They walked.
Not in formation.
Not even in sync.
Just four people with four gods whispering in their ears and no map.
The corridor curved twice. Then straightened. Then sloped down.
Again.
Always down.
Merlin walked at the edge of the group.
Dion stayed near the front, talking like this was a hike and not a divine stress test.
Mae hovered near the wall. Not hiding. Just… skimming the edge of everyone else's orbit.
Flint didn't speak. Didn't blink. Didn't seem to breathe louder than he had to.
Merlin hated that he was starting to like him.
Dion broke the silence first.
"So. If we're all apostolic trialers, does that make us coworkers? Or cultists?"
Mae said nothing.
Flint did not blink.
Merlin muttered, "Temporary meat shields."
Dion grinned. "Oh, you're fun."
"No."
He wasn't.
They turned a corner. The walls changed again, smoother now, less carved. Still glowing faintly from within. The light shifted from blue-gold to something closer to amber.
