"Is there no way off of this stupid world?!"

Lumine pinched her nose as she watched Aether flit about like a frustrated idiot. For the past week, they had been trying to find the exit portal- to no avail. The entire continent plus its eastern neighbor had already been explored.

"There has to be," she insisted. "Otherwise it wouldn't have been an option for exploration. There's always a way off for world-hoppers."

"Is there a chance that we went to a Voyager's* destination?"

She frowned, "Surely not. That would mean the portals are being interfered with."

Aether exhaled, seething. "I guess you're right. But then where else could we look?"

"I think there's one more continent we haven't explored yet." Lumine replied slowly.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?!"

"Because you've been too busy pouting and turning trees to ash." She gestured at the black dust being blown about by a gentle breeze. "Besides, I only found out through accidental eavesdropping."

He stuck his tongue out at her. "What else can you say about this place?"

"There's a storm disrupting the usual route the boats pass through."

"Then just take another way?"

"Are you an idiot? Apparently the 'other way' leads you straight into an abyssal whirlpool ravine or something."

Aether blinked, "Seriously? That sounds like an awesome place to explore. What if there's a special treasure? Even better, the portal might be there! Let's check it out!"

"It's dangerous for a reason, Aether. I don't wanna drown."

"Neither do I, so if you wanna stay behind while I go on an epic adventure, feel free."

"Just 'cause you'll revive doesn't mean you should be so careless about running headfirst into danger. That's reserved for our arguments only, no other third party."

"Yeah yeah, whatever."

Lumine rolled her eyes, "We can explore the ravine together, alright? Just let me do some scouting."

"You did it last time, too." Aether scowled, but gave no further complaint.

Though the two of them flew high above the sea, Lumine's heart jolted every time the waves rolled back, becoming a giant curve before they crashed back down again. The storm's winds were annoyingly strong, and lightning struck all around her. She frightened herself into believing the sea would dart up to drag her beneath and swallow her whole.

Lumine didn't have a very good history with drowning. It was only a few times that she had died that way, with Aether having a similar count, but the first time it had happened was a tragic one. The twins had been taking residence in an isolated but kindhearted village when a tsunami came crashing into the entire area. Aether had been exploring elsewhere when it happened, so only his sister had witnessed the destruction firsthand. She had taken it upon herself to make as many energy platforms as possible for the residents to stay afloat on, but one of the waves unexpectedly dragged her under.

A few minutes later, she had to revive and resurface. In the end, the majority of the village didn't survive. It was an upsetting revelation; but at the very least, she'd been able to contribute to the saving of the residents. However, Lumine had held an anxiety towards stormy waters ever since. Nothing extremely strong. A good incentive would be enough to quell her fears. It seemed this incentive- the possible discovery of the portal- wasn't enough to help.

If only she was a Voyager...

Lightning struck loudly. She flinched. Aether glanced at her, most likely aware of her thoughts. "Don't worry, sis! We're almost through, I think. The ravine should be somewhere this way."

Wiping the rainwater from her eyes, Lumine peered into the storm. "You're right. I can see some sort of glow."

Indeed, a pale blue light shone, lined against the horizon. As they sped up their flitters to draw closer, the glow proved to be no trick. It lined a deep ravine that opened up before them the more they neared. Ominously, the water is what was holding up the maw- not rock or metal. The sea just took a steep drop, and stayed that way for miles to their left and right. The storm didn't seem to affect the area at all; the waves were still. Smile widening, Lumine folded her flitters, diving straight down towards the ravine.

Water sprayed her face, and the wind hit it in such a way that the cold invigorated her. Right before hitting the water, she opened her dragonfly-like wings again. The momentum pushed her back up. Having practiced many times in the past, Lumine allowed the wind to carry her as she neared the waves. Her finger grazed the surface, sending an upwards splatter. She laughed, corkscrewing midair and creating a platform where she could perch for a bit.

As she squeezed out parts of her hair that had become damp, Aether alighted beside her. "You certainly looked like you were having fun. But you know seawater is a pain to wash out."

Lumine shrugged, silently trying to detect the portal. A heartbeat or two passed before she heard the dormant thrum of world-hopper portal, nearly masked by crackling. Relief crashed over her like a stormy wave. "Can you feel it?"

Aether paused. He lit up upon realization, darting upward. "The portal!" He hesitated, "But do you sense those other energies? It's disturbing our searching routines."

"You must mean those crackling noises. It's as if thunder has been trapped in this area. Wherever the exit has decided to rest, it's not the most ideal location."

He scowled, "It's very potent. We might get burnt or zapped, but at least we'll only need to brave it once. Let's get it over with."

After some flying around the unfamiliar territory, the twins discovered where the thunder energies were. It was a deep, maze-like cave practically bursting at the seams with electricity. Only a few minutes in, Aether curiously reached out to touch a dark purple stalagmite.

It viciously zapped him.

"Ow!" he cried, flinching away and nursing the burn. "That hurt!"

Lumine rolled her eyes, "You said it yourself that thunder is abounding in this place. Don't touch anything, unless you want another scorch."

He pouted, using his flitters to dart ahead. "I have a headache. Too much crackling."

"Same here. The exit's signatures were easier to find when we were away from these caverns, because now we're in the heart of it and being bombarded by its electricity."

Aether jumped back, "Ew! Electric slime!"

"What?" Lumine caught up to him. There was a yellow being only reaching her waist. It was slimy but hissed in a way that indicated lightning was its genetic makeup. The twins took out their weapons.

Without missing a beat, the slime unleashed a ginormous shockwave. It had been aimed at Aether. He blocked the first zap, but the second, more powerful one reduced him to ash in a second.

An annoyed Lumine gave it three light-powered* slashes. It withered, leaving behind only a trail of its mucus. She turned her attention to Aether's remains.

Black glowed and became golden, swirling to become the form of her brother. He rubbed his eyes, groaning. The burns- proof of his revival*- disappeared in moments. "That didn't hurt nearly as bad as the zap. I didn't even feel that."

She scoffed, "Death by burning seems to be a recurring theme for you. At least in this world. First the volcano, now these stupid caverns."

"You can barely blame me for either of those!"

"Yeah, so I won't." Lumine turned around, listening again. "C'mon, this way."

The twins traveled deeper in. Their bravery was rewarded with a steep drop that Lumine didn't even notice until she had already fallen in. Before she could even think to activate her flitters, lightning struck her, originating from the buzzing rocks the caverns were constructed of. She reformed beside Aether, who tossed her an unimpressed look.

Lumine glared at him, "Be honest: you didn't see it either."

"Speak no evil," he replied, soaring over the hole effortlessly. She followed him with a sour expression.

"I hate this place," she grumbled, her gaze glued stubbornly to the ground. She kicked a pebble aside. It hissed but didn't zap her.

"Look up!" Aether exclaimed, dashing ahead.

Startled, she did as told. The beautiful sight of the world exit loomed before her. Aether put his hands on it, allowing it to flare to life. "Woohoo! See you never, thunder caves!" He ran through.

"Wait for me!" Lumine called, despite knowing he was already gone. She sprinted forth, leaving the electricity behind.

It hummed, and deactivated. All was silent for a few moments.

A hooded figure stepped out of the shadows. They ran their light brown hands over the rim of the portal, cautious and awestruck all the same. Would it open again?

It didn't. They felt no disappointment. There was always the chance it would. When it did, perhaps it would be worth exploring.

"Well," the figure- a young female voice- mused. "The others should hear of this. Maybe we can look into these energies..."

Solidifying the idea in her head, she turned her back, mentally marking the location. Wings opened; white feathers lined with gold, shimmering along with the thunder that pulsed through the caverns and her hands alike.

Rushed? Probably. Fun to write? Yes.

Thanks for the reviews, favorites and follows so far! Please suggest the fandom the twins should go to next. I don't have infinite ideas XD.

Oh, and the character that appeared at the end of the chapter won't necessarily be important yet. Not unless the twins return. Which is highly unlikely, considering how they felt about the world. heh.

Thanks for reading!

!~!

Lore Words:

Voyager* - a higher class of world-hoppers. They hold exponentially more power and access to the galaxies. They can travel to a world-hopper's destination, but not vice versa.

light-powered* - most world-hoppers have elements they develop affinities for. The twins have Light Affinities. There are also Darkness, Air, Nature, etc.

Proof of revival* - every time a world-hopper is revived, the way they died briefly lingers on their body before fading or healing itself.

!~!

This chapter's fandom: Another Eden (locations in order: Crimson Vastsea, Davola Underground Caves)