Zaros’ heart leapt as the ground opened underneath him. It swallowed him whole, casting him into sudden darkness.

He screamed, trying to catch himself by dragging his staff along the dirt walls of the cavernous hole. His body twisted and turned, trying to fight against gravity.

Above him, a small orange cat named Apollo poked in his head. He meowed, the sound echoing down to his master.

“I am aware!” Zaros growled at his companion. He muttered a curse under his breath.

His drawing supplies were far below him. Teeth gritted, Zaros tore open a previous wound, a scar zigzagging down his forearm. He dipped a finger into the blood and traced a rune into his palm.

Aflame, the rune lit up, illuminating the hole. Zaros breathed a sigh of relief as he stopped plummeting. He traced another rune into his hand. The sharp shape caused him to float upward.

Zaros floated to the edge of the hole where his cat waited. It sarcastically meowed again, conveying a message only he could understand.

His mouth twisted into a sardonic smile. “They’ve improved the defenses in my absence. Not sure whether to be annoyed or impressed.”

“Come on.” He gestured for the fiery kitten to follow him.

The two traveled around the trap’s trigger. Zaros bent down to inspect and reset it. He whistled, impressed.

They entered the Marsh.

He continued down the hidden path to the Master’s home. Carved into a tree every few feet were soft, curling sigils. An invisibility spell set by Zaros many years ago, when he first came upon the Master’s Marsh.

He grinned as he approached the house, but the smile disappeared as it came into view. The house sagged heavily. The trees drooped to meet the ground. The air smelled sour.

Apollo wrinkled his nose in disgust and meowed. Zaros bent down, picking him up and placing him on his shoulder.

“I know. What is going on?”

It’d been about a year since Zaros had left, resolving to travel the world and see what it had to offer. Which the Master had told him he was free to do. But as Zaros grew closer and closer to the house, he could see the state of the Marsh was poor. Even in the worst of times, the Master tended to the swamp. For it to be in this state of disarray was unbelievable.

The door opened outwards just before Zaros knocked, pushing him back a few steps. Jahid stepped out, carrying a large flask. He had used his back to open the door, before pouring a putrid substance off the front porch.

Zaros caught himself. “Jahid? Is everything okay?”

Jahid’s complexion was pale, dark circles under his eyes. The Alchemist was clearly suffering. He didn’t seem to notice Zaros. Robotically, he continued back to the lab, with Zaros following close behind.

“Jahid?” he repeated. “What’s going on?” He put his hands on the man’s shoulders and shook gently.

This seemed to snap Jahid out of his state. His eyes cleared, realizing Zaros stood before him. He smiled, but it didn’t light his eyes.

“The Master is sick. I can’t find a way to help. He’s dying,” Jahid admitted.

Zaros looked around the room. Dirty pots and vials covered the entire lab in a cluttered mess. A fire burned in the hearth, a large pot boiling. He leaned his head over and gagged.

“He can’t be,” Zaros replied in denial.

Jahid looked down sadly. “I can’t fix it! It’s an illness we’ve never seen before. I’ve tried everything.” He pulled his hair at the scalp, clearly exhausted.

Zaros’ first instinct was to panic, but from the state of Jahid, he knew someone needed a clear head.

“We’re going to see Uysses.”

----

Story Arc Index:

Part 1: Wizard #4856

Part 2: Wizard #399

Part 3: Wizard #8004

Part 4: Pony #308

Part 5: Wizard #8441

Part 6: Pony #312

Entered by: 0x24D7…e52b and preserved on chain (see transaction)