Translations:

ooman- human

Paya- Yuatja goddess

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It had been a couple of days. So far, Scar had no communication with the ship. The communicator couldn't lock onto a signal and a distress beacon wouldn't be caught from their underground refuge and the mountain's electrical interference. They would have to wait it out or hope to get a lock on soon.

Lex stayed near the springs, huddled in furs to keep warm. The water was drinkable and no more serpents had appeared since the last encounter. Scar continued to try and dig a way out but nothing had worked so far.

"What do you think we should do? If we can't dig our way out, should we go further in the tunnels?" Lex's teeth slightly chattered and she huddled further into the furs.

"No. Let's focus on keeping you warm. Perhaps it will be warmer further in the tunnels but I'll check that out later," scooting behind her, he wrapped his arms around her and hauled her into his chest.

"No funny ideas there mister," her voice soft and her breath becoming shallow with sleep.

"No promises," he purred lightly and she gave a short laugh before closing her eyes.

"No promises? Where's your honor?" Her voice faded off and she was asleep in his arms the next.

"Here. With you. Always with you." Shifting her, Scar settled his back against the wall and opted to watch the water still under the cool air.

Their food got lower and lower as the days passed and Lex could only go a few hours without his body heat there. The tunnels provided little to do and not even his skulls could keep him busy.

Often, he'd lay next to Lex who picked up an unnatural habit of sleeping often. Her heart beat fast, but she waved it off, claiming it as her body's attempt to keep her warm. But, she couldn't explain away her dizziness every time she tried to move or the headaches she began to receive. She always seemed out of breath. Still, she waved off his concern.

Once she awoke, he left to discover more of the tunnels. They had little to offer and the temperature didn't change the further he went. In fact, it only seemed to get colder. He gave up on his search for another way out and went back to the entrance to dig.

Again, he made little progress but he'd just have to try harder next time.

Heading back, he found Lex asleep. Gently, he shook her but she didn't stir. Checking her vitals through his mask, he found her heart rate to be enormously low. Then it hit him. The air didn't have enough oxygen and without the gauntlet to help regulate her oxygen flow...

He lifted her up and set out to find the best spot of oxygen in the tunnels. Right by the entrance. It was the coldest there, but he could dig for a little bit and keep tabs on when Lex needed to be warmed up.

Leaving her for a few minutes, Scar dashed back to the spring to get their things before he set a new camp at the entrance. Her face looked a bit slumped, a blue tinge to her lips and fingernails. He opened one eye, still not receiving a response, to find them bloodshot.

Frustrated, he pulled her into his arms and tried to give her as much heat as possible. He tried communicating to the ship but there was no reply. He tightened his grip around the ooman to keep himself from punching the wall and causing even more damage. But finally, his anger won out and not wanting to hurt Lex, he set her down and released his fury against the blockade of snow and rock.

The rocks cracked and his knuckles bled but it still did nothing. Looking into the black tunnel and then back at Lexm he decided to try something much stupider. Like something his deceased brother Chopper would do.

Grabbing their stuff, he lifted Lex into his arms and just began to walk down the tunnel. He knew without the proper oxygen levels, her tissues, especially her brain, would deteriorate. Outside would possibly have more oxygen.

However, that would require finding a way first and hoping she'd make it.

From their supplies, they had a small device in case this happened. Something Elder K'ash had insisted on. The tube would need to be placed in the mouth, the smaller holes positioned towards her nose. It would filter the air, making it easier for her to breathe.

For a moment, the air became so frigid that he couldn't stop Lex from shivering in his arms. But he couldn't turn back now.

Hours passed by with no sign it would ever warm up but then suddenly, the temperature gradually rose to a steady 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Happy with the fortune Paya had shown them, Scar raced to the nearest high oxygen area.

The air wasn't as rich with oxygen like Earth, but it would do its job until he could find another solution. With Lex safer now than before, he left the device with her and searched for an exit.

"Paya, help us. Help Lex."

Only a few yards away from Lex, his gauntlet beeped.

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Okay, this is about half of the amount that I usually write and I'm sorry about that. The story is coming to a close but we have some major events left to cover in Lex's unexpected adventure. I'm so excited to share the ending with you guys! It's going to be awesome! Maybe for me... You guys... Not so much I'm afraid... And someone told me not to go breaking their heart but I'm afraid I must warn you all. I'm infamous for my character deaths. I would apologize but that'd be a lie so I won't.