What's an RPG Without Some Cave Exploration?

The burning heat beating down on us, a stark contrast from the previous cold fog, left us matted with sweat as we continued on our journey. The leaves overhead provided a small comforting shade and swayed slightly as we trudged on.

“Matthias… I’m beginning to think that we’re heading on a path to nowhere. You mind giving us a reason to keep going?”

With his back still facing me, Matthias sighed and scratched his head.

“Back when he first started the rebellion, Isaac sent out a large number of scouts. Those scouts traveled far and wide, looking for any information that might help turn the situation around in our favor.”

Matthias stopped walking and turned to face me, his eyes faintly glistening with some kind of curiosity.

“The place we’re headed is one spot no one could enter. Anyone who tried woke up back where they entered the area, as if they never stepped in at all.”

“Piqued your interest?”

Matthias responded to my words by covering his mouth and averting his gaze.

“If we’re looking for advantages against Eris, any avenue should be explored… don’t you think so, too?”

I crossed my arms and looked over at Vivian, who stood beside us and fiddled with her cloak as we talked. She looked up at me and nodded.

“I just hope we aren’t wasting our time.”

Matthias’s expression turned sour at my words, and I rushed to find some way to alleviate the situation.

“I-it’s not that I don’t trust your ideas, I’m just… I just really want this to work out. I want us to find some perfect counter to Eris and her knight’s abilities.”

Matthias sighed and looked down at me with a tired expression.

“I know. We want the same thing, so… try to trust me more, alright?”

“… Okay.”

I followed close behind Matthias as we continued walking. Vivian hastened to match our pace, walking beside me. The sun rose to its highest point in the sky above us, causing an unbearable heat.

“Look, a cave! If we are blessed by fate, perhaps we will discover a pool of fresh water inside.”

Vivian ran over to the entrance of the cave. I rushed to follow her, glancing back at Matthias as I passed him. He looked hesitant.

When I stopped beside Vivian, I felt a cool breeze coming out from the deep, dark cave. I leaned forward and squinted my eyes, trying hard to see farther than the few feet ahead of me.

“This cave is marked on the map, but the scout who found it didn’t leave any notes about what might be inside. I’m not sure it’s safe.”

I pouted and raised an eyebrow at my companion. I stood up straight and placed my hands on my hips, exaggerating the tone of my voice as I spoke.

“So what do you wanna do, then? I know you said to trust you, but it is really hot out here and probably way cooler there.”

“Great. Now you’re starting to complain like her, too.”

Matthias grumbled almost inaudibly and walked inside the cave with careful steps. Feeling proud of myself, I turned to Vivian and held up my hand. The small girl tilted her head in confusion.

Hm? Oh, wait, what am I doing, anyway? A… high five? Does this world have that?

I turned my hand into a fist and smacked it against my other hand. Vivian still looked confused for a second before smiling and nodding. I smiled back awkwardly and turned to quickly head into the cave before I embarrassed myself further.

~

Water droplets could be heard dripping somewhere far deeper within the cave. Vivian walked ahead of us, having cast an orb of light to illuminate the path ahead. Matthias has wanted to do it himself, but I insisted that he let Vivian take charge when I noticed her desire to be useful.

I looked behind me, the light of the outside world all but gone. I didn’t miss it, though, as it already felt much cooler inside.

I just hope we can find another way out, or else we’ll have to exit the long way we came.

I heard a soft gasp and turned back to my companions, bumping into the man walking ahead of me. I peered around him to see Vivian standing before two paths, each dark and narrow.

“Tch, I knew we shouldn’t have come in here.”

Two paths… hold on, I think there’s something I should be remembering.

I rubbed my face with my hands, trying hard to remember what I’d forgotten. I heard my companions arguing in front of me.

“I-I didn’t know, I’m sorry. I thought maybe we would find water, maybe even shelter for the night. I never thought—“

“Thought what? That an unexplored cave would have reasons to be unexplored?”

“Both of you just shut up for a minute, all right? I’m trying to remember something!”

My companions went quiet, and I heard my voice echo through the tunnels.

Big cave… multiple paths. Me… not from this world. This… world…

I pushed past my companions and looked into each tunnel.

“Okay, I got it! One of these leads to treasure, and the other leads to enemies or a dead end. That’s how it worked in the last one, anyway.”

“The last… what?”

I turned to Matthias, completely ignoring his usual glare as I mentally high-fived myself for still holding on to something from my past.

“The last world like this one. A random cave with winding paths usually means an annoying dungeon full of death or rewards.”

My companions looked at me with bewilderment. I turned on my heels and picked up a rock from the ground. I threw it as hard as I could into the left tunnel. I heard a few clinks as it jumped along the ground. After a moment of silence, I picked up another rock and tested the right cave.

“What are you doing?”

“If we’re lucky, something will hear the rock and get aggravated. If not, we’ll be stuck making the hard decision ourselves.”

To much disappointment, both tunnels stayed dead silent. Not even the dripping sound of distant water helped, as it echoed from each side. I stepped back and scratched my face, looking from tunnel to tunnel.

“You know… they could both lead the same way…”

Matthias pushed past me and walked into the left tunnel without looking back. I rushed to follow him with Vivian just behind me. I lowered my voice to a whisper as I approached him.

“These walls are too narrow, I can’t see past you.”

“You don’t need to.”

I huffed and slowed down. The orb of light that Vivian cast still floated ahead of us, reflecting light across the tunnel walls.

After a long minute, the walls opened up to reveal a wide, pale brownish-white cavern. A soft light peeked through cracks in the ceiling, reflected by a small pool beneath it. Large stalactites were scattered throughout the room, some dripping above the water.

“Whoa.”

“I agree, Miss, this is truly a sight to behold.”

“You know, you talk really, um, wordy?”

The girl looked up at me with wide eyes.

“I was raised on ancient literature by a seasoned scholar. I’m trying to sound more relaxed, but it is- it’s hard.”

“You shouldn’t feel pressured to change because of someone else.”

We turned to our tall companion, who was crouched by the water. He stared at me as he spoke.

Ah, right. Finley… I should be careful what I say. Being in this body too long could end up messing with my head.

I looked down at the girl standing beside me and met her eyes.

“Sorry, Viv. I don’t mean to be rude. You should talk the way you’re most comfortable with.”

Vivian’s eyes widened, and she nodded. We joined Matthias beside the small pool, which rippled with each drop that fell from above. Vivian looked up and pointed at the ceiling with a smile.

“The stalactites above us are filled with mana. They are purifying the water. If I’m correct, this pool may be safe to drink from.”

Following Vivian’s words, Matthias scooped up a handful of water and brought it to his mouth. Vivian and I watched anxiously and waited for him to speak.

“It tastes… normal. Better than what we had back at the camp, maybe.”

I dropped to my knees and scooped up a large amount with both my hands, quickly gulping down every drop I could.

Delicious, cool water. So thirsty… so refreshing.

I heard light laughter come from above me before Vivian crouched down and took a portion for herself. I sat back and listened to the wind whistling from the cracks above, the rays of sunlight gently illuminating the space around us.