Qiris and Little Idiot ventured deeper into the labyrinth, their eyes adjusting to the absence of mist. Qiris suddenly noticed that the inscriptions on the walls appeared different, more ethereal, as if the fog had distorted their perception of the runes' true nature.
"Astonishing" Qiris whispered, running his hand over the luminescent inscriptions. "I wonder what these runes truly signify. Little Idiot, do you think we could learn to decipher them?"
"Ribbit" the frog responded, tilting his head inquisitively.
Their exploration wasn't without peril. As they advanced down a narrow corridor, Qiris heard a click beneath his feet. "Oh no" he barely had time to utter before the floor collapsed.
He managed to grasp the edge just in time, Little Idiot clinging tightly to his shoulder. "Hold on, Little Idiot!" Qiris grunted, his muscles straining with effort. With a final surge, he hauled himself out of the hole, panting.
"That was a close call" he gasped, gently stroking Little Idiot. "Are you alright?"
"Ribbit" the frog nodded, though slightly shaken.
Minutes later, as they rounded a corner, a shrill whistle pierced the air. Qiris barely had time to throw himself to the ground, dragging Little Idiot with him, as a volley of darts whizzed over their heads.
"By all the gods" Qiris panted as he stood up. "If this is just the first floor, I dread to imagine what's to come. Are you certain you don't want to turn back, Little Idiot?"
The frog gave him a look that seemed to say "No way we're giving up now" which made Qiris smile despite their precarious situation.
As they began to lose hope, Qiris spotted a half-camouflaged door in a wall. "Look at this" he whispered to Little Idiot. "The guardian must have relied on the mist to conceal it completely. We're fortunate it's gone."
They entered cautiously. Inside, a bronze chest stood in the center of the room. Little Idiot, excited, bounded towards the chest.
"Wait!" Qiris shouted, but it was too late. The frog had already opened the chest. He held his breath, expecting the worst, but nothing happened. Little Idiot triumphantly extracted a green book and brought it to Qiris.
[Rank 1 Spell, Backdraft]
"A rank 1 summoner spell of the wind element!" Qiris exclaimed, delighted. "This could fetch a good price! Little Idiot, you're a genius!"
He kissed Little Idiot on the head and began to hop with joy. Suddenly, they stopped simultaneously, struck by the same idea.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Qiris asked, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
"Ribbit!" Little Idiot responded enthusiastically.
"Exactly! More treasures mean more food for you and more wealth for me!"
Flames blazed in their eyes as they began to dash madly through the labyrinth, braving traps with renewed audacity.
Their boldness was rewarded. They discovered two more bronze chests, containing a rank 1 fire element spell - small fireball - and a rank 1 wind elemental stone, respectively.
After another half-day of additional searching, they uncovered an even better-hidden chamber. A more imposing chest, this time made of silver, rested on a pedestal surrounded by a translucent barrier. As he approached, Qiris saw a prompt appear.
[Requirement - insect summon]
"No, no, no!" Qiris exclaimed, frustrated. He attempted to strike the barrier, but his force was nullified. "This isn't fair! Did we come all this way for nothing?"
"Ribbit" Little Idiot consoled, patting Qiris's leg with his webbed foot.
"You're right" Qiris sighed. "No time to lament. There must be other treasures awaiting us."
They left the room, determined to find another silver chest before resting. After hours of relentless searching, they finally found another one.
Qiris approached the barrier hopefully. In a burst of superstition, he grabbed Little Idiot and began to rub him vigorously.
"Come on, come on" he muttered. "God of frogs, if you exist, grant us a small miracle!"
Little Idiot, eyes watering, seemed on the verge of fainting when the prompt appeared.
[Requirement - water element summon]
The barrier exploded like a bubble, releasing a shower of sparkles.
"We did it!" Qiris shouted, jumping for joy.
Little Idiot, thinking of the food he could obtain, perked up with energy and let out a triumphant "Ribbit!" They danced around the chest until fatigue caught up with them.
Finally, hands trembling with excitement, Qiris opened the chest. Inside was a stone larger than the previous one, almost spherical but with some imperfections. It was of a captivating blue, reminiscent of sunlit ocean depths. A gentle aquatic sound emanated from it, and a prompt appeared:
[Heritage Stone (water) - rank 1]
Qiris and Little Idiot exchanged an awestruck look, not yet knowing the significance of their discovery, but sensing they had just laid hands on something extraordinary.
"Little Idiot" Qiris whispered, eyes riveted on the stone "I believe our adventure is just beginning and is about to get much better."
"Ribbit" the frog solemnly agreed, his eyes reflecting the mysterious blue of the heritage stone.