Pugly had been lying on the cavern floor with his head between his hooves but jumped to his feet when Midori and Cael stood and shook the water from his fur.
"May I accompany you, oh brightest star of the heavens?"
Midori scratched his head. "Of course, Pugly. We're all in this together."
Cael stood and led the way. Together, the three of them began exploring the vast cavern and underground lake.
"It's surprisingly warm here." Midori pulled at her wet clothing, wondering how long it would be before it chafed her thighs and become unbearably uncomfortable. "There must be a geothermal source raising the temperature so high."
Cael nodded in agreement. Reaching the shore, he immersed a hand in the lake. "It's even warmer over here."
"Cael, watch out!"
Tiny bioluminescent fish swam around his blue fingers, their tiny mouths nipping and exploring his skin.
Cael smiled. "It's okay. They're too small to really bite. It's ticklish, actually."
Pugly sniffed at the water and stuck in his snout, blowing bubbles. Midori dipped her fingers in as well and laughed as the light blue glowing fish kissed her skin over and over.
"Back on my planet, I've heard of spas where you can pay to put your hands and feet in pools and have fish eat off your dead skin. I bet it feels like this."
"People actually pay for this? On purpose?" Pugly pulled his snout from the water, his mouth hanging in shock.
Midori giggled. "I've never done it myself. It's something people with far more disposable income than I have might do for fun. Rich or not, I don't think I could ever waste money like that. We had little extra money growing up, so we learned quickly to save what we could and spend it on necessities."
Cael's smile pulled into a tight frown, and his face became serious once again as he pulled his hand from the water and stood. "We should keep moving. Perhaps we'll find an exit."
Pugly sniffed the air. His belly grumbled so loud it echoed in the cave. "Or perhaps we'll find sustenance. I hope."
Midori scratched his head between his ears, and Pugly wagged his long, shaggy tail. "Come along, Pugly. Let's see what we can find."
Cael guided them as they circled the lake. Midori's eyes traveled up the sparkling stone walls. They shimmered in the dim light caused by the bioluminescent creatures in the water. But the walls themselves also shone with light and life. The farther they traveled into the cavern, the more light filled the air from glowing green plants growing along the walls. Dots of blinking orange lights filled the air as they flew around and landed atop the cavern's ceiling.
"What are those things?" Midori wondered aloud.
"Oh glorious one, those are sun-drinkers," Pugly answered. "During the summer months, they live their lives atop the tallest trees, drinking in the sunshine and converting it into food. Once the snows begin, they make their way underground and lay their eggs. As the snow melts, a new generation of sun-drinkers will hatch and rise, oblivious to their deceased predecessors. It's very sad to think how short their lives are."
"Short but beautiful. Look at them. It's like we're in a fairyland."
One of the orange glowing insects landed atop her outstretched hand, fluttered its wings, and flew back to the cavern's ceiling. When her gaze returned to Cael, the look on his face was soft and thoughtful, and she wondered what he was thinking.
They continued walking along the cavern's edge and Pugly took the lead, his snout pointed up as he sniffed the air.
"Oh magnanimous one! I believe I have caught the aroma of some vegetative nourishment. Let us continue this way." Pugly trotted forward, excited by the prospect of food.
Midori had to admit she was excited as well. The dried food rations Cael had given her seemed forever ago. She didn't mention it because they had enough worries, but food was crucial. They wouldn't last long without it.
Pugly led the trio around a corner. A small stream led off from the lake, and they followed its path through a narrow passageway. Midori could nearly touch both walls. With Cael walking in front of her, his tail swishing back and forth along the cavern floor, it was impossible to see anything up ahead. But Pugly kept moving forward through the rocky passage, sniffing his way along.
Although Midori wasn't skilled in gardening, she knew growing food so deep underground should be impossible.But what do I know? Maybe things grow differently on alien planets.
The path turned a sharp corner, and Midori gasped at the incredible sight before her eyes. It opened to a grotto filled with an abundance of plants growing over the ground and up the chamber walls. The stream flowed into a pool, spilled over, and cascaded down a series of small waterfalls before disappearing into through a hole in the side of the cave.
"Look up there." Cael pointed to an opening in the ceiling at least thirty feet above their heads. "Sunlight must enter through there and reflect off the cave walls. Otherwise, these plants would never flourish in such a dark place."
Aha! I guess alien plants need sunlight to grow, too.
Midori examined the lush growth that Pugly had already attacked and was currently chomping. Thick pink and green leafed vines were growing everywhere. Round purple fruits studded the vines every few inches. They resembled plums, yet were melon-sized. Midori plucked one and sniffed the flesh. It smelled sweet, though she couldn't quite place the aroma. It was heavy in her hand, and the peel had the texture of a grapefruit.
