ethereal ;; jakehoon

❀···7···❀

*Jake's pov*

We cautiously enter the cave, letting our eyes wander around with curiosity. There is a large corridor illuminated by torches placed at regular intervals, wich are throwing a warm and soft light on the road.
In the walls of cold stone, they are cleverly carved runes and scenes of legends and fantastic stories that, with the light games due to poor lighting, seem to move.
A jasmine plant climbs to all the walls and the ceiling, and almost seems to guide us with its sweet perfume.
Jay, who came first, arrives at the bottom of the corridor and winces for the surprise. With the curiosity that now devoured us, we hasten to reach him, and when we arrive, we understand why he reacted like that: arrived in the end, the corridor opened in a balcony with two stairways at the end. On the iron railing, vessels filled with colored exotic flowers settled, which filled the place with their sweetish aromas.
We look over the balcony in awe and take a look even downstairs. Paper lamps descended from the ceiling and threw a soft light all over the place. A large dark wood table was in the center of the room; To his right, on the whole side, there was a counter full of spices and unknown ingredients inside colored bottles. On the left side, on the other hand, there were some vases with big flowering plants, a large pot hanging inside a huge turned stone fireplace and a door covered with a curtain of cloth threads and beads.
Very slowly we go down the stairs and start looking around with attention.

???: "You're here finally, I was waiting for you"

We all turn scared by the voice, but in front of us we find only an old woman, with a dark brown cloak, a long, carved stick and with a lot of bright gems set among the long white hair, styled in various braids. There is something in this woman who inspires me subjection but also a sense of protection.

JW: "Who are you?" Jungwon asks diffident, putting himself in front of everyone as to protect us

???: "You're right, I always forget presentations" the old woman lets out a laugh "I'm Arlyn, the shaman of this kingdom"
JW: "Oh, nice to meet you" says Jungwon a bit reassured "I'm Jungwon"
A: "Not to offend, but I already know who you are obviously" says the old woman with a smile
S: "Uhm, what do you mean by 'obviously'?"
A: "Well I was the one who told the King to tell you to come here, because you guys are the only ones who can help him"
R: "Why us?"
A: "Well because, you don't see it, but every one of you guys here is bounded somehow. Some of you by friendship, some by family and some by love"

Here the silence falls in the room and I instinctively turn to Sunghoon, who was already looking at me. We stare at each other for a few moments, then I smirk and he turns back to Arlyn blushing.

SH: "What do we have to do?"
A: "Now I'll explain to you guys: you will have to go and search this magic plant that grows only in the west bounder zone. I'll give you a map. The streets to get there are unfortunately full of dangers, but I believe that you seven can reach there and get back here without big problems. I'll also give you some supplies and, lucky for you, I know a lot of people that can help you during your adventure. Did you understand everything?"
ME: "Yes, thank you"
A: "No problem" says the woman smiling brightly
J: "But when do we have to go?"
A: "Now"
H: "Now?!" snaps my cousin, who until now had been listening in silence "But we're not ready!"
A: "Yes, you are, don't worry" says Arlyn calmly "Now follow me"

Arlyn heads towards the curtain and she passes it. We follow her perplexed and when we go through it we see that we are are inside a forest. We are so amazed that we almost don't notice the shaman that is calling us.
After recovering from the shock, we quickly reach her near a crystal-clear waterfall.