The elevator rattled as it sank deeper beneath Veridion, metal scraping metal in a slow descent that made every second feel longer than it should. The cage was cramped, lit only by a lone bulb that couldn't decide whether to stay alive or die on them. Its flickering painted strange shadows on everyone's faces.
Blaze braced an arm on the rail, trying to steady the shaking in his hands. The surge he'd released upstairs still buzzed through him, like electricity trapped in his bones. His breathing wasn't steady yet. Every inhale felt sharp.
Aya stood across from him, eyes soft but watchful. She didn't crowd him with pity. She never did. But she kept him in her peripheral vision like she was ready to step in at any moment.
