And maybe a flamethrower. Come on. Let's find the next one."
***
The freezing air of the meat locker slowly faded as Sebastian and Valerie pushed deeper into the Motherboard.
The environment was actively trying to kill them, completely devoid of any magical safety nets. Sebastian's fractured left arm throbbed with a dull, unrelenting ache. His stitched right thigh burned with every heavy step. He leaned on Valerie's uninjured shoulder, using her for support while he gripped his bloody brass machete in his right hand.
"I'm going to need a vacation after this," Sebastian grunted, his breath still pluming slightly in the cool air. "Like, a full year on a beach. With a little drink that has a tiny umbrella in it. And absolutely zero Wi-Fi."
Valerie let out a weak, exhausted chuckle, adjusting her grip around his waist to keep him steady. "I'll approve the PTO, Seattle. But you're paying for the drinks."
