He found himself waiting for his words, his voice a tether to which he held on as he descended into the abyss. He didn't expect there to be a bottom to it, but he hadn't realized just how much darkness there would be - he hadn't imagined how far he'd have to go. Somewhere in there, he started to notice, he had lost track of the faint howling of his fears; after a while, he could no longer remember who they were. He had never heard such a silence; it was the most wonderful sound he'd ever heard.

A smile spread across his face.

"I am ready".