Submission (#2054) Approved

Quest: Resonance - Act 1
Act Type: Exploration
Word Count: 1029
Adult Elnin Present: Eve [ELN039] and Nevon [ELN1029]
Regional Affinity: Zevija
Claiming Regional Affinity for: Kier [ELN1701]
Noble Unlock Mini-Requirement: Depict elnin in the company of two or more elnin

The way down was dark, and damp. Were it not for the single lantern securely held in Eve's mouth, Kier would not be able to see a single pace ahead of them. Nevon brought up their rear, herding Kier back onto the path whenever the kittom accidentally strayed from it. Their unlikely party of three stumbled further into the caves of Zevija, waiting until the moment one of them could catch a telltale glimpse of light.

As they walked, the stillness of the cavern would occasionally erupt into some sound, echoing in such a way that it was hard to tell how far away its source was. It could have been a stray cave critter, a falling rock, or the pattering of water that had been dripping for hundreds of eons. Perhaps it could even have been another intrepid wanderer, much like themselves. 

"It shouldn't be too long now, right?" murmured Nevon, swishing their tail around in a habit of nervousness. They weren't quite sure about this -- whether this was the right way, or whether they wouldn't accidentally be trapped in this place forever by an inopportune rock slide. The tunnel had been cramped for quite some time as they walked, and it was hard to imagine that the road wouldn't continue to get more narrow as they traversed it. And it was cold! Nevon and Kier both shivered from the dip in temperature, and Nevon wished a bit too late that they had brought an extra jacket for the both of them. 

"Trust me," Eve laughed. "We're almost there. I've gone this way loads of times. Maybe a few more minutes, tops." 

Kier could barely contain their excitement at those words, asking question after question. "What sorts of things will we find there? Is it true that the crystal clusters there are bigger than entire forests? Do you think we could mine it all someday?" They couldn't even imagine such a sight. 

Eve let out another soft laugh. "Oh, it's huge. It goes on for miles and miles down there. I don't think anyone's ever even traversed the entire way! There's probably enough down there alone to upkeep us for many, many more generations."

Kier thought for a moment. "Eve, do you like rocks, too? I thought you just researched plants." And at that, Eve merely gave a wink. "Of course I do. Everything in life's got a little something to show me, and I intend to see it all!"

And with those words, a glint of blue fell upon a wall of the cave, mottling and distorting like a sunbeam upon water. "Aaaand there it is!"

Kier dashed ahead of them in excitement, much to Nevon's concern. They ran and ran, wanting to catch up with that patch of blue. Down a few steps, and onto a platform -- then down a bit more, until their tiny paws hit flat ground. The entrance was visible from here, and it was quite small, but one would be much mistaken to think less of it for being so! For beyond that doorway laid the most beautiful ensemble of lights Kier had ever seen. 

A massive cavern, stretching so high that the ceiling was lost into the dusty air, filled to the brim with crystals of an uncountable number of sizes, shapes, and colors. The air was thick with the magic of the place, and Kier slowed a few steps to allow the other two to catch up, taking the moment to marvel at the sight. Surely no less than several cities could fit in this underground expanse! 

Strewn about the field of crystals were an assortment of mining gear and other such subterranean equipment. Pickaxes, chisels, and different sorts of saws remained on a few rusty tables. Old iron mining carts sat on specially built rails that wound all around and through the huge hills of gems. In some areas, small mining stations were set up, crammed with crates of supplies and tools. Maps of the area were pinned to the wall, with various names and locations scrawled upon them haphazardly. 

Eve walked into the cave, followed by a panting Nevon. "There you are!" the latter sighed. "Please don't run off like that, Kier! Let's stick together." Kier laughed but nodded, rejoining them on the path. 

"This place is so cool," the little kittom breathed. "I didn't know something like this existed."

Eve giggled. "Oh, believe me, there's loads more crystal caves! Far too many for us to visit all of them. Why don't you two go take a closer look? I'm going to check out some of these maps."

Kier nodded, and followed Nevon into another section of the mine. Here, the crystals shone in a gentle glow of gold. It felt and seemed almost like the refractions of moonlight, almost like the fireflies that came out to play and dance along the waters of Silveil when the last hour had struck, and everyone was supposed to have been in bed. It was like that, but brighter somehow, and it filled Kier's entire field of vision. 

Looking closer, the crystals were semi-transparent, and within them metallic veins ran here and there, each no thicker than a thread of cotton. The tiny slivers of ore glinted, crossing upon each other over and over as if swimming together in an ocean of light. And yet they remained still always, captured forever mid-flight in a small fragment of time. "What is this one called?" Kier breathed. 

Nevon scratched their head. "I'm not too sure, unfortunately. This kind of stuff isn't really my specialty. But it sure is pretty, isn't it? Quite a marvelous sight. I myself have only come down a mine perhaps once or twice. Maybe you could take a piece of this and show it to your uncle later?"

Kier nodded enthusiastically and pawed around on the ground, looking for a pebble of suitable size. Eve appeared from around the corner, waving a small map in their mouth. "Hey guys! I found something interesting here. There's a little mineral pool up ahead with soluble crystals, according to this map. Want to go see?"

Kier lept at the words. "Of course!"