Only Skeletons Remain

Chapter 3: Starling and Trua

Clancy flinched away from the creature. The green-furred creature's wings twitched a bit as she kept her gaze on Clancy. 

"I'm a Lorekeeper, I have no intentions of being a--" Clancy was cut off by Runeheart throwing himself onto Starling, the two creatures rolling around on the stony ground.

"RUNE!" Starling exclaimed, a series of chirps coming out of her throat.

Runeheart nuzzled his head against Starling's, a low purring sound rumbling out of his throat as he did so. Clancy watched the two creatures, glancing over at Lara as she just stared at Runeheart and Starling. Clancy gently got up, and Starling's head snapped towards Clancy, a trill coming out of her throat, causing Clancy to stumble backwards.

"It's okay, Star. He's with me." Runeheart said, looking over at Clancy before trotting over to him and Lara. "He's going to help us fight."

"HIM? Look how skinny he is! He's a Lorekeeper, he hasn't known a day of fighting in his life!" Starling exclaimed, her antennae twitching as she slowly crept towards Runeheart.

Runeheart snorted a bit. "We still need to find Trua and Fenrir. Maybe then the Banditos will help us." He suggested.

Clancy swallowed a bit. "They said one of them was in the Cave of the Ancestors. Where is that?" He asked, glancing between Lara, Runeheart, and Starling.

"You cannot go there!" Starling hissed. "That is sacred ground!" 

Runeheart glanced at Starling. "He will have to." He then slipped out of the ruins with Starling pushing past them.

Clancy followed after them, keeping behind the two creatures. "I'm not sure what world I've been dropped into, but when I find these creatures, I want a full explanation." He said, looking over at Lara as they walked.

Lara stayed quiet for a few moments. She stared forward, not looking at Clancy. She then spoke. "If you find the others, you will be told everything, sleeper." She said. "You might even be made one of us."

Clancy felt a jolt of excitement at Lara's words. He would be made a Bandito? Was that even possible? He picked up the pace, only stopping when he saw Runeheart and Starling sitting on the shoreline, staring out at a distant island. 

"You must swim the Paladin Strait in order to be deemed worthy to see the Cave of the Ancestors on Voldsoy." Runeheart said.

"He can't swim that!" Lara exclaimed. "That's too far!" It was the first time Lara had objected to anything Clancy was being subjected to.

Clancy stared at the distant island, the wind tugging at his jacket. "I can do it." He said. "I may not be a bishop, but Lorekeepers get enough training in DEMA, and I can swim it." He handed his jacket off to Lara.

Clancy stood at the edge of the Paladin Strait, the cool sea breeze tousling his hair as he gazed across the vast expanse of water separating Trench from the island of Voldsoy. The journey ahead seemed daunting, but his resolve was unwavering. The scaly aquatic creature awaited him in the Cave of the Ancestors, and he would not be deterred.

With a deep breath, he stepped into the frigid waters, shivering as the cold bit at his skin. The first few strokes were hesitant, but soon he found his rhythm, each stroke propelling him closer to his goal.

The water was deceptively calm at first, but as he ventured further from the shore, the currents grew stronger. Waves rose and fell, tossing him like a ragdoll. Clancy fought to keep his breathing steady, focusing on the rhythm of his strokes and the distant outline of Voldsoy.

As he swam, memories of the stories he'd heard about the Paladin Strait filled his mind. Legends of sea creatures, treacherous currents, and the spirits of lost swimmers haunted him, but he pushed the fear aside. His determination burned brighter than his fears.

Minutes turned into hours, and fatigue set in. His muscles screamed in protest, and his limbs grew heavy. He paused, treading water to catch his breath, and glanced around. The shores of Trench were a distant memory, and Voldsoy still seemed far off. Doubt began to creep in, but he shook his head, refusing to let it take hold.

A sudden wave crashed over him, and for a moment, he was submerged, tumbling through the water. Beneath the frigid water, he saw a flash of yellow eyes staring up at him. 'Oh my God, it's one of the sea monsters I read about-!' Panic flared, but he kicked hard, breaking the surface with a gasp. He spat out the salty water and resumed his swim, more frantically now that the island was tantalizingly closer.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Clancy's feet brushed against the rocky seabed. He stumbled forward, half-swimming, half-crawling, until he collapsed onto the shore of Voldsoy. He lay there, chest heaving, the sun warming his exhausted body. Clancy coughed hoarsely before he pushed himself up, wrapping his arms around his body. He continued through the sand, finding a cave entrance. He turned his head, glancing out at the beach one last time before stepping into the cave entrance.

Clancy's steps echoed through the dark, damp passageway of the Cave of the Ancestors. The air grew colder as he ventured deeper, the weight of the journey pressing on his weary shoulders. His torch flickered, casting eerie shadows on the ancient walls covered in cryptic runes. Each symbol told a story, but his focus was solely on finding Trua.

As he rounded a corner, the passageway opened into a vast cavern. The torchlight revealed towering stalactites hanging from the ceiling like ancient sentinels. In the center of the cavern, a shimmering pool of water reflected the torch's light, creating a surreal, almost magical glow.

Clancy approached the pool cautiously, his breath visible in the cold air. He knelt by the water's edge, peering into its depths. The water was impossibly clear, revealing intricate patterns on the cavern floor beneath. He gently dipped his hand into the water, his fingers making ripples in the water.

A sudden ripple disturbed the surface, and Clancy's heart raced. He leaned closer, his eyes straining to see what lay beneath. Slowly, a shape emerged from the depths, rising gracefully to the surface. He jumped, scrambling backwards.

Trua was unlike anything Clancy had ever seen. His body was sleek and serpentine, with iridescent scales that shimmered in the torchlight, shifting colors like a living rainbow. His eyes, large and luminous, fixed on Clancy with an intensity that made him catch his breath.

"You've come," Trua's voice echoed in the cave, a gentle but powerful presence. "I've been waiting."

Clancy nodded, unable to tear his gaze away from him. "I have. I'm supposed to reunite four of you. I have Runeheart and Starling."

Trua's eyes softened, and he began to rise from the water, and he approached the edge. "I know. The signs have been clear. I sensed your determination, your spirit. You are the one we have been waiting for."

Clancy felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Thank you. I promise I won't let you down."

Trua gently pushed his snout against Clancy's hand. "Our paths are now intertwined. Together, we will restore balance. But be warned, the journey ahead is fraught with danger. You must be prepared for what lies ahead."

Clancy gently rubbed his snout. "I'm ready," he said firmly. "For whatever comes next, I'm ready."

Trua nodded. "Then let us begin. There is much to do, and time is of the essence. It is time to find Fenrir."  With that, Trua led him out of the cave.