Chapter 371: Submerged Part 13

S͇u͇m͇e͇r͇g͇i͇d͇o͇ ͇P͇a͇r͇t͇e͇͇ ͇1͇3͇

From now on everything will go from bad to worse, not only because the souls that reside inside the Biologo began to act with their own purpose of being able to experiment and know everything that the exploration group can offer, their objective was clear from the first time they had interaction with someone alive, they asked for help, they asked to know, they asked to know more, since they themselves were losing what once made them human like any other, they were simply losing their reason and even what made them them, before they were living beings, like any other they had their own way of living and their way of thinking, but as time went by they were only rooted in what was soon to be known as the abyss, that sense of what makes one complete was slowly disappearing, and one day they would simply become normal souls with no purpose in life, and no purpose to have after death, Now if you remember that there were hierarchies so to speak, the most defined souls were The Graces and the Malevolent, then followed by The Pure Ones who sought their course after death, and lastly there were The Whites, who as you know are only represented as something that is being maintained in this world at the right time.

Just as I said that a Soul can become stronger, they can also become weaker as time goes by, if they don't find a reason to be in this world, then their destiny is to disappear forever. Nobody wants to disappear after death, you already died once, nobody wants to disappear even if you are not aware of it, nobody wants to be forgotten. Those souls of the Abyss, if nobody came for their help, they were going to disappear from this world, but at the end of the day, they were received with the help of the Biologist, who despite seeing them as they were, he was not scared or amazed at all, he understood the situation they were going through, he himself agreed to see them, to save them in their existence that they were going to have. He was going to help them to recover their humanity, so to speak, to these souls, in a calm way, in a simple way, without endangering anyone, but it seems that this was beyond his capabilities, right now he wonders if he is with us, if the life of these souls, the right price is that his friends and companions of the expedition, experience all kinds of events and emotions, the stronger the feeling that they perceive, acquire and want to be, the more determined and stronger they will become. 

They have been able to survive trying to act and be one being, but they have not yet become one, their goal is that with enough experience and teaching, they will evolve into a being that has more than defined its purpose in life after death and even interfering in the living reality.

These souls only care about one thing, to be the only ones to find their true purpose in life, even if it means taking away the purpose of others, but of course, forgetting that, they could care less what happens to others.

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The Ice Bridge has just been destroyed, everyone made it to safety, or at least that's how it should have been. Seeing that Meilin, Nushi and the Nurse were not going to be able to make it in time, and under pressure to do something about it, the South Korean Chief did not hesitate long, and decided to give his own life a second time to save his comrades. In the background was the biologist, who after seeing this, was really amazed, his eyes were shining for some reason, he did not understand, he did not understand the reason for this, he looked at his hand, he looked at his whole body, he touched his chest to feel his heartbeat and.....

『It's wonderful....it's unbelievable...we expected another result but this.... is really filling our hearts....』

The Biologist was happy with this experiment, to see how he gave his life to save the lives of others, it was something he had not thought about, he wanted to see what happened in the first instance when you separate yourself from those you really trust, he wanted to see how people would react, but better yet, if he wanted a stronger emotion, what would happen if someone in the group ended up dying in front of his eyes, fear, sadness, fraud, anger, joy, how everyone would react to being here. Thanks to the Biologist returning to his old self and seeing that nothing had improved, he demanded that the South Korean Chief do something, and the Souls used that to incite who he was supposed to be.

『NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!! CHIEF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!』

Someone was shouting into the void, it was Shinu who could see it clearly, he stood on the edge even reaching out his hand as if there was still a chance to get it back. He was shouting and repeating the word Boss all the time, he was really devastated by this. He was not the only one, Meilin being safe on the other side of the bridge, first of all she was worried about her son, seeing him, Nushi really didn't want to know anything, he was totally closed eyed and shaking with fear, it was the first time she saw him like that, shaking like that, closing his eyes, indeed that's how her son looks like when he is knowing that feeling of fear. While on the other side, the Nurse was in shock about this, she couldn't say any words, if Nushi was shaking, the Nurse was totally shaken, they needed time to be able to process what just happened.

『Please, Electrician-chan, Mechanic-chan, can you take the youngsters to safety?』

Meilin asked the dwarves for a favour, who pleasantly and charitably offered their help to calm the youngsters, put them on the walls of ice and of course, the difference in reaction was more than clear. So each would do his best to help them, the Mechanic would take out a heater to warm them up, while the Electrician would keep them company, take out a sheet to warm them up even more, and as if he were a father because he was, it made him sad that they were getting to know each other a little at a time, perhaps a lifelong trauma, so he touched each one's head and said to them.

『It must have been an ugly experience, I was also very scared to see them in danger, after all, even though they are adults, they are still children...it is normal to be afraid, so when you go through a difficult time, let the adults keep you company, since we are a little stronger, we can resist fear a little better』.

He stroked each of their heads in order to calm them down, who Nushi, still listening to his surroundings, was the first to look at the Electrician, seeing how he tried to calm him down with words that might be better, he just let himself be stroked a little more, but in his mind he only managed to say to himself....

『(I....still a child? Then what does it make one to be an adult....)』

But when he looked to the other side, he could hear how someone was having an argument between colleagues, the archaeologist was really reluctant about his decision, he had never seen him so upset at that moment, he seemed to be complaining about something very important, but on the other side was the geologist, who seemed to block his way so that he could go down to the other side, they were arguing each one giving their opinions, where Nushi, being recovering, could only see them, but not hear them.

At this point Meilin approached Shinu, who still had not given up and with her torch tried to look into the void, but could not illuminate anything, only a darkness that seems to be present from now on. At that moment Meilin did not stop him, she just looked at him as he was still rejecting the reality that had just happened, and what's more, she would go on to tell him something else.

『You could tell, I wasn't going to make it, when I took the next step, I knew that I would fall to the bottom of the void with my son and Nurse in my arms. .... The 3 of us were going to die』-『But the Chief of South Korea didn't hesitate to give his life in order to save ours, at that moment I felt it, it wasn't someone physical as such, at the moment he placed his feet on my back to give me the boost, it was like feeling...someone who was no longer with us for a long time, feeling him who even went through me, I felt that his good deed was not going to help but....』

『A gust of wind pushed you over and pushed you to safety, didn't it Meilin? *smiles*』

The Biologist had appeared at that moment, he was going to keep company to the 2 adults who were each coping in their own way with this loss. Meilin agreed with the Biologist, that blast that lifted him up, impossible for a human, was not a great force, it was the product of another phenomenon. It interfered with reality in an extreme way even though it wasn't supposed to have such a level.

『(He did not have a halo or thorns on his head, I don't know what Hierarchy that man belonged to, he was not a Grace, he was not Malevolent, a White man cannot do that, was he a unique being among the Pure Ones? If so...then he is like us....)』-『I get it, as expected from the Antarctic Chief, I saw something that I will keep in mind, that decision of what matters most in life, either your own life or the lives of others (It's despicable, you threw yourself knowing that nothing was going to happen to you since you were dead, you did it out of concern, no...you did it out of pressure. ...you didn't want to jump at that time, you valued your life more than your comrades, but you did it anyway because nothing would happen to you in the end, I understand, in this world even if you think and act for the sake of others, you will always come first) *smile* I thank you for your teaching SouthKorea Chief, that was something I had forgotten』.

The Biologist was grateful for what he had just seen, he had learned something that he had lost too long ago, and that is that you must always look out for yourself even if you want to help others, after all fear is still present at all times, even if you do it for a good deed, good deeds are impulsive and momentary, you need to be really determined to the point of ignoring that you yourself risk losing everything, fear is the most primitive emotion and it will remain until the end of everything, the souls learned that fear is the most selfish feeling that exists.

Meilin, seeing that Shinu was still going on and did not intend to stop, tapped him on the shoulder in order to reassure him, while telling him that it is okay to repent, but not to turn that repentance and sadness into an illusion or false feeling, that will only make him blind and see things as they are not for him and others. Shinu upon hearing this, stopped from his removed arm, and only grew weaker than ever, as he tearfully remarked.

『I...didn't want to lose anyone...』-『I should have acted better, I was weak and the one who paid the price is the South Korean Chief, I'm sorry Meilin, I'm sorry to everyone, I put you in danger because I was afraid...I...I...I'm sorry ....*cry*』

He was blaming himself, Shinu was crying without hiding his tears, at this the biologist saw him, and upon knowing the truth, upon getting the true result of this experiment, he approached him to tell him.

『You are going to see him again, he is going to come back to us, I am very sure of it (After all he was already dead) The repentance that you show, it is useless at this moment, thanks to him, many more lives were saved (he left us with who else to experiment) we must be happy *smile* we are alive *smile* and that is what matters most in the world, to be dead, it really is horrible....』

The Biologist was saying it in a normal way, but even though he wanted to show empathy at that moment, he really showed another feeling behind his words, Meilin could notice this difference there, yes, he wasn't the same Biologist as before, the one here even though he said all that, he really doesn't care about helping everyone from his heart, he feels soulless for some reason his words. But Shinu being hurt by that, this one took him at his word, wiped his eyes and commented that.

『It's true, we should be thankful that thanks to his sacrifice, more lives could be saved, I guess he couldn't have resisted if he had lost more people...the decision that the South Korean Chief made, you really have to be very brave 』-『Thank you Biologist, that you say we'll see him again *smiles*』

『Yes *smiles* after all we are alive *laughs*』

He started to laugh where Shinu took it as that he should also start to look on the bright side to just regret his actions, after all since there was no longer a leader to follow, Shinu...wasn't at all into becoming the new leader of the expedition, even though he wanted to act strong, the trembling and fear was already being sown inside him. Shinu wasn't quite decided at that moment, but he wanted exactly one thing from now on, a thrill from the same fear he feels, he is afraid of losing someone else. ..... 

First they started a short review of the events that happened on the ice bridge. The separation of members was the most obvious thing, the Cartographer, Typographer and Pantheologist were left behind.

『Yaa!!!!! Enough!!!!! Stop calling him Panteologo!!!! He also has a name like everyone else!!!!!』

The Archaeologist at that very moment shouted in desperation, since minutes ago he was in his own fight against the Geologist, even at this very moment, the Geologist was holding him with his arms so that he wouldn't do anything stupid. At this everyone looked on and preferred to calm things down, but Nushi could only think of one thing.

『(Come to think of it, the Archaeologist does behave like a child...)』

『But what are you saying Archaeologist, if we say correct his name, the Pantheologist, is the Pantheolo--------』

『That's not true!!!! You must know it yourselves and take it as truth!!!!! We are friends and partners and yet you don't even know his name?!!!! It's Benno!!! His name is Benno!!!!!!』

At what the Archaeologist said we were all in thought and kind of regaining our minds at that moment, that he had said the name Benno, we all quickly had false memories and a weird feeling going through our heads, every time, every moment, every interaction with the Pantheologist, his name was Benno? It was very confusing really, at that moment, the Archaeologist managed to free himself from the Geologist's grip and very indignantly claimed to us that.

『Why have they been like this!!!! I almost fell too but I didn't!!!! Panteologo Panteologo Panteologo!!!! All the time they were referring to Benno!!!! like that. I think he didn't realise this either, I really don't understand it, since we joined here I've noticed a lot of weird things, we already called each other by our names while we were at the base in Antarctica, that's when I found out what everyone's names were!!!! The Spirologist is Shinu! Meilin is Meilin! Nushi is Nushi! The Nurse is the Nurse!!! The Electrician is the Electrician!!! The Mechanic is the Mechanic!!! Cartographer is Cartographer !!!! The Geologist is the Geologist!!! The Typographer is the Typographer!!! The Biologist is the Biologist!!! The Boss is the Boss!!!! 』

『Are you listening to yourself, Archaeologist?』

『Yes!!! And that's why I don't understand!!! I am saying the names of others!!!!! This is what I meant by misunderstanding all this!!!!! But the Pantheologian is Benno!!!! You too please!!! Start calling each other by your name!!! Everybody!!!』

It was really confusing when the Archaeologist started talking at that moment, we really didn't understand this, but the more he talked, as confusing as it is, he has a point, and a doubt arose at that moment, were we all calling each other by our names all the time or according to the profession we had? Eh?...wait...eh? This is very strange, at that moment everyone was confused, but Shinu especially, who again that feeling of fear grew inside him, then he was right what he thought before, that everyone doesn't call each other but call each other's name at the same time, which .... just made him act weird.

At that moment, the Archaeologist would pass to want to run from us, but at that moment, the Geologist was again blocking his way, telling him that he doesn't intend to let him pass for anything in the world.

Nushi was already recovering, he seemed to have calmed down better, and remembered the little moments he spent with Benno, and could only think about.

『Benno, my friend Benno...I used to call him by his name?.....』

『Benno is in danger!!! We have to get back to him as soon as possible!!!!』

『That's just what I wanted to talk to you about and the reason why I'm detaining the Archaeologist』.

『My name is not Archaeologist!!!! My name is Arqueologo!!! Not Archaeologist!!! AHHHH!!!! THIS IS VERY CONFUSING!!!!!!!!!』

Actually every time I opened my mouth, the less we understood what was really going on. The Geologist put us in context of what was going on between the 2 of them, quickly the Archaeologist, being in the cave, he could see the same as the others, how the ice bridge was destroyed and separated the group, but he was more worried about that, that his friend Benno and others were alone in the cave, considering that he needs their help, he didn't think much of it and seemed to want to look for a way to get back to them.

『There's no time to lose!!!! I have to help my friends!!!』

The Archaeologist spoke at that moment, he was really worried about his friend Benno, he could not get over the obvious of the situation, Benno was sick and needed the necessary care in order to survive. He even commented that the best thing to do was to leave the cave as soon as possible to get help. He was really worried about his friend, he didn't think to claim us, he didn't take us into account in the first place, he just wanted to get back to his friends. But Shinu in a calmer way, he was pointing out the obvious.

『The only path that connects to the 3rd layer has been destroyed, how do you say we go back to them Archaeologist? Even if we want to, there is no chance 』

『So you're saying we should just leave him to his fate?!!!!! I can't allow that!!! If my friend is suffering, then it is my duty to stand by his side and share his suffering!!!!! It's the least I can do for the one who trusts me!!!!Benno, the Typographer and the Cartographer!!!! need my help!!!!』

The Archaeologist was really getting upset about this, he tried again to run away from us, but the Geologist stopped him again. Nushi saw all this and quickly turned to look at Shinu, but he.... would normally say something and bring order, but he didn't seem to know what to say exactly.....

Everyone had the same thought as him, that they want to help him but they can't do anything either, but at that, it seems that someone had an opinion regarding the situation, Nushi seemed to feel obliged to calm it down in a way.

『I understand your concern Archaeologist, I am also worried about Benno, but before looking for the others, the most logical thing to do is to look first for you, you not only need the intention to help and the desire to do it, the most efficient thing is that you have the possibility and all the requirements to do it, think coldly for a moment, who are more in danger, us or the 3 who were left behind? They at least have the possibility to return to the second and first layer, to return to the base, but we, the only way has been destroyed, we are trapped in what is the entrance to the 4th layer, think about it, we can't, we are not in conditions, it is simply impossible, the best option is for them to come to help us, if there is a smart one among the other 3, surely he thought the best option is to go back to the surface to ask for help, Shinu left the marks on the ice, they have the Cartographer too, he sees more in others than for himself, I'm sure it will go well for them. ..』

『The marks on the ice I left.... I don't think...』-『(Nushi is...taking matters into his own hands for me?....)』

『.....So think about the situation better Archaeologist, you worrying about the others is nice and cute if you want to put it simply, but it's stupid if you just keep thinking like that, complaining and trying to go alone, you really looked like an idiot, tell me, how would you go about helping them, whatever you say it's impossible....』

Nushi was being extremely harsh with this, or at least that's how the others saw it, Nushi was only seeing the most possible and real option to be able to be safe and sound, Shinu was also thinking about this, the ones trapped and with no way out are them, the only thing they can do is to wait for them to come to help. At that moment, Meilin again seems to want to scold her son, she was about to do it, but the Archaeologist is reluctant to fight against the Geologist, it seems that he was annoyed that once and for all, with his strength, he threw the Geologist to the ground and before we could help him or even get up he said to us.

『To help you only need one thing!!!!! And that is wanting to help!!!!! Sorry for throwing you on the ice Geologist!!!!!』

『I told you those things don't work, enti------------』

『As long as I want to help I know there will be a way to do it!!!! Whether it's lending a hand, whether it's encouraging! Whether it's even doing nothing!!!!』

『So that's what you should do, nothing and-----------』

『But I know I can do something!!!! Benno is in trouble!!!! I'm going to go however I can to help him and I'm going to rescue him however I can from this place!!!!! Surely there is another way to get back to them!!!! I am very sure of it!!!』

『(Let me finish speaking *annoyed*) Sure about it...don't blindly rely on your convictions! You can't decide something so crucial because that's simply the way you believe it!!!! Just look how we ended up here!!!! The bridge was the only connection between the 4th and 3rd Layer!!!! There is no other way!!!』

『Yes there is!!!! Why do you take me for a fool!!!!! I am also a professional who was chosen for this expedition!!!! You know very well that to go to Antarctica, you need the permission of the high officials of your country!!!! I say there is because I'm going to find it myself!!!! That's what I was trying to do at the beginning!!!!! Because I'm the best man here!!!!!! And when I do I'll go back to Benno and help him get out of here!!!!』

『Hey calm down already, you're yelling too much....』

At that moment, he was no longer making the Geologist face him, that the same Archaeologist helped him to get up, but now seeing that Nushi was also giving him the counter, he approached him to have him face to face, this really made Nushi nervous.

『And if I don't find a way!!!! Then I will make one myself so that all my friends!!!! Can return to their homes and get on with their merry lives!!!! I don't do it for me!!! I do it for you!!!! I don't want you to stay here and wait for help!!!! The help is me!!!! And I will do anything to make you well!!!! I'm going to take the risk for you and I'll be very happy about it!!!! AHHHHH!!!!!!!』

『No need to yell in front of me!!!!! Shut up already!!!!!』

The Archaeologist was determined and true to his convictions from the cradle, that in the face of so much decision, he even shouted at the end of all this, where Shinu annoyed made him shut his mouth with his hands, they were really forcing the 2 of them to be clear about each other's opinion. By the way, the reason why they were evenly matched in terms of strength was because the Archaeologist had already spent his strength on the Geologist. Seeing this, most people took it as something serious, some thought that what Nushi said about realism is the right thing to do, they can't do much, but the fellow feeling of always helping your friend of the Archaeologist, also had weight in all this. This was simple if you looked at it in many ways, he was pessimism versus positivism. And the indication to make this clear to Nushi was.

『Stop being too much of an idiot Nushi!!!!!』

Pom!!! The Nurse ended up hitting Nushi on the head, who did not see it coming, and rubbing his head on the floor, he looked at the Nurse upset by such a blow, even complaining about why she was now upset with him. Where the Nurse of course told him.

『Because you are too serious!!!! I can't even call you serious anymore!!!! You're pessimistic!!!!』

『What!!!!!???? I'm just being realistic!!! I just want to make the situation clear to the Archaeologist, but this idiot doesn't understand!!!!!』

『I'm going to save my friends!!!』

『You're not going did you hear!!!!』

At that moment, the Nurse seeing that Nushi was continuing his argument with the Archaeologist, seeing him too that he wasn't going to stop this fight, quickly got down to his level, and like a gorilla, turned his face to Nushi to see only her, in any other situation this would have made her nervous and blushing, but really at this moment, she strongly disagreed with Nushi's opinion.

『Stop being such a jerk Nushi!!!! The Archaeologist is just looking to encourage the group since that's what we need! Instead of being realistic as you say, the best thing to do right now is to have faith that we can get out of this! We can all get out of this! Don't just think about yourself, don't just act thinking about others leaving you aside believing that it is the right thing to do! Don't just act thinking that your only word is right because it is!!!! You are not alone! We are a group! We are partners! We are friends! Each one of us, if you didn't notice, has our own way of being and seeing things, each one worries and takes the best option to get out of this, at this moment we don't need to cling to reality, we have to think that the impossible is possible, you have to believe that you can have a happy ending!!!! That is what keeps you alive and with a future!!!!! Instead of discouraging you have to encourage even if it is a lie!!!!! Because there are also beautiful lies that help others !!!!Please Nushi! I know it is hard for you to accept it, but I only ask you, imagine that we are going to get out of this, imagine all of us, returning to the base with success in the exploration, imagine all of us safe after living a hell...we will make it possible, we are going to do it.... miracles do exist and I saw it many times...what I always said to the people who already saw their life counted was .... "Have the confidence and never give up until the end, I will do everything possible for you to take back your happiness" Even if you do not imagine a future like that!!!! I will do it for you!!!! I want us all to be happy!!!!! Nushi!!!! I will imagine and make your happiness real!!!!!』

No one expected or maybe yes, that the Nurse would also explode with emotions at this moment, she really did not hold back when telling Nushi all that, in that moment of discouragement in the whole group because of the discussion, really seeing him so pessimistic at that moment, it was the most hateful thing on her part that she did not avoid correcting him when she saw that he was not going to stop. Nushi who the only thing he could see this, was the Nurse's gesture and face, how she really struggled and struggled to say all this, it was like the first time someone made him go through this feeling or sensation, it was the craziest way they told him he was wrong without telling him clearly. Nushi at this seemed to relax and wanted to respond to the Nurse.

『Hey....』

『No....』

『Hey.....』

『Not.....』

『*annoyed*But let me talk will you?...』

『No...for sure you're going to refuse as usual』.

『It's not that...just that...okay...I think I exaggerated things, even if I'm right...it's as realistic as it gets....but...after listening to you...I rethink the things I said, I feel like there's a better chance of getting out of this if we believe we can...even if it's silly of course...but...(ahh!!!! seriously I'm going to go with the flow....) Forget the important thing in a group that I didn't take into account before, and that is the positivism and good mood that there is, if we believe we can't, that only plays against us...but if we are cheerful or positive like the Archaeologist..I say....solo that...in short.....』-『(This is all your fault Shinu for not speaking up earlier....) *blushes* I thought wrong a little while ago....sorry...sorry Archeologist, comrades in general if my words discourage you....just this once I will ..I will....*sigh* you are going to take responsibility Nurse, you were the one who put the idea in my head, let's imagine together a happy ending for everyone, I hope you keep your word...』

Listening to Nushi as he was acknowledging his mistakes that he had recently, for this listening to the other members of the group, it was more comforting and calm to this, everyone thought the same after listening to the Nurse speak, what matters most at this time is to imagine and believe that you can get to have a happy ending, because you can, we all have that dream of achieving something we really want with all our being. The Nurse listening to Nushi and seeing him blushing most of the time, seeing how he still didn't take his eyes off her when he looked at her, was really the cutest and most innocent thing there could be, even coming from Nushi who is rare to see him like that. The Nurse was smiling heartily, she was throbbing so much, that her body moved by itself, Nushi felt it strange, at that moment, the Nurse was giving him a gentle and soft hug, who Nushi didn't expect it and that's more....

『Hey!...uh...ahhh...no...(What's this....why can't I get her off me...why do I let her keep hugging me.....)』

『I will imagine a future, a day where each of us is at our happiest moment in our whole life, I really wish you the best imagination ever Nushi...*happy* I hope you don't mind me being there with you...*blushes*』

Everyone saw this and could hear this, and already as everyone could understand it, this was going further than just that they are friends. The Dwarves upon hearing this and seeing it, were happy, even commenting that young people now, it seems that they became much more creative and sentimental when it comes to confessing to someone, the only bad thing, is that many don't get to understand such hints. The Geologist saw this, with a smile and a thumbs up, he was wishing great happiness for both of them. While Shinu could only think, that he should also stand firm and not let himself fall again to the fear that was always present in him. While lastly Meilin, she did go much more to the extreme with her imagination.

『Grandmother of 10 grandchildren *happy* That would really be nice (I already want to get out of here to see how my son is starting to grow up again)』

『(In a quick manner he knew his mistakes and apologized *smiles* I knew it, the most capable leader is you Nushi)』

While Nushi to this, he was only waiting for the moment when the Nurse stopped hugging him, but surely that must have been how every person who received the unconditional support from the Nurse must have felt, Nushi could only think of one thing, that there really is no professional like the Nurse is.

With the idea that they could get out of here and that nothing would discourage them until the end. The group had already decided, so they quickly packed everything in their backpacks and inventory, and only advanced along the only path they had in front of them, they were descending to the 4th Layer. But at that moment when they were getting everything ready, it seems that....

『Eh? Where is the archaeologist?』

『Don't tell me that!!! When he was giving them the thumbs up, he took the opportunity to go ahead by himself to the 4th Layer!!!!!』

Nushi asked for his friend, but the Geologist at this realized his mistake. Really this was a bad thing, it seems they didn't count on the Archaeologist leaving without saying anything, even though that was their intention mainly. Anyway, they had to go get their friend as soon as possible if they didn't want to lose him too. They were shouting his name all the time, they wanted to hurry to go fast, but they quickly realized something, if they did that, something bad might happen. Shinu could feel it every time they were more and more hesitant, that even.

『Let's go slow...I feel that we shouldn't rush down...』

『Hey Shinu, even if you're scared at least it makes me calm that you can talk, you're right, one wrong foot by going fast and we'll go sliding down to the 4th layer』.

They had to go slow from now on, as they were just walking they really felt that they were descending to a deeper place than they imagined, it really made them think if they are even walking, descending in a quiet way through that emptiness of the ice bridge. But at that moment they could feel something clearly very present throughout the journey, the more they walked, they heard bumps against the walls and walls that were there. The pieces of ice crashing against the walls, they could also freely hear the sound of the Antarctic sea. The cold became more and more powerful, they had to be warmer than before, the path before where if the flashlight does not light, everything else was a darkness that if your mind played you wrong, you could imagine things that should not be there.

When they finally arrived at the 4th layer, they noticed the difference in this place, it was too spacious, as if it were a sports field, the only weird thing was that if you shouted, instead of resonating the voice, it seems to end up getting lost and even disappearing along the way. No matter if they called the Archaeologist, it was useless.

If it was daytime, for sure this place would look beautiful or not so beautiful, I think even a bit threatening and terrifying on both sides, if it was daytime, it would be like being in a big white space all covered with ice, imagine being alone in a space like this, would you really be calm?

They could not search in this darkness, again Shinu told us that better not, I really wondered at this moment, how is it that the archaeologist went inside to explore this place, it is not that I am afraid of the dark, what is scary, is the intrigue that gives, that feeling of finding nothing ....

We decided to stay here, they already turned on the heaters and lit the lights with the spotlights, and yes, as they imagined, the light could not illuminate the whole place, in fact, the Geologist believed that they were not even illuminating even the tenth part of the total of this spacious place. The rest is supposed to be the same as where they are, that is, nothing, but that is what can be most frightening, that in that same nothingness in the dark, you end up imagining even worse things.

They have no perception of time, since it became night for them they take it like that, but they could easily have been 1 hour or 12 hours, 24 hours, or even 72 hours, whatever they do they don't know how long it took them, just having been talking at the exit of the bridge, that could easily have been between 1h to 6 hours, but they would take it as 30 min. Their mind is starting to fail that it would be normal that at any moment there is a mistake and they start to imagine things, things that would make them feel happy to each other. The belly was already roaring, and sleep was coming, it was rare that Shinu incite us to rest more than normal....so they would make dinner but there was a little problem, at the time of wanting to light the grill, the fire was as to say, abnormal at that time, as if there was an invisible current that that should be the cold they have been feeling. Yes, every time they thought the same thing, this place that looks harmless, really hid a greater danger. Besides that Nushi blamed Shinu for giving that scary image to the whole group.

At that moment, with the tents already made, they had to rest, there were moments where their bodies could not take it anymore and they asked each one to recover their strength. Everyone was sleeping as quietly as possible, but there was one who was not sleeping at all like the others, the Geologist was with a cup of coffee for some reason, where did he get it from? he had his own personally? He saw his watch and as expected, it was stuck and was no longer telling the time, he silently continued to drink his coffee, but he seems to have an idea in mind.

『Everyone wants the best for the group, that union there is, it really is admirable and beautiful to see, everyone is going to try harder from now on, I also have to do it in the same way, because of me...I let Benno down and that's something...I hope he is well...The Archaeologist is taking care of my mistake....』-『I can feel it, this place is the strangest of all, it doesn't make me want to go into this darkness that swallows everything... I don't even have to see it, since not a single step, we must be awake and not lose sight of it, at any moment something can happen to us, we must not lose the orientation between the real and the imagination, this can be bad, with the whole issue of imagination, it can play against us being in the 4th layer, is this real? Have I already fallen into the effect? What is the best, relax the body or fight this sensation, I don't want...I don't want any of the 2, if I finally see what I always wanted, it will play against me if that is just an imagination, something like this .... would really be hurtful ....』-『I always have in order what I do and I abide by righteousness, when it became night, 5 days passed since we entered the cave, but since the Night Season arrived...the time...advances differently, although it seems that we have less than 2 hours, the count that I keep is ..... this is our 8th day...3 days passed since it became night? no.... it didn't feel like that....and what's more, for sure when they wake up and we do our work for the day, it could be the 10th, the 15th, the 20th, it is difficult to know even counting the day how to pass inside this cave, and now that we have descended more we will feel the time pass slower passing with us but faster when we get out, even when we get out it could have already been 1 month. ...this is bad I must calm down...I must continue counting even though the time that passes does not match the day realized.... what the hell is this place...if I want to keep with what I think is right, the best thing from now on, is to resist sleep, if time moves slowly, then that I will take it in my favor, my companions sleep for being in the dark, it can easily be daytime, my duty is, to be the most corde of the whole group』.

The Geologist was making a mess of his own head, it seemed that his intellect would be 

used to the point of no more power, with every sip of coffee he took, his seriousness was still present in him. You don't have to be distracted, you don't have to let yourself be carried away by the negative, the Geologist stared at the darkness, but little by little, his eyes became more serious, and he drank more coffee with each sip he took, it went on and on, darkness and darkness, coffee and coffee, seriousness and seriousness .... really what the Geologist wanted to do.

『It is useless what you are doing Geologist, to face this Abyss is impossible, not at 

least for living beings, if you really want to know everything about this place, the way is 

simple, you must do what you want to do, just like our friend the Archaeologist, yes, it will give me a good final result *smiles* and you know very well what your greatest desire is』.

At that moment, the Biologist had appeared at his side, this really took the Geologist by 

surprise and he even almost dropped his cup of coffee, looking at him and listening to him as he was calm, at first he looked scared, he also seems to begin to suspect that he is not who he thinks he is. He asked him why he was with him, the best thing to do is to rest like the others, but the Biologist answered him.

『What are you saying, we slept for 12 hours, the others will wake up soon, but what are you doing awake all this time?』

『12 hours?.....(12 hours? they slept 12 hours?...but I recently saw them get into their tents to sleep, all the time I talked for at most 10 minutes...like that....) 12 hours.....』

『Your coffee is freezing Geologo』

By the time he saw his cup, the little coffee he had left over was just ice at that moment, at which point the Geologist of what was sitting, set his cup aside, and quickly leaned over and held his head because no matter what he did, it was useless to try to indicate the time inside this abyss. The only way you know how long you were here is for someone on the outside to tell you. 

At that moment, the Biologist pointed to the front, and the Geologist with fear looked at what it could be, and at that moment....entre more looked, the darkness, for some reason of made clear, was taking shape around him, his face of fear, passed to one much more surprised than ever, the....ya was falling in the imagination.

-------------------------------------------→ Continuara