Four days remained until the Abyss's first major invasion. At the Stadium of the Sacred Flame, Chuychu continued to care for the wounded as usual. In recent days, the Abyss's attacks had grown increasingly urgent, and casualties were being brought in from the various Tribes' defensive lines at regular intervals.
Thanks to the medicinal ointment prepared by Ishkab, the injured recovered remarkably well.
After working tirelessly throughout the morning, Chuychu hadn't seen Ishkab at all. She learned from other healers that Ishkab had stayed up all night with the others to prepare a fresh batch of ointment. Assuming Ishkab was simply resting, Chuychu hadn't noticed anything amiss.
However, when Ishkab still hadn't appeared by lunchtime, Chuychu grew concerned. She went to Ishkab's quarters and found everything neatly arranged, with the tea on the table completely cold.
Could Sister Ishkab have returned to the Scions of the Canopy Tribe?
Ishkab was a healer for the Scions of the Canopy Tribe, so returning to assist would be understandable. However, she usually informed Chuychu beforehand when she planned to leave. This time...
After weighing her options, Chuychu decided to report the matter to the Pyro Archon.
-
Meanwhile, on the same day, outside Natlan, Lumine and Paimon were also helping to clear Abyss corruption across the region. This time, they had arrived at the wilderness to the right of the Flower-Feather Clan.
For years, the wind and sand had eroded the exposed rock formations, yet failed to disperse the faint, pervasive whispers of the Abyss that hung in the air. The Abyss corruption was particularly severe here compared to other regions.
In a relatively clear open area, Lumine and Paimon stopped before a massive Stone Tablet.
The Stone Tablet was ancient and weathered, its material neither stone nor jade. Its surface was marred by extensive scorch marks and corrupted traces, as if it had endured countless calamities.
"This... I don't remember seeing it here before. Did it suddenly appear? And it looks like the stones of the Great Spirit Avatar from the Night Kingdom..." Paimon scratched her head in confusion. Before the Abyss corruption had spread, she and Lumine had visited this very spot, and the clear open area had been completely empty.
On the tablet's few remaining pristine surfaces, a faint starlight-like glow flickered intermittently, radiating a profound tranquility that sharply contrasted with the surrounding desolation.
Most remarkably, a soft yet resolute halo of light emanated from the tablet, firmly isolating the oppressive Abyss aura within a fifty-meter radius.
"Lumine, look! That big rock is glowing!"
Paimon pointed at the Stone Tablet, her curiosity mixed with caution as she hid behind Lumine. "And standing near it doesn't feel so uncomfortable anymore?"
Lumine reached out and touched the Stone Tablet's surface. A faint warmth radiated from her fingertips, along with an indescribable, heavy weariness, as if some immense will were clinging to it, locked in a near-paralyzed stillness.
"It... feels very weak," Lumine murmured. "Like it's struggling to maintain something."
Paimon flew closer, circling the Stone Tablet:
"Hey—hello? Can you hear us? Who's inside?"
The Stone Tablet remained unresponsive, its glowing halo pulsing steadily like a silent barrier, guarding the tranquility of this small patch of land.
No matter how they tried to communicate, the vast consciousness within seemed to have sunk into the deepest meditative trance, utterly deaf to their calls.
"It's completely ignoring us..." Paimon scratched her head. "But it seems to be resisting the Abyss, right? Could it be an ally? Should we tell Mavuika about it?"
Lumine nodded, casting one last glance at the silent Stone Tablet, carefully memorizing its location. Then she and Paimon turned and raced back toward the Stadium of the Sacred Flame.
-
In the Speaker's Chamber, the Pyro Archon Mavuika was deeply focused on her official duties.
Hearing footsteps, she looked up to see Lumine and Paimon entering, their expressions slightly anxious.
"Mavuika!" Paimon exclaimed eagerly. "We found a strange, glowing Stone Tablet in the wilderness!"
Lumine added, "The tablet emanates pure energy that repels the Abyss's corruption, but the consciousness within seems to be in an extremely fatigued slumber and unable to communicate."
"A Stone Tablet?"
Mavuika set aside her work, a flicker of contemplation crossing her crimson eyes. "Describe its features in detail."
As Paimon gestured wildly, vividly describing the tablet's appearance and aura, another set of hurried footsteps echoed from the doorway.
Chuychu rushed into the Speaker's Chamber, her face etched with worry, neglecting even a formal greeting.
"Pyro Archon! Forgive me for interrupting..."
Chuychu's voice trembled with obvious anxiety. "Have you seen Ishkab? I can't find her anywhere! She would have told me if she were leaving. She stayed up all night yesterday crafting a medicinal salve, but today she's vanished without a trace. This isn't like her at all..."
Mavuika's gaze shifted from Lumine and Paimon to Chuychu, her sharp mind swiftly connecting these seemingly unrelated events.
Ishkab's sudden disappearance, an ancient stone tablet containing pure energy and capable of sealing the Abyss, now fallen into silence...
While Mavuika pondered, Lumine and Paimon were completely captivated by Chuychu's words.
Lumine: "Chuychu, are you saying Ishkab has gone missing?!"
Paimon: "H-how could this happen?"
Seeing their distress, Chuychu quickly reassured them, "I don't know if it counts as missing. She might have just left, but she always tells me when she's going somewhere."
Knowing Ishkab's special status, Chuychu understood she had to inform the Pyro Archon immediately.
Mavuika: "Let's not panic yet. Ishkab likely returned to the Scions of the Canopy Tribes. I'll dispatch search parties at once. As for the stone tablet the Traveler mentioned... if it resembles the one housing the Night Kingdom's Great Spirit Avatar, Citlali should have more insight."
After a moment's deliberation, Mavuika's gaze sharpened with swift resolve. "Chuychu, inform Kinich—he should be back soon. Instruct him to mobilize teams to search outward from the Stadium of the Sacred Flame, prioritizing the Scions of the Canopy Tribes. Report any traces immediately using Flame Runes."
"Yes, Pyro Archon!" Chuychu responded solemnly, as if she had finally found her anchor, and turned swiftly to carry out the arrangements.
Mavuika then turned to Lumine and Paimon:
"Traveler, the Stone Tablet you discovered is of paramount importance. It may hold the key to unlocking Ishkab's whereabouts, and it could even be deeply connected to our strategy against the Abyss. This matter is extraordinary and requires professional interpretation."
She paused briefly, a wisp of dancing flame coalescing at her fingertip, transforming into an intricate flame-shaped mark that floated toward Lumine.
"Take this sigil and immediately seek out Citlali. Share every detail of what you saw and heard with her and urge her to investigate and decipher the true meaning hidden within the Stone Tablet."
"Understood," Lumine said, accepting the mark with a nod.
Paimon nodded vigorously as well. "Leave it to us!"