Chapter 7

Upon pulling out of the confined passageway, we emerge in yet another cave system, this one even taller than the one we were in before.

The darkness is oppressive, and so is the thin air.

Every feature of this place is asking you to turn tail and leave without further ado.

Shiori: I welcome you to the Sunless Gorge, Hayato! The biggest, trickiest, and deadliest cavern complex you'll set foot in.

Shiori: It's basically a labyrinth that'll ultimately take you to the Halls of the Lost, where the Bone Strappers will be more than pleased to meet you.

Shiori: We're off the hook thanks to this wonderful map.

Shiori: However, don't let your guard down for half a second. Strappers roam these parts when they're hungry.

Shiori: Also, other uglier beasties live in this nasty place.

Hayato: When do these mountains become safe, Shiori?

Shiori: Outside, when you're back in the valley.

Hayato: Yes, that's what I imagined you'd say.

Shiori: Hey, it's not that bad here! Right now, I mean. It'll get worse as we proceed, so we might as well catch some rest.

Shiori: Nearly joining a family gathering with the Strappers tired me out.

Hayato: Hmm, I believe we can take it easy for the time being. I'll inspect my gear and see if anything is wrong.

Agreeing to wind down, Shiori takes a seat on a rock, making me follow suit in front of her.

Experience taught me that moments like these are very rare when you're on the field, so you seize every chance you encounter.

Shiori: You know... I still can't shake off my mind from your staff, Hayato.

Shiori: Seriously, where would you get it from? That kind of destructive power is something you very rarely see!

Shiori: Did some elder mage craft it specifically for you or what?

Hayato: Light Lancet isn't a staff but a rifle, something that won't mean much to you since you probably aren't familiar with that term.

Shiori: Nope! Not at all. You keep uttering funny words.

Hayato: At any rate... My weapon is one of a kind. You got that much right.

Hayato: Only this piece exists. It's the perfect mixture between laser technology and traditional firepower.

Shiori: And there we go again... Another new, bizarre word came out of the blue!

Shiori: Are you sure you're not making them up?

Hayato: Of course, I'm not!

Hayato: The word laser is an anachronym that stands for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.

Hayato: Simply put, it's a highly focused and intense beam of light.

Shiori: Whoa, hold on for a second there! Are you admitting you're a light wizard?

Hayato: That's... one way to put it, yes. You may refer to me as one.

Understanding that explaining modern technology to Shiori is a fool's errand, I allow her to believe I'm some sort of magician from a fantasy book, casting spells from a wand that follows no rules.

This world I'm in isn't particularly advanced.

Shiori: Aaah, now I get why you repeat you need sunlight! A light wizard depends on the sun, the greatest light of Hikarigane.

Hayato: ...

The last word the girl utters makes me go mute, unwittingly providing the name of this place.

Unsurprisingly, I never heard it before. I'll have to ask SARA to do some research whenever I manage to nab some history books.

Shiori: Hey, isn't it awesome you're out in the wild? Wizards like you don't go on adventures often!

Shiori: They prefer to spend their days cramming scrolls from ancient times and gathering knowledge.

Shiori: Your mission must have been rather important to have left your library!

Hayato: Firstly, I'm not a bookworm. I've been "going on adventures" from a very young age. There are no unexplored territories I can't conquer.

Hayato: And secondly, my mission was crucial. I was tasked with saving countless lives from a bunch of criminals who only craved power.

Shiori: And did you succeed?

Hayato: I believe so. I wouldn't be here chatting with you otherwise.

Shiori giggles upon hearing my explanation, not knowing the inexplicable events I had to go through.

I doubt I'll ever cast some light on what happened at the Shifting Isle.

Shiori: Well, that's good news, isn't it? You defeated the baddies and had the pleasure of meeting me.

Shiori: You should consider yourself fortunate.

Hayato: It's too early to claim that, I'm afraid. I need to spend more time with you and build rapport.

Shiori: Come on, dude! Don't be like that. I'm a fellow magic user. We should be getting along just fine.

Hayato: Are you?

Shiori: Mhm! But my skills are ages away from being like yours.

Shiori: I learned some basic spells, but I have yet to master the advanced enchantments.

Shiori: Still, I can do this!

Chanting some sort of invocation under her breath, Shiori draws some figures with her slender fingers in the air, making a floating flame appear right before my eyes.

Stunned, I watch the fire that defies physics, the bounty hunter using it as a convenient portable fireplace.

Hayato: SARA, please tell me there was a scientific explanation to what I witnessed.

SARA: Inconclusive data. There are no laws that'd illustrate that sort of spontaneous combustion.

SARA: The physics of Hikarigane are unlike Earth's. A different set of rules applies.

Hayato: I'm not sure how to feel about that...

Shiori: Pfft, to be a wizard, you ask way too many questions! Like, most newbies learn these simple tricks.

Shiori: Whoever taught you skipped the thorny bits and cut to the chase!

Shiori dissolves into laughter at her remark, playing with the hovering fire with her hand.

If that's one of the simplest tricks, I wonder what the most complicated techniques will look like.

SARA: Warning, I'm detecting someone in distress further down the tunnel.

As I'm going to carry on with the conversation, SARA makes a troubling announcement that rips my words away.

Hayato: Someone in distress? What do you mean?

SARA: Unknown, but the sensors are picking up on a frail voice, nearly broken, asking for help.

SARA: They must have been yelling for hours.

SARA: Rescue needed, or else they'll perish.

Hayato: No, I can't let that happen. I'll go in their search right away!