The sky is grey over Proteus' castle.



—Helen—
Alright. This is it.
Welcome to my old home.



Coral and Helen wander the halls in their dented (but still functional) disguise; Coral on Helen's shoulders in a great big suit of armour. Blazing sconces mark the walls and criss-crossing stairways lead down into the depths of the world.

—Helen—
I told myself I'd never come back here...

Coral
* I really do appreciate it, Helen.
* We won't be long.




Coral glances to a battery of snakemen standing in formation, spears held firm.

—Helen—
This is not... how I remember it.

Coral
* How so?

—Helen—
Didn't used to be so serious...





They descend further, where the light struggles to reach. Something electric rots up from the foundations of the castle. Glitches eat at the air. Stairs track upwards behind them and downwards just ahead.

Coral
* We just need to get to the basement.
* Is this the right way?

—Helen—
We're going down, aren't we.

Coral
* Just making--


Proteus climbs up from the stairs in front of them with Girlbeast Alexi and the Silencing Knight following closely behind.

—Girlbeast Alexi—
I think that went pretty well, eh boss?
Charted that realm more-- and that new recruit we got was HUGE!

—Proteus—
And yet, we are still no closer to understanding the cause of this intrusion.

—Girlbeast Alexi—
Fah! I'm tellin' ya, big guy, you worry too much.

—Silencing Knight—
......

—Proteus—
I don't recall teaching you two to act so foolishly.
If anything, we are not worrying nearly enough--

Proteus notices Coral shuffling off to the side as though she might be passed by unremarked upon.





Proteus stops walking. He stares directly at Coral.





She haltingly meets his gaze.