"I found something," Gabby said, her voice calm but filled with a quiet urgency.
Elsie and Skyler moved closer to her, curiosity lighting up their faces.
"You found more than something," Skyler said, kneeling down beside her with wide eyes. "This is... amazing."
Inside the box lay a treasure trove of mysterious items. It was like stumbling into a lost chapter of the past. The first things they saw were beautiful and strange antiques, items crafted with such care that even time hadn't dulled their elegance. Thick books were neatly placed inside, their covers old but intact. When Elsie reached out and flipped one open, she gasped softly. The language inside was readable—simple, flowing, and clearly about ancient medicine. The pages were full of diagrams, lists, and carefully drawn herbs and symbols.
Next to the books were vials, each one sealed tight and filled with strange-colored liquids that gave off a soft glow. Some shimmered like starlight. Others pulsed gently, as if alive.
Gabby carefully lifted one up, holding it between her fingers. It was cool to the touch and seemed to hum with energy.
But there was more.
At the bottom of the chest, they discovered even stranger objects—things they couldn't immediately identify. There were rings, beautifully carved bracelets, delicate necklaces, and shining gemstones. One pouch, soft and silky, held a small handful of emeralds that gleamed like drops of enchanted rain.
Skyler looked at the collection with wide-eyed wonder. "This is... beyond rare."
Skyler turned to Gabby. "Please, leave this to us. You may be tired—have some rest."
Gabby told them, "Okay then. Let's take this seriously. Read through the instructions slowly. There might be something here that could help."
Gabby stood quietly for a moment, letting the sounds of the cave settle around her. Then, without saying a word, she turned and walked back to her small space near the wall—her apartment. A few soft furs were laid out for warmth, and a low table held some of her items: a folded cloth, a wooden cup, and a small lantern that gave off a soft, golden light.
She sat down slowly, then let her body sink into the bedding. She pulled her knees close and rested her head against the smooth wall, breathing deeply.
Even though her body was tired, her mind was filled with too many thoughts—memories, fears, questions. But here in this little corner, wrapped in warmth and silence, things didn't feel as heavy. She could still feel the ache in her heart when she thought of Tony and everything they had been through in the forest... but now it didn't crush her. Not like before.
She was upset. Not just with the forest events, but everything that led up to it.
Tony.
If Tony hadn't dragged them into this, none of it would've happened. They wouldn't have suffered. They wouldn't be here, breaking stuff to help cure him.
But deep inside, she knew it wasn't fair to blame him.
She closed her eyes. Instantly, Tony's face appeared in her mind. She saw the moment they met in the forest, the strange connection they shared, how it grew stronger over time. She remembered their nights in the cold prison, how he protected them during the escape, and how they nearly died trying to stay together.
And then her cheeks flushed slightly.
She remembered the moment she fell on him in the forest. It could've been something more. She had felt it. Maybe if she had kissed him then… but what was the point now?
She had already done that.
Still, her heart ached—not because of regret, but because she was scared.
Tony was hurt. He was in trouble. And she didn't know if he would make it.
Back near the ancient box, the other two were still searching.
"Flip to the next page," Elsie said, nudging Skyler.
Skyler frowned. "I'm getting tired of flipping through this old thing. You read it."
Elsie sighed and took the book, placing it on her lap. She began turning pages quickly but carefully. The diagrams inside were strange. Some showed roots and flowers; others had shapes of bottles and containers—what looked like vials, bowls, and other tools. Symbols surrounded the pictures, but most were hard to understand.
"I'm not finding anything useful," Elsie muttered.
She looked over at Skyler, hoping for some encouragement. But Skyler wasn't listening. She was completely distracted, staring at the jewelry and gems with wonder.
Elsie raised an eyebrow, then tapped her lightly on the arm. "Hey. I said I'm not finding anything."
Skyler snapped back to the moment and turned to her. "Then try again," she said softly, her eyes still glittering with fascination as she went back to examining the glowing emeralds.
Elsie did it slowly this time—flipping through the pages with more care. Her eyes scanned the diagrams, taking quiet glances at the detailed sketches while moving through the smaller subtitles. Something about the structure of the book made her feel like she was getting closer to an answer.
Meanwhile, back in the lab, Z-12 leaned back against his desk, thoughts racing. He had studied every chart, every scrap of data, and the same question kept gnawing at him: What if there really is no living descendant of the Maghis?
But then again... what if Gabby was the one?
The sword she carried—it matched ancient descriptions perfectly. Forged in dragonfire. Sealed in the Maghua era. A weapon only usable by the true bloodline. And yet, a whisper of doubt crept in. What if she wasn't one of them? What if she was just a bandit who stumbled across the weapon during a raid?
He rubbed his temples.
But the sword… it wasn't just about possession. It responded to its wielder. Only a descendant of the Maghis could draw its full strength. If Gabby truly wielded it, then…
Then she wasn't just some lucky survivor..she was the key.
Z-12 pushed those thoughts aside and checked on the injured soldiers again. As he brought his lens closer, his eyes narrowed. Something had changed.
The wounds… they were healing.
"What's happening?" he murmured, adjusting his view. The yellowish liquid around the injuries was drying out, and the deep cuts were closing up, layer by layer. The sheath-like texture that had clung to their skin was fading, and beneath it, healthy flesh was returning.
He blinked, not trusting what he saw. But at every interval—every hour—he rechecked, and each time, the progress continued. Slowly, steadily, the soldiers looked less like dying men and more like warriors recovering from battle.
Confusion filled him—but not dread. This was hope.
Maybe everything does happen for a reason, he thought.
Back inside the cave...
"I found it! It's here!" Elsie called out, holding a small booklet tightly.
"What does it say?" Skyler asked, hurrying over.
"It talks about wound healing. Some ancient method... infused herbs, magic sigils… I don't understand it all, but it looks like a cure," Elsie replied, flipping to a page filled with strange markings and notes about energy-based recovery.
Skyler nodded. "Then let's not waste time. Let's try it."
Gabby, who had been lying on her bedding moments ago, suddenly sat up. Something inside her told her to go. She couldn't ignore it anymore.
She stood, quietly walked out of her room, and made her way to where Tony rested.
She stepped into his chamber.
Tony lay there, still, quiet, caught between time and pain. Gabby didn't say a word. She walked to his bedside and sat down gently.
And just… stared at him.
Not because she was waiting for him to wake up, but because being near him made her feel something real—comfort, pain, care, all tangled into one quiet moment.
Her fingers brushed the edge of the bed. She watched his chest rise and fall, slow but steady.
"What's the name?" Skyler asked, her eyes scanning the old text.
"It's… Velrum," Elsie replied slowly.
"Velrum? What's that supposed to be?" Skyler leaned closer, curiosity pulling her in.
"Let me see," she said, sliding the book gently from Elsie's hands. Her eyes scanned the section. Diagrams filled the page—little sketches of small round objects and swirling energy lines.
"We've got it," Skyler said suddenly. "It's another name for those rare Neet Candies used in the ancient days by a special group of people... I can't remember their name right now."
She paused, tapping her finger against her temple.
"But these," she added, voice rising with excitement, "these were the strongest of all Neet Candies. The most powerful ever recorded."
Skyler stood up, gripping the book. "Come on! Let's hurry to Tony's room."
Elsie blinked. "Hey! Hold on. That's just a book. We still need to find the actual candy, remember?"
Skyler froze mid-step and turned, letting out a nervous chuckle. "Oh. Right. Got ahead of myself."
She hurried back, embarrassed but still determined.
As Skyler flipped through scrolls and opened old containers, Elsie moved toward a dusty shelf in the far corner of the cave. Something caught her eye—an old wooden box, half-buried under folded pieces of strange, ancient fabric. It had a faint shimmer, almost like it was warded.
Carefully, she pulled the box free, dust puffing around her fingers. When she opened it…
Tiny round objects—like old-fashioned sweets—rested inside. They glowed faintly, wrapped in thin silk-like cloth.
"Skyler," Elsie called, her voice calm but firm.
"Eureka".."what does that mean" Skyler asked
"I think I found it."