Deeper into the cave, the shattered stone shells became more numerous and larger.
"Light Spell?"
"No. The amber bubble is glowing faintly now. As long as we can see the way."
The two pressed close together and relied on the amber bubble's protection as they entered the depths of the cave. Rorschach noticed that there were fewer pink crystals piercing through the ground, and less sand and soil contaminated by them.
They continued until there was no more falling debris, as though they had reached a peaceful space. The amber bubble shrank and returned around the beetle.
Yet Rorschach and Ina became even more tense. With every step, they tried their best not to make a sound.
They had entered the interior of some creature's shell. The so-called shattered stone shells were likely the molts of some living thing. They were now inside an intact molt.
It was enormous, but its exact shape could not be made out.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Something at the end of the molt was striking continuously. There was no beast-like roar, only dull, mechanical impacts.
Then it stopped. The cave was left with nothing but darkness and silence, while the amber bubble gave off a faint glow. That light had once guided mages, but now it attracted something else. Dry earth and stone were smashed apart, and the sounds of movement resembled a snake scraping across the ground, accompanied by hoof-like tremors.
"It's here. Let's do it," Ina judged.
To see the approaching creature clearly, Rorschach raised his hand and cast a spell. Not Light Spell—he directly activated the ambient aether and transformed it into Fire Element. Flames erupted across a wide area, burning and illuminating the battlefield.
What came stomping through the fire was neither the giant beast Rorschach had expected nor the Deer-headed