Alexander stares at the opening with a curious expression, the map that led him here held tightly in his right hand. Folding the parchment, he places it in his pocket and walks inside.
The cave isn't dark, at least not yet given the sun illuminating the interior but he's not sure how far he'll have to go in and he would rather not navigate in the dark.
Probably not a fun experience.
Though he supposes he can give the chamber a quick look, find some easy ores before journeying back out to find a light source. Maybe he'll get lucky and fill the quota before that becomes a necessity.
The cave wasn't very far away from Canis, about an hour jog, bright green grass grew around the entrance that gave it an almost inviting look. Walking in his eyes flicker around, he saw dozens of holes in the stone walls from where the blacksmith mined from before.
Continuing down the path, the cave becomes darker as the light of the afternoon sun ebbs away. Alexander pauses holding in a frustrated sigh, he's barely been inside and already he needs to turn back.
How long would it take him to find a light source? He could go back to Franklin's and ask for a torch but that would be embarrassing.
He should have asked before he left but he was too excited to help to think rationally.
He could make one but that's an hour or so job.
At minimum.
Maybe he could ask one of the villagers for help but… he could already imagine the pitying looks and he could do without that.
Maybe… maybe if he…
Alexander unholsters his ax and palms it where the handle meets the head. The gem of the ring on his left hand flares brightly.
Smiling in relief that he no longer needs to turn around he continues forward.
The walls are still littered with gashes from previous mining, it seems no matter how long he walks, there are more and more holes to be found. He wonders how long Franklin had been using this cave for Iron ores but if it's been for any significant length of time then this could take more than a while.
He doesn't think Franklin would send him on a several day quest withou–
On second thought, Alexander muses, he definitely would.
Unlike most of the villages Franklin could truly not give a damn about Alexander's inflection, in fact he often made fun of it.
In some ways he appreciated it, in others, like in this moment, he most definitely did not.
An hour passes and the path widens, before he could barely lift his arms without hitting the walls but now a group of people could stand shoulder to shoulder with each other and there would still be room left over.
Another hour slips by and finally the walls are whole, he walks over to the stone and switches his ax into his other hand plunging himself into darkness.
His heart stutters for only a moment before he calms himself and presses his left fist against the rough rock, the ring remains dull. Moving his hand around, feeling the groves of the barrier that reminds him of tree bark, he continues his search.
He slowly expands his hunt, side stepping further in, his hand never leaving the wall.
The gem remains dull, showing no interest in what's in front of it.
A frown pulls at his lips and a tinge of annoyance tickles his chest but he remains steadfast in his duty to Franklin.
Though not without complaint.
"I bet that man is laughing his ass off." Alexander mutters, "Sending me off to a Quest with the bare bones needed, must think I'll crawl back with nothing to show for my efforts that son of a who–"
The boy's heart explodes as the ground seemingly disappears from his feet, he can't even scream as the air whips around his free falling form. With barely a thought he swings his tightly clenched ax, embedding it into what will surely be the walls of his coffin.
Though miraculously, something gives. Pebbles pelt his skin and he feels something pop in his arm. A scream rips itself from his throat but his grip on his tool remains firm.
With a jolt Alexander realizes his descent has stopped, "Oh gods! Oh gods! Ohgods!" He repeats, horror seeping into his body.
His voice is hoarse and high, his entire body shivering in dread.
He tries to pull himself up but his arm roars in protest. Alexander hangs, swaying above an unknown height, his continued existence nothing but a faint promise he can barely believe.
Alexander can't help the tears falling from his eyes, his chest constricting in terror. He has no idea how far the bottom is and his arm pulses in agony.
He can't hold on, not for long and considering how deep he's in the cave he can't call for help. It would just be a waste of energy.
What can he do? How will he survive?
… Can he survive? no. No!
He can't think like that!
First… first… first…
What does he need to do first?
Alexander's face screws up as he desperately tries to think.
His eyes snap open and he reaches for the Endless Bag around his waist and takes hold of it. The boy drops it and counts.
One.
Two.
Three.
PLOP!
Alexander's eyes widened.
Water. There's water below him!
He places his feet against the wall and takes a deep breath before pushing as hard as he can. The ax loosens and Alexander falls.
One.
Two.
Three.
Before he hits, he closes his eyes.
PLUMPH!
The boy is swallowed like a meal. His whole body aches and it's a struggle to even think about moving.
Even opening his eyes is a challenge but his eyes do open.
It doesn't help.
He doesn't know which way is up or down, it's like he's in a whole new world where there is no air to fill his lungs.
Alexander stills himself and feels his body sink thanks to the weight of his ax. Finding his position he tries to swim up but with his left arm limp, it's no use.
Making a fist with his right hand he punches his shoulder with all his might.
POp!
Screaming, water rushes in his mouth. His lungs howl in protest and his heart tries to claw itself out from his heaving chest.
He desperately swims to the surface, his hands savagely mauling at the water. The ache of his left arm is all but forgotten.
The seconds seem to stretch for eternity but eventually he breaks the surface and takes a welcoming breath only to hack out a bucket of water.
"Oh gods." Alexander clutches his chest with his free hand, he looks at the dark expansion of nothingness above him and looks around, raising his ax above the surface.
The light of his ring illuminates the area and he sees land. With a heave, he swims towards it and climbs out.
He rests on his hands and knees before flopping on his back with a thump, he winces at the action but remains there.
Alexander's body shakes, he curls into himself as tears gather at the corner of his eyes. He desperately tries to hold in his whimpers but he can't help but weep in misery.
He almost died.
He almost died!
HE ALMOST DIED!
Alexander sobs, "I want to go home…" His chest churns in distress.
Thump.
THump.
THUmp.
The boy looks towards the strange noise and dread curls around his distress. He switches hands and light fills the area, looking towards the nose, he can't hold back the whimper.
Standing a dozen feet away from him is a Lower Hellion; a Ferra. It resembles a cub wolf, its coat as red as blood and looks as hard as iron, the beast's fangs were frighteningly large, bigger than its maw.
Alexander rushes to stand up, his ax raised threatening in front of him, sweat gathering on his forehead.
The Ferra lips curl up and growls, the rumble from its chest echoes around him and turns his legs weak.
"No… no… No!" Alexander shakes his head, he forces his legs to still, "I didn't just survive a fall and almost drown to die at the claws of you! It won't happen!"
The monster's eyes narrow and it lowers itself into a crouch, ready to attack.