You follow Haden back into the tunnels underneath town, taking a different route than you did before. You're glad she knows her way around. It's a maze down here, and you're not sure you could remember your way back alone.

Haden stops in front of a shallow opening in the rocks. "The Fox Guardians made this passage a long time ago, but they abandoned it because of a cave-in. Some friends and I dug it out so we could sneak out of town when we were young and rebellious. That's how I snuck onboard the ship to the Voek's island." You add, "What do you mean 'were.'" Getting a sly smile out of Haden and a laugh from Talik. 

Peering inside, you see the passage is so narrow, you'd have to squeeze through to go anywhere. It looks barely big enough for one person. Inside, the air is cool and damp, the walls glistening with moisture. The ceiling is low, and jagged rocks jut out at odd angles, making the passage seem even more daunting. A spiderweb catches on your hair and you feel impelled to brush it off before continuing. 

A fox sprite, its fur shimmering with an ethereal glow, darts in and out of the shadows, encouraging you to use the passage it has found. Its eyes gleam with an intelligence that suggests it knows more about these tunnels than anyone else.

Haden hesitates at the entrance, her usual bravado faltering. She takes a deep breath, her eyes reflecting a flicker of fear. "When I was little, I got trapped in a collapsed tunnel of sand at the beach," she admits quietly. "It was terrifying, the weight of the sand pressing down, the air growing thin. I was lucky to be rescued in time."

Her voice trembles slightly, but she squares her shoulders, pushing the fear aside. "I can't let that fear stop me now. If the corruption spreads, the whole island is doomed."

You nod, feeling a mixture of admiration and apprehension. The fox sprite yips encouragingly, darting ahead into the darkness. With a final, determined glance, Haden crawls into the narrow passage, her movements slow and cautious.

You follow closely, the walls brushing against your shoulders as you move deeper into the cave. The air grows colder, and the sound of dripping water echoes eerily. Every now and then, a bat flits past, its wings whispering against the damp stone.

The journey is slow and nerve-wracking, but Haden's resolve never waivers. She leads the way, her determination lighting the path as much as the dim glow from the fox sprite. Together, you press on, knowing that beyond this narrow, treacherous passage lies the key to saving her island.

Haden had to over come her claustrophobia to go through the tunnels. Based on the text name 3 other phobias you might have to overcome to go through the tunnel with Haden. Name them in Thy Quests to continue. 

Next: E5Q2 Into the Wild