"Did something happen between you two?"
"Between me and who?"
"Veshira. She's been distant lately... and spending a lot of time with Thalvyr."
"And? What do you expect me to do? Put her on a leash?"
"What? No! That's not what I meant!"
"Maybe she spending a lot more time with Thalvyr because she is easily get thirsty! Beside if it's over, it's over."
"Don't you think you should at least talk to her about it?"
"I will—when the time feels right."
Probably not.
"Keep this attitude up and you will lose her for sure."
"I doubt it."
It's not like I care. I am not really her actual significant other in the first place.
It's better off this way.
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I hit on the wall of the cave.
Others looked at me with a concern look.
What is going on?
When did things spiral into this?
Where was my naive, easily manipulated Tricrown?
I was furious when Ereshar challenged Thalvyr to a fight. How dare a worm try to kill another worm I had planned to take under my wing!
But after that fight, everything changed.
He changed.
Gone was the naive Tricrown I could subtly guide; in his place stood someone far more reliable, someone who no longer looked to me for approval or direction.
I even went as far as withholding the truth about his powers, trying to keep him under my influence, to ensure he'd rely on me. That plan crumbled.
Desperately, I turned to a more physical method, thinking it could anchor him to me.
But this? This was...
I was enjoying it.
"What's wrong?"
"Maybe I got a little jealous... seeing Ereshar and Zeera together."
Tears welled up, blurring my vision, but I didn't bother to wipe them away.
"I think Ereshar is casting me aside."
I took a small step forward, closing the gap between us.
"Maybe…"
I hesitated, my gaze locking with his.
"Maybe I've been looking for validation in the wrong places."
"What are you trying to say?"
"I mean…"
My fingers slid up his arm, resting lightly on his shoulder.
He froze for a moment, before he gently placed his hand over mine. Slowly, he lifted my hand away.
"I think you shouldn't do this. Not while things with Ereshar aren't settled."
----------------------------------------
Travelling didn't offer much to do, aside from chatting idly with the others.
"Veshira!" I called out.
She glanced my way, turned and hurried off.
Anyway, I used my freetime to count how long is it actually in minute with the red and yellow glow on the time device.
With little else to occupy my mind, I decided to use my free time to figure out the timing of the red and yellow glows on the time device.
The red glow lasted approximately 2 minutes and 23 seconds. The yellow glow, however, stretched much longer—just over an hour.
I sighed, leaning back. At this point, I might as well rely on the "glowy thing" to keep track of time.
Anyway, it had been 6 orange glows since the evacuation, we finally arrived at another cave settlement.
The cavern's air was alive with the hum of activity, a constant murmur of voices punctuated by sharp laughter and the occasional clash of goods being unloaded.
A stallkeeper thrust a bundle of bioluminescent moss into the face of a passerby. The moss, neatly bundled with twine, pulsed faintly with life, as if alive and aware of its impending sale.
Further down, another trader beckoned to a small crowd gathered before a display of polished crystals. Each gem caught the light from the ceiling's glowing fungi and refracted it into prismatic streams that danced across the rough-hewn walls.
The pathways were packed with movement, the narrow walkways forcing miners and merchants alike to shuffle past each other. An older Novathorn, clad in patchwork leather armor, grumbled as he struggled to maneuver his cart of fungal logs through the press. His breath came in short huffs, the veins in his neck bulging as he muttered under his breath.
Near the heart of the settlement, the air grew warm and heavy with steam. A cook, her apron caked with grime, stirred a massive cauldron suspended over a fire pit. The bubbling stew inside emitted a sharp, earthy aroma of spiced mushrooms and unidentifiable meat. A line of hungry workers extended from her stall, their dirt-smeared faces alight with anticipation.
Not all the activity was grounded. Suspended in the higher reaches of the cavern were rope bridges and platforms strung between stalactites, bustling with figures carrying crates of goods. The ropes creaked under their weight, swaying gently as they walked with practiced ease. Children scurried along the edges of the platforms, their laughter ringing out as they chased each other, nimble feet avoiding the gaps in the planks.
The cavern wasn't without its scars. Along one wall, deep gouges marked where large creatures had once passed through, the claw marks stark against the otherwise smooth surface.
In one corner, a weathered statue stood—its features obscured by time and the slow creep of luminescent moss. The people passing by barely glanced at it, their attention focused on the exchange of goods and services.
"You and you."
Elder Elies pointed at me and Thalvyr.
"Come with me."
"The rest of you piss off somewhere, enjoy yourself, and meet up here after 5 yellow glows."
Thalvyr and I exchanged a quick glance.
"Guess we don't have much of a choice."