Submission (#5054) Approved

"Come on, Kieran! Hurry up!"

Kilauea started to run down the rocky hill into a small cave just outside a small village. The black rock was warm with heat from the volcanic activity inside. Something her friend was not too keen on as he tried to yell after her to slow down, but to no avail. She was nearly tumbling down at this point, not able to get a hold of any footing as the soil was too loose.

Kieran tried his best to follow after her, his steps more calculated, and he was able to catch himself when he started to slip. They were both heading into such a dangerous place, something a local had warned them not to go, but of course, Kilauea had other plans. She was always enthusiastic to go on dangerous hunts for shiny ore or gems. Kieran didn't think any of this was worth the risk, but he had to make sure his friend was kept safe.

Once they were down at the bottom, the warmth from the volcanic vents became more intense. It was humid as well, almost stifling with the scent of sulfur. Kieran coughed, a little dazed by the disorienting darkness and dust that surrounded both kittoms. Kilauea didn't seem bothered though as she quickly rolled to her feet and fidgeted with the lantern she managed to bring with them. Kieran was surprised it didn't shatter as they descended.

"You know this is just a rumor, right?" Kieran huffed, trying to dust the charcoal off his coat. Unfortunately, his efforts were in vain as it just became dirtier the more he wiped at his fur.

"Yeah, but we might just get lucky! Come on, we at least have to try. Besides, it's been a while since we adventured anywhere." Kilauea eventually got the lantern to light and she turned toward the tunnel entrance. "Stop worrying so much, Kieran."

"Yeah... I know," he said, following his friend into the depths.

They were told there was a vein of crystal, perhaps worth something to keep themselves afloat a bit longer. Kilauea loved the shiny ore anyway, she usually kept pieces for herself as a trophy and to give accounts on their adventures together. Kieran wasn't so sure about this one though, the locals were convinced it was a dead mine and nothing of worth was down here. Of course, the fiery kittom wanted to try her luck.

Deeper and deeper they went, Kilauea leading the way with a small lantern barely lighting their path. Kieran stuck close to her, glancing back behind him in the darkness once in a while, a chill spiraling up his back. He hated the dark more than anything, but his friend was fearless, keeping a pace he could hardly keep up with at times. Her excitement could be unbearable, tiresome at best. She was determined to find her prize, luck or not.

"We've been going for a while... I don't think there's anything down here," Kieran muttered, tone quiet as if not to disturb the dead. His friend only waved her hand at him, brushing off his concern.

"There has to be a room in here somewhere. Just have some faith, Kieran!"

For what seemed like hours, they walked through the pitch-black tunnels, hardly finding anything of note. A few times the tunnel dead-ended or became so narrow they could barely slip through, but Kilauea kept going. Kieran so desperately wanted to stop to turn back, but he knew it was too late now. They were so deep into the tunnel system that he would never find his way without her light guiding him. She had a better sense of direction anyway.

"Wait, I think I see something!" Kilauea excitedly ran forward, leaving Kieran behind a bit, but he sprang forward to catch up, calling after her.

The tunnel suddenly opened up into a huge room, one that glistened with glittering rock, but the light didn't catch any glimpses of crystals. Kilauea frantically paced around the edge, hoping for something to appear, anything!

"I told you it was a waste of time..." Kieran sighed, sitting down in the darkness as he watched her search. His feet hurt something terrible, and he started to feel hungry. The kittom wished they never talked anything about mines or crystals to the locals. They could be home by now!

"Wait, I think I see something!" Kilauea excitedly lifted her lantern, catching the opalescent sheen of ore. "It's moonstone!"

Kieran got up, carefully walking to her so as not to trip, and looked at the corner of the light. Sure enough, he saw the crystal every so slightly peeking from the blackened earth.

"I can't believe it... I thought..." he uttered, but Kilauea elbowed him.

"I told you! I wish you wouldn't doubt me so much. Now help me up to get some."

Kieran sighed, helping her up onto his shoulders and lifting her as high as he could. She managed to break some big chunks off the wall, letting them scatter along the floor to pick up before they left. She knew there was even higher up and she so wished they had a ladder, but this was good enough. Just proving Kieran and the locals wrong was good enough. There was nothing more satisfying than proving everyone wrong!

But also lucky enough as well.

"Ok," she said, climbing down off Kieran's shoulders. "I think that's enough, we can both fill our pockets with this!" The both of them stuffed as much as they could without the risk of overflow before they stood back up.

"Alright... now how are we going to get out of here?" Kieran inquired. He had been dreading this moment.

"The way we came, of course." Kilauea gave a firm pat on his shoulder before she continued back down the tunnel.

He deflated, almost defeated.

"Just my luck."