Chapter 117: Ch115. Mysteries of the Horizon
The blue fire crackled, its light casting flickering shadows against the rusted metal walls of the chamber. The scent of sizzling meat filled the air, rich and smoky, though the sharp metallic aftertaste of the Revenant flesh still lingered at the edges of Miles’ tongue.
He had grown used to it. More than that, he had come to appreciate it, if only because it meant he had survived long enough to eat it without almost gagging on it.
Kurt sat across from him, expertly flipping a charred piece of meat onto a makeshift plate fashioned from scrap metal. He leaned back, smirking as he watched Miles take a bite without hesitation.
"Well, look at you," Kurt drawled, stretching out his legs. "Didn’t even flinch this time. I remember when you vehemently refused to eat your first serving of it down here. Now you eat it like it’s prime steak."
"You get used to things when starving isn’t an option." Miles chewed thoughtfully before swallowing.
Kurt barked out a short laugh.
"That’s the spirit. Horizon Rule Number One: Adapt, or get eaten." He tore into his own meal, the juices running down his fingers, which he sucked as if it was the gods’ nectar. "Speaking of adapting, it’s time we have a real talk, you and I."
Miles poked at the fire with a rusted metal rod, watching the embers shift and scatter. Now that he had finally finished his seven days of hellish training, he had his goal set, but there was a question mark about it that lingered in the back of his head.
’Why do the Hatter want me to go there...?’ He chewed on thoughtfully. ’I mean... He said he wants to go there, but why...?’
"You’ve been through The Maw," Kurt continued, unaware of Miles’ concern, eyeing him with something resembling curiosity. "That alone puts you ahead of most people who are tossed into The Horizon."
"Then tell me about the places I haven’t been. I want to know about them before I get to ask about The Last Verse." Miles exhaled, considering his options.