As we stepped into the hollowed tree, the rich, damp scent of earth filled my senses like a comforting balm. The aroma, with its blend of soil and moss, was a soothing reminder of nature’s embrace, though it had quite the opposite effect on Silas, who grumbled from behind.

“It smells like death in here! Like I’ve been buried alive, only to wake up when the worms have already started feasting on me! Ugh!” Silas complained, recoiling from the walls where earthworms wriggled into view.

“Where there are earthworms, there is fertile soil, strange one,” the elder quassari remarked with a hint of amusement.

The tunnel ahead of us was perfectly rounded, a masterfully dug passage that sloped gently downward, leading us deeper underground. Both the walls and floor were smooth, worn by the countless footsteps of the quassari over the years, yet they their natural texture of the earth remained, with tree roots curling through the walls like veins. The cool air carried a refreshing hint of moss and fresh soil, a subtle, grounding scent that lined our path.

Glass jars were spaced along the dirt road, each housing a peculiar insect that resembled an oversized firefly. These creatures emitted a light far more intense than any firefly I’d ever seen before. Their bodies glowed with a warm, steady light, and their wings shimmered softly, casting a radiant, ethereal glow. The jars reflected and amplified their light, creating a tranquil ambiance that bathed the tunnel in a gentle, comforting glow. The light highlighted every detail—the rich texture of the soil, the occasional root breaking through the walls, and the small, round stones embedded in the floor. Each step we took sank gently into the earth beneath us.

As we ventured deeper, the tunnel gradually expanded, opening into a vast, cavernous space. Hundreds of tunnels came into view, branching off in every direction—above us, below us, and to the sides, each one intricately interconnected like the roots of an ancient tree. The tunnels crisscrossed and looped around each other, forming a sprawling, three-dimensional maze.

All around us, quassari were busily engaged in their tasks. Some were digging new tunnels, others constructing hanging bridges above and below us, connecting the labyrinth of passageways. The only barrier between us and the yawning chasm below was a frail-looking wooden fence, offering little reassurance against the dizzying drop. A dirt path wound its way upward and downward in a spiral, like a natural tower carved from the earth itself. Looking down into the abyss, the echoes of thousands of quassari grunts reverberated through the tunnels as they labored tirelessly, digging, building, and expanding their underground realm.

This was no mere settlement—it was a sprawling civilization hidden beneath the earth, a living world that thrived hidden from the world.

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“Just across this bridge is my study! Come along, my friends! We can speak there!” The elder quassari motioned us forward as he stepped onto a precarious-looking bridge, held together by a thin rope. The wooden planks beneath his feet creaked ominously and the entire structure swayed gently from side to side.

“I’m not going across that deathtrap!” Silas protested, taking a cautious step back. “Especially not with this big oaf!” He gestured toward Orion. “The moment he steps on it, it’ll be the end of us all!”

“Stop being a coward,” Orion retorted, confidently stepping onto the bridge. With his chest puffed out, he marched forward, but no sooner had he taken a few steps than one plank gave way under his weight. He stumbled, nearly toppling into the abyss, but grabbed hold of the rope handle just in time.

“See? What did I tell you? That bridge is a death sentence!” Silas cried out, his voice rising in panic. “One moment you’re holding on for dear life, and the next, you’re plummeting into an endless pit, facing all your worst nightmares!”

“There’s a bit of truth in what you’re saying, Mr. Bard,” Finn agreed, scanning the other side. “But I see a shadow over there. See you on the other side!” With that, he leaped into the shadow at our feet, reappearing effortlessly on the far side of the chasm.

“That sneaky bastard! Wish I could do tha—” Silas began, but before he could finish his sentence, I unfurled my wings and scooped him up, soaring across the gap.

“You really know how to sweep a man off his feet!” Silas quipped, trying to mask his fear.

“Shut it,” I replied, focusing on getting us safely across.

We landed on the other side, and now all we had to do was wait for Orion to make it across.

“Well, well, how the tables have turned! Who’s the coward now?” Silas taunted as Orion, clinging to the rope with trembling legs, slowly made his way over.

Orion wisely kept silent, knowing that sometimes it was better to swallow one’s pride than to invite more ridicule. After what felt like an eternity, he finally joined us, and the elder quassari led us into a nearby tunnel.

We soon emerged into a cozy, albeit sparsely furnished room. Glass jars lined the walls of the room, containing the firefly-like creatures, whose soft, flickering light cast a warm glow over the space. In the center of the room was a small fire encircled by stones, with a kettle hanging above it, something fragrant simmering inside. White and brown animal pelts laid out on the floor, inviting us to sit. Shelves carved into the dirt walls held a variety of jars filled with liquids in a rainbow of colors.

“Please, have a seat.” The quassari gestured toward the pelts. “How about some tea?”

“I wouldn’t mind a cup,” Silas replied, finally relaxing a bit.

“Excellent! I have just the thing!” The old quassari shuffled over to the shelves and selected a jar filled with a deep purple liquid. “This one’s perfect! It’s been fermenting since old Randur lost his toe to the cold!”

“Excuse me?” I asked, taken aback. “What kind of tea needs fermenting?”

“The normal kind, of course!” the quassari answered, his expression puzzled, as if my question was the odd one.

As he opened the jar, a pungent odor hit me like a wave, more potent than any liquor I’d ever encountered. It burned my nostrils and brought tears to my eyes.

“Now, what is it you want to know?” he asked, pouring the so-called tea into wooden cups, the liquid sloshing thickly as it filled each one.