The sorcerer's cave loomed ahead, framed by two colossal trees. Their trunks curved inward as they rose, meeting at the top to form a single massive canopy. Thick vines twisted through the arch, locking together like a living barrier.
Gulbob stepped forward and knocked firmly. "Old man."
The vines shivered, then slowly retracted, opening a passage. Gulbob turned to the group, his gaze sharp. "Do not—I repeat—do NOT touch anything, understood? Especially you, Aria.
"Yes, Sir!" she said, saluting, though her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Inside, the hallway stretched long and winding, walls and ceiling woven with thick branches and vines. Soft glimmers of light appeared as they stepped forward. Torch-shaped branches lined the path, but the glow came from tiny fireflies hovering above them, their wings casting a shimmering purple-blue light.
Aria slowed, leaning closer. The fireflies weren't just glowing—they were on fire, flames of violet and blue dancing along their wings. She reached out instinctively.
"Aria," Griffin whispered, voice low, catching her attention. "What did Gulbob say?"
She froze, cheeks flushed, meeting the group's eyes. "I… I'm sorry. But the fireflies—they're actually on fire!"
Lin's eyes widened. "They're… actually on fire?"
Gulbob gave a faint chuckle. "Yeah… it's just one of the sorcerer's inventions. He likes to play with nature, that's all."
Griffin's jaw dropped. "What? He… makes things alive, be on fire, and still alive?"
Aegis shook his head, impressed. "Damn… I knew he was a druid, but this?"
Aria's gaze lingered on the flames, mesmerized. The hallway seemed to pulse with life, the fireflies flickering in rhythm with their footsteps. Gulbob walked steadily, silent, the only one unmoved by the spectacle—a reminder that he alone knew the sorcerer personally.u
At the end of the corridor, a figure waited. The sorcerer emerged from the shadows, his presence commanding yet calm. Aria's hand twitched with questions, but she stayed silent, feeling the weight of his gaze.
"Child," the sorcerer said, his voice smooth like wind through leaves, "you wonder about magic, do you not?"
Aria nodded eagerly. "Where… where does magic come from?"
The sorcerer's eyes softened. "From Aldrynn."
"And where does it go?" she pressed.
"Aldrynn," he repeated. "Magic has no beginning, no end. It is life itself—the thread that weaves all things together."
Aria tilted her head. "And… if someone cuts their connection to Aldrynn?"
The sorcerer's expression grew serious, the soft flicker of the firefly flames reflecting in his eyes. "While you are alive, your connection is life itself. You cannot sever it." He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "But… if you die, and you were a sorcerer of great skill—like myself—you can choose to sever your bond. To become… singular."
"Singular?" Aria echoed, uncertainty in her voice.
"Yes. Unconnected. Free from Aldrynn, no longer tied to the life thread that binds all things. Those who exist this way… are called wraiths or wanderers. Rare, feared, and lonely."
Aria shivered slightly, the air around her feeling heavier despite the soft glow of the fireflies. Gulbob's hand rested lightly on her shoulder, steadying her without words. Griffin and Aegis exchanged uneasy glances, while Lin simply observed, silent, sensing the gravity of the revelation.
Gulbob took a measured step forward. "This is the sorcerer."
The others instinctively performed the Reverence of Earth, hands pressed lightly to their chests, heads bowed. Aria, however, couldn't keep still. Her eyes darted around the cavern, drinking in the twisting branches, the glowing fireflies, and the subtle hum of magic that seemed to pulse through the air.
The sorcerer chuckled, his voice carrying authority and amusement. "Oh, enough with the formalities. Come, come." He gestured with a loose hand, inviting them deeper into the cave.
Aria's eyes roamed to the tables along the walls, filled with intricate machinery made from steel-like wood. "Why are there no chairs?" she asked, curiosity piqued.
The sorcerer's faint smile widened. With a casual motion, he pulled a staff from one of the overhead branches and tapped it lightly against the floor. In an instant, a chair emerged, carved from the wooden ground itself, smooth yet strong.
"Neat, right?" he said, pride evident in his tone.
Even Griffin faltered in surprise, Lin's eyes widened, and Aegis leaned forward, intrigued. Gulbob's gaze softened at their wonder, though he remained steady and composed.
The sorcerer gestured again, sweeping his hand toward the rest of the room. "You guys can look around. The old man and I are going to have a talk."
Gulbob and the sorcerer moved to a quiet side of the chamber. The sorcerer's eyes lingered on Aria for a moment before turning to Gulbob.
"That child has a rich wonder in her, and she is quite clever for her age," he said softly.
Gulbob smiled proudly. "I know. She is a wonder. The future of the mountain will be great in her hands."
The sorcerer's gaze met Gulbob's, finding something rare in him. "She must be something. In my almost twenty years working with you, I've never seen that look in your eyes. And… what's this 'mountain's future'? You're not going to protect her… but make her take action?"
He leaned slightly closer, a rare teasing note in his voice. "With all my works, this is the only miracle that surprises me—Mr. Overprotective is not so protective anymore?"
Gulbob let out a short, sarcastic laugh. "I know. Truly a miracle. But… yeah. I realized that"
The sorcerer tilted his head, faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Ah… so you mean not everything needs to be your burden? Or… is it that you don't need to protect, but rather… nurture?"
"Maybe… maybe both," Gulbob admitted quietly, eyes drifting toward Aria.
The sorcerer's expression softened, though a dry cough interrupted his voice. "But anyways… I'm glad you're safe, from the attack and all."
Gulbob's brows furrowed slightly, concern creeping into his tone.
"Yeah… I'm sorry, kid," the sorcerer said, voice ragged. "I couldn't come help. It's this damn illness of mine. Can't find a cure. Could've helped, but… this—cough, cough—"
Gulbob's hand rested on his back. "Take it easy. There were almost no casualties. Well… your house up there got destroyed, though. Not like you care about that place."
The sorcerer chuckled. "Why do you even keep fixing that thing?"
Gulbob shrugged. "It's more a monument. A reminder that a sorcerer watches the mountain."
"Don't get sentimental now," the sorcerer said, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Gulbob's eyes softened as he glanced toward Aria, still wide-eyed and fascinated by the glowing instruments around her.
Gulbob glanced at the sorcerer, his tone calm but deliberate. "Well… anyways, the thing I wanted to talk about—an alliance. And I'm thinking I'm gonna agree."
Alim's eyes widened slightly, surprise flickering across his face. "Alliance with whom?!"
"I know you don't like it when we have talks with outsiders… but with the Lumenaras," Gulbob began.
"Oh, Lumens? Then it's okay. The goddess approves of them," the sorcerer replied.
"Oh—the goddess of Earth? That's good," Gulbob said.
"No, no—the goddess. Bathal, El," the sorcerer leaned slightly closer, voice low but insistent.
"Isn't there only five gods in the Book of All why isn't she in it?" Gulbob asked, brow furrowed.
"Because she made it, I know it" the sorcerer said quietly, eyes flicking around as if confirming something unseen.
"Know it? How?" Gulbob asked, frowning.
"Lydrnn… I saw it," the sorcerer replied, voice tight with urgency, slightly leaning in
"Lydrnn? How many times do I have to tell you that will get you killed?! Uncovering what should not be!" Gulbob said, worry rising in his voice.
"I know what happened!" the sorcerer said, a quiet defiance threading his words.
"Then what did you see?!" Gulbob pressed, tone sharper now.
"I… I don't know. But something is happening—something must be!" the sorcerer said, eyes fixed and unblinking, a barely contained intensity in his posture.
"You didn't even know what you saw!" Gulbob said, frustration and fear edging his voice.
"I… I know what I saw! I… it's something big," the sorcerer said, voice steady but fervent, a subtle obsession lingering in the way his gaze darted around, never resting.
Everyone paused, watching the exchange. Behind them, Aria held something in her hands, unnoticed by the sorcerer, her wide eyes reflecting quiet awe, as we both looked at our surrounding, calms down and sit down as gulbob gently put aria on the table
"We're sorry kid, we didn't mean to shout" gulbob said with he's fingers on the bridge of he's nose
"What's that in your hands? Is that the seed of many?" The sorcerer said
"The seed of many I thought it was just a big seed"
The sorcerer chuckles "well it is, but if you say pierce it will form a line of arrow in a 15 by 15 number, but if you say salag, it will make a 30 to 30 inches wide mini shield for enemies in coming arrows"
Aria held the seed carefully, fingers trembling slightly as she hesitated, unsure if she should even touch it.
Gulbob knelt beside her, his voice gentle. "Don't worry. Even if you say the words, it knows when it's thrown or falling through the wind. Go on… try it."
The sorcerer leaned closer, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Say Salag—throw it and see."
Aria's eyes flicked between the two of them. She inhaled, then carefully flung the seed a short distance. A faint shimmer spread around it as the magic responded, forming a protective mini shield in midair. Her eyes widened, and a small laugh escaped her lips.
Gulbob's hand rested lightly on her shoulder, steadying her. "See? It listens. You don't have to be afraid."
The sorcerer's eyes softened, amusement and quiet pride lingering in his gaze. "Good. You've got a touch for it… just like the mountain said you would."
Aria's smile grew, the hesitation melting away. For a brief moment, the cavern felt warmer, quieter, as if the three of them shared a small, unspoken bond in that flickering magical light as you can hear the three in background clapping with even griffin saying "yeah that's my baby sister!"
"How did you know how it works?" the sorcerer asked, curiosity sparking in his eyes.
"You told me while you were making the prototypes," Gulbob replied with a small smile. "You probably forgot I was even listening, you were so focused."
The sorcerer chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Ah… that explains it. You were paying attention all along."
"Now, go look at the other things. We'll continue to talk later, okay, Aria?" Gulbob said.
"Okay!" Aria replied enthusiastically, darting off with a burst of energy.
"Okay, old man, that was—some might say—cool," Gulbob said with a grin.
"Come on, you can do better than that," Alim laughed, shaking his head.
"Well, we just came here to ask for good luck, because we'll be departing soon," Gulbob said, a hint of seriousness returning to his tone.
"Oh, then do you want some blessing?" Alim asked.
"What? No, that's too much," Gulbob said, surprised.
"No, no—it's alright. If it's the Lumens, the goddess will be happy with you… and us," Alim replied calmly.
"The goddess, huh…" Gulbob muttered, slightly worried, his eyes flicking toward the sorcerer. Alim just nodded slowly, as if sensing his unease.
"Now then," Alim said, rising to his feet. He gestured for the others to group up, then began chanting. "Oh, goddess of Earth, and goddess of all… help this subject of yours…" His voice flowed with an ancient cadence, weaving through the cave like a living thing.
Gulbob watched, eyes narrowing. He expected the invocation to falter when the sorcerer subtly named the other goddess—but to his surprise, it worked.
"Now it's done," Alim said, voice calm and steady.
Gulbob exhaled quietly, brushing it off. Might just be a mistake… or maybe it's because he doesn't actually name the other goddess, so it doesn't really affect the blessing, he thought to himself, still impressed despite his skepticism.
As they walked toward the entrance, the sorcerer let out a quiet laugh, the memory clearly resurfacing in his mind.
"You know," Alim said, shaking his head, laughing at the memory, "the first time I tested Gulbob, I acted all arrogant and rude on purpose." His smile widened slightly. "I saw madness in his eyes. He was so angry I swear he would've punted me straight in the face."
Griffin laughed immediately. "I can actually picture that."
Lin smiled faintly, glancing at Gulbob. "Honestly… yes."
Aegis folded his arms, amused. "That explains why you still remember it so clearly."
Gulbob shook his head, fingers resting on the bridge of his nose. "I was just a kid. I was immature."
"Oh no," Alim replied, still smiling. "You were already big enough to make that a serious problem."
As they get in front of the entrance it open, sensing their presence
As the sorcerer pulls out a small bag of seed of many things
"Show them, that the buers not only have might but also smart"
Griffin and Lunara leaned over curiously. Aegis chuckled. "This will be a great appreciation gift."
"Well, have a safe trip," Alim said as the branches of the cave parted behind them.
"It was nice seeing you again, Alim," Gulbob said.
"Nice to see you too, Gulbob," the sorcerer replied, smiling faintly
As the cave slowly closes