Star Sun Cave

Ch. 37 - Memento

"I saw it through his vision, my dear Bancho," Axel explained, sinking into the chair, while the setting Malikan sun cascaded through the dimmed church window. An eerie silence grew among the two Wise.

"The same thing those Mirillians saw back then?"

"Yes. An island, connected through eight bridges, with three waterfalls surrounding his statue. Hidden deep within the caves of Morta."

Bancho gulped.

"The Star Sun Cave."

***

Bancho reached his hand out, taking something out of the light grey formation, splattered with whites, hanging from the ceiling.

Atomu immediately turned, pointing his dimly lit, shining crystal in the direction of the old Morian with an unsure expression.

"What is it, Bancho?" Pollimer quickly asked, waddling over, his big body blocking the path they were soon to take.

"I didn't know you could find them here," Bancho uttered, putting a triangular, opaque white gem in the palms of both hands. He shook it a little, as some silver speck danced around the watery, cold liquid trapped inside. Atomu carefully observed the sight and then stepped closer.

"What's that?" The Paladian quickly asked, blinking a few times.

Bancho quickly turned to Atomu, raising his eyebrows, then glancing back and stuffing the crystal into one of his many pockets.

"Oh, ya could show that to me, I'd recognize it!" Pollimer said, handling a pickaxe in both hands. "I'm quite knowledgable there, ya know!"

"I know, my dear Pollimer, but I'm fully aware of what's in my pocket." he tapped the material of his pants a few times. "Right there, hidden deep inside."

"Well, that only made me more curious!" Pollimer tilted his head, one eye twitching.

"It is just a memento. Something for me to keep and tell stories about." Bancho smiled. "Whenever I come back to Mistwick, I always make sure to show the younger ones something from my travels."

"Alright, I understand." Pollimer sweated a little, quickly scratching his cheek and moving forward, leading through the cave.

In fact, that's how most of their travels played out. Pollimer led the way, Bancho stood in the middle, telling stories and Atomu kept to himself. Pearl was there too, but she followed them from a distance barely sneaking through.

The Paladian caught himself thinking either about everything or going back and worrying if Elton would make it through, not because of the hurdles on their way but because of Chyuuichi's fiery attitude and Jyuzou's more judging approach.

Then, he swiftly reminded himself of the Mirillian's sudden change. What was it that made him so different now? Atomu often caught himself in the motion but swiftly tried to move on.

For a while, they trod straight, but Bancho quickly snuck a glimpse at Atomu, stopping for a second and then matching his pace.

"Take a good look." The old Morian took the small gem from his pocket and placed it in Atomu's hands.

"What's this?" Atomu whispered.

"A Clavis Crystal," Bancho muttered, glancing at Pollimer's silhouette in the distance, making sure the Mirillian didn't hear a word, which Atomu quickly spotted. "The liquid inside this gem is something otherworldly, as one old friend once said." Bancho grinned. "It can heal the deepest of wounds and amend physical sorrows."

"Oh." Atomu gulped.

"Heh." Bancho chuckled. "I once went to the other side of this world to find it." Bancho scratched his head. "I guess I did make the right call tumbling one into the caves below." The Wise looked into Atomu's eyes. "One day, I was sure I'd find it again."