To Light the Path Forward

John moved towards one of the side walls as they fanned out, eyes sweeping over the stony surface.

‘Anything in particular you’re looking for?’ Senka asked, having retreated to his aura to save mana.

‘I’m trying to see if I can see a Skyrim door,’ he answered, extending a hand to the wall, fingers tracing along its facade.

John felt a small wave of mild confusion filter through their bond, followed by a swift realization.

‘Ah, a quick exit,’ Senka thought.

‘Yeah. Since the last part of the quest is ‘grab the goods and run’, I’m wondering if there’ll be some exit route that’ll take us back here,’ John elaborated.

‘It would seem this wall is a dud then,’ the spirit concluded once John reached the last unobscured portion.

John nodded then looked towards the back wall of the chamber, where the sole visible path forward lay.

‘I doubt any escape route would open up on that wall, so let’s check the other side,’ John thought. Before he could march his way across the chamber, Teri’s excited voice echoed through the room, drawing everyone’s attention to her, crouched by the base of a tree.

“I found a chest!” she announced, reaching between the twisting roots and hauling out a modest looking wooden chest by a rusted but still well attached metal handle.

The goblin girl looked at the chest with excited eyes, her ears quivering as the party grouped around her.

“Nice,” John said as he inspected the box. “I say the finder gets the honors of opening it.”

“No objection from me,” Aeolia chimed in, followed by Vivian nodding in agreement. Beth shrugged, though the grin she had spoke of her feelings. Senka didn’t say anything through their bond but her agreement with his decision flowed to John, making him smile.

“The party has spoken,” he announced with an exaggerated tone, like a king declaring some new law. “She’s yours to crack open.”

Teri beamed at him then moved her hands to the rusty latch. The degraded metal groaned as she worked at it, her happy expression morphing into one of frustration.

“It’s all rusted up,” she complained, pulling her dagger from her belt to pick at the ruined mechanism.

“Want me to take a swing at it?” Aeolia offered, shaking her glaive slightly.

“No, I can get this open,” Teri declined as she chipped away at the corroded metal. “Thanks, though. Just a bit more and… Got it!”

The latch clicked as Teri’s small blade removed the last of the oxidized residue that prevented its opening and she drew back the mechanism with a screeching groan. Teri took hold of the weathered wood and threw the lid open, the hinges screaming in protest. Then Teri’s expression dimmed as she saw what was inside.

“It’s a jar of dirt,” Beth deadpanned after the group was stunned silent by the contents of the chest. Lying inside was a large glass jar, close to a meter in length and a half across. “Guess that makes sense with this place being guarded by plant people, but man that’s a little disappointing.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” John cauctioned, taking a step closer to their discovery. “This could be some super dirt that promotes growing. That is why we’re here, remember. To see if we can gather stuff to help Teri’s people.”

John readied to cast Observe on the jar, hoping there was more to it than just dirt, but it vanished before he could trigger the skill, leaving the chest empty.

“Guess that bit about found loot being presented after the dungeon means we can’t even inspect what we find,” John said.

“At least we won’t have to lug it around,” Beth remarked.

“We’d have to find a lot of stuff to reach that point,” John shot back. “Got plenty of space in my inventory.”

Aeolia clicked her tongue. “Are we going to keep looking around here or head deeper in?”

John cast a glance at the wall he hadn’t inspected then shook his head. “Yeah, let’s get moving. But don’t go rushing in. I’m worried about traps or more jack-in-the-box enemies.”

“Not looking forward to that any more than you,” Aeolia commented as she shrank back to her innate size and flew towards the passage deeper into the temple.

The rest of the party followed after her, Beth first, then Vivian. John and Teri brought up the rear, the goblin’s expression pensive.

“You think that dirt really could be something useful for us?” she quietly asked John as they proceeded down the narrow corridor, patches of evring moss lighting the way.

“I mean, I can’t call it for certain,” John said, causing the goblin’s ears to droop and a hand to toy with the hem of the borrowed mantle. He hastily added, “But I can’t see one of the hidden loot items from this place being useless. Maybe we’ll find some kind of seeds to plant too.”

Teri’s expression lightened. “That would be nice. No need to have to go buy some. Though if we’re talking about what we hope to find, something really fast growing would be nice. I’ve got a bad feeling that Vrexty is pushing for this knowing it’ll take time and he’ll use that to push for another migration.”

“Why do you guys keep listening to him anyway?” Aeolia cut in as they began to descend down a series of stairs. “Sounds like he just doesn’t want to admit he sucks as a leader and is dragging you guys down with him.”

“He still has the support of people,” Teri said sadly, petting Kitai softly. “But I think he knows with a stable home and good friends in the area, he’s going to lose that support if he tries to move.”

“But wouldn’t throwing his weight behind setting up a farm mean he’d paint himself as a target if things don’t work out?” Vivian pointed out. “Not a good plan to support an endeavor he wants to fail so he can push for an alternative plan.”

“But this whole thing was my idea at the start,” Teri explained. “I declared you Blood Kin and that puts what follows on my shoulders. Vrexty can pivot off that and lay the blame on me, spinning it as he took my word as clan shaman and I failed to live up to the title.”

“Guess politics suck everywhere,” Beth said. “Is it getting darker down here or is it just me?”

Their descent had been growing progressively darker; the patches of evring moss became more spaced out and shadow obscured their path downward.

John turned to Vivian. “Think you can bend enough light down there?”

Vivian nodded then frowned in concentration. The green light around them dimmed, stretching a few more meters down into the dark.

“Don’t think I can spread it any further,” the redhead announced. “Not without making it too dim for us to see well.”

“That’s not really good if there are traps or more trees down there,” John muttered.

“Maybe we could pick up some of the moss and use it like a torch?” Beth suggested. “Hang on a sec.”

She turned on her heel and bound back up the stairway, squeezing past the others. Vivian let the light levels return to normal as Beth reached a patch of moss. She vainly pulled at the growth, pulling bits of it from the whole, staining her hand neon green.

“Yeah, this isn’t going to work,” she called back to them, wiping her hand on her shorts, spreading the glow to her upper thigh.

“Guess we have to go with the phone plan,” John said.

“I,” Teri spoke up, hand fiddling with the mantle, “I think I might be able to help.”

The goblin took a breath before she explained. “Traditionally, my predecessors could call upon the power of relics tied to our gods or warriors of old to work their spells. I think I can use those rites on the mantle.”

“And that’ll make a light?” Aeolia asked.

“It might,” Teri answered, her tone uncertain. “I’ve never actually done it. Those relics were lost or destroyed before I was even born and it’s more of a gut feeling that this’ll help. I get it if you don’t want to risk something happening to it, but…”

“I think it’ll be ok,” John cut her off.

“Really?” the goblin exclaimed, bewildered eyes staring at John.

“Yeah,” John said. “If this can help us progress deeper, I say we give it a go.”

“There’s a risk I could screw it up and ruin the mantle,” Teri explained. “That’s what happened to some of the relics.”

John shrugged. “It’s a cool piece of gear, sure. But its godliness isn’t really helping us right now. If it breaks or changes, then we’ll deal with that later.”

Teri opened her mouth, but words failed to manifest. Kitai let out a quivering trill, then flew over to John, landing on his head.

“Guess she’s for this plan,” John laughed, reaching up to scratch the small dragon’s head.

“Can’t back down after her endorsement, can I?” Teri asked, before taking a deep breath. “It’ll take me a minute to ready the ritual. Please remain quiet, I don’t want any distractions.”

Everyone remained silent as they watched Teri prepare herself. She closed her eyes and steadied her breathing. John likewise closed his eyes and tuned Arcane Sense towards her. Through the sedate aura of the dungeon and the warmth of the mantle, John felt Teri’s aura. It flowed like the tide, a steady rhythm of in and out. Then it stilled for a moment before it surged outward, meshing with the mantle’s aura.

The mantle’s warmth didn’t change but it began to roil, Teri’s magic pushing and pulling at it. Its aura turned into a roaring sea, pulsing as Teri did her work. For a few minutes there was just the interplay between the two auras, then the aura surged outward and a light flared to life, bleeding through his closed eyes, drawing gasps of surprise from the others.

John cracked his eyes open to see the pristine white fabric was now glowing with pure light, driving back the shadows around them.

“It worked,” Teri said breathlessly, the white light turning her skin several shades lighter. “It worked!”

“I don’t think any of us will forget it worked. It’s been burned into our eyes,” Beth complained, though her tone didn’t carry any rancor. “Think you can tone it down a bit?”

“Um,” Teri muttered, her eyes going out of focus. “I don’t think so. I think the best I could do is break off parts and have them stick to something else, but since we’re all grouped up, it’d be pointless.”

“I can’t manipulate this light,” Vivian remarked. “I can feel it, but I can’t take hold of it.”

“Guess godly light is above your skill level,” Aeolia said, turning her attention to John. “You getting any new info?”

“I was just about to scan,” John replied, focusing on the waves of magic flowing from the mantle and casting Observe.

The Lady’s Light
A luminescences invoked by Teri of Clan Golmerk. It carries The Lady’s protective nature, forcing back darkness and exposing dangers.

“Not a lot to go on,” John said, dismissing the display. “But getting some light that might drive back some baddies is nice. How long can you keep it up?”

“It’s not hard to maintain,” the goblin explained. “I could hold it for hours and still have enough mana to do my usual stuff.”

“Right then. Guess that means we’re good to go?” John asked the others. After everyone nodded, they resumed their descent. Several meters down past the edge of the dungeon’s moss based lighting system, the stairs ended, leading to a wide corridor. The only sign of plants were roots of varying sizes that had grown down from above and snaked along the walls and through the floor to reach the dirt below. As the party progressed down the hallway, a creeping feeling began to grow in John’s gut as he looked around, a nervousness Senka picked up on.

‘What’s worrying you?’ she asked soothingly.

‘Just thinking that this place would be a good place to put a trap,’ he explained. ‘Long straight passageway, no doors to the side. If I was going to design this place, I’d put something just over the halfway point. So the stairs would be too far away.’

Senka let out a thoughtful hum, considering his point.

‘I suppose being paranoid in a situation like this is understandable,’ she commented.

John kept his attention on the floor, expecting some kind of pressure plate or trip wire to be waiting for them before they reached the three archways at the end of the hall, one on the back wall and one on either side, the path beyond them as dark as the hall behind them.

“Guess these are the paths to those mini bosses the quest mentioned,” John said, feeling a bit silly over hyper focusing on nonexistent traps. He looked at the top of one of the archways, noticing the keystone had something inscribed on it. A quick glance at its siblings showed similar writing, all three worn by the passage of time.

Vivian noticed his gaze and peered at the keystones as well. “Think those might have some clue as to what’s ahead of us?”

“Could be,” John agreed. “Not that I can read whatever language that is. But maybe Observe can give a hint.”

John took aim at the central keystone and cast Observe.

Inscribed Keystone

The stabilizing element of the archway. The writing upon it speaks of what lays beyond it.

“Well, that was enlightening,” Beth quipped as John dismissed the display. “So now what? Just go down one at random and see where it leads?”

John was about to inform them that that indeed was his first idea, but then another popped into his head and he summoned his knife to hand.

‘You think this’ll work?’ John asked the weapon’s spirit, letting her in on his plan.

Senka hummed thoughtfully. ‘You’ll see something. At worst it’s a bit of mana spent.’

“You think looking into the past will help?” Vivian asked.

“Can’t hurt,” John said, causing Aeolia’s expression to sour. “I doubt this’ll cause feedback. There’s not some real place on the other side.”

“Hold the fuck on a second,” Beth interjected. “What the hell is all this about looking into the past?”

Teri remained quiet, but her eyes burned with curiosity. Kitai, still perched on John’s head, let out an inquisitive trill.

“It’s hardly fair to keep it a secret.” John chuckled. “Basically, if I cast my skills with elemental mana, it unlocks upgrades. With dark mana, I can use Observe to see some past event from the object’s perspective. I’m hoping that might give us some insight into what we’re up against.”

“That’s fascinating,” Teri breathed out. “How far back can you see?”

“The skill reads as showing the most recent impactful event,” John explained. “With how lacking in anything down here, the last important thing might be whatever’s down there heading in. It does use a bit more mana than normal so I can't use it too much. One use should be enough though.”

Explanation given, John turned to face the central arch, drew in one dark mana, mixing it with nine of his own, then cast Observe, throwing him into the memory.

---

Soft green light drew closer, banishing the dark like the approaching dawn. Six lithe figures processed, split into three pairs. In each, one carried a large seed, wisps of faint purple vapor rising from their surfaces. The partners to the seed bearers carried a small tree each, its leaves casting the light that guided them.

Each of the pairs was dressed differently than their fellows. The one that led the solemn march was a mismatched pair: the seed bearer clad in flowing robes, his partner in wooden armor. To their left, both wore armor. And to their right, they wore robes. The procession stopped just before the arches and they chanted a short prayer, their words a chorus of flowing musical sounds.

Their song ended, the armored pair turned to the left and proceeded down that path, followed by the robed pair mirroring them on the right. Once both had crossed the threshold of their respective arch, a film of pale yellow energy flared to life, blocking the entryway. Then the final pair stepped towards the center path, disappearing under the archway.

---

John blinked and found himself back in the present. “Good news, got some intel. Bad news, we might have to split up to do this.”

John quickly recounted his vision and the girls mulled over their details.

“I think what they were wearing means something,” Teri postulated. “One group of warriors, one of priests or mages, and one mixed. And since they were all carrying seeds, maybe each guardian is tailored to test that sort of pair. One for fighters, one for the more magically inclined and one for a team of the two opposites.”

Vivian adjusted her glasses as she let out a thoughtful hum. “Sounds reasonable. And if those barriers pop up, we’ll need to make sure our pairings are on point.”

Aeoila moved towards the left hand passage. “It’s pretty obvious this is my way. Who’s coming with me?”

‘John,’ Senka cut in. ‘Could you summon me and tie me to my knife? I think using thirty minutes worth should suffice. I have some thoughts on this situation.’

‘OK,’ John thought, funneling thirty mana into the knife and summoning Senka, the spirit manifesting next to him.

“Thank you,” the spirit said. “If I may put in my two cents, I believe it would be for the best if I went with Aeolia.”

“Why?” Aeolia was the first to question her reasoning. “I mean, no offense, but you’re more of a magic type.”

“True,” Senka admitted. “However, that may play to our advantage. If what’s down each path is tailored to test particular abilities, then my skills may make things easier than if you were paired with another melee oriented fighter.”

“That makes some sense,” John admitted, envisioning situations where Senka’s abilities could cover Aeolia. “Any other thoughts on who should go where? I figure I could go down the mixed route.”

“Actually, I believe it would be better for you to tackle the mage path,” Senka countered. “By the same logic as my accompanying Aeolia, you have your sword to fall back on. And I believe Teri should take that path as well. If my memory is correct, she has the highest mental stats of us all.”

“Really?” the goblin exclaimed, surprise evident on her face. “Are you sure Vivian wouldn’t be better suited for it?”

“Perhaps the difference between the two of you is small, but you floated the idea that the attire was the clue.”

“Yeah,” Vivian cut in. “You did figure that out. And my skills aren’t suited for quick fire spells. I think I would be better suited to the hybrid path.”

“Guess that means it’s you and me, then,” Beth said, playfully punching the redhead’s arm.

“Y-yes,” Vivian remarked. “Actually, I have some ideas on how we can best synergize.”

“Sounds great.” Beth grinned.

“So we’re doing this, huh?” John asked seriously. “If the doors seal behind us, that’s it.”

“We won’t know until we try,” Senka answered, gently taking her blade form from John’s hand, then lifted her other hand to his face. Her fingers stopped short of caressing his cheek; instead, she lightly placed the hand on his shoulder reassuringly, smiling softly. “I think the odds are in our favor.”

“Right then,” John muttered. “Guess it’s time to split up.”

Before everyone moved to their respective passageway, John quickly exchanged a good luck kiss with Vivian and Aeolia, the girls sharing one of their own as he joined Teri at the right archway. Kitai leapt off his head and flew back to rest on her owner’s shoulder, contrasting heavily with the glowing mantle.

Once everyone was in place, Teri willed the mantle’s light into two orbs which she attached to Vivian and Aeolia.

“Those should last for a while,” she informed them. “Hopefully it will be long enough for us to do whatever we need to do.”

Everyone nodded, then they all walked through their respective archway, **** fields erecting behind them, sealing their fates.

Thanks again for reading this little story. If you liked the chapter, please hit that thumbs up, and if you want to support my writing, check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/ScrapCrow. Get access to my chapters before they’re published here and join my private Discord.