Back to your original idea, destroy the source of these djinns!

"Well, I think it's best to try to destroy these crystals that are spawning these creatures," you suggest.

"There are at least hundreds of them laying around! Plus, even if we manage to crush all these crystals, what is there to say that it will help in the fact we're trapped?" Nathraena argues.

"Well, that's the only thing I can think of. What if these crystals are keeping us here?" you question.

Nathraena rubs the bridge of her nose as she sighs. "I can't think of any other plan, so we'll just have to go with it. If we end up here for eternity though, at least, we can rest without any of these djinns floating around us."

The drow is being a little cheeky, but it's clear she just wants to move on. You did as well, so as tiring as it is, this is the only action you can take.

The minotaur wastes no time and surprises you and the drow as he crushes two crystals into dust just when they are about to shine brightly. As a result, no djinns spawns and the wall darkens without the light of the crystals.

Unfortunately, you and Nathraena lack the brute strength of the minotaur which means that it is better to kick as hard as possible. The dark elf snorts.

"Well, it's a good thing I have boots now."

It was tedious and a more difficult for you and the drow as the crystals were much harder than the enemies it spawns, yet you pulled through. If it weren't for Djarrus, it would've probably taken longer.

Still, the **** you feel back when crushing the crystals is enough for your legs to feel like mush, especially after kicking at least ten. You didn't echo any complaints and neither did the drow, but you can see that she is struggling as well with her legs visibly shaking.

The good thing about breaking the crystals is that the djinns had less places to spawn from and as a result, their numbers dwindled. The bad thing is that slowly, you were being shrouded in darkness which isn't terrible, but you have grown accustomed to light being provided in some way. You aren't like an elf who can see easily in the dark, so it feels annoying when you have to remain visibly blinded.

Eventually, Djarrus crushed seemingly the last crystal that glowed in the surrounding darkness. After that, you sigh as you are blinded by the darkness of the mountain once more.

Nathraena chuckles as you express your disappointment. "Daeel, could it be you're not well apted in the darkness? I assume that being a ranger, you've been in complete darkness before."

You curl your lips, feeling inadequate from the drow who can see better. You feel it isn't fair to have such high expectations of you.

"Of course I have and I get around my lack of sight using other senses, but I'm still human. I'd prefer to see if I can," you explain.

Nathraena hums and you are surprised as you feel her grabbing your hand. "Sorry, I did not mean to criticize your abilities. You've been a tremendous help to me and extremely skilled in having my back."

You feel yourself a little uplifted by the drow's praise. Clearing your throat, you know it isn't good to let yourself become distracted

"Anyways...Djarrus, let's keep moving and let's hope something has changed. This is the time where I hope the mountain shifts," you instruct.

The minotaur grunts in response and you hear his heavy footsteps moving forward. To make sure you keep a proper distance from him, you carefully planned your footsteps. You pull away your arm but is surprised to feel Nathraena keeping a tight hold of your hand.

"Don't worry, I can walk without worrying about my step," you reassure, but the drows hums in dissent.

"I don't doubt your abilities, Daeel, but it's better to hold one's hand in comfort, no?"

You raise your eyebrows. She could probably see your disbelief. "You need comforting now?"

Nathraena is not amused as her grip on your hand tightens worryingly. "In some ways, yes. Are you going to **** me to spell it out loud?"

"A-alright, alright..." you back down, sighing as her hand loosened. You grip her hand in response and remain close to her as you walk slowly behind the minotaur.

"Can you honestly tell me you've never held your wife's hand in comfort? My sister and I had no problem holding hands," Nathraena asks, keeping her senses on alert in case there are any creatures missed.

You snort, curling your lips up as you try to recall. "Not really like this. We've comfort ourselves in...more aggressive ways."

"Oh?" she raises her eyebrows, "Please do tell."

You smirk, unable to help mess with her expectations. "Well, since we're both rangers, we regularly train with each other in the morning and she always manages to knock me down hard. That's pretty much the only time she extends her hand to me."

Even if you can't see it, you can tell Nathraena is not amused as silence fills the air aside from everyone's footsteps. She doesn't let go of your hand and then surprisingly snorts.

"Well, I know who's on top in bed at least. Perhaps you aren't as skilled as I thought you to be," she quips.

You widen your eyes. "H-hey!"

No creatures attacked you in surprise while moving in the dark. You can still smell your own scent ahead which meant that crushing the crystals did nothing but stop the djinn creatures from spawning.

Before you are ready to give up and try to discuss a different plan, Djarrus gives a surprised grunt. Both you and Nathraena widens their eyes as a blue light illuminates several meters ahead.

"Did we miss one?" you question out loud.

Nathraena hums, her face becoming more visible the closer she moved forward. Her eyes are narrowed and her lips are curled as she studies the light closely with her keen eyes.

"No, this is...different. There are not creatures around either," she notes.

Djarrus hums in acknowledgment. "It would appear you were right to crush all these crystals, human. Something is different now. It appears to be a different pathway leading somewhere else."

You utter a small noise in surprise. Who knew that to finally see something different, you had to surround yourself in darkness. It is clear that the presence of the crystals changed the surroundings somehow.

You gasp as you recall knowledge of a wizard explaining crystals. You didn't listen very well, but you did remember an important property of crystals.

"Oh! Maybe the crystals were bending light around us and hiding this passage! That's the only thing I can remember from a wizard once," you informed.

Nathraena narrows her eyes at you skeptically. "Bend light that much?"

You shrug, not anywhere decisive, but you had reasons to believe. "The crystals we crushed aren't normal, so it could be that's why we've been going in circles. It made us believe there was only one path forward."

Nathraena hums, looking forward again. "Well, it doesn't matter how I guess. What's important is that we're able to move forward again."

You can certainly agree to that.

Cave by Nele-Diel

When you entered into the lighted pathway, your eyes widen as a new environment reveals itself before you. The path is split into two and for the first time, you can say that these parts of the caverns were definitely carved by others who may have been here long before. Who knows, they could still exist within the mountain which means that you have to be on guard.

Still, the area before you is nothing short of breathtaking and beautiful. Crystal blue water flows down into a small river from a glowing illuminated altar to the right. You aren't sure if it really is an altar, but when you have a blue light streaking and feel calmed by the water, it is hard to say it's anything else. You aren't even sure if the blue liquid is just water or something else. For now, it's best to not drink it until you examine it closer.

For the most part, the area glows blue, but to the right, there is a stairway leading to a warm-colored path. It looks like there is a fire burning from perhaps torches laying around but you can't be for sure. Maybe there really is a group of people close by.

"Djarrus-"

"No, I do not recognize this place. This was carved by a different group of people. We best be on our guard," the minotaur cuts it as if reading your thoughts.

You hum, wondering if you should feel worried or not. Everywhere you've walked felt like danger could strike at any time, but here...it feels like you are finally safe.