Chapter Ten: Entering the Lava Caves

(A/N: I feel better about updating now that Ask Alnel is updated…so enjoy:-))

After much hassle, splitting up, and stepping on goofy, symbolized tiles, the group met back in the center of the weird temple

"And we just throw Fayt in the center of this cross, holding the skull and something freaky should happen," Maria said logically

"How do you know that maggot?" Albel glared at her (who doesn't he glare at?)

"…Because that's what's happened every other time when we're faced with a stupid puzzle if you haven't noticed," Maria snapped

"True…"

"So go stand in the center then, Fayt," Cliff ordered. Fayt obliged and within seconds…well maybe more...those cut scenes do last an awful long time, a door opened. They stepped through the red-orange abyss and came face to face with…

"Ha ha ha, it's not often I have visitors!" A little kid whizzed around the room laughing somewhat evilly

"…is it just me, or are the bosses getting smaller?" Nel raised her eyebrow

"Why you…that's not nice!" the little kid started crying

"Oh brother…" Maria rolled her eyes

"Hey…whose the kid? And why's he cryin'?" Fayt finally seemed to notice the floating boy

"…" Cliff gave him a weird look, "Um…"

"Well now you're in for it, face the wrath of Robin Wind!" The kid turned on them, now furious

"It's always amazed me how fast kids can change their moods," Nel shook her head

"Robin? Isn't that a girl's name?" Albel asked

"……" Fayt started laughing uncontrollably, earning stares from everyone

"Is he gonna be ok?" Robin asked, completely forgetting the fight

"What the hell?" Cliff walked over to Fayt and poked him in the shoulder. He promptly fell over, still laughing hysterically

"Hm…dilated pupils, uncontrollable urges, I'd have to say he's either got some permanent brain damage…" Maria began

"I could make a case for that one," Nel interrupted

"Humph, the worm probably got the brain damage falling down that cave," Albel also threw in

"…or he's completely and utterly drunk," Maria finished

"Hey! Hic- I ain't-hic- drunk!" Fayt managed to spit out from his position on the floor

"DUDE! Where'd you get the alcohol?" Cliff yelled

"-hic- from –hic- um…not sure," he confessed, "I was bored when we split up and I found some…"

"And you managed to fight your way back to here?" Maria asked suspiciously

"Well NO," Fayt looked at her, "I had to share,"

"Oh dear Apris you mean all the monsters in that friggen cave are DRUNK?!" Nel slapped her hand to her forehead exasperatedly

"Um…I don't know…probably,"

"Boy you guys sure set a good example," Robin Wind laughed as he sat against the wall watching the fiasco

"Now what?" Cliff asked, "He's in no condition to fight…let alone stand up for cripesakes!"

"What he needs is some coffee…or aspirin," Maria said

"Or this," Nel shrugged and smacked Fayt upside the head with a dagger

"HEY!" he yelled. Then groaned, "That aspirin would be pretty nice right now"

"I wasn't going to fight you guys anyway…you made this the most interesting 'battle' I've had in 236 years!" And Robin pulled some hidden switch opening the door into the lava caves. The group shrugged and walked through the door.

"Did he say 236 years?" Maria asked

"No wonder he was insulted! Good going Nel," Cliff glanced at her

"Bite me,"

"Hey Fayt," Cliff changed the subject before things got nasty

"What?" Fayt stumbled down the path

"Do you have anymore of that liquor?"

"CLIFF!" they all shouted

"What?" he grinned cheesily

"Um…guys?" Fayt said pointing. Everyone looked where he was pointing and gaped. It looked like a hell-on-earth…complete with…

"Are those burning people?" Nel asked

"Says here they're fire zombies," Maria confirmed

"Go figure," Albel muttered

"Hey! Look at this!" Fayt grinned sloppily and walked over to the stumbling zombie which promptly chased after him.

"You're going to get hurt," Maria warned

"Ha-ha," Fayt raced around the zombie in a circle. Confused, the fire demon circled in a dopey manner.

"That is pretty funny, you gotta admit…" Cliff grinned

"You people are stupid," Albel groaned

"OW!" The now-angry zombie finally caught Fayt, who screamed in pain,

"We warned you," Nel sighed

So after saving Fayt's butt…several more times because he couldn't get the hint after the 34th time, the posse continued on.

(A/N: that…was stupid…oh well…)