The Great Isaz Village

After a few hours, the couple limped their way out of the dungeon. Alara insisted that they collect Heda before leaving so she was slung over Yotaro’s shoulders. Naked and freezing, Thalia called upon Fenrir once again. He offered them clothes fashioned out of his shedded skins. Why he had those with him the two couldn't fathom. Though the idea was gross, the clothes were comfortable and functional so there was nothing to complain about. The injured party flew deeper into the dungeon this time. All the way down to the 70th floor, to the great village of the Isaz. 

This time Alara did not faint, but once they landed her legs gave out. “Ahhhh, I really can't handle flying like that.” She had a wide smile on her face.

She got up and bowed in front of Fenrir, “Since I didn't get to thank you properly the first time, thank you for the rides!” 

The dragon let out a bellowing laugh, “Such an honest one! Take good care of her Thalia, that one may actually bring about peace with such an attitude. Farewell, my friend.” Fenrir started at a run then dove off the platform and out of sight.

“What are we doing now Thalia?” 

“Well first things first. We have to clear the village of all  cave spiders. Those nasty critters are the things that drove the Isaz out in the first place.”

“Okay! Just tell me what they are weak against and I'll get right on it!”

“They are weak to fire and physical attacks so you should have no trouble there. Now come on. We better clear the place out before Heda wakes up and causes trouble.”

Looking at the sleeping woman, Alara couldn't help but think that she looked really young and innocent. That wasn't the case though, so hurrying was probably a good idea.  Hand in hand Alara and Thalia approached the thick wooden door that led to the Isaz village.

“Do the honors Alara. I can't wait to see what you think of this place!” 

Alara opened the door and pushed it. Beyond the door was a large city that rivaled the capital in size. Unlike the Elding village that had primitive houses and simple structures, the Isaz had buildings of stone that were multi-level. There were many alleys and large streets. From the hill they were standing on, they could also see the faint glimmer of webs that laid across the city. 

Thalia noticed Alara looking at the webs and gave her a soft elbow to the side. “See those webs? At the surface they are nearly invisible. One way to make them visible is to spread fog. The water will stick to the webs and then you can see them. Also, the webs are very flammable. Which method do you think we should use here?”

“Hmmm, no one lives here so collateral damage is not a problem. Are the buildings all made of stone?”

“Yes.”

“Fire it is then.” 

Thalia lit a small flame but Alara pushed her hand away. “I need to try to do this myself.” She focus hard and envisioned a flame. When she snapped her fingers a small spark ignited. 

Thalia rubbed her shoulders. “Good job love. Let's go hunt some spiders. Yotaro, hang out with Heda.”

Alara looked at Thalia.”I'll bet you one ridiculous desire if you can kill more spiders than me. If I kill more than you I get the prize.”

Thalia grabbed her lover's waist and whispered, “Alara you pervert,” and pulled her face close by the collar. Just before their lips touched, Thalia shoved her to the ground and sprinted toward the city. 

Alara pouted angrily, “Thalia you're the pervert. Cheating to win such a filthy prize.” She got up as well and whispered “flash-step” before taking off faster than the eye could see. The two raced in and out of buildings, shouting out their kill counts to each other as they went. 

“This makes 23, Alara!”

Alara yawned pretending to be bored. “Oh how cute.” She lit a web on fire and a dozen spiders came racing out of an abandoned building. She Killed them all at once with spikes of ice. “That makes 47 for me, priestess.”

Thalia laughed. “I'll show you what a massive one hit multi kill really is!” Thalia crouched down and closed her eyes. She let out an icy breath and sent out a pulse of mana. She could tell where other sources of mana were very similarly to how sonar was used. When she found several dozen spiders, she sent out spikes of ice to those locations. She was the ice queen after all and wanted to prove it to Alara.

“That brings me to 57 your majesty!” 

The two carried on like this until all the spiders were driven out of the village. The final score 87 to 79 Thalia. While gloating, Thalia walked by a kitchen that looked exactly like the one from her premonition. She tugged at Alara's sleeve. “I want us to set up camp in that house.”

Alara looked in the direction of Thalia's pointer finger. “What's so special about that one?”

Thalia blushed while kicking the dirt. “It's the one from my vision. The place that I saw the moment our hands touched.”

“You're so cute Thalia.” Alara spun her around and kissed her soft lips, “Let’s get the others and set up camp here. Looks like there is plenty of room.”

After a few minutes of moving, the party got settled in. Yotaro placed the still sleeping Heda onto a straw bed on the first floor. Thalia and Alara took a bed on the upper floor and Yotaro settled into a large straw pillow that was near the first floor window. Everyone was exhausted and had the desire to sleep. 

The two laid down together and held each other so tightly that there was no space between them. “Thalia, you won remember? What is your request?”

“All I want is for you to cook a meal with me in this kitchen.” She wanted it all to come full circle as she had seen in her vision. 

“Huh? Nothing perverted? What if I wanted you to do something to me?”

“You're the pervert, I just want to spend time with you and build some memories. We have all the time in the world for that other stuff. But if you really wanted me to, I would definitely say yes...”

“That's true.”  Alara yawned and nuzzled her head into Thalia's chest. Soon they were both asleep. Not much time had passed before the pair woke to the sound of clattering and banging.

They exchanged nervous glances and ran down the stairs. On the floor was a sweaty and heavy breathing Heda. When she saw Thalia and Alara she frantically attempted to drag herself away. 

Alara ran down the stairs and attempted to help Heda back to the bed but when she reached out her hand it was instantly batted away. The scornful look Alara got was enough to drive her back to Thalia's side.

“Quit being stubborn Heda. Alara is the only reason why we took you with us. If it was up to me we would have left you behind!”

Heda was quiet; she hated seeing Thalia with someone else. She especially hated the loving way that they touched and looked at eachother. She did however owe a debt to Alara, Elis had told her that much.

“Ok, I'll play nice. Sorry.” Heda let the two help her back to bed. 

Thalia folded her arms, “I'll get straight to the point. How did you fall victim to corruption?” 

Heda let out a snarky laugh. “Straight to the point as always. Truth be told I'm not sure. One day I do remember encountering a strange object while harvesting some materials in the ashen forest, then the rest is all kind of a blur.”

“So basically you have no idea?”

“Yeah.”

“Ok Alara, let's leave This wench behind and continue our mission.”

“Hold it. I do remember exactly where I found that item.”

Thalia let out an exasperated sigh. “I guess that means our journey is far from over. We need to figure out what's causing the corruption so we can stop it from spreading.”

Alara yawned loudly, “We won't figure this out by standing and talking. Can we go back to sleep?”

Heda answered with a loud yawn.

Thalia smiled lightly at Alara, “let's go back to sleep.” 

Thalia looked at Heda and in a vicious tone, “You've got no right to be tired. You slept the entire time. Regenerating doesn't take that much energy!”

Heda growled, getting ready to lunge at Thalia.  “Do you even realize how bad you hurt me?”

“I kicked your ass, so what?”

“You didn't just kick her ass. Half her face was ground off. Then you smashed her face in so badly that her brains started coming out…”

“Omg, I did what?!” She ran over to Heda and gave her a hug. “I'm so sorry little sister. We really should get some rest.”

Heda's face was red, “Yeah…”

Alara's face was redder.