As they began their descent into the Pit, Renny decided it was the perfect time to go over their task. Ol' man Baro, cane tapping against the stone, moved at his own slow, deliberate pace, like the Pit itself had no power to rush him. "How do they even do this, eh? Such steep steps… no rails, no guards. What if we slipped? What if we fell all the way down there?"

Renny gave him a sidelong look. "We're demons. We'd be fine."

"Fine?" Baro scoffed, slowing even more, testing each step with the tip of his cane before putting his weight down. "That drop would smash us to splinters, then some beast would slurp us up before our bones settled. Call that 'fine'?"

Renny smirked. "You really are an old man. When you get tired of fretting, we'll still end up at the bottom the same."

Baro clicked his tongue, still skeptical. But he said nothing more, and his cautious rhythm gave Renny all the time he needed to think.

"So," Renny said. "Your contract's simple enough," Glancing at Baro. "You're to hand over a soul key to the beast Maeril. Chosen as the rightful guardian, apparently. That's the job."

Baro only hummed, as though delivering a soul key to a beast in hell was nothing more than a stroll to the corner shop.

By the time they reached the Pit's lower levels, Renny had taken the lead. He already knew how to weave through the Pit market's madness, sidestepping haggling pitters, bartering imps, and the scent of burning ichor that clung to the air. Eventually, he led Baro toward the library, where he unearthed the map to Maeril's dwelling: Drosvale.

"The path's clear enough," Renny said, tracing the map. "First, we cross the River Acheron."

Baro tilted his head. "The river, eh? Sounds like a bad date already."

Renny smirked faintly. "Wait until you see the boats. Annoying things. Some of them talk."

Baro snorted, unfazed. "A talking boat? Heh. I wouldn't be surprised, Renny boy. This is hell. If the sky started whisperin' down at us, I'd expect it." He adjusted his hat, his grin sly. "Truth is, it's been too damn casual for my taste. I need a little more thrill, something that makes me feel I'm in hell. Otherwise?" He tapped his cane against the ground once, firm. "It's just another city with bad weather."

Renny shook his head. He still couldn't believe this old man was the one criticizing hell for not being hell enough.

They slipped past the last of the market stalls and reached the exit gate. Beyond lay a narrow road, carved like a scar into the stone. The path wound downward in tight coils, each step dragging them deeper into the pit's gloom.

The air grew heavier as they descended, thick with the metallic tang of sulfur and the faint hiss of unseen steam vents.

***

The shore of Acheron stretched before them, littered with half-rotten piers and moored vessels, each one different, some little more than skeletal frames, others gilded mockeries of grandeur. Demons and pitters clambered aboard whichever they pleased.

Renny steered Baro toward one of the simpler boats, its hull blackened with old burn marks. As they closed in, the vessel gave a sudden shudder, and a low, throaty laugh rumbled up from its planks.

Baro clutched his chest and stumbled back a step. "The bastard didn't even wait till we touched it! Startled me on purpose!"

Renny burst out laughing, the sound echoing over the oily river. "And here I thought nothing could surprise you." He let the laughter run its course before adding, with a smirk, "Told you... mischievous things. They live for that."

The boat creaked again, voice dripping with amusement. "Well, well. Passengers. Where to?"

"Uzart," Renny said plainly.

The boat's laughter deepened, hollow as the river around them. "Uzart? Are ya sure?"

"Of course," Renny replied without hesitation.

"…As ya wish."

The boat rocked, opening a narrow plank of its own hull as though inviting them in. Once they stepped aboard, it drifted off on its own, cutting silently into the oily waters of Acheron.

As the boat glided soundlessly over the black current, Baro leaned forward, voice low. "Why did it ask if we were sure? That sounded like a warning. There something we should know?"

The vessel groaned as though stretching its joints. "O, nothing really."

Renny narrowed his eyes. "Liar. Spill it."

The boat sighed, planks creaking like tired lungs. "…Where ya headed lies Uzart—the prison of Uzart the Titan."

Renny blinked. "The Titan?"

The hull tilted slightly, as if nodding. "Yes. ya see him when arrive. My advice? Be careful. When the sound begins, it means the Titan is moving. If you fail to know his next step… he might crush ya underfoot."

Baro's confident grin faltered. His hand brushed across his chest, as though checking the steadiness of his own breath. "A Titan, eh? Hah…" He gave a forced chuckle, but his eyes darted to the water, betraying the crack in his composure.

Renny smirked. "What's this? Concern? I thought you wanted a thrill. Thought hell wasn't hell enough for you."

Baro shot him a glare. "Stop pretending you're not scared too."

Renny hid his face, staring down into the oily river instead of answering. The silence stretched. The boat drifted steady and slow, the water slapping gently against its sides. Then…

A snore. Loud. Wheezy.

Renny blinked, lifted his head, and turned.

Baro was slumped back against the railing, cane tucked under one arm, mouth slightly open as he rattled the river with his obnoxious sleep.

"…Unbelievable." Renny muttered.

The boat chuckled, a sound like wood bending under pressure. "First time I've ever ferried someone to Uzart's prison and they fell asleep halfway."

Renny rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Don't encourage him. He'll think it's some kind of talent."

Another snore answered him, this one so harsh it made the boat shudder.

"Gods…" Renny muttered under his breath, staring back at the river. "A Titan waiting ahead, and this old man sleeps like a child."

The boat's voice dropped low, almost conspiratorial. "Better he sleep now. Soon enough, no one sleeps in Uzart's land."

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