The cave widened after the bend, opening into a natural chamber illuminated by faint, bluish light seeping from the stone walls themselves. At the center of the chamber stood a jagged rock pedestal, and upon it rested a cluster of crystalline growths—translucent, pale gold, pulsing softly like a living thing.
Lavayla's eyes widened.
Mirek stopped before the pedestal, staring at the crystals with a sharp, assessing gaze. "So that's what it was guarding," he muttered.
Lavayla glanced at him. "You know what this is?"
"No," Mirek replied honestly. "But I can feel it. There's a lot of energy in it—and it's very pure."
She studied him for a moment before asking, "You can feel the energy? What kind of energy is it?"
"The kind that strengthens Beastmen and beasts alike," he said, eyes never leaving the crystals. "Raw. Undiluted."
Without hesitation, Lavayla called out inwardly, 'Nessa? What is this? Is it a type of plant?'
