Michael mined out a spiral staircase deeper and deeper until he broke out into a large open space below him.
"Well.. I sure as hell found something, but I don't like it."
The cave groaned at him, launching stale air from the newly mined hole.
He definitely didn't want to go down there but there wasn't much of a choice.
Gavin, with a torch held in hand, climbed down the stairs to the awaiting redhead.
"Well, they might as well just chop off our knobs. How is this any safer than outside?" The brit spoke as he peered into the darkness.
"It's not," Geoff added from above, "but it's our best bet on getting you guys to a safer place."
They both sighed as Geoff was the first to push past them and jump down into the darkness below. Gavin followed behind him, and Michael soon after.
Geoff's pixeled puppet let out a grunt as he landed. Gavin felt the jarring impact on his legs as he hit the stone floor. Michael practically fell on top of him.
"AH! Micool, get off!"
He laughed and climbed off the squished brunette.
"Thanks for breaking my fall, asshole."
"Shut up, you two." Geoff grumbled in annoyance. It was almost normal, like they all weren't in danger.
"It's dark as dicks, dude. Gimme a light."
Gavin handed Geoff a torch, pulling another out for himself.
Geoff set down the torch, the light illuminating what was in front of them in reds and orange hues.
"Holy shit.."
The small alcove opened into a mineshaft. It stretched farther than they could see, and it led further and further down into a lava river that waited below.
Skeletons clacked loudly, the sounds echoing off the walls, and spiders clicked and hissed in the dark, creating a disonance that shot chills through them all.
Michael slipped his hand into Gavin's, noticing his fear. He was shaking like a leaf in an autumn wind, and his skin was pale despite the fact that it was bathed in the yellow glow of the torch.
"We'll be alright. We'll get out of here, and be fucking morons together." Michael whispered to hide his voice from Geoff.
Gavin nodded weakly before deciding to break the silence with Geoff.
"Geoff.. Are you sure this safer than outside?"
"No, but there's really no going back." Geoff spoke after a long pause, his character glued to the sight before him.
Geoff jumped across a small gap onto the wooden platform, and Gavin had Michael go before him. Michael managed the jump with a little effort, and Gavin landed beside him a moment later. The wood creaked and groaned with every step, protesting against their weight, but it held. Michael set down his bag and dug through it to find his bow, and a handful of arrows. He handed Gavin a sword and tossed one to Geoff, but he tossed it back.
"I've got my own. Besides, you guys'll need it more once those arrows run out." Geoff spoke as he materialized a diamond sword.
Michael nodded before drawing back his bow, taking up the lead down the narrow path of aging oak. He limped forward, noticing a skeleton already blocking their path farther down. He took his first shot, and it knocked out its leg, making it crumble and disappear, leaving more ammunition.
