Theodore had spent the duration of the earthquake gauging its precise speed, depth, and velocity, while simultaneously attempting to retain his footing. The forces of nature never ceased to amaze. Truly, a marvelous effort of the earth. He had, of course, out of curiosity, followed rumor and his own observations to the entrance of Styx, shortly after, intrigued and perhaps vaguely awed by the gaping caverns. Yet it was none of this that surprised him. The most remarkable occurrence had been the sudden feeling, upon nearing the caverns, that she was close at hand. The one to which he owed his allegiance and duty. It was her presence that he felt — warm and familiar — and, after a brief pause, he smiled to himself, and set about finding its source.
Her presence, he supposed, explained quite a lot, including his own. If not to watch over her, why would he have been brought to such a place as Arcadios? Carefully picking and choosing his way through the twisting caves, he at last caught sight of a familiar chestnut ponytail, and chuckled softly.
“Master Minako,” he murmured, approaching. “I suppose I should have expected to find you here. Are you quite alright?” She looked well enough, and Theo was confident he should have been able to sense any damages she might have sustained. A small pause, then, gently chiding: “What are you doing down here all alone? I do hope you haven’t taken to exploring such dark places unaccompanied. It could be dangerous, you know.” Shaking his head, he smiled. “I shall escort you, for now.” And then, with habitual grace, he reached out, “Your hand, please. Before we go any farther.”
Doors, he thought, were odd occurrences in dark, natural caves… but then, the Velvet Room’s door could appear anywhere. Perhaps this doorway was something like that — a portal to an ethereal plane. “Old… Arcadios?” He blinked. “You are… familiar with this place?”
baratheonpilled
turnnoffyourmind
ellievsbear
theartofmadeline
annaxmalina
gummygunk
izzy806
