Kelix sighed, shutting his eyes in concentration. "Because I know him. He's confident, but cocky. He won't run without a fight. And right now, we're his issue." His golden eyes opened, pinning her in place. He stepped closer. "Ida… you've cornered prey before. Tell me—what do the dangerous ones do when they know they're out of options?"
The memory of an old hunt with Lyra struck like a claw, and she swallowed. Idalia shifted on her feet, her claws scraping the floor nervously. Ahead, the corridor simmered with energy, thick as fog and sharp as electricity. She tasted it on her tongue. "Then let's finish our hunt before he has the chance to prepare."
Kelix's frown disturbed Idalia, but the conviction in his response relieved her. "Agreed. But we still need to recover. You‘re hurt, and… well, I'm not so great myself." He winced, lifting an arm to reveal a bloody scrape along his side. "If we're going to face the Colonel, we need all our strength."
Idalia nodded, her gaze sweeping the chamber. She searched for anything useful, though she had no idea what she should be looking for—this would've been Quantumoon's domain. If the Shaman were here, she'd know exactly which strange jars or glowing charms mattered.
But Idalia only had her senses. And the room reeked of the unfamiliar.
The soft click of Kelix's steps steadied her somehow. He pointed ahead. "Look for potions, or anything that glows. Magic boosts or healing spells. This place has to have something." He said, scanning the room.
She agreed and followed. As they scoured the room, torches flickered like fireflies, casting eerie shadows that danced against the stone walls. Her heart raced as she sensed something hidden, just beyond her reach. Symbols glowed faintly, waiting for someone brave enough to tap into their strange veil.
"Over here!" Kelix called, excitement sparking in his voice. He crouched beside several crates where vials filled with glowing liquid sat nestled between runes and shelves. "This has to be it!"
Idalia rushed over, her eyes wide as she examined the vials. She had never seen such things before. They shimmered like the stars, swirling with a vibrant mix of colors. "Looks promising! What do you think it is?"
"The labels say healing stimulant—I know these ingredients…maybe?" he said, glancing from one vial, his fingers brushing over the symbols that adorned the crate. "We'll find out soon enough. Drag me out if I pass out…"
He popped the cork, and the sweet scent of honey and herbs filled the air. "Here goes nothing." He took a swig and instantly, a warm glow radiated from his chest, washing over his wounds and easing his pain.
Idalia jerked back, startled by how fast the torn flesh vanished. It felt unnatural… but miraculous.
"Your turn!" he said, offering the vial to her, his expression encouraging.
Idalia hesitated for a blink, but the ache in her side urged her on. Her lips almost touched the vial—
A sharp clatter, like a plate dropped on stone, cut through the air.
There, her [Spatial Sight] flared alive, spotting the perpetrator in the corner—a girl with horns, her arms bound by chains. Idalia could see that her eyes were red and puffy, as though she had been crying. "Kelix, there is a girl over there behind that pillar," she whispered. "She has horns."
Kelix's eyes lidded in contemplation. "Could she be the missing one?" He held up the keychain in his hand. "Rian's daughter…"
Idalia frowned. Rian had perished. But the girl was alive, bound and afraid.
"We can't just leave her!" Idalia exclaimed, stepping closer, feeling the pull of something deeper, something right.
Kelix bit his lip, his brow furrowed. "We need to be cautious. The Colonel's men may be lurking."
"Right now," Idalia insisted, "she's the priority. We owe it to Rian."
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Refusing to heed Kelix's warning, she approached the girl. "Hey, it's okay! We're here to help you!"
The girl looked different from any Wanderan Idalia had ever seen—besides the horns. She appeared older than Kelix—definitely not a cub, but not quite an adult either. Somewhere in between, perhaps? Light green hair fell around her face, and her curled red horns put Rian's to shame.
The girl turned, her red eyes wide with hope and fear. "You… you aren't one of them?" she stammered, her voice shaky.
"No! We're not your enemies!" Idalia promised. "What's your name?"
"T—Tiamare," the girl whispered, glancing around as if the Colonel's soldiers might appear at any moment. "Please, you have to get me out of here!"
Kelix moved closer, inspecting the chains that held her. "I can unlock these," he said, the electricity around his fingers crackling till they formed to a sharp point. "Just hang on."
Idalia kept watch, her senses sharp, ready for any attack. "You'll be safe, Tia," she said reassuringly. "We're here for you."
As Kelix cut through the binding, the air thickened with tension. Each second felt like an eternity. Finally, with a sizzle, the chains fell away, clattering to the floor.
Tiamare rubbed her wrists, relief washing over her. "Thank you! I thought I'd never escape…"
"Why were you captured?" Idalia asked, still scanning the room. "What do they want with you?"
"They believe I have powers," Tiamare replied. "But I don't—at least, not like they think..."
"Powers?" Kelix questioned, intrigued. “What kind do they want?”
"The kind… that can call upon the beast inside," Tiamare said, her voice trembling. "I just want to go home."
"Then let's get out of here," Idalia urged. "But we need to be quick. We're not safe yet."
Tiamare hesitated, remaining seated on the floor. "I… I'm not sure if I can trust a child and a T-Rex beast." Her eyes widened. "No, I didn't mean it that way! I just think it would—"
Without another word, Kelix held up the keychain and then pointed to the pendant draped around Tiamare's neck. Tiamare gasped.
"Why do you—" she paused, her expression darkening with sorrow. "It seems that Father is gone… and you have his treasure." She looked down, clutching the pendant tightly, raw sadness etched on her face.
Kelix stepped closer, his voice steady. "We're here because of him. Rian fought for you. We won't let his sacrifice be in vain."
Idalia nodded, feeling a swell of determination. "We'll get you home, Tiamare. But we need to stick together. Are you with us?"
The girl hesitated, her eyes darting between the two of them, but then she took a deep breath. "Okay. I'll trust you. Just… let's hurry!"
"Good choice," Kelix said, relief flooding his voice. "Now, let's find a way out."
Idalia flinched, surprised by the tone of his voice—it suggested retreat. That wasn't the warriors way. Idalia swung her head toward him, snarling. "Wait. You're not insisting on abandoning your mission, are you? Your prey—The Colonel is within reach, yeah?"
Kelix glanced at her, a flicker of doubt washing over his face. "No, I won't abandon my mission. But freeing Tiamare is part of it. She deserves to be safe."
Idalia kind of felt a sense admiration toward those words. "Right! Then let's move quickly."
Tiamare nodded, her expression shifting from fear to resolve. "Lead the way."
Before any steps were made by the group, an idea blossomed in Idalia's mind with the best possible outcome.
"Portal time!" She didn't roar; instead, she unleashed a yawn, the air split in front of her—a portal swirled in front of her. Perfect.
"How about this? Tiamare gets to leave—destination: the ruin caves to hide in! Kelix gets to fight the Colonel. Everyone succeeds! Am I brilliant or what?"
Tiamare and Kelix exchanged a look. Tiamare appeared puzzled and uncertain, but Kelix shrugged and smiled in approval. "You can trust Ida. The portal is a bit disorienting when stepping through for the first few times, but I can assure you it is safe," he said.
Still, Tiamare seemed distressed. "But that means you kids will be left to fight against that man. I cannot bear that guilt on my conscience! I can't just run away while the two of you face danger!"
Idalia puffed out her chest, ready to reassure her. "Hey, Tia! We can handle this! We've already tackled a big scary knight together. Plus, you'll be safe in the caves! Trust me, the Colonel won't think to look for you there."
"But what if he—" Tiamare started, her voice trembling.
"Listen," Kelix interjected gently, "the sooner you're safe, the sooner we can deal with him. He's the real threat, not us. You'll be helping us by getting to safety first."
Tiamare chewed her lip, uncertainty still swirling in her eyes. But then, something in Kelix's steady gaze must have reassured her because she took a deep breath, nodding slowly. "Okay… I'll go."
"Great!" Idalia cheered, her heart feeling lighter. "Just step through. You'll be alright. I promise!"
She focused her energy, feeling the magic gather within her. With a flick of her tail, the air shimmered, and the swirling portal opened wider, glowing with colors like a sunset. "Go on! You've got this!"
Tiamare hesitated at the edge, looking back at Kelix and Idalia. "Thank you… for everything," she whispered before stepping through.
As the portal closed behind her with a soft pop, the chamber felt eerily quiet. Idalia turned to Kelix.
"Now it's just us. Ready to take down the Colonel?"
Kelix nodded, his resolve hardening his features. "Absolutely. Let's finish this." He handed her a vial, and she instantly slurped down the sweet, bitter substance, her nose crinkling. "Ew! Gross!"
But the results were potent and evident.
{Health: 22% → 89%}
The next vial, a green liquid that looked like fire, made her chest tingle with warmth. She was now rejuvenated.
{Mana: 36% → 85%}
It was time to take down the boss. Perhaps once the Colonel has been beaten, he would spiel the whereabouts of her Papa.
Please be advised. Trigger warning for those of you who might be adverse to sensitive content next chapter:
Emotional Intensity Content Warning!
10 chapters ahead [or 5 weeks of reading time ahead of RR]. Have a good one!