Xavier and Ella spent the rest of that day gathering supplies and sundries required for travel. They did not know what to expect so they tried to cover all the potentials. Once they were confident in their packing Xavier decided it would be time well spent to check in on the little shadowmane panther cub. The little furball had taken to following the hunters as they went about their patrols and taking down small game along with them. In the evenings though it would nap on the western edge of the village clearing near the area where the hunters would clean and butcher the freshly caught game for the rest of the village. It had learned that being in this area would ensure it got scraps and even whole cuts of meat depending on which hunter was working, Darra was an especially soft touch as the Lupari hunter had remained enamored with the little cub since she first saw it.
He found the little shadowmane curled up on a larger rock soaking up the late evening warmth. Its belly bulging made it obvious that it had been recently fed. Xavier chuckled as he got closer and reached out to stroke the cat’s soft ebon fur and it immediately began a deep rumbling purr. It opened one eye to peer at Xavier confirming what its nose had already told it before it closed it again just enjoying the comfortable life of being a pampered cat. After a little while Xavier picked the cub up, surprised at how much it had already grown in weight and size, before turning and heading towards the entrance to the warrens and his own bed. The night was fast approaching and morning would come early, especially given he wanted to get on the road as soon as possible.
Warmth filled the newly made bed beside Xavier as he came to consciousness. He hesitated a moment before feeling as much as hearing the rumbling purr of the panther curled up on the edge of the bed. He smiled and reached down to scratch the cat. “I really need to give you a name little one. Just calling you cat or little one won't do. Especially with the rate at which you are growing.”
The panther opened an eye looking at him almost reproachfully and a single claw slowly curled into the blankets covering his thigh, just enough to start to dig into his flesh.
“Easy,” Xavier yelped at the beast. “Wait you understood that?” He peered at her curiously. She retracted her claw and stretched while yawning. When she finished her gaze fell upon him again the look in her eyes making him feel as if the question was idiotic and he should have realized she understood him.
He smiled and scratched behind her ears, once again eliciting a deep purr from the beast. “I think I have the perfect name for you. What do you think of Valkra? I always enjoyed the myths about the Valkyrie and you are going to be one deadly hunter when you grow up.”
The cub went silent as it leaned into his fingertips, almost as if pondering his words before its purr redoubled and he began kneading the blankets.
Xavier laughed and gave her another good scratching. “Valkra it is then. Are you ready to go hunting with me and Ella? Might find a nice little monster nest for you to stalk.”
Valkra kneaded the bed a little bit longer in contemplation before rising to her feet and hopping silently to the floor. She looked back towards where Xavier was rising as if waiting for him to get moving.
Shaking his head at the impudent little beast Xavier got out of bed and started pulling on his clothes and leathers. He pulled Vaeltheris slightly from its sheath to make sure the blade would be ready at a moment's notice. Finally satisfied with his preparations he picked up his pack and made his way towards the surface fully expecting to meet with Ella above in the main hall.
As soon as he stepped out of the warrens, he knew something was wrong however. Sylvie was holding her son Pip close as she tried to hold back tears. Tara was not so reserved, and her face was covered in fresh tears as she sobbed out answers to Ella.
“She’s gone Ella. I woke up this morning and Emily was gone. She has never woken before me so I went to her room to get her up so she could head over to the kitchens and help Frida prepare breakfast like every morning, but her bed was empty!” She started to cry again helpless in the face of the missing little girl. “I searched the house and all around near it but there was nothing.”
Ella’s face was lined with concern as she tried to comfort the devastated young weaver. “We will find her Tara don’t worry. She could not have gotten far. Coren is already organizing the hunters to start to track her. We will bring her home safe.”
As Xavier realized what was going on his vision was filled with a prompt.
You have been offered a new quest. “Echoes of Innocence” The orphaned child Emily has disappeared, and the village is in a panic to locate her. Tara and Sylvie are particularly despondent along with Emily’s closest friends. Find where the child disappeared to and return her home safely. Rewards: Increased morale and happiness in the village. +1000 Experience. Penalty for refusal or failure: Decreased morale, possible animosity from Tara and Sylvie.
Do you accept: Yes or No?
Xavier focused on yes mentally accepting the quest as not only did the prompt indicate he would cause major strife within the village for refusing he had personally developed an attachment to the little girl. He moved to join Ella in asking for any possible details that could indicate where the girl went when he noticed Valkra snuffling curiously at the floor leading back into the warrens. He crouched next to the cub. “Notice something little one?”
Valkra raised her head and met Xavier’s eyes before turning and padding back into the warrens. Her path unerringly headed deeper and towards the mosaic room. Xavier followed after her and was shortly joined by Ella who had seen him disappear back into the entrance.
“Not even going to ask what is going on?” Ella chided him as they walked. “Emily has gone missing, and the village is in an uproar.”
“I know, I heard them telling you about it when I came in.” He motioned to the shadowmane “Valkra is acting strange though and I think she is trying to help. I would almost swear she was part bloodhound the way she’s sniffing about.”
It was only a few minutes later when the tunnels opened up to the grand chamber that housed the mosaic representing the nexus of ley lines. The Syr’Vailen was a thing of beauty even in its dormant state. Valkra didn’t hesitate though and continued across the tiles towards the entrance on the far side. It was there she finally paused, laying on the floor was a small object. A little worn teddy bear was leaned up against the wall as if standing guard. Valkra had stopped in front of the little stuffed animal sniffing at it then looking back to the duo. Ella gasped slightly and Xavier stiffened. They both knew that bear well. It was Emily’s, she was never without it, even when she was getting into mischief. A fresh cry of anguish echoed behind the two. Tara had followed them to ask Xavier directly if he could find Emily and when she saw the teddy bear, she lost all remaining composure.
Xavier moved to the crying woman’s side quickly and embraced her. “Don’t worry Tara. We will bring her home safe and sound. You have my word on that.” He motioned to Braegor as the large Gan Ceann entered the room. “Take her back outside and to her home. Make sure she doesn’t follow us into the deeps, I don’t know what sort of dangers are down there, and need to focus on Emily.” His words about danger brought a new bout of sobbing to the weaver as Braegor placed his head back on his shoulders and gathered the woman up in a princess carry.
“What should I tell the other villagers?” Braegor asked, “They will want to know why you disappeared when they are searching for the girl.”
“Let them know we are following a lead down into the deeps. We will be back as soon as we can and bring Emily with us.” Xavier’s face was grim but determined. “I won’t let any harm come to her.”
Braegor’s head dipped fractionally as he cradled Tara closer to his body before he turned and carried the crying woman back to the surface. Xavier picked up the small bear and tucked it into one of his pouches. Then Ella and Xavier exchanged a look both hefted their packs slightly and Xavier retrieved a torch from one of the sconces at the entrance to the deeps. They both set foot on the first step down and vanished through the archway into the deeps.
As soon as they passed through the archway leading to the staircase the air around them changed. The warm, dry, and comforting air of the warrens vanished it was quickly replaced by a damp cold almost as if the deeps were warning them away. The atmosphere was immediately more ominous, sounds of dripping water echoed up the worn stairway and a soft breeze caused the flame of the torch to dance and sputter.
Xavier cursed softly and placed his free hand on the wall to steady himself as he took each step lower. Behind him, Ella did the same with her hand on the wall and about their feet, Valkra padded silently always managing to move just before she would be stepped on or kicked. The trio made their way deeper into the darkness.
There was no way to tell how much time passed besides the torch burning lower and lower. Xavier motioned back towards Ella who retrieved another from her pack, and they paused to light the new one just as the original one sputtered towards extinguishing. With Ella carrying the new torch Xavier slid Vaeltheris from its sheath the dagger’s blade lit with an inner light adding to the flickering glow of the torch.
They had lit a third torch by the time the stairway stopped and opened up into a large chamber. Several passageways led off from the room in multiple directions. The chamber had a large arching ceiling, and the stones were carefully laid indicating that like the stairway it had been carved out and then crafted to its current form. At an instinctual level, Xavier knew this was more ruins from the Sylmyrian people. He wanted to explore it in detail but the pressing situation with Emily made him drag himself away from the greater chamber and start to inspect the floor at the bottom of the stairs searching for any indication of where the child might have gone. Valkra was padding about the area as well her sensitive nose hovering over the stonework floor as she sought the scent of the little girl. Frustratingly the trail seemed to have stopped cold at the last stair, as if the girl vanished when she reached it.
Throwing caution to the wind Xavier started to call out. “Emily! Are you here? Yell if you can hear me, help us find where you are.” He walked about the chamber as he called out.
The far end of the chamber caused him to pause and stare in disbelief. A full twenty feet of the wall was carved in an intricate relief that blended symbols he recognized from Earth. A huge twisting dragon wove in a figure eight. The way its head held onto its tail gave him the distinct impression of both the Ouroboros and the Infinity Loop. He was confused at seeing them here and blended into a single image. As he drew closer, holding Vaeltheris up to light the relief he could make out the features of the dragon clearer. Despite the obvious weathering of the stone in the rest of the chamber, this was in perfect condition, as if it had been carved just hours ago. The features of the dragon’s head were minute in detail, its open mouth sinking fangs into its tail. The eyes of the creature caught his attention as they started to glow faintly in the light of his dagger, one a deep emerald green and the other a dark onyx black.
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He was starting to ponder the heterochromatic nature when his eyes moved to the actual body of the dragon. The upper half was beautifully carved, its scales decorated with tiny vines and leaves. Small runes like the Nordic life runes, Jera and Uruz, were scattered amidst the carved vegetation. As striking and beautiful as that part of the beast's body was the lower loop was equally horrifying. Instead of vivid scales, they had been replaced by a more skeletal texture. The beast's cracked ribs and vertebra show stark against the stone. The runes of life though this half of the dragon bore were replaced with small etchings of Thurisaz and Kaunaz, the death runes the Nordic culture had used ages past. Where the body looped over itself was an ornate depiction of what he had known as the Yggdrasil. Vibrant branches and leaves followed the living half of the dragon upwards. The branches appeared to grow out of the wall, their tips almost glowing with a faint golden hue. The roots of the tree spread downward into the loop of death, their tendrils skeletal and gnarled, merging seamlessly with the serpent’s lower loop. Shadowy grooves within the roots suggest decay and rebirth. At the very center of the Sigil, directly where Yggdrasil’s trunk aligns with the Ouroboros’ crossing point lay a rune he didn’t recognize though, it seemed as though Jera and Thurisaz, life and death were woven together to make the new star like rune. The closer he got to it with Vaeltheris the more it started to glow alternating between a warm golden light and a dark ebon that seemed to drink in the light around it.
Still reeling from what was blatant earthen symbology he was shaken from his study by Ella calling out. She was off to the right of where he was studying the relief standing with Valkra. “I heard something down this way.” She called out to him. “It sounded like a girl singing.”
Xavier abandoned his study of the relief and rushed over to where she stood. “Good that means she is still alive we need to hurry.”
They both took off down the tunnel in a near sprint desperate to find Emily before something could happen to her. As they ran the worked stone began to disappear giving way to the rough texture of natural caverns. The even and worked floor they had grown used to gave way to a floor that was more unsteady and earthen. Lichen and other deep flora coated the walls and broke through the cracks and crevasses of the natural walls. Their flight slowed to a walk more consistent with the new terrain as they realized they would not be able to help Emily if they broke or twisted an ankle trying to reach her.
As they moved deeper the air grew more humid and the increased moisture yielded a damp earthen scent that subtly filled the tunnel. The lichen gave way to increasing patches of slightly bioluminescent mushrooms and oddly growing moss. Eventually, they extinguished their torch, the natural light of the plant life was giving enough of a glow to render it unnecessary.
Ella caught Xavier by the arm and pointed towards the ground ahead of them, through a small patch of muddy earth a trail of small footprints continued in the direction they were traveling. Certain that Emily had been this way their pace quickened as much as they could while able to remain aware of their footing. Each of them gripped their weapons tight, Xavier holding the softly glowing blade of Vaeltheris and Ella holding onto her spear.
The deeper they traveled the more sounds filled the tunnels, a soft drip of water echoed off the narrowly spaced walls, and here and there they could hear a creak of roots rubbing against one another where they broke through the rock walls and ceiling. In the distance, they would catch snippets of a quietly singing young girl's voice in tandem with a new odd hum of noise.
The plant life grew increasingly thicker as well. More vines clung to walls amid the fungus, roots broke through the ceiling leaving rock debris to tumble to the floor below making it even more treacherous. Xavier couldn’t help but feel like he could see some of the vines moving in his periphery while they moved past but every time he turned to look directly at the offending plant it was laying still.
Rounding a corner they stumbled into a thick haze. Spores filled the tunnel and left the two coughing and watery-eyed. Covering their mouths and noses with cloth they stumbled through the miasma and continued forward unaware of the shifting in the shadows. It took what seemed like ages to break free of the spores, though, in fact, they had only been in them for a little over half a minute. Gasping they drew fresh if humid air into their lungs. Valkra had begun to growl softly as they moved, she had grown more miserable the deeper into the mire they had traveled.
It was shortly after the spore cloud they started to notice differences in the plant life, though it had been mostly fungus related it had seemed healthy and vibrant. Now they started to see dark patches covering the damp floor and withering to the edges of the vines and mushrooms. Suspicions growing Xavier pointed this out to Ella and her face grew grim. Only a short distance further the withering turned into clear rot, the acrid scent of it mingling with the previous fresh, if damp, earthy smells.
Deeper through the tunnels they wove their way following the occasional muddy patch with footprints and soft singing. Several times the side of the floor would give way to a small collapse nearly dropping one or the other of the duo into a collapsing slide into the dark unknown. Valkra always seemed to know where those spots were and would avoid them leading to the two carefully watching her as well for advanced warning. Narrow passageways would become hazardous with vines and roots tangling the floor or hanging back and forth across the passage in a net of tough plant life forcing the small group to either climb over them or cut them out of the way.
After hours of careful navigation through the developing underground swamp of rot and decay they came to a large stone archway. Each of the huge blocks had been carved with intricate reliefs of trees and wildlife. Much of the decoration was covered with overgrown roots or vines but it was reminiscent of the carvings they had seen elsewhere in the ruins. Several faintly glowing runes reacted to the presence of Vaeltheris, and their light increased. Beyond the archway, the tunnels gave way to a huge cavern, and they stood on the edge of an overlook.
Below them was a chamber overwhelmed with a vast variety of subterranean plant life. The view would have been mesmerizing with the blending of ethereal beauty and eerie decay. Glowing bioluminescent plants cast vibrant light that contrasted sharply with the creeping darkness and rot. Mesmerizing yes, if not for what lay at its center. Near the center stood a small pillar, emerald veins rose up the sides of the stonework to a central node that pulsed rhythmically, creating an ambient glow that seemed to resonate with the lifeforce of the grove. Leaning against that pillar was a disheveled young girl. Emily clung to the stone keeping within its soft light as she sang softly to herself. The child’s appearance was at odds with the wild growth and rot surrounding her.
Xavier started to move towards the slowly descending ramp that curved around the edge of the room until Ella caught his arm. That motion caused him to stop and look back at her only to see her point to the rest of the room. He turned his gaze following her motion and finally saw what made her hesitate.
The room was filled with plant life, but it wasn’t all normal vines and fungus. Softly shimmering trees stood amid the growth, their leaves limed in shades of green, blue, and gold. Along with the plants was an odd glowing moth that flitted about the room. Occasionally one of the moths would draw too close to one of the vines and it would lash out in a whiplike fashion, or a moth would land on one of the leaves and it would snap close like a flytrap. The plants were a danger in and of themselves and would make getting to the young girl, much less getting her back out a challenge.
Scowling he started pointing out potential paths to Ella when one of the larger mushrooms moved, no it was more than just a mushroom Xavier realized. It was a golem, a plant golem made of fungus and rotted vines. Like the forest golems Aelriva summoned to work in the village above, it would seem that this grove had its guardians.
Xavier moved closer to the edge so he could better pick out the golems and dangerous flora below and accidentally knocked a loose stone over the edge. Crouching down next to Ella, they watched the stone fall until it clattered on a pile of stones below. Everything in the room stilled and Emily lifted her small fear etched face towards the overlook. Xavier’s heart wrenched seeing the child in such torment and he rose up from where he was hidden so she could see him clearly while lifting his free hand to tell her to wait.
The girl nodded and clung tighter to the pillar as if drawing comfort from the softly glowing sphere at the top. None of the plants moved and the air became oddly still and quiet. Xavier and Ella both stood slowly unnerved by the change but shifted to creep down the path towards the floor below. As they got closer to the floor, they could make out more details of what lay beneath the plant life. Here and there lay crumbled arches and statues. Pathways peeked from beneath the overgrowth and stone benches were revealed beneath overwhelming moss growth. A dark barely flowing stream wound between trees and the still stagnant pools of various fountains dotted the landscape. The place had once been a place of majesty and beauty now fallen to corruption and disarray.
As his foot set down on the ground of the cavern proper another prompt filled Xavier’s view.
You have discovered a quest. “The Seed of Renewal.” You have found one of the cores of the ley lines that make up the Syr’Vailen. This once vibrant place of life and healing now is a corruption of its former glory. Additionally, it seems as if the missing child Emily has found her way to the core and seems to have an unknown role to play in what transpires here. Restore the core of the Life Ley Line and cleanse the surrounding area of the rot and corruption. Possible Rewards: Purification and revitalization of the Life Ley Line. Rescue of the missing child Emily. Access to Life Magic. +1000 Experience. Penalties for failure: Further corruption of the life ley line and corruption of the lands surrounding the Syr’Valien. Death of Emily. Failure of Echoes of Innocence. Your presence in this room has automatically accepted this quest.
You have discovered a quest. “Balance Restored.” A corruption has violated the essence of the life ley line and its surrounding gardens. Explore the surrounding deeps to find where this corruption is coming from. Only by restoring balance can the life of Emily be saved. Beware your actions could tip the scales in one direction or the other instead of creating balance. Possible Rewards: Purification and revitalization of the Life Ley Line and another unknown reward. Rescue of the missing child Emily. Access to Life Magic and other unknown rewards. +1000 Experience. Penalties for failure: Further corruption of the life ley line and corruption of the lands surrounding the Syr’Vailen other unknown penalties. Death of Emily. Failure of Echoes of Innocence. Your presence in this room has automatically accepted this quest.
“Shit, fuck, shit, dammit.” Xavier swore as he stepped back on the ramp and stopped Ella from moving further. “Fuck more quests and these ones have some serious penalties if we fail.” He told her.
The sentient plant life seemed blissfully unaware of the small group on the ramp as they paused. Emily, who had stopped singing when they reached the bottom of the ramp, started to softly sing again. Her voice seemed to have a calming effect on the twitching and shifting life.
Calling out softly Xander tried to comfort the girl. “Emily, we’re going to get you out of here and back home. We have to leave…” The girl froze her singing stopping once again as panic filled her features at the thought of being left behind. “But just for a little bit. Something is causing this rot, and we cannot save you until we find out what is causing it. I won't leave you alone Emily. Look I brought your teddy with me. He was guarding the way down here to show us where you went.”
He pulled the small bear from his pouch and held it up so the girl could see it. She visibly relaxed and rose moving a little closer to them. As she did the tether of magic between her and the column became visible, a softly glowing light between her heart and the core. Its length prevented her from moving too far from it and Xavier decided to throw the bear to her. The small stuffed toy arced through the air and landed at the girl's feet. She quickly stooped to scoop it into her arms and hug it close. While they soothed the girl and returned her toy to her the plants were slowly becoming more and more agitated. Noticing this the young girl started to sing again softly and moved back to hug the column with one arm as she held her bear in the other. Her eyes remained on Xavier pleadingly but with a sad grudging acceptance of her situation.
“We’ll be back Emily. I promise you will be home where you belong.” Xavier spoke softly and reassuringly to her.
He turned as Ella tapped him on the shoulder and motioned back up the ramp to the only entrance in sight. His shoulders slumped a moment in anxiety before resolve returned and he followed her up the ramp. At the archway, they paused and looked back to where the child once again sat against the pillar singing her soft lullaby and watching them as tears ran down her face. With that vision etched in his mind Xavier turned and returned to the tunnels of the deeps to find a way to free her.