Shore ( A Modern Fantasy Beach Action Adventure)

Search (Part 2)

     Arena pulls out a toy water gun that looks as if it came out of a 1950s science-fiction movie. It has bright neon red and blue colors and strange gold markings on the barrel and grip. Arena's finger is off the trigger, and he holds the toy with care. "This will be yours, though you should be very—and I do mean very—careful with it."

     "I'll make sure to keep your toy safe, though I don't know why you're giving it to me," she says.

     "This is no toy. You need to keep an open mind and try to see past the obvious. This is a dangerous tool that..." Arena stops speaking for a moment as he tries to put his thoughts into words. "It would be better if I show you."

     Arena aims the water gun in the direction they came from. He pulls the trigger, and a stream of water fires out like a bullet. The water strikes the field like a cannonball, leaving a small crater. Lahar stares at the crater in awe. Arena flips the gun around so that he holds the barrel and hands it to her grip first. "Here you go. Keep your finger off the trigger."

     Lahar cautiously grabs the grip of the gun, making sure her finger is off the trigger.

     "Now, don't be afraid to use it, but that doesn't mean shoot it like crazy. You should only use it in severe situations, the life-or-death kind."

     Arena stares at Lahar, who seems to be nervous holding the water gun. "It wouldn't be smart to hold that the whole time," he says. He then goes back to the backpack in search of something. He pulls out a banana-colored belt with a holster for the water gun and a pocketknife. "You can use this, though it may be a little big on you. I would suggest you use this knife to adjust the size," he says as he hands her the knife and the holster.

     "Thanks," Lahar says as she trades the water gun with him so she can use both hands. She measures the belt around her waist, marks where the hole must be on the belt, and starts working on it.

     "Why don't you explain why that arrow is pointing at the grass?" she says while she carefully pokes a hole in the belt.

     "Like I said, you need to see past the obvious. This isn't a normal patch of grass. The fact that this arrow is pointing to it should be proof enough. Whoever is under here, didn't want us to find this place."

     Pie moves next to Arena.

     "Under there?" asks Lahar.

     "You should get behind us, Lahar, for your own safety."

     Lahar steps behind them as she finishes up the belt. She fastens it around her waist, and Arena hands her the water gun. Pie squares himself off and then lets out a bellowing roar.

      Lahar feels the ground shake below her feet. The blades of grass turn to grains of white sand as they are sent flying into the air. What is left is no longer a patch of grass. Instead, it is a stone entranceway.

     The entranceway has an archway that resembles a coral reef. Arena turns to Lahar. By the nervous expression on her face, he can tell how she feels. He reaches into the front pouch of his backpack and pulls out two strands of gum. He places one in his pocket. The second piece he hands to Lahar. "Take this."

     "What's this for?"

     "You're nervous."

     "Am not."

     "It's completely fine to be afraid. Just a short time ago, magic was something you could only see in movies or read stories about. Now that it is something tangible, it's understandable to feel afraid. When I am nervous, I chew on gum. It calms the nerves and gives you a moment to readjust yourself."

     Lahar grabs the gum and unwraps it. She won't say it out loud, but he's right. As she chews, the mango flavor dances on her tongue and calms her. She adjusts her shirt and skirt and makes sure the belt fits comfortably around her waist. She takes a deep breath and says, "Let's not waste any more time."

     Lahar walks down into the tunnel. Pie and Arena follow as he yells, "That doesn't mean we just go in without thinking!"

     They walk deeper into the cavern. A frosty wind blows onto their skin. The light from outside no longer reaches them. The only light comes from the dimly lit white stones scattered around the walls of the tunnel. The tunnel itself is wide, with enough space for Arena to comfortably walk side by side with Pie. He could even ride on his back if he wanted to.

     "It's like I am in a deep freeze with terrible Christmas lights," Arena says out loud.

     "I'm getting an ominous vibe, as if at the end of this path will be a boss battle. I feel greatly unprepared for this," Lahar says.

     "Well, I'm normally not prepared for anything, and things usually work out for me."

     "How often would you say it works out?"

     "At least a solid forty percent of the time," Arena says, assured of himself.

     She chuckles. "I'm willing to bet on those odds. Though I feel if you add me into the mix, you could bump that to a solid fifty percent."

     They walk deeper as a light at the end of the tunnel shines bright, and the soft sound of rushing water fills the cavern.

     Arena speeds up to walk in front of her. "Let's not rush in there just yet." He places his arm in front of Lahar. "Let's come up with a strategy if things go south," he says as they stop close to the entranceway.

     "What happened to all that big talk about going in unprepared?" she asks with a joking tone.

     She watches as Arena speaks with his hands. Each movement subtly emphasizes his words. She giggles as his arms move.

     "Well, if it was just me, I would have already walked in there without a single thought. But that's the thing, though. It isn't just me. I don't want to put you into any unnecessary danger."

     She places her arm on his shoulder and smiles at him. She lets the flavor of the gum calm her as she speaks in an optimistic tone. "Don't treat me any different. I may not be some sorcerer, but I can handle myself. Still, you shouldn't always assume the worst. Maybe what is waiting for us on the other side is kind." Lahar then turns him around to face the entranceway. "Still, you should go first." Lahar pushes Arena ahead of her.

     "Don't worry about me. I have the monster with me," she says, with her hand scratching Pie's head. Pie doesn't move from her side, as his face shows how much he is enjoying the scratching.

     "After all that talk," Arena mumbles. He takes a deep breath before he passes the threshold into the white light.