There were moments where Vreta’s thoughts were cast back to the ruined temple, to the beam of light, the hatchway, and his own memories that he had been brought back to. However, such thoughts were fleeting. It was as if his thoughts were being forced into the present, to focus on what was in front of him. 

The tunnel was starting to feel more and more like a tomb as parts of it continued to collapse. How long before it fell apart to the point that they would be trapped? Or perhaps they already were and simply did not know it yet? Either way, it still felt right to keep moving forward, away from the threat. Though, there were many others doing the same. The tunnels soon became crowded with many other cephalopods trying desperately to find some measure of safety. 

The soldier was someone new, and yet Vreta knew to follow the instructions given. When the soldier mentioned the “Senator”, Vreta knew it was him even before he was noticed. The chute was their escape, or at least the next place they needed to go. It would lead them to another part of the reef towards…something. Something important to see. “Right…of course, let’s hurry.”

Vreta reached out a tentacle and wrapped it around one of 595’s, tugging on her to encourage her to follow behind him. He did not hesitate to follow the soldier into the chute, while the rest moved in behind him one-by-one. Eti and her team retained their minds just as much as Vreta did, but they could not bring themselves to make any protest. The path forward seemed inevitable.