Blood still dripped from Sai's weapon and Cuatete's jaws when they finally made it back to Kunago's perch on the Echoing Overlook. "I hear that you've returned my lyre to me," said the elf.
"Yes," said Sai. He pulled it from his pack and thrust it into Kunago's chest. "Take it. Please."
The Sorrowful Bard let the lyre it was already playing float in the air beside it, where it continued to play its accustomed song. As soon as Kunago took the new lyre from Sai's hands, the monster-summoning song died.
"Oh, thank the Nightmare," Sai swore. Cuatete collapsed to the ground with a huff.
Kunago glanced up at the orc, the amber of his eyes flashing. "You're welcome," he said.
"Why does your lyre summon monsters?" Sai asked.
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The elf strummed the strings of the lyre, but they did not sound. He shook his head. "It has been shadowed by the Eternal Nightmare," he said. "That darkness has corrupted its true purpose."
"And what's that?" Sai asked.
"To play my song," said Kunago. "'Lament of Serinor.' The song that led the Eldritch One to pluck me out of time and place me in its song."
Sai frowned. "A Song made you a demigod?" he asked.
"It did," Kunago said with a nod. "To thank you for your service, here. Take this." Kunago pulled a large conch from nowhere and handed it to Sai.
The orc took it. "Is this the shell the Eldritch One needs?" he asked.
Kunago chuckled. "I'm sure you'll find a use for it in Time," he said. "Come back to me once you've delivered it. I've one last task that you can help me with." Kunago set the shadowed lyre beside the tree and pulled his new lyre from the air to continue playing.
Sai glared at him. "No more surprises next time, alright?" he said.
Kunago glanced at him with a smirk. "I've no more help to offer you right now," he said. "You have to face the Nightmare on your own."
Sai shook his head and stormed back towards the caves. Cuatete growled, but she too got back to her feet and limped off.
