Their pace never ceased as miles passed in their ascent. As a day passed, they began to smell the scents of earth and life beyond. Ren caught the trace of new mana penetrating the depths. His eyes grew strong in the darkness, so as they approached light it was as if he could see a new world.

The life and light above left small traces that floated down into the darkness. Cella could feel the life affinity within the air increasing as they passed through the seemingly endless depths.

Ren’s mind was filled with the worries of society. Would people find them? Would they be hunted? What fate would befall them above?

The fear of the unknown possessed both of them as they quickly made their way further and further out of the darkness.

Ren felt an old pain rise up in him, as the image of the woman the shapeshifter took flickered within his mind. The sensation was odd and jarring as he slowed.

Cella turned to him, questioning. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m not sure, but I’ve been here before.”

The slope evened out as they made their way slower now. Ren glared around him, and slowly he remembered. The memories crashed into his mind as he saw the skeleton of a man on the cave floor.

He was weaker, far weaker, and before him stood the shapeshifter. Its gray meaningless form flickering into the shape of the woman from his forgotten memories. A stream of mana bound him and the creature. His mana was devouring itself to attempt to cleanse his mind from the illusion and compulsion to follow. Lulled into an uneasy and painful peace, he couldn’t fight back as it slowly pulled him further into the cave.

The moment when his mind snapped free, his eyes bled and his patron’s powers saved him. The memory of the woman was wiped from his mind, and his eyes were clear but for the bloody tears.

The sensation of eldritch touch tearing away his body as the backlash began to devour him. The memories faded as he stumbled.

“I remember, a woman. I saw her again. I think… no. I know, I loved her.” Ren shook for a moment while steadying himself.

“I’m sorry Ren… I wish I could help. I wish I could help you remember and take away the pain.” Cella turned her eyes to the ground, the fungal lamp she carried lit up half her face.

“I know, thank you.” Ren smiled and continued through the old bones of the shapeshifter’s victims.

They continued through the old place and its memories, avoiding the debris of the dead.

Passing out of the entrance of the cave, Ren looked around at the mountainside above him. The feeling of being watched sent a shiver down his spine. A small trace of mana lined the mountainside causing him to stop and go still.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“Something is wrong here…” Ren spoke quietly.

“What is it?”

“There’s some sort of trail, or maybe a trap? I’m not sure. With my eyes, I can see things I should not be able to, I can see mana pathways trailing across the mountainside. There looks to be several paths that are moving towards the top of the mountain.” Ren shook his head and sighed.

“Well, this is my first time seeing the surface, and I’m walking into a trap, huh?” She sighed too.

“Well, at least there is no evil cult of little monsters here to make you their false God.”

“I just had to live with them my whole life, which was much better.” She smiled.

“You’re right, I’m sure they were quite pleasant neighbors!” His eyes traced up the mountainside.

“It’s beautiful, you know? The surface. I never really thought I’d be free of the Underdark. It’s so bright… I can barely see.” She laughed with a gentle touch.

“I’m glad you can see the beauty. Not everyone can appreciate the beauty of the world. Some live their whole lives without ever seeing the trees and mountains as something precious.”

“Well, they are for me, the most precious sight I have ever seen. It means I’m free, free of the monsters below.” A small smile brightened on her face.

“I can’t say the same, the monster below will never let me be free of it.” His lightless eyes squinted at a large evergreen in the distance.

“We should go, there’s someone in that tree over there.” Ren pointed subtly as he moved to find cover. His stealth activated as he reached tree cover.

Cella followed behind him trying to mimic him. She was utterly incapable of properly mimicking him. His advanced ability to sneak couldn’t be copied as it was quite literally a God-gifted talent.

She did manage to avoid stepping on loud foliage and branches while moving slowly. Together they began the descent down the mountain heading further into the wilderness.

-

Tayin sat atop the tree piercing the heavens. It was far taller than the ones around it. It was odd, and new to her. They had none in the realm of the elves. The East had many trees, but not these. Its sap was pleasant but bad when burning, it spoiled food and water. Its leaves never died in the fall, only occasionally being shed. They were small needles, slightly sharp even. She liked these trees.

Her legs slowly swung in the winds that were always following her. The tree swayed as she surveyed the mountainside.

At least today she was able to avoid the creepy clerics. Though she did have to accompany one of the mist wolves that searched the area. Below her she saw the road where it all began, where the three of them had traveled.

The wolf was gone for several hours by now, she patiently awaited its empty return. They never found anything, never, and yet she had to keep going regardless.

Let’s get this over with already, I’m tired of all of the meaningless searching, damn wolf is useless.

Tayin leaned against the tree and closed her eyes for long moments. The sun was beginning to set behind the mountain as a coolness touched her. She jolted awake as a silver mist touched her leg. A trail of silver mist leaked from the half-translucent wolf below her.

The mists curled back into the form of the wolf as it turned East.