The cavern fell quiet except for Kaelen's heavy breathing.
Thalasar stepped in fully now, staff at his side. "Is the item neutralized?" he asked, looking at the gem which still gave off wisps of darkness.
Nox nodded at the cracked gem and warned, "Dormant—but don't touch it with bare hands."
Thalasar nodded. He then retrieved a whistle carved out of coral and blew into it.
Nox didn't hear any sound, but that was because it wasn't meant for him to hear in the first place.
A few minutes later, a pair of royal guards slipped in from the tunnel mouth. They carried a sealed box marked with warding sigils.
'Is that their way of communicating?' Nox's eyes glinted in amazement. If the timing were right, he would've asked questions, but more important things were at hand.
"Carefully," Thalasar ordered.
