It has been so long since the cavern emptied, and yet I have not dared venture into the areas of the City untouched by restoration efforts. The physical barriers aren’t the issue, I had little problem ignoring their warnings on the Great Stair with many other explorers those years ago. It is something else. Something intangible.

The first few weeks after the Cavern closed I busied myself with transporting supplies from the surface and suitably furnishing a living space. Of course, due to the location and nature of my work, I could not simply hire labourers to complete the task as I normally would, which significantly slowed my progress.

Once that work was completed, I had no more excuses. I was free to wander. free to explore every inch of the Cavern, unrestrained… and yet I didn’t. I stayed within the safe confines of the DRC-approved areas. For years, I’ve been obsessed with this place, frustrated with the setbacks and the DRC’s painfully slow approval process. Yet when these barriers are removed, I stand motionless.

If Father knew of this, I wonder if he would enjoy the irony of my reluctance to explore the City I was so insistant to journey to, or if he would be disappointed in me for so blatantly ignoring a Rule. Either way, he would scold me roundly.

Father is nothing if not consistant.

I must step outside. I must! If I cannot, the City will perish. I must search for the elements of its salvation. I will begin my journey to the outer districts. I only hope it will be worth it in the end.

First though, I will return home for the first time in almost six months. My family may be insufferable, but I do love them, and it would be horrid of me to let them think I’d perished down here.