Return the Gem to its Rightful Owner

You return to the center of town and quickly work your way back to the prophet, careful to avoid any interaction with anyone. By keeping your head and voice down, you manage to make it back to the derelict building where the witch lives. You walk in the door and the same apathetic man behind the counter is still consumed by ennui.

“Still going to hang out with that old wench? Still don’t give half a shit.”

The man laughs cruelly before flinging a piece of balled-up mold he had evidently been fidgeting with at you.

You ignore him and hurry into Room 02.

“Maitheanas?” You ask into an empty room.

You slowly creep into the second room and see Maitheanas lying supine and looking as debilitated and inert as ever. You call her name again yet she doesn’t respond. You quickly grab the staff and pull out the gem. You were worried about fastening the gem back in, but fortunately the bond between the two items seems to be so great that the gem is vacuumed into its place in the staff.

As the gem and the staff reunite, brilliant blue light emanates from the staff and forms dancing caustic optics around the room. Maitheanas opens her eyes but still does not speak. You can see the effects of the gem quite easily. Her hair thickens, the color returns to her lips and cheeks, her skin begins to regain moisture and clear complexion.

“They took her.”

You stare at Maitheanas with a blank expression.

“Afuwa. My grandniece. They took her.”

You bite your lip. You aren’t sure how to respond.

“Before we can take on Fushi, I need to know that she is alright. Please, find her and bring her back to me. They are probable… punishing her… near the center of town. Please do me this one favor.”

You can’t help but feel like going all the way out to swim into an underwater cave and almost become a brood mother for a disgusting tentacle mucus monster to retrieve a magic gem already counts as a favor. You let out a sigh, because you know your hands are tied. If Maitheanas is to be trusted, and you’re fucked if she isn’t, then victory will be impossible without her. And now that means you need to find and save Afuwa, potentially further endangering her and yourself.

You sigh.

“I’ll find her.”