As the team roused from their uneasy slumber, the cavern appeared even more suffocating, though their eyes gradually adjusted to the darkness. Pressing onward through the labyrinthine passages, it felt like an eternity until the path ahead gradually grew more discernible. With each step, their vigour returned, propelling them forward with renewed purpose.

After what seemed like an eternity, they finally emerged into a wider chamber, an exit from the subterranean passage they had traversed. Coincidentally, this passage led them to the rear of yet another waterfall, although this one cascaded gently, almost in a tranquil rhythm.

Cautiously, the team ventured out of the cave's depths through the vail of water, their eyes squinting against the sudden onslaught of sunlight. And what they beheld left them spellbound.

Birdsong filled the air, a hauntingly beautiful melody that contrasted starkly with their recent ordeal. The fragrant perfume of fruit trees wafted towards them, a stark contrast to the damp, stale air of the cave. Tears welled up as their senses were overwhelmed by this unexpected oasis. Beneath the fruit-laden branches, small pools of steaming water formed a cascading pool which delicately embraced the trees.

The surroundings were surreal, a wonderland of peace and beauty. Despite being at the peak of an ice-capped mountain where the air should have been frigid, the warmth enveloped them like a soft blanket. The sun shone brightly yet gently, casting a golden hue over the entire area. Delicate flowers of every imaginable colour bloomed around them, their petals shimmering with morning dew.

This unique environment existed due to a rare geothermal phenomenon. Deep beneath the mountain, volcanic activity warmed the earth, creating a microclimate that defied the icy exterior. The heat from the geothermal springs not only warmed the air but also nourished the lush vegetation. This was a marvel, an ecosystem sustained by the delicate balance of natural heat and the surrounding cold, almost like the ecosystem of the crater itself.

Without hesitation, they surged forward, plucking the ripe fruits and tossing them into the highest cascading pool. Stripped of their grimy attire, they cast themselves into the middle pool, surrendering to the soothing embrace of the warm water, waiting for the food to flow down to where they were.

Amidst mouthfuls of the succulent fruits, they relished this fleeting respite. Gratitude welled up within them for the wondrous revelation they had chanced upon.

Timmon turned his gaze towards the team with his mystery box in hand, his voice tinged with heartfelt gratitude. "I owe you more than words can say," he expressed, acknowledging the team's tireless efforts in their journey. "Thank you for helping to locate the source of water and food, the mission we were sent out to complete probably a week ago."

His voice broke, emotion overwhelming him as he continued, "Tobi pointed us here, even as he was being ripped and pecked to death by those birds. This place... it's a miracle. We've been through so much, and now we finally have what we need."

He looked around at his comrades, their faces etched with relief and joy. "I couldn't have done this without you all. Your courage, your determination, even Ben's sexually related banter—it saved us."

At that moment, the team felt a profound connection, not only to the serene paradise they had discovered but also to each other. They had endured unimaginable hardships, but now, in this extraordinary place, they found solace and hope. And for the first time in a long while, they truly relaxed, knowing they had accomplished their mission and found a sanctuary amidst the ice. But the lingering curiosity remained. Timmon hesitated before posing the question that gnawed at him, "Mr Major, Why? Why would you put your life on the line for me so many times in the past? You could have led the team, you could have done a better job, but you watched and gave advice and really protected us by being a rock wall mentally and physically. It made me insecure at times knowing that you deserved the position."

Mr Major's grin spoke volumes as he shared his simple reason with Timmon. The unyielding loyalty he showed to Tobi after he became a problem due to the poisoning by the egg slime which ignited a newfound respect within him. If it was anyone else, him included, he might have cut Tobi off a long time ago, but he didn't, and because of that decision, they managed to make it this far. If it wasn't for Tobi, they wouldn't be here.

We are no longer mere individuals; we have evolved into a collective of survivors who are willing to lay it all on the line for one another in this brutal dance of survival.

"Look, leading ain't about being some hero to the team or the powers that be," Mr Major's voice held a touch of casual wisdom. "It's about knowing you'd do the same for any of us. We're all players in this messed-up game of life, looking out for each other when things get dicey is the only way to make good use of life. And that's all that matters."

Amidst the treacherous beauty of their current haven, Team Uno couldn't help but find solace in their unity. Their laughter and banter echoed off the crater walls as they soaked in the steaming pools, the taste of the lush fruits mixing with their shared camaraderie.

Timmon, with a mixture of relief and something else, tried to mask his feelings as happiness and seized the opportunity to delve deeper into the connections forged between them. He turned to Mr Major and Ben, curiosity etching lines onto his face. "You know," he began, "now that we've been through all this together, it's only fair we know each other a bit more. What are your full names?"

Ben, once shrouded in mystery, hesitated before revealing his identity as Ben Quake Backas. A hint of a smile played at his lips as if amused by the irony of it all. Mr. Major, his name shrouded in a tale spun by his mother's playful wit, chuckled. "Mr. Major. A joke from my mom. She said her little boy would always be the man towering above all."

Timmon laughed, almost unable to keep it to himself. "Your first name is Mr.? That's so funny! Your mother must have been a fun woman to have as a mom." But he quickly regretted saying that after remembering the horror that his mother put him and his siblings through. After a moment of silence, he continued, "In my first life, I went by Timmon, and in my second, I went by Gestment."

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Ben gasped in surprise. "Are you the famous wanted rock scientist Colt Gestment?" he asked, but Timmon remained silent.

Mr. Major interjected, "I'm sure that surnames mean nothing anymore in this life. If and when we make it back to the settlement, many people might go by a first name or give themselves a new name."

Ben, with a playful grin, said, "In that case, call me Ben the Butcher. A man of God and a protector of life and science."

Timmon snorted. "Shut up, he who fucks butt. You play too much. If you get to change your name, then call me TG.

Ben rolled his eyes. "You are as boring as the rocks you study. GT would have been a better name, but to each their own. Let's just enjoy this slice of heaven."

Sitting in the steamy warmth of the pools, Ben's gaze shifted from his companions to the edge of the cliff. There, he spotted the very creatures that had claimed Tobi's life. An enigmatic expression crossed his features as he spoke, his words a blend of introspection and commentary. "You know, there's that old saying about dominion over the birds and fish. Those fiery flyers, yellow and green explosive birds? They all went quiet." The team shared a sombre silence, the memory of Tobi heavy in the air. Without needing to speak it, they all knew the name of those birds: Flame birds.

Timmon broke the silence, curiosity piqued. "And the others?" he inquired.

Without missing a beat, Ben began christening them with names, drawing more than a few amused reactions. "The wolf? Let's call it the S-Wolf, for its unique twists and turns when it moves. The Spunny, well, that's a no-brainer – a bunny and spider hybrid," he quipped. "And that slippery snake with the legs? Snider suits it just fine."

As their mirth subsided, the conversation turned to the remaining creatures. Ben's imagination flared once again, conjuring vivid appellations. "The tree with those gnarled, blood-thirsty roots? King Gorilla Blood Tree," he proclaimed. "And those green, scaly-eyed things we fought? Tobi called them Snakehead Gators, so let's stick with that."

Someone chimed in, "What about the alien bees?"

"No need to rename things that already have Earth names," another replied.

"The bats? We could call them Squalors. It's got a ring to it. And the bear? Horn Bear, though Timmon wasn't too fond of that one," he added, triggering another round of laughter.

Just when the mood was about to turn grim again, the goat bellowed, clearing their minds.

Mr. Major looked at the goat and asked, "What should we call this little guy?"

Timmon chuckled. "If we name him, we can't eat him."

Ben, with a mocking, serious expression, declared, "As a man of God and a protector of life and science, I can't let you kill that goat unless we're trapped and can't find food."

The goat playfully bellowed in disapproval of the conversation, which made the others laugh, curious if it understood them in some way.

After their playful conversation, Ben stepped out of the pool and casually walked over to the edge of the crater, where some rocks formed a shallow border. He gazed out over the sprawling canopy below, his thoughts weaving a new strand of revelation as he scanned the landscape.

With birds flying around over the forest, realization dawned on Ben as he pieced together the scene before him. "Look," he pointed out, excitement igniting in his voice, "that open field in the distance? That's gotta be our camp. It's practically in the middle of the crater." He waved the others over with renewed enthusiasm.

The other three hurried to join Ben, their curiosity piqued. The sight before them was breathtaking. A sliver of cold, high-altitude wind graced their bodies as the warm water of the pools assaulted them from behind. The clouds levelled out over the forest at the height of the mountain, forming the crater's rim. From their vantage point, they could see some areas in the crater wall with openings at the top, offering glimpses beyond, though the clouds obscured much of the view. To their right, they traced the path of the rooted river as it wound its way into the forest until it disappeared.

Timmon, awestruck, remarked, "This view is unreal. Alien!"

Ben, with a sarcastic grin, responded, "Give this man a cookie. The landscape is out of this world. Wow."

Timmon shot back, "I don't like you. I want you to know that."

Ben chuckled. "Okay, team leader. Let's focus on the gap in the middle of the forest. I really do think that's where we arrived. How long of a journey do you think it'll be?"

Mr. Major, not one to be outdone, sat at the edge of the crater and traced a rudimentary map in the dirt. His finger drew circles to represent the open patches within the canopy below.

Mr. Major said thoughtfully, "We can make a few estimates on how long it would take. If we can determine the distance to one of those potential resting spots, we could use them on our journey. If the gap in the forest is where the settlement is, it might take us about five days to get there."

Ben questioned, "Rest points?"

Mr. Major's voice blended practicality and strategy. "Look at it this way. If it takes one day to travel from the base of the wall to the first rest point, and we map a path using these points toward where the settlement might be, it would probably take five days in total."

Timmon's scepticism resonated among them. "So, let me get this straight. In just five days, can we get back to our arrival point? After what felt like an eternity to reach this hidden oasis, you're telling me we can zigzag our way back in no time? Are you pulling my leg, Mr. Major?"

Ben interjected with a shrug and a wry grin. "Well, Timmon's got a point. We didn't exactly set any land-speed records getting here. Between getting lost and tangling with the local wildlife, it's no wonder the trip felt longer."

Mr Major, exercising his pragmatism, chimed in with a hint of optimism. "Think about it, Timmon. This might just be the break we needed. We've got a bird's-eye view of the forest now. Look to the east. The mountains stretch out into the forest like tall pillars. If we stockpile food up here for the journey, it would really help us. It's safe to say the information about this place will benefit the settlement. If 2,995 people can't find food or hunt for it, they don't deserve to live. We managed to escape a lot of

Native animals and kill a few, but we never stuck around to eat. We need to focus on what we have up here: the fruits. This location is inaccessible to anything but the birds. If we have to pass the bears just to get some fruit, it's pointless."

Timmon's scepticism persisted. "Alright, sure, we've got a new route. But how the hell do we plan on getting past those deadly white horn bears blocking our way out? There's no way they're going to leave the path unguarded now that a threat has entered their den."

A touch of wry amusement laced Mr. Major's voice. "Well, we could always fly back to camp, right? Just jump off the cliff and ride the strong winds to the forest."

Timmon chuckled a hint of disbelief in his tone. "Yeah, right. And I suppose you've got wings tucked under that getup you're wearing?"

Ben's sarcasm cut through the air, a playful retort to Timmon's worries. "So, what's the plan then? Face off with the bears? Or cozy up here with fruits and, well, bird crap-water?"

Timmon's incredulous reaction was instantaneous. "Wait, what? You're serious?"

Mr Major joined in, his voice carrying a dose of dry humour. "Don't act surprised, Timmon. The bird droppings all over the place should've given you a hint. And those white horn bears? They only got riled up by the green bears, remember?"

Ben chimed in; his tone was contemplative. "True. And kudos to you, Mr Major, for that bright idea. But I've got a feeling, weird as it may sound, that we won't need to cross that icy peak to escape this crater."

Timmon's response was laced with frustration, his mind fixed on a different concern. "Who cares about those bears right now? Did you just say climb down? I'm not climbing down a fricking' mountain!"

Mr Major voiced a plan with resolve. "Let's work on a strategy to descend safely. Once we're ready, we can decide on the route."

Timmon's retort held a hint of resignation. "I already know you two will choose climbing. And since I'm leading this ragtag group, I'm gonna be right there with you, watching your backs with the mystery box in hand."

Ben's tone shifted to a lighter note. "Agreed. But for now, how about we soak up a bit more warmth in these pools? Let the heat and cold rejuvenate us along with that magic box you won't put down."

Timmon's resolve remained firm, his sights set on the task ahead. "Nope, no lounging around. We've got work to do. People are counting on us, and the sun's not gonna wait. We're here to gather data and samples, to bring something valuable back to humanity."

Amidst their preparations, Ben's curiosity broke the silence. "Seriously, though. How are these pools so damn hot up here, fed by a dormant volcano? Mountain melts are cold, but this... it defies logic."

Mr Major's response was pragmatic, his voice calm amidst the uncertainty. "Remember, we're on an alien planet. This volcano could be something entirely different. It might not follow our rules."

With their purpose solidified, they each turned to their tasks. Mr Major's fingers moved deftly, weaving ropes and baskets from vines and clay with practised ease. Ben focused on constructing vine ladders, an ingenious solution for scaling the crater's walls. Meanwhile, Timmon, ever resourceful, crafted his own basket to carry the supplies they would need for the journey ahead.