Chapter 515: An Optimistic Cave, A Storm Of Emotions
"Azure."
"Sorry for making you wait, I’m back."
The first one to greet me when I came back was still the Dragon Clan’s Leader, Dru.
The rest of the soldiers looked like they still had the enthusiasm to celebrate the epic battle, but their tattered bodies couldn’t hold on any longer.
’It looks as if they had a long slumber party.’
Half of the lizardmen were out cold, scattered on the ground, while the other half were attempting to drag their comrades back to the stronghold, looking just as tired themselves.
’Well, it was a well-deserved celebration.’
Although their stance as the strongest clan of the Fire Domain might have unintentionally helped the Demons achieve their goals up to a point, they did stand against them in a kill-or-be-killed showdown.
There was no fallback plan, no retreat and hole up in the Stronghold. If the lizardmen had stopped pushing forward, they would have been stomped down by the Demons as they finally managed to take the throne that they desired so much.
Still, as much as I felt like they needed to be commended, I wished with all my heart that the residents of the next Domain wouldn’t make some similar mistake.
’That is if I end up going there...’
"We are here."
While I was still pondering on the most important decision that I had to make, we quickly reached the destination that Dru had invited me to. It was unexpected.
’A cave?’
I expected to be led to the Main Hall into some sort of hidden basement just like I ended up in the secret area of the tower in the Nature Domain. However, Dru only led me to a very unassuming cave within the area of the stronghold.
"This is..."
"This is the place where we mine the Bloodline Crystals out of."
Dru was very solemn as he explained the identity of this unnoticeable structure. His face didn’t show as much happiness as the rest of his kinsmen.
’Well, he did reveal one of their clans’ biggest secrets.’
I did personally consider the Bloodline Crystals to be a resource of high value even when compared to something like Elemental Crystals. However, its true worth shone in the hand of the Dragon Clan.
Compared to me who had evolved from a normal human to a half-dragon, they were a species that came to being through the blood of dragons. Just a few of them were enough to make one ascend to greater heights.
’But to reveal something like that to me...’
I had undeniably done the Dragon Clan a great favor by crushing the Demons alongside them, even if it was something that I already had to do.
I did expect a small pile of Bloodline Crystals as a reward at the very least, but for the Dragon Clan’s Leader to bring me to its source meant even more than that.
’I guess I might finally get the answers that I had been waiting for.’
Although it wasn’t a direct promise, Dru had hinted at the possibility that I could get answers to some very important questions if the Demons were vanquished. It seemed like he wasn’t going to go back on his words.
"Even I can’t go inside this time, so you will have to find your way on your own. Considering your identity and what you are about to become, that shouldn’t be too hard."
’Hmmm?’
I expected some answers, but Dru’s heavy words made me rethink what was going to happen. Was something even more unexpected waiting for me?
"Can I take Light with me at least?"
"Of course, anyone connected to you by blood can be taken along."
"Let’s go then, Light."
Considering my recent misadventures in the Corruption Space and the Dark Gate, caves and their hard walls didn’t exactly provoke good memories within my mind. However...
’What’s waiting for me is probably worth far more than the emotional pain.’
After venting my anger on the Demons and getting away from the suspicious Xin Yu, I was surprisingly feeling optimistic about this specific cave’s exploration!
’I guess bursting the bubble every now and then helps.’
I was still apprehensive about how such a thing came to happen, but I felt like I wouldn’t mind blowing some more steam later, granted that I would be able to control it this time.
Once I walked in far enough, the light was replaced by darkness. Nonetheless, I had no need for that even without the help of my still-recovering Elements.
After all, not only did I have night vision, but my Perception was high enough that I could practically see everything even if my eyes were covered.
’Oh.’
However, unlike the depressing Dark Gates, this cave quickly let up as red crystalized minerals shone with fire-like light, illuminating the path forward.
’They are not Bloodline Crystals, but they are just as mesmerizing... Ah, a crossroad.’
What followed illumination was doubt. I thought that these crystals would be the guide that Dru refused to become, but they spread equally into each other opening.
’Is this what he meant?’
My doubts didn’t last for long as I found my legs moving on their own toward the path at the most right. My heartbeat slightly accelerated as I advanced forward.
’It’s strangely familiar.’
I felt excited as if I was about to meet my long-lost brother or sister. It was a feeling that I didn’t experience before, yet I could just tell what it was.
’Am I really going to meet them?’
To make things even more strange, I felt a hint of deep sadness mixed with elation. It was conflicting to just describe the strange surge of emotions and relations.
"Meow."
Having shrunk to go back on my shoulder, Light rubbed his head into my neck, stabilizing my confusion into a more concrete feeling.
I had come to one single conclusion in regard to everything that I had experienced within this cave.
’I need to meet whatever that is at the end of this path.’
