Chapter 24: Trial
Clive shook his head as the darkness turned into light.
"We're finally here," said Clive.
"What the ell is this place," grimaced Janus, examining the green scene. It was green and prosperous. Vast plush vegetation ran its way up the mountains. A waterfall of many colors reflecting off it ran a stream of color down the mountain. The stream leading to the waterfall was full of rapids. A green part of Filgaia which no one knew about was for them to keep. But, there was nothing of civilization in site.
The teams searched frantically through the land of vegetation. Maya's hands were scarred and stung from many various poison bushes, but she continued. Janus was rethinking over the situation. He had to get his mind off this whole situation. Janus overheard his blokes talking.
"The boss seems awfully quiet," said Romero, still searching. "What do you think he is thinking of?"
"I don't know," replied Dario. "Why do you think he came over here?"
"Maybe he likes the other leader," spoke Romero. Sadly, Janus heard this. The nerve in his head was pulsing. He walked over to where he was standing and hit him in the face with his bayonet. Romero stumbled backwards and landed into the stream. He was swept towards the waterfall. Janus thought he was only going to hit the mountain then get a hard shower. Imagine the team's surprise when Romero went right through the waterfall. They heard a thump afterwards.
"Strange," examined Clive. "Why would the current go towards the waterfall? And why is it so strong?" He stuck the tip of his rifle in as the teams closely watched. He could feel walls and a vacant space leading down.
"It seems we found our entrance." Clive stated. "I'll take the lead in." The teams tentatively followed Clive, trying to avoid the waterfall as they went in. The teams made it inside the dark space. They all stood on a slim ledge. Clive threw a rock down the pit.
It disappeared into darkness, hitting the sides as it went.
"Ouch."
Clive started speaking. "Well, Romero is still alive. The drop is at least fifteen feet by my guess."
"How are we supposed to get down?" asked Gallows.
"We have no choice but to jump," said Clive.
"I have a better idea," said Maya. She pointed downwards as Shady flew down.
Shady gave a return call as Maya jumped down safely, followed by the rest.
"The floor is all wet!" complained Maya.
Janus swerved his eyes towards her. "Get used to it, Blondie."
Romero got up. The fall and a rock clunking his head gave him a shock. The team treaded down the path. The stone path smelled like rain, and was crawling with multitudes of organisms.
"Do you think Ginny's okay?" Jet ignored their expressions towards him, holding his airget lahm to gun down anything that dared come in his path.
"Is there a certain reason why you want to know?" said Gallows teasingly.
"Is there a certain reason why not to shoot you?" replied Jet.
"You two calm down," said Clive. "Our leader is in trouble."
"Fine," they both said in unison. Alfred jumped as a rat ran its way across the floor.
"Master Alfred, there is nothing to worry about," said Todd. A few minutes into the path and there was filthy water going up to their knees. Maya walked, lifting her dress up to not touch the water.
"Why is the water rising here but not at the entrance?" said Clive. "The current swayed inwards, but the ground was barely wet."
"I don't understand this place," said Gallows. The team continued their trek down the path, the water staying at its same height.
"Ouch!"
Janus tightened his grip on his bayonet. "Dario, quit complaining!"
"I think something's in the water," he said.
"So you think a killer fish is going to come up from the depths of ell and swallow you," said Janus. "Pathetic.
"No, I think he's right," said Alfred. "Don't you see the ripples moving around our feet?"
The team peered into the water to see shadows of fish squirming.
"ACK! What in the world is that!" shrieked Maya. Tiny spines rose from the water.
The fish were a nasty swamp green shade, with tiny bumps covering their skin. They were covered in a sticky film of mucus. One of the fish rose from the darkness, only to bare sharp fangs.
"That fish bit me," sobbed Dario.
"Get a hold of yourself," snapped Janus. He shot at the fish. Its head exploded as it sank into the water. The team peered at their surroundings, shocked to see that they were outnumbered by dozens of rising spines.
"Just what I've been waiting for," said Jet.
"I'm sad to say we're stuck in this," said Gallows. Everyone pulled out their weapons, watching closely at the fishes coming towards them. Jet shot wildly at the water, killing some fish.
"I've never seen this animal in Filgaia before," said Maya, fending off the vicious fish.
"Shut the bloody ell up and shoot," commanded Janus. He performed Multiblast, only to be met with more families of fish. The fishes sheathed their spines and swam farther down the stone hall.
"I guess they're running away," smirked Jet. A rumble shook the cavern as a few more rocks fell from the ceiling and splashed into the water. Rapid waves came towards them, drenching them completely.
Clive barricaded his face with his arms, finding it hard to see through the murky waters. "What is this?"
A screeching roar echoed its way along the walls. As the currents lowered, the team directed their eyes up to ten small eyes. The monster roared in fury of intruders in its territory.
"It's the mother of all fuckers," said Jet. The gargantuan fish could almost take up the whole hall.
"I think I'm going to puke," said Romero.
"Shut up and face it," said Janus. They were in for a battleā¦
