The CINNABAR Team

((Skip, I need Phoe DX))

Breathing heavily Anya settled herself near Hope, trying to will her heart rate down from the scare, when suddenly Drecht was upon her. "What other traps are there down here? What pokemon are they symbolized by? If we're going to stay alive down here, then everyone needs to know, not just you. What else are we to suspect down here?" While Anastasia could understand urgency there was no need for the golden brute to shout. She hadn't been the one to trigger the trap. "I did warn you..." she said off to the side, head turned towards the floor since the large dragon was bearing his head down on her. "But you knocked over the Mime before I could get to the part about traps."

"We knew it wouldn't be a cake walk to get down here. But we need to decide as a group if we're going to go on or go back." Her eyes narrowed at Drago's words, fur bristling at what he was suggesting. "Are you saying you broke into a home on my island, destroyed who knows what before I caught up to you, and now you want to just walk away like nothing happened?" She moved away from Drecht's piecing gaze and bore down on Drago. "What if my Gym Leader comes back and finds things this way? Are you going to take the blame? She has a temper as big as that volcano Dragonite, and you don't want to see her erupt."

Her eyes sparked with anger, but her head was screaming at her to let it drop. The blue dragon surely hadn't meant anything by it, he was just asking a simple question. Sighing heavily she allowed her head to drop and her stance to loosen. "Forgive me, Drago. I lost myself for a moment." Shaking her head Anastasia forced herself to remain calm, trying to figure out how best to describe the area they were in. "We are in the lair of a Puzzle Master. Blaine, the former Gym Leader here, used to be a scientist and had a personal lab on the island. My Gym Leader, his granddaughter, takes after his quite fantastically. She loved trying to debug his traps and riddles, and took us along frequently. What we need to look for are symbols. They can be anything. Statues, like you saw, or tiles in the floor or wall. Sometimes they are hard to spot, like one time he carved little bits of every wall so when you stood in a certain spot and looked down the hallway you saw a great mural of the Legendary Fire Bird Moltres."

"Basically, we look for anything. Moltres and Mewtwo, a strange feline-looking creature, means we are going the right way. Anything else means a trap. Traps are usually indicated by whatever is there to represent them. That statue was a Mr. Mime, so the trap was a trick room. Say the next one is a Diglett, we could fall into a bottomless pit. It is up to you if you want to take that kind of risk. But if we follow the path we should eventually reach a laboratory which could have supplies. Your choice."

She wasn't normally so long winded, in fact she hated lecturing. Anya was more comfortable keeping to herself but Drecht had been right. They needed to know what there were up against if they wanted to accurately judge if they should continue. Looking to each one of them she offered a silent prayer that they wouldn't just give up so far into the tunnel already.

((OOC: Well Drecht, you asked. lol. All your fault this post is huge.))

"Are you saying you broke into a home on my island, destroyed who knows what before I caught up to you, and now you want to just walk away like nothing happened? What if my Gym Leader comes back and finds things this way? Are you going to take the blame? She has a temper as big as that volcano Dragonite, and you don't want to see her erupt.”

Frowning, Hope hadn’t expected such a vicious response from the Dragonite’s seemingly innocent question of the group, nor that she had lived in this dank place. Then again, the Hydreigon could hardly talk. She’d called the regional prison her home. Still, the Absol’s ability for such fierce defence brought a satisfied smile to the three-headed creature’s dominant face. It was rare to find such headstrong women these days, witnessing a kindred spirit first hand was about the only thing that could sway the dragon’s dark mood.

As the Absol went on to explain the intricacies of the building, adding a piece of her own personal story to the mix, Hope listened with a rare attentiveness. Although a bit wordy for the likes of the blunt dragon, it was enough information to sustain a greater chance of survival. In fact, the more she heard, the more curious Hope became. What godly supplies needed so much protection? An unusual excitement passing her harsh features, Hope gave a firm nod of head at the enlightenment to the deceitful nature of her surroundings.
“Sounds like a challenge,” Hope mused, a newfound enthusiasm playing on her words. “I say we go,”

'Is this really worth it?' with every word that the Absol spoke, Alesha only seemed to become more fearful. Her eyes were darting from location to location, carefully examining the walls and tiles beneath her. She squinted her eyes to see farther down the hallway but to no avail. The Altaria frowned with unease, lifting her feet to stare at the ground below it. "So we need to have all our eyes peeled and always be looking for symbols... Sounds fairly easy."

Although her mind rushed to reassure the poor bird that it would be alright, the whole thought that she might die down here was easily overpowering hope. The ordeal seemed risky, and for what? A few berries, or maybe nothing at all? Alesha found herself astonished when the Hydreigon so readily agreed to delving deeper. Her mind quietly wondered if the whole thrill of a challenge was great enough for her to be risking her life. "What kind of supplies do you think we may acquire?" her voice was uneven, talons clicking on the pavement to try and calm herself down. "It won't be just a few berries, right?"

Drago scratched his chin in thought over what the Absol said. He ignored what she said before, as per her own orders. The nerves of everyone were on edge, so he didn't blame her for bursting out like that. In the back of his mind, he noted that he shouldn't lead into the rooms, since he didn't know what the statues they were looking for looked like. Nodding at the Hydra, he silently counted the tally. Puffing up he wings, he looked to the Absol. "I don't think a bottomless pit would be too big of a problem. Any one of us could help you out of that." He said, a twinkle in his eye, trying to lighten the mood a tad.

Shifting his feet to Alesha, however, he frowned. Whatever was down here, with all of these traps and defences, it had to be worth something. These rooms had survived a volcano eruption. There had to be something worth protectiong a lot. "No..." He said softly. "Not berries, I don't think."

Drecht nodded at the lengthy explanation of the traps. Unfortunately for him, he was no native to this region, and while he could recognize a feline pokemon, "Moltres" and "Mewtwo" were unknown to him. He kept quiet as the others discussed the merits of moving forward, and a laboratory stocked with supplies was mentioned. Now, that was definitely interesting.

Supposing the laboratory was of appropriate size to adequately fit them all, they could stay there indefinitely. Once the path to said room was memorized, they could come and go as they pleased, using the traps to keep Undead at bay. Underground, there was little that could reach them, and by the way the absol spoke of this "Blaine", he seemed a cautionary fellow. It was unlikely even digging pokemon would be able to touch them. A smile crept onto his face. Whether the others knew it or not, they had stumbled across a fortress.

"I say we press on. Finding this laboratory would prove most useful, though our order of travel should be somewhat organized. I am no native here, so any pokemon this man may have used are likely unknown to me. Since you know this place best, Anastasia, you should lead. I will follow, with the light. Hope and Alesha, you follow. Drago, you should bring up the rear, to keep an eye on anything that might be following us. Does everyone agree?"

"I don't think a bottomless pit would be too big of a problem. Any one of us could help you out of that." Anastasia barely suppressed the light chuckle that came from her amusement at Drago's endless optimism. Hope was gun-ho about the idea of a challenge and while Anya could agree at that kind of attitude even she wasn't entirely sure what dangers they could face. She had only ever been to the lab once or twice and Fenix had known the way. This would be considerably more difficult.

And then Drecht suggested her leading the way. It was a logical choice, she could grant him that. She could see perfectly well in the dark and knew what symbols to look for, she also had enough familiarity with Blaine and Fenix's idea of 'puzzles' to know what kind of trap they would face if they did trigger one. The only problem was getting everyone else to agree. "I can lead us there, if everyone so chooses, but that doesn't mean we should be careless. Even the most prepared must also expect danger."

((I’m so sorry, but I’m really struggling to get into Hope’s character. Dx Skip me for this round, please.))

"Does everyone agree?" Alesha was hesitant, frantically glancing around the hallways as if some sort of sign would magically appear and tell her the right decision. The walls almost seemed to lean in, claustrophobia beginning to form within her as she ruffled out her feathers, eyes downcast with worry. Finally lifting her head, she opened her beak to reply, but then paused. Was it really worth the risk? What if she died? The finality of death scared her, but she slowly forced her mouth open.

"I agree," she stated, firmly. Her mind, her heart, her body was saying otherwise, sirens blaring in alarm in her head. Having lead such a protected life, filled with reverence and a cherishing parent, the Altaria had never once ventured across the lines nor had she ever felt any true danger. This was finally her chance, her chance experience the risks and deal with the devil, she was going to come.

"I can lead us there, if everyone so chooses, but that doesn't mean we should be careless. Even the most prepared must also expect danger." Alesha nods. "I would trust you most with leading, you know these halls the best." she glances down the black corridors, wondering what they would find within them. "Let's give it out best."

Drago nodded to Drecht's directions. There was no point in trying to convince the group otherwise, not that he wanted to. There was little else to do, and he rather liked everyone here. It would do him no harm to stay with them. Taking another glance at the group they had gathered, he nodded with satisfaction. All the others, the younger and smaller ones they had begun with, had left or been taken. He hated himself for letting that happen, but the group they had now was strong. He doubted they would run into anything they couldn't handle.

"I think we'll do okay." Drago said softly, drifting back to the rear. Nodding to the Absol, he gave his approval for continuing. Whatever was down here, it would be worth the risk, because he wouldn't let anyone die down here. They would all see the surface again, if it killed him. "Before we go..." He said, thinking of one additional need. "Does anyone have a way to mark this hallway, so we can get back here when we need to?" It wouldn't do to get all the way to the bottom, then not be able to find their way out. It'd be a pain to knock his way though the building again.

Drecht waited as everyone else seemed to agree to his suggestion, already getting in line in some cases. The golden salamence was glad that at least now they were going to make some headway, right into the core of this labrynthian fortress. His mind and eyes open, ready to memorize their trek, he was eager to see the depths of this mysterious lab and what it held. If only a little giddy, he glanced back at Drago's query with a grin. "And leave evidence for others to follow? Maybe. But perhaps the trail will be memorable enough for us to not need such breadcrumbs."

He looked back to Anya, same mischievious grin on his scaled lips. "Shall we, then, Milady?"

Everyone seemed to be in agreement that Anya should lead and that suited the horned feline just fine. She didn't know these hallways as well as they thought she did, but she knew how to keep them out of trouble if they ran into it. Drago made mention of leaving a trail for them to follow but the Absol wasn't sure how well thought out that idea was. Yes, it would make it easier on them, but it would also make it easier on anything that stumbled across them. "And leave evidence for others to follow? Maybe. But perhaps the trail will be memorable enough for us to not need such breadcrumbs." And it seemed Drecht was of the same mindset.

"If it puts your mind at ease, Drago, I can assure you that we won't get turned around. While this place is somewhat maze-like you will know if we went the wrong way or have been there before by whatever trap we set off upon crossing it." Her overly analytical approach to that might have sounded a little cold, but she was just trying to be truthful with the shiny dragon. He needn't worry himself too much, she could get them to where they wanted to be. "If they were all set then we should get moving."

Anastasia took a look around the passage they were in before heading down the hallway, keeping herself a fair distance ahead of Drecht's flame so it wouldn't interfere with her night vision. His light made it actually more difficult for her eyes to adjust to the darkness, and it was better if she was leading further ahead so the others wouldn't trigger a trap unknowingly. As they reached a four way intersection the feline paused, eying the walls and floors carefully. She motioned for the others to hold their place while she padded towards each turn, finally finding what she sought. "Come," she said firmly, paw pointing to the ceiling. "That...is Mewtwo." There was a small tile in the ceiling about the size of her paw depicting a strange feline-like creature with a serious scowl. "He's a good sign. Keep an eye out for more of him." Ignoring any of the stares or comments she kept pushing down the hallway she had deemed 'safe' and kept making their groups way deeper into the labyrinth that ran beneath Cinnabar Island.

[OOC: Skip me this round, Alesha just began to follow and that's it. |D]

Drago nodded at the others' concerns. They made sense, he supposed. Although, the thought of being lost down here still worried him, though not as much. Stretching his wings, he followed Anastasia to the nearest intersection. When she gestured to the cieling, he looked up slightly confused. The tile she seemed to be indicating was decorated with a strange shape, a scowling feline with an odd body. That thing is Mewtwo? Interesting. Memorizing what it looked like, he made sure he would be ready to identify it in the future. Now, all he had to find out was what Moltres looked like... Oi, there were far too many legendaries for him to keep track of... He liked it better when he only knew the one. Sighing, he followed Anastasia farther into the hallway.

"If it puts your mind at ease, Drago, I can assure you that we won't get turned around. While this place is somewhat maze-like you will know if we went the wrong way or have been there before by whatever trap we set off upon crossing it."

Anya's curt yet informative reply once more sought to impress Drecht. This was the sort of person that should have survived this hell for so long-- no-nonsense, intelligent, and he could only guess her power. From the brief mentions of her past, it seemed that she was a competent enough battler. Her knowledge of not only this island but this fortress was proving the absol to be an invaluable partner, and Drecht made a note in his mind to keep her at his side. While many pokemon had come and gone already, this one needed to stay. He lit his flame and followed her, mind chattering on others' usefulness.

Things were silent for a time, something not unwelcome to the golden dragon's ears. He enjoyed the companionable silence, whereas others may mistake it for tension. His mind roamed, enjoying the details of the labyrinth they now trekked, until Anya spoke, breaking his concentration. "Come," she said firmly, paw pointing to the ceiling, drawing the dragon's attention. "That...is Mewtwo." Following her clawed paw, his golden gaze captured a small tile on the ceiling, a strange large-headed feline creature sporting a scowl to rival his own. That was a Legend? How... odd. "He's a good sign. Keep an eye out for more of him." Drecht could only nod as they continued, confused as to how such a strange creature could be considered "Legendary". The world was made of strange types indeed.

As the feline moved deeper and deeper into the tunnels she began to notice it getting warmer. It was likely the path they were on ran near the volcano, which would be a sign that they were close to the Fire Gym Leader's old Lab. Blaine loved that volcano, and with his typing preference and scientific background an active volcano was also a good source for unlimited energy. It was entirely possible that the lab still had power. What an odd thought...a building with power in this day.

Keeping her eyes open Anya spotted another Mewtwo and two Moltres tiles along the way. But as she turned to point out one of the flaming bird's motifs she noticed something was off. "Excuse me but...did anyone see where Hope wandered off too? If she got separated who knows what she might walk in to." She eyed the dragons in her company and let out a heavy sigh, not overly confident that any of them had seen the female leave. "Anyone?" She was elected to be their guide, not their babysitter, she couldn't track their route and make sure everyone was following like they were supposed to.

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Stone scraping metal echoed in the relatively silent room. The only other sound was the soft humming of the fluorescent lights overhead and the occasional creak that came from a chair being inappropriately used. It was leaned back in a full tilt, back resting on a desk with two front legs fully in the air. Two long, toned legs sat propped up on the desk opposite the chair, occasionally using the desk as an anchor to rock the chair back and forth. The scraping sound continued as a hand smoothly moves a whetstone across a curved dagger, sharpening the already deadly weapon. As the blade is held up for inspection it reflects the firey orange eyes of its wielder, an almost feral grin spreading across their face as the blade is then flung expertly to embed into a bookcase on the far wall. 'Yes. That will do nicely.'

Fenix lowered her legs in a quick swing that caused her chair to slam to the ground with a resounding bang, the metallic echo easily able to travel down the halls. Walking over she puled the blade from its target and tucked it in its sheath behind her back. Fenix had been hearing voices for the last few hours from down that way and had been preparing for 'visitors'. Looking around at her Grandfather's lab the female had set up quite the ingenious trap should her guests prove hostile. Calling for Pompeii to return to her Pokeball she tucked the shrunken capsule onto her belt and sat down crossed-legged on one of the desks. Her eyes stared at the door, watching carefully for any signs of life, or lack-there-of, while her hands twitched. She was anticipating a fight...

"Don't disappoint me."

[OOC: Skip please, not really sure what to write. ^^; Might put Alesha in inactive at a future date.]

Drago followed the others farther into the tunnels, allowing Anya to take the lead. Raising his arm to his forhead, he wiped away the small bit of sweat that had begun to gather. No doubt about it, it was getting hotter the farther in they went. Did this basement go under the volcano itself? Pulling his wings in closer, he watched the walls as if just tapping them would bring them down around him, spreading lava among the group. Shaking his head, he continued walking. Who the hell designs a tunnel system this close to a volcano? No wonder these fools got buried...

Along the way, Drago noticed another tile with the Mewtwo symbol on it, as well as two extras with a shape that Drago didn't recognize. However, since they continued to follow that path, Drago assumed that the strangely shaped bird was the one called Moltres. Anya stopped suddenly however, asking about Hope, the three-headed dragon. Spinning around, he shook his head. "I haven't seen her." Shit. He had lost another one? What worried him more, however, was something else. "If she happened to trip a trap in another room, could it affect our route?" It could possibly get even more dangerous down here if it could.

They walked in silence for some time, Drecht quickly losing track of the duration of their journey as his eyes scanned every crevice they could find. It seemed now, with Anya in the place of guide, that they would be on smoother sailing from this point in. However, things began to turn sour when another of their company simply vanished. "Excuse me but...did anyone see where Hope wandered off too? If she got separated who knows what she might walk in to." Drecht paused in his duty of light-bearer to stop his flame and look around, not spotting the large, brutish dragon. "Anyone?"

"I haven't seen her," was Drago's answer, and Drecht could only agree. "If she happened to trip a trap in another room, could it affect our route?" While losing Hope was indeed a loss, as Drecht knew her species' power firsthand, he wasn't worried for her well-being. She was a picture-perfect specimen to further survive the apocalypse. However, the thought of her springing a trap and effectively ruining their own path was a little disturbing. Nonetheless, before either could keep speaking, Drecht heard a clack! echo through the halls. He hissed in a bid for silence, turning his golden head to the others.

"Did no one else hear that?" It had sounded somewhat similar to a trap being sprung, but it was from their direction, not in the distance. Unnervingly close. "...We may have trouble ahead."

As the strange sounds came closer and closer down the hallway Fenix felt herself smiling. While the wait was driving the human female absolutely mad she still knew she could look forward to a challenge. There were several coming her way, the translator around her neck picking up at least three distinct voices. And from the sound of it they weren't small fry. She had already made the decision to use her grandfather's traps to halt them, but should they prove more hostile than that her fists were itching for a fight.

Looking down her eyes caught the glint of the Everstone around her wrist. It had been Anubis's collar when he was a Riolu. She had found it in the rubble of her burial site when she had risen along with the tattered bit of her old traveling scarf now hanging at her waist. Her babies...her beloved Pokemon...they were gone. The only one she had left was Pompeii. While she knew she had trained her Pokemon well the likelihood that many of them had survived was slim and it broke her heart to think about it. That was why she had recalled Pompeii. She couldn't watch another one of her dearest companions die just to protect her.

_________________________

"I haven't seen her." Anya frowned at the negative from the blue dragon, the expression only deepening as Drecht agreed that she wasn't following anymore. "If she happened to trip a trap in another room, could it affect our route?" While she didn't think Blaine would block off the true path with a trap in the wrong one, if this was one of his labs it could be possible. "If someone who didn't know the way got lost there may be a trap that could block or destroy the correct path."

"Did no one else hear that?" Drecht inquired, causing the Absol to pause and listen in. "...We may have trouble ahead." Inclined to agree the feline turned back towards their former path. "I'm not sure, but what I do know is that if we start to backtrack now we may lose our way. We should get to the end first and then work our way back for her."

Without waiting for further agreement Anastasia pressed forward, tracking the tiles in the walls, floor and ceiling. When she found a triad of Mewtwo, Moltres and a depiction of the volcano she knew she had found the door. It was the same one she had passed through years ago with her Gym Leader. "Here! The door is concealed behind this wall. The tiles are supposed to be the lock." From what she remembered they had to be pressed in a certain order, but it was so long ago she wasn't sure she knew the order anymore. "We may have a problem...I don't know the key."

((The door is actually the trap Fenix activated, so no matter what anyone presses or does the trap will trigger. Anyone can feel free to activate it and next round I will have bad things happen. ^_^))

When the question arose asking if anyone had seen the Hydreigon or not, worry began to prick at the Altaria's feathers. Not exactly worry for the dragon, she barely even know her, but more so a concern for Alesha's own safety. "...We may have trouble ahead." The pretty bird frowned. Silently she kept following the others, until the stopped near several tiles. "Here! The door is concealed behind this wall. The tiles are supposed to be the lock." She perked up, excitedly looking about the room and examining the area.

"We may have a problem...I don't know the key." Alesha hummed, staring at the depiction of a volcano before her. "...We can try to guess the key, maybe?" she mumbled, now gazing at the Mewtwos. "I mean, we've gotta try something. We couldn't have come all the way here for nothing." Now she intently stared at the Moltres. "What would be the most logical order the tiles would have to be pressed? Maybe if we figure that out, we can crack the code."

"We may have a problem...I don't know the key."

Drecht halted behind Anastasia, his scowl deepening with her report. Well then, that would be a problem, wouldn't it? As his eyes scoured the strange, tiled door, the altaria behind them lended her own opinion on the matter. "...We can try to guess the key, maybe?" The sentence earned her a strange look from the golden salamence, confusion spreading on his face. She... did remember the Mr. Mime incedent, no? "I mean, we've gotta try something. We couldn't have come all the way here for nothing. What would be the most logical order the tiles would have to be pressed? Maybe if we figure that out, we can crack the code."

Drecht scoffed. "Are you dense?" he growled, his horned head facing Alesha. "With how Anastasia's been describing these traps and from our own experiences, it would be safe to assume that should any wrong passage be used, it's likely we won't get out." He turned back to the door, then looked to the absol. "Correct? It seems this 'Blaine' fellow didn't like to take chances, and you already stated that the traps would get more and more dangerous as we drew closer to the goal. Well, we're there now, by the looks of it, and this is the final obstacle. I'm very sure a cautious man such as he would not take a risk like second chances on an intruder."

He snorted, using his long neck to lean closer to the tiles, inspecting each one. Yes, these weren't pokemon he was very familiar with, as well as this "Blaine". Who knew what the key would be; if the pokemon that actually knew him didn't have a single clue, then how were they supposed to figure out a complete stranger's password-- on the first bloody try? It seemed more and more hopeless as Drecht stared at the door, and he eventually heaved a heavy sigh. "...We shouldn't touch this unless we have a sound plan... Too bad there's not someone to open it for us, eh?"

Fenix was getting bored with waiting. Obviously they weren't smart enough to get through the last barricade to where she hid, despite being able to make it all the way there without any help. She glared at the door, cracking her knuckles individually as she listened to them bicker outside. Her translator was hanging loosely from her neck and not currently in her ear so all she made out was alternating growls, but they didn't sound like they were getting along. Well, if they were too busy to solve the last riddle then they would have to pay for stalling her excitement. Smirking to herself Fenix reached behind her and pushed a small button underneath the desk she perched upon before returning to her former position.

"...We shouldn't touch this unless we have a sound plan... Too bad there's not someone to open it for us, eh?"

He had to go and say it. No sooner had the words left Drecht's mouth that a subtle click could be heard inside the wall and a distant rumble echoed in the tunnels. The heat that had steadily been growing on their way to the entrance now increased tenfold as the ceiling above them started to grow red then white hot. As the rock and metal started to melt drips of molten lava started to come through and scorched the ground beneath them before it too began to melt away. "Run!" Anya barely had time to get the warning out before a waterfall of lava started to pour copiously from the ceiling above where she had been standing.

In the panic to get out of the way of the scorching molten rock she hadn't heard the doorway open. Nor did the Absol see the figure standing behind the lava-fall, only noticeable when small globs of rock interrupted portions of flow. Fiery orange eyes smiled through the trap before closing and turning away, leaving the group to decide for themselves if they were coming inside or not. Assuming they could get past the lava of course.

"Are you dense?" Alesha huffed as she listened to the Salamence's words, frowning. "...We shouldn't touch this unless we have a sound plan... Too bad there's not someone to open it for us, eh?" Reluctantly, she nods, looking at the tiles. The Altaria perks up when she heard the slightest of clicks. "W-What was that?" she whispers. She looks up to the ceiling, intense heat coming from it in waves. "Run!" As the lava began to drip down, the bird lets out a shrill shriek stumbling backwards in panic and hitting a wall.

"You've got to be kidding me!" she cries, only barely evading the lava. She ducks away from the thick liquid, attempting to get out of the room. She grit her beak as the molten lava burnt her talons, trying to refrain from jumping or flying in fear that her head may be consumed by the flow. Narrowly dodging another stream, she stumbles out of the room, looking back once. She narrows her eyes to quickly see if anyone is inside, only barely catching a glimpse of the opened doorway.

"Wait a sec..." she mumbled, backing away from the lava that began to trail her into the corridor. "Did--w-wait, d-did the door just open?!"

Drago humphed softly as Drecht chastised Alesha. Something about this didn't make sense to him. The way the man who designed this place had been described to her, it seemed unlikely he would risk the entrance to his personal lab to a simple code. Maybe there was a separate riddle to this thing? He was about to voice his opinion, when Anya shouted out. A hissing sound as the lava hit the ground was the only other warning he had before he pushed himself backwards, skidding to a stop a ways behind where he had stood. Lava?! What the hell was this guy intending to protect down here? Looking to the others, he sighed when it appeared they'd all made it away from the lava. That stuff would probably kill any of them if they got too close.

Looking again at the others, he tried to come up with a plan. Alesha's voice caught his ears, however, and he stopped, eyes wide. If she was right, and the door had indeed opened... "Does anyone have a way through that lava? Maybe there's a way to stop it falling from the other side?" It could be their only chance, or they would have to turn around now. And Drago hated giving up, especially after having come so far.