Not wasting any time, Ged approached the two doorman bouncers stationed outside the Hidden Olympian, each sporting Golden Sun tattoos above their ears.

"Chim, I'm here for Resh," Ged said to the larger of the two doormen, his tone aloof and unhurried, as though this were a routine visit.

Chim turned to the second doorman. "Bo, go ask if he's able to see him."

Bo spat in protest, but a sharp glare from Chim kept him in line. Begrudgingly, Bo turned and disappeared inside the bar.

Inside, the Hidden Olympian was a den of pure degeneracy. Drug use, sex, and gambling dominated different corners of the space. The air hung heavy with the stench of cigarette smoke and other narcotics, while loud, droning electronic music reverberated off the cave-like walls of the underground bar.

Seated alone in a private room was a bodybuilder. His sunken eyes glowed a vibrant blue as they stared vacantly ahead. His hands moved methodically, crushing peanuts one by one, the shells piling into a mound of dust before him. Beside the growing heap, a bowl of cigarette butts overflowed, and he chain-smoked relentlessly, exhaling plumes of smoke in rhythmic bursts, like an industrial smokestack.

Lost in vivid hallucinations, Resh’s senses were completely consumed by the vision of a vast, endless ocean. The sound of lapping waves filled his mind, and above the water’s surface floated an indescribable orb. It twisted and distorted space around it, a presence so alien it seemed to defy existence itself. He reached for it, his hands trembling, yearning for connection.

"Resh," Bo called cautiously. There was no response.

"Sector Leader Resh," he tried again, louder this time. Still nothing. Frustration creeping into his voice, Bo moved closer, leaning over the table to place himself directly in Resh's line of sight.

Bo snapped his fingers sharply in front of Resh’s unblinking gaze. “Ged’s at the door. Do you want to see him?”

The snap shattered the vision. The ocean and the orb evaporated, leaving Resh adrift in the dim, smoke-filled room. His head tilted slightly as he tried to make sense of his surroundings, his glowing blue gaze snapping to Bo’s hand with a sudden, unnerving intensity.

Without warning, Resh’s hand shot out with explosive ferocity, crushing Bo’s arm in an iron grip. The sickening snap of bones echoed through the room.

“You idiot! Do you understand what you’ve done?” Resh shouted, tears streaming down his face. “The most beautiful creation—gone! Right when it was within my grasp!”

He clawed at the air, desperate to reclaim the vanished vision. His voice rose to a fever pitch, trembling with frustration. “Unbounded and unrestrained, I saw the peak of all things bathed in the water of the absolute!”

Bo gasped, clutching his mangled arm. He wanted to scream, but terror kept him silent. Resh’s words grew darker, more erratic.

“Concepts, sensations, perspectives…” Resh’s voice softened into a reverent whisper. “They all knelt before it, powerless to describe its beauty. And it appeared before me, offering just a kernel of its truth.”

His tone turned cold, laced with accusation. “But you! With your jealous, earthly interruptions, shattered my connection to it. Have you no shame?”

Bo’s stomach churned with fear. “This isn’t right,” he thought, panic tightening in his chest.

"Fuck me, Resh must have taken too much Blue Water. He's completely lost it," he screamed internally, his mind racing for a way to pull his superior back to reality.

Steeling himself, he fought to keep his voice steady. “You told us to let you know if someone was at the door,” he said, his words strained through clenched teeth. "Remember?"

Resh’s expression darkened further. His free hand curled into a fist as if to strike again, but he stopped himself, exhaling deeply.

“I did say that,” he muttered, shrugging with a detached air. “But that was before I understood the true nature of everything. Things are different now, but I can’t blame you for not knowing.”

He paused, his voice softening slightly. “Who’s at the door again?”

Bo steadied his trembling voice. “Ged.”

“Ged?” A flicker of sanity returned to Resh’s face as he mulled over the name. The glow in his blue eyes dimmed momentarily, replaced by a fleeting look of recognition.

“Ha! How bold my friend has become, seeking me out while I’m preoccupied with so many important matters,” Resh said, rolling his eyes. “I gave him a piece of our drug operation to oversee because I thought he had some swagger. Yet he still hasn’t committed to joining me fully, despite all the benefits he’s received.”

He paused, his expression darkening as he lit another cigarette and inhaled the entire stick in one deep drag. Smoke curled from his lips as he muttered, almost to himself, “Perhaps I’ve been too soft on him lately…”

With a raspy cough, the last of the smoke escaped his lungs. Resh finally croaked, “Let him in, I should see him.” A predatory smile crept across his face as he began to consider how best to handle his unyielding friend.

Bo hesitated, clutching his broken arm, his voice quivering with pain. “Resh… can you do something about my arm before I go?”

Resh squinted at him, his eyes narrowing as he studied the injury with a detached curiosity. A strange glint appeared in his glowing gaze.

Without hesitation, Resh reached into his abdomen, his fingers sinking into his flesh, and pulled out a pulsating blue crystalline prism. A cryptic smile spread across his face, his gaze narrowing with eerie focus.

Steam curled from the crystal as energy surged into it. Within moments, it glowed red-hot, boiling and twisting like molten fire.

With brutal precision, Resh tore the broken arm clean from Bo’s shoulder. He screamed, his cries echoing through the room as blood poured from the stump.

Before Bo could process the agony, Resh pressed the molten prism to his exposed shoulder. The crystal leapt onto the raw flesh like a living predator. It twisted and reshaped itself into a grotesque claw-like appendage, its crystalline surface hardening to a crustacean blue.

Bo convulsed violently as the transformation overtook him. The process lasted only seconds, but to him, it felt like an eternity.

Resh stepped back, admiring his work with a twisted sense of pride. “I always thought you were built wrong,” he said with mock satisfaction. “Consider this my gift. A small trace of my newfound enlightenment.”

Bo lay panting on the floor, his grotesque claw twitching involuntarily. His hatred for Resh burned through his exhaustion as he glared at his grotesque new limb.

Resh wasn’t finished. His eyes gleamed with inspiration as he studied Bo’s trembling form. “No… this is incomplete. It won’t do.” He paused thoughtfully, then brightened with sudden excitement.

“Aha! A new start in bodybuilding demands a new name, one that transcends your old self.”

He pointed dismissively. “From now on, you will be known as Crab. Your old identity is gone. You have a long road ahead of you, and I’ll be watching your progress with great interest.”

Resh brushed the mound of peanut shells aside, revealing a dusty stack of napkins. Muttering to himself, he began scribbling furiously. “Claw curls… six to twelve reps… perhaps paired with forearm rotations…”

Crab stared at Resh, his anger simmering beneath the pain. But as Resh scribbled on, it was clear there would be no sympathy from his leader.

After a moment, he finally pushed himself up from the ground, careful not to risk disturbing Resh any further. Silently cursing to himself, he made his way back to the entrance, his arm throbbing with each step. The humiliation of the ordeal weighed heavily on him, his solemn expression betraying his search for respite from both the pain and disgrace.

Outside the Hidden Olympian, Ged sat on a jutting flat crystal, one hand propping up his cheek as boredom crept in. He had been waiting for a while now, his posture relaxed but his patience steady.

Ged didn’t think much of the delay, some things simply took time to wrap up. But when he saw Crab return, his arm grotesquely altered into something alien, Ged’s brow furrowed. His eyes narrowed as unease settled in, his mind racing to piece together what might have transpired inside.

“Ged.” Crab spoke flatly, his voice devoid of emotion. Yet his eyes, shadowed by dark circles, betrayed the toll of the ordeal. “Resh will see you now.”

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“How is he?” Ged asked cautiously, his tone measured. Even Chim, typically stoic and unmoved, cast a curious glance at Crab’s unnatural arm.

“Not good.” Crab’s stoic façade cracked, a faint trace of sorrow slipping through his voice. But as his grip tightened on his mutated arm, anger replaced the sorrow in his expression. “He’s completely gone mentally. I think we should report him to his Killswitch.”

“His Killswitch?” Ged’s voice dropped, disbelief tinging his words. “You think he’s reached the final stages of Blue Water madness? How can you be sure?”

A chill ran through Ged as he considered the implications. For underground bodybuilders, treading the fine line between enhancement and insanity was an accepted risk of the lifestyle. The potent drug Blue Water promised unparalleled power but carried the ever-present danger of irreparable mental collapse. To safeguard against such an outcome, those who delved too deep into madness relied on a trusted individual, designated as their Killswitch, to end their life if they strayed too far from reason.

But madness was an ever-present specter in the underground, believed to simply be apart of the cost of achieving greatness.

"I just saw him a few days ago. He seemed fine then. Are you sure this isn’t just a bad dose?" Ged asked, his tone tinged with doubt.

Ged’s expression darkened as he continued. "Don’t you think you’re overstepping a little by deciding something like this on your own?"

Crab’s anger flared, and he thrust his grotesque arm forward. "Don't you see my arm? I’ve turned into a freak of nature!" He glared at Ged with undisguised hatred. "He’s deranged. His ramblings have gotten worse, and now he attacked me just for waking him up from his glazed stupor. Resh is out of line. I plan to take this to the boss and let him make the final decision, and I’m sure he’ll agree with me."

Crab spat venomously. "You think you’re so much better than me, acting like you have all the answers. You’re not even one of us, not a Golden Sun. People like you are the reason the Cumulus Gang dares to treat us like weak vermin, waiting to be exterminated. You’re nothing but a parasite, feeding off our strength. When the time comes, you’ll be the first to be cast aside."

"Do you really believe this conversation with Resh will end well for you? Even in his madness, Resh sees the truth," he sneered.

Crab finished with a sinister grin. "Your days are numbered."

Ged didn’t flinch. He wasn’t someone who cared about the power of titles or group identities. To him, they were nothing more than tools designed to bind people and force them into conformity. Crab’s words were a testament to this mindset, a reflection of the cage he had willingly stepped into. Ged saw him as a prisoner, confined to a life where his choices were dictated by the shadows cast by his superiors. His delusional rant was little more than a gish-gallop of baseless assertions, describing a reality that didn’t exist. To Ged, such a pitiful figure wasn’t worth taking seriously.

"You may regret those words," Ged said, his voice cool and detached, a faint smile playing on his lips. "But hold on to your mistake if you must. I don’t mind."

"You’ve spoken your piece. Now take me to Resh," he added, his tone growing sharp with impatience.

Crab sneered but chose not to press the issue further, feeling as though he had won the exchange. Smugly, he led the way for Ged while Chim unhooked the velvet rope, granting him entry into the Hidden Olympian.

They moved through the derelict scenery of the cave bar. Beyond the entrance, the space opened into a sprawling main area centered around a runway where female bodybuilders moved with calculated allure. At the end of the runway, one performer transitioned smoothly into a pole-dancing routine on the central stage, captivating the audience below.

Surrounding the stage was a group of stoic, expressionless male bodybuilders. Though their faces betrayed no emotion, their gazes lingered on the performances. Periodically, they placed glittering, colorful stones at the edge of the stage. The dancers eagerly collected the stones and consumed them, triggering an immediate transformation. White steam billowed from their bodies, and multicolored lights radiated from them, merging with the vibrant stage lighting. Their movements grew more fluid and vigorous, drawing subtle but satisfied reactions from the paying bodybuilders.

The space branched into several passageways, each leading to different areas of the Hidden Olympian. Some paths wound toward gambling centers, others to drug dens or private rooms where nearly anything was permissible.

Crab guided Ged past the stage and into one of the dimly lit cave passageways. They passed a series of occupied underground rooms, muffled sounds and indistinct voices seeping through the thick rock walls.

Finally, they arrived at the entrance to Resh’s private space, marked by a faint, illusory black veil. Using his human hand, Crab peeled back the veil, the Golden Sun tattoo on his skin glowing faintly as he worked.

Crab remained silent, his glare daring Ged to step inside. Unfazed, Ged returned a brief nod before ducking through the opening Crab had created for him.

As Ged stepped into the private room, his vision was immediately clouded by the thick smog of cigarette smoke. The dimly lit, cluttered space slowly came into focus. In the corner, Resh sat slumped in his chair, his body listless and his eyes still glowing a bright blue. In front of him lay a scribbled-on napkin, presumably prepared for Crab.

"He's definitely a little quieter than the last time I saw him," Ged muttered with a smirk, surveying the scene.

Striding purposefully toward Resh’s vacant gaze, Ged received no response. Without hesitation, he walked up beside him and delivered a sharp strike to the back of Resh’s head, sending him face-first onto the table mid-drag of his cigarette.

"Resh, you look terrible," Ged said, shaking his head pitifully. "When was the last time you saw the sun? You really need to take better care of yourself."

Resh roared in anger, barely regaining his senses. He lifted his head from the table, his face smeared with soot and peanut crumbs, as he began to shake off the fog clouding his mind.

Spitting out the crushed cigarette, Resh glanced around the room, his face a mask of confusion and anger. "What the fuck?" he growled, his glowing eyes flickering with a volatile mix of rage and returning sanity. Finally, his gaze locked onto Ged, who stood smugly over him. "You’ve got a lot of guts, Ged!"

With the explosive force of a coiled spring, Resh launched himself out of his chair. Still groggy, his movements were unsteady as he swung heavy, clumsy fists at Ged.

Ged reacted with practiced ease, relying on quick footwork to evade the wild strikes. He ducked and sidestepped, staying just out of reach of Resh's furious swipes.

"Resh, come on," Ged said, his tone calm but exasperated as he moved fluidly around the attacks. "You were completely out of it. It was just a tap to snap you back to reality. I’d expect you to do the same for me."

But Resh wasn’t listening. As his focus sharpened, so did his anger. His swings became faster, more precise, the drunken haze in his movements giving way to the raw power of his size and fury.

Ged quickly realized he was losing ground. Resh’s sheer size and strength made it only a matter of time before one of the blows landed. With a calculated decision, Ged stopped dodging and braced himself, letting Resh’s fist connect squarely with his jaw.

The punch was devastating. Ged’s body twisted under the force, his feet skidding as he caught himself with one hand before hitting the ground. He clutched his numb cheek, pain radiating from the impact. Slowly, he adjusted his jaw with a sickening pop, then spat a mouthful of blood onto the floor.

Grinning darkly, his blood-streaked teeth bared, Ged let out a low chuckle. "Good hit," he said, his voice tinged with mocking admiration. "A strike for a strike. I let you have that one."

Straightening himself, Ged’s tone turned firm. "Now come on. I have things to discuss, and this suffocating room isn’t the place. Let’s take this outside."

Resh hesitated, his movements slowing. Though one hit on Ged didn’t fully satisfy him, it was enough to momentarily quell his anger. The burst of violence seemed to jolt him awake a little more.

"Outside?" Resh repeated, his voice tinged with reluctance. "Ged, things are different now. The Cumulus Gang members are lurking in the shadows, waiting for their chance to strike. And I’ve just begun to grasp my own enlightenment, my path forward in bodybuilding. There’s still so much for me to process," he protested, his tone bellowing with resistance.

"Cumulus Gang? Those bastards were swarming the Abyssal Mouth today," Ged said bluntly, ignoring his ramblings. "They’ve already shown their true colors. There’s nothing to hide from."

"You saw them at the Abyssal Mouth?" Resh asked, his curiosity flickering through his grogginess. "Tell me more."

Ged moved toward the doorway, ignoring Resh’s question. "The sun is setting soon. We shouldn’t delay any longer. It’d be a shame to miss it."

Resh remained rooted in place, his gaze fixed on the vacant chair he’d just vacated. An inexplicable longing flickered in his eyes, as though he couldn’t bring himself to leave the suffocating comfort of the room.

Noticing Resh’s hesitation, Ged leaned in with a sly smile. "I also scored some Celestial Iron for you," he said in a low, conspiratorial tone. "A massive piece. If you come along without any more fuss, I might even sell it to you at a discount."

Resh shut his eyes, letting out a deep, resigned sigh. After a moment of contemplation, he reached into his body and pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with practiced ease. Taking a long drag, he exhaled a plume of smoke before muttering, "Fine. Lead the way. I have things I need to say to you as well."

Ged felt satisfied with his response and was about to leave when his eyes caught on the napkin where Resh had scrawled a workout plan for Crab. A curious gleam flickered in his eye.

“What kind of workout is this?” Ged asked, raising an eyebrow as he pointed at the notes. “Claw curls? What kind of nonsense arm are you trying to build here?”

Resh turned, grabbing the napkin. His mind buzzed as he recalled what he had written. “Its not for me,” he muttered dismissively. “It’s a routine I was putting together for Crab.”

“Crab?” Ged echoed, a flicker of confusion crossing his face before understanding dawned. His expression shifted to sly amusement as he snatched the napkin back, examining it closely.

A mischievous grin spread across Ged’s face. “Why only one arm? Aren’t workouts supposed to be balanced? Or are you planning for him to be permanently lopsided?”

Resh snatched the napkin from Ged’s hand, rereading his notes with narrowed eyes. The meaning behind Ged’s words began to sink in.

“I see what you’re saying,” Resh murmured, stroking his chin thoughtfully. The glow in his blue eyes intensified, signaling a familiar rush of inspiration. “You’re right. His development could become uneven. That’s no good.”

Ged leaned casually against the doorway, feigning interest. “I think you’re onto something with this physique transformation. But if Crab’s going to shine using these workouts, he might need… another adjustment.”

Resh nodded slowly, the gears in his mind turning as he stared at the napkin. “Indeed, it's a bit incomplete… He’s not finished yet.”

Satisfied, Ged pushed away the veil of the doorway and made his way out of the room. Outside, Crab stood waiting near the doorway, his expression grim and his grotesque claw twitching slightly.

Ged stopped beside him, a hidden smile curling at his lips.

“What?” Crab snapped, his voice sharp with irritation.

Ged said nothing, his mysterious grin deepening. He lingered by the doorway until Resh emerged from the room, his glowing eyes fixed on Crab like a leopard locking onto its prey.

Panic flashed across Crab’s face. Instinctively, he hid his remaining human arm behind his back, as if shielding it might protect him from the unsettling thoughts brewing in Resh’s mind. Cursing his luck, he held back his rage toward Resh and instead glared daggers at Ged, fearful of what was to come.