Mike and Miram flew deeper, and the fog grew thicker, obscuring all visibility. Mike relied on his acute senses, trusting Miram's lead. Her wings created a subtle turbulence, guiding him through the dense mist.
The world narrowed to a singular focus: the rhythmic beat of their wings, the rush of the fog, and the faint hum of Miram's energy.
As they soared through the sky, Miram and Mike traversed a diverse landscape of mountains, each varying in height and ruggedness. The majestic peaks stretched towards the sky.
Suddenly, with breathtaking agility, Miram executed a daring dive, plummeting downward with an effortless grace that belied the risks involved. Mike followed closely, his heart pounding in his chest.
As they descended, the thick fog parted to reveal a towering misty mountain. Miram approached the mountain with precision, her wings beating steadily to maintain her altitude.
With an air of mystery, she began to weave intricate patterns with her hands, as if conjuring a hidden force.
And then, in an astonishing display of ancient magic, a section of the mountain began to shift, its massive stones separating with a low rumble. The sound echoed through the valley.
As the dust settled, an entrance materialized, revealing a cave hidden from the outside world. Mike's eyes widened in awe, his mind struggling to comprehend the sheer scale of the deception.
Miram turned to Mike, a warm smile illuminating her face. "Come in, my Jyuran," she invited, beckoning him to follow her into the cave. With a fluid movement, she folded her wings against her back and stepped into the sanctuary.
Mike trailed behind, his eyes scanning the cavernous space. The room was surprisingly spacious, with rocks carefully crafted into functional objects.
A sturdy square-shaped rock stood at the room's center, serving as a makeshift table. Upon it rested brown bamboo cups and an iron bowl, containing the remnants of a long-forgotten meal.
Four rock stools, each uniquely carved, were scattered around the room, inviting weary travelers to rest. The space was dimly lit by a peculiar lantern, its soft glow casting eerie shadows on the walls.
Despite the limited light, Mike's night vision allowed him to take in every detail. At the end of the room lay an entrance leading to where Mike assumed to be another room.
Hung on one side of the wall were several garments made from animal hides, their rustic textures and earthy scents evoking a sense of primal simplicity. Mike assumed some of the furs belonging to Djuma due to their size, stirring memories of their past encounters.
Just as Mike was absorbing the ambiance, Christina's voice broke into his thoughts. "Are you okay, Mike?"
"I'm alright now, thanks for your help earlier," Mike replied, smiling warmly. "I've managed to overcome Jran's influence, at least for now." He paused, concerned about his loved ones. "Is my sister and Stefan there with you?"
"Yes, they're both here," Christina reassured him. "Rachael asked me to ask you about the planet's conditions."
Mike's gaze drifted toward the cave's entrance, where the darkening sky was painted with hues of twilight.
"I haven't had a chance to explore much yet, as night is falling quickly. However, I've noticed the presence of oxygen here, and the fog here has a distinct blue color."
Christina relayed his words to Stefan and Rachael. But there's no way to hear or see the kind of faces they'll make.
"Really!? There's oxygen on the planet!?" He imagined the reply Stefan would give to the revelation. The king of sarcasm has always been a curious one ever since they became friends.
"I suspected as much; they resemble us, so it's highly probable they can thrive in an oxygen-rich environment." He also imagined what his intelligent sister's reply might be.
"I haven't seen Djuma since my arrival. Is something amiss with him?" he asked.
"Djuma was taken captive by my father when you were taken away. However, we managed to rescue him earlier this morning," Christina's explanation unfolded calmly. "I'm not sure how long it will take him to reach your location, but he should be approaching soon."
"Djuma was captured?" Mike pressed, disregarding the reassurance of his rescue. "How did it happen?"
Christina's response came with a hint of reluctance, as if hesitant to revisit the ordeal. "My father detained him for his ridiculous experiment in the NASA facility. It's a lengthy and complicated story, but rest assured, we secured his release, and you needn't worry."
"I'm proud of all of you," Mike declared. "I love you all." He waited for Christina to relay his words to the others, ensuring everyone shared the sentiment.
Then he continued. "Are you going to be okay? I mean, if your father finds out you interfered with his job–"
"Nothing is gonna happen, he interfered with my friends first," Christina cut in. "How's your wound by the way? Can't believe I forgot about that."
"It has healed by the time I woke up," Mike replied. "I just learned that a gun is not enough to kill me."
"I'm really sorry for what my father did to you... and Djuma. I hope I can…"
"Don't apologize, Christina. It's not your fault. I can't blame you for your father's mischievous activities," Mike assured. "I'm really proud of you."
As he turned to the side, his attention was caught by an unexpected movement, his gaze met Miram's, and he flinched.
Mike took a cautious step backward, creating distance between himself and her. "Give me a minute, Christina," he said, his eyes still fixed on the Anthropter.
"Is... something wrong?" he asked the witch. "Why are you staring at me like... that?"
Miram's lips curled into a gentle smile as she brushed aside her short, curly black hair, revealing her bright, piercing eyes. "It's actually my first time seeing a Jyuran," she said in awe.
"And not just any Jyuran, but one from another planet, a human. It's like a dream come true."
Mike couldn't help but chuckle at Miram's wide-eyed fascination. She reminded him of a child beholding their idol.
"Well… Here I am," he shrugged, amused. His expression swiftly turned serious. "Have you heard from your father?"
Miram's smile faltered, and her eyes clouded. "Yes," she nodded. "He's the one who told me to go look for you, that you're likely to need help. Don't worry, he's fine."
Mike couldn't determine if she was telling the truth or lying. She had been smiling a moment ago, but her expression changed to sadness when he asked about her father.
He wanted to press her further for the truth, but that might come across as rude. After all, it was her father; why would she lie about him being fine?
Mike settled onto one of the rock stools, his expression contemplative. "I guess things are easy for him, having the ability to foresee the future as he wishes," he said.
"My father doesn't have control over it," Miram corrected. "The visions come without warning, leaving him drained of energy." She paused and sighed. "The more crucial the visions, the more energy they consume."
Meanwhile, Christina listened intently to their conversation. She was now learning of the risks Djuma faced with his gift.
"His life is always in danger when he's foreseeing, leaving him vulnerable," Miram continued. "If such a thing happens during a fierce battle, what do you think would become of him?"
"He'd be in grave danger."
"Exactly! The power is a great gift, but it comes with a lethal price."
As Miram spoke, Mike's mind wandered back to the instance when Djuma foresaw the future in front of him, Rachael, Stefan, and Christina. He recalled how vulnerable he had been and how anyone could have harmed him during that state. Enemies would never miss such an opportunity.
Miram rose and walked toward Mike, settling onto a nearby rock stool, leaving a respectful distance between them.
"My father will arrive soon. Let's wait for him," she said, her smile returned, gentle.
"May I address you as Miram? You appear much younger than me," Mike asked.
"Feel free to call me whatever you desire, my Jyuran," Miram responded with a radiant grin, her eyes blinking slowly with an air of mystique. "I'm still in the prime of youth, merely forty-four years old."
"What!? Forty-four years old?" Mike exclaimed in disbelief. "You can't be serious!"