The first pale rays of dawn crept through the small porthole of their cramped cabin, casting long shadows across the metal walls as Arthur and Aziel stirred from their unusually peaceful slumber. Despite the fact that they were now mere hours away from what was considered the most dangerous place on the entire planet, both young men felt an inexplicable sense of rejuvenation coursing through their bodies.
Arthur was the first to fully wake, his dark eyes opening to stare at the ceiling of the lower bunk for several long moments. The familiar creaking of the ship's hull and the distant sound of waves against metal had become a comforting backdrop over their journey, but today those sounds carried an ominous undertone that hadn't been there before. With a heavy sigh, he rolled out of bed and positioned himself on the edge of the bottom bunk, his bare feet touching the cold metal floor.
