Here we are with another chapter. Writers block and life have been a real pain in the ass. Stuff is gonna go down next chapter.
Rayla: What do we do now? I think that thing is waiting for us down there.
Ezran: We don't even have that much blood!
Rayla: I know. We would be a very unsatisfying snack.
Callum: We don't have a choice. We just have to wait it out. Ugh, I'm sorry my plan was a mess.
Rayla: Nah, your plan was fine! Our execution was a little off. It came out more like, " Argh! Oops! Help! Run!"
Viren: In a moment, I will remove this cover, and you will tell me what you know. Understood? I've brought something that I hope you will find motivating.
Runaan: You're more foolish than I thought. Don't you know only humans can be bribed?
Viren: Oh, this isn't a bribe. It's a threat. Go on. Take a closer look.
Ethari held onto Runaan and hid his face into Runaan's chest.
Runaan: You're a monster
Viren: You're mistaken. I'm a pragmatist.
Rayla: It seems to be hanging in there. Barely.
Ezran: I'm so sorry I messed up the plan.
Rayla: Ah, you should cut yourself a break. Everyone messes up sometimes. Or in my case, all the times.
" You shouldn't be so hard on yourself. I mean, you saw how much I messed up." Soren said.
Ezran: What are you talking about?
Rayla: Trust me, if the plan hadn't gotten messed up when Bait flashed, I'm sure it would've flopped when it was my turn.
Ezran: Are you kidding? From what I can tell, you're awesome at everything.
Rayla: Well, it's true. I am pretty awesome at everything. Right up until the moment when it really matters. And that's when I just... poof, screw things up.
Ezran: What do you mean?
Rayla: I don't know. I hesitate, think too much, get confused about the right thing to do. And the next thing I know, I failed.
Ellis: I can't believe you're an actual mage. I've never met an actual mage before. You're not at all what I expected.
Callum: What were you expecting?
Ellis: You know, taller, long robes, wrinklier. Super smart. And maybe like a weird amulet or something?
Callum: Well, I am in the market for a weird amulet, if you know anybody.
Ellis: And you're so confident!
Callum: It's funny to hear someone to say that. I don't think of myself as confident.
Ellis: Really? You should be, having all that incredible power.
Callum: Maybe. The truth is, it's not me. It's this. All the magic, all the power, all the confidence... It's just because of this amazing thing. A Primal Stone!
Rayla: The morning I came to your castle, my team was discovered by a human guard. It was my job to chase him down and stop him. But when I caught him...
Guard: Please!
Rayla: He looked up at me, and he was so afraid. And then I just let him go. I don't know why.
Ezran: Because you felt for him.
Rayla: But he was a human... my enemy.
Ezran: Yeah, but then you saw he was scared. And you knew he was a person, just like you.
Rayla: That shouldn't have mattered. I had a job to do. Do you realize I'm an assassin who's never killed anyone?
Ezran: Uh, I think that's a good thing. And by the way, thanks for failing at your mission. I like being alive.
" Thanking an assassin for failing their mission is something that I never thought I'd hear." Harrow said.
Rayla: I'm glad you're alive Ezran. Knowing you is definitely worth losing a hand for.
"That sounds so grim." Lujanne said.
Ezran: That's the weird, nicest thing anyone's ever said to me.
Rayla: Well, who knows, maybe this is my unlucky hand, so when it falls off, my luck will change!
Ezran: That's horrible.
Rayla: Funny, though?
Ezran: Funny and horrible.
Ellis: That Primal Stone needs you to do all that amazing stuff. Without you, it's just a neat, glowy ball.
Callum: I guess so. But without this, I'm nothing. Just a guy who can draw and make wry comments from time to time. And they're not even that wry.
Ellis: I'm not convinced. I have a feeling you'd be pretty amazing even without your magic ball.
Callum: Well, you seem pretty great, too. Amd Ava's also great. Is it olay if I pet her? Whoa! Aww, you're such a fuzzy wuv-munkin!
Rayla: Hey, guys? I think that thing might be gone! Haven't seen it or heard it in while. Seems like it moved on.
Ezran: See ya, sucker! Get it? Because it's a giant leech?
"Don't temp fate little one" Runaan said.
"Yeah, we probably shouldn't have." Future Callum said.
Callum: So, more of a description than an insult.
Ezran: A little of both.
Callum: Mmm-hmm.
Rayla: It's probably gone, but let's not taunt it, okay? There's a little thing called irony, where just as you say one thing, like you're really sure about it, that's when the opposite happens.
Callum: Nah. Maybe that's how things work in stories, but in the real world--
Ellis: That way!
Callum: Focus! We can do this! The plan! Ez and Bait, you're up! Flash. Yes, Ellis and Ava. Woof! Perfect! My turn for... zap! Here goes nothing. Fulminis! Yeah! Yeah! Get zapped! Oh, get zapped by the zap hand! My zap hand! Yeah!
Rayla: Can you be astounded later?
Callum: Right! Uh, Rayla, finishing move. You got this! Slash! Rayla!
Ezran: No!
Rayla: That was too close. If that thing was a split-second faster, I would have been… Help! Help me!
Callum: Aspiro! Yes! How 'bout that? I knew "whoosh" should have been part of the plan.
"I hated that." Rayla said.
"Of course you hated it, they're giant leeches." Lain said and Rayla punched his arm playfully.
Viren: Enough brooding elf. My patience wears thin. Tell me what you know about this relic or I will seal your fate.
Runaan: You have succeeded.
Viren: Oh, have I?
Runaan: That mirror? You have found something worse than death.
Viren: Then, tell me. What is it?
Runaan: I will never help you.
Viren: Then you are no use to me. I always seem to capture the same expression. Defiance, giving way to absolute fear.
Ethari grabs onto Runaan holding him tightly.
Everyone glares at Viren then Gathon speaks once more.
"Please refrain from trying to murder him until the episode is over." Gathon said.
Ellis: Look! Up there! That's the tree!
Callum: Yes, we're almost there! We can do this, team. We can make it to the rim. We're going to find the healer and save the egg.
Ezran: Oh, no.
Callum: What is it?
Ezran: I have really bad news. I don't know how to tell you.
Callum: Just say it.
Ezran: Even if we make it to the rim, it doesn't matter. There is no miracle healer.
Next chapter will be fun if you hate Viren.