~chapter 6~
"Wha…? Moved?" Jared stuttered in disbelief.
"That's right. I think he said something about this house being too small…." The man replied.
"But….but…well do you know where he moved to?" Jared asked, still in shock.
"Sure, right over there." The man replied, pointing to the house across the street.
"Ah, Jared! Is that Jared?" came an old voice. The three turned to find an old man walking down his walkway.
"Uncle!" Jared shouted, rushing to him. The two shared hugs.
"Oh, Jared. When I heard the terrible news of what happened I thought the worst. How is your dear brother?" Uncle asked. Jared's frown disappeared as he lowered his head.
"Oh…I'm deeply sorry…" the man said grimily. "But, you're here. And that's good." He chuckled. "Come, come. Bring your friends inside."
"Hmm….Gondar, eh? That sounds terrible." Uncle said after hearing their story. The four sat around a table.
"Yes, and now we think he has an even sinister plot. He mentioned something about essences. Do you know what he's talking about?" Jared asked.
"Hmm…essences…" the old man stood from his chair and shuffled over to a huge bookcase filled with all kinds of books. He picked up his glasses and put them on, then got up on a step ladder and started looking at the books. "Ah, here it is." He said contentedly, pulling a dusty old book off the shelf. He made his way back over to the table and sat down, opening the book. "Yes, I know what you speak of. These essences this fellow is after may just be what this book mentions"
"What is it?" Link asked.
"Well, it's kind of like a universal makeup. Singly, they hold the power of every kind of energy of that type into one greater force. One essence is said to have a power greater than that of all creatures of its type. These essences can be harnessed and used however the possessor wishes. It is said that if all the essences are collected by one person, he or she would become the most powerful being in the universe; if they know how to use them that is." Uncle replied.
"So that's what he's after…" Justin mumbled.
"We have to go after these essences before he can get to them." Link said. Uncle closed the book and shuffled into another room. He came back with a velvet lined case.
"Here." he said, placing the case on the table.
"What is it?" Jared asked. Uncle opened up the case, revealing 9 small crystal orbs.
"These are magic orbs. They are capable of harnessing the energy of these essences and giving the power to the owner." Uncle said.
"What do they do?" Justin asked.
"Well nothing yet. But once the energy is harnessed inside, the owner of the orb receives special powers pertaining to the essence." Uncle replied.
"But how would one get an essence from the thing that possesses it?" Justin asked.
"Either the creature can give it up voluntarily, or if it's killed, the thing it looses its life to." Uncle replied. Link curiously picked up an orb and examined it. Suddenly, a strong gust blew through the room as a blue light surrounded Link. Slowly the light began to concentrate in the orb and eventually the orb held a faint blue gassy mixture inside it.
"What was that?!" Jared shouted.
"Hmm…very interesting. It appears that you already had possession of an essence." Uncle said.
"The hydroid king…" Link murmured, remembering when the king shook his hand. "The king had an essence."
"So does that mean you have powers?" Justin asked.
"I dunno…" Link said placing the orb in a knapsack. "I don't feel any different." He looked at the palms of his hands. Suddenly, his palms began to glisten. Very faintly, water began to collect and pool in his palms. It started slowly at first, then increased until his palms were dripping wet. Then without warning, two pillars of water erupted from his hands and shot up out the roof of the house.
"Wow…" Jared mumbled in awe.
"Awesome." Justin said.
"Interesting…" Uncle added. After the water disappeared, Link looked over himself.
"I get it." He said. "This must be the water essence. And since I have the water essence, I have water powers."
"Exactly." Uncle replied.
"How many essences are there?" Justin asked.
"There are nine essences." Uncle said. "Earth, fire, water, elemental, light, dark, thought, energy, and double."
"Sounds like some weird essences…" Jared mumbled.
"And I think we can bet that two of the essences have already been taken…" Link said.
"Two? We only have water." Justin said.
"Yes, but we're not the only ones looking for them. And I'm pretty sure that the dark essence might already have an owner…" Link said.
"Gondar…" Jared mumbled.
Meanwhile, in a dark foggy park of an unknown forest.
"WE WERE SO CLOSE!!!!!!!!" Gondar roared, shooting dark energy in all directions. "So close, we tripped at the finish line. And why? Because I trusted IDIOTS to work on my projects!" Several minions around cowered. "How is it possible one kid could screw up my entire plan?! How?!" he paced back and forth in an angry rage. "I need something to kill..." Several of his minions scattered. Suddenly two imps ran up.
"Sire, we---" one began, but was cut off by a blast of dark energy. When the spoke cleared, nothing was left of the two creatures.
"That's better..." Gondar sighed. "I suppose it makes no difference. That boy may have survived, but alone without Link's help, there's no way he could stop me." he grinned evilly. "Soon, I'll have the other essences, then I will rule as supreme being!"
Link, Jared and Justin prepared to leave Uncles house.
"We have to hurry, Uncle. We can't let Gondar beat us to those essences." Jared told him.
"Oh, I nearly forgot. I should warn you that several creatures have been roaming the countryside in search of you, Link. I fear they may be working for the enemy. I suggest that you go by a different name and keep inconspicuous." Uncle said.
"New name...? I'm not really good at making names for myself." Link mumbled.
"Well, if I may make a suggestion, I think Pac would suit you."
"Mr. Pac....yeah, that sounds good." Link said.
"Then we're off. Let's go. " Jared said.
"Good luck, and be careful." Uncle said.
"Thanks, we will." Link said, placing his hat on his head. The three then headed out the door and down the road.
"Goodbye! Visit any time!" Uncle called as they dissapeared around a corner. The three left the city and made their way southward.
"So, where do you think we should head next?" Justin asked.
"I'm not sure, I don't really know this place and I don't think we know where to begin looking for the essences." Link replied adjusting his hat.
"I know it pretty well, but I don't know about essences...maybe each is possessed by a creature, like the Hydroid king had one." Jared suggested.
"Possibly..." Link mumbled. "So where are we headed?"
"Uh...Vaughn City. It's a very small place. If I were an essence, that's probably where I would go; quiet, out of the way, not many people know about it." Jared said.
"So how do you know about it?" Justin asked.
"Ha ha, very funny." Jared laughed weakly at the bad joke. The three traveled about 10 miles until they reached a hill.
"Vaughn City is just on the other side. It's kinda down in a crevice, surrounded by mountains and hills." Jared said.
"Maybe they'll have a place to rest; we've been walking for a while." Justin mumbled his feet beginning to ache. As they made it to the top of the hill, small buildings began to come into view. Jared was right; it was a very small town. It consisted of only a mere ten buildings.
"Not very lively looking..." Link muttered. The town was pretty empty. As they neared closer, they saw that the buildings had been abandoned for several years. There was only a small grocery store, the rest were small shacks. This town was so small it had neither a bank nor an inn.
"So much for rest..." Justin sighed.
"Maybe we can use one of these houses...They're deserted anyway." Link said. They made their way into the first small cottage. The wooden floor was covered in dust, cobwebs hung in every corner, and the furniture looked like it could use some fixing up, but it was a place to rest never the less. They spent only half an hour resting, since it was only a ten mile walk. Just as they were about to leave, Justin stopped them.
"Wait, Link, stop." Justin said. Link stood at the doorway and looked at him. "Walk back this way." Justin told him. Link made his way back across the hard floor. "There! Stop." he said when Link reached a certain spot. Justin went over and tapped on the floor. It made a hollow knocking sound. "See the difference?" he said, tapping another part of the floor which only made a solid thud.
"I bet there's something under there..." Jared said.
"Only one way to find out." Link said, taking out his sword and slashing at the wood. It began to splinter and break apart, and soon, Link had uncovered a secret hole that led down under ground.
"Look, there're steps leading down." Justin pointed out little rungs hammered into the side of the passageway.
"Let's follow them down." Link said. He slowly made his way down the dark hole. Link descended down the dark pit. About 50 feet down he reached the bottom. It was very dark, a dusty, dank smell hung in the air. The pungent aroma of brimstone could also be detected.
"Seems alright!" Link called up to Jared and Justin. After a few seconds, Jared and Justin made it down.
"What's that smell...?" Justin asked, sniffing the air and scrunching up his face.
"Brimstone...It's really weird because brimstone is usually only near volcanoes." Jared replied. They went forward, making their way through the dark tunnel.
"Geez, I can't see an inch in front of my face." Justin mumbled.
"Wait, it gets lighter up ahead." Link announced. The small tunnel opened up into a large cavern. Rough, rocky walls slanted upward and toward a small opening exposing open blue sky. In front of them, the ground went five feet forward then dropped straight down. The whole floor of the cavern was gone; nothing but a seemingly bottomless pit. Across from them, a small tunnel opened into the wall. Every few seconds large gusts of hot wind would blow up from the opening.
"How are we supposed to cross"? Jared inquired to no one in particular. He looked down into the large hole. "Nothing but black...Fall down there and the ballgame's over."
"Please don't mention falling down cliffs..." Link mumbled. "Look," he pointed toward the wall at a small ledge that ran along the edge. It was only two feet wide but it ran along to the other opening. "We can cross on that ledge."
"You're crazy..." Jared groused.
"You know of any other way to get across?" Link asked, turning to him. Jared sighed.
"Fine, let's go before I change my mind." he grumbled. The three slowly made their way onto the ledge. They inched along the wall, their backs pressed hard up against it. A faint crumbling of stone made Jared break out in a slight sweat.
"If this thing breaks away while I'm on it I'm gonna be really mad..." he whispered to himself, slowly wiping his brow. About halfway across the ledge, they heard a sound. A faint and far away roar echoed up from down in the pit, followed by a very very soft glow that disappeared after a few seconds.
"What was that?" Justin said, peering into the darkness.
"I dunno..." Link mumbled. "But if we don't do something soon, I think we might find out.....the hard way..." As he spoke, a huge crack began to run up the wall. It went up between Link and Jared and continued to the ceiling. The wall beneath them then began to crumble away.
"Move!" Justin shouted. The three did their best to run along the ledge and still keep their balance. Link had to jump as a large chunk of the ledge crumbled away. Link and Jared made it to the end and turned to wait for Justin. Still 10 feet away, Justin got caught on a piece that began to crumble away. He jumped at the last second and was barely able to grab the edge with one hand. Jared grabbed him and pulled him up just as he was about to slip off the rock.
"That was close..." Justin said, hunched over with his hands on his knees panting.
"But now our way back was cut off..." Link said as he gazed across the void. The three made their way through the tunnel, which noticibly began to slope down. Soon the tunnel forked; the left path going up, and the right further down.
"Which way do we go?" Jared asked. A faint glow came from the tunnel to the right.
"Look." Link said, going down the right path. "There're torches on the wall. Someone has been here, recently too." He continued on down the tunnel. It curved a bit and began to grow steeper.
"Careful, its getting steeper the further we go." Link said as his boots slid on some loose gravel.
"Link, I-I think it's a-a little too--" Justin stuttered, having trouble staying up, but suddenly his feet slid out from under him and he slid forward, running into Jared and Link and knocking them down, forcing them to slide down with him. The three zoomed through the tunnel, twisting and turning. At one point the ground curved straight down, sending them free falling about 10 feet before it resumed in a curve again. After several minutes of sliding, the three collapsed on flat ground in a heap.
"Well, that was about as much fun as getting your throat ripped out by a wolfo..." Link grumbled, rubbing his sore butt. They were too disoriented from the twisting and turning to tell which direction they were facing. An orangish glow came from the direction ahead of them. The three stood and walked straight.
"Is it just me or is it getting hotter?" Link muttered, wiping sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand. They entered another room, this one seeming to be where the glow was coming from. There was a small rope bridge, about 30 feet long, suspended no more than 15 feet above a sea of boiling molten lava,
"Well, that explains a few things..." Link mumbled. He took time to look around the room. It was pretty simple. Nothing stood out about the room. Except the ceiling was so high that they couldn't see the end of it. Noticing bits and pieces of rock scattered in a few places, Link deducted that they were below the room they were in before.
"Link...It's too hot...There's no way we'll be able to cross..." Justin mumbled, sweat pouring off his face.
"Hmm....maybe I can help that a little..." Link said. He got out the water orb from his knapsack and aimed his hand at the lava. A cold blast of water erupted from his hands and shot out at the molten liquid. Steam immediately poured out as the water began to cool it off. Though the lava didn't cool completely, it did stop from bubbling up, decreasing the temperature, not a whole lot, but enough to feel the difference. They were then able to cross the rickety bridge one at a time and made it across just as the lava reheated and began bubbling again. They then made their way into the next room. It was fairly large, the ceiling being about 150 feet above. A ring of lava surrounded a giant floating stone platform in the center of the room. In the center of the platform lay a large red dragon.
~end~
"Wha…? Moved?" Jared stuttered in disbelief.
"That's right. I think he said something about this house being too small…." The man replied.
"But….but…well do you know where he moved to?" Jared asked, still in shock.
"Sure, right over there." The man replied, pointing to the house across the street.
"Ah, Jared! Is that Jared?" came an old voice. The three turned to find an old man walking down his walkway.
"Uncle!" Jared shouted, rushing to him. The two shared hugs.
"Oh, Jared. When I heard the terrible news of what happened I thought the worst. How is your dear brother?" Uncle asked. Jared's frown disappeared as he lowered his head.
"Oh…I'm deeply sorry…" the man said grimily. "But, you're here. And that's good." He chuckled. "Come, come. Bring your friends inside."
"Hmm….Gondar, eh? That sounds terrible." Uncle said after hearing their story. The four sat around a table.
"Yes, and now we think he has an even sinister plot. He mentioned something about essences. Do you know what he's talking about?" Jared asked.
"Hmm…essences…" the old man stood from his chair and shuffled over to a huge bookcase filled with all kinds of books. He picked up his glasses and put them on, then got up on a step ladder and started looking at the books. "Ah, here it is." He said contentedly, pulling a dusty old book off the shelf. He made his way back over to the table and sat down, opening the book. "Yes, I know what you speak of. These essences this fellow is after may just be what this book mentions"
"What is it?" Link asked.
"Well, it's kind of like a universal makeup. Singly, they hold the power of every kind of energy of that type into one greater force. One essence is said to have a power greater than that of all creatures of its type. These essences can be harnessed and used however the possessor wishes. It is said that if all the essences are collected by one person, he or she would become the most powerful being in the universe; if they know how to use them that is." Uncle replied.
"So that's what he's after…" Justin mumbled.
"We have to go after these essences before he can get to them." Link said. Uncle closed the book and shuffled into another room. He came back with a velvet lined case.
"Here." he said, placing the case on the table.
"What is it?" Jared asked. Uncle opened up the case, revealing 9 small crystal orbs.
"These are magic orbs. They are capable of harnessing the energy of these essences and giving the power to the owner." Uncle said.
"What do they do?" Justin asked.
"Well nothing yet. But once the energy is harnessed inside, the owner of the orb receives special powers pertaining to the essence." Uncle replied.
"But how would one get an essence from the thing that possesses it?" Justin asked.
"Either the creature can give it up voluntarily, or if it's killed, the thing it looses its life to." Uncle replied. Link curiously picked up an orb and examined it. Suddenly, a strong gust blew through the room as a blue light surrounded Link. Slowly the light began to concentrate in the orb and eventually the orb held a faint blue gassy mixture inside it.
"What was that?!" Jared shouted.
"Hmm…very interesting. It appears that you already had possession of an essence." Uncle said.
"The hydroid king…" Link murmured, remembering when the king shook his hand. "The king had an essence."
"So does that mean you have powers?" Justin asked.
"I dunno…" Link said placing the orb in a knapsack. "I don't feel any different." He looked at the palms of his hands. Suddenly, his palms began to glisten. Very faintly, water began to collect and pool in his palms. It started slowly at first, then increased until his palms were dripping wet. Then without warning, two pillars of water erupted from his hands and shot up out the roof of the house.
"Wow…" Jared mumbled in awe.
"Awesome." Justin said.
"Interesting…" Uncle added. After the water disappeared, Link looked over himself.
"I get it." He said. "This must be the water essence. And since I have the water essence, I have water powers."
"Exactly." Uncle replied.
"How many essences are there?" Justin asked.
"There are nine essences." Uncle said. "Earth, fire, water, elemental, light, dark, thought, energy, and double."
"Sounds like some weird essences…" Jared mumbled.
"And I think we can bet that two of the essences have already been taken…" Link said.
"Two? We only have water." Justin said.
"Yes, but we're not the only ones looking for them. And I'm pretty sure that the dark essence might already have an owner…" Link said.
"Gondar…" Jared mumbled.
Meanwhile, in a dark foggy park of an unknown forest.
"WE WERE SO CLOSE!!!!!!!!" Gondar roared, shooting dark energy in all directions. "So close, we tripped at the finish line. And why? Because I trusted IDIOTS to work on my projects!" Several minions around cowered. "How is it possible one kid could screw up my entire plan?! How?!" he paced back and forth in an angry rage. "I need something to kill..." Several of his minions scattered. Suddenly two imps ran up.
"Sire, we---" one began, but was cut off by a blast of dark energy. When the spoke cleared, nothing was left of the two creatures.
"That's better..." Gondar sighed. "I suppose it makes no difference. That boy may have survived, but alone without Link's help, there's no way he could stop me." he grinned evilly. "Soon, I'll have the other essences, then I will rule as supreme being!"
Link, Jared and Justin prepared to leave Uncles house.
"We have to hurry, Uncle. We can't let Gondar beat us to those essences." Jared told him.
"Oh, I nearly forgot. I should warn you that several creatures have been roaming the countryside in search of you, Link. I fear they may be working for the enemy. I suggest that you go by a different name and keep inconspicuous." Uncle said.
"New name...? I'm not really good at making names for myself." Link mumbled.
"Well, if I may make a suggestion, I think Pac would suit you."
"Mr. Pac....yeah, that sounds good." Link said.
"Then we're off. Let's go. " Jared said.
"Good luck, and be careful." Uncle said.
"Thanks, we will." Link said, placing his hat on his head. The three then headed out the door and down the road.
"Goodbye! Visit any time!" Uncle called as they dissapeared around a corner. The three left the city and made their way southward.
"So, where do you think we should head next?" Justin asked.
"I'm not sure, I don't really know this place and I don't think we know where to begin looking for the essences." Link replied adjusting his hat.
"I know it pretty well, but I don't know about essences...maybe each is possessed by a creature, like the Hydroid king had one." Jared suggested.
"Possibly..." Link mumbled. "So where are we headed?"
"Uh...Vaughn City. It's a very small place. If I were an essence, that's probably where I would go; quiet, out of the way, not many people know about it." Jared said.
"So how do you know about it?" Justin asked.
"Ha ha, very funny." Jared laughed weakly at the bad joke. The three traveled about 10 miles until they reached a hill.
"Vaughn City is just on the other side. It's kinda down in a crevice, surrounded by mountains and hills." Jared said.
"Maybe they'll have a place to rest; we've been walking for a while." Justin mumbled his feet beginning to ache. As they made it to the top of the hill, small buildings began to come into view. Jared was right; it was a very small town. It consisted of only a mere ten buildings.
"Not very lively looking..." Link muttered. The town was pretty empty. As they neared closer, they saw that the buildings had been abandoned for several years. There was only a small grocery store, the rest were small shacks. This town was so small it had neither a bank nor an inn.
"So much for rest..." Justin sighed.
"Maybe we can use one of these houses...They're deserted anyway." Link said. They made their way into the first small cottage. The wooden floor was covered in dust, cobwebs hung in every corner, and the furniture looked like it could use some fixing up, but it was a place to rest never the less. They spent only half an hour resting, since it was only a ten mile walk. Just as they were about to leave, Justin stopped them.
"Wait, Link, stop." Justin said. Link stood at the doorway and looked at him. "Walk back this way." Justin told him. Link made his way back across the hard floor. "There! Stop." he said when Link reached a certain spot. Justin went over and tapped on the floor. It made a hollow knocking sound. "See the difference?" he said, tapping another part of the floor which only made a solid thud.
"I bet there's something under there..." Jared said.
"Only one way to find out." Link said, taking out his sword and slashing at the wood. It began to splinter and break apart, and soon, Link had uncovered a secret hole that led down under ground.
"Look, there're steps leading down." Justin pointed out little rungs hammered into the side of the passageway.
"Let's follow them down." Link said. He slowly made his way down the dark hole. Link descended down the dark pit. About 50 feet down he reached the bottom. It was very dark, a dusty, dank smell hung in the air. The pungent aroma of brimstone could also be detected.
"Seems alright!" Link called up to Jared and Justin. After a few seconds, Jared and Justin made it down.
"What's that smell...?" Justin asked, sniffing the air and scrunching up his face.
"Brimstone...It's really weird because brimstone is usually only near volcanoes." Jared replied. They went forward, making their way through the dark tunnel.
"Geez, I can't see an inch in front of my face." Justin mumbled.
"Wait, it gets lighter up ahead." Link announced. The small tunnel opened up into a large cavern. Rough, rocky walls slanted upward and toward a small opening exposing open blue sky. In front of them, the ground went five feet forward then dropped straight down. The whole floor of the cavern was gone; nothing but a seemingly bottomless pit. Across from them, a small tunnel opened into the wall. Every few seconds large gusts of hot wind would blow up from the opening.
"How are we supposed to cross"? Jared inquired to no one in particular. He looked down into the large hole. "Nothing but black...Fall down there and the ballgame's over."
"Please don't mention falling down cliffs..." Link mumbled. "Look," he pointed toward the wall at a small ledge that ran along the edge. It was only two feet wide but it ran along to the other opening. "We can cross on that ledge."
"You're crazy..." Jared groused.
"You know of any other way to get across?" Link asked, turning to him. Jared sighed.
"Fine, let's go before I change my mind." he grumbled. The three slowly made their way onto the ledge. They inched along the wall, their backs pressed hard up against it. A faint crumbling of stone made Jared break out in a slight sweat.
"If this thing breaks away while I'm on it I'm gonna be really mad..." he whispered to himself, slowly wiping his brow. About halfway across the ledge, they heard a sound. A faint and far away roar echoed up from down in the pit, followed by a very very soft glow that disappeared after a few seconds.
"What was that?" Justin said, peering into the darkness.
"I dunno..." Link mumbled. "But if we don't do something soon, I think we might find out.....the hard way..." As he spoke, a huge crack began to run up the wall. It went up between Link and Jared and continued to the ceiling. The wall beneath them then began to crumble away.
"Move!" Justin shouted. The three did their best to run along the ledge and still keep their balance. Link had to jump as a large chunk of the ledge crumbled away. Link and Jared made it to the end and turned to wait for Justin. Still 10 feet away, Justin got caught on a piece that began to crumble away. He jumped at the last second and was barely able to grab the edge with one hand. Jared grabbed him and pulled him up just as he was about to slip off the rock.
"That was close..." Justin said, hunched over with his hands on his knees panting.
"But now our way back was cut off..." Link said as he gazed across the void. The three made their way through the tunnel, which noticibly began to slope down. Soon the tunnel forked; the left path going up, and the right further down.
"Which way do we go?" Jared asked. A faint glow came from the tunnel to the right.
"Look." Link said, going down the right path. "There're torches on the wall. Someone has been here, recently too." He continued on down the tunnel. It curved a bit and began to grow steeper.
"Careful, its getting steeper the further we go." Link said as his boots slid on some loose gravel.
"Link, I-I think it's a-a little too--" Justin stuttered, having trouble staying up, but suddenly his feet slid out from under him and he slid forward, running into Jared and Link and knocking them down, forcing them to slide down with him. The three zoomed through the tunnel, twisting and turning. At one point the ground curved straight down, sending them free falling about 10 feet before it resumed in a curve again. After several minutes of sliding, the three collapsed on flat ground in a heap.
"Well, that was about as much fun as getting your throat ripped out by a wolfo..." Link grumbled, rubbing his sore butt. They were too disoriented from the twisting and turning to tell which direction they were facing. An orangish glow came from the direction ahead of them. The three stood and walked straight.
"Is it just me or is it getting hotter?" Link muttered, wiping sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand. They entered another room, this one seeming to be where the glow was coming from. There was a small rope bridge, about 30 feet long, suspended no more than 15 feet above a sea of boiling molten lava,
"Well, that explains a few things..." Link mumbled. He took time to look around the room. It was pretty simple. Nothing stood out about the room. Except the ceiling was so high that they couldn't see the end of it. Noticing bits and pieces of rock scattered in a few places, Link deducted that they were below the room they were in before.
"Link...It's too hot...There's no way we'll be able to cross..." Justin mumbled, sweat pouring off his face.
"Hmm....maybe I can help that a little..." Link said. He got out the water orb from his knapsack and aimed his hand at the lava. A cold blast of water erupted from his hands and shot out at the molten liquid. Steam immediately poured out as the water began to cool it off. Though the lava didn't cool completely, it did stop from bubbling up, decreasing the temperature, not a whole lot, but enough to feel the difference. They were then able to cross the rickety bridge one at a time and made it across just as the lava reheated and began bubbling again. They then made their way into the next room. It was fairly large, the ceiling being about 150 feet above. A ring of lava surrounded a giant floating stone platform in the center of the room. In the center of the platform lay a large red dragon.
~end~