Chapter 5: Minor details.

“So you want us to help you with what?” asks Ellie.

“I want you to gather the pieces and reconstruct the staff,” affirms Ignicoris. “Once you do, my friends will be released, and we will be able to take the balance of Roagua back where it belongs.”

“And what about you?” I ask.

“The seal set over me is way stronger. Only the other dragons with the staff may be able to break it.”

“And why would we risk our lives to do so?" I ask, skeptical.

"Well… first, I’m the only one that can send you back home," Ignicoris says. From now on, I'mma start calling her Igni. “I’ve spent decades perfecting the transporting spell no one could cast before.”

"Second of all, I’m not risking your lives! I got you a bunch of cool magical artifacts to make your journey more enjoyable."

We walk to a hidden corner of the cave. It seems that Igni spends most of her time here. It's like a tiny cozy house. There's a little kitchen, a dining table with some chairs, and a fluffy bed on the corner. Candles illuminate the whole place with a welcoming vibe. A lovely painting of a younger Ignis with two men and another woman of about her same age sits beside the bed. They all look so happy. Next to the bed is a gigantic pile of golden coins, gems, books, and other undecipherable artifacts. Lying on top of the dining table is a pair of backpacks.

"If you can't get out, where do you get the food?" asks Ellie curiously.

"You'd be amazed by the sheer amount of edibles that can be found in the cavern," she goes on excitedly. "What you just ate was a stew of cavern worms!"

"Really?!" says Ellie as her voice shakes, and she puts a hand on her stomach. "I could have sworn it was beef. Ha!"

"Nop," says Ignis satisfactorily. "It was premium cavern worm meat!"

Ellie takes a step back, trying to keep the stew inside her. Meanwhile, I just can't get to believe that a bunch of earthy worms tasted that good. Maybe I was too hungry.

"And it was delicious!" I say, convinced, as I pat Ellie on the back.

"Yes. Tasty!" mutters Ellie. Seemingly the stew is back in her stomach.

"Oh, you guys are so sweet!" says Ignis, blushing. "I don't cook much since I feed off gold's energy, but it is nice to know that my cooking skills are still intact."

I turn my eyes to the table, and Ignis seems to notice. "Oh, sure!" she says as she walks to the table and opens the backpacks. "This is the adventure gear I personally selected for you."

Ignis starts bringing numerous gadgets out of both backpacks with frenzy speed. "These are the basics," she says. "A magical map that tells you the locations of every staff piece. A compass so you won't get lost. Water containers, a magical fire creator, some cookware, a good amount of money, a couple of cloaks for those cold nights, a magic tent that folds and unfolds on its own…"

"That seems to be more than what is necessary," says Ellie, a little overwhelmed.

"Oh honey!" says Ignis. "When you're on an adventure, there's never something unnecessary! You’ll thank me later."

"Yes, ma'am!" we both say.

"Which reminds me of the most important…" Ignis says as she rushes towards her treasure pile. "As I said before… I've been watching you… and I thought you could use these."

She comes back with full arms. Out of everything she's carrying, one thing piques my interest. Ignis seems to notice, and once she pours all on the table, she proceeds to take it.

"This is a swo…" she begins

"A sword!" I interrupt her, unable to hide my excitement.

"What a genius!" Ellie mocks.

Yeah, maybe it's just a sword. But for a samurai sword nerd like me, this is awesome. However, this one is way different. Also, It’s not like I wanna flex or anything like that, but my dad is a Kendo instructor, so I know how to use it.

"It's not any sword. It was forged by dragons!" Ignis manages to hype me even more. "With your abilities, you will make great use of it."

I blush, but I don't try to hide it this time. For once, my kendo abilities will be of some use!

"And for you," says Ignis, looking at Ellie. "I got this!"

Ellie reacts pretty much like I do when Ignis hands her a beautiful shiny bow.

Back in high school, Ellie was the captain of the female kyudo team, and she was great at it.

"It fits me perfectly! Thanks," says Ellie, smiling. "But where are the arrows?"

Good point. A bow is useless without arrows.

"It doesn't need arrows," says Ignis with enormous satisfaction. Ellie is looking at her, astonished. Ignis laughs. "You'll know when you need it."

"Finally, these. One for each of you," says Ignis as she puts a necklace on my neck with a beautiful green sea gem. She goes to do the same with Ellie. "These are spirit catalysts. Whenever you need some magic, they'll help you. You just need to talk to them."

This might be the most intriguing artifact she's given us. Talk to them? I'll get it once I use it.

From the corner of my eye, I see a small ray of sunlight coming from what seems to be the entrance to the cavern.

"Oh! No! You gotta leave now," says Ignis as she hurriedly packs everything back into our backpacks. "You must take advantage of every hour of sunlight you have! I don't want you to be wandering through the night. It’s not safe!"

Ignis also gives us a set of comfy adventurer clothes and shoes and urges us to change. I go and change behind the treasure pile. When I'm done, I get back to the kitchen to find Ellie fully dressed with her new change of clothes.

I take my backpack and carefully pack the sweater Ellie gifted me in one of the empty spaces of the bag, along with the rest of my party outfit.

Ignis walks with us all the way to the entrance. The cavern opens to show us a beautiful valley with a lush forest spreading to the horizon. A steep descent awaits us on the way down.

"This is where I say goodbye," says Ignis with a nostalgic tone. "Good luck, my paladins."

She looks a little sad. I almost don't want to go.

"We can stay a little longer with you if that's what you want," says Ellie with a soothing voice.

She seems so sad. I don't want to leave her like this, either.

"No way!" Ignis says. "You must hurry!"

"Why?" I ask, suddenly curious.

"Well… I might have missed that little detail, but if you're not done in seven days, the portal between our worlds will drift away, and I will not be able to bring you back home," Ignis says, suddenly ashamed.

"I would have liked to know that little detail before!" says Ellie, with a bit of anger in her voice.

This changes everything. Seven days!?! And we don't even know the road. How long is it going to take?

"Don't worry, don't worry!" says Ignis, trying to calm us and bringing out the map. "I bet that Jern is sealed in the closest spot on the map. He's the strongest of us, release him, and he will help you get in time. I promise"

We look at each other with skepticism.

"Well then. I guess we better get going," I say, and in the blink of an eye, Ignis is hugging us. I relax at her warm hug. Something about leaving Ignis behind hurts my heart. It’s so weird because we just met a few hours ago.

"Good luck, my paladins!" says Ignis with tearful eyes.

After a few seconds, we break free.

"I guess we'll see you in seven days," I say to her as Ellie and I start climbing down the hill with our heavy backpacks hanging on our backs.

"Good luck!" shouts the adorable Ignis one last time before she gets out of our sight.

We continue our descent in silence. A million thoughts and emotions pile up in my mind. My insecurities start crawling back.

Seven days!?

Will we even be able to make it on time?

Will I be able to make it?