While the discussion between the merchant and his affiliate concluded, Cyrene and Gideon were concluding their skirmish with the monsters. The huntress cut down her share of beasts while Gideon's familiars scattered about the field.  

The wolf raced into combat. Its unrelenting jaws tore through the flesh of its victims. Despite the numbers present, the wolf jumped and pounced around with impressive agility. It was proficient in evading attacks and driving its opponents away. Gideon’s raven took to the air, sending forth a gust of feathers towards the flying insects. The feathers were as sharp as knives, piercing through the frames of his enemies and sending their limbs drooping to the ground below. Other ground-based enemies attempted to rush Gideon while he was distracted, but his bear was able to spot their incoming assault, so it jumped in front of the young man, taking the assault of his enemies, and clawing away any that dared charge toward him.   

During the combat, Cyrene would often lose focus on the monsters and glance at Gideon's abilities. Seeing his familiars perform so well forced her to keep up. She starts dashing, hacking, and slashing at a quicker rate.

Knowing their numbers were depleting rapidly, the creatures swiftly began to escape. The monsters fled into small crevices and holes. Running beside their feet, Cyrene sought to kill as many as she could, so she chased after her closest targets. She sprints toward a quadruped that bolts toward a small hole in the wall. Unfortunately, she was unable to make it and the beast scampered inside the tight hole, disappearing. Cyrene comes to a halt in front of the opening. She bangs her fist against the rocky wall. 

“Damn! They got away!"

Gideon approaches her from behind, the animals he once conjured fading away into an airy matter.

"No need to feel upset. As long as they keep away from us there is no need to hunt them down."

She lowers her mantle.

“I suppose you're right..."

She turns to him.

"Good job fighting out there but, what the hell did you even do back there?" She curiously looks from side to side. "Didn't you just have some animals with you? Where did they go?"

"You are referring to my familiars?"

Gideon holds his hand forward and summons small vines from his hands that protrude in different directions.

"They are a part of my ability."

Cyrene was inquisitively eyeing the vines closely.

"Your... ability...?"

Gideon slowly retracts his vines.

"Why do you look so surprised? You have an ability of your own."

Cyrene holds up her sword close to her body.

"You mean this?"

Shwoosh

Her sword abruptly disappears from her hand, surprising the huntress.

"Ah!" She yelped.

She looks down at her palm and opens and closes her hand, feeling confused.    

“Does my power work just like yours?" She juts her arm out. "Do you have to flex your hand or something?"  

Her actions did not cause anything to occur. She frowns and tries again holding out her arm and hand in a different position. 

"Maybe if I try it this way?" 

Nothing happens. She tries a different motion.   

"Or this?"  

Cyrene flails her hand in an attempt to resummon her weapon. Gideon chuckles. 

"I'm afraid your ability may not work like that." 

Gideon takes a step back from her and surveys the area.

“Albeit the enemy has retreated, I daresay we've done an excellent job in pushing it back," he looks at Cyrene. "Your skill and power with that blade are quite peculiar. What is it that you do?” 

Cyrene stops flailing her hand and turns to Gideon.

“I’m a hunter,” she replies, “My job is to kill these monsters and protect my home, but right now I'm hunting a person. The only time I'll be killing these things is if they're getting in the way." 

Gideon scratches his chin.

“Hm, how fascinating. Would you care to enlighten me with more details?” 

“What I do isn't important right now. We’ve gotta go to your master, remember?” 

“Oh, yes! Thank you for reminding me."

Gideon leads Cyrene to another path. 

“Come along, the path is clear for now. I shall take you to him. The cave's catacombs are rather lengthy. It will be a few hours before I've completely retraced my steps. Be prepared for a bit of a trek."

Cyrene nods. 

"I'm good to go."

Cyrene and Gideon maneuver through the cavern for hours, passing through small archways, narrow walkways, and an often corroding path. During their venture, Gideon would often pause to bask in the environment. While this only slightly bothered the huntress, his antics started to become frequent as she followed him for hours. After the fifth time Gideon stopped to look at what Cyrene could only perceive as a cracked wall, she placed her palm on her forehead and sighed. 

“Can we please keep moving?"

“Hu-huh?” He stammers. “M-my apologies.” 

“Haven’t you already passed by here? Why're you lookin' at it these walls again?"  

“The structure of this Grotto is quite alluring. I could not help but bask in its beauty."

Cyrene turns to face what Gideon was ogling. She points to the wall, somewhat angry.

“Those are rocks.” 

“Rocks yes, but their formation paints a different picture. Truth be told, it feels as if that alone is enough to capture my heart.” 

Cyrene puts her hands on her hips. 

“That's quite an easy catch."

“Honestly, it hurts to see the Dysmorphs infect and destroy this place.” 

The huntress' eyebrow raises.

“The… Dysmorphs?” 

“Yes, the creatures we recently fought off. My master calls them as such. The Dysmorphs have not only begun to come into the Emerald Sea, but they have possibly ventured into parts of Gratia. It’s a shame, really. They serve more of a hindrance than a help, what with their relentless attacking."  

“The more you talk about your master, the more he seems like a really interesting person…” She ponders aloud.  

“Why yes, he is! I cannot wait to introduce you to him.” 

“Dontcha mean you can’t wait to start traveling?” 

Gideon nervously chuckles. 

“Haha, yes, I suppose so.” 

A few hours pass as they traveled deeper into the cavern. The two travelers ascended atop thin, shaky platforms formed from stone, sidled through tight crevices, and had very small encounters with creatures that lurked inside the cavern. 

"This is taking a while..." She said, feeling a bit uneasy. "Are you sure we're going the right way? 

"Don't fret. We're nearly there." 

She looks around the unwelcoming area, creeping anxiety settling within her. 

"I sure hope so..."

Gideon turns his head slightly to see the huntress on guard. He turns forward once more. 

"Pardon me, young mistress." 

Cyrene looks up at Gideon. 

"Hm?" 

"This person you're hunting... is there any particular reason you're after him?" 

A solemn gaze formed on her face and the air about her fell cold. 

"A merchant showed up in my village yesterday. We don't get visitors where I live so seeing him was already bizarre enough. He let me use one of his weapons for a hunt I had to do, and just when I was ready to give him his sword back. He grabbed me by my arm and I..."

Her thoughts became encapsulated by his hidden gaze. The strength of his grip and moment of powerlessness struck her heart.

"I-I just remember waking up in a crater, and when I rushed home everything was in shambles. A bunch of monsters came flooding in, destroying homes and killing people; I found my brother almost dead on the floor, and of course, that guy was close by when all of this happened. Last night I followed his tracks into the Grotto. He can't get away with what he did!"

Gideon thinks for a moment.

"A very peculiar situation," he strokes his chin. "And I suppose you are looking for the man to pay his dues?"

Cyrene balls her hand into a fist and the energy around her began to heighten.

"Of course! The only way he can pay is through blood!"

Her shout catalyzed her sword in her hand. The sight of her performance brings Gideon's attention, but only for a few seconds. After briefly gazing at her rageful stare, he looks ahead once more. 

"I see... I typically do not condone the slaughtering of another, but the way you've described the event; you may not have my support for revenge but you have certainly gained my understanding."  

Cyrene exhales and calms herself. Her sword disappears from her hand once more. She looks up at him and delivers a weak smile.

"Well, at least that's something."

"Stand firm, huntress. That is the best counsel I can give you." 

They walked further through the cavern and a light at the end of the hall grew brighter, its rays seeping onto them. The more they approached it, the more the light blinded them. Cyrene partially shields her eyes as she presses ahead.   

“Is that the exit?”  

“Yes, my home should be just beyond the radiance.”

The two proceed toward the shimmering exit. Gideon disappears into the light and Cyrene trails behind him. Passing underneath a small parting waterfall, the huntress steps out of the cavern, her eyes feasting upon the aforementioned Emerald Sea.

The newfound daylight from above radiated onto a massive plain. Large silvery trees and rocky pillars were scattered across the land. Gigantic strange rock formations, distant mountains, and various basins were teeming with life. Numerous land animals occupied the ocean of verdant grass. Bizarre aerial beasts flew alongside the white clouds that parted the azure sky, dancing with the amber hues of the early morning. A fair distance off toward the horizon was a massive foundation entirely constructed of bramble which nearly shot past the clouds. The dawn's luster pierces through the cracks of the splitting clouds, shining a ray onto the two travelers transfixed by the sight of the Sea. Starstruck, Cyrene steps forward with her eyes glued to the heavens above and beyond. 

“This is the Emerald Sea...?" 

“Yes. It’s quite beautiful, isn’t it? I could always admire this landscape from the early morning and never grow tired.” 

The huntress gazes off with a glint in each eye.

“I see what you mean…”

Quickly breaking her transfixion, she shakes her head and returns to a stalwart gaze. 

“U-um, forget that right now, where’s your master, exactly?” 

“Ah, yes.”  

Gideon points to the bramble in the distance and the huntress raises her brow. 

“My master resides inside that tree a fair distance away.”

"Never thought I'd see something as crazy as a massive tree..."

"I don't believe it should take us nearly as long to approach compared to our trek through the cavern." 

Cyrene nods. 

“All right then, let’s go.”  

Cyrene and Gideon made their way to the large structure in the distance. With Gideon’s hopes heightened to explore the open world, Cyrene’s resolve pushes her forward, diving into an ocean of unknown possibilities.