara however wants to reassure that he was alright. "Are you alright Valoran?" She asks with worry.
Valoran, who is not used to people worrying about him, is a little taken by surprise that she worries this much. "I am just fine, Tiara no need to worry" He reassures.
Alesia begins to bring up a forgotten fact.
"We have not managed to secure any treasure, however we made out alive and that's all that matters."
Valoran then replies: "We actually have managed to secure a treasure" He replies.
Valoran points slightly in front of him.
The others all look toward the direction Valoran is pointing.
They see the giant magic crystal that imprisoned Ava for millenia's, has been partly damaged but remains intact.
"Is that…?" Cera questions hesitantly.
"Yes…It's the magic crystal that locked Ava inside it for 4000 years. I agree it's not in the best of shape but it's still worth a handsome amount of gold" Valoran shares.
"WOW THAT'S INCREDIBLE!!!" Egor shouts in excitement.
"Thank you once again Valoran" Aleister says with gratitude.
"No problem." Valoran and Aleister shake hands.
"We make sure that you and Tiara get the maximum grade from us." Sage states with a smile.
Tiara is questioning whether she deserved that: "M-Me?...I don't deserve such a grade. I was too afraid and held everyone back" She says with an upset tone.
"On the contrary, you showed courage to stand with us. That deserves the highest grade possible already, you also have managed to sense danger even though we could not" Cera replies.
"T-Thank you" Tiara thanks them all bowing her head in gratitude and pride.
Valoran approaches Tiara: "Well done. You have become closer to your dream in becoming a doctor. If you don't mind please meet me at the school's library tomorrow. I have a surprise for you." Valoran shares.
Tiara who is curious with what the surprise Valoran has for her replies with "S-Sure. I will meet you during our lunch break at the library"
"Perfect" Valoran replies.
"Let's head back to the capital" Sage instructs.
Everyone is ready to head back as the sun is beginning to set when Valoran senses a dangerous presence.
"So you are the ones who broke my spell" A female face speaks from behind them.
Valoran and the others turn around to see…