Following the heartwood fight, the tunnels revealed a peaceful little glade barely touched by the thick forest where it was so deeply hidden.
Songs were sung by the birds perched on the branches while the melodies mixed with the thick air in an unusual way that brought a strange sense of calmness .
The sunshine was very mild that went through the holes in the canopy and it was like a thousand little lamps were lighting the mossy floor.
The hunter rested on a large stone, throwing out her bow and dabbing a little sweat from her forehead. Aren sat down at the ground nearby, breathing hard, and his sword lay across his knees.
"At last," he groaned. "A rest. My feet feel like they've been through a battle all alone."
Amira grinned. "You're whining too much."
"And you are silent," he replied, smiling.
She disagreed, though her small smile was still visible
After a short time, she gathered some fruits and leaves near, moving with a light step, her hands were confident and well-trained.
Aren, being admiring of her, couldn't help himself.
"Are you sure they are safe"? he said, lifting one eyebrow.
She looked at him sharply.
"If they were, you'd be the first to know."
He chuckled and then got up to join in, gathering firewood and breaking dry branches.
Before long, a small fire was burning, and the smell of roasted fruit and crisped leaves was reaching every corner of the clearing. Amira gave him a piece of golden and slightly burnt fruit.
Aren took a bite, his eyes grew. "This is amazing. Delicious, with a hint of smokiness... you sure you don't have a side gig as a forest ranger and caterer?"
Amira chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Eat,you're funny"
While they were eating, they were exchanging their experiences between bites, Aren was telling his wild and exaggerated stories from the kingdom, and Amira was narrating her quieter but more precise stories of the jungle survival, of learning its secrets and of reading the runes left by ancestors long forgotten..
"This place," Aren murmured, standing there looking at the way the sun shimmered on the surface of the water, "it almost made me forget that we are out here hunting for some ancient power."
Amira agreed, her face lacking any expression. "There are times when the jungle can be peaceful... but only for a moment."
A sudden silence descended upon them while they quaffed and washed away the sweat and dust. Then Amira got up, her eyes shining brighter. "We are," she said decisively.
They collected their belongings and resumed their journey, wading deeper into the final trail leading to the Core of Muri Khan.
Vines wrapped around the ceiling like huge snakes, old stones showed the way with the shining signs, and the very few animal sounds that were far away still carried in the air.
Days seemed to run together, fights against clever traps, narrow escapes from cave, quiet moments sharing dried fruits and stories beneath moonlight.
To get through it all, they started to dance together almost a dance of instinct. She was covering his back with her bow, he was clearing her way with his blade.
When her energy was lacking, his jokes energised her; when he was getting too wild, her sharp words calmed him down.
Eventually, after many difficulties, they came to a huge entrance carved into a mountainside, the last way into the Core. But rather than moving forward, they stayed there in silence. Amira looked at Aren with a gentle smile on her face.
"We are near... but it seems as if we have already discovered something here." Aren gave a slight smile and asked her "You mean, each other?"
She gave him a mock annoyed look, her cheeks turning red a bit. "Don't make fun of me, I am serious."
He laughed and came closer to her to give her a shoulder squeeze. "I got you. Let's do this till the end.".
However, just as they were about to proceed, Amira gave him a quick, almost imperceptible touch on his forehead, a silent trust gesture which was very rare between them.
They had come back, still unsure, and agreed that it would be best if they went home.. to Aren's Village
Upon finally emerging from the jungle's boundary, Aren extended his arms towards the sky while taking deep breaths.
"Ahh! Air from the kingdom that is clean and doesn't have moss and panic taste," he exclaimed.
Amira moved to his side, her eyes wide as she beheld a distant village built along riverbanks glistening with the sun, fields of wildflowers dancing with the wind.
Truly, she appeared like she was one of the folks from that place, her hair reflecting the sun, her eyes shining, and her cheeks tinged with the color of the adventure and the laughter.
As their expedition took them into the village, the residents that were initially conversing among themselves suddenly ceased their activities and turned to stare at the unknown duo as the whispers raced through the crowd.
Amira followed a little behind Aren, shy under the admiring stares.
Kids, with their eyes wide open, were pointing to her. People of advanced age, relying on their canes, bent their bodies lower and, in a hushed voice, gave out blessings.
The dashing youths openly gawked at her, some were even so engrossed that they forgot the baskets and the tools they were holding.
"Watch out," Aren said, winking at her. "You may be the cause of nobody finding out where they are going today if you are not cautious."
Amira's face was as if it had just been dipped in rouge.
Though she tried to disguise her laughter, she gave him a light punch on the arm.
Aren led her to a concealed passage next to a vendor whose cart was filled with supplies.
Drawing her down a narrow stairwell carved out of ancient stones, the two descended into a subterranean chamber illuminated by seemingly endless twinkles of tiny lamps.
Locally sourced maps, timeworn scrolls, and an assortment of weaponry covered the walls and shelves.
"Here... that is where I really think," Aren said while gesturing distance all around.
"Deep down underneath the ground, far away from those who are constantly shouting and 'you should be more serious' speeches."
Amira gradually revolved, absorbing juts about everything around her. She gently touched a worn-out jungle map. "It's...," she whispered, "
He nodded, his back touching the shelf. "If you want it, it's yours too."
Amira whirled to look at him, a spark of surprise in her eyes. She was about to say something when a loud tread on the stairs caught her attention.
A deep voice with a lot of power in it came down. "Aren! Open the door. Your prince is here and he needs you."
Aren's expression became gloomy and his grip on the sword hilt grew tighter. "The prince," he spoke in a low voice. "That scoundrel would...
Amira looked at him, while worry flashed her eyes.
Aren glanced back, his smile still there but with an edge. "Seems like our trip is going to have a lot more people to deal with."
The prince was behind them - a man who was infamous for his greed, meanness, and an unhealthy passion for beautiful things... especially beautiful women.
Amira moved closer to Aren, her bow now just lightly in her hand, her face still guarded but as if she was prepared.
No matter what was going to happen next they would deal with it together. In the dark room, illuminated only by the weak light of lanterns, their friendship was like the strongest sword.
And somewhere in the deepest corners of the prince's insane brain another trick was already being planned...