A few hours later, the cohort continued venturing further into the depths of the hollow mountains.
While, not knowing how deep they were exactly, they simply knew that they were in the belly of the mountain, by now.
Surely, it couldn't be much further.
After several more hours, distant rustles began reaching their ears. No one knew what that could mean, until the sounds started getting clearer, until they were eventually able to identify what that was.
Running Water.
Soon, after identifying the origin of the sounds, they reached it; a wide underground river.
With the still very limited sight, this place could've just as well been the entrance to the underworld. The water had no hints of a salty smell, was entirely ink black, and there were hints of mist rising from the surface of it.
Close by was a small pier, with one stone pillar on it. Tied to this pillar was a rope, which was, in turn, holding a beautifully crafted boat, made of pale wood, which swayed lightly on the surface of the black river.
'Seriously, does every water source that exists in this god-forbidden place need to be some cursed, black water?' after having appreciated the 'beauty' of this scene for a second, Ray needed to curse a bit, in his mind.
If this went on, he was sure; he would definitely develop an aversion to the color black, and possibly the sea too.
Nevertheless, this should be one of the very last hurdles on their path to finding the first lord's remains…
Slowly getting back to the scene, Ray noticed the others already lining up the bind themselves together with the golden rope, and made his way over.
Not much later, all seven of them were bound together, at their waists, making sure; no one will get lost from the group. After all, from the information their seer had been able to glimpse, they should, under no condition, open their eyes, while traversing this next part.
Then, just to be sure no one would unconsciously open their eyes, Nephis pulled out seven strips of cloth, along with a block of wax, and then turned to Effie first.
"You're first, Effie…"
Ray could only imagine the unwilling look on Effie's face, during what happened next.
From the back, Ray was able to observe the process relatively good. Effie tightly shut her eyes, before Nephis would use her flames to heat up the wax, before spreading it over the closed eyes of Effie.
When the wax was spread, she would bind the strip of cloth, adding another layer of protection for the eyes.
After that, she nodded in satisfaction, and moved on to the next person. This continued until everyone, besides her had wax on their eyes.
Yes, everyone, even Cassie, for some reason…
Shaking his head slightly, Ray couldn't help, but think of his first nightmare for a second, 'Guess I'm back to being blind, huh…'
Then, before entering the boat, Nephis did the same to her own eyes, and followed her comrades into the small boat.
From this point onward, Sunny would be their guard, since he was the only one possible to navigate in such a situation, which was also the reason he had been hired, in the first place. At least, officially.
As they entered the wall of mist, which had been there this whole time, just outside the periphery of their side, just above the black surface of the river, no one spoke a word.
It was, as if they had reached an unspoken agreement, which forbid anyone from speaking here.
A few minutes later, their boat suddenly bumped into something, followed by someone jumping of the boat, Sunny presumably.
After a few second, the young man helped everyone disembark from the boat, and guided them further, when everyone was back on solid land.
Though, one had to mention, there seemed to be a short pause, when it was Ray's turn, and for a second, the still swaying young man could've sword, Sunny was thinking about leaving him behind, before abandoning the thought.
Since no one could actually see, besides Sunny, they all simply followed him, as he guided them to who knew where. They simply had to trust him, there was no other way.
Unknown to them, they had already entered another labyrinth of tunnels.
They all walked for an unknown amount of time, before a few simple sentences were heard in the silence, which had accompanied them, until now, "Welcome. Rest now. Your… nightmare is over."
After that, it was again an unknown amount of time, which they walked through the darkness, before Sunny eventually stopped again, and everyone felt a small tug on the rope.
It had, most likely, been their blind seer, who helped their not too successful 'guide' to find the exit.
This was at least what ray hypothesized, since they continued, a moment later.
And then, a familiar sound was, at first, barely audible, before it slowly but surely grew louder.
It was indeed the sound of running water. They had made it through the labyrinth of mist. Still, right now, they hadn't made it completely out.
This time, there wasn't a boat the cohort needed to take, but a bridge, which led across the sea, and away from the mist.
Sunny, was hesitant for a moment, but eventually led them towards, and then over it.
This whole experience felt weird, for all of the sleepers present. For some more, for some less.
Being robbed from one of your senses was always something that no human wanted to experience, but something that one of them had to live with, simply due to passing her first nightmare.
As for Ray, it felt even more perplexing. On one end, he had once actually lost his senses, one after the other, and therefore had, at least, a partial resistance to this feeling, but he also noticed how this time felt entirely different.
'What is it…? A mind attack…? But, was there one now, or back then?'
Being brought back from his daydreaming, due to the sudden change of the ground, he quickly noticed how the mist was apparently, already gone.
'So, we made it…?' he thought, before an amused expression crossed his face, 'And, hey, Sunny hasn't stabbed me for what happened on the statue, a few days ago. I call that a win. Maybe there is still hope for him…'
Very soon came the confirmation from Cassie, after Sunny had asked, that hey were indeed out of the danger from the mist.
As soon as the okay was given, everyone began removing, first the cloth strips, and then the wax from their eyes.
When they were finally able to see again, all of them immediately noticed that they were standing on the shore of the river, they had just passed, which was still in the midst of an enormous cave.
A couple meters away from them was another tunnel entrance, leading them even further into the underground. While that was what most were concentrating on, two of the people present looked instead to one of their sides, and what sat there.
Soon enough, the others noticed the distinct directions, and even the intensity of their gazes, before looking where these two's gazes were directed.
Then, they saw it too.
The skeletal remains of a human.
The remains of the sleeper, who was always referred to by his title by them, the first bright lord.
The skeleton sat on the shore of the river, gazing in the direction of the mist labyrinth, and what had most likely been the resting place of his prior comrades, all while his back remained straight, even years after his death.
It sat there in a semblance of tranquility and calmness, so much so that it was awe inspiring.
Not being able to help it, all of them walked over, wanting to pay their last respects, led by none other than Sunny.
All of them remained there, for a moment, in complete silence, before a single sigh could be heard, and a hand stretched out towards the head of the skeleton.
[...you have received a memory, Dawn Shard]
"…"
"…"
There was a long, and tense moment of silence, as two people made eye contact, both having shocked expressions on their faces.
"...give me the memory, Ray."
He did not answer her, and instead looked at the runes of what he had just received. Upon finishing to read it, an amused expression appeared on his face, once again.
"Hmm, and why would I do that?"
"This is the only way to beat Gunlaug." Nephis said matter-of-factly.
"I'm not saying it is not, just… why should you be the one to wear it?" Ray challenged again.
By this point, the others had also somewhat grasped the situation, at least partly. Ray and Nephis had also stood up, and were in a tense standoff.
While at first wanting to stay out of it, the neutrality of the other members was quickly ended, when Caster took place next to Nephis, shortly after followed by Cassie.
This gave Effie and Kai no other choice, than choose their side themselves.
And just like that, the cohort was split, and stood on two opposing sides, with Sunny still being on the sides, not entirely decisive which side was right.
"Hey buddy, what kind of memory is it that you two are arguing like that about it?" Kai asked hesitantly from the side.
"Well, to make it short, it is an aura charm type memory that can empower any, and all memories around it." Ray answered.
"But, if it empowers any, and all memories around it, ...then why is it that much of a problem who wears it? Won't we all get the bonus?" This time, it was Effie who asked rather confused, by the sudden tension.
As the standoff continued, Nephis eventually sighed, and raised her hands in defeat, before anyone could summon their weapons.
"Alright, what do you want? It isn't really about the memory, right?"
The smile on Ray's face turned even brighter, and even genuine, "Ah, wonderful how you can be reasonable, for once. I indeed have no real need for this memory. While it truly is a remarkable work of art, there is something I'd much rather have."
Changing Star's face turned complicated, "And what is it that you'd rather want?"
"One favor."
"…"
"I will give you the memory for exactly one favor, and the right of shared ownership for the memory. Those are my demands."
"...shared ownership? And how would you enforce this?" She asked hesitantly.
"I have my methods. So, what will it be? Yes, or no?"
Nephis seemed to wager her options for a moment, before nodding in acceptance.
"Ah, wonderful! Then, do you Changing Star, agree that for the price of this memory, you will owe me one favor, of any kind, as well as the right of shared ownership over the so-called Dawn Shard?"
"I agree."
As soon as the contract had been made, and a bit of his essence disappeared, Ray reached out his hand towards the other party, fully contend with his deal.
He had spoken the truth, there was no need for him to have this particular memory, after all. Sure, it would be useful to have, but it wasn't to the point of completely shattering ties with everyone here, especially considering that there was no way back, without the other part of the cohort.
When Nephis also offered her hand, Ray gave her the memory, and nodded in satisfaction, "Pleasure doing business."
'I guess, I'm also somewhat of a business man now…'
The tension between the two camps seemed to disappear slowly, and completely when Nephis then summoned the memory that had just caused this conflict.
-x-
I know that some may argue about, how stupid this decision was, but quite frankly; i have already given the reason for it in this chapter. Also, it would be way too short-sighted to insist on the memory now.
Just, pls trust me, it is all going according to plan.
...besides how long this arc takes...