Chapter 31: The Green Beam

As soon as Lili Hughes, accompanied by Sky perched on her shoulder, and Anwen entered the cave that served as a refuge for the inhabitants of Ynys Stone Sky, they were met with anxious glances. Some residents lingered in their tunnels, fearful that newcomers might exacerbate the spread of the disease that had already ravaged their community, leaving their skin covered in hard scales, with parts of their bodies transformed into solid stone. With the arrival of the mages, whispers of concern fluttered from the island folk, growing louder as Lili and her companions ventured deeper into the cave.

“Why have you returned looking so troubled? My people are beginning to fear the worst,” Mabon, the island leader, inquired as he slowly approached Lili, Sky, and Anwen. His posture was stopped, heavily reliant on a cane for support. Lili observed that the disease had progressed alarmingly since her last visit; more than half of Mabon’s face had petrified.