Tears were streaming down both of our faces. 

"Hold on, Rosalina," I gasp.

She nods, out of breath. I look back at Daisy before hopping on to the next mushroom. She's clutching her chest with one hand, Luigi holding other. I jump and land sideways, making me grunt. 

"Mario, please hurry," she pants, digging her nails into the mushroom she was hanging off. Warily, Rosalina looks below her into the never-ending fall. We could see the cliff edges off in the distance. I crawl over to her and prop my foot into the mushroom and grab ahold of her wrists. "Don't let go," she whispers, looking straight into my eyes.

Before I can become too mesmerized by the bright blue, I nod and pull. I drag her up and once she's safe, I fall back and she falls on top of me. She immediately starts bawling and I wrap my arms around her. I feel the mushroom move beneath me and look up to see Daisy glaring at me, Luigi behind her. Rosalina crawls off of me and runs to Daisy. Daisy hugs her waist tightly, her eyes closing as she kisses the top of Rosalina's head. 

I squint my eyes.

I think about asking them what that was about, but decide against it. We have to get the fuck off of these mushrooms. 

"Let's go," I breathe. I stand and motion with my arm for them to go ahead of me. Thankfully the next few aren't too far apart. 

As we jump along, we see a squat man scooping a mushroom with a shovel. Shroom trails were known for giving you a trippy high when you consume them, but since they were so hard to get to, it was very pricey. However, some were brave (or stupid) enough to risk getting some. 

He looks up at us sharply. "This here my shrooms."

I see Daisy and Rosalina huddle together, Luigi behind them. I step forward. "I"m General Mario. Leave us be and we'll do the same for you."

He clamps his jaw shut and nods, returning to digging. While we're crossing the mushroom he's on, he keeps telling us where not to step before I give him a glare and he gulps and goes silent. 

We travel from mushroom to mushroom for what feels like hours before finally reaching the other side of the gorge. I stop and take a breath. "I'll go first so that if we run into trouble I can try to protect you all. Then Daisy, Rosalina, and Luigi you'll come over last. Alright?"

Their cheeks are bright pink as they nod in agreement. I jump across, the gravel supporting my fall. When Daisy jumps over, she nearly trips, but I catch her. Rosalina was quite graceful and Luigi...

Well.

He face-planted. 

I look at Rosalina and Daisy and once they meet my eyes, we all start laughing. Luigi glances at us as he brushes off the dirt from his knees and joins. It's a relief. Laughing. 

It only takes a couple minutes for the good moment to wear off, though. I smile softly, but it feels so forced it hurts. I nod and sigh. "Let's go."

They nod and we head down the dirt path. I hear Rosalina gasp and turn to look back at her, but her eyes found something in front of her.

I turn around and lose my breath.

Water.

We're now in Sparkling Waters. 

Another province closer.