"The noise is definitely getting louder, it's obvious that Tribbon was following it," said Morgan Fritz, the torch burning bri

"The noise is definitely getting louder, it's obvious that Tribbon was following it," said Morgan Fritz, the torch burning brightly in his left hand.

Jeffan Fritz walked on Morgan's left side as he watched the ground to follow the footprints. He looked up when his brother made his comment for the twelfth time, "You said that five minutes ago," he said in an irritated tone; clearly the cavern and the darkness was getting to him.

He looked back to the footprints, but it wasn't in time. Jeffan cried out as he placed his foot onto the ground that wasn't there. He tumbled forward into the dark liquid as Morgan stopped just in time. A moment later, Jeffan was at the surface of the oil, thrashing about, until he managed to get close enough to the edge to pull himself out with the aide of his brother.

Jeffan sat next to the black pool breathing heavily. Morgan too was breathing fairly deeply as the sudden shock passed. "That was too close," said Jeffan after he had calmed down himself.

Morgan didn't reply; he had become distracted for a moment as his eyes caught sight of a greenish glow on the cavern wall not too far ahead. In the glow, he could just make out the figures of three people standing there watching him. Jeffan looked up at his brother to see if he was paying attention, and when he saw the man's gaze was fixed elsewhere, he followed it. "Who are they?" he asked.

"I don't know, but I bet one of them is Tribbon, and that green glow might very well be his treasure," said Morgan, as the crazed look appeared in his eyes once more.

Morgan began to walk along the edge of the pool, following it in the light. Jeffan struggled to his feet and followed. "You know, Morgan, I don't feel right. I think there's something wrong with me."

Morgan stopped and looked at his brother. In the light of the torch, Morgan's face turned pale as a stunned expression appeared on his face. Jeffan had wiped the oil off his skin and mostly out of his cloths, but now it seemed like his skin itself was turning black. "What is it? What's wrong?" asked Jeffan, thrown off by the look on his brother's face.

"You're turning black," said Morgan, half stuttering.

"I'm what?" asked Jeffan, shocked at what he thought his brother had said.

"You're turning black," said Morgan, "and you're eyes…"

Jeffan's eyes had turned red.