The Return of Shantae

The Sacred Cavern

During his slow descent, blue bioluminescent crystal ores light his way down to the bottom of an underground cavern. It had only one path and he took it in a restful walk. As he observes his surroundings, he brings to sense some... strange about this place. There're manmade bridges, worn out torches, and what seem to be riverbeds by the place was deprived of any water. The water he can find is the sound of water dripping randomly in the cave. This place both eerie to the mind and the scenery must've been something to behold back then.

He wonders if this was the place Gram was talking about, yet there were no hieroglyphs and no drawings in the cave walls. As he continues his walk across some of the small bridges, strange red marks can be seen glowing through the back of his clothes. They glow a bit brighter with every inch comes closer to the end of the cavern, which causes him to wonder even more. Just for a precaution, he takes out his Wise-tone and sees it he can contact any of his teammates, seeing if he could get any signal.

Korah"Sorin, can you read me?

Sorin"📵"

Korah"Sorin? Can you READ me?

Sorin"📵"

Korah"Wallis? Maxine? Anyone!?"

Team Pincer"📵"

Korah"Well, I'm on my own for now. Just look around and-"

???"🌬Come forth~..."

Korah"Yipe!!😨"

As Korah was startled by the echoing voice, his back markings begin to flicker in response without him noticing. He looks around and sees a shining light from the distance at the end of the path. The echoes repeat another time to lure him towards the light. Though he was skittish with no one behind him, he can't call the others for backup and he can't throw his sword that high. Korah had no other choice but to approach the light at the end of the tunnel with cautious and readiness with his equipment.

As he enters the entrance of light, he finds a somewhat of an oasis; and oasis with a fading light floating about a pool filled by a trickling waterfall that looks like it's about to run out. Korah was dumbfounded at the sight while his markings on his back glee brighter. He slow approaches the light with a mixture of fear, wonder, and confusion. As he got close enough with hearing range, the light spoke to him.

The Light"Young one... What brought you to this fading place?"

Korah"I... 😰I was only here to find the secrets of the past. 😧Who are you?"

The Light"We were once beings who've existence here... Long ago, in the age of magic... But now, our caporal forms no longer exist in the plane of reality..."

Korah"I don't understand... What exactly are you than?"

The Light"We were the stewards of the magical realm, we are the ones who humanity once called us.... Gen-"

Korah"💥Ahh!! 🔥My Back! 😫My back's on fire!! 😱Help!!"

His back was set on fire before the light could finish its words. He dove on the ground rolling and screaming in a panic, the fire burning his cloak and shirt revealing his back to the light. The resonating markings draw a symbol of a flame rising from the ashes, the skin around it didn't seemed seared by flames but tanned a glorious copper by the sun. Korah finally had time to calm down and turned towards the light.

Korah"😖What... 😫Was that!?"

The Light"Now I see why..."

Korah"Huh?"

The Light"Do you know of your own bloodline?"

Korah"Uhh... My family you mean? No... I don't. I don't know who they are. As far as I can remember, I was born on the streets. That's pretty much it, why?"

The Light"Look deep into yourself... All of the answers thou have been seeking lie in your own past..."

Korah closes his eyes and tries the calm himself, until he sees something, a fragment of his memory. Running away, gunshots fired, a hooded gypsy woman falling, baby cries, four figures, and worst of all the Red Skull Eclipse looking straight at him. This shook him something fierce as he awoke standing in tears and of the bad memories, but then he notices the light was slowly fading away.

Korah"😓I'm really lost here, does the curse have to deal with me?"

The Light"😑"

Korah"😫Tell me! Please!!"

The Light"I... cannot... say... anymore..."

Korah"No... NO!! Please! Tell me everything!! I beg of you to stay!"

Motherly Voice"👄Please... Find... My daughter..."

Korah"Huh? Wait, who're you now!?"

Motherly Voice"Find her... Please! Hair of Violet... Skin of dark honey... Eyes of blue... And she'll help you too! Half-Djinn Hero!"

Korah"I don't understand! What are you talking abou-💥"

The light destabilized and exploded in a flash causing and the entire cavern to quake, everything started to fade from his sight into blurriness. As rocks start to fall, all he could see are blurred silhouettes rushing towards him, picking him up from. All he could hear was the ringing from the explosion, any voice heard was gargled by it until he fell into unconsciousness. Soon he started to dream of those memory fragments, trying to interpret their meaning. To the best of his lucid dreaming, they're all a blur, except for one figure.

The entire background were flames, the Red Skull Eclipse looming above, and the last figure was standing close to the flames away from the other silouettes. As he approaches it he makes it out to be a girl crying away from, the girl herself fits two descriptions: her violet long hair and her dark honey skin. Yet she was where where red silk garments he's never seen before, as touches she begins to laugh maniacally. He turns her around and finds a pale pirate girl half crazy and half dead chuckling herself with a sword and pistol in her hands.

He tries to run away but was slow in his dream and the dead pirate spent closer and closer until she aims her flintlock at his forehead screaming,"Nobody dumps RISKY BOOTS!!!" and she fires it ending his dream.
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Okay, I lied. But at least got to see Captain Risky Boots, heh? Heh? Alright fine! He will find soon, probably in the next chapter. But trust me, you guys aren't gonna like what you see when you meet her at last.
- Kanadzuchi