The cavern was quieter than usual, the heavy breath of the ancient earth weighing down on the three figures inside. Richard sat on a jagged stone, the fingers tightly curled against his knees as Akumo's words resonated within him. He had heard many strange things in his time: magicians who turned mountains to dust, warriors whose blows split rivers, spirits that whispered curses into the wind. Nothing compared to the revelations from this ancient man who had revived him.
For several long moments, he sat in silence, watching the dim blue flames flicker across the cracked walls. Raviel stood like a shadow behind Akumo, enormous and not moving, the faint glow of darkness wrapped around his enormous form. Richard's mind twisted through everything he had seen: the failed summoning, Raviel's overwhelming power, Akumo's effortless command. He remembered with humiliation how weak he'd felt moments ago.
But a truth settled in him slowly:
Alone, he was unable to do anything.
Not anymore.
