Twisted Wonderland 2

Go All Out

You and the boys hike up the steep trail to the mines. You carry supplies that you've gathered from the camp on your way here.

"Geez, this trail is no joke..." Trey wipes his brow, glancing to you and the boys. "You guys holding up okay?"

Azul glowers. "What do YOU think? I've barely gotten a wink of sleep today."

"I'm good..." You say out of breath. "Just... a lot of running around today..."

Jade chuckles. "It wouldn't be a true mountain trail if it was easy. The challenge is half the fun."

Vil rolls his eyes. "You're the only one deriving any pleasure from this, you know."

"To be perfectly frank," Azul tries catching his breath. "I'd just as soon take back what I said about rescuing them and go back to my tent and put my feet up."

Trey nods sympathetically. "I feel you, but we can't just abandon Coach Vargas and Grim to their fate. If we sit back and wait for the headmage, we might be too late. It'd be a different situation if Coach Vargas could move..."

"No use dwelling on that now." Azul sighs.

"Yes." Jade agrees. "We must focus on what lies ahead of us, not behind us. I must say, though, we don't know enough about the monster's nature and the way it fights. It's also unclear if it's only taken Grim and Coach Vargas."

Vil hums in thought. "Now that you mention it, Coach Vargas explained what happened to all the students in the final challenge, as well as Idia and Ortho. But what about Malleus and Lilia? Would they have skipped out on camp or broken the rules?"

Trey shakes his head. "Malleus was enjoying camp well enough, and Lilia was pretty positive about it too. I can't picture them ditching out. I guess it's possible they broke the rules somehow, but... What if they didn't? What if that monster got to them too...?"

This is a worrying thought for everyone.

Azul clears his throat. "Just so we're clear, if it turns out Malleus has been abducted as well, I'm running. Charging in unprepared to fight a monster that could capture HIM would be like offering yourself up on a platter."

"You're not wrong." Trey says. "Even I could tell how strong it was in the split second it attacked. I really hope we don't have to fight that thing."

You and the boys eventually reach the entrance to the mine.

Trey looks to the ominous, dark entrance. "All right, we made it."

"Do you really think we're going to find them in there?" Azul questions.

You hold your arm. "I hope so."

"We'd best hurry." Jade insists. "I'm beside myself with anxiety thinking of the horrors they might be enduring."

Trey nods. "Yeah, let's go in."

Steeling yourself, you and the boys step into the dark cave. The mines are just as dark as they have been, but with the looming threat, the dark tunnels feel a lot more ominous.

Trey glances around. "It's as dark as ever in here..."

"And still a maze." Vil takes out a paper. "Let's follow the map I drew when we were mining for magestones."

"LEMME GO!" A familiar voice echoes in the tunnels. "Why'd you even nab me. anyway?"

Azul grins. "Well, well. I believe that's Grim. It appears our guess was right."

"It's difficult to tell with all the echoing, but he sounds as though he's fine." Jade looks to you with a smile.

"That's a relief." You say.