No More Secrets - The Caregivers: Part 1

No More Secrets
The Caregivers: Part 1

   Both Elywen and Shira started to show signs of fatigue, especially Shira, but both of them were stubborn enough to keep the fierce dance going. Meline and Aethone didn’t grow tired of cheering Elywen, while Roihiran thought it to be best to use the ongoing chaos to slip away from the scene and continue searching for his way out of the Beneath on his own. The battle went on, even though both needed to take short breaks to catch their breaths, while Elywen was impressed how Shira was still standing, despite receiving decent arcane damage from the Winged Witch while Shira was wondering how much longer would it take till Elywen’s attacks started to lose power.

“Shira, that’s enough!”

   A stern feminine voice interrupted the show during one of those staredown breaks, which caused absolutely everyone to turn to look towards an entrance on the arena’s side. To Meline’s great joy and Aethone’s relief, Cailu had made it back with three new veiled Haedians. One of the veiled ones was heavily covered with jewelry crafted from gemstone and precious metals, she glistened beautifully even in the eerie red light and her presence brought refreshing relief to the thick oppressing atmosphere. Shira definitely wasn’t pleased by the mysterious new figure’s appearance as she viciously hissed at her, but obeyed her command by turning around and leaving the arena. Elywen inhaled from minor relief before her attention fully shifted to the veiled Haedian. Meline and Aethone decided to leave their seats and rushed over to Elywen to see if the sorceress needed support or aid. Looks like Cailu had the same idea as he ran to them, greeting his friends once again with a beaming smile as he was genuinely glad they were alright.

“Please, come with me.”

   The veiled figure spoke before turning around, her other two companions doing the same while the angered members of the Order respectfully cleared the path for her. Cailu encouraged Meline, Aethone and Elywen to come with him as he assured they were safe from harm now. Elywen seemed slightly reluctant, but based on what Meline had briefly told her about their guide before the brawl with Shira started, she adjusted her wings and left the arena with her regular graceful gait. Cailu followed her, eyes still glistening from joy as Meline and Aethone smiled at him as a thanks for keeping his promise.

   When they had crossed the Order’s territory borderlands, the air became breathable again and the glowing crystals around them started to take their regular pastel green or blue hues. The veiled Haedians didn’t speak a word as they carried on, the rescued topsiders and Cailu a little further behind them. Cailu used this opportunity to exchange introductions with Elywen before he started to explain what was going to happen next. The Governess - the adorned Haedian whose presence made Shira behave - was taking them to the Caregivers’ corner of the Beneath. He seemed very excited as this was supposed to be their final test they had to pass in order to meet the fabled Matriarch. Meline was definitely relieved that their goal was close to completion, but the idea of facing another unknown test which decides their fate elevated her heart rate from anxiety. Aethone managed to seem calm, but she also experienced the nervousness intruding her mind the more she thought of the nature of the upcoming trials. It was hard to say what Elywen was thinking, or how she even reached so far and deep into the Haedian realm on her own in the first place.

   The glowing crystals populated the walls, floors and even the ceiling of the tunnel more densely as they progressed further. Their surroundings became pleasantly clean and light, wiping away the remains of the uncanny chills in their bones left by the Order clan. It didn’t take long till the tunnel grew into a spacious cavern where the ceiling was glistening from countless crystals like a clear starry night sky. This view left Meline breathless, while Aethone’s attention was more focused on the springwater pools scattered throughout the whole space, every single one of them surrounded by even more glowing crystal formations. Elywen sensed a strong flow of magic surrounding her in here, so she focused on tapping into it to sense the essence of it - was it used for doing good deeds or not?

   The Governess carried on deeper into the cavern with the other two handmaidens, while it was up to Cailu to explain what was going to happen here.

“So, welcome to the Caregivers clan! This is my home and I’m really glad you made it here. In order to meet our leader, the Matriarch, you need to show us your souls.”

   Cailu purposely stopped here to observe Meline’s and Aethone’s confused reactions. Even Elywen gave Cailu a scowl in expectation to hear more. Cailu chuckled lightheartedly before he continued.

“We’re not going to rip your souls out of your bodies, more like peer into them. For that, we have those pools here.”

   He gestured at the view behind him, which made Elywen realize that the transparent liquid in them wasn’t regular water. Meline and Aethone hadn’t figured that out yet, so inquiring more info from Cailu he only said they needed to get in before the process could begin. He assured them that everything is perfectly safe and painless, they only need to let go of fear and relax. Seeing everyone’s hesitant glances towards each other, Cailu offered that they can walk around in here to familiarize themselves with their surroundings. Meline and Aethone agreed with this idea as they carefully started their descent closer to the mysterious crystal-laden pools and the ethereal cavern shielding them. Elywen stopped next to Cailu, asking something in a low serious voice, to which Cailu softly nodded, still smiling warmly. Elywen seemed to need a bit of time to process the answer, so she decided to follow the other two topsiders to take a tour around here in hopes to crack open a few magical secrets this place was holding.