Kaelith walked steadily, her steps confident, though her heart carried a weight she didn't let Torrack see. Since the fall into the cave, everything had changed. Torrack was now fully blind, no longer able to rely on the aura vision that had guided him for so long. He had lost his connection with Lyra, leaving him to stumble in darkness, both inside and out. Kaelith had been forced into a new role—not just his companion but his eyes, his guide, his protector.
She had always known this journey would test them, but now the responsibility felt almost unbearable. She had to be strong for Torrack, even if inside, doubt clawed at her. Could she do it all? Could she keep them both alive and on the right path? These were questions she didn't dare voice.
They pressed deeper into the cave, following its winding paths. The air was damp and cool, but not cold. Kaelith led Torrack with a firm grip on his arm, ensuring he didn't stumble on the jagged rocks underfoot. Every so often, she would catch a glimpse of a small lizard scurrying along the walls, a sign of life in this otherwise barren place. These lizards, despite their meager size, had become their primary source of food. It was a pitiful diet, but it kept them going.
"We need to find something else," Kaelith muttered to herself, though Torrack heard her.
"What did you say?" he asked, his voice flat, a tone that had become all too common in recent days.
"Nothing," she replied quickly, though the frustration in her voice was evident.
Torrack sighed but didn't push the issue. He knew she was doing everything she could. The despair that had been gnawing at him since they entered the cave was intensifying. Every time he closed his eyes—which made no difference now—he saw nothing but endless blackness. The loss of his aura vision was more than just a practical blow; it was the final severing of any connection to the world he once knew.
Another day passed. The cave seemed endless, its walls pressing in on them as they continued to descend. Kaelith tried to keep track of their progress, but the winding passages and lack of landmarks made it impossible to gauge how far they had come.
They had descended so deep into the earth now that it felt as though they were leaving the world behind altogether. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the occasional drip of water from the cave walls. The light from Kaelith's magical staff cast faint shadows, but it did little to lift the overwhelming sense of isolation.
Then, just when Kaelith was beginning to wonder if they would ever see anything other than endless rock, she saw something ahead.
"Torrack," she whispered, her voice tight with surprise. "There's… something here."
Torrack stopped walking, his body tense. "What do you see?"
"There's a lake," Kaelith said, stepping forward. "And… a tree."
"A tree?" Torrack sounded incredulous.
Kaelith nodded, even though Torrack couldn't see it. "Yes, a tree. The only living thing I've seen since we entered this cursed forest."
She approached the tree cautiously. It was an odd sight—an ancient tree with twisted branches, its bark dark and gnarled. What was even stranger were the fruits hanging from the branches, glowing faintly in the dim light. They were unlike anything Kaelith had ever seen.
"They're strange," she said, plucking one of the fruits. She examined it closely but didn't dare take a bite. "I don't know what these are, but we'll keep them, just in case."
Torrack simply nodded. He had nothing to contribute. He hated the helplessness he felt.
"Let's rest here for a bit," Kaelith suggested, her tone gentle. "There's a lake too. We can refill our water and clean up."
The lake's water was crystal clear, and Kaelith marveled at how pristine it was. She could see all the way to the bottom, which wasn't very deep. The lake was shallow, barely waist-deep in most places, but it was a welcome sight after days of hard travel. A small stream trickled down from a rock formation above them, feeding the lake. The sound of the water was soothing, a stark contrast to the oppressive silence of the cave.
For the first time in what felt like an eternity, they allowed themselves to relax. They stripped down and waded into the cool water. It felt like heaven on their tired bodies. Kaelith let out a small laugh, a sound that surprised even her.
"I forgot what it was like to feel something good," she said, splashing water playfully toward Torrack.
He smiled faintly. "It's nice… to forget everything for a moment."
For a brief time, they allowed themselves to enjoy this rare moment of peace. Torrack's despair seemed to lift, if only for a little while. The water, the laughter—it was a temporary balm for the darkness inside him.
That night, they camped near the lake, eating another lizard they had caught. It wasn't much, but it filled their bellies. Kaelith kept the strange fruit close, though neither of them dared to taste it yet.
The next morning, the journey continued. They descended further into the cave, deeper into the earth than either of them had ever been. Kaelith had no idea how far they had traveled, but she knew it must have been miles upon miles. The cave seemed to stretch on forever, its labyrinthine paths leading them downward, always downward.
Then, after what felt like days of endless descent, they came upon something unexpected: stairs.
"These weren't made by nature," Kaelith said, her voice filled with a mix of awe and apprehension.
The stairs were carved from the cave rock, ancient and worn, but clearly the work of intelligent hands. They spiraled downward, disappearing into the darkness below.
"There's no way but down," Kaelith said, her voice trembling slightly.
Torrack nodded silently, relying entirely on her to guide him now.
They began their descent down the stairs, each step taking them further into the unknown. Hours passed as they continued downward, their progress slow and steady. The air grew colder, the weight of the earth pressing in on them from all sides.
Finally, after what seemed like another day's journey, the stairs ended.
Torrack paused, listening intently. His blindness had heightened his other senses, and he could feel something—a presence, perhaps.
Then, suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind.
"WELCOME, YOUNG BOY."
Torrack froze, his heart racing. "Kaelith," he said urgently, "did you hear that?"
"Hear what?" Kaelith asked, looking around.
"The voice. Someone is speaking to me… in my mind."
Kaelith's eyes widened. "I don't hear anything."
The voice spoke again, this time clearer. "Ask the girl to continue forward. You will find a great door. Enter it, and you will find me."
Torrack turned to Kaelith, relaying the message. "It says we have to keep going, a few more miles. There's a door… and we're supposed to find whoever this is."
Kaelith's face was pale, but she nodded. "Then we go forward."
As they walked, Torrack's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. Who was this voice? Was it the dragon they were seeking? He couldn't be sure, but something inside him felt like they were close—closer than they had ever been. He reached out in his mind, trying to communicate with the voice.
"Who are you?" he asked silently. "Are you the dragon I'm here to find?"
The voice responded, though it was fainter now. "Continue… you are nearly there."
And then, silence. Torrack tried again, but there was no response.
They continued walking for what felt like an eternity, the weight of the unknown pressing down on them. The cave was vast, the air growing colder with every step. Kaelith's resolve was firm, though Torrack could sense the tension in her voice when she spoke. She was just as uncertain as he was, though she tried to hide it.
Then, finally, they saw it.
A massive door loomed ahead, its size unimaginable. It was carved from stone, towering over them like a mountain. The door was at least five stories tall, its surface adorned with intricate symbols and markings that neither Torrack nor Kaelith could decipher. It was ancient, older than anything they had ever seen.
As they approached, the door creaked open, seemingly of its own accord. The sound echoed through the cave like thunder.
Kaelith glanced at Torrack. "Are you ready for this?"
Torrack nodded, though his heart was pounding in his chest. "Let's go."
They stepped through the door, and what lay beyond was beyond anything they could have imagined.
The room they entered was massive, a cavern that stretched further than the eye could see. The walls were lined with glowing crystals, casting an eerie, yet beautiful light over the space. In the center of the cavern was a massive stone platform, and on it stood a figure—towering, ancient, and powerful.
The dragon.
Torrack could feel it, even if he couldn't see it. The presence was overwhelming, a force of nature that filled the entire cavern with its energy.
Kaelith gasped, her eyes wide with awe and fear. "Torrack… it's real."
The dragon's voice echoed in Torrack's mind once again, more powerful than before.
"You have come far, young boy. Now… we shall see if you are truly ready."