A girl with a petite and graceful figure. Her height is around 5 feet (152 cm), Her weight is around 100 pounds, making her physically agile and light on her feet and giving her a slightly delicate appearance. Her face is heart-shaped with high, prominent cheekbones, her chin was gracefully pointed with a nose petite and slightly upturned.

She has almond-shaped eyes, each a striking combination of deep amethyst and silver. Her long lashes frame her eyes well. Her smooth, Porcelain, skin had a subtle lavender undertone, which gives her an otherworldly aura. Her hair is a mesmerizing shade of midnight blue, cascading down her back like a waterfall and ending in soft, luminescent tips that resemble stars twinkling in the night sky.

Her attire was a fusion of elegant steampunk and ethereal fantasy elements, She wore an intricately designed steampunk-inspired corset with cogs, gears, and clockwork motifs, which accentuates her graceful figure. The corset's color palette consists of deep purple, silver, and touches of gold, reflecting her eye and hair colors.

She dons a layered skirt with asymmetric hems, made from a combination of delicate silks and metallic fabrics. The skirt's design features a celestial pattern, resembling constellations, stars, and galaxies.

Wearing knee-high boots that bear the unmistakable mark of the wondrous steampunk realm. These captivating boots, crafted with meticulous attention, exude a fusion of Victorian elegance and futuristic marvel. Rich, burnished leather embraces her legs, while gears of varying sizes and intricate patterns decorate the sides, adding an air of mesmerizing machinery in motion. In the soft glow of a subtle luminescence, crystals delicately embedded within the boots come to life, illuminating the path she treads with a gentle radiance.

Around her graceful neck hangs a pendant that immediately captures attention. The centerpiece, a Rhombicosidodecahedron, in a masterful display of craftsmanship and design. This geometric marvel showcased a symphony of shapes, combining triangles, squares, and pentagons in perfect harmony. It possessed an enchanting complexity, struggling to grasp its awe-inspiring beauty.

The Rhombicosidodecahedron pendant is meticulously crafted on a miniature scale, suspended delicately from a fine, steampunk-inspired chain. The pendant's surface is adorned with carefully crafted etchings that evoke images of a beast, wrought iron bridges, and ornate clockwork mechanisms, all seamlessly blended into one.

Upon closer inspection, one could notice slender slits that adorn the Rhombicosidodecahedron's surface. These intriguing fissures hint at a secret within – a delightful surprise for the inquisitive soul. If unlocked the miniature gears that securely hold the slits closed, the pendant would open with a soft click, revealing a hidden gem: a fully functional miniature clock nestled within its geometric heart. The clock's hands move gracefully, whispering the passage of time in the most beguiling way.

As for size, the Rhombicosidodecahedron pendant is neither too imposing nor too diminutive. It occupies the perfect middle ground, commanding attention without overwhelming the rest of the ensemble. Its size allows it to be a striking focal point while still retaining an air of subtlety, as if inviting only those with a keen eye for detail to fully appreciate its splendor.

The pendant also boasts an almost regal hue, reminiscent of aged brass with a hint of burnished copper. This lustrous color palette brings a warm, inviting glow that complements her attire.

On her wrists, she wears antique-looking brass bangles, each inscribed with intricate clockwork patterns.

"Heya! What're you two doing here?" The girl's voice exuded an air of tranquility and poise, defying her youthful demeanor. Her words flowed with a non-rhotic cadence, caressing the listener's ears with a melodic charm that painted her speech as a symphony of expressions. Each word she enunciated carried weight and grace, as if traversing a familiar space.

"I should be asking you the same thing. This is no place for kids like you two." Betrug remarks.

"Well, I'm here to do something important, it's not smart of me to just go off telling you what I plan to do though, until I know where you stand in all of this." she said

"Um, I think we're a little too young to be making big decisions, why don't we leave this to the adult here—" But before his words could take flight, the girl cut him off.

"I'm bored listening to you, get out of our conversation and don't apply your limits to mine. I may be a child but trust me when I say, I'm far more responsible and capable than you'll ever be."

"Really? You don't even look like you're very tough, you're too small, even smaller than me." The boy said.

"ugh, I didn't know I was arguing with a 2-year-old, now it kind of makes sense why you're so lame. Muscle isn't the only thing to take into consideration. I'm fourteen years old and I even know this. It's clear you lack any special skills yourself, otherwise you wouldn't be saying that to me."

"Actually I'm eleven— " The boy wasn't able to finish what he was going to say once more.

'Actually I'm eleven' she retorted. "You can take your eleven and shove it, you act like an infant compared to me, we're not equals whatsoever so I'm not even going to let you talk unless I want you to."

The boy, with a hint of exasperation, sought the counsel of Betrug, "Mister, am I allowed to punch her?" He looks up at Betrug hoping to hear him say yes.

"No, no you are not, listen, let's calm down everyone, this is getting out of hand."

Though his tongue clicked in response, he grudgingly respected Betrug's words, while she remained poised and self-assured.

She approached Betrug, "Nice to meet you," she began, her name uttered with a lilt of wonder, "I'm Almara, Almara Chronumia."

"Al— what? Sorry, your accent makes it harder to fully understand what you said. If I heard it right. Your name is Almara. Did I hear that right?" Betrug asked.

"Yeah, you did. Now how about you tell me your name?"

"I'm Betrug Greyhorn," he replied, "and the kid next to me is..." Betrug awaited the introduction from his companion.

"I'm Micah. I don't have a surname though. My family told me it's because long ago, if you wanted to have one you needed to pay for it or be royalty."

"I see, they'd be correct actually." Betrug says,

"Besides, given that this is one of the Echo Caverns, I'm sure that you two are searching for how to get to the Echoes as well, just like some others I was escorting. So why don't you kids follow me? It will be easier for everyone, won't it?"

"Nope, nothing against you, but I can't stand that kid, and as I said, I'm busy, not to mention I barely know you. I'm out of here, but nice talking to you I guess, and good luck finding those Echoes, or whatever they're called."

Almara turned back with a fluid motion, as she moved through the cave passage, her footsteps fading into the distance as she journeyed onward. The air was heavy with a stillness as Betrug and Micah found themselves in an unexpected tête-à-tête. The mouthy girl Alamara's departure had left a void, a silence that pulsated against the stone walls.

Micah shuffled his feet, breaking the silence that enveloped them. "I don't understand why she left, it seems best if we all stayed together and helped each other. I get... kinda lonely sometimes traveling alone, even though we're different... she might get lonely too with no friends to talk to." he admitted, his voice carrying a mix of hesitancy and longing.

Betrug turned his gaze toward Micah, his eyes offering an understanding that transcended words. "Loneliness can be a heavy burden to bear, but people who are strong enough can overcome letting it affect them, and both of you seem capable." he said, "But keep in mind, friends can be found in the most unexpected places."

Micah looked up, his blue eyes meeting Betrug's black orbs. "Do you... do you have friends?" Betrug shrugged his shoulders. "You could say I have a few friends at the moment, but I was kind of like you when I was your age."

Curiosity mingled with sympathy as Micah leaned in, his interest piqued. "Why?"

A shadow of melancholy passed through Betrug's eyes, like a fleeting cloud across the moonlit sky. "When I grew up in Entaga, most of the kids wanted nothing to do with me, they were very scared of my mother." he began, his voice carrying a mix of reverence and solemnity.

"Was she like a super strong warrior or something?" Micah asked, his imagination beginning to paint a picture of the woman Betrug spoke of.

Betrug chuckled softly, a sound like the rustling of autumn leaves. "Well, she was strong but not in the way you might think. My mother simply had a stern face, a serious personality that many misunderstood. ''Her expressions were often mistaken for a genuine foul mood."

"But... that doesn't mean you can't have friends," Micah mused, his brows furrowing with a mixture of confusion and determination.

Betrug nodded, his gaze distant yet filled with a glimmer of appreciation. "Yes, however, the children of Entaga saw my mother's sternness as a reason to avoid our home, believing she hated them. They never came near, never gave a chance for friendship to bloom, sometimes even avoiding me at school."

Micah's eyes widened, absorbing the weight of Betrug's words. "That's not fair. She was just being herself and yet they treat you like that."

"But life, as you see, it is often full of people who will judge a person without knowing them, even I've judged my mother for a long time as I was scared of her too."

Micah found himself engrossed in the tale Betrug was sharing. He could feel the empathy in Betrug's words and it resonated with his own experiences. "Yeah, people can be really weird sometimes. My mom is totally different. She acts super nice unless she's actually angry."

Micah's voice took on the cadence of genuine curiosity, "So, like, your mom only had a mean look? Did she ever do anything nice despite appearing angry? Did you ever have fights with her or something because you were upset with her?"

This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

Betrug's lips curled into a wistful smile, as if memories had brushed the surface of his mind. "Oh, she did plenty of nice things, but she had a way of showing her care that was quite... unique. Like, she'd cook my favorite meals whenever I had a bad day. She'd ask if I was alright but her voice gave me the impression I was in punishment, so I freaked out and couldn't get the courage to tell her. As a kid, it was the scariest thing ever, but looking at it as an adult now, I relate to her a little more, and yeah, we did get into a problem over this at one point."

"Hey, I'll tell you what, we can delve into these stories later. Right now, we need to keep exploring this cavern. Who knows, maybe we'll run into Almara again and we can try to become friends with her. What do you say?"

Micah's eyes brightened. "Yeah, you're right. Let's find her and maybe we can work together."

Their camaraderie solidified by their shared conversation. With renewed purpose, they delved deeper into the cavern, their steps echoing against the stone walls. The passageway before them twisted and turned, revealing a labyrinthine expanse that seemed to stretch into the unknown.

The walls of the cavern were a mixture of rough-hewn stone and glittering minerals. Shafts of ethereal light, refracted through translucent crystals embedded in the walls, cast a mesmerizing play of colors upon the rocky surfaces. As Betrug and Micah proceeded, the colors shifted subtly, dancing between shades of amethyst, cobalt, and jade, as if the very walls of the cavern were alive with a pulsating heartbeat.

The passageway alternated between narrow stretches, where they had to walk single file, and wider expanses that allowed them to walk side by side. The ground beneath their feet was uneven, a rugged terrain carved over countless eons by the ceaseless flow of water, each step taken with a measure of caution to avoid any unseen pitfalls.

The air held a faint earthy scent, tinged with a metallic tang from the minerals that adorned the cavern walls. With each turn they took, the passage revealed different formations. Stalagmites and stalactites dripped from the ceiling and rose from the floor, forming an otherworldly landscape that seemed both ancient and untouched by time.

The ceiling soared to varying heights, sometimes looming closely overhead, and at other times receding to create a cathedral-like expanse. At one point, Betrug paused to gaze upward, his eyes tracing the graceful arcs of an elaborate chandelier-like formation that hung suspended from the ceiling. The delicate spires shimmered with an opalescent glow, and Betrug found himself marveling at the sheer beauty that nature had crafted within these depths.

As they continued the rhythmic cadence seemed to guide their steps, urging them forward as they followed the siren call of the underground stream. The air grew more humid, carrying with it a gentle mist that clung to their skin and dampened their hair.

The passageway opened into a cavern of breathtaking proportions, a vast chamber illuminated by the radiance of luminescent crystals that clung to the walls and ceiling. The air shimmered with an ethereal glow, as if the very atmosphere were infused with the essence of the crystals themselves.

In the heart of the chamber lay a tranquil pool, its surface a mirror to the beauty that surrounded it. The water was impossibly clear, reflecting the myriad hues of the crystals with an uncanny precision. Betrug and Micah approached the pool, their footsteps reverberating softly against the cavern floor.

As they stood at the water's edge, a gentle noise seemed to emanate from the depths. It was like a hushed invitation, a call to those who sought it's wonders. Betrug knelt down, cupping his hand to touch the water's surface, and as he did, ripples spread across the pool.

The water felt surprisingly cool against his skin, a refreshing contrast to the humidity that permeated the air. As he trailed his fingers through the liquid, he marveled at the way the crystals seemed to dance beneath its surface, their colors shifting and merging like an ever-changing kaleidoscope.

As they watched, the surface of the pool seemed to shimmer with a gentle luminescence, casting delicate reflections on the cavern walls. The crystals that lined the chamber appeared to come to life, their colors intensifying and dimming in harmony with the subtle rhythms of the pool.

The air held a delicate scent, a mixture of damp earth and the faint perfume of the crystals. It was a scent that carried a touch of mystery, as if the very essence of the underground realm had been distilled into the atmosphere.

As the two of them continued to admire the pool, the gentle noise that had drawn them here grew more distinct. It was a melodic sound, like the tinkling of wind chimes on a breeze, carrying an otherworldly quality that seemed to resonate with the very heart of the underground realm.

"Listen," Micah whispered, his eyes wide with awe, "do you hear that?"

But then, as if answering their reverent exploration, the water stirred with a newfound intensity. The ripples grew more pronounced, swirling and converging in the center of the pool. A palpable energy pulsed through the water, sending shivers up their spines.

Betrug's eyes snapped open just in time to witness the startling transformation. From the center of the pool emerged a hand, a spectral apparition formed of the very water itself. The hand reached upward with an eerie grace, its fingers elongating and curling as if beckoning to them. The fingers glistened with the same opalescent glow that suffused the chamber, casting an otherworldly light upon the water's surface.

"What is that?" Betrug muttered, his voice tinged with awe and a hint of unease. He shifted back, a mix of fascination and caution etched across his features. Micah, his breath caught in his throat, clung to Betrug's side, his wide eyes fixed on the mysterious hand that reached out from the depths.

Betrug's mind raced as he assessed the situation. There was an obvious anomaly about this occurrence, a sensation that sent a chill down his spine. He felt a pull, a curiosity that tugged at his very being, urging him to delve deeper into the mystery. His fingers were unknowingly brushed against the apparition's ethereal touch. The sensation was unlike anything he had ever experienced, a mingling of cool water and a tingling energy that sent shivers racing along his skin.

"Watch out! Hurry!" Micah's grip on Betrug's leg tightened, joining Betrug in an act of unity. But then, in an instant, the world around them seemed to shatter. The pool's surface rippled with a blinding light, a cascade of colors that swirled and merged like a celestial dance. The very ground beneath their feet trembled, as Betrug and Micah found themselves tumbling forward, their surroundings warping and distorting as if reality itself were in flux.

In the midst of the blinding light, a sensation of weightlessness overcame them, their bodies suspended in a void of color and sound. Time itself seemed to lose its hold, and for a heartbeat, they felt as though they'd existed in a realm that transcended the boundaries of the physical world.

Then, as quickly as it had begun, the disorienting chaos subsided, replaced by a sensation of water rushing around them. They found themselves submerged, the pool's luminescent glow casting an enchanting radiance that illuminated the underwater expanse.

Betrug's senses were assaulted by a symphony of sensations. The water caressed his skin, cool and invigorating, while the sounds of the cavern chamber resonated through the liquid medium, creating a surreal and haunting melody. He glanced around, taking in the what surrounded them.

All the while Lyne stepped further into the grotto, her eyes widened in sheer wonder. The sanctuary was a world of its own, a fusion of vibrant colors and natural beauty that defied the imagination. The walls of the grotto curved inward, forming a natural amphitheater adorned with an array of flora that painted a living masterpiece. Cascades of ivy hung in verdant curtains, their leaves shimmering with the play of sunlight filtering through gaps in the ceiling.

The ground beneath her feet was a lush carpet of mosses and delicate blooms, a tapestry of colors that seemed to shift and blend as if they were sentient beings in their own right. Each step Lyne took released a fragrant burst of crushed petals, a symphony of scents that enveloped her in a sensory embrace.

Lyne's gaze turned skyward, where the ceiling of the grotto was adorned with hanging gardens. Plants of varying shapes and sizes dangled from the rock above, their roots seemingly suspended in midair, as if defying gravity itself. Blossoms of every hue imaginable adorned the foliage, casting a riot of colors upon the stone canvas.

The air was alive with a chorus of delicate sounds, a melody that seemed to arise from every corner of the grotto. It was not the chirping of birds or the rustling of leaves, but a unique cacophony of that resembled something she couldn't identify. Lyne strained her ears to catch each note, the individual sounds combining to create a song that was both haunting and mesmerizing. She likened it to a symphony of wind chimes, their ethereal tones echoing through the sanctuary.

The weather within the grotto was a delicate balance between the warmth of sunlight and the coolness of shade. Shafts of light pierced the canopy above, casting dappled patterns on the ground that seemed to dance with every sway of the leaves. A gentle breeze meandered through the grotto, carrying with it the fragrance of distant meadows and the promise of hidden wonders.

"This all must be a mere illusion, right?"

Her curiosity piqued, Lyne decided to test the boundaries of her surroundings. She took a deep breath and began to run, her footsteps echoing against the moss-covered ground. As she ran, her gaze flicked to the walls, searching for any sign of illusion or deception.

But with each stride she took, the grotto expanded before her, the space seeming to stretch infinitely. There were no barriers, no hidden walls that would abruptly halt her progress. It was as if the sanctuary itself embraced her presence, inviting her to explore its depths without restraint.

With a triumphant grin, Lyne slowed to a stop, her chest heaving from exhilaration. She spun around, her eyes sweeping over the expanse before her. This was no illusion, no mere trick of the light. The sanctuary was real, a living testament to the boundless beauty of nature and the hidden wonders that awaited those who dared to venture into its embrace.

"I can't believe this is real," Lyne whispered to herself, her voice a mixture of awe and gratitude. "This place is... beyond words."

She walked along the moss-covered ground, her fingers brushed against the velvety petals of a radiant crimson flower. The blossom seemed to hum with a subtle energy, its color resonating with the warmth of her touch. Lyne knelt down, examining the flower with a careful eye. Its triangular petals were soft to the touch, and as her fingertips grazed its surface, a fine dust was released into the air.

A thought occurred to her: could this flower be the element I was supposed to retrieved? A flower being the sacred constituent she needs seems preposterous but she might as well see what happens.

As her gaze lingered on the flower, her attention was drawn to a small cluster of translucent beads that adorned the stem. To her astonishment, the bead responded to her touch. It glowed softly beneath her fingertips, casting a gentle radiance that seemed to pulse in harmony with the rhythms of the grotto. Lyne's heart raced with excitement as she realized that these beads held a connection to the essence of the sanctuary.

She extended her hand further, carefully gathering a few of the glowing beads. They nestled in her palm like pearls of liquid light, their warmth and energy tangible against her skin. With the beads in hand, Lyne turned her attention back to the crimson flower. She observed the flower closely, her instincts guiding her to a cluster of similarly translucent beads that adorned the petals. Carefully, she positioned the beads she had collected next to the ones on the flower.

And then, as the final bead found its place, a profound transformation took place. The beads on the flower's petals emitted a brilliant burst of light blinding Lyne and the flower disappearing from her hands, a crescendo of energy that seemed to surge through the grotto. "Thank you for the flower." Lyne heard the voice of a woman. "Who is saying that?!"

Lyne spun around, attempting to locate the source of the mysterious voice that had just spoken to her. Her gaze swept over the vibrant expanse of the grotto, her eyes darting from flower to flower, from tree to tree. But there was no one to be found, no visible figure that could have uttered those words.

Frustration and curiosity mingled within her, a tangle of emotions that urged her to uncover the source of the voice. The ground was shaking intensely causing Lyne to have trouble standing. "I beg your pardon." out of nowhere the sudden appearance of the massive Ethroa bursts from underneath the ground catching her off guard, she jumped back, her eyes locked onto the colossal creature before her.

With the memory of a previous Ethroa's attempted attack fresh in her mind, she cautiously took a step backward, giving the creature a wide berth. She watched, her breath caught in her throat, as the majestic Ethroa responded to her presence. Its eyes glimmered with a mixture of recognition and curiosity, its movements fluid and deliberate.

The creature approached Lyne with a grace that belied its immense size. It descended its head to her level while floating, its eyes never leaving her face. Lyne's heart raced, unsure of the creature's intentions, but a sense of calm washed over her in the presence of its peaceful demeanor. Tentatively, she extended her hand, her fingers trembling ever so slightly as they hovered before the top of the creature's head.

To her surprise, the Ethroa nuzzled her hand gently, its touch like a delicate brush of silk against her skin. Lyne's eyes widened in wonder as she realized that this Ethroa meant her no harm. The Ethroa croaked and the noise instinctively made Lyne jerk her hand back.

"This appears to be an Ethroa. I'm unaware if I can trust this thing, but then again, wasn't Enysra practically comrades with Ethroa from what that riddle implied? Maybe befriending it can work to my advantage." Lyne thought