Once the first bunch of Netherward citizens accepted me, it didn’t take long for them to start showing me everything around town. Proudly they walked past houses, churches, bars, and even some sacrificial altars explaining who built them and why.

“That’s Tam’s church to the holy trifecta over there.” Vonkie explained. “Services every Thursday if you care to join us.”

“That’s the courtyard where we post all our bulletins.” Hello stated. “You can find out about all our game nights.”

“Don’t forget to stop by the Silent Minstrel from time to time!” Bonesong chirped. “Karaoke happens to be one of our favorite pastimes. I’ll admit some of it is while drunk but it’s always a laugh.”

Soon we were outside of the main area where only small houses lingered. Flat plains stretched out as far as the eye could see. The sand under our feet began to sink down as we walked, no longer hard packed from many feet. The citizens around me began to whisper among themselves, no longer trying to tell me anything. I stifled a small smile when I noticed one of them point towards the horizon. There’s only one house out here that they would be so keen on showing me, though I don’t know if it’s just the house. Quickly it seemed to rise out of the dirt, the dark bricks outlined against the setting sun. Above it floated a sign with the letters ‘HG’. Some of the citizens began to retreat towards town, leaving only 3 by my side.

Bonesong called out once we reached the house. “Texasparrow are you in there? We’ve got a newbie!”

The house suddenly came alive with a clatter. The lights flipped on and footsteps filled the air. “One second!” The door shook as Texasparrow tried to force it open. Finally it swung inwards to reveal him. He was dressed in a labcoat and his light brown hair looked singed at the edges. “Oh hello.” He smiled softly. “Welcome to the Hell’s Gate Tour Company.”

“Hello.” I replied. “Seems like you’ve been a bit busy.”

“We were hoping you’d take us down to the actual Hell’s Gate.” Hello said.

Texas, who had opened his mouth to say something to me, quickly shut it and nodded. “Sure. Just give me a second. Come wait inside and I’ll be right back.” He turned and darted back into his booth, leaving me with the others once again. Seconds later he reappeared in a black suit-like outfit. “This way.”

We followed him to a locked door at the back of the building. Texas swiftly opened it and waited for all of us to go through before following. “Before we enter the caves let me go over a few rules. Don’t wander too far unless you’d like to join our undead regime early. Don’t take anything. If you’re falling behind shout out. Lastly, watch your step. There’s quite a few dangerous falls in here and I have no desire to piece skeletons back together today.” With the last comment he glared at Bonesong.

“Hey that wasn’t my fault!” the lich defended. “I didn’t know sand could be so slick.”

Texas shakes his head and looks back at me. “I want you to stay close to me. Everyone else has done this at least once before so they know the general layout.”

It took everything in me not to laugh and tell him I already knew the path and could do it blindfolded. I’d never taken the time to go all the way down to Hell’s Gate myself but the path was easy enough. “Lead the way then.”

He nodded and descended into the dark caves. None of us had lights with us, but every once in a while Texas would step on a patch of ore that would dimly light up our surroundings. The caves themselves were quite large. A bat or two would fly by once in a while and disappear into the darkness once again. Behind me I could hear the others slipping on the gravel or cursing when they slammed their foot into a rock. Texas made no indication of slowing his pace though as he reached a cliffside and jumped down. “Don’t step to the left or right when you land. Keep moving forward!” He called back up.

I watched as the others leaped off the edge. Someone suddenly shouted from below followed by a shriek. I looked over the edge to see Bonesong topple into a pool of lava. The others looked on with shocked faces while Texas only sighed. “I’ll go get him.” He said. “Wait right here.” As soon as he finished speaking he was enveloped in mist and disappeared back to the world above.

“Come on Hawk!” Hello said. “You’ll be fine.”

Without hesitation I jumped down, running forward out of danger. Hello stopped me and looked at the pool where Bonesong disappeared.

“We don’t ever truly die. If we end up in dangerous situations like that we get mysteriously teleported to a safe place. None of us have ever really figured out why, but it’s useful. Just to keep you from worrying.” Exeroth spoke up for the first time. He sounded vaguely like Texas but it was softer. Exeroth or Ex for short often could be found helping to run the many events the district put together. Some wondered how he had so much time for it all without snapping over time. No one questioned him though, not wanting to upset him. Rumors always spun around about his attire. He always had his mouth covered and draped the skin of some animal across his back. Some said he was lost in the Nether and killed it with his bare hands and skinned it as a prize. Others thought it was just a family heirloom. The crazies proclaimed it was a gift after he sold his soul away. Whatever the reason, it reminded the others he was much more dangerous than he looked. He was watching the ledge where we all came from waiting for Texas to return with Bonesong. “Tex is so going to beat Bone for that one.”

Within a few minutes the two returned and we continued down the caves. As we kept going the walls seemed to close in on us until we reached a small opening. “Through here is Hell’s Gate.” Texas said. “I’ll warn you again to be careful. It’s going to get really hot.” With that he jumped through. The rest of us followed close behind, landing in a pile of sand below the drop.

“Welcome to Hell’s Gate.” Texas announced.

We had entered a large cavern, bright as daylight itself. The light came from the waterfalls of lava cascading down the walls. It was so hot inside that it felt like my skin would melt right off. Only the other side of the cavern was absent of the scorching liquid. Texas carefully walked up to the edge of the lava where a path small as spider silk lead through the danger. He turned back to us, a smirk stretched across his face. The lava lit up his brown locks, the scorch marks like embers in a flame. “Anyone dare to cross Hell’s Gate?” He challenged.

The rest of the citizens shuffled their feet, looking away.

Texas looked over all of them before his gaze rested on mine. His ice blue eyes almost seemed to flash red for a brief moment. “Will you dare?” He asks, holding a hand out towards me.

Slowly a smile crept it’s way onto my face. This was my turf and he didn’t even know it. I could sense the movement of the lava behind him, feeling where the safe spots were. “Of course.” I replied, taking his hand.

He pulled me to my feet and stepped aside. “Ladies first.” Texas bowed to me and chuckled.

Taking a deep breath I looked at the path before me. It had to be no more than 30 feet to the other side. The lava flowed on both sides and down holes to death below. Every few seconds small flames would erupt sending embers onto the path. I looked back at the others for a second, studying their faces in the lava’s light before nimbly stepping onto the path. With careful footing I walked between the lava threatening to pull me in from either side. Seconds stretched into minutes as I crossed, the only sound from the bubbling death around me. All too soon though the path ended and I jumped onto the cavern floor on the other side. The others watched me with wide eyes except for Texas who was still smiling. “Good job newbie.” He said and bounded across the path to my side. “Come on everyone! If the newbie can do it you can too.” He taunted

Slowly but surely the other 3 crossed to our side of the lava. Exeroth accidentally got too close to the lava and set his shoe on fire but after running to our side he was fine other than a singed shoe.

“So we need to be heading back now.” Texas said once we had all regrouped. “There’s the short way or the long way.”

“What’s the short way?” Bonesong asked.

“Jump in the lava.” He replied. “It’ll put you back on the surface.”

The others didn’t look too keen on jumping into the lava but they didn’t really want to go the long way back. After looking at each other for a minute they all slowly nodded their heads. “Short way.”

Texas laughed. “See you topside then!” He didn’t wait before jumping into Hell’s Gate and disappearing. The others reluctantly followed suit leaving me by myself in the cavern. I couldn’t help but smile. Everyone really was a bit crazy here. Jumping into lava to get to safety, that’s quite the idea. The citizens truly knew how to make everything interesting. I shook my head slightly and laughed before jumping into the lava after them all.