"Do you think the roof caved in or that it never had a roof?"

"What?" Heln looked over.

Bel gestured to the empty space above the walls of the house. "Well, just that, it's in a cave, right? So, clearly, no need for a roof. Besides, if you didn't have to worry about weather, why not go to sleep with a view like this every night? Or day? Time is all relative when you're underground, I guess."

The cavern ceiling looked like a galaxy. If Bel didn't concentrate too hard, she could almost pretend they were outside.

Bel had found a stream pretty quickly. She'd showed Rhyss and they'd followed the meandering, weedy stream in hopes of finding food.  They weren't disappointed, the stream must have been part of an irrigation system for what had become an overgrown orchard. Black trees with thick, claw-like root systems were heavy with pale, ghostly globes that ended up tasting a bit like apples, but lighter and sweeter. Whatever they were, Bel practically inhaled two the moment Rhyss figured they were safe.

When they got back, the ruined house was almost comfortably warm from Rhyss's fire script. Once she'd eaten, Bel had flopped onto the floor, exhaustion pulling her down like rocks, and announced that the moss was surprisingly comfortable. It didn't take long for Heln and Rhyss to find out if she was right.

"Maybe it wasn't always underground." Rhyss almost sounded relaxed. She was lying on her other side, though she had curled up so she was facing the hole that served as a doorway, her cloak pulled up over her. It was starting to look a little worse for the wear, though her jacket wasn't much better. A cleaning script couldn't mend tears, which was unfortunate for Heln.

"Maybe." Heln turned towards Bel. He seemed okay. He'd been dozing when they got back from finding food, but now he seemed as wide eyed and alert as anyone could be. "So… we have food and water, after we've rested do we push forward or try to head back the way we came?"

They were all quiet for a moment.

"I think we should try to find another exit." Rhyss broke the silence. Her breathing had been so even Bel had thought she'd fallen asleep. "We know what's behind us, constructs and a magic eater. I'm pretty sure we only survived that because it was out hunting and we surprised it, so I really don't think we're getting back through there. There were other tunnels, but this cave makes me feel like we're going in the right direction. Bel?"

"You're asking me?" Bel was genuinely surprised, but she supposed even Rhyss couldn't think all of her ideas were the best ones all the time. Of course, it had been nearly an hour since Rhyss told her that she was stupid, maybe she was fishing for a reason.

She wasn't going to tell her that she hadn't actually even thought about it. She assumed they would go along with whatever Rhyss suggested. She mulled it over for a moment, before nodding a bit. "Surprisingly enough, I agree with you. I don't think the other tunnels went anywhere and for all we know they could be blocked by more things like the magic eater. Like a nest of magic eaters. Or actual giant man-eating spiders because magic. Besides, we can always turn around, right? Heln?"

"I don't know." Heln admitted. "Part of me thinks we could go back. We can avoid the constructs if we're careful and we'll be able to dodge the magic eater now that we're prepared and know that it's there. Probably."

"And what does the rest of you think?" Rhyss turned to face both siblings. The fire script reflected off of her eyes.

"Well, that's the thing. The rest of me wants to know what's down here. I want to know why we didn't know about the tunnels, where they lead, who's creating them… Listen I know it's not really a time for curiosity, but honestly do you think we'll ever get down here again?"

"Honestly? I think I'm going to get arrested and if you two aren't, then you're probably never leaving your dad's house again." Rhyss sat up. Bel and Heln followed suit. It was the sort of discussion that at least required being partially upright. Moving felt like lifting a thousand pounds. Now that she wasn't hungry or thirsty, the walking, climbing and running—not to mention the near constant terror—had really caught up to her. She was definitely not cut out for the Guard.

"So, what, one last hurrah?" Bel managed a grin despite everything.

"I'm saying that we're all in agreement that we move forward, but also in agreement that we turn back if it gets too dangerous." Rhyss didn't even glare at her when she answered. Amazing. Maybe there was something soft underneath all of the layers of literal and figurative armor after all. "And if we happen to figure out what this place is along the way then it's a bonus. There's enough water to keep us alive and we know there's food here. Most of the mosses are edible—yes, Bel, they're edible, don't make that face at me—so we're not in any immediate danger of starvation. Does that sound okay?"

Bel continued to make the face, waiting to see just what kind of reaction she could pull out of Rhyss. She expected Rhyss to roll her eyes, but she just sighed.

"I said starvation, Bel, you can stop that now. I really think this is the best course of action."

She almost stopped making a face to smile. Maybe she was growing on Rhyss, like definitely non-edible moss.

"I think this is what they mean when they say there's a difference between living and thriving," Bel muttered. Something nagged at her about what Rhyss had said. She talked about the best course of action, but Bel thought Heln was right and they probably could go back. It was the only sure-fire way they knew out of there and the search parties must have already cleared the entrance.

Going back was really their best option, but Bel didn't even want to try. Just the thought made her feel heavier. The idea of moving forward was vastly more appealing, even if they'd taken a wrong turn and the tunnel going to the Temple was a lie.

"At least a little further, then." Heln's voice broke through her thoughts.

If they were all in agreement, for once, then she wasn't going to voice her doubts. The tunnels had to go somewhere, so Bel nodded. "I liked how 'one last hurrah' sounded better."

"That makes it sound like we're going to die," Rhyss told her, flatly. There was the glare, she'd almost missed it.

"You're always so negative." She moved to her knees and held out her hand. "Now give me your dagger knife thingy so I can set up a barrier, because I'm about to fall asleep."