"So, you mean there is an underpass ahead?" Cassiel questioned.
"I think so." Xavier replied.
"But I advise you all to leave it and go ahead onto finding those materials. Since, we can't afford to get into unwanted troubles." Alan suggested, "We could even find a way out of it and could even get lost. We can afford the former but not the latter at all."
"If that's the case then let's leave it. How does that sound vice-captain?" Ezekiel questioned Poseidon who pondered, "Yeah, it's better to leave it."
"Or there could be one more solution…" Alan added.
Seraph glancing at Gabriel asked, "What?"
"If I could check it out one way or another." Alan replied.
Hearing him the boys looked at each other unamused. "Seriously, do you by default like to step into trouble?" Heber asked.
"Who knows, just like I told you before, we could also find a way out of it." Alan repeated as the little rabbit looked around the cavern amazed.
"Or, could even get lost…" Ryan added noting side effects.
Kenzo judging their debate since a long time clicked his tongue. "Tch! Forget it you multi-haired rascal, if you want to dig your grave that badly then feel free to check it out. Not less that I care. As for the rest of you, we are all heading straight to where the materials are. Any questions?" he ordered.
The boys looking at each other and deeming their current condition agreed with Kenzo. "It's better if we head straight. We are already really tired. I don't think we can afford to get into further troubles." Helios said.
Feng and Azazel nodded. Alan smiling walked ahead. Ezekiel on the contrary stared at him silent.
Suddenly, Adam called out shaking his hand from a far, "Everyone! Come here!! Look what I found!!"
The thirteen of them eyeing each other rushed towards the exit of the cavern from where Adam waved. Gazing at the sight which was held before them they all, including Alan stood awed. A sight as if never witnessed before rested before their eyes.
Lush huge green trees bearing all kinds of diverse fruits with their tops slightly obscured by ice. Verdant green grass below ornamented by wild bushes concealed cold colorful flowers dispersed around. Amid all that, a rushing sound of continuous falling water was heard from the waterfall which cascaded into a lake that treaded down through many different tributaries far and wide where snow reindeers with large horns drank water from, while rabbits and squirrels sprinted around. An oasis within a desert were the only words to depict that leisure's sight.
"Oh my god…" Feng whispered astounded alongside the rest.
"Am I dreaming or something?" Azazel rubbed his eyes while Ezekiel stood with his mouth a gape.
"Beautiful…" Xavier whispered awed alongside Poseidon and Helios who stood silent.
"It's beautiful isn't it Cassiel? I found it! Aren't I just great!?" Adam questioned proud as Cassiel patted his hairs delighted.
Alan smiling glanced at Kenzo who on the contrary smirked. His fingers kept on his forehead he called out, "That's it! You lot!"
Hearing his sudden call the thirteen of them turned to him. "What is it, you stupid king?" Ryan mocked.
"This highness here is booking this whole area! And the moment I return back to my residence, I will order every single one of my workers to build a lush villa here only for me!!" Kenzo claimed out of the blue.
For a moment, everyone surrounding him stood silent, their expressions blank.
"Just leave him everyone… I bet he is out of his wits." Alan commented in disbelief while the rest ignoring him turned back to the map.
Kenzo sensing their indifference freaked out, "What do you mean by out of his wits you brat?" "This king here is serious! None dares to even explore places like these and I who has found this marvelous spectacle shall use it for his own good! Peasants' like you won't ever understand that! Haha!! Haha!!" he laughed brazenly while Heber and Azazel both stared at him from the sides in pointless admiration with stars over their heads.
Seraph rolled his eyes, "Good for you your highness. I can proudly say that you are successfully staining your underlings in the exact same shameless colors as yours."
Adam and Ryan exhaled, "He is definetly an idoit. but I didn't thought he would be this big of an idiot."
"True…" Cassiel concurred.
"But, I bet we can come here and relax from time to time, right?" Xavier asked. "Yeah… this place just gives out that atmosphere." Poseidon agreed.
"Hm, a place like this existing in a wild jungle, surprises even me." Seraph marveled. Helios and Gabriel nodding smiled.
Adam on the contrary, climbed over one of the trees which held bananas on top. Waving at Ryan who stood below he plucked a bunch of bananas showing them beaming.
"By the way, we have to go straight left after that tunnel. Until we find an opening or a shed or even a cave again maybe, where those materials might be stored. Since, that's what the map points to." Helios read as the rest nodded.
"Then we better hurry. Look the sun is already setting. It won't be long until night falls." Gabriel forewarned.
Adam climbing down gleamed. "Guys! Here you go! Let's have a banana party before we go any further!! I am starving!" he called out showing off two big bunches of bananas he just plucked.
"Now, from where did you get those hun?" Heber asked amused patting his head while Seraph sighed slightly cross, "Seriously Adam?"
"Come on~ forget where I got these from. Let's enjoy. Here you go Ryan, one for you…" Adam distributed, "One for Cassiel… One for Aza, Aza… One for Sei, Sei… and One not for Seraph since he is mad at me…"
Seraph who was left behind twitched his brow, veins popping on his forehead. "Little brat…" he uttered cross.
"Haha, Thank you, little Adam." Poseidon thanked.
"It's okay. And, one for you Eze, Eze and Heli, Heli, Heber, Heber, Gabriel, and Feng, Feng…" Adam continued to distribute.
"Thanks." they all said together.
"And, you Alan and Xavi, Xavi… and you fake king too! As for the rest… they are mine!" he gleamed hugging them together.
Ryan smiled over his innocence.
"Hehe, good for you hun?" Ezekiel chomped the banana down. Alan peeling the skin off too ate it up. "Wah! It's really sweet!" Feng commented as the rest agreed walking ahead.
After a walk of 10 minutes, Alan traced the approaching tunnel described on the map. It was small but concealed.
"So it was a tunnel after all." Gabriel said.
Alan nodded. An urge of checking it over derived upon him. Sensing his inquisitive expression, a light smile covered Helios's lips, "You won't leave it hun, Alan?"
Alan blinked his eyes surprised.
"Very well then, be careful… is the only thing I can say." Helios continued. Alan surprised smiled whereas Kenzo rolled his eyes.
"You're leaving?" Heber questioned Alan. Alan stepping forward beside Helios patted his arm. "Good job boy… reading someone else's mind in a split second is your very first step onto becoming a fine player." he commented waving his hand, heading towards the tunnel's entrance.
"Huh? Why is Alan going inside?" Adam questioned confused.
Seraph shaking his head sighed, "Because he doesn't have a word like peace and serenity in his body."
Kenzo looking at Alan seriously turned around advancing, "Come on, we don't have much time. Let's go." Helios followed.
"My very first step onto becoming a fine player? It's feels as if he is teaching us." he thought amused.
Opening the map, he once again read the route beside Gabriel and Azazel. "Hey, Vice-captain… is he going to be alright?" Feng asked in a whisper.
Ryan too curious looked up. Xavier smiling whispered back, "Doesn't he always come back healthy and fine? Why ask?"
Cassiel nodding on his comment patted Adam's head while Ezekiel eyed the tunnel ceaselessly.
Alan stepping inside, inspected the surroundings thinking, "The entrance was small however inside it's as big as a dining room of a grand villa. And, judging the depth, I don't think it might lead me out to the other side anywhere soon. Moreover, I also don't have a slightest clue to where it might lead… nonetheless, wherever it leads to or whatever it leads to, if it turns out to be useless then I am heading back, Asap."
Treading deeper Alan observed the stony walls and a dark path alerted. "The deeper I head in. The darker it becomes. I better light up a beacon… who knows what I might face inside…" he thought cautioned.
Halting amid his steps, he knelt down. Removing his gear he pulled it before him. Unzipping it, he ruffled his hand inside whispering, "Where are those agate stones? I bet I kept them somewhere near here…"
All of a sudden, a pair of arms clasping from behind embraced him. A fearful shudder leaving his spine, he sat bewildered and numb. His brain refusing to reason anything his breath clogged amidst.