35

The second floor of the dungeon had changed remarkably over the course of the year. The walls, previously covered in simple moss, were now adorned with a variety of exotic plants that Sebastian had carefully cultivated. Bioluminescent flowers of vivid colors softly illuminated the cavern, creating a spectacle of lights that danced across the surface of the subterranean lake. Water lilies with petals that resembled tiny full moons floated on the tranquil waters, and vines with heart-shaped leaves coiled around the stone columns, as if wanting to embrace the darkness.

The air, usually dense and humid, now felt fresh and clean, with a slight aroma of damp earth and wild flowers.

It was in this haven of peace that Kaili found Sebastian one afternoon. The human was sitting patiently on a flat rock near the shore, with an improvised fishing rod made of branches and plant fibers. His eyes, usually full of worry, now reflected a deep calm, as if the stillness of the lake had spread to his soul.

"What are you doing, human?" Kaili asked, her voice resonating with a soft echo in the cavern.

"Fishing," Sebastian replied, without taking his eyes off the water. "It's relaxing. Do you want to try?"

Kaili frowned, her delicate eyebrows almost invisible on her purple skin. "Fishing? Why bother waiting for a creature to bite a hook when I can simply create one with my magic?" With an elegant flick of her hand, she materialized a silver fish in her palm. The creature writhed, its shiny scales reflecting the light of the bioluminescent flowers. "See? Much more efficient."

Sebastian smiled gently. "I understand your point, Kaili, but fishing is not just about getting food. It's a way to connect with nature, to feel the rhythm of the water, the patience of waiting... It's a meditation in motion."

Kaili watched the fish writhing in her hand, then looked at him with an inquisitive expression. "Meditation? Do you mean quieting the mind?"

"In a way, yes," Sebastian replied. "It's about finding calm in the midst of chaos, observing without intervening, letting things flow."

Kaili remained thoughtful for a moment, her dark eyes scanning the walls of the cavern, pausing on the luminous flowers and the vines. A slight tremor ran through her wings, as if the idea of stillness made her uneasy.

"I'm not sure I understand it completely," she finally said, "but I would like to try."

Sebastian smiled and took out a beautifully crafted fishing rod from his backpack. "Perfect. I actually brought this for you."

Kaili's eyes widened in surprise. The rod was elegantly designed, with polished wood and silver details that seemed to be inspired by her own wings, as if Sebastian had wanted to honor her nature. "For me?"

"Of course," Sebastian replied, offering her the rod. "I thought you might like to experience fishing in a more... traditional way."

Kaili took the rod carefully, her long, elegant fingers sliding over the polished wood. "And how do you use this?" she asked, examining the object curiously.

"First, you have to cast the hook into the water," Sebastian explained, taking Kaili's rod gently. "You have to do it with a fluid movement, like this..." With an expert gesture, Sebastian cast the hook towards the center of the lake, where the light of the bioluminescent flowers created a swirl of colors. "Try it."

Kaili imitated Sebastian's movement, but with disastrous results. The rod bent at a strange angle, the line got tangled in her wings, and the hook flew through the air, landing on one of the vines that adorned the wall.

Sebastian stifled a laugh, watching Kaili struggle to untangle the line from her wings. "Well... maybe we need a little practice," he said with a kind smile.

Kaili glared at him, her dark eyes shining with a mixture of frustration and amusement. "I don't see what's so funny," she retorted, although a slight tremor on her lips betrayed her amusement. "But I understand your point. It's... an interesting challenge."

"Exactly," Sebastian said with a smile. "And like any challenge, it requires practice." Patiently, he showed Kaili how to hold the rod, how to control the line, how to feel the tension of the water.

Kaili, with her keen intelligence, quickly learned the basic movements, although her lack of experience was evident in the clumsiness of her gestures. The line got tangled in her wings, the hook got caught on the rocks, and on a couple of occasions, she almost hit Sebastian with the rod.

"Careful, Kaili," Sebastian said, narrowly dodging a blow to the head. "Remember, patience is key in fishing."

"Patience," Kaili repeated, with a sigh of frustration. "It's not one of my virtues, I admit."

"I know," Sebastian replied with an understanding smile. "But we can all learn new things, don't you think?"

Kaili nodded, with an expression that denoted a mixture of determination and resignation. "I suppose so," she said. "Although I would rather be training with the sword or learning new spells."

"There will be time for that," Sebastian reassured her. "For now, concentrate on fishing. Feel the water, the tension of the line, the energy of the place..."

Kaili closed her eyes for a moment, trying to follow Sebastian's instructions. The stillness of the lake, the soft murmur of the water, the singing of the birds that filtered in from the surface... It was a new experience for her, a world of sensations that she had never explored before.

When she opened her eyes, her gaze had softened. "It's... strange," she said, in a thoughtful tone. "But not unpleasant."

"I'm glad to hear that," Sebastian replied. "Now, all that's left is to wait."

Several minutes passed in silence. Kaili, initially restless, gradually relaxed, letting herself be carried away by the rhythm of fishing. The fishing rod, which at first seemed like a strange and useless object to her, now felt like an extension of her own body, a tool that allowed her to connect with the energy of the lake.

Suddenly, the line tightened. Kaili, surprised, gave a sharp tug, almost losing her balance. "I've caught something!" she exclaimed with a mixture of excitement and surprise.

"Not so fast," Sebastian said, holding the rod firmly. "You have to let the fish tire a little before taking it out of the water."

With Sebastian's help, Kaili struggled against the invisible creature that was pulling the line. The tension in her arms, the resistance of the water, the thrill of the fight... It was a completely new experience for her, one that filled her with adrenaline and satisfaction.

Finally, after a brief struggle, Kaili managed to get the fish out of the water. It was a small creature, with silver scales that shimmered under the light of the bioluminescent flowers. Kaili watched it with fascination, as if it were a newly discovered jewel.

"It's beautiful," she said softly, caressing the fish's scales delicately.

"It is," Sebastian agreed. "Do you want to keep it?"

Kaili shook her head. "No. I'll return it to the water." Carefully, she placed the fish back in the lake, watching it swim away with quick movements.

"Thank you," Kaili said, looking at Sebastian with a sincere smile. "For teaching me this... simple activity."

"You're welcome, Kaili," Sebastian replied, returning her smile. "I'm glad you liked it."

As they waited for another fish to bite the hook, Sebastian took the opportunity to show Kaili the changes he had made to the dungeon. "Look at the plants," he said, pointing to the bioluminescent flowers and the vines. "They have developed new magical properties. Some purify the air, others regulate humidity, and there are even some that emit a gentle heat."

Kaili watched with interest as the small aquatic creatures interacted with the roots of the plants, creating a balanced and harmonious ecosystem. "It's fascinating," she commented. "I had never noticed these details."

"Sometimes, the most important things are the ones that go unnoticed," Sebastian said in a reflective tone.

Kaili nodded, with a thoughtful expression.