The Segacorn's Jewel: Part 6

Written by: Twizzler0171

When the cave started to get too dark for them to see, a glow appeared in front of the four. They slowed their pace slightly, wary of what might be in front of them. As they got closer to the glow, they were able to make out the shape of a torch. The torch wasn't lit – well, it was, but not with fire – but it gave off a bright glow that illuminated the cave around them for quite a distance.

“Odd,” Breanna said. “I wonder what it is. And who put it there... I don't think I like this very much, though.”

Nikarin nodded, glancing behind them. No one was there, but then, that was what she had expected. She had the strange feeling of being watched, but it wasn't from behind her that the sensation came. She snorted lightly, uncomfortable.

“Well... if we are going to find Prince, we had better continue.” Karina said, and started forward.

They hadn't gone far before they reached a fork in the cave. Like the path they were following, both tunnels were well kept, and they could see the now familiar glow of the strange torches. They paused, unsure of which way to go, until they heard a bark come from the right side. Quickly they followed after the sound.

They had not traveled for more than two miles when they came to a large cavern. They entered it cautiously, noting that the cavern was filled with more of the odd lights. Yet there were more things inside as well – things that could only have been houses. All of them were made out of rock, yet there were windows carefully made in all shapes and sizes, stuck in the houses at the oddest moment, seemingly without a care what it looked like. They looked around, still wary but it was slowly giving way to curiosity.

“It's a child!” Breanna cried out suddenly, pointing in between two of the odd looking houses. Nikarin hushed her quickly, stiffening her back, and began to watch the figure.

The figure looked up at them, clearly as alarmed as Nikarin was. She – at least, it seemed to be a she from this distance – froze for a moment, and then ran off quickly down the pathway made by the houses. She stopped in front of one, and opened the door, calling out something they could not understand.

A few moments passed and the girl became impatient. A long while later, the door opened once more, and another figure stepped out. This one wasn't young and spry as the girl was – no, this one was old and slow. Even at a distance, Karina could almost hear the figure's joints creaking as it moved. A second later, the girl turned and ran again, this time towards them.

. Curiosity bound the group fast, and they were forced to remain there as the girl came up to them. She looked similar to an Elf, but she was stockier, and her ears weren't pointed. Her hair was a deep red, and her eyes a fierce violet. Her skin was pale, almost as if she had never seen the sun in her entire life. She studied the four for a moment or two, and then spoke.

“The Old One says to wait here. It needs to speak to all of you,” the girl said. “I am Cloran, a Dwarf.”

Nothing else was said until the other figure – the Old One – arrived. It then spoke in a light, raspy voice – quick and fleeting as the wind. “Welcome, we have long awaited you here. You are lucky my Cloran found you, for she still believes in the stories of old. It has been a long time since someone from the Surface has come here, and longer still from the Skies. And yet, we are graced by both at the same time,” It paused to stiffly bow, then continued.

“I think I know who you are, no introductions are necessary. Yet, I do not know the Black One – and he is not one of you. I wonder how he arrived here?” the Old One mused, straining its eyes to get a closer look at Arron. “Ah, yes. He cannot see us, or the Surface dweller. He can see our homes, but nothing more. That shall soon change, I hope.”

“One of us? What do you mean?” Karina asked, turning her head slightly in confusion.

“You are the children of the world before the Ground, Surface, and Skies were separated. You can pass through all three without being hurt – and, I assume, those whom pass with you,” the Old one answered, although it wasn't much of one, and only managed to confuse Karina more. The Old One took no notice, and continued on.

“Segacorn, you have lost something, haven't you? No, not you, necessarily... but your people. Yes, the Jewel, the Segacorn's Jewel. That is it. We have it – but only one here can get it,” it said, turning to slightly to look at Karina. “That person, Elf, is you. You are the only one who can retrieve the Treasure of the Segacorns.”

Karina stepped backwards, blinking in disbelief.