Jiang heard the chick through stone and green water.
The weak call entered the route knot above him, crossed the carrier bell, and reached his breast as a thin vibration. His lungs tightened around air that had already lasted too long.
Between him and the spill mouth, a fallen bell rib lay across the upper arch.
Jiang struck it with his working foot.
Bronze answered. The rib shifted no farther than his claw. He hit it again, and the effort sent a pale burst across his sight.
Pressure Heart remained silent. His body had its ordinary dive response and nothing more.
Below, the green rope pulled.
At one careful stroke from below, the ray began to turn. It checked the movement when the hanging carrier frame cut the other side of its wound.
Its freed breathing slit opened and closed. The second remained crossed by bronze.
Jiang pushed off the fallen rib and swam into the ray's sight.
