[F02 | SP] Dark Caves | <<Let There Be Light>>

[Sakura 0]

’It’s gone.’ The words were a mere whisper from Aoi as she glanced around and made sure no other creatures were appearing from the dark. Seconds passed before she was certain they were - relatively – safe in the moment. Turning back to the young child, Aoi knelt down and gently placed a hand upon their figure. Unsurprisingly the touch caused the child to flinch backwards. ’That’s just me. Come now, let’s get you home shall we?’

The path back out of the tunnels was longer than Aoi expected. Either she had truly become lost, and they wandered aimlessly for a while until they were out, or she’d headed further into the underground than she’d originally noticed. Unable to confirm which situation was accurate, she decided to simply accept that she’d become lost at some point, and that they’d escaped through pure luck on her own part. Not that Aoi truly cared, she was simply happy to leave the darkness behind and return to somewhere she could see properly, and didn’t feel overtly confined and crushed.

’We should be back soon. The city is over that way, a couple hours walk at most if we take the careful route.’ Aoi smiled at the young child as she spoke, the girl seemingly becoming less terrified the more steps they took away from the tunnels and cave. Soon, she was bounding along the path beside Aoi, smiling and laughing slightly as life returned to her form. Aoi felt herself smiling in response, enjoying the childish joy and wonder that roamed beside her, all while keeping an eye out for any dangers that might approach them.

The walk back to the city was quiet, for the most part. At least, it wasn’t filled with any kind of danger or adventure that Aoi would be able to tell stories about later – not that she was complaining. After the tunnels, she was more than happy to do nothing more than escort a happy child back to her mother in peace. Perhaps not quiet, but certainly a measure of peace and comfort. At least, a measure of comfort. As much comfort as one can find walking across an open field in nothing but basic shoes. I really should make myself a pair of boots…something more fitting. She made a mental note to deal with that later, deciding that it was more important in the moment to instead focus on completing the quest. She waved to the guards at the gateway as they passed through, receiving no response from the stationary people that stare out over vast fields in a measure of boredom and duty.

’Mommy!’ Koko suddenly called out as they turned onto the main corridor within the gates, rushing forward and falling into the embrace of the woman who had first called Aoi’s services to hand. Aoi waited patiently, allowed the pair to reunite in peace, only stepping forward once the mother had looked up with tears in her eyes.

’Thank you…I cannot even explain how much…how grateful I am, to you.’ Aoi gave a small bow, staying only long enough to confirm the completion of the quest and the safe return of Koko to her mother. Done with the quest, Aoi moved away from the area and back towards the small market that she had begun her day with, considering her options heading forward – she knew she wanted to do something with her day, but now that it was mostly over, she figured shopping the remainder away would be the best choice. I think I’ve earned a bit of reprieve, anyways. The war will be there when I return.

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Thread Summary
Word Count: 6,734
Experience: 6,734/5x1 = 1,346 [Word Count] + 500 [Quest] = 1,846 EXP
Monetary: 400 [Page Count] + 50 (2x25) [Loot Die ID245078] + 576 [Loot] = 1,026 col
2 materials 
Rare Trinket (1) | ID244799
Glow Stone (1) | Effect: While holding a Glow Stone, the area around you is illuminated. You and players near you do not suffer any penalties for darkness or low-light conditions. Cannot wield a weapon while holding a Glow Stone, but it can be swapped out and and back in to continue its effect. Effect lasts for one thread.

Edited 5 hours ago by Sakura