As soon as they entered the cave, Tai flicked his wrist and extracted the hollow steel rod that was there map started to glow dimly as a projection of a map showing the entire cavern revealed itself to them, with a path showing where they should go.
It showed different doors, each with its own symbol that resembled some sort of creature. There was a red fang, mirror-like scales, a purple horn shaped like a lightning rod and a weird, black whip-like tail with a sting at the end.
"These look like parts of monsters, but I've never seen them before"
Hal had a look of worry on his face as he examined the path leading them down to the lowest part of the cave
"Either way, we'd better get going. brought enough supplies to last us five days, so we need to finish this raid in just that time, ready Hal"
Hal shrugged
"To be honest, I don't know, this world is too crazy for me to claim that just yet, but I don't want you guys leaving me behind. You two have already ignited your souls, but I haven't, so I hope that this raid will help me find that secret that my soul is hiding"
Tai grabbed Hal's shoulder and shook him a little
"Don't worry, partner, I'm sure whatever secret your soul is hiding must be massive, but there is no more time for us to just stand here; let's head down"
The part of the cave where they had slain the dragon was already beginning to regrow its lost crystals, though the ground, the cave walls still remembered the harsh battle that had once been won by two powerless boys against a dragon.
The two of them used a rope to descend into the cavern below, where multiple paths lay open for them to choose
Tai once again extracted the map that glowed as Tai moved it around. It grew brighter the more he moved it until it let out a dazzling glow in front of one of the paths and opened to reveal a map.
Tai looked at Hal as they both nodded and stepped into the dark path. It was the only place not illuminated by the cavern's walls, and no crystal grew there either.
There was a haunting silence that kept Hal on his toes as he and Tai manoeuvred around the different paths shown to them by the map until they finally came upon a door.
The door was not indicated anywhere on the map; it was a grey colour and, unlike the rest of the cave, actually let off a dim glow with small crystals growing on it.
The hollow rod once again released the projection of the map, but this time, instead of directions, it had words of advice to the two boys.
[So you have finally arrived, I see. Whoever you are, you must be my descendant, though I hope you are my son. There was a lot I could not tell you, but through this trail, I will reveal a lot to you. Place your hand on the door to begin.
Tai had an emotional look of mixed emotions. He looked happy to have read something from his father, but at the same time, he looked close to tears.
He flicked his hand again and let the map disappear into his bracelet. His expression quickly changed to one of fierce determination as he walked towards the gate and touched it with his left hand.
His face twisted again to one of pain as Tai winced and pulled his hand that had begun to bleed from a small wound.
A deep voice sounded from the gates as if mocking their choice
"Welcome unwelcomed guest, hearing my voice means you are indeed my descendant, but it also means that right now your hand has been injected by a lethal poison from the Juzo red fang spider and will be dying soon unless you retrieve the very fang and take it to the first gate, where an antidote will be administered"
Hal was utterly taken aback as he turned to the opening gate
"Which dad would do that to their son?"
The door didn't take too long to answer as the deep voice resounded from the door once again.
"If you have come here, then it seems my old friend Alex has sensed that an incoming threat will soon be upon you, my son. That is why I have set up all these challenges; only when you beat them can you survive the trials that lie ahead"
Tai winced again as his left hand began to shake violently with red worm-like structures bulging under his skin.
"My Dad is right, we came here to become stronger, right, so this should be a minor setback, let's get going, the longer we stay here, the more time we waste and the weaker I become"
Tai flicked his hand, and a bag came out before falling to the ground. He bent down and removed a bandage tape from the bag and quickly wrapped it around his hand.
"But what about your hand?"
Tai smiled
"Don't worry about it, I wield my sword with my right hand"
Hal could see Tai trying to hide the pain in his eyes, but there was no time to waste, with every minute he got weaker
Hal activated his eyes, causing Tai to smile as the circles in his eyes gave off a glow of their own, then the two turned to the gate as Tai stood
"Let's show your dad who's boss"
"If you say so, blue eyes"
"Right back at you, circles"
The two boys took a deep breath and stepped into the cave
***
Elizabeth heard something stir in Lyrrah's room and flinched. She flicked her wrist and summoned her trust spear before making careful footsteps towards the room.
Her breath was heavy, and she could hear her heart beating speed up with excitement. She failed to control the creepy grin that spread on her face as she finally opened the door and pointed her spear forward.
Her eyes widened as they saw who it was. Pink eyes moved to stare at her with confusion. The girl seemed to wonder if she was actually alive or not as she pulled her sleeve down and checked her body.
There was faded blue lining her body where her cracks once had been. The young girl lifted her, and to Elizabeth, who suddenly felt a force compressing her.
"Who are you and why I'm I back in the capital?"
Elizabeth felt disappointed at the fact that she couldn't enjoy the thrill of taking her own life and killing herself with her own hands.
She let out a sigh and awakened one of her weapons as a force field expanded and blew Lyrrah away; her outfit changed into a slim black leather suit.
Her hair had grown longer, with her hairpin now longer and holding a strange mountain-like structure drawn on it.
Her hair moved like it had a life of its own and ended short of Lyrrah's neck. Elizabeth moved closer to Lyrrah with her hand holding her waist.
"Relax, little girl, I'm a friend to those two idiots, Hal and Tai. It's wonderful to finally get to meet you, Lyrrah White Van Haverfield"