Underwater Breathing & Superspeed!

Chapter 10: Underwater Breathing & Superspeed!

"Ah, hello there." Zen, who was surprised to see new people, waved when he saw that the group wasn't on guard against them.

"Hello, young man." The speedyman turned to see who just entered and greeted back by waving his hand when he saw Zen's friendly smile.

"Yo." the grumpy boy said, giving Zen one gaze and turning to look at the lake.

"Did you get the map?" Sabrina, who was still standing, asked Zen, who was holding far more than just a map.

"Yeah, I tried to hold as many things as I could so we could have something to eat or drink. I left the tents back there, though." He replied, continuing to walk till he was right next to the group before he dropped what he was holding and took out the map that was far too big for his pocket.

Sabrina sat down and Zen did the same, as the other two, who just came, approached the group. 

Zen straightened the map on the floor, and one of the newcomers sat down, intent to see what this was all about. The other, however, did not bother, his gaze still on the lake.

"I- I think I have an idea about this place." Lisa, who was clinging to Sabrina and Melissa now that her friend was gone, spoke, gaining the attention of the group.

"Eek." She buried herself on Sabrina's shoulder, as the gazes of 8 people were far too much for her weak heart to handle.

Sabrina glared at the group, warning them against doing such a thing again, and they just chuckled awkwardly.

"Continue, Lisa." Melissa, who was seizing up the speedy boy, asked, not turning her head. 

The man she was gaining interest in stared back at her, his confident face winking at her, making her giggle.

"Ah, um, I think... there might be something beneath the lake that would help us advance forward." She said her words, gaining the attention of the grumpy boy.

"What makes you say that?" Alex asked, curious about the idea that seemed somewhat right.

"She's right; look at the map." Zen replied in Lisa's place as he put his finger on what looked like the room they were in on the map.

"Ah, I see a path behind the wall." Max exclaimed.

"Yeah, that means Lisa is right." Alex added.

"We just need a swimmer to check the situation below the water." Zen nodded his head and said.

"If you guys need a swimmer, then Alexander here might be of great help." The speedy man, who just finished his flirting with Melissa, pointed with his hand towards the grumpy boy, who came closer to take a look at the map.

"Oh, we've got another Alex in the group, it seems." Melissa put her hand on her mouth as she spoke.

"You guys didn't introduce yourselves, what are your names and traits?" Sabrina asked.

"Call me speed; I have the superspeed trait, after all!" the dashing man replied with a wide smile that was directed towards Melissa.

"That guy has the water breathing trait." He added, knowing that Alexander wouldn't bother replying.

And right he was. "Tsk." was all the boy did as a reaction.

"What do you say you check the situation for us?" Zen looked at Alexander and asked.

"Hey bastard, don't order me around. I was going to do it anyway; damnit, now I don't feel like it." Alexander cussed and cussed before he whispered under his breath, walking towards the lake.

As Zen and the group looked at him, he jumped in the lake, disappearing for a good 5 minutes before reappearing.

"FUCK! It's deep!" He cursed as his head pierced through the tension in the water and then he got back, not waiting for the reactions of the others.

"Don't mind him; he acts haughty, but he's a good lad." Speed addressed Zen.

"I don't mind." Zen replied with a smile. He had enough experience dealing with spoiled brats, he knew what he had to do.

*Drrrrrrum*

The earth vibrated and the water split, as from the lake a bridge of sorts appeared, leading all the way to the exit.

Alexander was riding the bridge as it ascended, feeling good about himself.

"Indeed, water is the best!" He shouted to the sky, not caring about the group that was looking at him.

"Well, that was fast." Max expressed, speaking on behalf of the group.

It took 10 minutes for Alexander to summon the bridge the second time, but it was fast for the group nonetheless.

"Let's move." Sabrina walked forward with Zen, Melissa, and Lisa next to her.

The group heard her words and followed her, equipment in hand, with Speed going through the trouble of approaching Melissa, who happily welcomed him.

The group traversed the bridge and appeared on the other side, mostly silent, with Melissa and Speed, Alex and Dali, Sabrina, and Lisa whispering amongst themselves.

Alexander was standing on the edge of the door, which opened when he pulled the lever down on the lake, waiting for the group to arrive.

"So how do you guys travel around this place without dying like those 3 guys who were with us?" He asked impolitely.

"Zen leads the way; he has a useful trait for that." Was all he heard as a response from Alex, who was getting annoyed by the brat.

"I see." Alexander replied, seizing Zen up.

"Well, at least I won't have to be dragged around by that bastard." he added.

Zen, not minding him, passed through the door and saw that the path had two turns, one of which he guessed was once again a chest turn, and the other was where they were supposed to go.

With the group following closely behind him, he skillfully evaded the traps and turned to look at the chest. The second he saw it, he raised one hand to stop the group, his face gloomy.

"It's a trap."

-----End-----