It was quiet down there. With only 2 days to go, the travelers unwrapped their last portions - bits of cheese, the last remnants of the dried ham, a couple of flagons of water to wash it all down - and proceeded to feast. This was the home stretch; already, they could see greenery creeping onto the pitch-black walls, illuminated by the faint cracks developing in the rough rock.

It felt like their memories, too, were being rearranged. Some had already started to forget how they got there; the winding caves leading to their nook were receding into the darkness of their old minds. Some were frightened, while some were just upset; whispers were sent back and forth to keep the memory alive, if only temporarily. But things were quieting down already.

After enduring 5 days with no light and barely any food, they were ready to emerge - at last! - from their rocky womb. They wondered what the new world would bring; whether it was bright, airy, and full of life, or whether it was all in vain. The vines made them hopeful.

Another crack! Could they hear birds?