�Hmm�� he muttered to himself quietly, though even such sound seemed amplified in the noiseless ambiance, �looks safe now.�
He turned behind him where a dim, pinpoint of light in the distance marked the campfire that Edgar and Terra were nestled at. As he made his way back towards them, skillfully avoiding the unseen obstacles on the cavern floors, he thought to himself that even the chill of the cavern seemed greater than when last he made his way through here.
Not but four years it would be and already there is infestation. The world is changing, it seems.
Neither of his companions registered his arrival at the campsite and, the moment his garb was visible, both Edgar and Terra jumped to their feet in alarm, half-drawing their weapons before realizing who it was. Locke settled himself onto his sleeping bag and debriefed his friends of his findings.
�Such is the state of the world at large, it would seem, would you not agree, Edgar?� he asked his long-time friend, once his report was completed. Edgar sat just at the fire�s edge, with his legs crossed and his head propped upon his arms, deep in thought and lost within the blaze. The firelight reflected softly off his deep-set eyes. He seemed so much older to Locke, now more than ever before.
�We knew it would come,� Edgar said at last, �the subtle changes that would signal the tide�s turn and the beginning of a new age.� He looked over at Locke and Terra, taking them in with his piercing yet somber gaze. �Where do we go from here? How can we know the result of the coming confrontation?"
�We cannot know,� Terra spoke softly from the shadows as the firelight danced across her body. �It is not for us to know.� This was the first time she had spoken aloud since the incident in the desert. Her voice echoed repeatedly through the silence of the cave and the three friends all felt the oppressive darkness upon them. Terra�s words mirrored Locke�s own thoughts at that time and he nodded in agreement.
�Terra,� Edgar said as he turned to her directly, �we wish to take you to see one of our elders among the Returners, a man with whom I have trained for quite some time. His sensibilities concerning this world and its auras are nothing short of astounding and if any would know the proper course we must take, it would be him.�
Terra nodded slowly, yet surely.
�Where could your powers have come from, I wonder? Is it some sort of Empire experiment?� Edgar mused aloud. �It would be interesting to know.�
�That would be a horrendous travesty, Lord Edgar, do you not agree?� Locke asked with growing alarm at his friend�s light tone.
�Why, of course, my friend, it would be and yet� what sort of technology would be necessary to place such powers at one�s disposal?�
Terra looked up from the fire now and turned her head from one man to the other.
�I do not know how these powers come to be mine, but I can tell you this: It seems to come quite naturally to me, almost as if I have used them my entire life.�
�Yes, it would, and yet no human is born with these gifts,� Edgar remarked nonchalantly. No sooner had the words found their way out of his mouth than his face reflected his deep regret at having said it. Locke�s eyes had widened at the unintended and yet nonetheless cutting comment which Edgar had just uttered and Terra lowered her eyes to the ground, tears evident upon her cheeks.
�Forgive my ignorance, dear Terra, forgive my insensitivity. I would take back all that I have said. Please... I... did not...� Edgar sat there looking at her, feeling quite foolish at his outburst. Terra looked up at him and wiped her cheeks dry, an expression of confusion upon her face.
�Do not apologize, King Edgar, for I know there was no implication in your statement, but what you say is very true. No human has ever been born with these powers, yet here I am before you with the ability to create fire from nothing. How can this be? What does this mean for me? Am I doomed to be considered an outcast all my life?�
Both Locke and Edgar answered immediately.
�No!� they shouted vehemently and then turned to look at each other with a sense of shared understanding.
�No, dear Terra,� Locke continued. �You will never be considered anything but our true and dear friend. Whatever your role in the machinations of the Empire, this much will always be true.�
�But what should I do?� she asked in growing despair, and once again she covered her face as the tears flowed anew.
�Terra,� Edgar cut in now, drawing her attention, �you seek to understand your powers, do you not?� At this, she raised her head and nodded slowly. �The person I mentioned earlier, my mentor and the leader of our faction; his name is Banon. We should go to him and discuss the recent turn of events, for his ability to see beyond the obvious is extraordinary. The whispers of upcoming events grow louder now and our lands are threatened by a growing evil. I am afraid even to say it, yet��
Locke looked up at him as he paused mid-sentence, the firelight throwing his face into stark relief and revealing his concern.
�We may have to resort to Terra�s magical abilities during this war if we are to see ourselves through.� Terra gasped at this proclamation and her face went pale with fear.
�Do not think of this now, Terra,� Locke said. �For the moment, we shall reach Banon�s hidden den and decide what needs to be done from there.� Terra looked up at him, lost in her emotions and unable to respond. Locke stood up from his sleeping bag, took two steps towards her, as if wanting to comfort her, dropped his eyes in resignation and took off into the shadows again, scouting ahead of the trio. He knew there was nothing more to say at this point, for their future was as dark as the cavern itself.
