Suddenly, the table leg squeaked and shifted slightly on the floor. The sound of heavy footsteps treading on the floor resonated loudly in the silence of the deck cabin. Tezza's back pressed against the wall. Beside the table leg that had moved earlier, Tezza sat hunched over, her legs pulled tight against her chest. Her forehead rested between her knees. Her eyes were shut tight, as were her slightly dry lips.
Even with the silence surrounding her, Tezza continued to hold her breath. She exhaled slowly, as if not wanting anyone to know she was there. Unconsciously, her mind failed to notice the heavy footsteps approaching her.
Slowly, the vibration of the floor felt through the soles of her feet warned her.
The reality was coming.
Tezza just wanted to avoid it.
"I thought you had already run away from me," Obsidia's voice sounded clearly.
Tezza opened her eyes and lifted her head toward the source of Obsidia's voice. The figure of Obsidia stood there, holding Ascella's body up, much like one would lift a cat.
"Huh?!" Her eyes caught and processed exactly what was right in front of her.
Obsidia suddenly released Ascella's unconscious body.
Ascella's body slumped right toward her, pinning her down. Tezza did not expect that to happen and tried to react quickly, lifting both her hands to try and prevent Ascella's body from crushing her.
But, it was too late.
Tezza's body slowly tilted to the side, bearing the weight that pinned her. But, slowly, she lost the strength and collapsed to the side, her head wedged between the floor and Ascella's body.
Suddenly, Tezza felt something that made her want to escape the situation immediately.
A searing heat crept and spread rapidly to various parts of her body.
Even so.
The side of her face that was directly touching her felt the piercing heat instantly.
"HOT!" Suddenly, Tezza pushed Ascella's body with all her might.
Ascella's body rolled to the side once. Without any reaction, her arms hung limp, though her chest was still moving slowly up and down. Tezza rose, her eyes staring deeply at Ascella.
"Why is her body so hot?" Her eyes were still staring in the same direction, but the question seemed to be aimed at Obsidia in front of her.
Obsidia, standing before her, no longer paid any heed to the two of them. Her face was looking toward the stairs they had used to come up earlier.
"Tezza, please, you carry her." Saying that, Obsidia stepped forward.
"Huh, actually, I could do it if I just ignored the heat...," Tezza said, slowly shifting her gaze toward Obsidia.
"No! Why me?" Just as Tezza said that, Obsidia had already walked far down the stairs.
Seeing Obsidia walking away left Tezza with no choice but to hurry.
"Wait, Obsidia!"
With one pull of her arm, she lifted Ascella's body. She hoisted Ascella's stomach onto her shoulders. Tezza slowly stepped with unstable balance.
Following Obsidia, who walked ahead toward the stairs. Keeping her back straight. Enduring the weight until her knees trembled. With every step down the stairs, Tezza exerted all her strength.
"Wait, Obsidia," Tezza said, just as her feet hit the hallway floor.
Her voice reached Obsidia, who was a few steps away from her. Even so, Obsidia continued walking at a normal pace without looking back.
Tezza's calves tightened, accelerating her steps to approach Obsidia. After being right behind her and matching the rhythm of her steps.
"Why, after going up, are we going back?" Tezza asked while holding the weight on her shoulders and directing her gaze at Obsidia.
"How could this happen..." Obsidia muttered.
"The process became too fast." Obsidia fell silent for a moment.
"Am I wrong? Or is there something else interfering...," Obsidia muttered again, ignoring Tezza's previous question.
Tezza looked at the side of Obsidia's face from behind. Seeing Obsidia muttering continuously and, with every step, beginning to sink into her own thoughts. In the end, it made Tezza not want to ask anymore, and she fell silent, continuing her steps.
She shifted her gaze toward the floor they were passing.
Despite the sweat and the stuffiness from the heat Tezza felt. She endured it while passing through various other hallways and stairs.
Heading toward the very bottom of the ship's interior.
-When I Open My Eyes: My Journey Begins-
End Ch4