Thank God.
Faqir leaned into Mercy's hug, suddenly drained. At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to go back to the rooms and forget anything had ever happened.
Thankfully, as soon as everyone had made it inside the elevator grate slammed shut with a mighty clang, and the car began moving, rattling upwards with a cry of metal. The second it opened once more, Madoka tumbled out, dragging Clair by the hand, and collapsed to the floor. He curled into a fetal position, shaking. Clair knelt by him, rubbing his back.
Braeden stretched, arching his back. "A'ight, that's enough o' that. Put it all behind us or somethin'. We got a lot to do."
Stay calm. It's gone now. Faqir looked at the door across the lobby, trying to avoid looking down at Madoka. "Brae's right. I've got some butt to kick in Mortal Kombat."
Clair laughed, mirthlessly. "Hilarious choice of game after what we just saw."
"You know me, sugar."
"Never call me that again." Clair's teeth clenched; Faqir was reminded of her breakdown in the courtroom. "I don't want to be even remotely associated with that bear any more than I have to."
Oni sniffled. "Fear not, citizens. As Her Empress Kurano Oni, I am proud to assert that my denizens of hell are making Dr. X very comfortable right now!"
Faqir wasn't sure how--he wasn't even sure why--but somehow, Oni's words brought him immense comfort. He decided to cling to them.
Conscious of Mercy's closeness, he let out a soft sigh. The smile he'd been forcing began to come more naturally.
They had a lot ahead of them. Only time would tell if things would truly get better or just worse, but at least one thing was certain--they would face it together.