At this depth, the maws of the nether-sea's pressures tighten and clench and grind around him, pressure like prickling that fissures the inner linings of his lungs. He thinks it foolish — nothing has changed, but the instinctive, coring certainty that to slip steps or heartbeats farther southbound is to propel himself into the orbit of disaster.
Below, he cannot see more to discover.
Below, he blinks and thins his gaze, and the cracked round gasp of his surprise is a mute, sketched disturbance. He watches. Something watches back, in the way of predators that slither and prowl at the forest's edge, before their violence seeps over your skin like an oil's spill. He feels light-headed, as if the membrane of the suit has entombed him — as if he has far too long not been hunted before.
And this strange abstraction of power made man, Wrath, wishing to head alone. Lan Wangji remembers, distantly, a king among his blood-drenched creatures. Remembers Emilia pronouncing no fear of him. Remembers he is an observer, a companion, a stranger — superfluous. Do not barter in gossip.
"Half an hour's escort down." A simple compromise. Past that, he cannot lay claim to venture. This, he can offer — must offer. And to sweeten the agreement, "Emilia would wish it done."
C
At this depth, the maws of the nether-sea's pressures tighten and clench and grind around him, pressure like prickling that fissures the inner linings of his lungs. He thinks it foolish — nothing has changed, but the instinctive, coring certainty that to slip steps or heartbeats farther southbound is to propel himself into the orbit of disaster.
Below, he cannot see more to discover.
Below, he blinks and thins his gaze, and the cracked round gasp of his surprise is a mute, sketched disturbance. He watches. Something watches back, in the way of predators that slither and prowl at the forest's edge, before their violence seeps over your skin like an oil's spill. He feels light-headed, as if the membrane of the suit has entombed him — as if he has far too long not been hunted before.
And this strange abstraction of power made man, Wrath, wishing to head alone. Lan Wangji remembers, distantly, a king among his blood-drenched creatures. Remembers Emilia pronouncing no fear of him. Remembers he is an observer, a companion, a stranger — superfluous. Do not barter in gossip.
"Half an hour's escort down." A simple compromise. Past that, he cannot lay claim to venture. This, he can offer — must offer. And to sweeten the agreement, "Emilia would wish it done."