As soon as they set off, the landscape around them seemed to shift. Trees whispering secrets on the wind, making Gruna frown even more than usual. Her hand reaching out to brush their branches, like outstretched hands.
Animals seemed to follow the group, but not as if they were hunting. Phoebe spied things she knew, like cats or rats, but also animals that were so very different. Bunnies with a thousand eyes. Deer with wings. Some kind of bear with no eyes at all, but a glowing circle in front of it’s face.
When she saw that, she felt it. Phoebe could feel something drawing her towards the bright glowing circle, and it wasn’t just the light. She could feel something from it, a sense that it was probing, circling, dancing. Looking all around, blindly feeling.
She found herself sidestepping it, almost instinctively. Then cursing herself for doing it, even if it was wise to skip outside of the senses of a bear. She was becoming more and more witchy, the longer that she stayed here.
She wasn’t sure if what she felt for Gruna was love, or just a crush. She was sure though, that she couldn’t stay long enough to find out. She needed to get out of this place, yesterday.
The dragon led them from forest, towards the base of a mountain. There, the four of them found themselves at the entrance to a large cavern. Another cave system.
“So… We camping out?” Phoebe said hopefully.
A deep rumble shook the ground, “Beyond, lies the Keeper of Truth. This shall guide you.”
Gruna frowned, and stretched lightly, “We fought your last keepers, on this very day, great one. So I believe it would be most appropriate to rest Phoebe, before forcing her to endure a second taste of death.”
“Fuuuuck. If truth keeper means another near death experience, you can go fuck yourself to heaven and back. Maybe hell, too.” Phoebe glared.
Elion laughed, “This one has quite a mouth. Cannae believe that you’re actually talking to one of the most powerful creatures in this world.”
“He can’t make coffee, he can fuck himself.” Phoebe shot back.
“Cof-fee. What is this spell that you so often speak of?” Gruna queried.
Phoebe smiled and punched her shoulder lightly, “Not a spell. No magic back at my place, remember? It’s a drink. A hot one, like tea? You do have tea, right?”
“I have enjoyed many teas. Herbal creations mixed with hot water, such that it seeps. Never quite boiling, if one is to show finesse.”
“Stop. Talking.” Elion facepalmed and then pointed at the cave, “Ancient thing of mystery, and shitloads of scary power. We are not talking tea, right now.”
“Coffee is like tea, sorta.” Phoebe continued, “You take the bean of a plant we call coffee, or… Cafe? No, that’s not it. Anyway, grind down this bean, after you roast it. Add hot water. Voila! A drink that gives you a caffeine hit, keeps you going, is addictive, and tastes a lil bitter and so very deep. Love it.”
Elion stared in shock, “No. Holy apprentice, remember your duty here. Saving the world. Not. Coffee.”
“It is a most intriguing concoction… You mentioned that it was addictive though, and this concerns me. Have you experienced any withdrawal? Such things can be exceedingly difficult to process.” Gruna said with real concern, and not just an obvious desire to annoy the newcomer.
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She shrugged, “Nah. I’d be getting the shakes if I was a big addict, but just a bit grumpy and less sleep. Which… I’m sleeping outside.”
Elion paused, “Wait, you don’t normally sleep outside? You… Own a freaking house?”
“Rent.” Phoebe shrugged and smiled at Gruna, “I’d love to make you a coffee one day. Obviously can’t, here. I have no idea what the plant looks like or how to roast beans or -”
“I, too, would appreciate being able to journey to your world. I have no intention of allowing our comradeship to lapse, merely because we managed to return you home. Circumstances permitting, of course.”
Elion burst out laughing, “You two are fucking? Seriously? You’re a knight apprentice! And you… You’re… A witch!”
“I am not a motherfucking witch!” Phoebe thundered, her voice dropping to a depth it had never reached before. The ground shook more than when Drektanion spoke, and rocks fell from the ceiling of the cavern beside them with concussive booms, shooting out dust and debris in every direction.
Orange sparks sprang out from around her, spinning and swirling into a circle of blue flames that almost immediately burst into a concussive wall of purple fire that shot out in every direction.
The flames hit Gruna, and knocked the orc off her feet. She let out a low grunt as her hands burned, but nothing more. Phoebe stared in horror as the woman hit the ground, smoking and steaming as her hands crinkled and fried like roasting meat.
The fire wafted, wavering and flowing around Elion, the elf blinking in surprise as he snapped his fingers to dismiss Phoebe’s uncontrolled outburst. He yawned as he pulled a yellow vial from inside his cloak and tossed it at Gruna, “Only got a couple more of those. Try not to get yaself killed, if ya can.”
Phoebe was lost for words, horrified by what she’d just done.
“It would be wise to keep such alchemical formulations, for when they may be needed in the future. One as old as you, should be aware of how necessary such precautions may be.” Gruna staggered upright, limply passing the vial back to Elion.
Phoebe stared, “I… I…”
“Fret not.” Gruna smiled pleasantly at her, holding up one of her burnt hands, “I may only be an apprentice, but I am still won sworn to the service of Go’ruuk, god of war and all things it entails. Such as the flames to burn one’s enemies.”
Phoebe felt a wave of relief wash over her, as Gruna’s hand crinkled, new skin growing in place, flopping before pulling tight and leaving her completely uninjured.
“Ya only get about one of them miracles a day, don’t you?” Elion asked curiously.
Gruna glared at him, “The works of any deity should not be taken so lightly, nor discussed by one with so little respect, as yourself.”
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Phoebe glared up at the dragon, “What about you, huh? You lead the friggin’ way, if you’re so uptight about this crap.”
Drektanion cocked his head, and then let out a low rumbling laugh, “The cavern is smaller than I.”
“Especially as you just kinda made the roof smaller.” Elion pointed out.
Phoebe gritted her teeth, crossing her arms, “And this feels like a total boss fight, so why don’t we bring the invincible dragon along? That’s dumb as shit to let him leave.”
“Boss… Fight?” Elion asked in confusion.
“You are correct, Chosen.” Drektanion intoned, “This is a place, created and crafted, so that only the Chosen may enter, and only the Chosen may leave.”
Gruna growled, putting one hand to her axe, “Only she may leave? You’re insane, ancient one, if you believe I would allow you to test her in such a crude manner.”
Elion held up a hand, “Chill, orcy. This place is elven. Ancient yeah, but not quite dragon era. It’s not some Chosen-only shit. It’s a Truth Keeper. Which means anyone can get in, but only… Well… True and brave of heart, get to leave. Whatever the fuck that means.”
Phoebe burst out laughing, “I file papers and drink coffee. That’s my day. And you’re going to make me walk through a spiritual realm expected to turn me into a fucking hero? Fuck off! I ain’t a heroine. I’m… Nobody.”
“You’re also not a witch.” Elion laughed.
Gruna’s newly healed hand smacked the man over the back of the head lightly, sending him tumbling head over heels across the rocky ground. The orc shrugged, “Politeness is owed to those who are your betters, old one. I would expect one with such experiences as yourself -”
“Would be totally over life.” Elion grumpily rubbed his head, sitting up and glaring at the both of them, “Destiny is a bitch. Stuck with you morons.”
Phoebe smiled brightly, “Great. So… Send. Me. Home.”
“Can’t.” Elion shrugged, “Don’t worry, I want you out of my life, too. But portals can’t be controlled. I don’t care what the big bad witch says, no one got that kind of magic. Binding the essences of the gods? Fuck off is that ever happening.”
She shrugged and sat down, “Well, I guess we’re camping here, then. Not going into the cave -”
Phoebe’s opinion on the matter became pointless, as the patience of Drektanion expired.