Eric followed.
Before leaving, Kai paused.
Just for a moment.
"What if he's still alive?"
The room became quiet.
Nobody needed clarification.
Everyone knew who he meant.
Alice answered first.
"If he is."
Her voice was calm.
"We'll find him."
Kai nodded.
That was enough.
For now.
As the doors closed behind them, Raj looked toward Alice.
"You think he's alive?"
Alice stared out the window.
Toward the city lights.
Toward the darkness beneath them.
Then answered honestly.
"I don't know."
For once—
The Queen had no clever response.
Only uncertainty.
And somewhere below Asphyxia—
The sewers remained silent.