The day Pet nearly died

I messed up.
 
I thought I could protect them. Protect him. But
 
I messed up.
 
We were in the undercroft beneath a colony of an unknown species, guarded by a myth and a legend, at the heart of the uncrossable sea. I think it all got so much that I stopped thinking things through. I rushed in. I tried to get to the front and Pet, I didn't even see anything out there before he was meters ahead, in the thick of it, wearing his own skin and hardly any armor besides. The horned serpent- what a dumb name, to not mention the teeth, just horns and tail. Whoever named it didn't see it up close. The toothtwister. No, that sounds stupid too. Whatever, you get the idea. If I hadn't called for Illy to turn his back to it and leave Pet alone up there, everything would've gone okay. We would've been safe. Safer, at least. Dangerjaw. Eh, a little better. I'll think of something.
 
At least the temple was safe. Just a little lightning, some mild curses, nothing we can't handle. When I have more mana, I need to wipe Pet of curses, shit, that's definitely what caused this. That fulgurite amulet made him a lightning rod for danger. Or dangermaws, at least. It came out of nowhere, I feel so blind.
 
I'm getting off track.
 
Today we met a new friend(s?), Buddy. "We who speak for the vast enigma beyond color's shape." They're so sweet, always following along, asking questions. Illy said they got scared of the rain! How cute is that! I would've loved to show them around the Endeavor, but I was stuck on guard duty to make up for sending my friends into a trap.
 
Some medic I am.
 
I took a closer look a few minutes ago and I think we can stop infection, but I don't think Pet'll ever get full mobility back, with his knee mangled like that. It's a sorry sight, and he knows it. Everything I know about medicine, he taught me. He knows what I'm checking for, sees it on my face.
 
Pet did manage a partial transformation today. We'd talked about it a few days ago, thought it was possible, but he really hasn't pushed his powers to see what he can do. I wonder what else he's capable of.
 
I know Illy said they didn't want to be a diplomat, but they're doing great with Buddy, and always seem to know what to say to Zuni too. Maybe he just needs a cause to be a diplomat for. Something that matters, to drive him.
 
There's no shortage of that here. This morning I would've given anything to keep flying until the storm broke again, but now that we've landed, I'm not sure I'll ever feel right leaving. There are so many secrets here to uncover. A shaky balance between two gods. A worshipful preservation of people before people even existed. Or were meant to. Then the Vast Enigma, and well-named at that.
 
Shit, I almost forgot they can speak Akhelic too, what the hell's that about? Who came here before, at the start of their node? How long ago even was that? Did they come here knowing what it was, or were they just dragged here by the Endeavor before we started calling it that?
 
On that note, the Endeavor lost the lower hodgepodge, and with it, my scribing quill. I've fashioned a new quill from the violet horn of the murdermaw. Serves it right.
 
P.S. There was also that weird statue that knelt or whatever that was- what was that about?
 
P.P.S. Wasn't there a cursed orb too? What happened to that?