“If David can reestablish his link to that well of power, and those crystals can enhance his connection to it, he may be able to access those powers in ways he never dreamed possible before.” he said, turning to David.
“David, if this is true, the answers you seek can only be found in those caverns. If you want to redeem yourself like you say and play your part in stopping the Defiant One and his armies, this is your chance.”
David sat silently for a moment thinking over the task at hand.
“If by going to this place there’s a chance it will help me regain my powers and stop the Defiant One, then I must go as soon as possible.” said David, making up his mind. “The only thing is, I don’t know the way.”
“In this, I will help you” said Tyrius, “I am the only one who has been there before, so I will help you find the way back. I only wish that the Mystic Crystal the Elder Master had entrusted me with still had the power to send us there like it had before. Ever since the Defiant One has returned I can feel its power being drained. It is nearly spent, I’m afraid. Perhaps by going to the Crystal Caverns, it too will be restored? This alone is worthy of exploring.” he said.
“Well, if you think you’re going anywhere without me, then you’re crazy!” said Erin, grabbing David’s hand firmly. “I’m going too!”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way!” said David, squeezing her hand gently, a smile breaking across his face.
David was relieved that Erin was volunteering to come along so easily, as he wasn’t ready to part ways from her once again. The last time they parted, it had been in the middle of the night and they didn’t even get to say goodbye. Erin had snuck away while he was distracted by a sound in the middle of his watch in her attempt to get back to Eldergate and rescue her friend and mentor, Tyrius.
After they were together once again, having both been through many battles and tribulations on their own separate journeys, David had promised Erin he wouldn’t let her out of his sight again, and he didn’t intend on going off without her by his side.
Not to mention, David didn’t like the thought of being away from her again – he cared about Erin deeply, and the thought of parting from her left a dull throbbing in his chest. She was the closest friend he’d ever had, and their growing romance had lit a fire in his heart that he had never known before. Something he had been missing his entire life – love.
While they were discussing their plans, Reginald, the head steward to Castle Ravenfell and dear friend of the Royal Family, opened the door to the dining hall and in entered King Reximus Kane, his two closest friends Reingard and Holzer, Orin, his General, Cornelius Owen, and King Eldergate with his General Nathaniel Ryan of the Eldergate Royal Guard.
They each proceeded into the room and took a seat at the long table next to David and the others, all except General Ryan, who chose instead to stand behind his King, always at the ready in the event of an emergency.
Tyrius had sent for Reginald to find Rex and the other leaders when Orin and David had told him of their findings so that they could discuss their path going forward.
“Well, what news do you have for us?” asked Rex, his deep bellowing voice nearly shaking the glasses on the table.
He quickly pulled up a chair across from David and Erin and started piling his plate high with various meats and bread, Reingard and Holzer following suit. One would think they had all been starved the past week with how they were digging into their food, but that was far from the case – they always ate like this, as if it were an unspoken contest between the three barbarians, seeing which one could eat the most and the fastest.
“Well…” said Tyrius, clearly a little displeased by the manners of the barbarians, while David, Erin, and Orin were chuckling silently to his side. “We think we have found a clue that may help David restore his connection to the orb.”
With this, Rex stopped chewing and looked up, “You mean, he can get his powers back?” he asked through a mouth full of food.
“I’m not sure, but it is a start.” replied Tyrius.
“Well, what are we waiting for?” asked Rex, finally swallowing his food, excited to hear the good news.
“That’s actually why we called you in here. This book recounts the battle of the Mystics and the events surrounding the days leading up to and after the Mystic War. It speaks of a Crystal Cavern that holds magical properties, enhancing objects of magic, and possibly magical people, beyond their original capacity. The description of these caverns sounds remarkably like the caverns the Master Elder transported the King and I to when he rescued us from the palace dungeons. If they are in fact one and the same, then that means they are located in the Birthplace of the World – far to the North.” replied Tyrius.
“I see…so you will need to take David there, I presume?” asked General Ryan, still standing politely behind his King.
“Precisely. I believe that is our best chance in helping David rekindle his connection to the orb – something the fate of the world depends on. Without his full might, we cannot possibly hope to defeat the Defiant One.” said Tyrius.
“To the North…but that would take
