43 End (1/2)

Ling was aware that aside from trading food and other goods, people pay for items using mined shells, like what Tala used before. Some paid with gems.

The shells were available on coastal areas. According to the people there, they mined the shells at caves near or under the sea. It was said that the 'mist' from all parts of the sea converged to form a solid object which was the shells.

This was the same for gems but it were mined on mountain areas. However, even though the Mal'it Clan was near a mountain range, they were unable to find any gems in the caves they explored. Therefore, they only used the goods they hunted and harvested for their trading.

Since the shells and gems were from 'mists', people could also absorb energy from it like how they absorb the life 'mist' in the forest. That was why these items were valuable to any person. One could use it to increase their strength even when they were not in an environment like the forest. It would also restore their energy or work as food if food was not available.

When he was over his amazement, Ling ran forward and left the still frozen Maga to look at the gems closer. As he didn't sense any danger in the place, he was not afraid to ran ahead. He never saw a gem up close before. Usually, a clan member would come back from the trade with shells but not with gems.

Gems were often used by the traders from the central islands were it was said to have an abundant supply. However, not anyone from the village had managed to offer an item to be exchanged with these traders.

”Maga, come over here and look. I think some big ones were coming lose from the wall and those on the ground were already detached from the rocks.”

There were different sizes and colors of gems around the room. Most were orange, forming from the 'mist' in the cave and ranging from light orange to reddish ones. Green gems were also abundant but the sizes were smaller. The biggest one Ling could see was about the size of his fist. However, these were placed high up where he could not reach unless Maga flew to get it. Meanwhile, the smallest one were the size of a finger nail.

After a while, Ling realized that his friend was ignoring him and had not paid attention to what he said. It still didn't move from its previous spot while looking at another entrance in the cavern.

The entrance also had 'mist' flowing to it. But despite the light from the 'mist', the place still looked dark like the darkness itsef was absorbing the flowing 'mist'.

Concerned, Ling shifted his attention from his fascination of the gems to his friend. It was the first time he had seen Maga act this hesitant and quiet.

Its eyes were trained at the darkness but its gaze was dull, not really focused on the place but more inside its own mind. Carefully, Ling stepped closer back to the dragon.

”What is it, Maga?” he whispered when he walked back to stand beside the dragon again. ”Do you want to go there?”

As if it just woke up from its trance, Maga's body shivered like getting rid of the chills before turning to Ling to comprehend what was said. Then, it shook its head as an answer. It then turned at another opening with the same amount of flowing 'mist' then turned back to Ling as if to say that they should choose that way instead.

Since Maga was more familiar with the caves, of course Ling decided to listen to it. However, he was still curious about what was in the other opening. His curiosity this time had to be put aside however since their main concern now was to get out of the cave. Their friends should be really worried about them now especially when the two did not have any idea how long it was since they fell because of the earthquake.

”Then, let's go there.” As he stepped forward, Ling suddenly remembered something. He walked back to the walls again with a determined look. It would be a waste not to take any gems when he knew it was useful but he wasn't sure how to tell the adults in the village about it.

Later, when they were leaving, Maga also seemed reluctant and curious about the darker area since it kept looking back until they turned a corner and the place was out of sight.

___