Morning came, Richard slowly opened his eyes to a chamber pulsing with a calm aura. The air felt heavier here; it was warm, soothing, and yet charged with an ancient magic buzzing on his skin, like invisible sparks. He inhaled deeply, and the familiar scent of stone, moss, and that strange energy peculiar to the cave filled his lungs.
Akumo sat cross-legged near him, eyes closed, apparently meditating or listening for something buried deep beneath the ground. His old, wrinkled face was calmer than usual, though the faint green tubes on his back still pulsed with their rhythmic flow of energy.
Richard rubbed his forehead. "Lord Akumo… can I ask something?
Akumo didn't open his eyes, but his voice came, low and commanding, softly echoing. "Ask, boy. Morning questions clear the mind-unless they are foolish ones."
Richard hesitated and said, "Where… exactly is this cave? From the day I woke up, I never understood what place this is. Why have you been living here for so long?"
