Chapter Text
With a half-hearted farewell under Sebastian's breath, he couldn't help but sigh in relief as the last of the expendables left through the vent. The research they held was valuable, like liquid gold in his case. Especially when hundreds of desperate prisoners are snatching them too. However, the bright side is their own downfall. Who knew that something as basic as a flashlight could be desired so heavily? Sometimes they'd even be willing to hand over anything just for a few sluggish batteries. And the best part is, he could often get those items back in only a few rooms away.
The only downside is the buyers themselves. From the clueless who miraculously made it as far as they did, to the bastards who think their actions don't have consequences. He's seen it all, even if sometimes he wish he hasn't. But he's been able to manage. Sebastian could keep up the fake smile and greetings--on most days at least--and it's worked out so far.
That being said, the last group made the mistake of playing around with the radio by his desk. His snarls and warnings went on deaf ears as curiosity took the better of them. Maybe it's high time to place that blasted thing elsewhere. As his tail pushes the grate of the vent back in place, he reaches down to assess the damage. But it's not the only piece of technology that springs to life. In almost perfect timing, someone calls out to him.
"Are they gone yet?" That familiar voice over the walkie talkie is a godsend in a place like this. His claws gently turn the dials back to the way they were, as Sebastian answers back.
"Yep. Got quite the haul from them too." The radio clicks, yet the audio is still unbearably fuzzy. He mumbles a curse under his breath before smacking the top of it with his palm. "I think they were a bigger group though before something picked them clean. They were all clamoring for whatever medkits I salvaged from the last batch with quite the soured look on their faces."
A sinister chuckle comes through the static and Sebastian could also picture the smug AI's face clearly. "That maaaaay be my fault. They ended up having to go through the jetsuit evaluation course. They were originally a group of eight if you could believe it. Seriously, who in their right mind would want to be in a group that big?" The pride of such a feat feels contagious in the room and Sebastian smiles to himself at Painter's accomplishment.
"Good work kid. I'll give you a proper update on things after I do a recount and fix the radio. Things are starting to look up for us." A confirmation came loud and clear from the other side of the room, following the standard beep at the end. He continues to mumble as he fiddles with the device. "Come on you hunk of junk, don't quit on me now." While the research is valuable, the radio is priceless. Especially since he can't pick up a new one from an Urbanshade employee's corpse.
That is another thing about the expendables he benefits from. The fact they don't even bother sending down proper guards anymore meant more security for him and Painter. While many of the people sent down here now aren't the best of people, they were sitting ducks at best. He's learned that weapons are off limits to them, less they want to have their golden opportunity taken away. It's perfect though. While he never leaves his area much, Sebastian doesn't have to worry about sneaking around rooms without the threat of some armed men gunning him down. It's cowardly of them at this point, practically admitting defeat with only one desire left. But he knows it won't last.
It's not hard to put together that once the crystal is gone, this place will crumble. They can easily swoop in and finish what their wretched leader wants. Capture seems too merciful after everything, something else might be desired. A death to the monsters here, a death to Painter, and a death to himself.
The radio comes back to him suddenly, the same words as before repeating the demands given to him not long ago. Things are still in motion after all.
He places it back and leans closer to the walkie talkie. "Hey Painter, let me know if any expendables are coming close by. Going to be occupied and I'm not sure yet if I'm planning to reopen shop."
"Do you want me to let you know if they have anything good on hand?" Painter asks.
"Guess it wouldn't hurt." Sebastian grabs the walkie talkie, alongside the recently gathered research on his desk before strapping it to the empty slots on his tail. "Although I'm hoping we should have enough now to where I can close up shop for good." He swears that if he has to deal with one more person messing with a flash beacon, he'll properly snap and start prowling like the anglers.
As Painter rambles a bit about one group getting caught in some tunnels with an unfortunate monster, Sebastian hoists himself up and slithers out of the room through the rafters. While he could move his shop around, it's gotten to a point where he has so much stuff, he needs to stay put. That being said, it at least meant that he could have a reclusive den close enough to the room but still isolated from expendables. 'Home' is a word he'd never want to use for any place in the blacksite. With the stacks of paper and vials formed into tiny mountains where he lies, he feels more akin to a dragon with its hoard.
Sebastian carefully navigates each mound established, ready to be assessed before packaged away. The new additions are placed on top as he unloads everything before setting the walkie talkie carefully above him. The last thing he needs is to accidentally crush it. Poor Painter would be heartbroken or die of boredom without him. After carefully lying down in the pile of dirty couch cushions and lab coats, he prepares himself for the long awaited task of counting.
The deal is twelve packages. While it wasn't specified what should be in them or how full they should be, Sebastian was willing to go extra for them and stack them to the brim. At least then they should be willing to give into his demands. He glances over his body at the thought of it, grimacing at the bloodied bandage on his third arm while his eyes trailed down to his tail. 'Soon,' he reminds himself. 'Everything will be back to the way it was.'
With the occasional thought of future prep and grimacing at the thought of returning to the shop, the counting goes smoothly and boxes fill up one by one. He takes his time to avoid any claws tearing things up or smudging paper with water stains--although the fact that some of this remains perfectly intact even after being stuck in an underwater facility is astonishing. By the time the hoard's appearance diminishes, almost every box holds at least something, and a familiar voice comes from the walkie talkie. Perfect timing, now he can decide if it's time to play shopkeeper again.
While Sebastian expects an update on who is close by, Painter's tone tells a different story. "Hey Sebastian... Um. Some of those expendables are moving pretty fast now."
He props himself up from his makeshift bed, careful of the boxes around him as he grabs the walkie talkie. "How fast we talking?"
There's an awkward pause before Painter finally continues with its voice slightly higher. "Probably uh... At the secondtolastroomkindoffast."
'...Holy shit, their plan actually worked.' Sebastian gives an incoherent noise that doesn't sound like a proper word but somehow conveys both panic, anger, and genuine shock. It must have been loud enough to be heard by anyone in the next few rooms over, but he doesn't care. Those expendables are very close to the crystal, too close for his liking! He's not prepared yet, he doesn't even have an idea on how they'll leave the site! The original plan was for Innovation to pick them up at the dock, but they had a designated pick up time. All he and Painter needed to do was stall until then. To be stuck waiting at a dock with no power and Urbanshade ready to close in was too risky. Especially if Innovation was still willing to commit to the deal.
A whirlwind of thoughts take over. 'This might not mean anything! Maybe it's just two people, surely two people can't make it through the whole area! But what if it's not? There were some expendables I encountered a while ago that seemed oddly prepared, the supplies they bought weren't even used right in the shop. Oh Almighty, did I make things worse by GIVING PEOPLE SUPPLIES?!' Sebastian tries to snap out of it to focus on a new plan, but the panic is just as contagious as the pride not long ago.
Painter sounds absolutely distraught, attempting to justify itself before Sebastian could even jump in. "I don't know how they got that far! I- I kept trying to keep an eye on them- And I tried sending in the shark, I tried throwing in some of those doors! But they just aren't stopping!" A part of Sebastian's heart sinks as the sense of failure radiates from the AI's rambling apologies. "I'm sorry- I don't know what to do... Argh! I shouldn't have been so distracted- I should have tried harder- I shouldn't have felt bad-"
"Painter! Hey! Listen to me!" Sebastian's voice raises to snap Painter out while attempting his best to not sound mad. The last thing he needs is to make Painter feel worse. "I know it's not ideal, and not what we envisioned. Especially since now I'm going to have to rush some plans and scrounge up more research on our way out."
He hears a whine over the communicator, like a kid scared about getting in trouble.
"But we can't let that stop us, okay?" Sebastian holds the walkie talkie in his bad arm as he begins packing up the stuff he has. "We'll work with this, we'll get out of here. But I need you to stay calm in the meantime. Can you do that for me kid?"
Another moment of silence fills the room as he packs, before Painter finally agrees while asking what it can do to help. Sebastian can tell it just wants to be useful as before, loosen the stress that's weighing both of them down. But Sebastian knows now isn't the time.
"There's not much you can do now. I've been able to be in reach with Innovation enough to make the deal, they even agreed to pick us up at a certain time. But now that things are going ahead of schedule, I don't know if they'll be able to meet us here now. I'm going to try sending a SOS and alert them of our early departure. As long as we can retreat to somewhere not directly under Hadal, they should have no issue picking us up."
An intrusive thought of 'if they even bother picking us up after this change' almost blurts out before Sebastian holds his tongue to not further worry Painter. "On the bright side, everything is mostly packed and just needs to be secured so I can head over to come get you soon once I turn the scrambler off. Do you have any form of backup power for when the power goes out?"
It sounds less panicked when responding back. "I should have something, especially considering how much they used to work me to the bone. Oh! It'll take them a while to get out once they get the crystal, right? Maybe I could-"
Even before it can propose an idea, Sebastian quickly shuts it down. "No kid! Don't do anything that can burn that power out! I don't know how long it'll take for me to find you another proper source. The last thing we need is for you to get shut down, especially if pickup takes their time arriving."
The silence on the other end gives clear disappointment, leading Sebastian to try and quell the situation. "We've done all we can do to delay things. It's up to the anglers in the ridge if those expendables will fully make it out. What matters now is acting fast. Just sit tight and wait for me. I'll be there soon."
The walkie talkie clicks off, no response from Painter but Sebastian is more focused on packaging. The boxes are heavy against his tail, weighing him down more than his typical goods. But Painter shouldn't be far, and he knows shortcuts to the docks. And with all eyes on the expendables in the ridge, they should be able to sneak away discreetly.
---
*SOS.*
*SOS.*
*THE CRYSTAL HAS BEEN OBTAINED AHEAD OF SCHEDULE. THE ARRIVAL TIME HAS BEEN COMPROMISED. WE WILL RETREAT TO THE SURFACE LEVEL WITH THE PACKAGES IN TOW. WE WILL BE CLOSE TO THE SITE, BUT NOT TOO CLOSE TO BE SPOTTED.
*THIS MESSAGE WILL REPEAT UNTIL THE SCRAMBLER IS DEACTIVATED AND WE BEGIN OUR DEPARTURE.*
*I WILL GIVE YOU WHAT YOU NEED. THE DEAL ISN'T OFF. WE WILL PREVAIL.*
*SOS.*
*SOS.*
---
A message is sent out, yet Sebastian won't know if Innovation hears him any time soon. All he can do is hope that they won't back out now. It's risky to ask of them to go against the set plan, but he's desperate and now isn't the time to begin looking for other rivals. But for now, he'll move through the abandoned hallways, stretching on forever and making the journey feel like hours. Maybe stress is finally catching up.
It's also eerie with the power gone. No NAVI to interfere with his trip. No wandering monsters in the halls. Not even expendables to witness him finally leave his den. Now he's all left alone in silence and darkness, only his thoughts to be heard.
Ever since leaving his shop behind, Sebastian began running through the new plan in his head. He'll grab Painter and they'll take a detour to the docks. It's a path he's more than familiar with, thanks to the many men that come through there. The dock port they were originally planned to wait at wouldn't remain empty forever, but it still has a way out. As long as Painter and the packages are secured, all he has to do is find a way to the surface. He remembers seeing abandoned submarines left there before. But even that held more complications on how to pilot it. But the idea of swimming completely upwards was out of the question entirely due to water pressure, so maybe now is a good time to learn something new.
Once they escape, the rest is up to fate. Who knows how long it'll take for Innovation to grab them, or if Sebastian would have to find a new contact all together. But maybe fate would be kind to him for once.
After what felt like ages, the sights of the massive metal doors to heavy containment came into view. Sebastian shifts his body and digs his claws into the door, using all of his strength to pry it open. He's reminded for a moment of his exhaustion as his energy begins to slip. The horrible realization of what little sleep he's had can't be ignored now, a possible consequence on the horizon for him to deal with. But before he can hiss and keep fighting against steel, a familiar clanking sound emits from the door. One that Sebastian recognizes all too well from when he needed a certain someone to open up a door for him. '...That little bastard better not be doing what I think he is...'
Sure enough, when the door opens on it's own, the room is still dimly lit, leading a trail of light towards the direction of Painter's room. Sebastian finally bursts out. "PAINTER! I told you to conserve power!" He moves faster than before to the AI's room, even using his hands against the floor to gain momentum. As he scurries over, Painter's voice over the walkie talkie clashes with his distance voice that echoes the area.
"I know what I'm doing! It's fine!"
Sebastian holds himself back from screaming before he's even at the door. Sometimes with how Painter's behaviors can be, he forgets that this is an AI and not some bratty younger sibling.
He enters the room at last. The lights are dim to conserve some power, or at least enough to not hurt his sensitive eyes--more likely the latter. Painter's screen offers the most light in the room, and it beams when it sees Sebastian. "Hey Sebastian! Just in time! You'll never guess what I managed to do..."
"Painter-"
"Okay well, it'd actually be pretty tricky to guess," it immediately cuts Sebastian off before he could even begin to scold it. "I found out there's a way to set off their suits, you know, how Urbanshade can apparently make them go BANG! I just had to play this weird gibberish over some speakers."
"Painter!" Sebastian manages to jump back in the conversation, frills fanned out as he argues. "I told you not to engage with them so you can save power!"
For a moment, he expects the AI to be upset or guilty. Especially due to how he snapped back at it. But then the drawing on the screen changes to a moody face he recognizes all too well. A face that tells him Painter has no regrets. "Well it worked, didn't it? They're just about to leave the ridge. If it wasn't for me making the path hard to navigate in, they would have been gone now!"
If his pupils were still visible, Sebastian would roll his eyes at that comment. "Whatever kid, we can talk about this later." When they aren't in a perilous race to the exit, he'll chew Painter out for being reckless. He snatches the keycard and swipes it over the door before entering. It's a tight squeeze for someone his size, and he tries his best to not knock into anything that looks important.
Painter looks up at Sebastian, "So how we getting out of here?"
"Hmm, you wouldn't know what wires are safe to disconnect, would you?" Sebastian asks. But Painter only gives what appears to be the best kind of 'I don't know' shrug it can give. "Alright, winging it then. While my past work here didn't exactly get me hands on with computers 24/7, I think I'll manage just fine."
"You better not break anything," Painter warns. "Or I'll find a way to make you pay!" The threats mean nothing though. Sebastian knows that after everything they've been through, Painter would never try to harm him. It's too insanely loyal. But he takes his time analyzing the wires, carefully deciding what needs to be unplugged to free it from its desk while not accidentally turning it off.
The moment he manages to untangle his claws from the jumble of wires and pull the right plug, the lights go out and Painter's screen dims. The previous expression now erased.
Sebastian panics for a moment, "You alright kiddo?"
"hhhhhfeels a bit weird," Painter comments, his face taking a moment to come back properly. "Like getting cut in half."
There's a light chuckle for a moment at the dramatic comment. "You probably don't have as strong of an access to the blacksite now," Sebastian comments. "Makes sense you'd feel like you lost something. Doesn't help you're on backup power still. Now, I wonder if there's anything that could have prevented that power from going away..."
"Can it already!" Painter snaps back. "We gotta get a move on!"
He holds onto the computer with both hands, relying on his third if needed. After turning off and pocketing the walkie talkies, the two make their way the last destination while pocketing spare research on the way.
---
It's weird to admit that this is it. For Sebastian, it feels wrong to even say out loud that they're close to the docks. Escape--for as long as he could recall--was a fantasy. It was something to reminisce about. To daydream scenarios of what events could change everything for the better. A reason to keep surviving in a place like this.
At first they took form in his jail cell, the wistful hopes that something would come up to prove his innocence and send him on a one way ticket home. Then it was during Urbanshade's experiments, with ideas of either escape or a peaceful death. Death seemed less scary when you'd been reborn as a monster. And now here he is, with Painter in his arms as the computer sluggishly rambles on and on. Probably as a way to calm down.
"There's something on that desk there," Painter points out in between conversations regarding what rooms he recognizes. Sebastian looks around, seeing a nicely tucked folder underneath some desk clutter.
He snatches it from the desk, various pens crashing to the ground as he does so. "I think that last box is completely full then. I'll toss it in when we get to the dock." The file rests on top of the computer's flat surface.
"How much longer till we get to the docks?" Painter asks. "Before we left, that group was almost out of the ridge and heading into open waters." There's that sense of panic in his tone again.
Sebastian does his best to seem optimistic. "We just have to get through a vent and we'll be there." He's not sure how easy it'll be to crawl through a vent with his hands full, but it's not like he has other options. "Don't worry. As long as Urbanshade has their hands full with keeping track on their precious 'cargo', they shouldn't notice us slipping away."
"If you say so..."
The vent experience is just as bad as Sebastian could expect, having to squirm like an inchworm while nudging the computer forward with both hands. The lack of fans gave less of a hassle though, and through the creaking metal underneath him, he could soon hear running water. 'We're so close. We're so close!'
Once the two finally escape the ventilation, Painter gives an audible gasp at their surrondings. "Wow! I haven't seen open water like this in forever!" Sebastian places the computer on one of the wooden crates close by before beginning to search the area. Despite not facing him, Painter calls out to Sebastian. "So, what's our plan? How are we escaping?"
His eyes go straight to the few submarines left and he begins his investigations. It's hard to tell which one's good or not, mainly guesses at this point. They all seem relatively fine and functional. But then there's the question of navigating it. With one of the doors opening up, Sebastian only sees the NAVI panel and nothing else, most likely to prevent prisoners from hijacking it. 'NAVI can't interfere as it is, but then how are WE going to get out?'
Painter's voice calls out to him again. "Sebastian? Hellooo? You alright? You're really quiet now." Sebastian turns his head around after hearing Painter. Suddenly, it clicks. The perfect pilot is right in front of him. Sebastian heads back over and leans down to the computer's level. He's not sure how much backup power Painter has or if Painter would be capable of such a feat, but their options are slim as it is.
"...Say kid." There's reluctance in his words but he pushes through either way. "...Remember how I said you need to conserve what power you have left and all of that?"
"Yeah, why?" Painter asks before slowly focusing in on Sebastian's face, and the way his tail flicks towards the open submarine.
"...I might need your help after all."
There's a moment he hopes that Painter would simply agree and he could quickly toss the both of them inside, no need to make a big deal. But the moment its eyes move to look straight at the submarine in view, Sebastian gets a bad feeling. And the smug expression that returns to its screen confirms it, before shifting to an exaggerated frown.
"Oh, I don't knowwww," It draws out its words in such a sarcastic manner. "My good friend Sebastian told me off that I shouldn't be using my backup power to help him, that he can handle it all himself! I'd hate to disappoint him and go against his words! After all he surely knows best!"
He feels like he's ready to tear something out, whether some poor panel on the dock or his own hair. He takes a deep breath either way. "...I know what I said. And now is not the time to be cheeky so PLEASE-"
Painter cuts him off with a laugh. "Don't worry, I'm already on board and thinking about how to do it. There's a control panel right? I'm sure if you take the cover off, there's something you can plug me into." A standard smiley face is plastered on the screen. "Come on then! We don't have all day!"
He feels like he's going to get gray hairs before they even leave the moment Painter chimes a 'I told you I can help' as he picks him up and brings him onboard. He's not sure how they manage to use these to send out so many people. It's a cramped fit and a mess to figure out how exactly to hook Painter up to the system. It's not like it was meant to handle an old computer system. But through trial and error, they manage to prevail. The lights turn back on, missing a signature red hue.
Painter seems all the more cheery nonetheless. "Never thought I'd get to steal one of these from NAVI. But I guess I never thought I'd be driving one of these!"
Sebastian on the other hand, is trying his best to be comfortable in the space, already bumping his head and trying not to knock over Painter. "Let's get a move on kiddo," he says while trying not to crush the AI's excitement. "We don't got a lot of time after all."
"You got it! Surface, here we come..."
The ground beneath them moves, as Sebastian can hear the sloshing of waves crashing into the submarine as it emerges. He's not sure how much Painter needs to focus, especially considering learning a new system that is holding their life in its hands. But he attempts to lie down and patiently wait.
---
His eyes closed at some point, not really by intention--the last thing Sebastian wants to do is sleep right now. But his body caves in for a moment, because the moment he opens them again, there's a loud alarm going off.
Even a submarine amateur like him could tell something was wrong.
Sebastian gets up and turns his gaze to Painter. Before he could even comment on what's going on, his face goes pale. The screen is more dim now, not even holding a signature expression. He maneuvers himself over to try and grab Painter, "Kid?! What's going on?!"
A face is slowly scribbled on, more janky and messy than usual. "sssebastian?" His voice sounds quavery and slow as he answers back. "ithink myyy backup power is runningoutttt..."
He doesn't even have the strength to reprimand with a 'I told you so'. Now isn't the time, and Sebastian is beginning to panic. "Where are we at?!" He asks while trying not to let that panic slip. "How far away are we?!"
"I think... onlyyyya few miles..." His face is erased, presumably to save any remaining strength. "I was so close..."
"It's okay kiddo," he says. A hand pats the top of the computer. "You did good, and I'm proud of you. And now I'm gonna take over."
There's not much to assess for the situation. Sebastian can't take over and pilot the submarine. It won't be long until the thing completely dies and sinks back down. They need to get out fast, he needs to get them out fast.
Only one last option remains. And it's not going to be pleasant.
Sebastian tries to search for something to hold out water, tuning out Painter's questions for a split moment. 'Please, please. There has to be something!' The main priority was Painter's safety. He could handle the plunge into water, but the AI would be helpless. He manages to scrounge up is some kind of supply crate, seemly strong enough to hold out water. He gives an internal plea in hopes that it'll be enough, that maybe someone up there would be kind. Now there's one more thing to do.
"Painter, are you still with me?" Sebastian asks. No response is given, and he keeps talking. "I'm going to remove you from the console, and then we're gonna swim."
There's still a slur in his mannerism as he speaks, "Ssswimmm?" Then Sebastian's words finally sink in and the AI lets out a scream. "SWIM?! I CAN'T SWIM!"
"Well I can!" Sebastian argues back. Granted, it wouldn't be a pleasant swim. And with the limitations of his hands and tail, it would be a nightmare. But he can't voice all of that out loud right now, bad timing considering the panic in the room. Nevertheless, he knows they have no other option. "As long as you're secured, we can make it!"
"Wwwwait! Wait!" Painter's expressions come back to a look of fear as it eyes the crate by Sebastian. "What if waaaater manages to get in? Or the box breaks?! What if ssssomething happens and- You won't be able to hear meee?"
They're running out of time and Sebastian knows he could just grab Painter and toss him in the box. It's not like it could put up a fight. But even then, the terror on its face is painful to look at. It feels like an act of betrayal to not do something more. Sebastian moves himself closer to Painter, before lifting the computer up to his level with his hands. He tries his best to not seem terrified, not just because of the perils, but in case he does lose Painter. "Hey, it's gonna be okay kiddo. It's not as long as a swim directly from Hadal."
"But have youuuuu ever swam that far before?" Painter asks and Sebastian only winces as a response. "Ssssee! How do you know it's going to be fine?!"
"Painter listen," Sebastian adjusts himself so he can have the cord in hand and keep Painter at his level. "It's like I said before. This wasn't the plan, but we're adapting. We can do this. I promise, after everything we've been through, I'm not going to let you get hurt."
The expression barely shifts on the screen, still displaying that hesitance and fear as its voice heightens. "...You won't let me sink?"
There's a nod before he unhooks Painter from the console and places him in the crate. He's unable to see his face, but he hopes that its worry is subsiding. "We're making it out of here no matter what. Together." Once the box is secured, he only hopes his promise won't turn false. And Sebastian digs his claws into the submarine latch, ready to head into open waters.
---
The hardest part was to keep swimming.
With his hands full and tail weighed down, the task was fated to be rigorous. But there was nothing else to be done. He can't abandon his findings, and he refused to give up on Painter.
It is a bleak ascension with nothing more than darkness surrounding that Sebastian can't make out. He's faced horrors he never thought he'd experience. Ones that make small nightmares and phobias now seem like nothing. And yet he can't hide the dread building up by each passing minute.
Time is impossible to keep track of, as Sebastian feels like he's been swimming for hours with no sign of change. There's no sound he can pick up from inside the box, and he can't communicate to Painter like this. All he has to do is keep pushing forward, even if it is beginning to feel like it's in vain.
When he was in 'captivity'--during the time of tests and before his work as a handyman--Sebastian never had much room to move so freely. Especially when most of that time was being strapped down to an operation table. It took years for him to find some way to adjust, but even that didn't feel like enough. His body was so foreign, nothing about him could feel natural. Something like swimming didn't feel right, even if his body was now tailored for it. No matter what, it always felt like he was still drowning.
Even now, he doesn't feel like he's going anywhere. It only feels like he's being pulled back down. It's hard to keep moving when his body feels numb. Exhaustion is beginning to win and his eyes can't make it through the darkness. Or perhaps his vision were beginning to close in.
He's not going to make it. It's all he can think to himself. Maybe he was too foolish to think he could be capable of such a thing. He's never swam this far before, much less with all of this cargo. Maybe his promise would be void and meaningless. Yet again, his body will betray him. He's failed himself and Painter. Even after everything, maybe he was too desperate to see the reality in it all.
Maybe monsters like them deserve to drown.
'How cruel... To make it so far just to sink into the abyss.'
For a split moment, he swears he can see light in his grasp. A harboring sense of solace within his reach. A comfort that feels like a beacon as his body plunges deeper and deeper.
Is there a surface waiting, or is it nothing more than the illusions of an afterlife?
---
He breathes through his lungs as the cold air makes his body shudder. Water splashes over him as his hair sticks to his face. The crate remains in his arms, barely afloat. And his eyes blink away the salt water, gazing at the stars above.
There's thousands of them shining. It's just as beautiful as he can remember.
'It's real. I'm out. We're out.'
Sebastian cradles the box and rests his head on top. His lungs feel like they're on fire from how hard he's breathing, his body aches from the miles he's swam. He hopes Painter could hear him.
"It's over. We're safe."