With a smile Esmund whispers, "This will keep your scent covered from both demons and mortals for a while. I will be back before its fragrance begins to fade. I promise."
Since I will be safer on land, and since I will be less of a burden to Esmund in hell, I guess, "I will be here waiting for your return then." earnestly, I squint into his eyes, "Be careful down there."
"Of course." after leaving an assured smile for me, Esmund walks to the middle of the gramophone room and summons the gate to hell.
In no time, torrents rise from the floor and encircle Esmund. They deluge and engulf him until his silhouette vanishes within it. By the next moment, water showers like a downpouring rain, and they wash across the floor like a flood. It perpetuates for as long as it will, until silence resumes… But not peace.
☩·······☩·······☩·······☩·······☩·······☩·······☩
The sun is setting when the fragrance of the alyssum's petal almost completely fades. In time, Esmund returns beyond the land.
