Time passed second by second. As though the Goddess of Fate had forsaken him, the Minister drifted with the current, never striking a rock or a ledge that might stop him.
There was only endless spinning and rushing water, carrying him down, down, down.
After a silent sigh, the Minister activated the lifesaving Runes issued to every high-ranking official of the Empire.
"Honorable Minister, given your current situation, I recommend that you attempt to save yourself," a woman's voice sounded in his mind.
"I tried. It didn't work."
If he had been a Mage, even an Elite Mage, he could have crawled out of the Underground River.
But he was a Warrior. Without his feet on the ground, he had no strength.
"Then I recommend entering a state of suspended animation to prolong your survival in the water while you await rescue."
"Understood."
The Minister seized a chance to lift his head above the water and take a deep breath. Then he sank back into the Underground River, where hidden currents and whirlpools lurked everywhere, and slowed his heartbeat and his thoughts.
The Minister stopped thinking.
Splash—splash—
The sound of waves washing against the Sandy Beach reached his ears, along with seagulls' cries, the murmurs of visitors, and the warmth of sunlight on his skin.
The stable, safe surroundings roused the Minister from his self-imposed Seal. His heartbeat, slowed to just a few beats a minute, began pounding like a drum again.
"Whoa! He's alive!"
As the Minister opened his eyes, the children gathered around him scattered.
"Where am I?"
The Minister sat up. Sunshine bathed the fine sand around him, and Sailing Ships drifted across the Sea.
A moment ago, he had been tumbling through the lightless Underground River. Everything before him was so beautiful it seemed like