You enter a room that was probably once quite beautiful. Weathered statues of graceful humans and leaping Coursers dance around each other, and mosaic walkways crisscross blackened patches of dead earth where gardens once grew. An ornate fountain stands in the center, its waters shimmering with an otherworldly light. As you approach, the water begins to swirl violently, forming a vortex that threatens to pull you in.

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They had to come back home after their last adventure… more injured and wounded after their paths got separated by the whistling abyss, than when they were all fighting The Skull. Thankfully, they had Sereia by their side that made sure all of them would leave alive, and she spent many days by her friends’ sides as they recovered, carefully watching as their injuries were healing. 

It wasn't long before they could step out forward to a new adventure (and trainee mercenary training!) once more. 

This time, Rogue led the way - today was meant to check his abilities as a future mercenary, how he works in a group and whether he can… well, keep his party safe at all times, or at least most of the time. 

There was no Skull, no terrifying, chilling Abyss… 

There was only a wide room, with weathered statues of two-legged creatures and Coursers, happily dancing around each other. The party carefully stepped inside. 

“Are those my ancestors, or something? Why are they playing with… that?” Cithis nudged Rogue’s side, pointing her head towards the statues, confusion swirling in her brown eyes. Were those the… uh, how were they called… knights? She heard that word once before. On one of her dives deep within the dungeon, where she met the strange - yet lonely - stone statue. Although it was a lot bigger than the statues found in the room they were currently in.

“And probably mine.” Rogue furrowed his fuzzy eyebrows, seeing that some of the statues had long tails, just like his and Sylvan’s. “For why they are doing that… I don't even know.” He added after a brief moment. 

Labyrinth of mosaic and dead garden, Sylvan walks with Sereia across the chamber, their ears held up high to listen to any incoming danger - as respectable superiors should. The chamber must’ve been quite beautiful, at least a hundred years back. Or maybe thousands. The party can't be sure; their Guild is mostly made out of young talents, after all. Sylvan wasn't sure if even Duncan would be able to know something about how this room could have looked like in the past… 

“This water…” Sereia walked closer, her nose scrunched. Maybe it has magical abilities, could be even used for her medicine? Maybe she'll take just one bottle, or two… It shimmered so beautifully. 

“Sereia, stop!” Sylvan called, and loudly groaned right after, as the beautiful, sparkly water started swirling violently, quickly and immediately forming a vortex, threatening to pull all of them in. 

“Watch out!” Rogue called, as the team’s temporary leader and ran closer to Sereia, grabbing the side of her mane to quickly pull her away, while the rest quickly turned on their hooves, forgetting about the pretty chamber to run and save their lives instead.