An hour later…
"Does everybody have everything?", I asked looking around.
Everyone in the cave nod in my question, all except for Romas, I wonder when he might be back? Oh there he is, walking back into the cave. He told us the rain outside has stop, that…is very good news to hear right now. Out of the blue, I had just remembered what we come here to find, the Cave of Voices, so I quickly asked if the Monquistans if they have any clue of it location.
"We are not so sure where that is, but we might know where it could be", one of them said, "Try looking in the Ancient Ruin, it's straight head from the destroyed outpost"
"Here, you will need this", Criado said handing us three bottles with strange liquid, "These will help you get pass the bees"
"Thank you, okay guys we best be off", I said to Gaspard and Kobe.
"Tara are you sure you'll be alright?", Gaspard asked concerned.
I told him I'll be fine thanks to the rest I got, there was no need to worry know that the rain had stop. Suddenly without any warning, Kobe picks me up.
"Kobe…I'm fine, really I am"
"Mmmmmmm….", he said with a serious glare.
This is… ttthe most dead serious looks I've ever seen, he was not going to take no for an answer. So I let him carry me to the Ruins. Out the cave and into the darkness yet again we travel to our destination. There was sooo much humidity in the air it was almost hard to breathe. These two on the other hand seem to be fine, what kind of train have they been forward? What a minute…this feeling again?
"Guys wait!"
"What is it Tara?", Gaspard asked.
"There's…something over there, calling for help", I said pointing with my staff.
"You sure you want to do that Tara?", Gaspard asked concerned, "We have to get out of here before the rain comes back"
"Yes you're right Gaspard, but something about the magic here is unsettling", I agreed with a serious thinking face, "But I fear it'll get wrong if it continues, which mean it'll get worse for us and anyone here"
They took a moment to think…they agreed to help, but they were going to make this quick. I am so glad they agreed, I won't let them down. With my directions, we traveled to source of the problem. This area is awful the more we saw passing through. The trees, their bark and leave are turning black and roting little by little. My goodness what could have cause all of this?
"Stop this is the spot!"
"Buuut I don't see anything?", Gaspard said looking around.
"Mm!", Kobe said turning around.
"Whoa! Kobe what is- Oh!", I said straightening my hat.
A huge tree slowly started moving, coming to live. We saw arms moving, a head forming, and then a face appearing before us. Amazing!
"Who…are you?" I asked astounded.
"I am called Old Banyon, hear my plea", he begged.
We all agreed to listen.
"I speak for the trees. The jungle needs your help, a dark curse plagues the Saplings", he said with sadness, "They no longer live in peace with their fellow creatures"
That explains everything happening in this jungle, but the question reminds: Who is causing it?
"To cure the jungle I need Leaves from the Cursed saplings-but it is forbidden that any tree should strike another", He told us, "And so, rootless ones, with sadness in my roots I must ask you to go to battle against my kin. Will you do this favor for me?"
"Okay, then", I agreed without hesitation.
"Wha?", Gaspard questioned.
Don't worry, I know just what to do"
They took my word for it and we traveled to the area where the saplings were, but we kept our distances from them so they don't see us. Though in my opinion they didn't look like saplings. There were a dozen of them, this curse feels like it's half way to its completion. I asked Kobe to put me ground, but he gave me the same glare from before. Looks like I'm doing this spell in his arms. I raised my staff in the air and called upon spirits of the wind, then a strong gust of wind and energy spun around Kobe and I. I quickly pointed my staff to the saplings, the air stirs around them collecting many leaves before knocked them to the ground. Bringing my staff to the air, the leaf filled wind traveled back to us. This time I stop the spell freeing the spirits, The corrupted leaves above us fall one after another. Now Kobe and Gaspard are astounded by what they saw, glad to know they liked my display. Getting back to his senses, Gaspard asked Kobe to hold his axe as he collected as much leaves as his arms could. Now it's time to run back to Banyon. He was surprised to see us with many leaves. I soon explained what I did and how I had no intention of hurting his kin. He was grateful for the deed I have done, but then was alarmed by the leaves we brought.
"These leaves are cold and brittle. I can feel the dark magic surging through them. But it is not too late."
Thank goodness, there's still a chance. Banyon starts tell us how the Old Ones built the Stone Mountains, raising the Jungle long ago and their spells sustain them. There were magic jars that anchors of their spells, the reason they come alive and move. The ones who are the cause of the enchantments' weakening were the Unliving Men he called Armada. Kobe and Gaspard jolted hearing the name, now there's angry in their eyes. Who are the Armada? Banyon then instructed us to go to their camp in the Ancient Ruins, smash the Corrupted Jars, and take an Intact Magic Jar. Once we finished that we had to seal the sapling leaves in the Intact Jar, and take it into the tunnels under the Stone Mountain on the Fern-covered Altar the curse will break.
"Oh good, we'll make our way there", I said.
Gaspard and Kobe knew where the Ruins might be, so we head straight for that location. They both stop and I see why, there's a huge swarm of bees blocking the way. Good thing Criado gave us the antidote for this, we all took a little dose and…oh gosh it was bad!
"Yyyuck…I'd rather take the bees", Gaspard complained.
I feel more sorry for the others who have to drink to rest of this horrible stuff, but at least it works. Now I have to ask myself something here: why does almost everything here have a tunnel leading to another place? I'm starting to feel sorry for mountains now.