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He doesnt seem like hell panic, said Garovel. Just answer him honestly.
Well, ah, said Hector, were safe for now.
That so?
But there are still worms everywhere.
Figures. The man frowned and smacked his lips together. Guess I have to ask you to look after me for a bit longer, then. Sorry for the trouble.
Impulsively, Hector almost said that it was no trouble, but he stopped himself. Because, well... honestly? It was. It really was. And Mr. Sheridan would probably know he was just saying that to be polite or whatever.
Hector didnt actually mind, of course. This was the kinda shit he lived for. But it was definitely trouble. In fact, that was kinda the point.
But then again, maybe he shouldve said it anyway, even if it was just to be polite. Being polite was a good thing, after all, wasnt it?
Shit, he was putting way too much thought into this.
And perhaps Mr. Sheridan had grown uncomfortable by Hectors deliberating silence, because then the man said, I promise Ill make this up to you.
Crap, he was being rude, wasnt he? He hadnt been talking nearly enough. Thinking back, hed kinda been ignoring or otherwise not responding to a lot of the things that this guy had been saying so far. Sure, hed been preoccupied with bigger concerns, but still...
And now he really didnt know what to say. How was he supposed to respond to a promise like that? Just say cool? No, that would be stupid. He didnt give a shit if this guy ever paid him back or not. That wasnt important at all. So maybe he should just say okay? Eh, it was more neutral, but not much better, really...
Argh, why was this so difficult? Whered all the worms go? Wasnt there at least one who wanted to come fight him, right now? He wouldnt mind.
A faint, red-orange light caught his attention. With only the tiny lamp in Mr. Sheridans hand, theyd been walking through an all-encompassing wall of darkness up to now, so he had to wonder where this new light was coming from. It seemed to be emanating from around corner.
Is that Zeff and the others? he asked Garovel.
No, theyre still a ways away. I think thats probably just lava.
Hectors brow lowered from behind his misty helm. JUST lava?
Youve never seen lava before?
Not up close, no. Not sure I want to, either.
Sure enough, when they were close enough, a rocky corner revealed itself to their lamplight, and they peeked around it to find a rushing river of lava in their way. It burned so intensely bright and was such a harsh contrast to the darkness everywhere else that Hector couldnt look directly at it without his eyes beginning to hurt.
Hmm, hummed Garovel. Well wait for Zeff here.
You sure? I could build a bridge over it, no problem.
Big problem, actually. Heat convection is a bitch, Hector. And you still havent mastered temperature manipulation with your iron yet, have you?
Ah...