ALCHEMY - Earth

As he plunged through the dark, Qwyfyx thought he heard the disembodied voices of the Alchemist, the Astrologer and Philosopher. They became intermingled in his mind and he couldn't remember who had said what. He heard the mocking voice of the Illustrator and he recalled Cecilia saying that the stone was in the depths of the earth, amid the muck and mire. Qwyfyx heard his mother nagging him about his wet clothes and he felt his old suit being replaced by a new, dry one.

Eventually, with a gentle thud, he landed. The ground beneath him was cold and damp, the darkness surrounding him, absolute. He could smell the moist earth and, listening, he could hear water trickling far below.
Groping around, Qwyfyx took the wand from his bag and raised it above his head. He uttered some very secret words and from the eyes of the silver serpent issued a clear white light. He gasped in awe when he saw the enormity of the cavern surrounding him.

Everywhere, there were stones of all colours, shapes and sizes and Qwyfyx began to examine some of them. He was wondering how he would possibly know if he had found the one he was seeking, when the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Somewhere, off in the distance, he could hear the deep breathing and low growl of cave-dwelling dragons.

There was only one way out of here and, finding a pathway, Qwyfyx fearfully headed upwards.