Sunny had long lost the track of time… if it even existed in this furious abyss. The howling of the wind and the roar of harrowing thunderclaps had fused into a deafening cacophony, making his ears ring. His sight had been robbed by the boiling mist and the torrents of water. His lungs were on fire, and his muscles felt like they were on the verge of tearing.
It was not easy to bring an Ascended to such a sorry state through sheer physical hardship. But here he was, feeling like dying. With each passing hour… or minute, maybe… Sunny was using more and more essence to supplement his failing strength.
The ketch was still being carried by the tumultuous current, dancing between towering waves. The world was veiled by mist and darkness. He was still scooping up water, which was now sloshing around his ankles. The wooden dipper Ananke had given him had broken sometime ago, replaced by an iron bowl.
'How… much… longer?'
