“Eyalen! I came to visit!”
Someone screams my name and starts banging on the door, the sound carrying all the way from downstairs.
I break the kiss with an irritated sigh.
Selma is panting, trying to catch her breath. Her cheeks are flushed red and her gaze has trouble focusing on me. I’d almost think she was drunk, if I wasn’t the one responsible for her current condition.Continue reading
By my reckoning, two years have passed since I arrived in the cave.
I should be 14 years old, now.
I’ve always tried to keep a measure of time, as a way to build a stable element on which to anchor my mind, something solid and objective and regular. I think it’s good for my mental health to do so.
But it’s somewhat discouraging to see the days pass by so quickly.Continue reading
“Forward.”
One of the apostles pushes me, sending me stumbling along the hallway.
Annoying…
I already was going forward. It’s not like there is any branching path, either, so I’m not going to need directions any time soon, thanks. And if I wasn’t walking fast enough, just tell me so. No need for such unpleasantness…Continue reading
The wind blows violently, playing with my hair, casting snowflakes into my face.
How delightful.
I’m not sure what kind of demon I’ll have to face on this floor, but as far as environment is concerned, this is the most pleasant I’ve yet to encounter. Inversely, the worst wasn’t actually the fifth floor’s desert, unexpectedly, but the ninth floor’s swamp. Constantly wading through warm, mucky, disgusting water was unbearable, and it became even more so when the snake demons tried to drown me in it.
I suppose it was instructive, in a way.Continue reading
I curse under my breath and look at the stairway in front of me.
Going down.
Obviously.
…
…
…
I’ve spent quite some time in the forest – though time is something that is difficult to keep track of underground.
I do have one more doubt, however.
Why can’t I find a dantian inside the big dog’s skull?
It’s true that I couldn’t smell it, but I wondered if it was hidden somewhere deep inside its body, perhaps, so I ended up tearing the corpse apart piece by piece in my search for it.
But I really couldn’t find it…
When I open my eyes, I’m lying on my back in the water again.
My whole body feels weak.
What’s going on?
I thought I’d become stronger, after my transformation.
I don’t know how long I sleep.
There is no sunrise and sunset down here to help measure the passing of time.
But I feel rested. I feel good – physically if nothing else.
I feel healthy.
Why am I remembering all this now?
How pointless…
Hmm? Wasn’t I dead?
I distinctly remember dying.
Warm sunlight hits my face. It’s quite comfortable.
I yawn widely and open my eyes. Nerys is in the bed with me, using my body as a hugging pillow. She’s halfway on top of me, her leg thrown carelessly over my waist.
I sigh inwardly.
She says she comes here for my sake so that I won’t feel lonely during the night, but I’m starting to think that she’s the one who can’t sleep without holding onto me.Continue reading