Kiel instinctively glanced back.
Across, Anaya was still standing near the children. She noticed him looking and gave him the same warm smile as before.
Kiel immediately turned his head away like someone who had just been caught stealing.
His ears were slightly red.
Anaya tilted her head, confused by his strange reaction. For a moment, she watched him, then her father called her from one of the wooden houses. She walked toward him, still glancing back once at Kiel before disappearing behind the trees.
Kiel pretended he hadn't noticed.
Shane clapped his hands once, calm but firm.
"Alright," he said. "We're heading back to the entrance. We'll wait for the Kultians there."
The group started walking again, leaving the small settlement behind. Children's laughter slowly faded as the crystal trees and tall quartz clusters swallowed the view of the village.
Daiowon walked quietly beside them.
The quartzman said nothing, but his crystal eyes were cloudy with something close to confusion… maybe even unease.
As they walked, Ulon stretched his arms and glanced back toward the peaceful valley.
"Boss," he said loudly, "I still don't get it."
Shane kept walking.
"Get what?"
Ulon pointed behind them.
"That place is perfect. No one hunts them, also, no idiots like Klaus."
Klaus smirked lazily. "Flattering."
Ulon continued, "If I were them, I'd stay there forever. Why would they choose to go back to the surface?"
Shane was silent for a moment.
Then he answered simply.
"A bird can't stay inside a cage without trying to escape."
Daiowon suddenly reacted.
"We… visitors… never captured," he said slowly. "We keep… them safe."
Shane nodded calmly.
"I know."
He gestured around the glowing cavern.
"But cages don't always have bars."
He looked up toward the unseen ceiling far above.
"Down here, you're safe."
He paused, "But you're also cut off from the world."
Daiowon stared at him for a long moment.
Then he muttered, "Humans… crazy."
"You're not wrong," Shane smiled slightly.
"Humans are indeed crazy."
Ulon laughed loudly, "Finally! Someone understands us!"
Klaus sighed, "Don't include me in that category."
Petra quietly raised a hand.
"…But you're human too."
Klaus shrugged, "Maybe, who knows, maybe I'm a ghost."
Their voices echoed softly as they approached the massive crystal gate again.
The towering walls of quartz slowly came into view.
At the entrance of Lumicryst Hollow, Daiope was already waiting.
His dark crystal body stood motionless beside the glowing gate.
Daiowon stepped forward first.
He bowed respectfully to his elder and spoke in their grinding language for a few seconds.
The sounds echoed like stones scraping together.
Then Daiowon stepped aside and quietly walked away, leaving the group with Daiope.
The elder Quartzman turned his amethyst eyes toward Shane.
"So, visitors," he said calmly.
"Are your friends coming with you?"
Shane nodded politely.
"Yes, Mr. Daiope."
"We'll wait for them here while they prepare their belongings."
He placed a hand over his chest in a respectful gesture.
"Thank you for taking care of them."
Daiope watched him silently for a moment.
The faint glow from the crystal walls reflected across the elder Quartzman's darkened body, making the lines on his surface look deeper, older.
Then he spoke in a low voice.
"We only did what we believed was right."
"You humans…"
There was a hint of disappointment in his tone.
"You often chase chaos over peace."
He paused.
"But rarely understand the weight of either."
Before anyone could respond, Daiope reached to his chest and carefully pulled out a white crystal the size of a clenched fist. It separated from his body with a faint grinding sound.
He extended it toward Shane.
"Take this, visitor. A farewell gift."
Shane accepted the crystal with both hands.
The stone was cold, and faint light pulsed inside it.
"Thank you," Shane said politely. "May I ask what this is?"
"A Memory Crystal," Daiope answered calmly. "A part of your friends' memories is embedded within it."
Shane frowned slightly, "You removed their memories?"
Daiope shook his head slowly, "You will understand once you explore it."
His amethyst eyes flickered faintly, "It may also be beneficial to you."
Shane studied the crystal for another second, then slipped it into his storage ring.
Just then, the distant sound of hooves echoed through the passage.
Everyone turned.
From the far end of the path, the Kultians were approaching. Several men led their horses by the reins, walking carefully along the crystal pavement.
At the front, their leader stepped forward.
Alub.
He stopped a few steps from Daiope and pressed his fist against his chest respectfully.
"Good day… and goodbye, Mr. Daiope."
His voice was calm but heavy.
"I… we… are truly grateful for the shelter you gave us these past few days."
He bowed his head slightly.
"But we must return to the surface."
Daiope tilted his head.
"May I ask why, Alub?"
Alub hesitated, then answered honestly.
"I am afraid."
His voice lowered, "I fear that your kindness toward us will bring danger to your people."
He glanced back at his companions.
"We are being hunted."
"Humans can be relentless creatures." His jaw tightened. "Sooner or later, they will find us."
He looked back at Daiope, "And when they do… Lumicryst Hollow may be dragged into our chaos."
Daiope remained silent for a moment.
Then he nodded.
"If that is your decision…"
He stepped forward and gestured them to follow him in the stone pavement.
"…who am I to stop you?"
As the Kultians began leading their horses onto the moving stone path, Daiope noticed Alub lowering his head again.
The old Quartzman gave a quiet snort.
"We may not meet again soon."
He tapped the pavement lightly. "But perhaps someday in the distant future."
"So lift your head," he looked directly at Alub. "There is nothing to be ashamed of."
Alub raised his head slowly.
"…Thank you."
The Kultians stepped onto the pavement.
Daiope then turned to Shane's group.
"What are you waiting for, visitors?"
"It is still early. You can begin your journey once you reach the surface."
Shane nodded.
"Understood."
The group stepped onto the pavement.
Almost immediately, the stone beneath them surged forward.
"Whoa—!"
Ulon nearly lost his balance and grabbed Shalotte's shoulder.
"Why is it faster this time?!"
Shalotte squeaked and clung to his staff.
"I-it's like riding a runaway carriage!"
Maddy planted her feet firmly.
"Stop whining and keep your balance!"
Petra held onto her scythe quietly.
Klaus simply stood relaxed, hands in his pockets.
"Comfortable ride," he said lazily.
Kiel, meanwhile, stole a few quiet glances toward Anaya.
She stood beside her father, gently holding a horse's reins.
Completely unaware of his staring.
Kiel quickly looked away each time she turned slightly.
The ride ended just as suddenly as it began.
The pavement stopped.
The Kultians immediately secured the horses, adjusting saddles and tightening straps.
Everyone moved with quiet efficiency.
Shane stepped toward Daiope, "Thank you again, Mr. Daiope."
He placed his hand over his chest respectfully, "I wish the best for you and your kin."
Daiope gave a small smile.
"I hope not to see you again."
He paused.
"Humans are troublesome."
Ulon laughed, "Fair enough."
Shane smiled slightly.
"Maybe you're right."
He glanced at the entrance tunnel.
"Are you going to seal this passage after we leave?"
Daiope tilted his head.
"Do I need to?"
Shane shook his head.
"No."
He nodded respectfully.
"And thank you… for trusting us."
Daiope replied simply,
"I know a good person when I see one."
His gaze shifted toward Ulon.
"You might be one."
He paused.
"But you are far too reckless."
Ulon grinned.
"Thanks for your patience, old man."
Daiope snorted.
"You truly should be grateful for it."
At that moment, Alub approached again.
"Is everything ready?" Daiope asked.
"Yes, Mr. Daiope," Alub replied.
"Thank you… truly."
Daiope sighed.
"You sound like a cricket in the evening."
Alub blinked in confusion.
"…Pardon?"
"You repeat yourself constantly," Daiope crossed his arms. "It is borderline annoying."
Alub chuckled awkwardly, "I do not mind repeating myself."
He bowed slightly again.
"It is the only way I know how to repay your kindness."
Soon after, the group began their departure toward the surface.
Daiope stood silently at the entrance, watching them disappear into the dark tunnel ahead.
He remained there long after their footsteps faded.
Finally, he looked around the quiet cavern.
"Daiowon," he said calmly.
"You can come out now."
A faint grinding sound echoed from a nearby crystal wall.
"Stop hiding."