>>5198593"Thank you for sharing Mortimer. I believe it would be convenient for us all to stay closely knit. To support one another, we all know the Ministry and Military have their own priorities…" You nod in agreement, avoiding any other words. The other pilots share the sentiment, none clearly wanted to press and inquire further about your dark experience either. Cas sadly admits that your small cabal most probably couldn't trust the royals. You wondered how much you could trust anyone. The authoritan girl insists the few present form a pact or deal. Dimitri and Brigitta head to get the next round as the rest of you mulled over what had been said. The bar began to pick up pace, the music pumping as the place filled out, a few sheepish civilian eyes glance over to your group. The tension in the air was palpable. As they returned it thankfully lulled, the alcohol helping to subdue the emotions. Urging the trace of happiness forward even as the others spoke up.
Alexander went next, confessing he hadn't been conscious for most of his time within the Fifth layer. He hadn't experinced anything as daunting as you or Castilla. He had simple been in and out of it, awaking surrounded by dark mist and slick bloodied stones, it was his own blood. Somehow he just knew. Rapidly it coagulated into a iron maiden around him. But it was all shards. Moments of sight and pain. Then the nothing swallowed him again. Then he woke up, as you pulling him free. Grisha spoke next, Castilla wasn't quite as shy as Haruki and openly reassured him with a rub on the shoulders. Kissing him on his cheek. The handsome boy had been pulled deep, but his fifth layer wasn't dry or rusty. It was instead murky, misty and frothy churning tides, tugging him deeper and deeper. He screamed trying to resurface. He had drowned as a little boy. It was exactly the same as then, the only thing he remembers were the last slithers of light snatched away by the dark and then waking up in the hospital.
