The fire was crackling, Mortiz and Crispin were already asleep, both needing to rest after the events of today, they would guard after the next shift. Vaayu should also be in dreamland, but after that shaky encounter they had earlier, sleeping was impossible.

“So, tell me Vaayu, what made you decide to be an adventurer?”

He should have known better than to fake in front of her, so he quickly shifts to sit, his eyes meeting her warm gaze, as Sssalazar curls around his leg, seeking warmth.

“To be honest? I just wanted to be away from my family”

“Oh”

Yeah, he should have expected that reaction, it felt cruel, but at the same time, it was the truth. In his family he would never be looked at twice, as an adventurer, he could at least get some renown.

“Harsh right? I cannot make assumptions, but you would be surprised at how many adventurers also simply search freedom”

Vaayu felt encouraged by her words, silently hoping they were true.

___

The next chamber was an interesting one. A crumpled skeleton fills it, moss and a whole habitat created around this dead alien creature, who, unfortunately, is blocking your advance.

“Alright folks, gotta cut”

Mortiz grumbles, before trying to simply quick the skull with his hind hooves. Seriously, Vaayu sometimes wondered how the older adventurer was able to survive this long, but he could only guess Crispin and Phoebe had something to do with it. But his force wasn't enough, and the party could see that simple violence would destabilize the whole cave.

“Careful, old man”

Phoebe scolded him, while Crispin signaled to a sword, one that had been previously used (though who knows how long ago) to cut the grass and vines to make steps for the next chambers. The only problem? It was stabbed on a rock.