Allura's face fell when Lotor repeated, "It felt right." He blinked, meeting her eyes. His deep irises held a clouded glimpse of some fear. Or maybe it was shame? She could not tell but watching him contend with himself was tearing her up inside.

She regarded him softly and replied, "It did." She decided to change the subject sensing the air between quickly turning uncomfortable. The princess turned her head to face the way they were heading. She couldn't look at him now. They would just have to continue forward. The tunnels may appear plain, but secrets could lie further, she reminded herself. She had to stay focused even if Lotor was making that unimaginably difficult… She shook her head and started down the dark tunnel again. She said, "If this is the place which I was shown, it certainly hasn't been used in a long time," she mused.

"It has to be. The verse led us here," Lotor reasoned, following behind.

Allura felt a small smile tug at the corner of her mouth. He sounded so certain. His attempts at comforting her genuinely touched her heart. Of course, this was the place. It may not be like anything she had expected, but it was the place.

A brief thought flashed through her mind. What had she expected to find in this cavern anyway? Was it some ancient knowledge she craved? Or was it merely the haunting desire of her people that was driving her? Whatever appetite pushed her forward, this cave was appearing to be nothing spectacular.

As they walked, and the minutes dragged by, her previous feelings of doubt reared forward once again. Allura quickly quelled the uprising, but the disheartening feeling remained in the pit of her stomach. If her people had dwelt here, they had long since left, seemingly taking everything with them. Perhaps that wasn't the reason why her stomach was twisting itself into a knot?

"The door was obviously of Altean make," Lotor blurted after a very long silence. He seemed distracted somehow, not sounding like his normal, suave self.

"I know." she said simply. The princess resisted the urge to worry about him. The white-haired prince was fidgeting as well. Her brow creased slightly at the conundrum. Infuriatingly, he kept whatever was upsetting him to himself, as usual. Why?! I want you to tell me what is wrong!

No, she could not say that. He wouldn't answer her. A tongue of anger ignited inside her mind. It only burned for a moment before she caught herself. Lotor was not at all what he seemed. There were some monstrous traumas buried deep within the man. She had no idea what they were but the more time she spent with him as a person, as a friend, she was catching glimpses. Wait, a friend? Perhaps that wasn't the best description.

She checked back into the conversation as Lotor was saying, "There may even be secret tunnels or entrances from within here." He blew out a breath. "It could take more quintants than we have to spare."

Allura nodded in acknowledgement but came to a slow halt as she turned cautiously into a small cavern. She raised her torch to fill the space before her. Her sapphire eyes widened and she gasped.

Lotor's mouth fell open when the princess lit the small space with her torch. Trailing gold lines traversed the floor, walls, and ceiling. They sparkled like veins of living gold. The shimmering courses reflected the dull yellow light from their torch, lighting the cavern with a soft, easy glow. The greyish stone was now streaked with thick veins of a glossy black material, reminding Lotor of some of the rock formations he had noticed while they had made their approach from the atmosphere. The final thing Lotor's eyes rested upon, was the ancient pedestal sitting in the middle of the room. It was tall and slim, standing like the trunk of a young tree cur down in its prime.

He was the first one to break the silence that Allura was still profoundly under. "We need to find the key," he said matter-of-factly.

The princess snapped out of her awe inspired stare. "Yes." She looked around before taking a couple timid steps onto the floor. The outlines immediately recognised her presence, glowing more strongly and thrumming. Knowing what to do now, She deactivated her torch, letting the device slip to the ground.

Lotor stayed back watching with the stare of a predator. He did not dare step into the room lest he disrupt the magic. His eyes tracked the princess as she moved.

Allura reached her hand out when she neared the pedestal. Her heart thudded in her chest. A wave of quintessence was welling within her. She could feel the soul of the planet through this gateway. It made her nerves tingle on the edge of firing. It felt so right. Her memory flicked to the Lions and their indubitable spirits. This was the same; the planet, the stone, the mineral glowing under her feet, they were all alive with energy: quintessence.

She closed her eyes as he palms rested on the cold, flat surface of the stone projection. Please, show me the reason I am here in this place.

A gentle surge of energy welled inside of her. Her lashes fluttered open. The cavern was bright now, as if the ceiling were removed and the fervent morning sun shone unhindered within the small space. Pinpoints of blue light mingled now among the golden hue. Her eyes perceived a map.

Star routes weaved with the permanent outlines gracing the cave. Glittering blue sparkles signified star systems. Green flecks represented objects which Allura could not decipher. She glanced behind her, where she could sense Lotor. His face, gloriously shadowed with the myriad lights, was one of wonder.

He noticed her watching him. There was an indescribable serenity in her eyes. Excitement also shined in the azure globes. Lotor felt his breath catch and a fluttering sensation flowered deep in his stomach. Her svelte silhouette standing in front of the slowly careening map behind her – It stalled time. For one long second, he could not break the contact and what she had breathed back into centuries-old life. Accomplishment flooded his mind. A tight smile crossed his face. "This is it," he said inspired. He lifted his head and took a small step into the room.

Allura grinned as well. She took in the map as Lotor came to her side. The buzzing energy inside her was steadily growing. But one thing still nagged at the back of her mind. She scanned the floor and walls for anything. "Where is the key though?"

Lotor's brow knit together. "What?" Genuine obliviousness was evident on his face.

"The key, to the box," she gestured to the silver package Lotor still held in his arms.

The half-galran's eyes snapped down to the object. His brows leapt to the ceiling. "Of course," he looked around. "We shall find it," he stated before bringing his attention back to the holo-map.

Allura twisted her mouth and gripped the pedestal once again, searching for an opening. "That is the reason we came here," she muttered to herself.

Lotor finally tore his gaze from the universe spread out before him. "Perhaps the map will tell us?" He offered.

Allura raised her eyes to the stars in response to his suggestion. She certainly hoped not. If that were the case, she would take it back to the castle and hack it open. However, as she scrutinised the star routes, something did call out to her. "Wait," She focused on a section moving above Lotor's head. "That is the missing piece!"

Lotor followed her finger to the cluster of stars and winding star routes. "It must be," he breathed. The section did look familiar, but he marvelled how Allura could be certain. The woman was beyond amazing sometimes. He could not deny her or show reservation. Why not? I have no idea… Because she is right. How do you know? Shut up.

She scanned the room. "How can we record this?"

Lotor raised an eyebrow. "I am sure you brought some sort of documenting device?" He prodded. He possessed nothing of the sort. When the Paladins had taken him captive they had taken such things away from him and Lotor had never been given the chance to retrieve his personal effects once their agreement was settled. He cursed their paranoia for a moment.

Allura rummaged in her pack, finding a recording device. She quickly flipped the machine on and began to document the map wheeling above their heads.

Lotor politely stepped out of the way. He turned his attention to the worlds floating through the cavern. He admitted, he hadn't expected such a treasure tucked into this mountain. The weight in his arms stole his attention once again. He was still holding the silver box. His brow furrowed. Was there even a key? Maybe not. Maybe it didn't even matter. He possessed a detailed, ancient, map of an entire sector of the galaxy. Most of it appeared completely new-fangled. The concept made his mind thrum with excitement. So many worlds untouched by known civilisation was a tempting notion.

Movement from Allura caught his eye. The princess was tucking her recording device back into her pack. She cast one more glance at the mesmerising sight she had awakened. Finally, she turned her head. "Let's go," she said.

Lotor gave a reluctant nod as he regarded her. His focus was being pulled in by her radiance once again, but he fought the feeling off momentarily. "What about the box." He lifted the aforementioned item.

Surprise crossed her face as she was reminded. "I don't see anything where a key could be hidden in here. We may have to force it open," she confessed almost nervously. Her next words were more certain, however. "I think this is the reason I was led here by it."

Lotor glanced over the room once again and nodded. His brow furrowed as another thought came to him. "How do you deactivate the map?"

Allura smiled. "I have a feeling once I leave the vicinity it should deactivate." She retrieved the fallen torch. "I can feel its energy. As if I am a conductor," she reasoned.

The illustration made sense to him. He quashed a splash of jealously. "Very well then. Let us head back to the lion."

Lotor turned to lead the way through the tunnels. He was acutely aware of Allura following behind him.

It was her body that smashed into his when an explosion shook his entire world, sending both into utter darkness.