Seto narrowed his eyes, studying the wire tree as it now leaned against the upsidedown bar counter, ready for those escaping to climb up. Was it sturdy enough to hold them all? He didn't know. But he would see to it that the others went before him—Mokuba being first of all, of course. Seto would come last.
He looked back over at his younger brother. Mokuba was still watching the Ishtars, but now he was smiling and happy as he saw Marik ecstatically embracing his elder brother. They wouldn't have to leave Rishid behind now, provided the wire tree would hold up as he climbed. Seto growled low to himself. If they couldn't make it up the tree, they would all be sunk—literally.
"Come on, Mokuba," he called. They had no time left to be watching—or engaging in—family reunions. When Seto glanced at the large window, he saw the glass was starting to crack. "We have to leave right now!" He raised his voice, its tones booming around the room.
"This is sheer madness!" a high-pitched voice returned and Seto looked toward the sound. One of the other businessmen who had come onboard was glaring at Seto, arms crossed. His beady eyes flashed as he expressed his deep disgust with it all. "None of you will ever make it out. Most of you probably won't even be able to get up the tree. What we should be doing is trying to contact the captain!"
Seto's lip curled at the unbelievably insane statements being made. "The captain?" he retorted. "In case you haven't noticed, this ship is upsidedown! The captain can't help you now. He can't help any of us! The captain is dead." He spoke in a cold, firm voice, disgusted at this delay and at the utter stupidity of this man and most of the other passengers. "My way is the only way any of us will ever see the light of another day. This level is going to go underwater any minute now. I'm not gonna be here when it happens. If you want to be, go ahead. It's not my business." He turned away in irritation.
Bakura swallowed hard. "Yami," he said quietly, having watched the exchange, "do you think there truly is any hope for us?" He looked back at the thief, who was muttering to himself as Oreo hopped inside his shirt.
Yami Bakura glanced over at him. "There never was much hope," he replied in a snappish tone. "Perhaps Kaiba can lead us out. Perhaps not."
"Well, that was certainly encouraging," Téa could be heard to mutter.
"Who's with me?" Seto demanded. "Whoever wants to leave this ship alive, come over here now!" He clenched his fist tightly, his gaze traveling over each of the still-living passengers. Slowly Yugi and some of his friends came over, Téa being among the first. Joey was still hesitating, frowning deeply, but then he also went over. Even though he didn't like Seto's plan, he liked the idea of staying in this room even less. That was even more stupid than climbing a wire tree and trying to get to the new top level of the ship. And he had Serenity to think of.
Mokuba turned to run over as well. "We've gotta go!" he called to the Ishtars urgently. He just hoped Rishid would have enough strength to make it up the tree. They had come this far; Rishid couldn't be forced to be left behind now! If that happened, Mokuba doubted Marik or Ishizu would come either. And Mokuba didn't want to lose his friend. He turned away, tears filling his eyes.
Marik looked at Rishid worriedly. "Will you be able to make it up, Rishid?" he asked in a whisper. He had tried to explain to Rishid about what was going on, but he wasn't sure the man was aware enough to completely understand. But he wasn't going to leave without him. Not now, not ever.
Ishizu stood by, her cerulean eyes filled with concern. The Tauk had just shown to her another vision, one that was so very disturbing. "We have less than five minutes," she told them quietly. "Then this level will be flooded. We must escape!" Already water was trickling in through the cracks in the window.
Rishid started to get up, feeling an immense headache coming on. But he would ignore it. He had to be able to go with his siblings. The sound of the water was coming through quite plainly now and people were starting to panic anew. Rishid struggled to stand and swayed, leaning on Marik for support. The boy was more than willing to help his brother, but he gazed at him with worried lavender eyes, afraid that Rishid wouldn't be able to make it up the tree. Rishid tried to give him a reassuring smile. He would make it. For certain, he would make it.
One by one Seto's group started to ascend the tree, beginning with Mokuba at Seto's insistence. It was a wobbly climb and worrisome at times, but the thick wires seemed to be holding. With a bit of luck and a lot of divine help, perhaps they would all manage to get out before it was too late.
Seto turned to the chaplain. "Are you going to come?" he asked, seeing that the man was one of the few who believed Seto could actually accomplish what he was attempting to. Seto found it foolish for the man to remain behind with a group of people who were too absurd to recognize what had to be done. Anyone who understood how they could get out should take the opportunity.
The chaplain sighed. "No, son," he replied. He recognized that Seto was the world-renowned president of KaibaCorp, but to him, Seto was just a brave teenage boy, trying to do what he could to get these people out. He felt fond of him in some way, so he addressed him as "son." "These people shouldn't be abandoned in their time of distress."
Seto snorted. "If they were smart, they'd come with us," he stated flatly. "They're all gonna die, but maybe they wouldn't if they would just listen to reason! Going up to what is now the top of the ship is the only way anyone's going to get out alive!" He glanced back toward the tree, where a shaking and nervous Serenity was being helped up by Joey and encouraged by Tristan and Duke. Off to the side were the Ishtars, waiting their turn. That was five more people right there, after Serenity went up. Mokuba, Yugi, Bakura and his Yami were already up on the next level and looking back down, shouting encouragement to Serenity as well. . . . Excuse me, Yami Bakura was not engaging in that.
The chaplain gave a sad smile. "All of us act like that at one time or another, don't we?" he remarked. "At some time in our lives, we simply don't want to listen to reason. Sometimes we think that we have it all figured out and that nothing will change our minds, including the actual truth." He laid a hand on Seto's shoulder. "They're all lost right now, son. Don't think badly of them."
Seto just frowned in reply, not especially moved by these words. "How they want to waste their lives is not my business," he said then, watching as Tristan went up. Only one person at a time could go, making things all the more tense. The ship was rocking viciously now, the water up to the top of Seto's shoes. Around him, people were screaming and trying to determine what they should do. Seto decided that the easiest way to deal with this would be to act unmoved by their cries. And he honestly was irritated with them all. They would be dead in a few minutes and then they'd wish they'd listened. He clenched his fists, willing the noise to stop.
Ishizu looked around nervously as she and Marik both steadied Rishid. After a short moment, the man straightened up completely and insisted that he could now go up on his own—after Marik and Ishizu were both up, of course. Marik protested vehemently, but Ishizu knew the boy would get nowhere. Rishid had made up his mind and there wasn't time to argue with him. Rishid simply wasn't going to go up until his siblings were safe.
"Ishizu!"
The cry abruptly rang out and Ishizu's blood went cold. That was Boyer. So he had survived. Ishizu was glad of that, but she quickly realized that the man would probably be coming with them—and that idea she did not like. Then she would be forced to deal with her feelings for him before they could even get off the ship. With a sigh she turned around to see where he was.
Marik was also looking, though Rishid was telling him that he should start climbing now. At last Marik sighed, resigned to the fact, and slowly began his ascent. The ship lurched violently as he did so, nearly throwing him off. Immediately Rishid, Ishizu, and Seto were all there to steady the tree—as was Téa, who hadn't gone up yet either. Seto frowned slightly, wondering why she hadn't and why he hadn't noticed that she was still down here.
"Ishizu!" Boyer called again, coming right up to her as she was struggling to hold her part of the tree. Marik glared down at him before continuing his climb.
Ishizu looked up briefly at Boyer, letting out a mental sigh. "Will you be coming with us?" she asked, not stopping to offer a greeting. They were so pressed for time! Any minute the window would burst. . . .
"Of course," the man answered smoothly just as Marik reached the top. Ishizu quickly followed after her younger brother, having a bit of a struggle as she tried to keep her skirt from interfering. She realized grimly that it would probably only continue to cause her trouble—unless she removed it (which was out of the question) or shortened it somehow. At last she made it to the top and Marik embraced her warmly before looking back down.
"Come on, Rishid!" he called, gesturing. He was afraid that Boyer might try to come up next, and Marik absolutely didn't want that. He wanted Rishid to get up next so that for certain he would be there. I almost lost you a few minutes ago, Rishid, Marik said silently, willing his words to transmit to him through the mental bond they shared. And I won't lose you now!
And so Rishid began to go up. He blinked, forcing the thoughts of dizziness out of his mind. He wouldn't look down. His only thoughts would be of getting to Marik and Ishizu. They wouldn't be separated. They would all leave this ship together, as they had always come through every disaster placed in their way. Battle City, Juno, their enemies such as Vivalene, Yami Marik, and Dr. Portman. . . . Nothing had been able to sever the bond the Ishtar siblings possessed. And with these thoughts in his mind, Rishid suddenly found that he was at the top. He pulled himself up, slightly surprised that he had been able to climb up so fast, and then turned to his brother and sister, smiling softly at them. "I am here," he stated.
Marik smiled broadly. "Yes," he said quietly. "You're here, Rishid."
After Boyer went up, Seto turned to Téa. "You should've gone up ages ago!" he scolded, hearing the ship give a horrible groan. It was possible that he wouldn't even make it up before it was too late. But if that were so, he didn't want Téa to be here with him. The odd thought occurred to him that maybe Téa had wanted to stay behind until she was certain that Seto would make it up, but he quickly pushed it away. That was pure nonsense. Téa didn't have strong feelings for him such as that. She loved either Yugi or the Pharaoh or both of them at once. But not Seto Kaiba. She wouldn't love him.
"I'll go," Téa told him agreeably, "once all of my friends are safe." She looked firmly into his blue eyes with her own, shining with determination. Yes, she had told Seto he was her friend. That had been so long ago now and she still hadn't determined if her feelings for him ran deeper than that. But she did know she couldn't stand the thought of Seto perishing. She had nearly lost him after they had battled Carmichael and the warehouse had collapsed around them. And Mokuba had nearly lost him, too. Téa often tried to convince herself that any feelings other than friendship that she had for Seto was simply her not wanting Mokuba to lose his brother. But she didn't know if she truly believed that, though of course she didn't want Mokuba to be left all alone.
Seto grunted at Téa's words. He remembered, too, that she had called him a friend. That had been after he had nearly sacrificed himself to save her from a falling beam in the warehouse. But there was no time to recall such things now. Téa was foolish for waiting for him. He couldn't deny, though, that there was a part of him that felt grateful . . . or was it more than he was stunned? "Go up," he ordered. "I'll be right behind you." Briefly he glanced back at the pastor and the wildly screaming people. They wouldn't be coming. And he would have to accept that. There was nothing more he could do. He had shown them the way to get out and they hadn't wanted to take it, so they would have to suffer the consequences. Their blood wasn't on Seto's hands.
Téa swallowed hard, also having been looking at them. "Alright," she agreed finally, clutching at the wires on the tree almost desperately, as if willing her mind to forget the sight. So many people were going to die needlessly. It was so unfair! Why wouldn't they listen to Seto? Why was it that they would rather just sit and die? It wouldn't take that much effort to go up the tree and just find out if Seto was right!
"GO!" Seto yelled, seeing her hesitation. "There's nothing we can do for those people now. We have to save ourselves. I don't intend to leave Mokuba without his brother."
Téa shut her eyes tightly, shakily climbing up while keeping them closed. As promised, Seto did follow right behind her. They were out of time.
The window shattered just as Seto was getting onto the platform. Water flooded the entire dining room, screams echoing piercingly and hauntingly all through the area. All those who were momentarily safe on the next level were chilled by the sounds. Even Seto froze, looking back toward the destruction they were leaving behind. Really, though he acted cold and heartless, perhaps he was the most sensitive of all—having closed his heart because of the pain it had brought to him. But only Mokuba and Yugi—and Téa—really noticed the tormented look in the CEO's eyes. In the next moment Seto turned to face everyone there, his eyes having reclaimed their usual, icy look.
"Let's go," he said darkly, embracing Mokuba as the child came over. "It won't be long before the water comes up here." He didn't even know if there would be a way out by following this corridor they were in front of, but they had to try. The kitchen should be along this way. Maybe there would be an escape route from it.
Joey fumed at the cold tones. "Just a minute, Kaiba!" he yelled, pointing a forefinger at him in emphasis. "A whole lot of people are drowning down there! Don't you feel anything for them? Anything at all?!" His eyes flashed as he held Serenity close to him with one arm. His sister's eyes were full of tears, thinking of how that could have been Joey down there amongst them. And her heart went out to all those who were dying.
Seto's lip curled in irritation. He was sick of Joey's interference. "I did what I could," he replied icily. "They wouldn't come, so it isn't my fault. If you feel so badly for them, Wheeler, why don't you jump down there and join them?" With that he stalked past the blonde boy, heading off down the corridor. It was obvious to him that Joey was blaming him for the people dying down there. But he couldn't hold off Mother Nature and the wrath of the ocean. How was it his fault if the other passengers were just too stubborn to listen to him? It wasn't as if he could mind-control them with Marik's Rod and force them to come up. That wasn't the sort of thing he would do, anyway, even if he could.
Joey clenched his fist. "Why, that. . . ." His eye twitched as he grew more and more angry. He didn't want to be following Seto all the time they were here! Why wouldn't Yami Yugi take over? He turned to look at the Pharaoh questioningly.
But Yami Yugi shook his head. This was not his job. It had fallen to Seto to lead them out and the businessman was capable of doing it. Yami Yugi would not interfere.
"Man, I could be doin' a better job," Joey muttered angrily as he held Serenity closer. "Maybe if it'd been me, I could've got all those other people to come!" He glared back toward the edge of the platform, just in time to watch the wire tree get swept away by the rushing current.
"Joey," Serenity said softly as she looked up at him, "I don't know that anyone could have convinced them." She pulled away gently, turning to follow in the direction Seto had gone. "Mr. Kaiba is right—he did try. But they just wouldn't listen. Don't be angry at him." She tried to smile up at her big brother, but her hazel eyes were clouded with the remains of her tears. These were not the last she would cry this night.
"Yeah, forget Kaiba," Tristan put in, coming to stand next to Serenity. "Let's just concentrate on getting out of here alive." He laid a hand on Serenity's shoulder, much to Joey's dismay.
The thing is, Joey said to himself as he resignedly followed the others, is Kaiba gonna make sure that happens? What if something happens to Serenity? I'll never forgive myself then.
As the group walked down the seemingly endless corridor, they became aware of a familiar voice calling and banging on a door. One by one, they all stopped to look around, baffled by the muffled tones. Was it possible that someone else was alive? Of course the entire passenger list hadn't been in the dining room. And there was the ship's crew, as well. Now that they thought of it, it only made sense that someone else would be alive. But why did the voice sound so familiar?
It was Joey who figured it out first. "Mai!" he yelled, breaking into a run and hurrying over to where Seto was examining a door that didn't seem to be budging. As the Brooklyn boy reached out to grab the door handle, Seto snapped at him.
"Don't be a fool! There's a fire on the other side. That metal handle is hot!" The businessman frowned, wishing Joey wasn't here at all. The last thing I need is to have to baby-sit him! he thought angrily.
Joey frowned right back. "But Mai's in there!" he shouted. He hadn't even known she was onboard the ship. How had he missed her? Why hadn't she been in the dining room with all the others? Not that Joey would have wanted her to have been, but he wondered if the fate she was suffering right now was really any better. "We gotta get in there to her!"
Seto growled. "We will," he said irritably, "but not by getting unnecessarily burned." Even if there was no one living behind that door, they had to get through. It was the only door in the entire hallway. Seto had checked. At least, it was the only one where there was any slight chance of getting through. If the fire wasn't too serious, they could put it out and travel through the room to where there was hopefully another way out.
By now everyone else had gathered around, all of them concerned. "Mai's in there?!" Serenity cried in horror, her eyes widening. It had been a long time since she had seen the blonde woman whom she considered an older sister. Now, to think that she was in there, struggling with a fire, was horrible to think about! They had to get in!
Duke laid a hand on her shoulder. "That fire sounds bad," he muttered low. And Mai sounds panicked, he added silently. He looked around for anything they could use. There didn't seem to be anything of worth at all—only exposed pipes, falling plaster . . . and the sound of quickly approaching water from below. But then his eyes lighted upon a red object not too far away. "Hey!" he cried then. "There's a fire extinguisher down there!" He pointed across the hall to where the wanted device was, indeed, hanging upsidedown on the wall.
"I'll get it!" Marik volunteered, running over to free it from the wall. Mokuba ran over to help him.
Rishid smiled slightly, watching his brother work with his friend, and then turned back to the problem at hand. "Stand aside," he ordered Seto and Joey. What he was hoping was that he was strong enough to be able to actually break the door down. As the two teens moved out of the way, Joey watching questioningly, Rishid slammed himself into the door, weakening it.
Mokuba glanced over at this as he and Marik worked to pry the stubborn extinguisher away. "I didn't get a chance to talk to you . . . before," the young boy said hesitatingly, "but I wanted to tell you that . . . that I'm glad you didn't lose your brother." Mokuba gave Marik a genuine smile as the device finally tore free. He couldn't imagine anything more horrible than losing Seto. It was true that Marik at least did have another sibling, so he wouldn't have been completely without family—as Mokuba would be—but Mokuba knew that neither Marik or Ishizu would have forgiven themselves if they had been forced to leave Rishid behind.
Marik smiled back at his young friend. "So am I," he said quietly. "I don't know what I'd do without Rishid."
The two returned to the others just as Rishid managed to get the door to tear free. It flew backward into the room, which they quickly saw was covered with several small, but viciously spreading fires. Mai was kneeling in the middle of the room, trying to cover her nose and mouth. She looked up as the door came free, staring in shock and disbelief. If she could have, she would have cried Joey's name in surprise and delight. What was he doing here? What were all of them doing here? Mai had been certain it was the end for her. But it seemed that she was going to live for a while yet.
While Marik began spraying the extinguisher's contents around the room, attempting to clear a path so that they could all get out—along with assistance from most of the others—Joey and Serenity both ran immediately to Mai to help her up. She swayed a bit, gripping at Joey's arms to steady herself.
"Joey?" she whispered weakly, going into a coughing fit. It seemed so long since she had come here looking for anyone alive right after the ship had turned over. Somehow she had gotten sealed in the kitchen, fire all around her and much worse—badly charred bodies. She was sickened by it all but had tried to ignore the sights. Slowly she smirked gratefully at the brown-eyed boy, blinking up with her own tired violet orbs, framed by naturally long eyelashes. "You know, you're the first living person I've seen down here. I was starting to wonder if I was the only one left on the ship."
Joey held her close, looking around in relief as he saw the fire easing a bit. "Don't try to talk, Mai," he instructed. "We're gonna be out soon." That was when he noticed another horror—water coming in over their shoes.
Serenity noticed as well and gasped. The torrent had reached this level now. But it hadn't been so very long that they had escaped it the last time! They truly were just about out of time. But how would they possibly manage to get where they needed to be if they could only spend ten or fifteen minutes on each level? It seemed so hopeless! Serenity found herself whispering a desperate prayer for deliverance.
Seto, meanwhile, was also working hard to quell the flames. It would be impossible to put all of the fire out, he knew, but it looked like a possible path had been cleared to the next door. Finding the handle cool, he threw the door open and looked beyond it. All there was, that he could see, was a very large, circular ventilation shaft that went straight across. It was their only hope. He growled, frantically trying to remember where it led.
Then he felt eyes upon him and he turned to see Mokuba standing there, shaking, his blue-gray eyes full of horror. The child gazed up at his elder brother, his bottom lip trembling. He had seen one of the burned bodies—and it had been one of the worst ones, too. Mokuba didn't know that he would ever be able to forget that sight. All he wanted now was for Seto to be there and comfort him, but he didn't want to look like some sort of wimp in front of all the others. With a sob he flung himself at Seto, throwing his arms around Seto's waist and crying. "It was horrible," he choked out. "Seto, it was horrible!"
Seto frowned, holding him closer. He was certain he knew what Mokuba had seen, and he could understand the boy's horror, but there was really no time for this. They were all standing in the water by now. Once again, their time was running out. "I'm sorry, Mokuba," he said quietly, wishing he could offer more comfort. He continued to hold Mokuba as he looked back up at the others. "Come on," he ordered. "Our only way out is through that ventilation shaft. We have to get in it now!"
Mai was aghast. "What?!" she burst out. She had thought that the others had come from where it was safe and that they could go back out that way! But it was not to be.
"Mai, it's just terrible!" Serenity cried, laying her hands on the woman's arm. "Everything below us is flooded out." As they started walking over to where Seto was waiting, the girl tried to explain everything that had happened and what they needed to do next, with Joey's input now and then. Mai listened carefully, frowning and not happy, but understanding that there was no other choice.
The trip through the kitchen, though brief, was not a pleasant one. Yami Yugi took over for Yugi so that he would not have to see the horror of the bodies. Yami Bakura just guided his Hikari along irritably, wanting to get out as soon as possible. But even he was haunted by the sights, unable to forget how, as a child, he had seen his entire village massacred and burned. That was the first time when he had seen a sight such as this. He gritted his teeth, willing the memories to leave him. Over three thousand years had passed since then. He should be able to see a burned body and not let it disturb him so badly.
Seto picked Mokuba up and carried him to where the grate was. After yanking it open, with Marik's and Duke's help, he set his brother down and then knelt beside him, hoping that Mokuba wasn't so disturbed that he wouldn't be able to realize what had to happen next. "Mokuba," he said quietly, "we have to go in here. It's the only choice we have." Already the water was starting to seep over to them. Rishid, bringing up the rear, slammed the door shut behind him in hopes that the water would be delayed slightly, since there wasn't an opening at the new bottom of the door.
Mokuba shook his head vehemently. "Not without you, Seto," he replied shakily. "Please, no. . . . Not without you!" He remembered how Seto had wanted Mokuba to go up the tree first. Now, he was sure, his brother wanted him to go in the shaft first. But Mokuba wanted the comfort of knowing that Seto was right there with him, especially after he had seen such a treacherous sight.
Seto sighed, straightening up. Actually, now that he thought of it, he should go first to find out what was waiting ahead, since they were treading into absolutely the unknown. Perhaps he should appoint someone to help him keep everyone together. Then, if by any chance something really did happen to Seto along the way, there would be someone else to take over.
But there weren't many with whom Seto would entrust such responsibility. Definitely not Joey or Tristan or Duke. His pride wouldn't let him pick Yami Yugi. As his gaze traveled over everyone he finally made his decision.
"You," he grunted, pointing at Marik. "You're my second-in-command. Make sure everyone gets into the shaft. I'm going to go first to make sure we have a place to go at the end." He had been around the Ishtars quite often as of late. And Marik had proven himself worthy of Seto's trust and Mokuba's friendship many a time. Seto knew the Egyptian boy would give his own life if it came to that. Yes, Marik was a perfect choice. Plus, he wasn't easily deterred by grim sights. Seto knew both Bakura and Yugi would be sickened by some of the things they were likely to still pass along the way.
Marik blinked in stunned surprise, at first not sure of what to say. At last he managed to get out, "Alright," and began counting everyone to make sure they were there. He had never expected for Seto to choose him. For all he knew, Seto was quite indifferent to everyone, including Marik. But now that he had his assignment, he would do it well.
Afterwards no one quite knew how it had happened, but as they all started climbing into the shaft, the water broke the kitchen door down, rushing at them. Somehow Marik found himself being pushed in by Rishid, who immediately followed. Duke Devlin, who had been going to go in before Marik, now got in after Rishid did, slamming the grate behind him. They had to hasten. The water wouldn't waste time following them. Right now their only saving grace was that the ventilator wasn't directly on the floor. It would take the water a moment or two to get up to it.
Seto, meanwhile, had reached the other end with Mokuba and was staring out at what awaited them. Far, far below the grate was a small, rounded area which was quickly filling up with water. Just to the right of the grate was a ladder leading up to the next level. He reached, trying to see if it would be possible for them to take hold of it. To his relief, he found that it was.
He turned to face his brother. "Mokuba," he began, "I have to get on the ladder. Do you want to go before me or after me?" He would rather Mokuba got on first. Then Seto would be able to make certain that he didn't fall.
Mokuba swallowed hard, staring down at the rushing water below. "I can't," he whispered, his eyes widening. "Seto, I can't!" Thoughts of falling off the ladder ran rampant through his young mind and he trembled again, moving closer to Seto for comfort.
Seto narrowed his eyes slightly. "Of course you can, Mokuba," he replied. "You're my brother and an heir to the Kaiba name. I'm not gonna let anything bad happen to you now." Behind him he heard the others quickly approaching and he grew slightly nervous, though he told himself he wasn't. Was he really going to be able to do this? Was he qualified to lead all these people away from their possible deaths? So many lives were depending on him. Seto didn't like that one bit. If he failed, they would all die, including his brother. But no . . . he wouldn't fail.
Mokuba shut his eyes tightly. "I . . . I'd rather go first," he decided after what seemed an endless hesitation. "Then . . . if I start to fall, I know you'll be there to catch me." He smiled weakly.
"Hey, what's the hold-up?!" Tristan yelled from somewhere in the shaft's depths.
Seto snarled, helping Mokuba get situated on the ladder. "Shut up, Taylor," he retorted. Once Mokuba slowly started to climb the extensive ladder, Seto began to go up after him, but not before shouting directions to the others. One by one they also leaned out of the hole, snatching hold of the ladder before they could fall into the bubbling pit below.
When it came Serenity's turn she trembled, staring down at the churning water. "There's so much," she whispered. And she wouldn't know it, but it had risen another foot while they had been climbing out onto the ladder.
Joey, who was right behind her, smiled. "Come on, sis," he encouraged. "Soon we'll be outta this mess and it'll all be just a bad memory." Inwardly he wasn't so sure, but he refused to let Serenity see his uncertainty.
"I hope so," was Serenity's quiet reply as she climbed out after Tristan.
Nothing too out of the ordinary happened—save for Boyer's attempt to caress Ishizu's shoulder and her slapping his hand away—until it was time for the last people to go out. As Rishid got onto the ladder behind Marik, a horrible rumble swept through the shaft as the water came through in full force. Duke was thrown out of the grate by the sudden "waterfall," where he plunged into the pit below with a stunned cry. Everyone else was just as stunned, but nothing could prepare them for the horror as an explosion went off in the pit seconds after Duke disappeared below the surface!