Soft snores drifted across the landscape.

It had been so long, that Kine had somehow slipped into a deep sleep, one he was reluctant to wake from. As were the many other fellows who accompanied him here in this limbo.

”Hey…” a voice whispered, I distinct and hazy.

Kine ignored it and rolled over, settling his head and letting out a soft huff. Someone else snored nearby.

“Hey!” Sounded again.

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Kine pushed up on his arms, half-awake and half asleep, eyes still closed and forehead furrowed. Uttering a confused “Huh?”, he waited to see if the dream would continue.

“Wake up. I thought I heard the author.” the voice said. Who was that?

Kine still couldn’t open his eyes, and the identity of the speaker wasn’t important enough right now to make him force them. They’d said something about the author??

Kine opened his mouth and tried to whet his tongue before speaking. “Author? She…?” He swallowed and tried again. “Where?”

No one answered… Kine waited but when nothing happened, he lowered himself back down to rest his heavy head on his arm. The author had been gone a long time and in her absence, they’d all waited, some sleeping, some just frozen, ready as soon as the story continued. But eventually, even they had slipped into sleep.

Snores rose again, quiet and distant. Thoughts tried to surface in Kine’s mind… if the author was here… they’d have to get up and start soon…

…

…Unless… it was an update.

….

Hmmmm… an update meant… more sleep.

For now…

All thoughts drifted away and Kine, once again, slept.