Infinite Fantasy [ON HOLD INDEFINITELY]

Cave of Blunders

I have dedicated this chapter to MorbidSoda for her support and insistance that I carry this story on  ^_^  It's people like you that keep me going, so thankiiiiiiiieeeeeeeees!! xxx

As they entered the cave, Timothy, Gareth and Faaren heard nothing but their own footsteps echoing around them. The entrance led down a long dark tunnel, stalagtites and stalagmites dotted about making the way down a winding path rather than a straight journey. If there were any goblins in the cave, they were well hidden.

"So... Where are they?" Gareth whispered. He was growing more and more impatient the deeper in the party got.

"No idea, but I hope that's all that we'll find," Faaren replied. The torch in his hand was flickering but burning strong as he walked in front of the group. At the end of the passage, the cave opened up into a wide chasm, a thin ridge running around the outside.

"Fire!" Gareth shouted, pointing his staff at the gaping hole. A small fireball shot down into the depths and travelled a great distance downwards before hitting water and extinguishing.

"Careful, guys," Timothy warned, "It's a long way down if we slip..."

"Chibu go! Chibu veeery carefuls... Chibu no wanting Timtimmy fall down so checking safe is Chibu jobby!"

"You sure, little dude?" Gareth asked. He was warming to the little creature and couldn't help but worry. Chibu nodded and started his way around the chasm.

A short while later, Chibu reached the other side safely and called to the others to follow. Timothy and Gareth made it across without any problems but, when halfway round, Faaren lost his footing and slipped. Hooking his fingers onto the ledge, he held on for dear life.

"Help me!" he shrieked, "I'm too beautiful to die in this Godforsaken pit!"

Gareth rolled his eyes before inching back onto the ledge, Timothy holding his arm to steady him, and Chibu gripping Timothy's leg. Gareth held his staff out to Faaren and told him to take the end.

"I can't! I'll fall!"

"Don't be dumb-dumb!" Chibu called out, "Faaren grab sticky and get over, or Chibu push Faaren!"

"Okay, okay!" Faaren wailed, breathing deeply. Slowly shimmying closer, Faaren quickly reached out and took hold of Gareth's staff, one hand still clinging to the ledge, "What now?"

"Shuffle round with that hand but don't let go of the staff. We'll support you until we can pull you up!" Timothy commanded.

Faaren did as he was told and eventually joined the others safe and sound on the solid ground. Laying face down, Faaren stroked the dirt and wept hysterically, blubbering about how he was never going to move again. A low rumble, followed by a growl, from the chasm behind quickly changed his mind.

"What was that?" Gareth gasped, stepping back into the continuing tunnel.

"Let's not wait to find out," Timothy suggested, "Run!"