Sorry about it being so short this time but y'know who doesn't LOVE a good cliffhanger eh?
There was a loud shout in the distance, barely audible, Honeydew's head shot up from the ground, a look of fear ripped across his bearded face. He was stood there for a second before time seemed to slow down. He turned and grabbed Xephos and Cynda by the collar and half dragged half pulled them the other way. The two gathered their feet and ran behind him, Rythian bringing up the rear. They were bolting up the stairs and the dwarf and Minecraftian were panting as they got about half way up. A shock emanated through the stone ground and Honeydew shouted at the top of his lungs,
"GET OUT OF HERE!"
He practically began bounding up the stairs. His breathing was hard and he was coughing so what ever was going on must have been important. They all followed, half out of shock and half out of instinct.
Xephos was panting after Honeydew, he was focused on keeping his breathing normal and tripped up one of the stairs. He felt a crack as his head fell against the stone bricks and a terrible pain in his shoulder. Honeydew skidded back down the stairs and tried to lift the poor boy up on his own until Rythian grabbed him by the waist. Neither were known for their strength but managed to, between them, get him and themselves to the surface. Just as they reached the top a deafening explosion came from the tunnels and flames and smoke rolled up the stairs, smoke that would've engulfed them had they stayed just a second longer.
"Wh-" Rythian started but did not finish as he saw Honeydew collapse to the floor, head in hands.
He sat down on the dusty ground and out his arms on his knees, watching the dwarf and Xephos. He wasn't sure what injuries he had but it couldn't have been fatal as his breathing was slow but steady. He had a large cut along his forehead but there was nothing much he could do himself until he had rested. Rythian looked at the two and realised his party was smaller than before…
He shot up like a bullet, giving Honeydew a bit of a jump scare,
"What's wrong Enderborn?" Honeydew asked quietly.
"Where's… Cynda?" He said slowly. He seemed unsure, like he was unable to speak, he stood staring at the ground for a couple of seconds then looked up, as if expecting her to somehow just appear.
"She- she can't be…" He answered himself, sounding less and less sure of himself. His heart and mind raced, he was turning paler by the second despite his already pale complexion. He tried to move but was frozen solid out of fear,
"CYNDA!" He shouted at the top of his lungs.
Nothing.
"CYNDA!" He shouted again, no use. She can't be dead. He thought, wherever she was she was trapped.
There was an almost inaudible crack from below the surface, his over sensitive senses picked it up with no problem and he looked at Honeydew.
"What?" He asked at the Enderborn.
"Didn't you hear that?" Rythian replied.
"No." was the simple response.
Rythian growled angrily and walked toward the stone structure, the stairs seemed fine at first but a few levels down they just, stopped. Nothing was visible from the stairs other than pitch darkness. A couple of helpless shouts from below but none matched his sister's voice.
Then again, Crack.
He looked down again, squinting, but still saw nothing. He reached out, half expecting to meet resistance, but nothing came just empty air. The place had been completely obliterated, tnt couldn't have done this the explosion was far too big, a nuke perhaps? No. Why would anyone want to blow up the place?
Crack
Again, louder. More shouts came from below but now more like whispers. Broken up calls for help echoed and died in seconds. The whole area was filled with despair and uncertainty.
Crack
There was nothing he could say or do, no way up and no way down; unless you had wings.
That was the straw that broke the camel's back, Rythian collapsed into a fit of tears.
Crack
He tried to stand but couldn't
Crack
He tried to shout but couldn't
Crack
He tried to breath but couldn't
Crack…