Is this place Heaven or Hell? [OpenHentai x Sophia Titor]

Ruta tried to sleep. The ground was obviously far from ideal, but it at least made her feel a sense of oneness with her goddess and the others. As if she could feel the groups energy pouring into her. She tried her best to sleep soundly, but something was preventing that. A certain ailing knight. Erisella’s grunting and groaning was keeping them both up. So Ruta finally sighed and sat up.

“Do you need some help?” Ruta tried not to sound too cross or short tempered. Erisella had a broken arm, so she couldn’t blame her for being in pain. The light of the fire was their only source of light so Ruta had to blindly grope around in the dark to see if she could find anything soft or stable for Erisella to rest on. Anything Ruta had on her was washed away, which was really ntohign more than a bag with herbs and spell components, nothing special.

Ruta was a priestess of Shava, so she didn’t specialize in healing magic like her fellow priests and priestess of Nuruti. Their healing massages could cure most any ailment, even broken limbs. Ruta could certainly try, but she did not have nearly enough experience to feel confident about it. So, she just kept searching for something to at least keep Erisella’s arm propped up.

Ruta had been silent in the near dark and disappeared entirely from her senses while she clumsily attempted to sleep for an hour. It was Ruta's voice, breaking the silence that caused her to jump sharply, quickly sitting back up, wincing as she jolted her bad arm. "Huh-oh." Although her features were nearly masked in the low firelight, there was a sense of desperation in her eyes. She had not been trapped underground for mroe than half a day and already the lack of good food, treatment and accomodations had weared thin on the woman.

"D-do I need help? Ah-N-no."

She couldn't keep expecting help from the girl. It wasn't about trust, atleast not any more. If the girl wanted her dead or humiliated there were dozens of ways she could have achieved that goal by now. Part of her thought it may be pride but it wasn't that either. There was something about the general kindness of the grayward that burned all of her preconceptions into ashes, and each consecutive favor only served to make her feel less linked to her own gods, especially since her gifted abilities had left her.

Struggling again to lay comfortably while positioning her arm on her hip, she grunted again before finally speaking out in a whisper. "It's my arm...w-without a sling, I c-can't...it hurts too much." There wasn't enough fabric between the two of them to make a sling without sacrificing some of their own clothing, warmth and protection, so a sling was out of the question. "C-could you...nnn n-no never mind" She chewed her lip, ashamed to ask just a question. She knew when it came to survival that huddling close for body heat was something instructed to many field warriors. Typically there was no sexual connotation to this, and honestly Ruta's likely history of laying with women didn't even come to mind as the main concern, nor was it the fact that she was the enemy as she had proven to be an ally atleast in the situation at hand.

"It's just we'd conserve body heat if we-" she paused again "my arm...i'd be able to prop it on your-" Finally she shook her head and struggled to turn away "I-it's fine forget it, I'll make due."

The more Erisella protested the more Ruta had to roll her eyes, “Just swallow your pride already. This is no time to be modest.” Ruta knew it had to be hard, and Erisella did not seem to like owing people favors or being in debt to others. Understandable yes, but there was a time and a place for all of that. Ruta was far more concerned with staying alive, and survivability increased with numbers. Despite her condition, Erisella wasn’t dead weight, Ruta could still use her. Which meant it was in Ruta’s best interest to help anyway she could.

Ruta walked over and sat beside Erisella. “Just tell me what you want me to do. If you need to prop your arm against my body, just say so. If you’re in pain you won’t get any sleep and you’ll be in even worse condition in the morning.” Erisella had to realize that herself so there was no point in fighting it, plus it was true that would conserve body heat better this way. Since they didn’t have beds or blankets this would have to make due for now.

Erisella's eyes followed the vague silhouette of the girl as she moved to sit closer to her. Tensing up uncomfortably, she considered Ruta's offer. There she went again being kind, and yet respectful of her boundaries. Not once had she attempted to force any issue with her, even now as she sat closer, she had asked her, what to do, rather than telling it as it is. Finally after a moments hesitation, she relented, knowing full well that Ruta was right. If she didn't get appropriate rest tonight, being worse for ware after they slept would do neither of them any good.

"Uh...yes, right, fine." She stated, attempting to hide her irritation as it was with the situation and not the girl. "If you come closer, and lay on your left side with your back against my chest. We'll be warmer and I can drape my bad arm over you for support." She motioned her closer, before laying down on her left side, wincing again as she prepared to drape her arm around Ruta once she got closer, feeling apprehensive, but at the same time, grateful for her help.

Ruta nodded and listened carefully to Erisella and did as she said. It wasn’t too uncomfortable for Ruta, she’s slept like this with women before. Though they were also fellow Graywards, and Ruta had also actually slept with them. So, this made the whole situation a bit strange. Still, if it meant the two of them actually getting some sleep then Ruta would do it. She laid on her side and let Erisella nestle into her. Spooning with the enemy. Ruta did not expect this to be how her day turned out.

Once settled in Ruta closed her eyes, “Does this help?” She felt a bit more comfortable in Erisella’s semi-embrace. The warm from her body and the fire kept Ruta warm, while her body heat helped Erisella. She could still feel Erisella shifted and getting comfortable, while stifling groans of pain. Erisella was dealing with a great deal of pain, so Ruta knew to be receptive of that and do her best not to shift in her sleep.

Exhaling a soft groan as Ruta pressed up against her, a surge of pain coursed through her arm as she draped it over the other woman, but after the inital pain of moving the damaged limb faded, she found that her new position was much more favorable. With her body pressed up against the backside of the other woman, she was no longer shifting constantly, she felt stable, while her arm no longer moved unwillingly.

Erisella had never made love to another soul, for obvious reasons and so she had never even laid in the same bed with another, as even in the field of duty this was her first time in such a survival situation. So she was surprised to find that despite laying on hard, cold ground, laying so close to another was comforting, so much so that she could already feel sleep taking her. "Yes." She whispered nervously, into the back of Ruta's head. "I-it does. Thank you." So much had happened in a short time that Erisella had not realized until now that Ruta was rather appealing to the eyes, on top of being an agreeable, helpful person and the rather lovely scent of her hair so close to her nose. This fleeting thought that struck her made her grow uncomfortable given her position, but knew it would do neither of them any good to dwell on it now. She'd have to whip herself once she was home safe.

"May sleep take you soon." She whispered comfortably. "and may Castella's grace-" She paused. Opposing differences aside, she realized that giving Ruta an angels blessing would only serve to aggravate the girl that had been so accomodating. It was something the lightsworn would do regardless, being a rather stubborn bunch, but given their situation and that there was no one else around to ever know of this, she added. "I mean-I hope your gods...are looking on you with pride." and with that, sleep took her soon after.

Ruta stifled a chuckle at Erisella attempts to wish her a good night’s rest. Trying to give her an angel’s blessing. Not only would Castella refuse to bless her, Ruta wouldn’t want it anyway. If Ruta truly wanted peace of mind in her sleep she’d pray to her goddess Shava or Nocta, the Night Watcher. She gave a silent prayer to them both. Ruta was feeling a bit more at ease. Her connection with the underworld resonated within her. She felt closer with the demons than usual. It was comforting.

Laying with Erisella was also comforting. She had soft skin and smelled nice. Surprising for a holy knight. She had a muscular figure, but yet gentle feminine features. Ruta could appreciate the beauty in all things, even her enemy. It was a shame Erisella wasn’t a sexual creature, because she had the body of one. Slowly, Ruta fell asleep in Erisella’s embrace.

She dreamt of her home, her family, friends, and Selma. The expecting mother Ruta shared many loving encounters with. She was the closest Ruta had come to love. She loved all of her fellow Graywards, but Selma was different. Selma was a servant of Shava, and assistant to Ruta from time to time. She taught and learned much from Selma. Including one spell.

Priests and priestesses of Nuruti were most unique, healing was not typically a skill Graywards could achieve. Something that came so naturally to the Lightsworn it seemed. Graywards did have one skill, a true double-edge sword the ability to transfer pain. Ruta made sure that Erisella was fast asleep. Gently she rested her hand on Erisella’s broken arm. Ruta began to whisper, “damno corporis commutationem”

A faint black glow wrapped over their bodies. Ruta could feel her body quiver and quake. She felt Erisella’s arm. The bone had mended, in exchange Ruta took the brunt of the pain. She tried not to yell, biting hard on her lip until it bled. She transferred Erisella’s pain to herself. Not the intended purpose of the spell, but it was a makeshift healing spell. The downside, Ruta’s body was now wrapped with pain. Nothing was broken, she just had to endure the pain until it subsided. And it hurt like a bitch.

Erisella's dreams were chaotic and confusing. First she dreamt of her order, elders and allies, but they were dressed in the colors of the enemy, demanding that she slaughter seemingly innocent people because they had been blessed by different gods. All of the innocents had the face of Ruta, the woman who she was trapped with. She refused, yelling at her elders to reconsider, demanding that they open their mind when everything faded to black. It shifted again, suddenly she was in one of the bed chambers of her temple, with the priestess that she once harbored attraction for, only she was dressed in Ruta's robes. They embraced and kissed, and soon were removing eachothers clothes before falling into the bed covers in a frantic, lustful tangle of limbs.

As she slept her now healed arm pulled Ruta closer against her as her dream played out. A soft moan escaped her lips as her body pressed eagerly against the back of the other woman, relishing in the warmth and the closeness as the sexual encounter within her head played out to completion.

With a start, Erisella's eyes snapped open, gasping as she abruptly sat up, jerking away from Ruta once the realization of her dream set in. Her body was hot, aroused, yearning for touch but she willed it to calm, panting softly while trying to clear her head, rising to her feet to approach the river, dipping her hands into the cold water to splash some in her face. It was only then that she realized her arm was not only functioning perfectly, but the pain was gone. "Hn?" She turned back to look in Ruta's direction assuming that if she hadn't been awake already, her sudden movements likely startled her.

Ruta felt the touch of Erisella against her, but it was not pleasure Ruta felt, but pain. She gritted her teeth, she was able to get some sleep through the pain. It still hurt, but the pain was so dispersed that it felt like her whole body was aching. Better than one huge rush of pain in one area, instead it was a bit of pain throughout her whole body. Then suddenly Erisella got up and ran for the shallows.

Ruta’s support suddenly absence, her body tumbled onto her back. She curled her toes and dug her nails into her palms, shouting obscenities on her mind. Her head was spinning and reeling. “What’s the matter?” She grunted out. Not wanting Erisella to realize that Ruta now bore her pain. Erisella’s sudden reaction did have her worried though. Did she hear something? A premonition? Either way, something was bothering Erisella.

If there was any silver lining she was looking a bit better. Ruta gauged that an able-bodied knight would help with their overall survivability better than just Ruta alone. At least this way Ruta will get recover quicker than Erisella would have. It was just a pain in the ass at first. She could still cast through the pain. Plus, with her strengthened connection to the demons there was a chance she could recover even faster.

Splashing a bit more water on her face as Ruta spoke up, clearly dazed by her sudden actions, she turned back to her direction again. "S-sorry...er-night terrors." It wasn't a lie, not really, the first part of the dream was frightening and while the second half was exciting and pleasurable, it still went against her beliefs and made her feel things that she thought to be wrong, so the result was the same; horror. Shifting her gaze back to her arm, she appeared puzzled, confused as she flexed while opening and closing her fist, testing the strength of her arm which was broken in several places only a few hours ago. "This isn't right...my arm, it's better." Feeling hopeful that her light had returned to her, she tried conjuring it to her, a small burst of light to illuminate the cavern or fill them with warmth, but nothing. The light had still abandoned her and never returned to her at all, so... how?

"Did you do something? Do the graywards have healing magic that you neglected to mention before? Otherwise I can't...explain this."

Slowly she stepped back to the nearly dead fire, sitting next to Ruta who appeared perturbed, perhaps she was still offended by being woken so suddenly. Erisell dared not mention the sexual dreams and urges she felt while pressed against her, and now she was much more hesitant to lay with her again if their stay in these caverns was extended.

“Only the healing massages of Nuruti worshipers can heal people. I am a priestess of my goddess Shava. The Demoness of Fertility. Maybe your light came to you in your dreams and forged a temporary bond.” Ruta didn’t want to admit that she did it, because no doubt Erisella would feel an even larger burden of debt. Plus, Ruta felt Erisella needed at least some encouragement that her so-called light was still with her. Ruta wondered how Erisella even dressed herself. Incompetent. Ruta sighed, she didn’t mean that. She was just in pain and letting her frustration out.

Either way, Erisella was fine, and Ruta was on the mend. “Let’s get back to sleep. You may be feeling better, but we’ll both still need energy to proceed in the morning. So come lie back down.” Beside her, in her embrace, Ruta didn’t care. The less touching the better, but she didn’t say that. Ruta couldn’t let on that her nerves were all screaming simultaneously. Plus, Ruta used a good deal of magic casting that spell.

There was something Ruta wasn't telling her, but she didn't press it. Light didn't just act on it's own accord, it had to be willed to a purpose, and everything she dreamt went against the very light she worshipped so the idea that she somehow called upon it in her sleep was even less likely. The grayward seemed more irritable than before, but it was likely due to being woken in the manner she was. "Sleep...right" She muttered, thinking back to her dreams. Her body was still too riled up to risk laying against Ruta again. She cursed under her breath that she could not punish herself for these thoughts, that she was doomed to helplessly repress them while being trapped in tunnels that were likely home to the demons themselves. That had to be it, the reason for her light being gone, the confusing dreams and the lust that defied her so.

Erisella picked up a stick, stoking the coals of the fire in order to spark some life back into it, before laying down a slight distance away from Ruta this time. Grunting as she struggled to find a comfortable position. Her broken arm may have been mended but she was still sore, and tired, and frustrated that the only time she felt warm, safe and content was pressed up against another woman who was her enemy.

Ruta closed her eyes and worked herself through the pain. She eventually settled on a comfortable enough position and stuck with it. Erisella didn’t come rest beside her, the holy than thou knight was probably repulsed by the idea of lying beside another woman so now that she was fine she didn’t need Ruta for support. This didn’t bother Ruta any, she figured this would happen. At least Ruta wouldn’t have to worry about being touched in the state she was in.

Ruta dreamt once more. She dreamt of her life, but visions of Erisella were there. She imagined what the woman looked like naked. Ruta peacefully observed the Lightsworn’s beauty. Enemy or not, she was the only one Ruta could rely on for the time being. She didn’t read anything into these fantasies. Ruta had many lustful dreams. Some of her friends she didn’t even have desires of sleeping with. She was a chosen priestess of a goddess who blessed her people with the gift of fertility. Thoughts of sex were often on her mind regardless.

When Erisella finally did fall back to sleep, her dreams were less fluid, detached and difficult to understand. The discomfort she felt between the hard ground and the cold did very little to calm the lightsworns mind. The parts of her dreams that did make sense, she wished they didn't. This time she was again in the bed chambers of the temple, only with Ruta. She began to undress the dark haired woman, kissing along her collar bone eagerly only for the grayward to protest and attempt to pull away. The problem was she didn't want to stop, she wanted her, but when she tried to say this Ruta yelled angrilly that she had respected her boundaries, and that it was the lightsworn who were the evil ones, constantly disregarding consent and the beliefs of others.

Quietly, she sat up, glancing to the girl who still appeared to be asleep and sighed softly, running a hand through her long blonde hair anxiously. The content of her dreams troubled her, but surprisingly there was one theme all of them had in common that she couldn't disagree with. Ruta wasn't an enemy, no matter what their differing orders believed in.

Trying her best not to wake the girl, she returned to the river with the makeshift spear that had been crafted earlier. She was not as successful as the grayward but had managed to pierce a crab wandering in the shallows. After spending some time collecting more Tinder and dried bramble around the ruins she nursed the fire back to a full roar, which would have woken the grayward if her other movements hadn't already. Erisella placed the crab over the flame before casting a glance toward her. "I caught us some breakfast...it's not much but it's something."

Once Ruta had settled in the pain began to subside, she was dealing with lying on the cold, rocky ground. That just added another level of discomfort. Ruta did her best to manage and toughed it out. She didn’t really lose any sleep over it. Either way she felt more rejuvenated than she did the day before. Her magic rushed through her body, she could feel it burning in her blood, embedding itself deep in her bones. Every inch of her being a beacon channeling her goddess’s demonic power. It made Ruta’s body feel warm, alive.

She was roused from her sleep by the smell of cooking fish and the fire’s warmth. She looked over at Erisella and smiled, “Thank you.” Ruta sat up and winced. Most of the pain had subsided, leaving her body sore. Thankfully Ruta could pass off sore muscle as a result of sleeping on a hard, cave floor. Anyone would be a bit sore after that. Ruta cracked her neck and joints a bit before sitting beside the fire. The aroma of cooked crab practically made her stomach growl. Turns out Erisella could fend for herself if push came to shove. Ruta had to admit that she hadn’t been giving her enough credit up to this point. She was certainly grateful to be greeted by crab first thing in the morning.

"Sorry I couldn't get more...I was fortunate the crab was slow, any fish within the river were far too quick for me. I must give you credit for the ones you caught before."

She had decided with her arm mysteriously being healed that she would do what she could to show Ruta kindness. After all the graywards mercy was endless when she needed it most. Plus there was a lot about Ruta she couldn't help but respect, clearly she faired better in the wild when it came to survival and hunting, something Erisella was a novice at, and her beliefs while considered sin from the lightsworns perspective perhaps held some stock. She feared what would happen if the lightsworn found them first. Would they even listen to her if she asked them to spare the girl? Worse still, would they think Erisella corrupted by simply being near her, and surviving alongside her?

Dismissing these troubling thoughts for now, she lifted the crab to inspect it a moment before dipping it back into the flame. "If only we had a little butter and salt, right?" She forced a laugh hoping to find some common ground with the girl who had seemed moody when she woke her earlier, but was a little better now, although it seemed she didn't sleep very comfortably, than again neither had she. Laying with her had been when sleep was the deepest, but she feared her dark urges when thinking on it so she ushered that out of her mind as well.

Finally when the crab was cooked fully, she tore off a couple legs on each side, splitting the difference with ruta, before splitting the main portion so they each could pick at the crab meat at their leisure. Slowly she nibbled at some of the crab leg meat before gesturing to their surroundings. "We should stay here another day, or atleast at what we can guess to be a day since we can't see the sun. To give our people a chance to find us, after that exploring might seem the next best option." She paused, fearing that it sounded like she was giving an order and quickly added. "I-if you agree, ofcourse. You're probably more comfortable down here than I am."

Ruta mulled it over as she ate. She put up a hand and shook her head, “No, your plan is a sound one.” Ruta figured Erisella was trying not to come off as bossy, or giving her orders, but really Ruta wished Erisella would trust her own judgement. She couldn’t come up with all the plans. She wanted some other input. Ruta embraced living off the land, but she wasn’t a strategist or a seasoned soldier.

Ruta looked around, “I would still like to investigate more of this necropolis and see what we can find.” She was interested in learning more if nothing else. Taking some more of the crab and letting Erisella finish her half. Finally, Ruta got to her feet and winced a little more. “I am going to wash up and then do some exploring.” Ruta needed to clean herself up, and hopefully find something to dry herself off with. They were lacking in amenities, but Ruta would take anything at this point. She just want to feel clean at the very least.

She too finished her portions of the crab, glancing up to Ruta as she rose to her feet. "Do you mind if I join you? We should probably stick together...a-and to be honest I don't want to be alone with my thoughts." She questioned the logic of remaining close to the one responsible for her conflicting thoughts, but all of that aside, they were safer together, and just because they hadn't encountered any untold dangers yet, didn't mean there weren't any. Who knew what could be lurking within the depths of these ruins.

The tall woman stood to her feet in order to join Ruta at the river with the intent of washing up. "I wonder if there is an area with a weaker current, perhaps even a pool where we can properly bathe without the dangers of being swept away. Although this water is quite cold..."

Erisella brought up a good point, the currents were still pretty powerful. Something Ruta didn’t care to deal with. She looked around and followed the currents, hoping to find a pond or pooled water. Anything that had some still water. Beggars can’t be choosers, but they needed to at least look. Eventually, after following the currents they found a large body of water. The water was glistening like crystal. It was pure and beautiful. “This will do.” Ruta smiled confidently and began undressing.

Being out of her dirty robes was refreshing. The water was cold as her feet stepped in, but it didn’t bother Ruta that much. She waded deeper into the pool of water and ran her hands through it. Pouring water over her ample breasts. It gave her goosebumps, but felt refreshing. She quickly dunked her whole body under and jumped back out with a splash. Her naked body glistening like it was covered in diamonds. She needed this. “This feels so much better.” Ruta closed her eyes and wiped herself down more. Her naked form on full display without any concern about Erisella seeing her.

Ruta kept her eyes closed and silently felt the water and abundance of nature around her. The water becoming like a natural extension of her body. Her sore muscles finally relaxing and subsiding. She sighed and began to float on her back. Letting the water carry her body. Only her face and breasts sticking up out of the water.

The lightsworn followed Ruta in silence as they walked along the underground river in search of a pool, and fortunately they happened upon a crystal clear pool, shimmering with the same transcendent light that was unexplainable. She marveled at it's graceful majesty a moment before glancing to her side only to realize that Ruta was disrobing. "O-oh you're-" before she could complete the thought Ruta had stepped into the waters, fully submersing herself. Erisella's cheeks reddened as her eyes followed the naked form of the woman, even more beautiful than her dream had suggested. Shaking her head of the thoughts she began to follow suit in removing her white tunic and trousers. She could not disagree with the logic in a nice dip to soothe her muscles and her worries. A cleanse of these crystalline waters may be just exactly what she need, to wash away the soil of battle and their fall from the day prior.

There was another part of her that wanted this in order to be closer to Ruta. These thoughts were sinful and she knew it, but she couldn't help herself. It was difficult to ignore her lustful desires in the best of times, hence her self inflicted whipping, but these weren't good times at all, they are difficult, mentally and physically trying times and her body was crying out for physical comfort.

The blonde woman was significantly taller than Ruta and much more muscularly defined, with slightly broader shoulders, due to the muscle training from wearing plate-mail all the time. Her skin was still surprisingly feminine which contrasted well with the defined abdominal muscles. her breasts her small, but perky with pink nipples standing erect which she'd have blamed on the cold if asked. Slowly she stepped into the cold water once she had stripped herself of her clothing, submerging herself almost entirely in the crystal clear waters. While swimming through the pool, she maintained a fair distance from the other woman, exposing her bare back to her several times over, which revealed grisly scars, likely the markings of her self inflicted repentance.

Ruta looked over at Erisella. She had a lovely figure for a knight, Ruta could appreciate a well-toned figure, but it was the delicate feminine features that drew her eye. Ruta also noticed the abundance of scars, no doubt a result of her numerous battles, or Erisella’s ridiculous self-punishment. Either way, there was a fair number of them. It wasn’t Ruta’s place to ask, so she left it well enough alone.

Ruta was content, she relaxed in the pool, letting the shifting water carry her for a bit. Then finally Ruta took control and swam out of the pool. She climbed out and stretched her arms. Letting the cool cave air slowly dry her. She looked for something, anything to dry herself off with, but to little avail. So Ruta rung out her hair and sat down beside her robes, waiting to dry.

She didn’t feel too vulnerable, if they were attacked her robes would protect her about as well as being naked anyway. Plus, it wasn’t like Ruta had any qualms with being naked. Erisella may call her some sort of lecherous pervert, or morally corrupt. All of which were true, but she didn’t care what the holier than thou Lightsworn had to say. If anything, this was the embodiment of what it meant to Ruta to be a Grayward to Ruta. Pure and natural.

The blonde woman swam around the pool, occasionally dipping her head under to rinse her long hair. Her eyes occasionally darted toward Ruta's form but were quick to look away, applying some small level of self control. Sometime later she watched as the other woman climbed out, crystal clear water cascading down her nude form. It was then that she realized, that there would be nothing to dry themselves off with as the girl sat down upon the ground, naked. Suddenly she didn't want to leave the pool of water. Between being cold and wet for an extended period of time and being naked around Ruta, she began to question why she thought this was a good idea in the first place.

Finally, deciding that remaining in the pool would do her no good, she stepped out, exposing her nudity to the girl sitting on the shore, before sitting down next to her, arms hugging around her chest, eyes averted toward the ground, afraid to look over to Ruta. They were both exposed, she feared what would happen if the grayward glimpsed her weakness, the fact that she was struggling with her own dark desires and urges.

"I suppose the water was nice atleast, even if we are wet and cold now." She muttered quietly, as she chewed on her bottom lip anxiously. "As forsaken as this place is, there is something about it...I can't quite place it, but it's nice, yet unsettling at the same time."

“This place. It’s been untouched by man for centuries. As if it were frozen in time. As society and the world of the surface grew, history forgot about this one thriving city.” Lost and forgotten by the cruel hands of time. While it’s pristine beauty remained, there was an unsettling sense of abandonment that laid thick over this necropolis. Maybe this unsettling feeling was lonely that loomed over them? Lonely spirits, maybe the city itself was calling out to them, or something more?

Ruta smiled warmly and ran her hands over the smooth stone beneath her. Maybe Shava guided her? Maybe this was all the will of the lonely spirits calling out to anyone who would listen? “May this forsaken place is sad? It is lonely and wants man to admire its beauty once more. To be completely forgotten by time. I know I’d be remorseful.” Ruta spoke somberly. She stood up and grabbed her things. Still dripping and damp. “We can head back to our encampment and warm ourselves with the fire.” Ruta was done reflecting for now and was ready to head back and formulate a proper plan. They couldn’t just sit around and hope to be saved. They needed to rely on themselves, and each other.

Erisella didn't know what to say in response to her words. Could a place be sad? It seemed an odd concept. Something happened here that was for certain, and while some beauty remained, she was sure in its prime the place was positively stunning. However, she was afraid of this place not for the darkness, not for the possibility that this was infact a home of demons once upon a time, and not a home for angels. She feared something else, something that her dreams were making her consider, or atleast one specific dream. The one where her fellow lightsworn were dressed in the colors of graywards. What if...What if there was a truth here, that neither of them wanted to learn. There was certainly somethings about the graywards that she was learning that she had not expected, Ruta specifically being...someone she could almost respect, but no, there was more to it all. She could sense that there was something deep, and lost. A secret that perhaps should remain secret, which was why she did not want to explore further, she wanted to sit still by the fire and hope for rescue. Not because she feared danger or monsters, but she feared the truth.

The lightsworn rose to her feet along with Ruta, picking up her dry clothes and walked with her back to the crumbling ruins where the fire was still roaring bright. Sitting as close as she could without burning herself, so she could dry more quickly, disliking the idea of remaining nude around the other woman. As far as she could tell Ruta was being incredibly polite and respectful regarding their nudity, but Erisella could not help but steel glances, resting on her knees, she squeezed her thighs together tightly as she gazed upon Ruta's form when she thought she wasn't looking. Perhaps she wouldn't have been as tempted if it wasn't for the dream. She wished she could punish herself immediately but doing so with Ruta around would only cause shock and alarm. So she remained quiet as her body and hair dried close to the flame, stealing long glances toward her slender form when she thought she wasn't looking, dreading when the girl would suggest they leave and explore, and thinking of an excuse for when that time came.

Ruta looked around aimlessly at the necropolis. She warmed herself by the fire and thought long and hard about their next move. She had no real direction. Looking to the sky all Ruta could see was a vast, near endless ceiling of rock with only the smallest glimpses of light from the surface. Erisella was right, this place couldn’t be further from her cherished light. The only other sources of light were bioluminescent fungus, and the dark flames of Ruta’s fire. Ruta didn’t know any light spells, she would rather whip herself than possess magic of that variety. Which meant they needed to rely on any light sources they could find.

Ruta didn’t mind darkness. She sat naked in the darkness, small glimmers of light illuminating them both. She pretended not to see Erisella’s overly curious eyes stealing glances at her. Ruta didn’t mind, she’d see Erisella’s naked body, and clearly the Lightsworn was trying her best not to stare. Ruta wasn’t self-conscious. Once Ruta was dry enough she got up. “I’m going to investigate these ruins a bit more.” She didn’t plan on going far, but anything she could find to gleam some more information would be helpful.

Ruta looked in all directions and decided to head towards a large clustering of broken and worn building. Probably something close to a town square once upon a time. Ruta also neglected to put her clothes back on. She enjoyed the freedom of being naked. After all, she was born naked. She bathed naked. Clothes were just a social standard to her. Ruta wore clothes for warmth, but the ruins themselves weren’t that cold further away from the water.