The journey to the tunnels was over before it even began. The trio stands in front of the entrance. From an old rusty chain Adit hung a danger zone sign. Swinging in the breeze and creaking it's answer to anyone who listens.
Trunks: *He grabbed the chain, giving it a firm yank. The rusty metal screeched in protest but held.* Alright… in we go.
Melody took point, her eyes adjusting to the dim light as she stepped into the narrow tunnel. Dust swirled in the air—undisturbed for decades. A vile cough erupted from Goten's side, as dust mites vested in his lungs.
Trunks: *He immediately clapped a hand on Goten's back, thumping him hard.* Breathe through your mouth, dummy!
Melody—already used to harsh environments—tied her scarf over her nose and mouth, then passed the others extra fabric from her pockets.
Goten: Thanks babe, *Goten said, as he excepted the fabric, his voice low and hoarse.*
Melody gave him a small, reassuring smile—one of the first normal expressions she'd shown since everything went wrong—but it's only noticeable within her eyes. Trunks watched them for a second, then shook his head with a quiet chuckle before tying his own scarf. The tunnel yawned ahead, dark and waiting.
Trunks: *He made a small energy lantern in the palm of his hand, a light most needed.* You two ready? *He asked as he looked at them from over his shoulder.*
Goten and Melody exchanged a glance, then nodded.
Goten: Let's do this.
Trunks lifted the lantern higher, casting golden light down the tunnel. The trio stepped forward—boots scuffing against gravel as they ventured deeper into Earth's belly.
Goten: So seeing how the laboratory lays beneath the hidden grove, you think Kami's heart would be within the laboratory? *Goten asked, making some small talk, his voice muffled due to the fabric closing his mouth and nose.*
Trunks: *He shook his head, voice also muffled by fabric.* Nah. The Heart of Kami was buried under the grove—not in the lab. Red Ribbon probably never even knew what it was.
Melody: *She added,* Dende said it's beneath sacred soil… so we gotta find a way through the tunnel and up to ground level.
Goten: Wait? You think it's underneath the laboratory? *Goten asked eyes wide.*
Trunks: *He paused, considering this for a moment.* Actually… yeah. That makes sense. The Red Ribbon probably buried it there to keep it hidden from other warriors, or perhaps simply to get it out of the way.
Melody: *Melody frowned.* But that means we'd have to dig through collapsed floors and rubble…
Goten: These tunnels are a labyrinth, meaning the laboratory would be nothing short of spectacular. How do we even find this ancient art-affact? *Goten asked, he even sounds smarter with his new and improved DNA stream.*
Trunks: *He smirked—proud of Goten's sharp thinking.* Simple. The lab had massive energy readings. If we follow residual ki trails, we'll find it.
Goten: *He closed his eyes for a second, then pointed down a side tunnel.* That way. It's faint… but it's there.