Fallen (MCSM Fanfic)

Chapter 12: The Portal

"Are we cool?" Axel called down into the large hole. All of them were peering over the edge, staring down to where Jesse was kneeling on a ledge, holding the amulet out as if it was a torch.

"It's a hole!" She called back up.

"Does that mean we're cool?" Axel called back.

"I'll find out!" Jesse called back, glancing over her shoulder. She turned her attention back to the darkness, extending the arm with the amulet to use as light. She took a deep breath, which echoed slightly around the pit, before leaping down.

"Looks pretty good!" She called after a second. "Uh, it's dark, but other than that we're okay!"

"Heading down!" Olivia responded, swinging her legs over the edge. She hesitated slightly. "Don't look up... I've gotta work up the nerve."

"Do you guys here that?" Jesse's voice sounded from inside the pit a moment later.

"Seriously?" Olivia asked in exasperation. "If you're joking around right now-"

"Something's not right..." Jesse spoke up again. Then there was suddenly a gasp, and a call of alarm. "Bats!"

Lukas and Olivia both let out screams of surprise, while Axel yelled out a confused 'Why are we screaming!?'

Petra just watched with an unamused expression, still not understanding; why are these people afraid of bats to begin with? Reuben cowered behind her legs, letting out a frightened oink. Petra gently stroked his head to reassure him.

"Okay, it's safe now!" Jesse called out in a shaky voice.

Still looking thoroughly spooked, Olivia began climbing down. Axel immediately followed her.

Well, I guess at least he won't be landing on Lukas. Petra thought to herself.

"Need a hand?" Lukas asked her softly, keeping his voice down.

"I'm good." Petra said, shrugging him off. "You go first."

Lukas nodded, swinging his legs over the edge and carefully hopping down. Petra took a deep breath, positioning herself at the edge as well. Reuben leaped down beside her, effortlessly landing on his tiny hooves.

If Reuben can do it, so can you. Petra told herself, letting go. She dropped down onto the first ledge, before leaping the rest of the way down onto the ground.

Pain seared up Petra's fatigued legs as she hit the ground, almost giving way beneath her. Lukas grabbed her by her arm to stop her stumbling forward. Petra couldn't tell if she was appreciative of his help, or annoyed by it. Maybe both.

"Let's go." Jesse said matter-of-factly, not bothering to give anybody a chance to speak.

She turned around, proudly taking the lead and marching down the hallway. Axel and Olivia immediately at her sides like a shadow. Petra just rolled her eyes as she and Lukas followed at the back, Reuben trotting by her side.

"This smells like a sewer." Lukas points out to Petra in a whisper. "We actually find Soren here?"

"Not here." Petra explained, reaching up to wipe some sweat off her face. "We still have a bit to go."

"You'll be good?" Lukas hesitantly made sure. "It seems you're starting to burn up again."

"I'll be fine." Petra shrugged him off. I hope.

Lukas nodded, still looking a bit unsure. Even Reuben gave a puzzled oink, looking up at them with wide eyes.

As the group neared the end of the tunnel, a series of gasps sounded out. Even Lukas let out an astonished 'woah' at the sight below them. Petra was the only one who didn't show any surprise.