(CH21)The Cave of the Forgotten

The moon cast eerie shadows as Luis practiced darting between trees in his new Feathered Leather Armor, the Wind Dancer ability making him nearly silent.

"Wow, you only tripped twice that time," Zyx mused, floating beside him. "Progress!"

Luis ignored him—until his boot caught on a vine, sending him sprawling face-first into the dirt.

"Three times," Zyx corrected.

Luis spat out leaves—then froze. Carved into a nearby rockface was a dark cave entrance, its edges lined with pulsing, blood-red runes.

"Uh. Zyx? What's that?"

Zyx squinted. "Either a monster buffet or the gods' idea of a prank toilet. Hard to say."

"Can you read it?" Luis asked.

Zyx puffed up. "Obviously. I'm a god." He floated closer, then immediately winced. "AGH—MY DIVINE EYES! IT'S LIKE READING A DRUNKARD'S GRAFFITI!"

After exaggerated groaning, he finally translated:

"Cave of the Forgotten. Filled with monsters of unknown level. Enter, and you can't leave until the last one's dead."

Luis stared into the abyss. "...That sounds like a terrible idea."

"Oh, you'll die," Zyx agreed cheerfully. "Like, 'screaming while your spleen turns into confetti' die."

Luis backed away. "Yeah, no. Let's… come back never."

The village was quiet when they returned, the celebration long over. But as Luis passed the square, a haunting melody stopped him in his tracks.

Yuna the Bard sat alone on the wooden stage, her fingers dancing across her lute strings. Her voice—soft and sorrowful—sang of lost homes and forgotten stars.

But what fascinated Luis wasn't just her singing.

Yuna was arguing with empty air.

"No, that verse goes after the chorus," she muttered to no one.

A pause. Then she huffed. "Because it flows better, Selune!"

Luis blinked. Right. Her god.

Zyx grinned. "Oho! Looks like someone's patron is a backseat singer!"

Yuna's fingers slipped on the strings. Her head snapped up—and she turned beet-red when she saw Luis.

"O-Oh! I didn't think anyone was—" She glared at the space beside her. "Yes, I know I messed up! Stop critiquing me!"

Luis couldn't help but smile. "Tough crowd?"

Yuna groaned. "Selune used to be a choir goddess. She's… particular." She gestured to the empty air. "Apparently my cadence was 'uninspired' just now."

"Wow," Zyx said, floating closer. "And I thought I was annoying."

Yuna blinked. "Is… is your god talking right now?"

Luis nodded. "Yeah. He says your god sounds worse than Icon's dancing."

"HEY!" Yuna's invisible patron snapped.

Yuna burst out laughing. "Okay, now Selune's offended."

They talked for a while—about music, about gods, about how Zyx and Selune would absolutely murder each other if they could interact.

When Yuna finally yawned, she stood. "Goodnight, Luis. And… Zyx."

Zyx gasped. "She acknowledged me! I'm famous!"

As she walked away, Luis heard her whisper: "No, Selune, we are not adding a harp solo—"