Prep for the mission.

You stand before the seat of your Throne Room, armed and armoured, as you raise your hand to gather the attention of all those before you. It wasn't a demand for everyone to be present, though all of those who are close to you chose to attend. You can't help but pause for a moment and really take in the view of over two dozen people ready to hear your words. They care about you, and you them. That's why you need to do this. With one hand on the pommel of your magic sword, you speak aloud to your citizens.

"As some of you know already, I'll be heading out soon to undergo a stealthy solo quest. But don't worry. Thanks to this potion so masterfully brewed by our very own Dixby, I should be entirely undetected on my way there and while inside. I'm tired of reacting to everything Elok Daven, or David, does. It's time he reacts to us. I'm going to find what's needed to turn the tide no matter what."

Eva stumbles up through the crowd to grab onto your arm. "You better be safe, okay?" she asks while attempting to hide her anxiety. "If anything h-happen, you better flee back here. Keep that bravado in check."

When Amara approaches, she first lays a comforting hand on the shoulder of Eva before moving to brush her fingers gently down your chest. She looks you in the eyes with a face of concern. "You do not have to do this. I am sure we can--"

"You best come back in one piece!" Niki shouts, not only cutting off the elf's words but pulling all three of you into a tight embrace. After letting go, she keeps an arm around your shoulder and pushes her forehead against your own. "I know you're strong enough to handle anything, but I won't be there, so you'll have to be more cautious than usual."

"It's all good, everyone," you respond. "If things get too bad, I'll Bunny Hop back here. I promise." And though I might be missing the different skills everyone brings, I can't help but feel this might actually be easier by myself, especially since it involves subtlety. They've all come a long way from being entirely hopeless, but they're still goofballs. I think I'll miss them though. Their antics may sometimes lead to me almost dying, but they're also my goofballs.

You hold up the ornate flask containing the Elixir of No Finding. It's small, yet the craftsmanship is beautiful. It's wider on the base, but curves up to cork in the top, decorated further by raindrop shaped glass tip. The contents glitter and swirl as you move the vial back and forth. It's like a tiny cosmos of dark and bright purple clouds.

That isn't all you've gathered, however. In your pocket, you carry with you three vials of something else--potions of dark sight. While they may not last as long as your legendary elixir, they'll prove invaluable when you're deep underground and have no other light present.

"Thanks again, Dix," you say. "You too, Laira, Fava, and Luna."

Luna chuckles from further back in the crowd. "I don't believe I did much to help with that, but you're welcome."

"I don't know if I did either," says Laira.

Fava plops down atop her hair and gives her head a pat. "Sure you did. You provided stimulating moral support."

"What does that mean?"

You pop the lid from the flask and hold it up to your lips. "I'm going to be leaving then. Keep Castle Phoenix safe while I'm gone. If I need anything, I'll use the Sending Stone. I shouldn't be gone too long, though depending on how far this underground tunnel goes, it could even be a week or so, but I'll move as quickly as I can. See you soon, everyone." With that, you take a small sip of the potion. Even with such a tiny amount consumed, you feel its effects immediately. A strange tingling rushes through your body, and suddenly you're not even able to see your own two hands. Everyone ahead looks shocked to see you vanish, yet you're still right there.

"Did it work?" you try to say, though no words come from your mouth. You're completely silent. You even try to stomp your foot, yet it creates no sound.

Perfect. I can still feel my equipment on me, but I can't see any of it. Tricky. Either way, if people can't even hear my slamming my foot on the ground, I don't have to worry about moving slowly. I guess I better head out then. Better not waste anymore time.

With a long inhale through your nose, you shut your eyes and ponder home. Not your original home, however, nor this one. You remember Dragonhide Manor, the place you were gifted by Queen Catherine II after finishing a quest with Nyllia. That's where you and your party resided for some time, before everything fell apart. You can still picture it perfectly. And you know that beneath that is the tunnel in question. That's as far as you went last time, when you were travelling with Rose. Three, two, one... Bunny Hop!