As Grayson and Kupa approach Grayson slowly steps forward,warily leaning forward enough to peer downward. It was a long drop into an inky darkness. The only sign of easy crossing was a bridge that seemed to be on it's last threads,and even then the chasm was too wide to cross safely,OR reasonably shutting down out of fear due to an already crippling sense of vertigo.
"You know how to cross how?"
"There are two options. Over,or under. This chasm cannot be gotten around,and seems to surround the mountain alone. And considering the only way across is a bridge held together by a couple splinters and some moss,I'd deeply recommend we go under."
Grayson shivers...
He hated the dark,for one reason alone. Even with a sword like this,it was beyond that veil of darkness he was afraid of.
"Fine. We go under." He said,seeming a little nervous.
"Good." Kupa said,leading Grayson along to a safe cave entrance that was conveniently nearby. It went down for what seemed like ages until they turned up right where they needed to be,in the chasm. From the underside of the Cavern he saw a sky of stone with a tear that seemed to go on forever...
As they walked under the tear the glint of a hanging chain took hold. "All we have to do now is climb up this chain. I'd beware the ledges,though. Ive had a couple of adventures end with an arrow to the chest of the person I was leading." Kupa said,as she looks up the length of the chain.
"Are you sure this is even usable? For all we know that last link could be rusted beyond comprehension." Grayson said as he tugs the chain,which distantly responded after a few seconds.
"Well it's not like we can fly,now can we?" Kupa asked.
Grayson sighs.
"I'll meet you at the top,yeah?" Grayson asked.
"Yeah. See you soon." Kupa said,striding over and pulling him down to her height long enough to plant a forehead kiss.
Grayson blushes warmly,as did Kupa. "Any particular reason you did that? Or were you wishing me luck?" He asked.
"Just wishing you luck. I haven't climbed these chains in ages. Last thing I need is seeing you as a stain on the cave floor." Kupa chuckles.
With that,Grayson began the very long and slow climb up. About halfway something was heard roaring-
It's wing flaps were distant...
Grayson started climbing faster,the chain links clinking slightly louder,and beginning to draw more attention.
'Come on clink quieter ..' He urged. Something swiftly messed with the chain,almost throwing him off. He held on for dear life,until the chain stabilized. The cave ceiling was a short distance away,so he climbs as fast as he can manage,heavily rattling the chains.
A bat type creature blazed past the chain as Grayson passes into the light,spotting a cave. The chain tries to throw him off again.
"Fuck it-" He growls as he used the chain's return to get into the cave he had discovered,right as a giant bat snarls,clawing at the hole,leaving almost clean,deep claw marks. It snaps fruitlessly at the miner,staring at him and growling gently before leaving.
"And I thought the Enders were bad enough..." He mutters,getting up and checking himself,to ensure nothing was lost.
As soon as he was on his feet he starts deeper into the cave,lighting the sword to illuminate his way. For a couple hours he walked a little aimlessly,following caves that went up.
So far,all he has gotten was dead ends and retraced steps. Defeated,he returns to the cave entrance,the claw marks a grim reminder of what was awaiting him..
Grayson peers over the ledge,thankfully not seeing any of the giant bats he encountered,but the chain had been broken beyond the darkness it seemed,as it flowed much more lightly than before...
It was at least a 4 foot jump..over a very large drop...
He didn't have many options,so pushing down his fear,he walks back a bit before taking a run,and a leap of faith grab for the chain.
The grab was successful,although a touch sloppy,he made it,and started climbing. As he reached the platform that was housing the chain,Kupa was waiting patiently.
"Everything okay? You look like you've had quite a scare." She remarks,spotting the horribly shaken adventurer emerge and step off the chain.
"Four words. Giant bats. Risky jumps." Grayson said as he settles on solid ground as soon as he could.
"Sounds fun. As for visiting Alex...Whats the time?" Kupa asked.
Grayson takes a quick look in the direction of the sun and turns on his phone,"3:45 PM."
"She'll be bound to be around here! Ill go find her,you stay here." Kupa said as she quickly disappeared into the nearby forest before Grayson could protest the decision.
>>Somewhere Conveniently Nearby<<
The sound of chopping could be heard..
A tree was gently swaying over the canopy ..
Kupa spots a familiar amazonian type Miner lumberjacking as she normally would. She was ginger haired and pale skinned,in a simple green cotton shirt,and evergreen shorts. The angle could not reveal her eyes...
With a mighty swing a block of the tree wightlessly came with her Ax,turning smaller and magically storing to a pouch mounted to a belt loop on her front.
Kupa strained to reach up and tap her shoulder. "Damn these short person issues." She quietly complains as Alex turns to her in confusion.
'Kupa? What are you doing here?' She asked in sign language.
"We have a visitor...A rather important one at that." Kupa said.
'How important??' Alex asked.
"Important enough that the resistance could rekindle. Gladys' defeat is upon us." Kupa explains.
'Did you bring him with you?'
"He's at the ravine entrance." Kupa said,only to be almost pushed aside as Alex zoomed off as fast as she could manage.
Grayson was being attacked by a pair of the Giant Bats,diving at him claws first to have to stop short of a flaming blade aggressively swatting at them.
Alex pulls her bow and downs one of them with an arrow to the head,catching the attentions of it's partner and forcing it to flee.
Alex gives a gentle sigh,'And he's a newspawn. How fun.'
"Hey! I think I forgot a rule!" Kupa laughs as she and Alex approach.
"And that would be?" Grayson questions.
"'Dont disturb the bats!' Alex said!" Kupa said,translating the sign language for Grayson.
"I can read sign language,but thanks for the translation,anyway." Grayson chuckles.