Blue-black seawater split into four enormous waterfalls high overhead, descending from the sky and sliding down the massive, colorful protective barrier atop Black Cloud before flowing into the surrounding Jade Sea.
The rumbling water formed an incredibly steady white noise, making one's ears ring and head spin, inducing an unconscious drowsiness.
SLAP.
In a cellar beneath a collapsed house in the Outer City.
A little girl fiercely slapped the little boy beside her across the face.
"Don't sleep! If you fall asleep now, you'll be contaminated, just like Mom and Dad!"
"Plug your ears! You can't keep listening to the water!" The little girl was filthy from head to toe, two wads of torn cloth stuffed in her ears to muffle the faint sounds from outside.
The boy, who had been slapped, came to his senses, gave himself a shake, and looked up at his older sister.
"Sis… I'm hungry…"
