Ilchymis was at Lawrence's side immediately, muttering a spell that sounded more like a song than an ancient power, and almost at once ribbons of translucent green magic enveloped the mercenary's injured hands. Slowly the blisters shrank and then disappeared altogether; the blood was wiped clean, and the skin repaired. Lawrence stared incredulously at the mage as he sat back, wiping his brow on a sleeve of his robe.
". . . Thank you." It was quite obvious that gestures of thanks were rare things coming from Lawrence; his eyes were fixed firmly on the stone on which they all sat.
"That's quite alright," Ilchymis insisted, and his face looked tired and feeble. The Warrior's Heart gem glowed its brightest red yet, and Domingo suspected that the more radiant the light, the more spirit Ilchymis needed the ring to replenish. Again the treasure hunter started passing out healing crystals, and presently the trio were resting easily on the stone. Cupil was asleep in the form of a puddle at Ilchymis's side.
"What could be in that room, to set a fire-breathing dragon thing to guard it?" Domingo said suddenly, turning so that he could get a better look at the door. "After all that, there had better be mounds of gold in there."
"I guess we should go and find out," Lawrence admitted, and he was the first to rise to his feet, even extending a hand to help Ilchymis up. "We can cross the lava lake on our dead friend; I'm sure he won't mind." So forming a single-file line then stepped gingerly across the dead Rokwyrm's back, taking care not to slip and fall in the magma.
The chamber they found themselves in was dim and devoid of any lava; the only light came from a raised dias at the other end of the room, upon which sat an ensnaring, glittering ruby gem. Domingo's eyes were wide as saucers as they approached, and Lawrence was clearly wondering how much gold they could get for such a large stone, but then Ilchymis lifted the precious thing from its pedestal and gazed upon it with reverence in his magnificent jade eyes. Cupil sniffed it excitedly, and the mage smiled at the Silvite creature.
"Is this it, then, Cupil? Have we found the first Moon Crystal?"
The little animal certainly seemed to think so, and Ilchymis began to tuck the shimmering red stone into his knapsack. Domingo and Lawrence exchanged a glance, then the treasure hunter whined, "Hey! That pretty red thing is ours!"
Ilchymis chuckled to himself. "Oh, it is there that I must apologize. You see, this pretty red thing is the reason I am here at all. It is this that I came to find."
Domingo pouted like a child for several seconds, interrupted only when Lawrence said, "And what is that, exactly?"
"This? It is one of six sacred stones that have been in existence since before the Old World was destroyed," Ilchymis explained calmly. "It is a Moon Crystal - a Moon Stone that has been distilled into its purest energy source. These objects, according to my research, have the power to harness the mighty Gigas."
"Gigas?"
"Yes; dread creatures that ravaged the Old World in the days before the Rains of Destruction. The people awoke their guardian dieties to do war with neighboring lands, and the Gigas only listened to those who wield them. But the devestation was too great, and the whole of Arcadia was nearly destroyed. Then the Rains of Destruction fell, at last putting a stop to the Gigas, and gradually the survivors fertilized the lands of Arcadia once more." As he finished, Ilchymis finished pushing the crystal into his pack, slinging it back onto his back. "Shall we go, then?"
There was light filtering in through a narrow tunnel to their left, and the mage started down it; Lawrence, eyes narrowed in suspicion, stopped him by asking, "If that thing is so powerful and dangerous, what do you want with it?"
Ilchymis turned back, half-shrouded in shadow. "I am protecting it. In this way, the Valuan Armada cannot use them to achieve global domination. If I can collect all of them and destroy them, Arcadia will be safe." The spellcaster seemed to think this was a good enough answer, because he started down the hallway again. Domingo glanced at Lawrence and sighed.
"Personally, I've seen enough lava and sand to last me a lifetime," said the treasure hunter wearily. "I'm all for getting out of here and arguing later. Come on, Lawrence - let it go for a little while."
Domingo started away, following the retreating mage; although he seemed rather disinclined to comply, Lawrence bit his tongue and brought up the rear.
Lady Lanet: I agree; the salamanders were cute. I liked them too, although my favorite monsters don't crop up until you reach the Lost City of Rixis. I'm pretty proud of my battle scenes thus far, so I'm glad you like them. Quite obviously, the boss battle scene was just last chapter, and I'm sure you'll catch up soon. I'm so glad you still like this!
I'm going to shock you all in the next chapter, heh. . . .