The Island of Many Fates

Artemis shrugged. "So does our Exalted Leader," he whispered, so neither Kasam nor Kryoni could hear him.

Axelle giggled, accompanied by Vivienne. The former stopped almost immediately and pulled her lips into a thin smile. The latter simply grinned.

Smirking, Artemis poked Axelle in the ribs. "Why so serious?" he asked innocently.

Axelle blushed. "I don't know."

"Artemis, Axelle's already got enough bruises on her chest from your face without you adding your finger to the problem," Kasam called. "You should really try to control yourself."

They set out across the sand pit for the cave in the center. Kasam glanced at Richard. "Cheer up. There might be plants underground. Who knows, you may get a carnivorous flower to play with."

They spiraled inwards across the sands. If anything lived underneath them, it made no sign of showing itself. Finally, they stood at the mouth of the cave. Kasam muttered a few words under his breath and his hand started to glow. He descended into the darkness.

Kryoni muttered something that sounded like "oh, not again."

Artemis stretched his arms out. They were about to descend into another cave, possibly flourishing with creatures filled with murderous intentions, he had done some pretty stupid things, but nothing really bad had come of it; he felt like murdering Kasam. Life was good.
He grabbed Axelle's arm and pulled her forward, filled with happily morbid thoughts.

You have serious problems.
What?
You have mood swings, you actually think she'll pay attention...geez, you talks to yourself in your head!
Yeah, but I'm getting better.
Yeah, right.
Hey, at least I don't talk to myself out loud.
Touché.

Artemis's eyes flickered as he pushed past Kryoni with Axelle in tow.

Axelle let out a soft grunt as Artemis pulled her forward, but she walked obligingly as he did. Vivienne smiled and looked at David.

"This should be fun." She said.

Artemis overheard Vivienne. "Hey, get your own lines," he called back to her.
He turned to Axelle. "This should be fun."

"Indeed. Deep, underground, dark, damp. What fun?"

David stared at her for a second, then smiled. "I just hope we find what we're looking for, fast."

Vivienne giggled. "Mmm, me as well!" She replied, flipping her hair over her shoulder and smiling warmly. "It smells kind of musky in here. Hm."

They descended into the gloom, footsteps echoing on the dry stone. The cave spiraled downwards, the floor gradually taking shape as stairs. As they went further down, the walls started to become damper and damper, trickling from cracks in the walls down to run by their feet. Eventually, the spiraling stone staircase came out into a wide cavern, about twenty feet tall and several hundred feet long. The walls were thick with creepers, and from the ceiling hung vines dripping with moisture. The water was absorbed into the moss that covered the floor, which never seemed to grow more than damp. On the other side was a door, in front of which lay a huge grassy lump.

"Told you so," Kasam said to David.

Vivienne stuck her tongue out and scrunched her nose up in heavily dramatized fake disgust.

"Eww." She said, jokingly.

Axelle stepped closer to Artemis.

"Can't have you getting frightened, now can we?" She asked, nudging him in a joking manner.

Artemis stared at Axelle. "I fear nothing."
He then thought a while. "Oh..I..."
"No, that'd be bad. What about you?" he sniggered.

Axelle grinned. "I'm not scared." She said, sticking her tongue out. "After all, I'm a pirate princess." She winked and looked ahead again.

Artemis stared after Axelle for a few moments, a foolish look on his face. Then he ran after her. "H-hey, wait! I'm...uh...afraid of the dark!"

"Thought you weren't scared of anything." Axelle teased. "Hmm, okay. I'll keep you safe." She giggled.

"Oh, I just said that because I want you to keep me...safe..." Artemis said, smirking.

"Pff. I bet you are afraid, just don't want to admit it." Axelle replied, grinning.

"Oh, of course I am," Artemis grinned. "That's the ONLY reason."

Axelle smirked. "I knew it!" She said, stifling a laugh. However, something in the distance made a sound, and she jumped behind him. "Eep!"

Artemis spun, grinning. "You look cute when you squeal in fear," he whispered. "And I am not afraid of anything, actually." Artemis made a "^_^" face.

Axelle flushed. "Neeeh, shaddup."

Vivienne made a face and leaned over to David. "I think they should just kiss already. A serious kiss, I mean."

She's so pretty...

Artemis hugged Axelle sporadically and impulsively, then jumped back.
"Um...um..."
He stared around, eyes wild. "Kasam didn't see that, did he?"

Aww, he's so cute and insecuuure!

"Uhh, no I don't think so." Axelle whispered as she grinned. "Act natural!"

Artemis sighed in relief. "Good." He glanced at Axelle, expecting her to look repulsed.