The four ventured down the chamber's stretched path, encountering a series of large, toppled stalagmites that obstructed their way. They soon reached the end of the path, facing a huge wall of stalagmites with a jagged entrance that looked like it had been blasted through.
The size of the entrance was small, with jagged edges, but large enough for an average person to pass through. One by one, they squeezed through the narrow opening.
As they emerged from the jagged passage, they found themselves in a vast, unexpected garden. It was as if the ruins were commending them for their previous battle. The garden inside the ruins was a vibrant tapestry of various flowers, enormous flowering trees, and beds of roses, their sweet scents filling the air.
At the far end of the garden, a towering cliff unveiled a majestic waterfall. Pure water cascaded from the cliff's edge, tumbling over jagged rocks in a mesmerizing dance before crashing down into the pool below. The spray from the waterfall created a mist that gently showered the flower beds and trees, giving the scene a magical, rain-kissed glow. It was a breathtaking sight, both beautiful and foreboding, promising adventure and mystery beyond. To the side of the jagged entrance, a crumbling archway beckoned, with a narrow, jagged staircase winding upward into the unknown.
Small animals—bunnies, hamsters, mice, and guinea pigs of different colors—hopped and scurried between the beds of flowers.
The sight was so unbelievable it plunged the four into a state of bewilderment, their expressions almost saying, "How could a place like this exist within these ruins?" Is it that their prayers was answered or it's the start of their doom?
Yet, within the beauty of the garden, the secrets of the ruins still lay hidden, waiting to be uncovered.
"Unbelievable! Wow! So beautiful!" Vespera exclaimed as she dashed toward a nearby flowering tree. Nestled among the blossoms was a bunny with rainbow-colored fur and piercing golden eyes, a creature straight out of a magical realm. Vespera scooped it up and hugged it tightly.
"Cute! So cute!" she shouted, her voice brimming with joy.
"I'm taking you home, by all means. We will survive these ruins together, okay?" She spoke to the bunny as if it were her best friend, hugging it repeatedly and feeling a newfound sense of hope and companionship in its soft, vibrant fur.
"These bunnies would make a great meal," Xerves mused, his eyes scanning the multicolored hamsters and rabbits scampering around the bed of flowers.
"If only we could set up a fire and roast some, but the tree branches are too wet from the waterfall's spray.
I'm starving," he added, his stomach growling in agreement.
He sighed, watching the vibrant creatures darting through the underbrush. If only Kai were here. He'd have already helped himself to lunch by now. But I left him back at the adventure guild Xerves lamented inwardly.
"At least we can quench our thirst," Velgrim remarked, adjusting his glasses as he took in the breathtaking view. He gave Eric a reassuring pat, noting the way he gazed affectionately at Vespera.
Together, they made their way to the waterfall's edge, with Xerves trailing behind. They settled on some rocks and splashed the cool, refreshing water onto their faces before taking deep, satisfying gulps.
"Ah, that's invigorating," Velgrim said, slipping his glasses with the single lens back on. He turned to Vespera. "Vespy! Aren't you thirsty?"
"Leave me alone, idiot Velgy" she snapped back.
"Tsk! Have it your way," Velgrim retorted with a shrug.
"So, what's our next move?" Eric asked.
Velgrim's eyes narrowed as he scanned the towering cliff.
"If only there were a path across the waterfall that we could climb. I'm certain the top of the cliff leads out of these ruins. But since there isn't, we'll have to take the other path."
"You're right about that, but which other path are you talking about?" Eric agreed, curiosity piqued.
"Didn't you notice an archway with a stairway when we emerged from that jagged entrance?" Velgrim asked.
"No, I didn't," Eric replied, shaking his head.
Damn three eyes, maybe those glasses aren't just for show after all
"Although it's easy to miss because it's concealed by a massive flowering tree," Velgrim continued, "the archway is right by the wall we passed through. We'll need to take that path." He pointed towards the tree, and as they shifted their gaze, the archway became visible. The ragged stairs leading up through the passageway now stood out, promising a new route.
Vespera approached the group with a determined stride. "So, which path are we taking next? The five of us," she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"The five of us?" Velgrim echoed, puzzled.
"Yeah, meet Fluffy, my cute bunny," she said cheerfully, hugging the rainbow-colored creature close.
"Fluffy? We're not here for an excursion, you know," Velgrim retorted, his tone exasperated.
Xerves couldn't help but mused inwardly
I wonder if Kai would have eaten Fluffy for lunch if he were here
"Shut up, idiot Velgy," Vespera shot back, her playful tone cutting through the tension. "Fluffy, meet idiot Velgy," she said, cheerfully introducing the bunny. The bunny blinked its golden eyes, seemingly unfazed by the banter.
Xerves eyed the bunny, his mouth nearly watering at the sight. Meaty but still young, he thought, curiosity piqued about its diet. What do they feed on here? There don't seem to be any fruit trees around here. He wondered but quickly discarded the thought.
The bunny, with its mesmerizing rainbow-colored fur and striking golden eyes, could have charmed any teenage girl—or even boy—but not Xerves. His mind was set on survival, and no amount of cuteness could sway him.
As Xerves shifted his gaze from the bunny, he could have sworn it grinned at him, baring tiny, sharp teeth. His heart skipped a beat, and he reflexively glanced back. The bunny was now just blinking its golden eyes innocently.
He splashed some water on his face, trying to shake off the unsettling image. Maybe it's just stress, he thought, trying to convince himself. How can a bunny possibly grin? He dismissed the thought, but a lingering unease gnawed at the edges of his mind.