Lesson One - A Monster School Fic

Chapter Nineteen - Nether Field Trip, Part 2

Soot cautiously lowered one foot into the lava, feeling around until she got a foothold before transferring her weight. She stepped fully into the lava, which came up to just below her knees, before turning to face you with a smile.

"Come on!" She coaxed. "It's not deep!"

"For you, maybe." You stared at the lava, feeling chills despite the oppressive heat. Even with the fire resistance potion, you still couldn't imagine willingly stepping into lava.

"Regardless, we must cross this pool." Fade pointed out, gesturing to the small lava lake that Soot currently stood in. "If we want to reach the next biome, anyway." On the other side of the lava was a forest made up of bright, teal mushrooms, which Soot had already identified to you as a warped forest. You were standing at the very edge of a crimson forest, that and the wastes being the only biomes you had gotten so far.

You made a face, looking up at the forest again. Surely there was another way around...?

"Would you like me to go first?" Fade offered. You swallowed, feeling a bit embarrassed about your reaction.

"Uh, yeah." You shuffled back a bit. Fade nodded, then took a large step over to the edge and joined Soot in the lava. You hesitated to study him. He didn't seem to be in any discomfort, and even his and Soot's uniforms seemed immune to the heat.

"Come on!" Soot offered you a hand, and you took a deep breath before taking it.

The lava was thick under your shoe, like stepping into warm pudding. You wobbled as it slowed your movements, thankful for Soot's hand keeping you steady. How were you supposed to walk in this, it nearly came up to your waist!

"Okay," Soot said. "I'll go first to make sure it doesn't get deeper. You two come behind me, okay?"

"I'm the tallest, I may as well go first." Fade pointed out.

"It doesn't bother you?"

"Not at all."

"Well, then, you can go first." Soot gave him a cheery smile as she adjusted her grip on your hand, and Fade gave her a passive nod before pushing ahead through the lava.

Thankfully, the lava remained no deeper than a block all the way across. You didn't like not knowing where your feet were going, but Soot held your hand all the way across and you made sure to walk on the same blocks that Fade had. Soon enough, you were clambering out onto the shore, feeling a little better about being so close to the fire.

As you brushed the sparks from your uniform, a chime sounded from the clock that Fade held. "Time to take our potions," he announced, and you fumbled for the bundles that Herobrine had given you to refresh your eight minutes of fire immunity.

You nearly choked on your potion when 303 appeared about five blocks in front of you.

"How's it going?" He asked cheerfully as you coughed harshly. "Sorry, Y/N."

"All good!" Soot beamed at him. "We've just found our third biome."

"Great!" 303 clapped his hands together. "You're making great time. Alright, see you in a bit." With that, he warped away again. Fade cleared his throat quietly as he looked up at the trees.

"It seems we are in no rush," He said. "We may as well stop here and eat."

"Okay," You agreed. You weren't sure how much time had passed since you entered the nether, but you were just starting to get hungry and this was as good a place as any to stop.

"I'm going to look around a bit," Soot announced as you found a block of nylium-covered netherrack and sank down onto it. "To see if I can see another biome from here."