Our new mission was rather simple – go to Heat Lake and dig out as much as we could with the help of Paul. There had to be another Copper Block somewhere in there.
“This is unbelievable. We were so amazed by the discovery of the Copper Blocks in the tunnel that we never even considered that there may be some under our home.” Nora commented.
“That’s usually how it goes. We never expect things to be so close to us.” Paul replied.
We crossed the tunnel with Paul on my back.
“Here we are at Heat Lake, home of the Striders. We might find a Copper Block in here. If we don’t then that would be disappointing.”
“No, we will find one.” Tom said, while walking around the lake. “We will definitely find one.”
“How can you be so sure, Tom? I had never seen you so optimistic before.” Nora asked him.
“Can’t you guys feel it?” Tom asked.
“Feel what?” I wondered.
“Just take a few steps over the Lake and tell me what you feel.”
“Well, it feels good to be here, but that’s how it always is when we are home, right?” I replied.
“No. It means Heat Lake definitely has some small degree of radiation in it. Remember the other day when we talked about feeling really well in Heat Lake, a kind of feeling unlike any other place in the world?”
“Yes…”
“It can only mean one thing, the lava in Heat Lake is different because it is slightly radioactive like Doc Ivy suggested. In other words, we will find something here today.” Tom replied.
“It must be a Copper Block that is somewhere around here.” I replied.
“We should not waste any time.” Paul picked up his pickaxe and drank a fire resistance potion. “This potion only lasts 7 minutes, but that’s more than enough to dig a hole in the middle of the lake. Once I am down there, I’ll build an underground tunnel, preventing the lava from entering. Then I will be able to properly search the Lake without getting burned.”
Paul drank up the potion, wore a radiation protective suit and jumped into the Lake. He started mining the lakebed as we watched from above.
“I hope we can find it soon. If we do find a Copper Block, we can go back to Albeja and trade it with Frank Bones so he can fulfill his promise.” Nora commented.
“I agree. We will see what Paul can find.”
We waited for a few hours. Paul was now safely inside the underground tunnel he built. Some four hours later, he emerged on the other side of the lake.
“I had not mined this much in a long time. I literally built a series of human-sized tunnels under this lake, but that was a lot of work.” Paul replied.
“Tell us Paul, did you find any Copper blocks? We are dying to know.” I asked him,
“Let’s just say that I was successful in my search.” Paul picked something up from the hole and lifted it to show us. It was a Copper Block!
“It’s a Copper block!” Tom screamed.”
“Our wish came true. We can finally save Zack now.” Nora cried with happiness.
As we celebrated, Paul continued taking other blocks from the tunnel. He placed another one atop the first block and another one and another one.
“Paul, what is going on down there? How many blocks did you find?” I asked him.
“I haven’t counted them all yet, but I guess 30 or so.” Paul replied.
“Thirty?” I almost couldn’t believe it. “Did I hear that right, 30 blocks?”
“I found 30 Copper Blocks, but there could be more underneath. I have not searched the lower layer yet, only the first layer. I don’t know why but this lake is a goldmine of Copper Blocks.” Paul replied. “Zack and the others are saved, guys. We did it!”
We celebrated with Paul. We had finally achieved the victory we wanted. With the Copper Blocks in hand, we can finally get the equipment from Frank Bones.
“We could purchase the equipment from Frank Bones with ten of these Copper Blocks. I am sure he would not refuse such an offer. That way, we will never have to rely on that guy again in the future.”
“Good idea, Morgan. Frank is so greedy, that he’ll take the bait. He will sell everything without thinking twice, and we won’t have to beg him for help again. This is the perfect outcome for everyone.” Tom said.
“You need to protect these Copper Blocks.” Paul replied. “They are rare and unique. You cannot tell anyone about their location.”
“Do not worry. No one, not even Chief Derek, shall hear about the exact location of these blocks, other than our group here. We will keep them safely hidden away, and we will decide what to do with them.” I replied.
“Well said.” Nora replied. “The Copper Blocks need to be protected at all costs.”
We had the Copper Block needed to save Zack. What was our next step?