We eventually reach the area past the rest stop, which I originally thought was a dead end.

"Here, was it? How are we supposed to get down?" I ask.

"It's smaller than I thought, Fortee." Jeanette says, scratching her head. "No stairs here... I guess we'll go with plan B. Just don't expect me to fight much for a while afterwards..."

"I guess that will have to do." He looks back. "Where did Esraye go, Darion?"

Darion looks surprised and looks over his shoulder as well.

"Gods, you were so busy sulking you didn't even notice?" Jeanette huffs. "I really feel sorry for that girl."

He looks panicked, but then sighs in relief as she strides around the corner.

"Do not be. Jeanette... Darion is... still wonderful to me. And yes, our behind is certainly... safe." She nods, looking over her shoulder with a strange smile.

He looks like he swoons at her casual expression of love. Heh... it’s a pretty funny relationship they have. Unexpectedly... affectionate?

Kiku is fidgeting to herself, I notice, blushing, and Rishya has a shy smile as well. These two are funny romantics as well...? I'll have to keep that in mind.

"Then, send me first. If there is danger, I shall hold." Fortinbras says.

"Of course you will, you lug. Being a dense ball is your specialty!" Jeanette snickers.

"What are we doing, then?" I ask once more.

"Ah, right. I'll lower ya down one by one... maybe two of the girls at a time."

Taking the lift, is it?

She starts making motions again, and Fortinbras walks straight off the ledge, showing his implicit trust in her. He dips suddenly for a moment, but then sinks gradually out of sight.

"Cya on the other side, Fortee." She smiles sweetly.

"I will be waiting for you to catch up, as ever." He smiles back.

She snickers. "Asshole" she curses under her breath, though happily.

Kali makes gagging motions as she comes up next to me.

"Such sugar. Kali retch!" She exclaims.

This four are fairly diabetes inducing. I wonder if the real reason the cleric gentleman left was that he was like the fifth wheel?

Though I'm driving an out-of-control six-wheeler, so I can't talk.

"I don't think I can call them out on it though." I smile wryly to Kali.

"Enough trueness. Elijah also quite full of sugar." She giggles.

I grab her in a hug.

"Would you like some sugar?" I joke.

She squirms and blushes.

"Here!? Honestly... such pervert..."

I peck her on the forehead and let her go.

She giggles again and dashes off.

Aria sighs next to me and rolls her eyes but doesn't say anything.

I look back up at the transfer operation and see Darion has already been sent down squealing due to her deliberately dropping him for a moment. She really torments her brother. Esraye chops her on head, and goes to descend herself.

"Ugh, heavy... Esraye... did your boobs grow again?" Jeanette curses.

Esraye looks to her left, squints, her eyes briefly sparkling, and then smiles.

"What can I say? Brother of yours keeps rubbing." She says, deadpan.

"Ugh! Ugh! Not an image I needed! Ugh! Get away already!" She beckons and Esraye rapidly disappears down the chasm.

Jeanette sighs, showing some fatigue, and then looks up to us.

"Who first then? And no, you can't go together with your man." She says.

"Mmmm... send us first." Seria says, taking Kiku's arm and making her chitter.

"Kali go with Rish-chan!"

"Noooo...!" Rishya moans as she is dragged into the queue by Kali.

I laugh to myself.

"I should probably go by myself. My spear is probably heavier than Miss. Esraye's scythe." Aria says, rolling her eyes.

We all line up for the lift and Jeanette sighs.

...

...

...

"Ugh..."

"Flogged like the workhorse you are, sis." Darion snarks.

"Ugh..."

Seems she can't even retaliate. Jeanette is wheezing and looks exhausted. She floated down herself after sending us all.

Fortinbras pats her on the shoulder.

It's oppressively dark down here. At the bottom, it was pretty macabre. We literally landed on a floor made of tightly packed and piled bones. The air is tight and stale, and it feels like there is a thin veil of mist everywhere you look, despite the dryness on my face.

A narrow shaft of light splits the darkness from the chasm above, looking like a giant dagger thrust into a giant creature.

"As per the prior agreement, we shall stand guard over this, seeing it is the primary exit. If a situation should occur that requires our further assistance, do not hesitate to retreat to this location. At least two of us shall be here at all times."

I personally wasn't around for this prior agreement, but it seems Aria already sorted out the details, and made it known that I would have to be challenged to grow stronger.

So, they are basically here as an emergency life raft, whilst also investigating the new layout on the side themselves.

I guess that’s mildly comforting. Given what I've seen of this dungeon thus far, I doubt actual 'Safe Zones' are on the menu, and when they are attempted, it is more a calculated risk, like that previous rest stop that the Skull Beast butchered.

Let’s hope this area's not like its 'darkest dungeon' descriptor implies, eh?