Interstellar Academy
18: BREAK 4
The next two days was full of planning. The Captain Grill and Jim consistently fought over the course of action. Eventually, Rayn stepped in, saying he vaguely remembered the mentioned location of the treasure. They inspected the map over and over, Rayn repeating the description, "Crystal, crystal," but none of the areas mapped the word.
They landed the ship and marched out, armed and ready. They hadn't a clue what to expect, though they figured if Rayn's grandparents vacationed here, it couldn't be so bad.
"Did I mention my grandparents were thrill seekers?"
Just as Rayn finished his sentence, a loud roaring sounded overhead.
"That would have been nice to know!" Jim pulled out his guns and aimed upward, a flying creature with four sets of wings swooping down on them.
He knew his fires wouldn't do much, but any type of distraction- or maybe scare factor, though he didn't keep his hopes up- was a step forward.
Unless you angered the creature; then you're screwed.
They ducked behind some brush and hid for what seemed like ages, until the creature decided it was high time to harass a different group of pirates. When they thought it safe, they stood up and slowly walked onto the thinly made path. Silver pulled out the map and had Jim open it. It glowed a familiar green and honed in on the area they were in, then navigated them in the direction they needed to using a flashing yellow light.
They followed Jim, the boy holding the map in one hand and carrying a tiny flintlock with the other, his eyes scanning all directions.
"There, there is the crystal cave!" Rayn shoved forward, excited. It was like seeing his grandmother all over again, standing among those beautiful, blue crystal walls. The light confirmed the cave was their next destination.
Rayn led the way now, enthusiastic about entering. He touched the walls, cold and slick, and the carvings that lined them. "Hey, this is hers." It was dated back about fifty years, and read, 'To a lifetime of adventure, for all who enter.' Rayn cocked his head sideways. "That doesn't really sound like her. Why would she want a lifetime of adventure with granddad?"
"Maybe," Jim chimed in, standing next to him, "she was talking about us. And anyone looking for her treasure."
Rayn shrugged and moved forward, now following behind Jim again.
Another rawr sounded, shaking the crystal walls and causing shards to drop and narrowly miss them. Silver hovered over Jim and Rayn until the rocking ceased, then searched around. "Are you tellin' me we're in that blasted animal's home?"
"That was a detail Grandma missed," Rayn muttered, backing against the wall as if it would protect him. They had no shelter, no place to hide behind. They were completely exposed, should the creature decide to come out and hunt them down.
"Sounds like we should head back, right, mates?" Grill looked anxiously back at his crew, who nodded quickly in agreement. "Alright, men, let's turn around."
"I don't think so, Grill," Jim said. "I'm here now; I'm getting what I came for."
Grill scanned Jim up and down, then nodded solemnly. "Alright. We'll leave your boat behind then. You're on your own from here."
Rayn and Silver seemed nervous about this idea, but didn't argue. Jim gladly took him up on the offer, shaking hands and turning around to continue walking.
"Jim, are you sure?" Rayn said, checking his weapon. "We aren't armed for this."
"I'm sure. We've come too far."
They walked cautiously forward, making sure each step was quiet and precise. They made it to a fork, and watched the light shine through both directions.
"Well, how do we know-" began Silver, then he hushed when a growl and a snuff was heard on the left side of him. "Well, there you have it."
They continued on, picking up their pace but trying to keep quiet. "If there's one thing I know about folklore," said Jim, "it's that where ever there's a giant flying beast, there's treasure right under it."
Other than the green light and random yellow flash, there wasn't much for illumination. Silver succumbed to using his laser eye as a light, though it did little good. As they neared the end of their walk, an opening just yonder seeped orange light. They rushed toward it, excited, but halted when they reached the edge.
The light opened to a large canyon, surrounded by lava except a small island in the center.
There, sat Rolanda's treasure.
"Grandma, what did you STEAL?" Rayn exclaimed, surprised by the trove.
Gold everywhere, expensive vases, jewelry of every kind of every size, chests overflowing with goodies.
"This all belonged to your granddad?" Jim asked, his eyes wide with shock and wonder.
"Yep! The man was filthy freaking rich." Rayn searched along the walls, now rocks and dirt instead of beautiful crystal. "How do we get there?"
"We could try flyin'," Silver joked, also looking about.
"You know, Silver, that's not a bad idea." Rayn and Silver stared at Jim, frightened for his next idea.
"Wish to elaborate, lad?"
"We're gonna fly!"
A/N: Trekkie and Xiaolin, you two are so beautiful and dedicated, and I truly appreciate it 3 Thank you so much for supporting me, love you so!