Chosen By The Lover's Constellation-Chapter 68: Search and Rescue, Part Five

"Wait, wait, wait, wait." The mage Enverna had argued with earlier spoke up. "She’s just gonna go?"

Xi blinked.

"Yes...? Is that not what was agreed upon?"

"But, what if we run into trouble?" The mage asked, arms spread with an offended look on his face. "You’re just gonna leave us here?"

"We’re not looking to fight anything right now," Gareth replied. "If we have to, we’ll send for her. It’s-"

"Obviously we’re not looking for a fight, but a fight could happen!"

"..." Gareth paused.

Xi sighed.

"Fine. How about this? I will escort you all for just a little while then I’ll go back and make sure our dear rookie is alright. Okay?"

"Thank you," the mage answered.

"But, Lianna..."

"Don’t worry," Xi said. "I will be by her side in no time."

---

"So, Enverna, how does it feel to leave Lianna behind?" Xi asked in a hushed tone, the question hanging in the air like a delicate frost.

Enverna’s expression shifted subtly, a mixture of concern and guarded emotions.

"What is the purpose behind this question? She is my fiance. You can take a guess."

"I’d rather hear it from you. A truth can feel different when it is said aloud as opposed to held in one’s mind, you know."

Enverna rolled her eyes.

"Obviously, I am worried. Lianna is capable, but... We complement each other well. If Gareth says leaving her with that person is the best choice, then all I can do is listen. But, yes, I am concerned. Are you satisfied?"

"Very." Xi, perceptive and astute, nodded in understanding. "Yes, love tends to stir such feelings. It makes us care deeply for those we hold dear. Your feelings are rather understandable."

Enverna wanted to correct her, given that she and Lianna were not actually in love by any means, but as a soon-to-be-married couple, that was the performance they had to put on, so she remained silent.

"Everyone, hold."

Gareth held a fist up. Everyone stopped, collectively holding their breaths.

The sight ahead was grim, a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in this place. Enverna’s concern deepened as Gareth and the others examined the scene, seeking clues about the fate of the fallen explorers.

"Fiend attack," Gareth muttered, his jaw clenched as he gazed upon a trail of blood.

"Wouldn’t there be some Fiendish blood too if a fight broke out here?" One girl asked.

"Not if our unfortunate explorer friends never landed a good shot on their attackers," a mage replied.

"We need to find them quickly," Gareth said, pressing forward in a hurry.

Enverna’s gaze lingered on the blood in the snow. Xi stood beside her, silent yet attentive.

[... I don’t suppose there is a high chance anyone is left alive to be carried back.]

The narrow passage widened into a vast, sinkhole-like cavern, its icy walls adorned with intricate patterns formed by the freezing water that had trickled down over centuries. Stalactites hung like frozen daggers from the ceiling, their pointed tips reaching for the cavern floor below.

As Gareth led the way, the group entered the heart of the cavern. The dim light from their torches barely illuminated the expansive space, leaving shadows to dance and flicker on the walls.

The signs of the explorers became more evident as they delved deeper. Abandoned gear lay scattered on the frozen ground—tattered cloaks, broken tools, and discarded backpacks. The remnants spoke of a hasty retreat as if the explorers had been driven by an unseen force to abandon their belongings in their flight.

Bloodstains marked the icy floor like ominous splotches, vivid against the pristine white landscape. Enverna’s eyes lingered on the crimson traces, her instincts warning her of the danger that had unfolded within these chilling depths. The air seemed to thicken with a palpable tension, and a shiver ran down her spine as if the very walls of the cavern whispered of tragedy.

"Look," Enverna said, pointing at a crude rappel system that’d been set up by the edge up ahead. "They were attacked, but they had time to set up equipment beforehand?"

The group pondered that question.

"Whatever happened forced them to run deeper in, assuming they weren’t simply devoured and they did jump down there," Xi added.

"... Meaning, initially, they had no trouble. The "trouble" only arrived after they’d set themselves up."

[Could they have found something that attracted Fiends to their position?]

"Eh," Gareth looked down the hole. "We’ll have to use this same rappel to get down to them. Hope none of you skipped P.E."

Enverna hesitated, looking back at the winding path they’d traversed. Concern etched across her features as she envisioned Lianna alone, guarding the survivor in the desolate expanse above.

"We should go back for Lianna," Enverna suggested, her voice laced with unease. Once again, everyone stopped. "She’s alone, and we can’t leave her for too long."

Gareth, determined and focused on the mission, glanced over his shoulder.

"We need to explore this cavern. There might be answers down here. We can’t afford to turn back just yet."

"But-"

Suddenly, Xi stepped forward.

"In that case, sounds like this is a good time to head back for our little rookie. I’ll go back for Lianna. Don’t worry," she told Enverna. "I’ll bring your fiance to us in no time."

Enverna regarded Xi with a mix of gratitude and concern.

"Be careful."

---

{Lianna}

Lianna sat beside the worried explorer, offering a reassuring smile despite the gravity of the situation.

"Ah... So, that’s what you guys were trying to do down here?"

The explorer nodded.

"We’re archaeologists. There were rumors of ancient ruins hidden beneath the valley."

"Seriously? Good grief, I hope not." Lianna wasn’t too eager to reenact the events of Kaelen.

"Heh, well, we hoped differently. With any luck, we figured we’d find some First-Era civilization."

"Wow," Lianna replied, genuinely interested. "The first era..."

Periodically, she invoked {Through Enverna’s Eyes}, to gain glimpses of what was transpiring with the rest of the group.

The scenes unfolded like a movie. Enverna’s experiences and emotions were projected into Lianna’s mind.

The icy cavern, the abandoned gear scattered on the frozen ground, and the ominous bloodstains painted a haunting picture. Lianna felt a growing unease, the sense that something malevolent lingered in the shadows, just out of sight.

As Xi approached as Lianna expected her to, Lianna rose to her feet, her gaze shifting from the anxious explorer to the Constellation’s follower.

Xi’s expression carried the weight of the revelations uncovered within the cavern, but there was a surprising amount of curiosity in her eyes as well.

"Lianna," Xi began, her voice a hushed tone that carried a mix of urgency and concern. "We found signs of a struggle, and it’s not safe for you to stay here alone. Enverna needs you with us. There seems to be more to this than meets the eye. Could you enlighten us on the way, my friend?" She asked the explorer.

"Y-Yes, I’ve gained my bearings. I’ll share what I know. I just hope your friends aren’t planning on going into the hole. Heh, that would be suicide."

"..."

"..."

"What?" The explorer asked Xi. "Wait, they’re not going down there, are they?"

"Let’s hope they didn’t. Lianna, come."

"YEP! Lead the way," Lianna said, her resolve evident in her gaze. "But, uh... You’ll have to carry him. Strength isn’t my... strong suit."

"Noted."

Just like that, Xi threw the explorer over her back like a sack of potatoes. Trying not to waste a second, they began sprinting back.

Soon, the frigid air bit Lianna and Xi as they arrived back at the entrance of the cavern, only to be met with an unsettling sight.

The rope, once hanging down into the unknown depths, now swung empty in the cold breeze. The rest of the group had descended into the cavern while they were away.

Lianna’s heart sank.

"Ah, crap. They went down without us."

"I’d hoped we’d get here before they did, but oh well," Xi, still carrying the explorer, shot a glance toward the ominous entrance. "They must have found something significant. We need to catch up."

With a determined nod, Lianna squared her shoulders.

"Alright, let’s go."

The pair exchanged glances, a silent agreement passing between them. Lianna understood the weight of the situation; the unknown awaited them below, and they needed to reunite with the group. Xi took the lead, briskly making her way towards the cavern’s entrance, Lianna keeping pace beside her.

As they reached the opening, the shadows swallowed them whole. The icy wind whispered through the cavern, carrying with it a sense of foreboding. Lianna hesitated for a moment, glancing back at the explorer Xi carried.

"You sure he’ll be okay down there?" Lianna asked, concern etched across her face.

Xi nodded, her eyes reflecting a quiet assurance.

"He’ll be fine for now. Let’s go find the others."

Lianna closed her eyes for a moment, focusing on the connection with Enverna through her unique ability, {Through Enverna’s Eyes}. The world around her shifted, and she found herself immersed in Enverna’s perspective.

Enverna and the rest of the group moved forward with purpose, their silhouettes barely visible in the dimly lit cavern. The walls, adorned with shimmering ice formations, cast an eerie glow. Lianna could sense the tension in the air, even from this distant viewpoint.

She observed Enverna, her refined elegance juxtaposed against the harsh surroundings. The spear-wielding adventurer maintained a stoic demeanor, leading the group with confidence. Lianna’s concern deepened as she noticed the subtle furrow in Enverna’s brow, a sign that something troubling lay ahead.

Then, Lianna’s head felt like it had just exploded.

"AGH!"

"Lianna?"

Concerned, Xi approached her.

Lianna’s brain felt like it was burning. Her senses briefly became mixed up, and she could not tell what the difference was between what she was feeling and what Enverna was feeling.

Then, this popped up:

{Unique Spell Evolved!}

Through Enverna’s Eyes (Evolved) - 0 MP

{Spell}

{Unique}

{Class: N/A}

{Desc: Experience all of Enverna’s five senses. She receives 10% less damage and deals 10% more damage depending on the advice that is given to her during this ability’s use. Additionally, you can now choose to share your own senses with her.}

{Val: N/A}

"Additionally..." Lianna murmured as she read the description.

Her eyes popped out of their sockets.

"Um, Lianna?" Xi asked again.

"Q-Quick!" Lianna thought of something. "Explorer Dude, tell me everything you wanted to tell the group, right now!"