The cave was dim and damp, lit only by the soft glow of Dumphries' crystal. Blake lay on a makeshift bed of cloaks, his breathing labored. The black veins from the shadow wolf's bite had spread, now reaching his chest.
Reggie knelt beside Blake, crushing the luminous flowers they'd gathered into a paste. "Hold on, Blake," he murmured. "We've got the cure. You'll be alright."
Randal paced nervously, keeping watch at the cave entrance. "Hurry," he urged. "That beast could find us any moment."
Dumphries examined the paste Reggie had made, nodding approvingly. "This should work, but it won't be pleasant," he warned. "Blake, are you ready?"
Blake managed a weak nod. "Do it," he rasped.
Reggie spread the glowing paste over Blake's wounds. For a moment, nothing happened. Then Blake's body went rigid, his back arching as he let out a strangled cry.
"Hold him down!" Dumphries shouted. Randal rushed to help, pinning Blake's thrashing limbs.
Blake felt like his blood was on fire. The pain was beyond anything he'd ever experienced. He wanted to scream, to beg them to make it stop, but he couldn't form words. In his mind, he saw Rose's face, her smile, her laughter, he thought of Celena too. He clung to that image, using it as an anchor against the tide of agony threatening to sweep him away.
After what seemed like hours, the pain began to subside. Blake's body relaxed, his breathing evening out. The others watched in amazement as the black veins receded, leaving behind healthy skin.
"It worked," Reggie breathed, relief evident in his voice.
Blake slowly opened his eyes, blinking as the world came back into focus. "That," he croaked, "was unpleasant."
Dumphries chuckled, the tension leaving his shoulders. "How do you feel?"
Blake took stock of his body. The pain was gone, replaced by a tingling sensation. He felt... different. Stronger, somehow. "Better," he said, sitting up carefully.
"Much better, actually."
Randal clapped him on the shoulder. "You had us worried there for a bit."
"At least a day's journey," Dumphries said. "Maybe more, depending on the terrain and any... obstacles we encounter."
The group began packing up their supplies, preparing to leave the relative safety of the cave. As they worked, Blake noticed Reggie watching him with an unreadable expression.
"What is it?" Blake asked.
Reggie hesitated, then spoke in a low voice. "Blake, I've known you for years now. We've been through a lot together. But today... seeing what you can do..." He trailed off, struggling to find the right words.
Blake tensed, fearing what might come next. Rejection? Fear?
But Reggie surprised him. "I just want you to know," he continued, "that I'm glad we're on the same side. And I'm proud to call you my friend."
Emotion welled up in Blake's throat. He clasped Reggie's arm, words failing him for a moment. "Thank you," he finally managed. "That means more than you know."
As they prepared to leave the cave, Dumphries pulled Blake aside. "There's something else you should know about the Spring of Eternal Night," he said, his voice low and serious.
Blake raised an eyebrow. "More bad news?"
Dumphries nodded. "The legends speak of a guardian. A being of immense power that protects the spring from those who would misuse its waters."
"What kind of being?" Blake asked, a sense of foreboding settling in his stomach.
"The texts are unclear," Dumphries admitted. "Some call it a dragon, others a demon. But all agree on one thing: it's ancient, and it's never been defeated."
Blake absorbed this information, his mind already racing through potential strategies. "We'll find a way," he said with more confidence than he felt. "We have to."
The group emerged from the cave, blinking in the dim light of dawn. The Serpent Behemoth was nowhere to be seen, but they remained vigilant as they made their way out of the Valley of Echoes.
As they traveled, Blake found himself deep in thought. The encounter with the Behemoth had shown him both the potential and the limitations of his powers. He needed to grow stronger, to push the boundaries of what he could do with his blood manipulation.