They pulled themselves out of the water, both soaking wet and gasping for breath. Axelius sat on a flat rock, leaning back and breathing heavily, water dripping from his hair and clothes.
"Geez," Owen muttered, bouncing beside him. "I was actually worried back there. You can't hold your breath that long, you know."
Axelius chuckled, his breath still uneven. "But I can," he said with a grin. "I can even manage to stay underwater longer. Look—"
He started leaning toward the pool like he was going to dive back in.
Owen immediately stretched up and slapped his slimey arm across Axelius's chest, stopping him. "Idiot! We're lucky there were no monsters in there! Let's just try to get out of here before something wakes up or smells us."
Axelius pouted, flopping back dramatically. "Ugh, you're so boring, Owen."
"Thanks," Owen replied with a roll of his gooey eyes.
