Tamlen rose slowly to his feet, head throbbing as he moved. He stumbled a bit, scanning the room as he regained his composure. The cave seemed darker now, the mirror's ominous pink glow casting shadows over every rock and empty crevice.

As he scanned the room he spotted Luna, lying still against a nearby pillar and rushed to her side. She was unconscious, and looked gravely ill. He knew needed to get her back to camp right away. Tamlen crouched down, about to pick her up, when he heard it: a voice coming from the mirror, calling out to him.

It spoke to him of hidden secrets, of a land beyond, and beckoned him. Whatever- or whoever was in the mirror was aware of him, that much he knew. He stood up straight, facing the mirror, and let the voice draw him in. Without thinking, he began to walk toward it. Ripples on the mirror's surface appeared and multiplied the closer he came, spreading out until it was a constant pink swirl. Face to face with it, he stood still, enthralled by the mysterious mirror and the voice therein.

Small sparks of electricity flickered as wisps wafted out of and around the mirror. His arm outstretched, he cautiously reached out to touch its surface when shuffling noises from behind brought his attention to the struggling Luna, attempting to stand.

He turned and sprinted down the stone steps toward her, offering her his arm in support.

"Luna! Are you alright?"

She groaned and slurred her words incoherently. Tamlen swung her right arm around his neck and placed his arm around her side. She stumbled on her feet, struggling to control them even with his assistance. Finally, she was upright, though the haggard look on her face said volumes about her condition. With a loud groan, she wiped the sweat from her forehead and finally spoke.

"Tamlen. What happened?" she croaked, sunken brown eyes meeting his crystal blues.

"I'm not sure. Come, we need to get you out of here."

Slowly, the two started out of the chamber. Tamlen cast one last glance at the mirror, its voice a continuous whisper in his ear.

They'd reached the main entrance of the cave, despite moving at a snail's pace, when he felt Luna's body begin to sag. He stopped, giving her a chance to steady herself. She was panting hard, beads of sweat rolling off her forehead in waves. She would have fallen had Tamlen not had a firm hold on her. He moved her against a stable pillar near the entrance and eased her to the ground. Luna's heartbeat was erratic, her face flushed, yet she remained conscious.

Tamlen's mind raced. He needed to get her to camp, but it would be difficult to carry her back; he doubted they would reach camp by nightfall in her current condition. He could bring help to her, but balked at the idea of leaving her alone in this state especially if more humans were nearby.
Still, through his racing thoughts, the voice from the mirror still spoke to him. It told him of a cure, and named of the sickness ravaging his beloved. Though soft, it seemed to echo from every direction at once, demanding attention. Tamlen paced anxiously for a moment and decided what to do.

Kneeling down, he shook Luna gently; she groaned, slightly trembling. She's getting worse.

Brushing away the few loose strands of hair stuck to her face, he stroked her cheek, pressing his lips to her forehead one last time. He squeezed her hand in his and whispered softly to her.

I will return soon. Creators protect you, lethallin.

After taking one last look at Luna he stood and turned away, and with great trepidation, dashed deeper into the ruin, hoping to find both answers and a cure.