They continued on for a little while, until there was finally a fork. Sophie smiled despite herself and said, "Finally! Something different." Biana smiled as Dex turned to Keefe and asked, "Which way do you think we should go?" Keefe shrugged as Fitz asked, "Why should Keefe decide? I think Sophie should." 

Sophie flushed as all eyes turned to her, expecting an answer. "I think," she started, "that we should vote. And from now on, we vote on everything. Because if there's a leader, than there will always be fighting." Everybody nodded on agreement and Keefe pointed down the left path. "I think this path because it kind of feels right." Sophie bit her lip, then nodded. "I agree with Keefe." 

"I think we should go down the right path," Fitz said. "I think I can feel a little bit of fresh air." Biana nodded in agreement. Dex looked between the two paths, then stepped toward the left path. "Sorry, but I think we should go with Sophie and Keefe's idea. Plus, where is the Mariana Trench, Sophie?" 

"Underwater." 

"So if we're underwater, their would be no way for you to feel a breeze." Keefe led the way down the left tunnel before Fitz could answer, making sure he wasn't walking too far away. Sophie stuck her hands in her pocket, looking for something to mark their path with, when her fingers nicked something metal. 

She grabbed it and pulled it out, revealing a small necklace with a brooch connect that was made out of a black crystal of some sort. It was shaped like a bird Sophie had never seen before. "Whoa, it's a Moonlark," Keefe whispered over her shoulder, making her jump. "How do you know that?" she asked. Keefe tapped his temples. "I'm not completely stupid, you know." 

Sophie elbowed him as Dex examined the necklace as well. "Huh, I wonder what it's for," he said. "Can I see it?" Biana asked. Sophie handed it to her and her face lit up. "Oh, I remember! This is what we use after we find the pearl! It makes a path or something, I don't remember all of it, though." Fitz grinned and pulled Biana into an awkward side-hug. 

"That's amazing that you know that though. It's really going to help." Sophie took the necklace back from her friend and secured it to her neck. "Okay, so now we know how to get out of here, assuming what Biana remembers is right." Sophie quickly added, "I'm not saying I doubt you, I'm just saying that so we don't get our hopes too high." 

Biana nodded understandingly, though Sophie noticed she looked a bit defensive. "We should keep going," Keefe jumped in, holding his stomach. "I'm starving and who knows how long until we get food once we're out of the trench." Fitz nodded and they headed off with a new motivation.

<--------------------------------------->

"I really want some cake right now," Dex commented. "Like...Ooh. Mallowmelt!" Sophie blinked as a picture of a gooey, chocolate cake filled her mind. Her stomach rumbled just think about it. "Anything would be good for me," Fitz added. "Even clarifava." Biana gave him a look. "What in the world are you talking about?" 

Fitz laughed. "I only remember the name, and the fact that they tasted really sour and gross." 

"I could really go for a mooncake," Keefe moaned. Sophie glared at them. "Please stop talking about food. You're just making everybody hungrier." 

"Actually," Fitz objected, "thinking about food tricks your brain into thinking -" 

"Fitz. No one cares. Just shut up," Keefe said. Dex raised an eyebrow at them and Biana said, "Stop being mean. You're just mad cause you're hungry." 

"We're all hungry, Biana," Fitz snapped. "I know, that. I was trying to say -" 

"Look! There's a light in the distance!" Everybody stopped arguing for the moment to see if what Dex had said was true. Sophie squinted and could make out a faint, silvery glow. "That's it!" she exclaimed, grabbing Fitz and Biana's hands and pulling them forward. 

Dex and Keefe scrambled to keep up as they wound through the tunnel, following the light. They stopped in a tight cavern, moving in together. Sophie went in first and picked up what looked like a clear ball the size of a baseball, filled with a strange glowing substance. She stared at it, then held it out to her friends. 

"Do you think this is it?" she asked. All of them nodded and she held her necklace out to the light. She looked around. "You guys ready?" They nodded and joined hands and scooted closer together to see what was happening. Sophie could feel Keefe's breath on her neck and Biana's arm digging into her side. 

She held up the brooch to the light and a thin beam of light appeared. She took a single breath, before pushing forward into the light.