42 Gems (1/2)

It was already the fifth day of the test and the second day since Ling and Maga went missing. Or fell down the gorge as what was assumed by Rin and the others.

They still did not send a signal to the village about the incident. According to Rin, there was nobody in the village who could help look for the two anyway with how deep the hole was and how the lava would be a hindrance. Nobody could also fly them back up after finding them. It was better to wait for Maga to fly out itself together with Ling.

However, two days of waiting for good news was terrible for the four children. Still, they decided to stay in the cave to wait for their friends, not losing any hope. At least until the next day since they would have to start their trip back to the village for the test's end. It would take almost a day to travel back, especially while carrying their game.

”I'll stay until they came back.”

Yabang just got back from hunting with Lino and Tang'ga. As usual, the two were slow since they were arguing again so Yabang reached the cave first. He knew Rin was inside since the other actually hadn't left to wait for his two friends.

Before Yabang could say anything, Rin spoke again while staring at Yabang's eyes, ”You guys should go back to explain what happened. Aunt Mahina and Uncle Bobo would be worried if Ling didn't return without any explanation from us.”

Rin's eyes was unclouded with any other feeling except for determination. It looked like Yabang would not be able to change his mind.

”I understand. Are you sure you'll be okay alone? At least I could have Lino or even me accompany you. We don't need the three of us to explain the situation back to the people in the village.”

Rin was already shaking his head before Yabang finished speaking. ”I can take care of myself.”

”Okay.” After hearing his desired answer, Rin started to prepare their lunch.

Seeing that the other child was now done speaking to him, Yabang voiced his current thoughts, ”You do know that he won't let you accompany him once Maga was exiled from the village, right?”

Rin turned to Yabang when he heard the question. He smiled but it could be seen in his beautiful face that it was not of happiness. ”Of course. It's why I spend my time with them now.” What wasn't said was how long he had left with the two especially with them missing now.

”Should we join them?” The question was not answered since the two heard voices arguing from the entrance of the cave.

___

Going back to two days ago when Ling and Maga fell because of the earthquake. The wind was rushing in Ling's ears. He didn't know if the screaming he was hearing was from him or the whistling wind as they fell.

Same as the others, Ling and Maga were slightly surprised by the earthquake. They knew that the rock slab they were standing at was not on stable ground so they remained unmoving to not add any more shock on the rock.

Unfortunately, the earthquake was strong enough without their help to break the rock. Before they could get to a safer foothold, the rock already fell together with them.

What was worse was that a rock that broke of from the bigger one managed to hit a part of Maga's wing, making it unable to fly out after the shock. Ling was worried about his friend but he could not ask it with how they were still falling and the dark hole was making him unable to check his friend's status with his eyes.