Following the sound of water once again, walking for what felt like hours, Timmon's hands and arms started to get sore from juggling the kid goat and the mysterious box in either hand. Why was he living life like this? Why did he take on another responsibility when he had the team to take care of. I made myself a goat dad for no reason. Timmon realized he needed a free hand. At least that way, he could alternate things from one hand to another.

`

Stopping abruptly, he tore makeshift strips of fabric from his shirt and pants, fashioning a leash for the goat, then tied it to his pants. It was a little odd at first that the goat was friendly and trusting for a wild animal, and from its reaction, it didn't mind its new restraint. Maybe because I saved its life from the snake, it's grown attached to me, or maybe it's playing the long game, and it's actually going to kill me in my sleep. Anyways, this little crafting stunt freed up one of his arms, and he hastened to bridge the distance that had grown between him and the rest of the team. They hadn't bothered to wait for him—so much for teamwork.

As the team continued their journey, they noticed the crater wall looming closer than they'd initially assumed; whenever they looked up, they could see the mountainous wall again through the gaps in the canopy. The dense forest around them seemed to shift and breathe, a living entity in its own right. Towering trees with gnarled, ancient trunks created a maze of shadows and light, their thick foliage forming an almost impenetrable barrier to the outside world. Vines draped from the branches like natural curtains, swaying gently in the breeze, while clusters of mushrooms and ferns carpeted the forest floor, adding vibrant splashes of green and brown.

Trailing behind, trying to close the gap without burning too much of his energy, Timmon remained ever vigilant of his surroundings. The cacophony of the forest was both a comfort and a warning. The distant roar of the waterfall provided a constant backdrop while the birds and insects filled the air with their ceaseless songs. Each step he took felt like a gamble, the forest floor a hidden tapestry of roots and rocks waiting to trip him up. Despite the fatigue gnawing at his limbs, there was a renewed vigour in his movements, a determination fuelled by their situation.

"Hey, wait up!" he called out, hoping his voice would carry over the rustling leaves and the distant calls of unseen creatures. He quickened his pace, the goat trotting obediently at his side, its small hooves barely making a sound on the forest floor.

As he moved, something peculiar caught his eye—a black flicker in the distance that made him do a double take. His heart quickened, and his senses sharpened. In this dense, untamed wilderness, anything could be a threat or an opportunity. He couldn't afford to let his guard down. After everything the team had been through, how could he not be cautious? This feeling he had felt before. It was nothing like the wolf's gaze. This gaze was of something all-encompassing.

Just ahead, the team was exiting the forest along a natural path into a clearing towards the crater wall, but off to his right was a dark mist where the flicker had come from among the trees. From where he stood, he couldn't tell if the mist was part of the shadows in that area of the forest or if the mist was the cause of the dark, shadow-like appearance.

Watching it closely as he slowly made his way to the forest's edge, Timmon felt the kid goat tug on its leash twice before giving up. He glanced back at the dark area of the forest, curiosity piquing his interest.

Timmon thought to himself, The smart thing to do is to hurry back to the team. On the other hand, the forest has never looked so peaceful or welcoming, and that black mist must have been some kind of light illusion. Are the leaves black in that area? If so, then why? I highly doubt that it's light and leaves, though. I wouldn't be going out of my way if I didn't want to see it. Why shouldn't I go?

Deciding to investigate, Timmon began to travel along the forest's edge, seeking a better look at the mist and hoping to understand its origins.

From his understanding, only a few things could cause black mist. Natural events like eruptions or fires, but that was more like ash and soot in the air, not mist. He didn't smell anything burnt where he was now. Maybe it was a biological factor, like bacteria, fungal spores, or pollen. But what if this mist had an unknown cause that was unexplainable? What if it was due to supernatural origins? Was investigating it alone the smartest thing to do?

He glanced over his shoulder. The gap between the forest and the mountain of a crater wall was much larger than when they had climbed the root river. In that area, the forest grew along the wall. Correction, the monster tree did.

Looking at the team in the distance, roughly 50 yards away, he noticed that the wall looked like it overlapped somehow. If he walked along the forest edge on his way to the mist, he would get a better angle of the strange formation happening to the steep-faced mountain before them all. Timmon was sure that the temperature in the area and the cool wind current coming from the mountain were due to a downward draft.

Focusing on the task at hand, Timmon once again felt the tugging of the leash as he approached the mist. In the blink of an eye, a wall of darkness was before him. The mist had rushed at him from the forest but stopped just short of making contact with his body.

Once again, Timmon was being reckless. It didn't make sense to ridicule himself when he knew better and didn't do better. He was the team leader for crying out loud, and yet here he was on his own. Breaking out in a cold sweat, he envisioned death for the 1600th time. Timmon tried to move but couldn't.

Meanwhile, in his peripheral vision, Timmon noticed his team reaching the overlapping section of the mountain. They seemed to be enjoying a cool, white mist as they walked into an opening path in the crater's wall. "Why aren't Ben or Mr. Major waiting for me or at least looking back in my direction? I'm going to die after coming this far," he thought, frustration and fear mixing in his mind. "I got a vacation, started renting the same container as G.T. I did the dash for a year. Got transported to a different world. Watched my teammates die, and now I'm going to be killed by mist? And not just any mist, black mist. Did this planet not hear about slavery? Then again it wasn't the white mist so maybe it heard."

The sound of gallons of water echoed loudly along the path of the gap in the wall, accompanied by cool winds. This was likely where a waterfall was located. But was it the same waterfall that Tobi saw? Was it the source of the water within the root river? Whatever it was, he had more pressing things to worry about, especially since he was about to die and the before-death montage had not started.

Paralyzed by fear and losing strength, Timmon's muscles exerted every bit of energy in hopes of moving. His entire body trembled as the cold seeped into his bones, making every effort feel like he was straining against an invisible barrier. He could only hope and pray his efforts didn't result in broken bones. The chill from seeing the mist clung to him, wrapping around him like icy fingers. As his awareness returned to the mist, all other sounds were cancelled out. The cool air from the wall's opening hugged his already cold body. Listening to the flow of his own blood within the void, his thoughts became incoherent.

In the mist, the world around him transformed into a twisted, surreal landscape. Shapes danced and flickered at the edges of his vision, barely discernible but undeniably there. The mist itself seemed alive, shifting and swirling with a malevolent intelligence. He could feel its icy tendrils probing at his mind, seeking to unravel his sanity.

Suddenly, an orange blur cut through the fog, moving with an unnatural fluidity. Timmon's heart pounded in his chest as he squinted, trying to make sense of the vision. Within the black was an even blacker shape that stood out, something like a horn. The shape loomed larger, its form shifting and writhing as if it were a living shadow. A sense of dread washed over him, an instinctual terror that gripped his very soul.

He tried again to move, but his body was still frozen, paralyzed by the sheer terror of the moment. His muscles strained and ached even more than before, every fibre screaming in agony as he fought against the invisible bonds holding him in place. He knew instinctively that if he touched the mist, it would lead to his death. His mind raced, desperately searching for a way out, but his body refused to obey.

Just as he thought he could take no more, a red marble-like object appeared within the blackness, its gleam penetrating the fog and locking onto his very soul. It pulsed with a sinister energy, filling him with a sense of impending doom. The sight of it felt like staring into the abyss, where death was a certainty more profound than anything the mist itself could convey. His vision blurred, the world around him becoming a haze of fear and confusion. The black mist retreated back into the forest as if the event hadn't happened. Even the goat beside him was so scared it nearly collapsed.

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Timmon's mind reeled, unable to process the horrors he had just witnessed. The mist had shown him something beyond comprehension, something that defied reality. His brain, in a desperate bid for survival, began to shut down the memory, locking it away in the deepest recesses of his consciousness. The terror was too great, too overwhelming to face head-on.

To cope, Timmon's brain locked the memory away, allowing him to move on as if nothing had happened. His breathing steadied, his muscles unclenched, and a strange calm settled over him. The rational part of his mind took control, pushing the traumatic experience into a hidden corner where it couldn't harm him. He glanced down at the goat, its eyes wide with terror, mirroring the fear he had just experienced. He noted the animal's distress but chose to ignore it, focusing instead on the path ahead.

"Come on, buddy. We've got to keep moving," Timmon muttered, patting the goat's head with a trembling hand. His voice sounded hollow, even to his own ears, but it was enough to spur him into action. He had to be strong and had to lead his team through this nightmare.

A crescendo of cascading water filled the air as the team drew closer to the location Tobi had indicated, where a waterfall awaited. Progressing along the wall's edge, they found themselves enveloped by a brisk and tangible cold breeze. A slender and lofty crevice materialized within the rocky façade, beckoning them onward. With cautious steps, Ben and Mr Major ventured through the opening just as Timmon and the kid goat ran to catch up with them.

"You okay, Timmon? you're covered in sweat." Ben asked as he approached, his voice laced with genuine worry.

Timmon nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, just got a bit... disoriented back there. This place is really something else." His words felt empty, a flimsy shield against the terror that still lingered in the back of his mind.

Mr Major gave him a scrutinizing look but said nothing, instead turning back to the path ahead. "We need to keep moving. The sound of the water is getting so loud we might not be able to hear each other without shouting."

After a few minutes of walking through the path, they started climbing down maybe 2 to 3 feet over some boulders as the path slowly widened into a spacious circular expanse.

Delicate mists swirled gracefully through the air, courtesy of the multitude of waterfalls cascading to the ground. The falls formed a gigantic C-shape, descending everywhere except at the entrance, creating an impression of countless streams converging into one grand spectacle. Massive boulders, crammed together with small gaps between them, formed the ground beneath. These gaps allowed water to pass through, yet the sheer volume kept a constant ankle-deep flow above the surface, resembling a shallow, shimmering lake atop the rocky terrain.

The scene was otherworldly. Mist floated, catching the light to make it seem as though the very air sparkled. The walls of the crater loomed high above, covered in lush vegetation clinging to every surface. Vines and mosses created a green tapestry, interrupted only by splashes of colour from wildflowers and the vibrant plumage of birds flitting about.

"Wow," Ben breathed, eyes wide. "Even the birds here look so normal compared to everything else."

Sunlight filtered into the open area, creating a radiant, rainbow-shaped dome above them and casting mesmerizing colours across the scene. Vibrant green vines growing among the boulders seemed to prevent erosion, holding the rocks in place and adding a touch of wild beauty to the rugged landscape. The air was thick with moisture, cool and refreshing, carrying the earthy scent of wet stone and foliage.

The crystal-clear, frigid water flowed with powerful grace, failing to carve paths through the stone and vine that made up its flat plunge pool. Its waters nourished the life thriving in this hidden sanctuary. The sound of the waterfalls, a constant roar, was both soothing and overwhelming, a reminder of nature's immense power and beauty.

Their initial excitement soon transformed into a blend of wonder and apprehension as they noticed a colossal chasm gaping in the floor. This chasm, more akin to a bottomless abyss, exuded an air of endless darkness and foreboding. The largest section of the waterfall fed directly into this abyss, its roaring waters disappearing into the depths below. A lip of vine growth around the mouth of the abyss prevented a strong current among the ankle-high water atop the boulders. It was only then they realized the boulders forming the floor were precariously hovering over a deep drop into what might be a dormant volcanic vein, or perhaps even deeper, to the centre of the planet.

In a mix of childish curiosity and scientific inquiry, they began to heave hefty sticks and stones into the abyss, watching as the objects vanished without a trace with a simple hint of male excitement. The sound of them hitting the bottom never returned, reinforcing the impression of an infinite void. The kid goat, sensing the danger of falling into the abyss, navigated the periphery of the chasm with uncharacteristic slow energy. It favoured the areas near the waterfalls, farthest from the abyss, carefully avoiding the dark chasm, its instincts likely warning it of the peril below.

Timmon stood at the edge of the abyss, his eyes fixed on the dark maw that seemed to swallow everything. The sight of it stirred a primal fear within him; a reminder of the dark things black, red, and orange were haunting him, but he had no idea why. A memory tried to resurface, but his mind, desperate to maintain its fragile grip on sanity, pushed it back down.

"Hey, Timmon, you okay?" Ben's voice cut through the roaring waterfall, bringing him back to the present. Timmon blinked, tearing his gaze away from the abyss to look at his teammate.

"Yeah, just... this place is something else, isn't it?" Timmon forced a smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. He glanced at the kid goat, noting its cautious movements. The animal's behaviour mirrored his own unease, but he chose to ignore it, focusing instead on the task at hand.

"We need to figure out what to do next," Mr. Major said, his voice carrying some weight as it struggled over the sound of the waterfalls. "This abyss... it could be dangerous, but it might also hold the answers we're looking for."

Timmon nodded, his grip tightening on the alien box. "Let's set up camp here for now. We can rest and then decide our next move."

Ben: You want us to camp here on the water? It's loud and cold around here. And let me not remind you, there is an abyss a few yards from us! This is an alien planet. I'm not camping here. At most, all I'll be doing is cleaning myself up. Washing my asshole and balls. Drinking some cold water and throwing what I can find into the hold. Speaking of which, I have just the thing.

However, Timmon couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. The forest, the mist, and now this abyss all seemed to harbour secrets waiting to be uncovered. He looked around, half-expecting to see a figure in one of the many shadows around them. But there was nothing, just the steady, reassuring sound of the waterfall.

Observing the goat's behaviour, Mr Major pondered if it was rooted in the goat's innate animal instincts why it would rather risk itself near the waterfall and not the abyss. The team's attention shifted when Ben retrieved three of the remaining five blood balls from his possessions. He knew keeping them any longer wasn't wise; if he fell, he would surely combust. Yet, another reason nagged at Ben, a childish sentiment that made him want to see what would happen when he threw them into the abyss. It was an irresistible urge like the instinctive impulse to toss a stone into a still pond.

As he launched the blood balls into the darkness, each one ignited in brilliant purple and red flames at a point they felt was about halfway down. The luminance of the blood balls diminished with each second of descent, the void swallowing up the light as if it held some unknown answer.

The cool air from the crevice, coupled with the roaring sound of the cascading water, created an almost otherworldly ambience. The shadows and light played tricks on their eyes, making the already surreal environment seem even more alien. Despite their fascination, an unsettling sensation lingered. It was as if they had yet to uncover the full scope of this mysterious and potentially dangerous environment, a place where the natural and the supernatural seemed to converge.

Timmon watched the last blood ball disappear, the darkness reclaiming its domain. "We need to stay vigilant," he said, his voice barely audible over the waterfall's roar. "This place is... more than it seems."

Ben huffed, shaking his head. "You're telling me. This whole planet is a freak show. But, hey, at least we got a good view, right?" He gestured to the waterfall, its beauty undeniable even in their dire situation.

Mr. Major stepped forward, his expression serious. "Timmon's right. We can't let our guard down. This place feels... alive, almost. Like it's listening to us."

The kid goat, still cautious, kept its distance from the abyss, its eyes wide and alert. It seemed to sense the tension in the air, mirroring the unease that had settled over the team.

Gazing into the abyss, Mr Major found himself being inexplicably drawn to the yawning darkness. Intently peering into its depths, the ambient sounds seemed to hush, leaving him immersed in a heightened state of awareness. Amid the stillness, another sensation emerged, faint yet undeniable. Beneath the symphony of rushing waters, it was as if the abyss itself was beckoning to him, its call resonating in his mind.

Timmon and Ben sat apart on a smooth boulder near the edge of one of the waterfalls. The roar of the nearby waterfalls drowned out any attempt at covert conversations. They were both weary, their bodies sore from days of relentless travel and danger lurking around every corner.

Timmon leaned back on his hands, looking up at the dome rainbow. "It's really fricking loud here, isn't it? Almost makes you forget everything out there."

Ben nodded, but his expression remained tense. "Yeah, almost."

Timmon sensed the tension and sighed. "Alright, Ben, out with it. I know you've got something to say."

Ben didn't hold back. "You know damn well what it is, Timmon. That goat stunt you pulled could have gotten us all killed. Mr Major and I had to risk our lives because of your decision."

Timmon's jaw tightened. "I did what I thought was best for the group. We needed that goat for potential food or leverage."

"And it nearly cost us everything," Ben shot back. "You talk about thinking for the group, but it was reckless. You're supposed to lead, not gamble with our lives."

Timmon's eyes narrowed. "And what about you? You put that dead bird first, for what? Some scientific curiosity? You were just as reckless."

Ben leaned forward, his frustration palpable. "Why bring this up again? We already went over this when you and Mr Major beat my ass. I did it for the discovery, yeah, but it led to the mud ball bomb that saved us. Sometimes being selfish can have benefits. You, on the other hand, took a risk that had no immediate or long term, payoff. It was unnecessary."

Timmon rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of Ben's words. "Look, I get it. I screwed up. But leading means making tough decisions, sometimes on the fly. Not all of them are going to be the right ones."

Ben sighed, his anger ebbing slightly. "Thats not a good enough answer but I know, you have to understand the consequences. We need to be smart about our risks. For the team."

Timmon nodded slowly. "You're right. We both need to be smarter. I promise to consider the group's safety more carefully. We need to get everyone back to the settlement in one piece."

A silence settled between them. Timmon tried to lighten the mood with a grin. "You know, if this whole survival thing doesn't work out, we could always start a spa business. Turning those mud bombs to bath bombs, fresh water, the occasional dangerous animal for excitement. Who doesn't love a good blood pumper?"

Ben chuckled despite himself. "Yeah, nothing like a brush with death and a pair of ruptured eardrums to really soothe the nerves."

Their laughter faded as a soft, subtle ringing reached their ears below the sound of the waterfall. They both frowned, feeling a wave of nausea. Timmon pressed a hand to his temple. "What the hell is that?"