[CC Command: Soul Bending. What Could Possibly Go Wrong?]<br/><br/>You are well aware of the dangers that lurk in these caves, you've seen most of them without getting spotted yourself. Besides, you aren't completely defenseless, you have your two doggy friends!<br/><br/>Milo becomes visibly nervous when you draw her attention to them.<br/><br/>"Yes... I was trying to ignore them... So they do serve you then." She coughs, and smiles weakly. "Well, that's very impressive, being able to tame monsters like that! Perhaps that is your Blessing!"<br/><br/>Your raised eyebrow tells her to elaborate.<br/><br/>"OH, right. A Blessing is sort of a... consolation gift given by the curse, to help us prey survive a little longer. Mine is obviously my power to enchant using my songs. Yours might be beast taming... but there is no way to tell for certain." Her gaze then turns back to the dog, and she curls up ever so slightly in your hand. "... Please don't let them get near me."<br/><br/>You can't help but giggle, earning a huff from the mouse, as you turn back to the bath and ask your next question.<br/><br/>"You... Want to bind your soul here?" Milo asks, surprised. You nod, telling her in will be easier to regroup after... something goes wrong if the two of you come back in the same place. After all, if your soul is bound to the entrance of the dungeon, there is no guarantee you could find the Rat's Nest again. She nods at this, and smiles.<br/><br/>"Alright... I suppose it would be nice to have a friendly face to come back to after being mutilated." She gives a little laugh, apparently that was a joke, before closing her eyes and beginning to hum. The tune is slow and melodic, and after a few seconds, the water in her bath begins to swirl around and around until there is a little whirlpool in the stand. "Now, drink the water... It will... Sting a little."<br/><br/>You nod, and dip your other hand into the small pool. The shock of pain immediately rush through your arm, but Milo resumes her humming, and it subsides enough for you to lift your palm up to your parched lips and take a sip of the enchanted liquid.<br/><br/>To be fair, it did not sting... It fucking hurt.<br/><br/>You fall to your knees, dropping Milo onto the stone as you clutch your chest. Your insides feel like they're on fire, and you can't fight the loud scream that tears itself out of your lungs. You eyes begin to shine a bright blue, and your veins glow beneath your skin. The dogs bark from where they stand, but they don't dare risk falling into the water.<br/><br/>And then, it all ends, and any pain you felt suddenly subsides. You kneel on the bridge, blinking, as Milo stares up at you, still on her back where she fell.<br/><br/>"Are you... ok?" She whimpers. You nod, and gently pick her up, before standing to your feet. Glancing around, you can't help but feel a bit... lighter. Any thirst you previously had has been quenched, and the pain in your nethers from your dip in the water earlier has completely subsided. On top of that, this bath house now gives you a sense of... comfort. You feel better in here than anywhere else in the dungeon. Is this what it's like to have your soul bound somewhere?<br/><br/>[Thirst Quenched]<br/><br/>[Checkpoint Activated: Milo's Bathhouse]<br/><br/>[Blessing of Milo gained! You are now immune to the enchanted water!]<br/><br/>[HP Restored]<br/><br/>[MP Restored]<br/><br/>Milo seems happy that you are alright. Giving her a reassuring smile, you decide it is best to continue on your way. Where to next?<br/><br/>"I... Don't know." She admits, hanging her head. "There is a passage that leads further underground, which is probably where we want to head, but it was sealed off by the rats ages ago. They're too afraid to reopen it."<br/><br/>Sounds like a good place to start.<br/><br/>[Awaiting Input]