Isaac blinked, realizing immediately that this wasn't the same cave they had entered from.
The stone here was different — a deep blue, its smooth surfaces wrapped in curling vines that shimmered faintly. Between the cracks, tiny motes of light spilled through, drifting lazily into the air like glowing dust.
He drew in a slow breath… and held it.
It had been a long time. Too long.
Even if he didn't want to admit it, he'd missed this sensation.
The quiet hum of mana in the air.
The heavy stillness that came with stepping into a world not meant for humans.
Being inside a Gate felt… natural. Comforting.
Like coming home.
---
Trish, however, seemed utterly unfazed. She simply studied him, her expression unreadable, before finally speaking.
"What was that potion? I've never seen anything like it."
Isaac exhaled, letting the breath he'd been holding escape slowly.
"It's similar to a mana supplement," he said casually. "This Gate wasn't mature enough for the door to open on its own. I just… gave it a little help."
Trish's gaze flickered.
She hadn't expected that he opened an immature Gate? She'd never even heard of such a thing being possible.
Isaac, noticing her silence, just sighed and motioned for her to follow.
"Come on. We've got a lot to do, and not much time to do it."
---
The tunnel twisted for several minutes before widening into a massive chamber.
Isaac stopped and turned to her.
"From here on… don't do anything. No matter what you see or hear, don't attack unless I tell you to."
Trish gave a short nod.
The space ahead was enormous — easily large enough to fit an apartment building. The air was damp, and the faint sound of dripping water echoed against the glowing blue stone.
Isaac bent down, picking up a loose rock, and tossed it into the darkness.
A faint splash.
The water responded instantly, rippling with a soft, phosphorescent glow that spread outward from the impact. The light revealed what lurked in the shadows.
They weren't alone.
Dozens of creatures hunched along the cavern walls, limbs long and thin, their skin slick and dark like wet stone. Faces twisted into something inhuman — flat, fishlike features with blank, milky eyes.
Sleeping. For now.
Isaac dropped low, gesturing for Trish to crouch as well.
He pointed to the edge of the glowing pool, where a small cluster of pale flowers bloomed from the damp rock. Their petals shimmered faintly, swaying in the still air.
"That's your goal," he whispered. "Those creatures won't wake unless they smell blood. Don't provoke them. Take as many flowers as you can carry. I'll be back."
Trish gave no sign of fear, only a small nod of understanding.
Then, without another word, Isaac stepped forward and dove into the glowing water — vanishing beneath the rippling surface.