Both awakeners simply laid there floating on Mirage's back until they felt physically capable of movement again. The exhaustion was absolute. Physical, mental, and spiritual depletion from the sustained terror and exertion they'd endured.
Moon was the first to raise his head and scan the surroundings with returning clarity.
"We need to move soon," Moon said, his voice a little hoarse.
"This is still a permanent death zone after all. I haven't received any notification about changes to the death penalty system. Just because there are no beasts attacking us right now doesn't mean there won't be later. The golden fish's presence kept everything away temporarily, but that protection won't last. Let's move, before the predators return to their habitats."
His eyes swept across the horizon, searching for any landmark or destination. Then he spotted a land. A coastline visible several kilometers away across the vast ocean.
