The two ran as fast as they possibly could. Fighting the insects was not viable anymore, since they were so numerous, and the multi-tool was practically out of power. They ran in-between the containers, dodging the swarms however they could, and only ever fought back when they encountered an Oozer.

But, eventually, the blackness and dull-red emergency light gave way to sheer white radiance. Not light from the alien moon, but light from the floors and ceiling.

Electricity. They had arrived at an area with power.

Which meant that, “Head to the right! Follow the yellow arrows on the floor!” Guila roared. Here, the insect numbers were thinning, which meant that her hypothesis was right. They hated the light.

The farther the two went, the fewer there were, and the less insects tried to follow. Until finally, none of them were left and their chittering was nothing more than distant noise.

“Haah…! Haah…!” The two struggled for air, trying to regain their stamina. Guila was in particularly worse shape, so much so that Ariel practically needed to drag her during the last few dozen meters.

However, if they were lucky, that was the last time they'd ever have to run again.

They walked the rest of the way towards a helpfully labeled area close to the wall called “Deck C Shuttle Station 13”.

Since moving entire cargo containers between Deck C and the other Decks wasn't feasible, this shuttle service was added so that people, or more accurately, Serenity's logistics systems, could transfer only the necessary materials to where they were needed.

Hence, there were several shuttles still waiting to be used.

While Ariel kept an eye out on their perimeter, Guila fiddled with a control panel and they were eventually able to board a tram. Their destination had long been decided; Loading Dock 7.

The seats were opposite to one another, with a large space in the middle for cargo, and there was no driver’s seat, since there was no need for one. Instead, there was another control panel which they could use for emergencies or to request a reroute. Normally, there should be a bobbing blue circle on the deactivated LCD screen, waiting for a voice command. But they didn’t have to worry about it's absence.

Instead, Guila was left to fester with her aching heart.

If the Lord Count was the one who gave her everything she wanted, it was Lord Hiiro who gave her the validation she needed and the support when she failed. He was always the first to test nearly every design and contraption, showing by example, that she could be trusted by the Count’s people, especially by the Centurions and Praetorians.

And now… now, he was dead.

She knew as much.

However, the much smaller, warm hand holding her’s, gave her some solace. At least she wasn’t the only one to see him in his final moments, and maybe… just maybe, living a long life, truly was the best they could do to thank him. To live as he did.

She knew she was deluding herself, but, at least through it, she was able to find the strength to raise her gaze and stare at a snoozing Ariel, laying her head on her shoulder. She smiled, seeing her half-open lips and long eyelashes, and doing so, made the warmth from her hand seem stronger.

‘Even when sleeping, you won’t let go of me, huh?’

With a quiet chuckle, Guila danced her fingers through her messy magenta hair, then was rewarded by the sight of Ariel’s drooped ears and tail stirring for a moment.

Guila wasn’t blind. At the very least, she had an idea on how Ariel had begun to see her.

It was not exactly a subtle change. But… she couldn’t even think of trying to correct it. Nor was she completely sure. In fact, she probably was just reading too much into it. There were many possible reasons why Ariel would hold her so tightly. Almost none of which were what she initially imagined.

‘That’s okay, though. I’m sure our dear husband wouldn’t mind, even if that was the case.’

The moment endured in silence, as she took in the precious sight of her sleeping Vulpina. The adorable little thing, without whom she'd never have made it this far. Her small, and yet reliable shoulders, thin yet strong arms and legs, her cute sharp nose.

“I almost don't want to share you, you know?” She whispered with heaed breath. “But you already know that I can't be selfish.”

Just then she saw a tram wreckage in the corner of her eye, causing her to jerk up and awaken Ariel.

“G-Guila…?”

Even with her current eyesight, she had no problem comprehending the scene that awaited them. Nearly a dozen trams had been derailed, right at the convergence which led to the loading docks, all because the tracks had been broken or blocked by debris, and soon, their tram would derail as well. Maybe even killing them, if they were unlucky.

But it wasn’t too late to stop it.

She grabbed the spear off the floor, and stabbed it deep into the control panel! Doing so caused the emergency magnetic brakes to activate with a screech, and they were both thrown against the front windshield.

“Nngh…” Guila groaned, as she tried to push herself off the floor, then turned around to see Ariel already making her way over to help. “You recover… quick…”

With a sigh, she allowed herself to be helped up. Then, she growled at the scene outside. They were only a few more feet away from derailing or even worse, crashing against the tram that arrived ahead of them. Since everything was electric, there were no oil spills, or other fluids scattered about - besides the thick pools of blood that is. But there were no corpses visible.

There was a chance that the people had been rescued, but the fact that there weren't any visible corpses, meant that there were insects in the area.

“You have got to be shitting me!” Guila roared at the top of her lungs - causing Ariel to wince. They were still roughly a mile away from Loading Dock 7, and only 40 minutes of oxygen remained in storage.

“We were so fucking close!” Rage and desperation overwhelmed her, quickly giving way to a despondent cry. There was no point in trying to keep quiet anymore. The sound of the tram’s brakes were already a shrill dinner bell.

“... now, we’ll have to walk the rest of the way!”

“I know, Guila. I know.” Ariel answered with an exhausted and wry grin on her face. “But, did you know that every time you’ve tried to save us, I land on the floor? It’s not very fun, but I don’t yell into your ear for it.”

“I’m going to pull your tail off, if you say another word…!” She groaned once more, still feeling the ache in her shoulders and hips. But once the spear was recovered, they quickly made their way to the door. Hopefully they still had enough adrenaline to push them the rest of the way.

As the double sided doors slid open, they were greeted by the worst thing they'd seen yet.

A child-sized, boy-shaped abomination, standing outside with an upturned head as if it was expecting something from them.

But it was not like the ones they’d seen before. This one was truly an insectoid, with a pair of round, black compound eyes. It had a dark brown, fully symmetrical, chitin and integument body. It had a complete set of antennae, palps and mandibles instead of a mouth, sharpened fingertips and toes, spine-like hairs on it’s limbs, and finally a pair of wings.

It was… almost majestic. Like it wasn’t an abomination just like all the rest.

However, it didn’t attack them, even after eyeing the weapon in Ariel's hand. It just watched, with its palps and antennae twitching in response to the duo's every breath.

Guila was amazed by its existence. But Ariel saw it differently. It was dangerous. Far, far more dangerous than anything that she could have imagined. Even though it didn’t even reach her chest. She slowed down her breathing considerably, while her tail and ears stood on end, and never once took her eyes off of it.

Step by step, she led Guila off the tram, holding her by the waist the entire time. The thing followed them with its eyes at first, then it craned its neck and eventually turned with its entire body. Meanwhile, during the few, precarious seconds that passed, countless insects made their presence known in their surroundings.

Peons, Oozers, and even disgusting abominations were among them. But maybe it was some small mercy that they didn’t see any of those that fought Hiiro. It gave them hope at the very least, but they knew that they needed to try and save themselves first, if they wanted someone else’s help.

Yet, once again, much like the child, the ibsects waited, watching them from a distance.

“... what is that you want?”

The child abomination tilted its head at Guila, then its palps moved once more and its mandibles separated to reveal what remained of the boy’s teeth.. “... mAMa…” His voice didn’t sound right at all, it wasn’t the voice of a child, but it wasn’t the voice of an adult either. It didn’t even sound or intonate like a person, and she could only register it as ‘ear-grating’. Just like the chittering which their palps and legs constantly produced.

“... do you want to find your mama?”

Ariel was practically ready to tear her own hair out, terrified yet equally astonished by the fact that Guila was actually conversing with the thing - but its answer changed all of her emotions back into terror.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“...maMa, iN… HeRE.” It said while patting its stomach. “... yOU sOuND LiKE mAMa.”It was then that Guila arrived at the closest thing to something she could call a plan. Clearly, this thing was the only barrier protecting her and Ariel from the horde surrounding them. Which meant… she had to appease it, while working on a plan to escape.

“We have to go back into the Maintenance Layer.” She whispered, and Ariel immediately balked at the idea. However, she eventually nodded.

“... which direction?”

“No.” Guila released herself from Ariel’s grip, and locked eyes with the child-like abomination, only to smile, then break eye contact, before going on her way. “Don’t worry, I’ll guide the way.”

“What do you mean don’t-?!” Ariel raised her voice, but Guila pressed a finger against her lips, bringing her to silence. Then Guila gestured with her chin towards the ‘Child’ before turning to face it properly.

It was following her with its gaze. Then it turned its head to stare at Ariel, as well. Only to focus on Guila again, completely ignoring her.

“Do you want to come with us, Dear?”

“... yES.” The thing nodded, before stepping closer. It almost seemed… excited.

Needless to say, Ariel understood nothing about the situation. Besides the fact that the creature had imprinted on Guila, which only caused her to worry even more. But, even as she fought with the anguish and terror, she couldn’t just stand there and watch Guila walk away. Not when she finally had a goal, and surely, there was a plan.

Her job now was to make sure that she was there to help. So she moved to stand behind Guila, between her and the child, with her weapon held in one hand. If it was going to attack, it would have t00o go through her first. But little did she know that her actions gave Guila the necessary strength and assurance she needed, to take another step, then another - resolutely and without worry.

For she could neither panic nor move too fast, because that might agitate the thing, and the thing not only had purpose and desire, it had power and control.

The ‘Child’, was the insect’s King.

Hence, she displayed her radiance and grace. A noblewoman above all others, and her trusted guard. Befitting to escort such a being.

But, it never did take its eyes off Guila’s back. Both of them knew that to be the case, even without confirming it.

They stepped right into the Maintenance Layer, without encountering a single insect. Not even the tiny ones. They all steered clear of their King, either because they were commanded by it, or they would not dare bask in its radiance. Either way, they practically had free reign, for as long as it kept following them, chittering and fluttering its wings as it did.

“Keep your cool, Ariel. Cover your nose if you have to.”

A stench permeated the Maintenance Layer, which separated the bulk of Deck C and the actual Loading Dock area meant for ships. It smelled like rotten eggs and it was distinct from all the smells that the insects made until now, while it was also far too soon for methane to form from decomposition.

But it was truly a sight to behold.

Down below, stood several magnificent towers of mucus, dirt and various other materials. Though, none of them were finished yet, and they could see many bodies embedded into the central pillar, most of them still moving. They also saw dozens of Peons all hard at work, building the structure and transferring what seemed to be waste to somewhere unseen from their vantage point.

Ariel had smeared her own spit against her nose at this point, but she didn’t express any complaints. That was until Guila asked for the spear with an outstretched hand. She was just about to say something, when Guila glared at her. Given the situation, Ariel was stunned, and meekly gave up the weapon - ears and tail drooping in despair.

But the ‘King’ just kept watching, even while she took off one of the ship’s panels and revealed some wiring within. Then, she exposed the copper within and… gave the nearly invisible screwdriver one last look.

The first gift she’d ever received from her beloved husband. The gift that got them this far… her regal expression broke, and she allowed her sadness to show. But she couldn’t cry. That might set the King off too. So, she just clenched onto its form and she gave it a kiss.

Then, she changed it's shape one last time - a clamp that connected the two exposed wires.

“We should continue on.” With that said, Guila continued walking.

Of course, Ariel understood even less now, but she gripped the piece of bed-railing as tightly as she could. Even without the blade, she trusted her suit to help her gain the necessary strength, and pierce right through the King’s head. But, just like every other time, the King did nothing but watch Guila’s every move.

Even once they exited back into Deck C and proceeded on their way to the Loading Docks.

‘It's closing the gap.’ Ariel realized, then tensed her body in preparation.

‘327… 328… 329… 330…’ Meanwhile, Guila kept counting in her head. ‘331… 332… 333… 334-’

“...mAMa… iS SHe yoUR DauGHTeR?” The King’s words made both Guila and Ariel freeze in place. How? How could she possibly answer? How could she predict what it’d do if she did?

“... she-”

The shrill hissing of violent flames reached Ariel’s ears first, before the searing heat burst out of the Maintenance door they existed, engulfing much of the area in a violent flash.

Guila had ignited the leaking hydrogen fuel! The initial damage from several hours ago had taken its toll, and the ventilation systems had spread the gas far and wide. But, more importantly, the flames would reach the actual storage areas and-

Boom! Boom! Crash!

The ship shook violently, as more and more dull explosions echoed around them in the span of several seconds.

The insects immediately went into a frenzy and even the King had turned around, seemingly in shock.

But the first explosion had already deafened Ariel, and so she was able to focus long enough to try and stab the King through its head. “Hup-!” However, before Ariel could put her weight behind the attack, Guila grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her forward.

“Now’s our chance!” She yelled. But even though Ariel could not hear her, she understood, and promptly tossed the useless piece of metal away, when another explosion shook the ship.

It was now a race against time.

12 minutes. No. Much less than 12 minutes was all they had left until they ran out of oxygen.

Yet everything seemed to slow down, as if their cognitive ability had suddenly improved to such greater lengths than ever thought possible? Was it just the adrenaline? Or was it oxygen deprivation already taking its toll on them?

The ship shook again, but they were able to hold onto each other and keep themselves upright. Yet neither of them felt fear, in spite of the flames which engulfed their surroundings, and the insect noises behind them grew louder as if in defiance. There was already a strong sense of success in their hearts. They’d made it this far. Even if they were to die now, they would die together.

But living together was far more desirable!

Dock 10.

It was a massive structure, almost 50 meters tall and nearly 100 across, with multiple scaffolding tiers that allowed for multiple boarding and avenues for cargo and people.

Dock 9.

They ran hand in hand, as the ceiling panels and the outer hull collapsed in on itself.

Dock 8.

Flames licked at them from every direction, while shrapnel and torn fittings threatened to tear right through them. But they never slowed down.

Dock 7.

They’d arrived!

They turned the corner, and even as another explosion erupted from the ceiling, Guila could not mistake the man that stood resolute in front of the last ship still docked - standing just inside the plasma film which protected him from the elements. A man who stood much taller than her, with bandages across his upper body and a look of bewildered joy on his face.

The man she loved more than anyone else in the world.

“Lord Count!” She cried, and saw him yell, but she could not hear him. The last explosion had deafened her as well, but she was still conscious and even though the scaffolding had collapsed, there was still enough of the floor which did not give way to the flames underneath. They only needed to jump and-

“Ariel, get ready-” She turned around, but saw her companion, her sister, trapped under the red hot debris. But Ariel wasn’t even asking for help. Instead, she was smiling at her. Even as sweat ran down her face due to the pain.

“Go.” She mouthed, soundless and calm, before she resumed her smile. Despite how much it ached her to say the word - to be forced to give up, right before she could even begin… To watch as Guila would leave her behind and return to a man who would only continue to cause her harm…!

To not be there, when she would cry! To not be the one she’d retreat to! ‘The Count who would always hurt her and Hiiro who would do nothing that the Count didn’t order him to - they get to have Guila, but not me?! I wouldn’t even get the chance?! After everything I've done?!’ Tears ran down her cheeks, as the pain, her rage, and her jealousy finally engulfed her.

In spite of all of that anguish, Ariel never lost her smile.

“Please, just don’t forget about me.”

Guila turned towards her husband once more, his expression now distraught, as his men tried to keep him from running for them.

Then, she smiled.

Just like when they’d last seen each other, when he let go of her, surrendering her to death. But this time, she was going to say the words she should’ve said back then.

“I love you! So much!”