[Naja] Boss, what is that?
[Sakyo] That's the answer to why I've been having those dreams lately.
He rises from the bed, ready to step through the gate as he feels it calling to him again. Before he can take the first step, he's stopped. Two hands holding each of his.
[Ren] Don't go. I could be dangerous.
[Naja] You can not leave without protection. I will assist you, I just need time to prepare.
[Sakyo] The gate won't stay open forever. If I don't take this chance, I might not get another one.
The two girls tighten their grips before finally letting go. Just then, Naja gets an idea. Rummaging through her bags, she pulls out a rope.
[Naja] Please, tie this around yourself. You once told me your gates can not close while something is passing through them. This way, we can pull you out.
Before he can answer, both girls tie the rope around Sakyo's waist.
[Sakyo] Alright, I'll just take a quick look around and be back.
With those last words, he steps through the gate. Both Ren and Naja hold the rope tightly, not wanting to risk letting it go.
On the other side of the portal, Sakyo steps onto the cold rocky ground. A cool morning breeze washes over his body. This is exactly like his dream. The same waves crashing. The same mossy boulders. Even the same sunrise over the ocean horizon.
[Sakyo] So, this is the place I kept seeing. That breeze is kind of refreshing. My body even feels lighter.
[???] Finally, you're here...
Startled, Sakyo turns towards where the voice came from, but no one's there. Instead, he finds the same stone gates he saw in his dream.
[???] I've waited so long for you. Come find me...
The voice is definitely the same as in his dream. The same feminine whisper calling to him.
[Sakyo] Not until you answer my question, who are you?
[???] You will find out. I'm waiting for you at the end of the dungeon.
Sakyo tries to walk further, but the tug at his waist reminds him that he can't. At least, not yet.
[Sakyo] I don't know who you are, but I can't find you right now.
[???] Please, don't go. I've waited so long for you...
[Sakyo] Then I'll come back. I promise.
[???] ...Very well.
Sakyo holds the rope, walking back through the gate. As soon as it closes, he's tackled to the floor by both girls.
[Ren] You're ok? You're not hurt, right? Naja, do you smell anything?
[Naja] No new smells besides salt water, but I should keep smelling to make sure.
[Ren] Me too.
Without fully knowing why, Sakyo can only stand there as the two girls smell him all over. Just then, the door opens slowly.
[Garm] Master, are you awake? I was hoping to ask you abo-...
Garm's eyes widen, and he freezes at the sight before him. Both Ren and Naja kneeling in front of Sakyo, their faces close to his body as they continue smelling him.
[Garm] Um, please forgive me for interrupting. I will talk to you later.
Garm leaves even quicker than he came in. It takes Sakyo a few seconds to understand just what this situation looked like from Garm's point of view.
[Sakyo] Wait! This isn't what it looks like!
After an uncomfortable amount of time, the two girls finally stop smelling him. It takes another hour to explain what Garm saw, though that doesn't stop Kaya from teasing everyone about it.
Once her teasing is over, everyone discusses what to do next about the unknown land.
[Kaya] So basically, you've been having dreams about this place and Garm suggested using your relic to find that place. You ended up finding it and now some voice is telling you to go inside a dungeon you've never been to, saying it's been waiting for you.
[Sakyo] Yeah.
[Kaya] So, what now?
[Sakyo] I want to explore this dungeon, but I don't know what to expect. That's why I was hoping you'd accompany me when I go back.
[Garm] I will gladly follow you anywhere.
[Naja] As will I. I cannot allow any harm to come to my mate.
As she speaks, Garm's excitement falters for a moment, but he holds back his concerns.
[Kaya] Alright then, if they're going, I'm coming too.
[Sakyo] You can fight?
[Kaya] I haven't just been doing office work since I became your representative. I've been working on some spearmanship with the others.
[Sakyo] Alright, you'll come as extra backup and support. Garm and I will take the frontline. Naja, you'll be responsible for checking for traps along the way. I want everyone to start preparations immediately. We'll head out as soon as my relic's recharged.
Everyone spends the next few hours gathering enough supplies for the expedition. Ren double checks that there's enough rations for everyone since no one knows how long they'll be gone.
Just a few minutes before the relic is recharged, she pulls Sakyo aside for some privacy.
[Ren] Are you sure this is a good idea?
[Sakyo] I'm sure, I need to find whatever is waiting at the end of that dungeon.
[Ren] I'm not talking about that. I already know you can handle yourself. I mean are you sure it's a good idea to bring both Garm and Naja? I get the feeling he doesn't like her too much.
They look to where everyone is getting ready. Garm and Naja each fasten their own lightweight packs, almost like mirrors of each other. However, as soon as Garm notices her, he takes a few steps away.
[Sakyo] I'm honestly not sure, but I don't have much of a choice. Garm's the strongest one here and Naja's the only one with the most recent espionage experience.
[Ren] Just be safe. I want you coming back here in one piece.
She gives him a quick kiss on the cheek, a warm blush crossing her cheeks as she slowly pulls back. She tries walking towards the group, but Sakyo holds her back, placing one more kiss on her forehead.
[Sakyo] I promise, I'll bring everyone back.
Ren can't even hear him anymore, her face completely red with embarrassment. She can only stand frozen in place, even as Sakyo rejoins the group.
[Sakyo] Alright, is everyone set to go?
[Everyone] Yeah/Yes Boss/Affirmative.
They all step through the portal gate, leaving Ren standing alone, still frozen with happiness and shock.
Once the gate closes, it's as if a new energy fills everyone's bodies. Garm and Naja feel lighter than ever before, just as Sakyo had the moment he first stepped into this new land. Kaya, on the other hand, feels her body getting heavier.
[Kaya] (cough cough) What's with this place? It's like the air's choking me.
[Sakyo] Really? It's pretty refreshing to me.
[Kaya] Seriously? You don't feel that?
Her words come out weakly as she falls to her knees.
[Sakyo] If you're not feeling up to it, we can hold off for a bit.
[Kaya] No, no I'm fine. Just need to catch my breath for a minute.
Garm comes over, kneeling next to Kaya as she rests.
[Garm] Master, I do not believe it is wise to allow her to come with us if she is this unwell.
[Kaya] Like hell I'm letting you leave me here. I'm going too.
[Garm] This is no time for your stub-
[Kaya] I'm. Going. Too.
[Garm] ...Fine, but I will be keeping a close eye on you.
Wondering why everyone is taking so long, Naja walks back over.
[Naja] What is taking everyone so long?
[Sakyo] Change of plans. Kaya will center our group, and I'll take the rear.
[Kaya] No, I can handle myself. I'm not some damsel who needs protect- (cough cough)
[Sakyo] Kaya, this is an order. I won't take anymore arguments about it.
[Kaya] ...(sigh) Fine.
[Sakyo] Naja, you'll take the front with Garm.
[Garm] What?!
[Naja] Understood.
While Naja accepts easily, Garm's fists clench tight, his claws almost digging into his skin.
The group proceeds inside the dungeon. As they enter, the light slowly fades, but never completely leaves. Small stones etched into the walls light the pathway.
[Garm] It appears this dungeon was artificially created.
[Kaya] What makes you say that?
[Naja] Mana stones of this size would never be aligned so perfectly on their own. They must be properly mined and enchanted before usage like this.
Garm lets out a low growl at being interrupted.
[Garm] I can answer for myself without your input.
[Naja] I was merely answering a question with my own knowledge.
[Garm] (tsk) Just keep walking.
The silence is almost deafening as they keep walking. Just a few steps further down the path reveals a larger chamber. The scent of dust, dried ink, and cold stone fills the air. Vines hanging from all over cover runes carved into the walls. To the far side of the chamber stands old, rusted tools.
[Sakyo] Looks like we're not the first ones to come here.
Garm walks over, smelling the tools for possible clues.
[Garm] Indeed, though it does not seem they were here recently. I would guess it has been at least a few centuries since the last time anyone was here.
[Kaya] Hey, check this out.
Kaya calls everyone's attention to an old book hidden away under dirt and rocks. It's worn and weathered, each page faded with time. A slight blow picks up a cloud of dust.
[Naja] Put that away. It is probably too faded to even read.
[Kaya] Wait! There's a few pages still intact.
The group huddles closer to read the pages, but there's just one problem.
[Sakyo] I can't read it.
[Garm] Neither can I.
[Naja] I have never seen this language before.
[Kaya] I have! I've seen this writing in some of the old books we found in Raynemor.
[Sakyo] Can you read it?
[Kaya] I think so, though it's kind of hard to make out a few words. Let's see... "Log 32: We thought we were doomed. The kingdom is being pushed back. They're becoming too much with those six..." Uh, something. I don't recognize this word. "...But our shard still remains. We can make another.... stronger..." Agh dammit, it's too faded. I can't make out the rest.
[Garm] It is ok. Perhaps we can restore it once we return to the city.
[Naja] This is a waste of time. We should keep moving.
[Garm] If you are so impatient, you can go on your own.
[Naja] Fine, then I will. (mumble) Telling me to go on my own. I will go on my own. I will find something better than you could.
She goes ahead, being wary of possible traps along the way.
[Naja] (sniff sniff) Well, what do we have here?~