Only the ocean

By the time Meadow called out her voice was already a faint echo. If Hanako had been a more cautious, and arguably wise, girl she would have heeded the healers warning, would have turned around and stuck close. But like the silly wannabe adventurer she was, Hanako ventured deeper in the dark and the depths of the building. The floorboards groaned and creaked beneath her weight, bowing and shifting every time she placed a paw. As if the ground, like a petulant child, was unwilling to do its job and hold her weight. Ignoring it, Hanako pushed on, determined to be of use to her friend. And maybe to just show off how cool and independent she could be, proving she was capable of going off on her own, thank you very much.

Long and lingering moments passed and it was only then Hanako realised she'd forgotten what the plants she was supposed to be searching for even looked like. She glanced around, her eyes only just adjusting to the darkness, and it soon became clear that nothing but moss and mushrooms grew here. The ground was slanted down and the end of the room, where it was at its deepest point, was partially flooded with sea water. The furthest wall groaned each time the waves rolled in, slamming against the crumbling bricks and pushing even more water through the cracks. Logically speaking Hanako knew she'd come to a bit of a dead end, that she'd find nothing of use here. But there was something so thrilling about the unknown, like the darkness at the other end of the flooded hallway was calling out to her. Beckoning her close with it's tempting emptiness.

Really damn spooky.

"Meadow!" Hanako called, only just now looking back over her shoulder. "Come see this!"