Hi again people of Earth, Jupiter, Alderaan, Mars, Corusant, Minecraftia, wherever you are. This is yet another one-shot, this time featuring a rather new character, Mia. This one was requested by my brother who does not have an account, so I can't really say check him out. Now you may be wondering about what I am writing. How about instead of me telling you, you actually read it.

Let's go on an adventure

Underground Treasures

Mia's POV

My shovel sent the dirt flying behind me. I was getting closer to finding it. I can already tell. My colleague's pickaxes grounded up the stone and brought us one step closer to discovering the artifact.

A new wave of anticipation took us all by surprise as one man called out from his spot, "Hey, there is something here."

I reached for my pick and followed the other archaeologists down to the miner. As my pickaxe made contact with the solid stone, sprays of dirt flew up into my face. I did not mind. I long since got used to it.

Something glinted in the morning sunlight. I dropped my tools and used my hands to dig around to grab my treasure. We all held our breath in excitement as I held up our reward for our long days of mining.

But it was not what we were looking for. A few men had disappointed looks on their faces, but I for one was still excited. I recognized the object from my books. There was no doubt that this was the Holy Grail. "Well, I will take this back to Markus tomorrow," I clarified to my team as I wrapped it carefully in cloth. "He will know what to do with it I'm sure."

I had no serious intentions of giving it to anyone. Actually, I planned to buy it from him quickly because I felt inclined to keep this artifact. It was really nice, and it served as a reminder that I was the one who uncovered it.

Later that night I could not sleep. The chalice was packed away safely into my backpack for transport. The excitement of discovering something so priceless was still there, but it was mixed with another feeling that I could only describe as being fear.

Why was I feeling so tense? I grabbed my stuff as dawn arrived. It was time to bring my findings to Markus. While I did trust some of my friends with the treasure, I did not think that everyone would just leave it be and not sell it for a small fortune.

I slipped out the entrance of my tent nervously. The night was cold. I did not like the cold. The dead leaves that my boots crushed under my feet crunched loudly. I jumped every time I snapped a twig.

Eventually I got to a small inn nearby. It was close to night now. I had a very uneasy feeling that I just escaped something horrid. "One bed, please," I muttered to the innkeeper. I guess I am lucky that he understood what I wanted. Of course, I still had to hold up a sovereign and point up the stairs.

I let out an annoyed groan as I noticed the rooming situation. All of the beds were crowded together in all one room. Flinching at the fact that everyone else here was male, I chose a bed in the loneliest corner. Otherwise, I might end up being faced with some oddly interested men.

The smell of hotdogs came from down below. Eager for something fresh to eat for once, I descended the steps down into the main hall. A handful of pagunum were circled around this table in the back.

I paid for my share of food and went outside to eat. While it was still freezing outside, it was more peaceful that inside the inn.

I jinxed it. An explosive sound boomed in the distance. Moments later, dozens of pagunum sprinted down the road towards the inn. I stared at the terrified and worn out men, women, and children that nearly trampled me. A couple of them entered the inn. The others continued down the long road to most likely the Empire.

The Empire. Just the thought of it makes me cringe. For several years now, they have been hunting down anything considered mystical to employ them to become their newest weapons against others.

Since I was an elf, that meant they wanted my race. We possessed several abilities that most can only dream about. The emperor of the Eastern Court came by one day years ago and demanded our allegiance. To make sure we stayed in line, I and three others were forced to pose in front of his throne all day. It was pretty sick. He had nothing to gain out of all that. If my friend didn't help me escape, I'm sure that I would still be stuck there to this day. Truthfully, though, I'm pretty sure they are after something else right now.

Just before I left a year or two ago, a thief came in the night and stole His Royal Majesty's most prized possession. A dragon egg. The outraged emperor was furious. Unsettled, I was quick to get out of the palace with the help of my friend.

The Empire must be interested in mages as well. Their power comes from dragons, and I have been hearing rumors that magic was resurfacing. At the Red Keep, they had constructed a guild for all the magic-users which was pretty cool.

I had nothing better to do, so I reentered the inn and pulled aside one of the escapees who had just finished a conversation with the bartender. "What happened back there?"

His fearful eyes met mine and started talking in his weird language. Thankfully the bartender could translate. "He attacked the Keep. We knew that it was coming, especially since it was the gateway to the Empire. Nothing is really left. We are just lucky that we got out with our lives."

I didn't want to press for answers. He then started to talk with someone else, so I headed upstairs. The Red Keep is destroyed?

I felt worry crawl into my mind for my friends. Maybe they escaped with their lives. I refused to think about the alternative. Sleep was hard to come by. This terror that had plagued the Badlands will continue to extend his control by implanting fear into all the towns that lay untouched by his growing spread of chaos. I can't let Him get to me too.

I was just eating some toast when he came in. Unlike everyone else here, it seemed, he was human. I did not recognize him. His cold gray eyes scanned the room and fell on me. His mouth curled into a smirk. He headed in my direction.

I glanced away from the creepy stranger who was intent on talking to me. I just wanted to let him know that I was in no mood to talk. I don't know how convincing I was, but he gestured outside. "If you know what's good for you, then you will come with me for a walk."

I opened my mouth to refuse, but then I noticed the blade glinting from the blinding light from the sun. I arose from the chair and followed him quietly out of the inn. "Bring your bag," he added harshly.

I hastily rushed into the room with and grabbed my things. I had a bad feeling about accompanying him, but what else could I do?

Once we were out of earshot from any snooping pagunum, the snarling man turned to me and spoke in a tone that meant business. "Alright, give me the Holy Grail."

"Huh? I don't know what you are talking about." I tried to play dumb. Unfortunately for me, I'm a bad actor.

"Yes you do. It is in your satchel right this moment. I know you have it. Give it to me." He extended his right hand. "Now."

I shook my head no. It was too important to me. I would not give it up so easily. He shook his head mockingly. "Hmm, I thought you would say that. Boys, come on out for some persuasion."

To my horror, two men twice the size as me stepped out from behind the jungle trees. They each wielded a sharp sword that could slice open my neck in seconds. I carried no weapon on me, so I had to appease his demands. Quite reluctantly, I extracted the goblet from my bag and passed the priceless treasure to him. "Here. Take it."

I was worried that he would kill me right then, but I was surprised. "Thank you. Have a good day. Boys, come along now." The three villains vanished into the thick vines and low branches of the jungle.

Once they were gone, I found myself boldly going after them. Branches cut at my face, but I kept going. They will have to sleep at one point, right? When I finally tracked them down, I was too late. They were already boarding the boat.

I tried to get into the water, but the surely close to below freezing water was unbearable. So I was helplessly running along the coast to follow the ship that was traveling down the river. Somehow my hand managed to grab the map that shows me the river. Maybe I can intercept it.

Okay. In my heart, I knew that I would not even get closed to ambushing the ship. Still, I did not want to go back to whatever's left of my team without first acquiring the grail back and pay Markus.

Suddenly, out of no where, a large streak of lightning struck the wooden boat of the thieves. The poor vessel stood no chance and sank quickly. I breathed a sigh of relief that I could get it back, but a new fear hit me. I could not go back down there myself, so I must wait until spring when it's warmer. Until then, I can't do anything about it.

The rain fell upon my shoulders as I silently walked away from the disturbed river. Waves crashed at my feet as I speed-walked along the coastline. Smoke was rising from the location of the fallen Keep. Weird. I merely shrugged and continued down my way.

I set up a camp in some old temple in the jungle. A weird feeling of dread enveloped me as I sat dangerously close to the flames from my campfire. The wood of a chest was rotted, and it was void of any treasure. Someone was here before me.

I snoozed far into the next day. It felt good to be fully rested and ready to go. The tree-branches slapped at my face. I guess that I am used to it since Elves live in trees. I felt an odd feeling as I neared the inn. Curiosity filled me, and I took a rest break. Maybe I'm just tired.

No wonder it took me a drastically long time to get to the cheap lodgings. Ignoring the guy who was walking in the opposite direction, I slipped inside the inn. The bartender was asleep in a cot. I slammed a couple sovereigns onto the counter and went upstairs. Hopefully I will get my stuff back. There is no stopping me now. Until then, I will just hide out here. Yeah. That sounds like a good plan.

Their noisy voices woke me up. "Will you guys ever shut up?" The paganum paid me no mind. Why can't they speak English like a normal person? Or any human language for that matter. I am seriously sewing my ears shut do to all the noise.

"Hee-am hrrem herm. Her-em hrm hem heorm hum. Herm-a-hum heum herm hee-erm hum hem he-urm." They will never stop talking, will they?

"OH MY GOSH! PLEASE BE QUIET!" They give me a weird look and continue their conversation. "GAH!" I smashed a pillow over my pointy ears. I hate paganum.

I managed to block out their gibberish until I caught the words Redey Kelp. They were some of the only words I knew in Paganum. It meant Red Keep. Maybe they knew what happened to my friends. "Hey um excuse me. Did anyone actually die in the attack?"

To my shock, one of them nodded coldly and spoke, "Dontion Umane." A dozen humans. My heart sank. That was the number of people on my team.

His companion added sympathetically as he noticed my discomfort. "Bute toon excahpeed." But two escaped. I wonder…

I have nothing to go back to, but hopefully the diamond was still safely hidden away for me to retrieve someday. Maybe someday…

Curse you writer's block! By the time this was finished, episode 6.5 came out. At least I did not have to change too much. When I come to think of it, I was really close to what actually happened. Now as for Grayson's story… Not so much, but more theories have arisen which I might write about but will have close to nothing about what I previously wrote. It involves who I think betrayed Grayson. After all, he did say it was a dear friend of his. If you think I should write it, please tell me. Other wise I will most likely not write it. Thanks for reading. Now on a happier note, episode 7 is supposed to come out next Tuesday from what I know. Expect an update shortly after. Thanks for sticking with me and my irregular updates. Love you all.

~Lya200~