Blacktail Deer Plateau We wanted everything, wanted everything

Ying seemed eager to explore the mysterious cavern, whilst the bear remained cautious; the idea of an adventure often triggered something akin to longing from within the young leader but, for something so unknown, he couldn’t fend off his budding weariness. Still, when it was considered to be safe through the inclusion of them all, he was a little more open to delving inside. Looking from one to the next, he eventually nodded in agreement and followed after them, careful to watch his step.

Only a short way in and the light from the entrance began to fade—except, it faded into a new wave of light from overhead, an opening in the ceiling above giving way to the cave’s floor. “It isn’t dark?” he questioned aloud, pausing mid-step—and then a second later he was moving forward again, stopping next only when water was seen ahead.

“Do you think there are fish in there?” he asked, looking first to Erzulie and then to Ying. Although he couldn’t see any additional waterways that may connect it to the streams outside, he wasn’t quick to write off the possibility of life roaming within.