(Viewpoint: Chetan)
I am only here to complete a mission.
The wind is changing.
It's no longer just a whisper.
It's a pressure.
I remain crouched behind the rock, with Eugene pressed against me.
His body is warm.
Too hot.
Not normal heat.
Unstable heat.
This doesn't bode well for us.
– Stay alive…
A whisper
For him.
Or for me.
I don't know
In the distance, Roum is still screaming.
This cry...pierces everything.
Nothing fits the plan
The sky has changed.
Rouge.
Bright red.
As if he were bleeding.
Then-
Tac!
Tac
TACK!
The first drop falls.
Spring.
Heavy.
It crashes onto my glove.
Black.
Viscous.
Then a second one.
Then hundreds.
The rain is starting.
A dark rain.
Thick.
That which clings to the armor.
Which infiltrates everywhere.
- …what is…
A flash of lightning tears across the sky.
Then another one.
lighting up the sky
Then dozens more.
Thousands.
The storms break out at the same time, the deafening noise cuts me off from my thoughts.
The world trembles.
[ANOMALY ]
[MISSION FAILED]
[CUT…]
The system voice cuts out.
Parasite.
Incomprehensible.
– No… no…
Hitting my interface.
– Log in! Answer!
[SIGNAL LOST]
I clench my fists.
– Brothel!
The ground is vibrating.
Not like before.
Deeper.
More violent.
I feel Eugene move slightly in my arms.
A breath.
– …Eugene …?
I glanced down at him, noticing the black liquid that began to engulf him.
But my voice is trembling.
– Conserve your strength.
He tries to speak.
– …we…shouldn't…
I cut it
- I know.
– I will find a solution.
Silence.
We're still here.
And that…
That wasn't part of the plan.
CRACK.
The ground is cracking.
Right in front of us.
A black line.
Fine.
Even before-
BOOM!
It is widening.
The rock is separating.
I throw myself on Eugene and tie him against me.
It's as if something is pushing us.
being swept away by the wind.
- shit …
Another crack appears.
Then another one.
And another
dozens.
The entire ground begins to break apart and crumble beneath our feet.
Opening in the center and drawing everyone in.
– the base was! …
But damn, the worst part is, without equipment, we're finished.
Shadows swirl around us and the rain only knows how to envelop us.
As if they were dissolving us and then digesting us.
I can't handle this.
Not now.
My jaw will be gripping the edge of the rock with all my might
BAM !
A flash of lightning struck the ground.
The impact sent debris flying everywhere.
I protect Eugene with my body and flee, pushing him towards the bottom.
– Seriously?!
The sky roared.
And my fall was infinite.
[ EMERGENCY ]
[EQUIPMENT EVACUATION]
[DAMAGED… DAMAGED… DAMAGED]
– Oh yeah?!
I'm laughing.
A nervous laugh.
- awesome ?!
The ground around me has disappeared.
Entire sections are collapsing.
Falling into the void with me.
– SEND A REQUEST FOR SUPPORT, SEND ANYTHING, WE'RE STILL ALIVE
The atmosphere all around was pink, and a metallic smell tickled my nostrils.
There is nothing more to be done.
Just a hole.
Immense.
Noir.
Infinity.
I hug Eugene tighter.
– Hang on.
– …I'm out of gas…
Eugene slips slightly.
– Chetan…
– Shut up!
gritting his teeth.
My arms are trembling.
I'll try again.
– send that fucking signal
[System! SENDING EMERGENCY SIGNAL!]
Silence.
And-
[ FAILURE ]
– DO IT AGAIN!
Clenching his fist
– SON OF-
The wind is howling louder.
CRACK.
I'm switching.
My fingers are giving way.
- SHIT !
The world is disappearing around us.
Everything becomes a point.
Then nothing.
Just black.
The wind is carrying us away.
Or rather…
Something attracts us.
Down.
Lower and lower.
Eugene, clinging to me, squeezes me.
Instinctively.
– Are you… with me?
He asked in his weak voice.
I let myself go, my gaze into the void, I let my arms swing.
Nothing
No surface area.
No light.
– …
The fall is accelerating.
I feel my body hitting against the wind.
[TRANSITION TO LOWER LEVEL]
The voice returns.
– Lower level…?
– you're still working…
I understand.
Too late.
The Base Fosse.
All I want to do is scream
They took me for a fool
– They started this…
– That was planned from the beginning.