"How long do you think it'll take us to reach the Skarnill, Gronn?" I asked while adjusting the reins.
"Normally, it would take a day's journey, but you know these birds can be fast if commanded. I estimate we'll make it in half the time."
It was true, Aeryn had proven to be extremely fast and, on top of that, had enviable endurance. They were trained to carry giants, making them perfect for this kind of task.
"Come on, shorty. The sooner we leave, the better. We don't know how long this village has before it gets attacked again... and sadly, we must assume it will be."
I nodded as Gronn helped me mount Aeryn. The pain from my injuries was unbearable; just holding the reins was a tremendous effort. I bid farewell to Eldrek, hoping to return in better condition to help.
With the night as our only companion, we began the journey. According to Gronn, we should arrive by dawn. This whole situation made me uneasy, but something else disturbed me: a memory of Selene had surfaced while I was captured, something I thought I had forgotten. Knowing that I had somehow found her before filled me with doubts.
"Damn it, this is torture. Selene, hold on... I'll find a way to reach you."
The Skarnill moved quickly. We stopped a couple of times to feed them and give them a brief rest. We weren't far now.
"Ugh, it hurts so much!" I complained as I tried to get back on Aeryn.
"What do you think you're doing, idiot? Let me help," Gronn snapped in his usual tone.
Without waiting for a reply, he lifted me with both hands as if I were a sack of cloth and set me on the saddle. I couldn't help but chuckle through the pain, feeling so small compared to his strength.
On the final stretch, I decided to ask him, "Tell me, Gronn, what exactly do you know about the Naga? I'm curious about what kind of beings they are."
"They're quite peculiar," he replied, steering the Skarnill calmly. "Maybe we have something in common with them. We have our history with forging; they have theirs with studying nature and its properties. They've dedicated their lives to understanding the uses of everything: plants, minerals, animals... everything around them. But there's a dark side to their methods that has raised questions."
He paused, as if recalling something.
"Come on, spill it. Don't keep it to yourself now," I insisted.
"Alright, but don't say I didn't warn you. It's known that the Naga experiment on the remains of all kinds of creatures to discover new uses... humans are on their menu too."
That revelation unsettled me. It was hard not to judge them after hearing something like that, but I couldn't help wondering if they were also willing to kill to obtain those remains.
"And how do they get them, Gronn? Do they kill creatures to experiment on them?"
"That's everyone's question, Darius. No one knows for sure how they get them. That's why many avoid them."
For a moment, paranoia set in. I could easily be a perfect candidate for their experiments. In my current state, I wouldn't be able to defend myself if they tried to drug or poison me under the pretense of healing. Luckily, I had Gronn with me. He wasn't a warrior, but his mere presence commanded respect.
After traveling most of the night, the sun began to rise on the horizon. The journey had been quiet, interrupted only by the sounds of nocturnal animals. The vegetation was abundant, with flowers and fruits in sight. Maybe it was spring.
"This is the place, Darius. Let's stop," Gronn said, pointing to a spot.
I asked Aeryn to kneel so I could dismount more easily. My body was completely sore, and the journey had been a constant torment. With a staff in hand, I approached Gronn, who had already taken a few steps ahead.
Through some bushes, he found a passageway descending into the earth. It looked like a cavern, but it was far too well-crafted. Gronn looked at me with a grin.
"What? Did you think these creatures would live in a regular village? Ha!"
"I don't know how your subtle laugh hasn't woken them all already," I replied sarcastically.
"You're probably right," he said, laughing. "These creatures must have just started resting."
"Resting? But it's only just dawn."
"They're nocturnal. They sleep more during the day. So get ready; they're probably going to be in a very bad mood if we wake them." Gronn, the idiot, was trying to scare me on purpose.
Carefully, we both entered the tunnel, which was lit by torches along the walls. The path spiraled down, giving the sensation of going ever deeper. It was wide enough for Gronn to pass through without any trouble.
"This place gives me the creeps, Gronn. I hope we don't get attacked from the shadows," I said with a nervous laugh, though part of me wasn't entirely joking.
Gronn glanced at me sideways, with a smile that did little to reassure me.
The tunnel seemed endless. The slope carried us deeper and deeper, and the smooth rock walls gave the impression of having been worked with near-artistic precision. The torches on the walls provided just enough light to avoid tripping, but the atmosphere remained unsettling. Finally, after several turns, the passage opened into a larger space, leaving me speechless.
It was like an underground village, but unlike anything I had ever seen. Light came from glowing mushrooms growing on the walls and ceilings, combined with crystals that emitted a soft radiance. A stream flowed through the area, bordered by stone bridges. Elevated platforms made of woven branches and leaves were scattered around, presumably for resting. Large snakes slithered near the water, seemingly kept as pets. Everything felt alive, yet I didn't see anyone.
"This is impressive," I said in a low voice, more to myself than to Gronn.
"Did you expect anything less?" he replied, as if this place was nothing special.
Suddenly, the sound of something slithering caught my attention. From one of the side tunnels, two imposing figures emerged. They were male nagas, with humanoid upper bodies but snake tails from the waist down. Their skin was covered in slightly shiny scales, and each carried a spear. Their faces were serious, their snake-like eyes observing us with suspicion as they approached swiftly.
"What are a giant and a human doing in our lands?" one of them asked firmly.
"We're here to see if you can treat this shorty," Gronn replied, pointing at me without hesitation.
I shot him a sideways glare, nervous. I couldn't fathom how he managed to remain so nonchalant in front of these two. The nagas studied me for a moment, and I couldn't take my eyes off them. Their scales seemed like natural armor, and the movement of their tails was hypnotic. An odd sensation washed over me, as if I had seen something like this before. I tried to remember, but the image vanished as quickly as it came.
"Do you have money?" one of them asked directly, their gaze fixed on me.
I snapped out of my daze and fumbled through my pockets. In one of the inner ones, I found my small pouch. For a moment, I was grateful that the scaly creatures I had fought earlier hadn't taken it. I sighed in relief and raised my voice.
"Yes, I have some money. I hope it's enough."
The other naga nodded and said, "Good. Then follow us."
They led us into one of the tunnels extending from the village. This one was wider and had a surprisingly comfortable temperature. We arrived at a chamber that resembled a natural laboratory. On stone tables were jars, herbs, and colorful powders. Both male and female nagas worked calmly, mixing ingredients and murmuring among themselves. They didn't have the imposing presence of the guards, but their focus made them equally intriguing.
One of the guards called out to a female naga, "Lady Kaerith, we have a human seeking treatment. He has money."
The naga, who seemed busy with a mixture, looked up and gracefully moved toward us, contrasting with the guards' abrupt movements. They followed her closely, remaining alert.
I couldn't help but stare at her curiously.
She was tall, much taller than me, though she didn't reach Gronn's height. Her body, half humanoid and half snake, was imposing. Her scales were finer, with a dark tone that subtly shimmered in the dim light. Her long, black hair was tied back in a braid adorned with small metal rings. Her face was painted with geometric patterns in golden hues, giving her an exotic air. The upper part of her body was covered with a fitted dark fabric adorned with metallic details that accentuated her figure.
"Is this your first time seeing someone like us, human?" she asked, noticing my gaze.
The question caught me off guard. I stammered a bit as I replied, "Yes... yes, it's my first time. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
Kaerith looked at me with a mix of disbelief and amusement. Without saying a word, she began to transform before our eyes. Her snake tail shrank, molding itself into slender legs. Her previously scaly skin became smooth, though the painted patterns on her face remained. She now wore a long, dark skirt that reached the floor, with golden details matching her painted face.
"This form makes it easier for us to deal with your kind," she said in a calm tone. "Follow me. Let's see what we can do for you."
I glanced at Gronn, who simply shrugged and followed her without hesitation. I, on the other hand, couldn't shake the feeling of intimidation about what awaited me.
The naga led us out of the laboratory. She walked to the edge of the stream that crossed the cavern and sat down, letting her human feet touch the water. I watched as she closed her eyes for a moment, as if enjoying something she had missed.
"It's been a while since I felt this water on my feet," she said in a calm voice.
Then she turned her gaze to me. Her eyes, with those elongated pupils, locked onto mine, carrying a mix of authority and curiosity.
"I can see that you're injured. Tell me in detail what you're seeking."
I took a deep breath, trying to organize my thoughts. "I was attacked by creatures... I don't know exactly what they were. They had scaly skin, humanoid features, but they were aggressive and very strong. They seemed organized, as if someone was commanding them, and that someone answered to another figure with magic."
I spoke quickly, reliving the moments of the fight. She listened intently, leaning slightly toward me, showing genuine interest.
"I believe those creatures weren't always like that," I continued. "I think they were humans, transformed by some spell. I need to heal my wounds as quickly as possible because I fear they'll attack again."
I finished with a sigh, trying to calm myself. The weight of the situation still pressed on me. "Do you think you can speed up the healing process?"
The naga stood and walked toward me. In her humanoid form, she was as tall as I was, which didn't help ease my discomfort. She stopped right in front of me.
"What do you take me for?" she asked, her tone making me wonder if I had said something inappropriate.
"Excuse me?" I replied, confused, tensing slightly.
"Of course I can speed up the healing process," she continued. "But first, I need to examine you thoroughly to determine which potion to give you. However, that's not what concerns me most."
Her tone shifted, and I noticed a spark of curiosity in her eyes. "What intrigues me is whether your theory is true."
She turned to the side, falling silent for a few seconds. Then she murmured, though loud enough for Gronn and me to hear.
"It would be good to obtain a sample from those creatures."
My eyes widened slightly at her words. I glanced at Gronn, searching for any sign that I wasn't the only one finding her comment strange. He seemed just as surprised.
"I don't think that's necessary," Gronn interjected, breaking her train of thought. "We're in a bit of a hurry. We need to resolve this quickly and return."
The naga turned toward him, giving him such a stern look that even the giant stepped back, closing his mouth immediately. Then, she turned her attention back to me.
"Lie down on your back," she ordered, her voice leaving no room for argument.
"What? Right here?" I asked, looking at the ground by the stream.
"Didn't you say you were in a hurry?" she retorted dryly, crossing her arms.
"Uh... yes, of course," I replied, settling onto the ground as best I could. The stones weren't exactly comfortable, but at that moment, I didn't have much room to complain.
She leaned slightly toward me, carefully inspecting me, and I could feel her gaze evaluating every detail. Meanwhile, Gronn remained silent, avoiding any comments that might further irritate her.
The naga raised both hands into the air, closing her eyes with a concentrated expression. A faint glow began to form around her. Slowly, small luminous figures appeared, floating above me.
They were of different colors, soft and pale, as if their light was just enough to illuminate the darkness. Each had tiny limbs that moved delicately, almost imperceptibly, as they floated gently toward me.
"What the hell...?" I muttered, feeling a chill run down my spine. I moved as if to get up, but before I could, the naga's hand fell firmly onto my chest, pinning me down.
"Don't. Move," she commanded, her voice firm and measured, leaving no room for objection.
I stayed still, though the discomfort gnawed at me. The glowing figures began to settle on my body, walking with their tiny limbs across my torso, arms, and legs. Their touch was warm but strange. It didn't hurt, but I felt every step, every little movement, as if they were inspecting every inch of me.
I glanced at Gronn out of the corner of my eye, hoping for some sort of explanation, but he was just as transfixed as I was, his eyes shifting from the figures to the naga without daring to say anything.
The figures started to hop lightly, drifting away from me and floating upward. One by one, they began to vanish, leaving only a faint glow that faded into the air.
The naga raised her palm, and one of the glowing figures landed on it. She stared at it intently, her eyes narrowing as if listening to something I couldn't perceive. She remained motionless for a few seconds until that last figure also disappeared.
"What was that...?" I wanted to ask, but the words escaped me. Gronn said nothing either, though I could feel the tension radiating from him.
The naga finally lowered her hand and looked at us, first at me and then at Gronn. Her expression was serious, but she seemed satisfied.
"Good," she said calmly. "I know how to treat you now."
Her words should have relieved me, but instead, they only heightened my curiosity. I stayed silent, waiting to see what would come next.