A/n: Hi there. Hope you enjoy reading this chapter.


Searifa followed the teen girl. The blonde walked ahead confidently. It was strange considering that the human had never been Underground before. The cavern was dark and the teen didn't falter or slow. She stepped into the tall grass easily.

The lizard monster, kept her green eyes sharp. Every shadow becoming a monster. It was ridiculous to be so jumpy. These were her neighbors, her friends. "Hey, you still there?" the girl asked, concealed by the tall brittle grass.

"I haven't abandoned you," Searifa responded, the grass rustling as she tried to catch up to the girl.

"You are pretty quiet," Kendall replied, her own rustling footsteps showcasing her location. The girl walked out of the grass, turning to face the taller monster. Searifa stepped out of the grass herself.

"I was thinking," the chef responded.

"Sounds dangerous," Kendall cheekily said, grinning.

Searifa rolled her green eyes, "Perhaps for you." Kendall gasped in shock, blue eyes wide. The two chuckled as they continued forward.

A small body of water blocked their path. The blonde girl didn't even look at the water, turning her attention to a small patch of bridge flowers. She tugged at the plant. Searifa stood back watching. Kendall uprooted one plant walking to the watery gap. She pushed it gently into the water. How could the girl know how to cross? "Hey, are you helping or what?"

"Ye-yes, I am," Searifa responded walking slowly to one of the bridge flowers. She kept her green eyes on Kendall. The teen had removed another flower and sent it down the gap. The chef uprooted her own plant. She pushed it into the water as Kendall grabbed the last plant. The flowers bloomed and the pair crossed.

"Okay, you have to say something. You are giving me a weird look," Kendall said as she started the second bridge.

Searifa blinked a couple of times before making an obvious effort not to look at the girl. "I am not." Kendall gave her a look of disbelief. "How did you know the bridge flowers would work?" the chef asked.

The teen looked up at the ceiling, "I, uh. Well, it was a lucky guess." She waved her hand, "I mean it isn't like I have been here before." She chuckled to herself.

Searifa sighed, "I suppose so. I'm sorry for looking at you strange." The two walked across their floral bridge back onto dry land. The two walked into the next chamber of Waterfall.

The chef nearly bumped into the girl who stopped short looking up at the cavern ceiling. She gave the girl some space. "They are almost like stars," she whispered, pointing at the twinkling stones.

"Monsters wish on them. We may not see the stars, but maybe these stones will do," Searifa said looking at the sparkling stones. "How are the stars on the Surface?" she asked, not looking down at the girl.

"You can't really see them from the city, but above mount Ebbott. They are amazing," Kendall said walking forward. Searifa followed after. The teen brushed each echo flower, listening to their whispered wishes. "Do you want to see the Surface?" she asked quietly as the glowing blue flower's words died. Searifa paused at the question, choosing instead to snap another picture of the human. "Have you wished to escape here?" she said, her voice a bit more firm as the monster shook the newly printed photo.

Searifa sighed, "Everyone has at one point or another. I have to admit, I never thought of the cost. Humans were faceless, things of destruction. But to wish for the Surface, is to wish for your life to end. I don't think I could ever do that." The chef wrapped around her arms around herself.

Kendall frowned. "What if I get the people on the Surface to release everyone? What if another human falls?"

"Kendall, it is fine. I made my peace. The humans can have the Surface. They can have the sun, the rain, the seasons, the stars," Searifa said, she walked ahead. She wanted to leave the unobtainable wishes behind.

"That isn't fair. You didn't do anything to deserve being trapped down here," Kendall said, stomping behind the lizard monster.

"Life isn't fair. Just because you are good doesn't mean that bad things don't happen."

"Life isn't fair, but people should try to be. I am sure the other people will want to help you as well."

"How will they help? Send another human down, One that they are willing to sacrifice? That could take years," Searifa growled.

"Good thing you are young. You will have all your life on the Surface," the girl quipped.

"If I'm lucky," Searifa grumbled. She kept ahead of the girl.

"What is that suppose to mean?" Kendall asked. Searifa ignored her keeping her feet moving. "Seriously what is your problem?"

Searifa stopped. "Do you know how my mother died?" Kendall shook her head. The chef took a deep breath, to steady the quivering of her lips.

"You want to sit down?" the girl asked, hands already on the lizard monster's elbows. Searifa allowed herself to be lowered to the moist ground.

"I don't know if humans are the same, but some monsters… they can forget things. Important things. Names of loved ones, important events."

"Yeah, humans have something like that. It happens to older people sometimes," Kendall interrupted.

Searifa nodded, continuing, "My mother forgot my name at such a young age. I honestly never knew it. I helped her the best way I could, but it wasn't enough." She looked down at her golden claws. "I, I. What if it happens to me? What if I forget everything that is important?"

"Oh, Seari. That's horrible," Kendall said at her side. "That's why you keep the scrapbook?" Searifa nodded. It was a reason she did a lot of things. Keeping her things in order, writing notes to herself. Kendall was quiet beside her. "I know one way you can see the Surface," she said softly. A soft green glow lit the dark. Searifa looked to the girl who held out a glowing green heart. "You can go. You can save monsters. Everyone would love you," she said a smile spreading. "Humans would line up to help you, especially if you give them some of your food."

Searifa looked away, "Stop it. That plan wouldn't work." She pushed herself to her feet. "What would humans think when they see me?" She purposely showed her sharp teeth, puffing out her frills. Her hands hung by her sides but her claws were visible. "What was your honest first thought when you saw me?"

Kendall's blue eyes looked away. Her hands shook with the green heart floating silently in them. It disappeared from view. Searifa sighed, relaxing a little. "I'm sorry. I am being harsh and overly pessimistic. Everything will be fine. We will get you to the Surface and then you can put in a good word in." Kendall didn't respond, sitting quietly. Searifa kneeled in front of her, "I will be fine Kendall. Losing my keys this morning really did a number on me," she said with a laugh.

"Thank you, Seari," the girl mumbled and the two got to their feet. The two walked away from the false stars and muttered wishes. The lizard was sure to wrap the teen with her illusion magic.

The two were quiet, walking in nearly complete silence. Kendall paused to read some of the plaques on the wall. Searifa didn't say a word letting the girl process the history she was reading. She stopped at the last plague. "Hey Seari, you asked me what my honest thoughts were about you when we met."

"That conversation got out of hand. I wouldn't worry about it. Just a bit stressed out," Searifa said.

Kendall turned to face the chef. "What were your first thoughts when you saw me?"

Searifa's frills lowered. "I was scared. Terrified really, but that went away very quickly. You are a kind person and it showed." Kendall frowned at the response. "I am not afraid of you now. I think it is slightly ridiculous that I was scared."

The girl didn't respond to the sentence. "Yeah, same here," she said. Searifa walked ahead. The ground changed from dirt to wooden walkways.

"What structure is that?" Kendall asked pointing at the pillars that stood on higher ground.

"That keeps the cavern from collapsing on us," Searifa answered matter-of-factly. Kendall looked up at the rocky ceiling. "I am merely pulling your leg. It was made when the King was deciding where the capital should be. He considered Waterfall, but decided that being close to the barrier would be better. He also considered Waterfall to be too dreary but there are many that disagree." Searifa stopped her explanation at the girl's amused grin.

"No one has crossed the barrier," the girl stated.

"Monsters' SOULs are strong enough. And all the humans were… killed before they reached it," Searifa explained. The two left the boardwalks behind. Another large patch of grass stood. Kendall groaned muttering a complaint about all the tall grass. As the two geared themselves into transversing the mini jungle, a loud voice stopped them.

"Hey punks, don't step on the grass." Both turned around and froze as an armored fish monster marched to them.