Beyond All Part 1 ( The Searches)

Chapter 32

The Secret Of Ardennis

" How much longer until we get there?" Lapisa asked.

"Only a little more," Crystal said.

" About time," Planta said, blisters on her hands and feet.

When they left the Coliseum, they went back to where they were staying to get food and water. Then they found Crystal waiting for them on the outskirts of the village. When asked, why she wanted to see them, Crystal simply said to follow her. And that, they'd know why soon. The three of them then traveled a few hours until the village disappeared behind them. After which they came across a lake of lava. Crystal used her ability to help them cross. Her ability was creating crystals, like the ones that made up her hair. She stood just before the lava. Then tapped the butt of her staff on the ground. Crystals shot from the ground, and over the lava, creating a bridge for them to cross. When they finished doing so, they came across the base of a mountain

It was excruciating, but Lapisa and Planta were able to climb it. Crystal, having done this many times, had no issues. When they looked back, they could see the entirety of the village from where they were standing.

" Sure is a nice view," Planta said.

" Indeed. I've seen it many times but it's still as beautiful as ever."

" Yeah. By the way, where do those stairs over there lead?" Lapisa asked Crystal. There was a flight of stairs to their right that seemed to be going down the mountain.

" Those go back down to the base of the mountain."

" You mean we could have taken those the entire time?!"

" Yes."

" Then why didn't we?!" Planta asked

" I figured it would be good training for you two. Now come. We're going inside the mountain."

There was a cave entrance just ahead of them, that they went through. It led to the top of a giant slide made of smooth limestone.

" This is so much fun!" Planta said as they were sliding down. The slide had several spirals.

" Brace yourself for the drop," Crystal said.

" Huh?"

The slide abruptly ended, causing the three of them to plummet down towards the abyss below.

" Fuck! We're going to hit the bottom! What do we do?!"

" Hell if I know! Crystal?!" Lapisa asked her. But saw her lips move like she was counting.

"Twenty-eight...Twenty Nine...Thirty!" Crystal said. Then grabbed Lapisa and Planta. And threw them in a downward direction.

Lapisa and Planta ended up going through the entrance of a second cave. They came to a scraped and bruised, but otherwise safe stop. Crystal landed gracefully, behind them.

" Ow.," Planta said, as she and Lapisa got to their feet.

"My apologies. I've been meaning to fix that slide."

" At least we're still alive. How close are we to our destination?"

" It won't be much longer. But be careful. There's lava ahead of us."

" Noted," Lapisa said.

Walking further into the cave, took them to a bridge over a lake of magma. Falls of it fell around them but never hit them or the bridge. When they got to the end of it, Crystal told them to wait a moment. She formed cups from her ability and used them to scoop up some of the magma. Then handed the cups to them.