Bouncing down the rabbit hole
The party of five camped beside the withered tree; determined to wait for Lutini to climb out of the crack. While waiting, they began to barbecue meat and sausages. With the smell of seasoned food wafting here and there, it was not long till Lutini's stomach began protesting against hunger like a spoilt child.
"When are those five leaving? I am damn hungry!" Lutini cried with a rumbling stomach, hardly containing its hunger. Although, luminous crystals grew insides of the tree, nothing else was edible. There were no living organisms, no animals, no vegetation in the withered tree. However, there were water droplets formed on the surface of the crystals even though the tree remain dry to the touch.
Fascinated by the discovery, Lutini touched the surface of a crystal, swiping the water droplets onto its makeshift hand; sniffing to find a familiar scent.
"Hmmm scentless.. can it be water? But what's the source?"
Inquisitive, Lutini took out a poison barb and poke the stone. The poison bard immediately detoxified and became a holy barb!
"Holy shit! This crystal is some next level shit!"
Knowing that the crystal is harmless, Lutini plucked one crystal out of the tree. The crystal reacted to Lutini's touch and healed it- even satiating its hunger. Lutini marvelled in surprise!
Just as Lutini was about to pluck more crystals, another crystal had already sprouted from where Lutini plucked!
"Is this tree really a tree? It behaves more like a dungeon! Could this be a mini dungeon? If this is a dungeon, where are the monsters!?"
Shivers creeped up Lutini's back, as if forewarning a great danger. True enough, beady eyes were spying from the nooks and crannies of the dungeon but the real danger was in deep slumber, a mere seal away from unleashing it.
Sensing that danger was lurking in the midst, Lutini bounced around the dungeon trying to find the entrance. But it was no longer there!
"Hey Legend, the hole in the tree disappeared!" Maia said in astonishment.
"Oh my god!" Mala was stunned, that could be him if he went in as they suggested.
"I am afraid this is no mere tree guys, it's probably a cursed tree and not a diseased one. We have to find a way to get him out." Legend said in a serious tone.
Lutini saw a bright white light shining from above, tempting it to seek refuge from the cavern beneath. "Screw it, maybe the way out is down!" Trusting its instinct, the blob of slime bounced down the rabbit-hole.