The ice dragon took off in the sky with Arzoth and the little Arisa on its back. Despite the scorching heat of the sun, the dragon's ice-cold temperature and the cool air radiating off his body kept Arzoth and the child from the heat.
Evren departed for Eldrakai from Valkyra itself with the help of the teleportation magic that Tashi created. Evren had to inform the emperor and empress about the child.
"The only thing I am not certain of is the reaction mother will have after seeing Evren alive. I have to divert her mind somehow when I return to the kingdom, but for now, I need to get Arisa to that cave."
Arzoth looked at the child, still curled in his arms with her eyes closed. Her body was draped in a white cloth, which was softer than cotton.
"Good that she still has her eyes closed."
The mage floated beside the dragon, standing atop a glowing magic circle. With a flat tone, she asked, "Where are you planning to take the demon princess?"
Arzoth stared at the approaching mountain in front and said with a chin point, "There, the Crystal cave. I am taking her there."
Tashi followed Arzoth's gaze. "How do you know about it?"
"Let's just say that I have known about it all along."
"The Crystal Cave is a place where all the beings find peace of mind, it's similar to a holy place, but not quite like it."
"It's a place where all supernatural powers get nullified. A place where no magic works. The cause of it is the crystals that are found on the inner walls of the cave; they are everywhere inside, as the name suggests. Those crystals work against the magic, nullifying it."
The mountain drew closer, and the dragon descended, before he marked the ground with his footprints. Tashi followed.
Arzoth carefully mounted off the dragon, his eyes forever on the child. As his feet met the ground, he looked up at the cave, all dark and muddy inside. Arzoth looked down at Arisa, "I can't enter this cave without getting dirt on her."
Arzoth looked at the mage, "Tashi, if you don't mind-"
Tashi gave a small nod, almost as if she could read Arzoth's mind. She closed her eyes in concentration and raised her left hand, rotating it in a circular motion to create a magic circle as large as the cave itself. She mouthed a few incantations before opening her eyes. The magic circle entered the cave, fitting in like a missing piece of a puzzle. Once inside, it never returned; it disappeared into the abyss of the cave.
The cave was brighter, cleaner, but it was always like this.
"Thank you," Arzoth said.
Tashi nodded, "I will wait here, you go ahead."
Arzoth looked forward and entered the cave with little Arisa. They went deeper into the cave until Arzoth saw a large stone resting in the middle of the cave, where people meditated. The prince walked up to it and took his seat, he laid the infant on his lap while his hands still protected her fragile body from falling and supported her neck.
"In the novel, when Arisa first opened her eyes in Eldrakai. The basement in which she was kept was destroyed by the sheer intensity of her newly awakened power. It was because she wasn't with a mage to control her, and also because her mana capacity was way too high than any other being, it was because she was a half breed. Her body had endured a lot. I can't let it happen this time."
"Evren had discovered this place in the novel, I guess, now that changes, too."
"I am not sure how much of her power and mana will get in control, but this is the best option I have. This cave should be able to control Arisa's mana, additionally, Tashi is here. It should be fine."
Arzoth looked at his daughter, who was still in a deep sleep, her breathing slow and peaceful. She stirred, which made the prince tense and freeze.
"Is she opening her eyes? No, isn't it supposed to be when sunset was near? But then again, everything is changing so swiftly."
Arzoth watched with his heart pounding in his throat. Arisa's lips shivered before she took a small yawn, and soon a look of discomfort appeared on her face. The prince observed intently before he decided to loosen the white cloth draped over the infant. As soon as she felt the grasp around her loosen, her tiny hands escaped the restricting cloth, her tiny fingers curled up in loose fists.
Just then, the child stirred again, her eyelids fluttering, adjusting to the light. Her red eyes came into view, locking onto the face of the man holding her. An earnest smile spread across her face, like a rainbow under the warm sun after heavy rainfall.
The crystals in the cave shone bright enough to fill the place with light, in every corner of it. Nullifying the incredible mana of the infant and her immense power awakened.
Arzoth stared at his daughter, whose red eyes shone under the crystal light. Soon, after a while, the Crystals dimmed out, and the only vibrant thing was Arisa's face. she made a high-pitched sound, which was rather delightful.
"It…..worked?"
The cave shook, and so did the ground under Arzoth. The prince's eyes widened.
"Oh crap!"