Xizu tapped her foot anxiously, her eyes fixed on the ticking clock displayed on her crystalcomm. Her finger hovered over Gira’s name in her contacts list, but she hesitated. Ugh… where did that lizard take him? she thought, slumping into one of the crustacean-themed chairs that lined the border between the ranger building and the pool section of the old resort.

Beside her, Holly sat engrossed in her crystalcomm. She hummed a cheerful little tune, scrolling happily through whatever had caught her attention while soft music played in her ears.

Xizu managed a small smile as she glanced at Holly, but it quickly turned into a frown when her gaze shifted to her youngest daughter, Alice. Who was enthusiastically wrestling Bobby—a young ranger a year older than her—into a clearly effective submission hold.

They were splashing around in the main pool, which bordered an enormous structure that dominated the pool room. Beyond the water stretched a ridiculous and vast, interconnected maze of winding tunnels, hidden rooms, deep pits, smaller pools, and more—a sprawling play paradise designed for adventurers of all ages. This marvel of aquatic entertainment was lined with games, obstacle courses, and thrilling challenges. It was the crowning jewel of Tebo’s Aqua Adventures, famously known as Tebo’s Danger Castle.

Bobby seemed to half faint as Alice squeezed the life out of the young ranger as she held triumphantly like the largest catch of the day.

“Absolutely destroyed!” She exclaimed, her voice echoing off the pool walls.

Bobby groaned as he slowly waded toward the edge of the pool, his limbs dragging through the water like wet noodles. “Ugh—Alice, you're gonna kill me at this rate.”

Alice replied with a dismissive wave, swimming toward the shore, casually clinging on the pool's edge as she shouted, “Mom!”

Xizu snapped out of her dejected stare, “Yeah? What’s wrong honey?”

“When are we leaving?” She asked, resting her head on her arms playfully.

Xizu sighed, glancing down at her crystalcomm. “Whenever Gira gets back…”

Alice groaned loudly, slumping over dramatically. “But he’s taking forever! Can’t Dad just stay back and wait for him?”

Xizu hesitated, her finger hovering over the crystalcomm as she considered it. “We could, but it wouldn’t be very nice. It’s his first day awake...”

Alice rolled her eyes, flicking water towards Xizu. “Can you at least call him?”

Xizu looked a little defeated as she tapped Gira’s name. “Alright, alright, I’ll give him a call.”

“Yay,” Alice said with a small cheer, her enthusiasm already fading as she turned her attention back to Bobby. He was floating in the middle of the pool, staring up at the fluorescent lights with a dazed expression.

Bobby was a young ranger chosen to guard Alice for the day; he had messy dark brown hair with gold highlights that clung to his forehead from the water. He had hazel eyes that were currently blankly staring into the light above as he lightly spun in the water. He was of average build and wasn’t what you would consider ranger material. He was a sheepish chap, but he was eager to help nonetheless. Currently he was wearing some long blue swimming trunks that had little orange crab-looking patterns.

Alice glanced over her shoulder. Making sure her mother and sister’s respective attentions were elsewhere. Grinning mischievously, she slipped under the water and silently moved toward Bobby, resurfacing just behind him to jab a finger into his ribs.

“Ouch!” Bobby yelped, recoiling.

“Hey Bobby.” Alice said, her grin growing wider as she leaned in.

“What do you want no—” He began saying before, “Ow! Cut it out!” he had been poked again.

Ignoring his protests, Alice moved closer, her voice dropping to a sly whisper. “Wanna check out the Danger Castle?”

Bobby readjusted himself back on his feet, “Nah—it’s rundown and out of commission.”

Alice frowned. “ Oh come on, man, it’ll be fun!” Alice insisted, circling him. “Besides, my new brother is probably gonna be a no-show for a while anyway.”

Bobby slowly spun around, trying to keep Alice in his sight. “Ugh, but it’s probably dirty and dusty in there. And what does humidity even do to dust? By the Symbols, it’s gotta be disgusting. Just think how gross it’ll be.” He scrunched his nose, his eyes wandering as he imagined the musty insides.

Alice rolled her eyes, letting her expression drop into a deadpan stare. “Bobby, maintenance mechanoids clean this area every day to prevent mold from growing. You freaking live here? How do you not know that?”

“Ah, well…” Bobby looked away, his ears red. “It doesn’t change the fact it's not safe. How about we just…do something else? We’ve got old games in the back!” He nervously added.

“You wuss,” Alice teased, splashing a bit of water toward Bobby before shrugging nonchalantly. “Fine! Guess I’ll go in alone.”

Without waiting for a response, she swam toward the partially submerged entrance of the Danger Castle. Her sharp eyes darted back to check on her mom, ensuring Dr. Xizu was still preoccupied with trying to get a hold of Gira.

Bobby floated in the shallow end of the pool, watching Alice with mounting dread. His gaze darted between Alice and Dr. Xizu before sighing and sneaking behind Alice as they both crawled into one of the colorful plastic tunnels that functioned as an entrance.

The tunnel was a lot larger than you’d expect, with it being tall enough to comfortably stand in. There was also this chemical stench of treated water that was particularly pungent within the cavern-like structure.

Alice led the way, her footsteps echoing as she splashed along the ankle-deep water until they both reached a larger area with a deeper pool section.

Around them, themed foam pads floated lazily on the water, while tunnels of varying size and alternating heights gushed water in gentle streams. The trickling sounds created a rather soothing atmosphere as the water trickled down the colorful climbing nets.

“Pick a color,” Alice asked Bobby as she slid into the water.

“Uhhh…” Bobby looked around, trying to pick one of the many tunnels, “That one!” he pointed at a red medium sized tunnel that was high above the water line.

Alice glared at him. “Dude, we’re gonna have to crawl…” Alice grumbled, “Of course a pervert like you would pick that.” she scoffed, sinking into the water with mock exasperation.

“N—no that’s not why—ugh…” Bobby stammered as he got in the water. “Then which one do you wanna go into?”

“The one you chose. Just go first.” Alice said as she inspected the coral-themed floating pads.

“Right…” he muttered as he began climbing up the awkward netting that was far too loose to climb easily. Reaching the top, he awkwardly waddled in before turning around and poking his head out. “I’m up,” he called down.

Alice pushed herself away from a coral-themed pad and looked up to see Bobby. Turning to her hand, she pulled a scrunchie off her wrist and tied her hair into a high-ponytail before swimming over and gripping the climbing nets. As she scaled toward the red tunnel, warm water splashed her face, making her grimace.

“Can you back up?!” She shouted as water hit her face.

“Oh—” Bobby muttered, shuffling further into the tunnel to make room as Alice climbed the last stretch.

Alice finally reached the top of the tunnel and found him sitting there blankly staring out one of the windows. “Are you gonna just stare? Start moving.”

“Roger…” he said as he began crawling deeper into the red tunnel.

The tunnel was surprisingly spacious, its walls lined with round, see-through windows that offered glimpses into the comedically massive water resort beyond. The view outside was vibrant and surreal, with colorful slides twisting through the air and cascading pools spilling into one another like a sprawling aquatic labyrinth.

As Alice and Bobby continued through the winding tunnels, they occasionally emerged into small chambers, each revealing new wonders. One chamber housed elevated pools that gushed water down into larger basins below, the sound of crashing water mingling with the steady hum of hidden pumps. Another tunnel dipped into a submerged section, its walls forming an enormous, clear tank that mimicked the ocean floor. The light filtering through rippling water danced across their faces, giving the space an otherworldly glow.

Each chamber carried a distinct theme, centered on marine life. One area featured Saliaská slides, their serpentine forms coiled and looping like the large sea serpents themselves. Another room was styled after Baràza reefs, with structures that mimicked the intricate formations of Rudista-like organisms, their bright colorful shells and organic shapes making the room feel alive.

Bobby paused by one of the windows, pressing his hand to the glass as he peered out at the elaborate underwater decor. “This place is... weirdly nice for being shut down,” he said, his voice tinged with reluctant awe.

Alice smirked, “Told you it’d be fun. Come on, we haven’t even gotten to the good stuff yet!”

The two emerged from the winding tunnels onto a platform that overlooked a massive chamber, the largest they had seen so far. The room was alive with shifting colors that danced across the rippling water, blending seamlessly with the serene, aquatic scapes.

Amidst the tranquil atmosphere were fluffy obstacle courses suspended above the pools. Once lively and manned by people, these structures now stood eerily abandoned, their mechanisms still whirring as they endlessly spun, swung, and swayed in silence.

Bobby stopped in his tracks, staring at the ghostly movements of the abandoned obstacles. “This is... kinda creepy,” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

“We gotta try this one out!” Alice exclaimed as she popped out from behind Bobby.

Bobby hesitated, leaning slightly over the platform to peer below. The crystalline water shimmered in the shifting light, fading into a deep blue the farther it stretched. They had emerged onto a raised area, with the obstacle course sprawling out ahead. On either side, tunnels branched off toward the other side of the room, offering safer but far more boring routes.

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he studied the course. “I guess... it doesn’t look too bad.” His eyes traced the path: spinning platforms, monkey bars, rolling logs to run across, and a handful of precarious jumps between narrow beams.

Meanwhile, Alice had already finished scouting the course. She stood at the starting point, feet planted firmly as she took a deep breath.

“Alright,” she said, stretching a little as she locked onto the obstacle course. “I’m gonna first try this!”

Bobby couldn’t shake his unease as he stared down at the dark blue water below. The void seemed endless—suffocating despite the distance. It felt like a slice of the deep sea, unnaturally confined within the foam walls of the obstacle course. The crystalline shimmer on the surface only further shrouded the depths beyond their highlights.

Alice broke his trance with a leap. She landed gracefully on a spinning platform, her movements quick and fluid as she adjusted her balance. Without hesitation, she jumped to the next platform, steadying herself before reaching the monkey bars. Her hands gripped the metal rungs, and in one swift motion, she swung across, her momentum carrying her effortlessly to the next section.

She moved expertly through the course, her confidence and skill shining through with every step. Bobby watched, her presence and carefree smile offering a small sense of relief.

He turned away briefly, letting his gaze wander, only to be met with the sight of a single yellow tunnel and a wall of foam. The cheerful designs and vibrant colors now felt hollow, as if they were trying too hard to mask the creeping sense of abandonment. Despite how expansive and fun the water park had been to explore, something deep down tugged at his thoughts.

I get why this place shut down.

“Bobby it’s your turn!” Alice called out from the other side.

Bobby cursed under his breath, his mumbling barely audible as he shuffled toward the edge. He stared down into the suffocating blue void below, the dark water rippling faintly in the artificial light. “I’m not feeling this one, Alice!” he shouted, his voice cracking slightly.

“Oh, come on, don’t be a wuss!” Alice called back, perched confidently on the next platform. “Just don’t look down—focus on the course!”

Bobby shot her a glare, muttering under his breath. “Easy for you to say..." He turned his attention to the spinning platform ahead, his pulse pounding in his ears. With a nervous grunt, he took a hesitant step forward and leaped—barely missing the first platform.

The moment his feet touched down, the platform wobbled precariously, and Bobby’s arms shot out in a desperate attempt to steady himself. His balance faltered, his teenage instincts kicking to try and save him from embarrassment, forcing him into his next move.

Gritting his teeth, he lunged forward, rashly jumping to the next platform. His foot nearly slipped on the slick surface, but he stumbled ahead, momentum carrying him just far enough to grab the monkey bars. His hands clamped onto the cold metal, his weight jerking him to a stop as he dangled over the abyss.

He glanced down. His stomach twisted violently. The dark blue beneath him stretched endlessly deep, a void that felt impossibly profound for a pool. His sweaty palms tightened around the bars, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps.

“S-shit!” he stammered, squeezing his eyes shut as the image of the void lingered in his mind. The water seemed to pull at him, a surreal depth that defied logic. He took a nervous breath, trying to center himself.

“Bobby!” Alice’s voice cut through the haze, sharp and urgent. “Bobby!”

His eyes snapped open, locking onto her figure further along the course. She was waving her arms, her confidence replaced by concern.

“I—I’m fine!” he shouted back, though his voice was strained.

Focus, he told himself. Just focus.

He tried channeling some Kyyr, but nothing happened. What? His thoughts stumbled as newfound panic clawed at his mind. His grip tightened on the cold metal bar, the sensation grounding him for a fleeting moment. He steadied his hold regardless but the lack of Kyyr distressed him, but he had little time to dwell on the thought as his trembling arms barely held him above his own abyss. His gaze flickered to Alice, standing at the end of the course. Her confidence felt unreachable, but her presence gave him a shred of focus.

Taking a shaky breath, he forced his shaking arms to stretch for the next bar. His palms slick with sweat, barely holding on. He swung forward, his momentum awkward and uncertain, his heart pounding louder with every lurch forward. His body shivering as he approached his destination.

Finally, with one last desperate swing, he reached the end. His legs collapsed beneath him as he crashed onto the platform, gasping for air. The solid ground beneath him letting his mind rest as he lay there.

“What’s wrong Bobby?” Alice called out, her voice echoing across the course.

Bobby didn’t answer at first; his head still bowed as he stared at the platform beneath him, trying to steady his breath. His hands trembled uncontrollably, even as he clenched them into fists. Slowly, he raised his head, spotting Alice further ahead, just beyond the rolling logs and some tight jumps interlaced by swinging obstacles.

“N-Nothing,” he croaked, his voice uneven as he pushed himself upright. “I’m fine.”

Alice tilted her head, her hands on her hips, as she studied him. “You sure?”

Bobby swallowed hard, wiping his palms on his trunks. “Yeah,” he muttered, his voice barely audible. “I’m just catching my breath.”

Bobby pushed himself to his feet, his legs still trembling as he studied the path ahead. A long stretch of large rolling logs stretched out before him, their slick surfaces spinning ominously over the dark water below. Beyond them, a series of narrow horizontal beams interspersed with slow-swinging foam obstacles swaying in the gaps. Each swung just fast enough to require a timed jump.

“Alice, this doesn’t seem safe at all!” he called out, his voice laced with both frustration and unease.

“Duh,” Alice shot back with a smirk, standing confidently at the next platform. “Why do you think it closed down?”

Bobby took a deep breath, steadying himself as he stepped onto the first rolling log. The broad surface gave him just enough room to stand, but the slow, deliberate rotation of the log made every step feel precarious. His arms flailed slightly as he fought to keep his balance.

The trek across was agonizingly slow, every step sending a ripple of dread through his bones as the log threatened to tip him off. And before he knew it, he’d reached the end—the last set of jumps stretched out before him.

As soon as he reached the edge, he felt his stomach sink again as he looked down into the blue below.

“Bobby, look at me.” Alice called out, her tone clearly softer as she waved her arms, trying to get his attention. “You’ve got this, okay? Just focus on me!”

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He nodded shakily, his heart pounding. His hands trembled at his sides as he braced himself.

Taking a deep breath, Bobby timed his jump and leapt toward the first beam.

Instantly, he felt the misstep. His foot slipped, barely brushing the edge before gravity took hold.

“Aaaaaaalice!” he shouted, the panic in his voice cutting through the air as his body felt the downward pull of the abyss drag him into the murk.

The dark blue swallowed him whole, the warm water wrapping around him like a suffocating vice. Bobby flailed wildly, his limbs thrashing as panic overtook his senses. The muffled sound of splashing filled his ears, disorienting him further. The blurred, endless blue around him only deepened his fear, his sense of direction vanishing as water poured into his lungs with each desperate gasp.

Just as his strength began to falter, he felt a sudden pull. Something gripped him, dragging him forcefully through the water. He struggled instinctively, his fear amplifying as he fought against the unseen force.

His head broke the surface with a violent splash, and he gulped in a lungful of air, coughing and sputtering.

“Calm down, you idiot!” Alice’s voice cut through the chaos, sharp and frustrated. She had him by the arm, her grip strong despite his flailing. “Ugh, you hit me, you moron!”

She growled as she hauled him toward the netting that lined the walls of the pool. The rough texture of the net brushed against his fingers as he grabbed on, his trembling hands desperate to pull him out of the water.

“Hold on,” Alice snapped, her tone still irritated, though beneath it was a hint of concern. “You’re fine. Just focus on me!”

Bobby coughed again, gripping the netting tightly as he finally steadied himself. His breaths came in heavy gasps, the fear in his chest slowly loosening its grip.

“Sorry…” he mumbled, looking up at the light above, catching his breath.

Alice sighed, shaking her head. “I didn’t know you had a fear of heights…”

“What?” Bobby blinked, confused, as he wiped water from his eyes.

“Isn’t that why you panicked?”

“N-no,” he stammered, his cheeks flushing. “I’m afraid of deep dark water,” he tried explaining.

Alice raised an eyebrow, glancing back at the pool. “Dude we can see the bottom of the pool here,” she pointed out.

“What?” Bobby turned to face the pool, squinting. It was like she said, the pool wasn’t particularly deep—about 3 meters at most—save for the fact the floor had been painted a dark blue gradient.

“What the hell!” he exclaimed, the realization hitting him all at once. “Why would they paint it like that?!”

Alice snorted, a grin tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Maybe to mess with people like you,” she teased.

Bobby groaned, running a hand through his soaked hair. “That’s so fucking dumb…”

“Not as dumb as freaking out over a kiddie pool,” Alice said with a laugh, dodging the splash he aimed at her in retaliation.

The two crawled back up to the top, water dripping from their soaked swimwear as they emerged onto the platform. Bobby leaned down into the next tunnel, his shoulders slumped. He paused for a moment, attempting to channel his Kyyr again. This time, he felt the warm flicker of energy—a mild success that brought a small sigh of relief.

“Bobby, you’re so stupid,” Alice said, barely able to hold in her laughter. “I can’t believe you almost died because they painted the pool’s floor dark blue.”

Bobby blushed, the redness creeping up to his ears. He didn’t respond, choosing instead to trudge ahead into the next tunnel, his gaze fixed firmly on the wet orange plastic floor.

Alice followed behind, her grin growing wider as she watched him sulk. “Classic Bobby blunder,” she teased, in a sing-songy tone.

“shut up, alice…” Bobby mumbled, his voice muffled as he moved deeper into the resort.

She chuckled, shaking her head as the tunnel opened up into another chamber. “You know you were supposed to be looking after me—not the other way around.”

“Mhm,” Bobby grumbled, barely acknowledging her as they moved deeper into the expansive area. Pools of varying depths stretched out before them, their waters shimmering under the vibrant, shifting lights. Waterfalls cascaded down into basins below, the sound blending with the hum of distant machinery. Obstacle courses dotted the chambers, their brightly colored structures beckoning for exploration, though Bobby stubbornly avoided them, clearly done with taking silly risks for the day.

Alice, however, glanced at each course with interest, occasionally darting ahead to climb or poke at something new. Every now and then, she glanced back at Bobby with a smirk. “You’re no fun anymore,” she teased, but there was no malice in her tone.

Bobby simply rolled his eyes, his steps steady as he muttered, “Good.”

Meanwhile, outside of Tebo’s Danger Castle, Xizu paced anxiously, her crystalcomm in hand as she tried—unsuccessfully—to call Gira. Ugh… where is he? She took a deep breath, frustration simmering as she turned toward Holly, who was completely engrossed in her own crystalcomm.

“Holly,” Xizu called, her voice firm. When there was no response, she called again, louder this time. Still nothing. Finally, she leaned over and poked her daughter on the shoulder.

Holly jolted upright, yanking out one of her headphones. “Y-yeah? What’s wrong, Mom?”

Xizu folded her arms, her gaze darting around the area. “Where’s your sister and Bobby?”

Holly blinked, glancing around lazily before shrugging. “Uh… maybe they went into the water slide place?”

Xizu let out a sharp exhale, pinching the bridge of her nose. “By the Fifteen, I told her not to go in there! Gods, Bobby is such a doormat…” She shook her head, muttering to herself before turning back to Holly. “Listen, something’s up with Gira and K-11. I’m going to get your dad to call that damn lizard.”

Holly raised a brow, tilting her head. “Why not just call him yourself?”

Xizu sighed heavily, her irritation bubbling to the surface. “Because that stupid alligator man doesn’t like me for whatever reason,” she muttered. Her gaze sweeping across the pool’s edge before settling on a large rectangular box marked with red stripes and the word LIFE-GUARD painted boldly across the front.

“Holly,” she said, her tone firm, “I’m activating the lifeguard mechanoid. Just make sure your sister doesn’t drown in the meantime.”

Holly nodded, watching curiously as her mother marched over to the box. Xizu fiddled with a set of dials on its side, and with a soft hiss, the box sprang open. An oddly humanoid mechanoid emerged, its bright yellow shirt and red shorts giving it a comically cheerful appearance. Its flat-screen face lit up with a pixelated smiley face as it powered on.

Xizu tapped its face, bringing up a menu of options displayed across the screen. After making a few quick adjustments, she turned back to Holly. “He’ll go get them for you. Just make sure you’re ready to go when they’re back.”

“So… we’re not waiting for Mr. Gira?” Holly asked, sitting up and taking out her headphones.

Xizu let out a long breath, rubbing her temples. “He might’ve ended up climbing Krreat for all I know,” she said wearily. With a flick of her wrist, she used her Kyyr ability to gather her things into a neat bundle. “Just be ready to leave after it fetches them, alright?”

Holly nodded, waving gracefully as her mother turned to leave. “Alright. See you in a bit~.”

As Xizu walked away, the lifeguard mechanoid beeped to life, its cheerful smile unchanged as it scanned the pool area before its body twisted smoothly into a crab-like shape, before skittering forward with precise, almost jaunty movements. Holly watched it for a moment, smirking slightly. “Good luck dealing with Alice,” she murmured, slipping her headphones back on.

Back inside the Danger Castle, Alice and Bobby had reached a rather large rectangular room. The water was about knee deep and there wasn’t much except for the small cascades of water that spilled down from the colorful tunnels that outlined the room.

This chamber felt different from the rest of the maze. Instead of foam-lined walls, there was climbing netting stretched across the sides, creating a lattice that allowed them to peer out into the resort beyond. The vibrant expanse of twisting slides, cascading pools, and tropical decor was visible through the mesh, a strange juxtaposition to the relative stillness of their current space.

On their right, there was a door made of the same climbing mesh as the walls. Its frame sturdy and slightly rusted from years of exposure. Bobby waded over to it, fidgeting with the latch as the water sloshed around his knees.

He grunted, tugging at the door, but it refused to budge. The weight of the water pressing against it made the task even more frustrating. “Shitty design…” he muttered under his breath, his frustration mounting as his grip slipped on the damp surface.

He tried using Kyyr again, the energy surged through him, giving him a flicker of hope as he pulled harder. His grip tightened, his muscles straining as he pulled harder against the stubborn door.

But just as quickly as the sensation came, it faded, leaving him drained and confused. What’s happening?

He tried again his Kyyr surging again but the door failed to budge regardless. The force snapped back through his skin, making him pull his hand back. “Ow…” he muttered under his breath. A faint sting drew his attention as he studied his wrinkled palm. A small red cut glistened, blood slowly dripping into the water. Come on… He exhaled in frustration, wiping his hand against his shorts.

A sudden tension gripped his body as the Kyyr within him seemed to drain with every drop of blood. Confusion twisted in his chest as he tried again, forcing the Kyyr to flow. The surge returned, but it felt distorted—weaker, as if something was interfering.

Bobby stood frozen as he watched dripping blood and Kyyr dissipate into the water: Something’s wrong…

He stared down at his trembling hand, clenching and unclenching it in frustration. “What’s going on?”

Looking up, he spotted Alice, who was still wandering the room with a bemused expression, her focus entirely on the strange details of their surroundings.

“Alice, we should head back,” Bobby called out, his voice echoing faintly in the empty chamber.

Alice, however, seemed lost in thought; her gaze fixed upward. “Bobby, look at that!” she exclaimed, pointing toward a yellow tunnel perched higher than the others.

Bobby squinted, following her finger. The tunnel looked narrower and less polished than the rest; its bright color dulled with time. “A-Alice, I don’t think that’s meant for people,” he said, his voice wavering as he awkwardly waded through the water toward her. “I think we should probably lea—”

“That’s what makes it interesting!” Alice interrupted, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she stepped closer to the tunnel’s entrance.

Bobby grimaced, his eyes shaky as they stared up at the tunnel above. “We should leave.”

Alice gave him a bored look. “Just this little bit more, alright? Don’t be such a wuss.”

He scowled, the weight of her golden amber eyes wearing him down. “Fine…” he muttered, clutching his bloody palm.

The two began their ascent, with Bobby unwillingly leading the way. His wounded hand struggled to grip the loose, damp mesh, each pull accompanied by a sting and the faint creak of the material beneath his weight. Water dripped from his clothes as he climbed, his movements slow and deliberate.

After what felt like an eternity of awkward climbing, Bobby finally reached the yellow tunnel. He pulled himself inside, panting slightly from the effort. To his surprise, the tunnel was much larger than it had appeared from below. He’d assumed it was narrower than the others, but thankfully, there was more than enough space for him to crawl comfortably.

The tunnel stretched out in a brief, straight line, its bright yellow walls slick with condensation. Up ahead, it opened into a smaller chamber, dimly lit and eerily quiet. Bobby peered forward, his unease growing as he called back to Alice. “Looks like there’s a room at the end.”

Alice, who was following close behind, pulled herself over the edge, her excitement undeterred. “Perfect. Let’s check it out!”

They crawled through the tunnel, their knees sliding against the slick surface as they moved forward. The faint echoes of their movements filled the narrow space until they finally emerged into a small, poorly lit room with a thin layer of water.

At the center was a single yellow slide, its surface glistening faintly in the muted light. The slide twisted downward into darkness, draining the sparse water to a destination hidden from view. Bobby stared at it, a sense of dread bubbling in his gut.

Alice popped out of the tunnel behind him, her eyes immediately locking onto the slide. “Well, that’s pretty ominous,” she said with a teasing smile, her tone laced with excitement.

Bobby frowned, his unease growing as he stepped aside to let her get a better look. “It’s just plain creepy…” he muttered.

Alice glanced at him, her grin widening. “Oh, come on, don’t tell me you’re scared of a slide now.”

Bobby groaned, already regretting letting her talk him into this. “Alice… there’s something wrong with this place—my Kyyrs been all weird and—.”

“Are you for real?” Alice cut him off, “We’re literally in Ranger HQ, within city limits. There’s nothing here besides, like… K-11 I—guess?” she flicked her wrist dismissively.

Bobby frowned, glancing at the dark, twisting slide. “That doesn’t mean it’s safe, Alice. Plus my Ky—”

Alice smirked, stepping closer to him. “You’re being dramatic,” she teased, nudging him with her elbow. “Tell you what—how about I let you hold me while we slide down?” She waggled her eyebrows.

Bobby’s face flushed red, and he shot her a glare. “T-that’s not helping…”

“Guess I’ll just go down on my own,” Alice teased, taking a step toward the slide with a dramatic shrug.

Bobby groaned, running his good hand through his wet hair. “Fine, fine—just let me go first…”

Alice grinned, stepping aside with a mockingly sweet tone. “Aww, what a sweetheart,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she watched him move past her.

He ignored her, settling at the edge of the dark yellow slide. The wet surface sent a shiver up his spine as he glanced down into the shadowy tunnel twisting below. It seemed to stretch forever, its curves disappearing into a yellow gloom.

Suddenly, warmth pressed against his back, sending another jolt through him.

“What the—?” Bobby yelped, twisting his head around.

Alice had settled in right behind him, her arms casually resting on his shoulders as she grinned mischievously. “Let’s get going, Bobby~” she whispered into his ear, her tone playful but with an edge that made his face flush bright red.

He froze, caught between his fear of the slide and her tender but absolute hold.“A-A-Alice, what are you doing?!”

“Helping,” she said simply, her grin widening. “Now, let’s move it!”

Before Bobby could protest, Alice shoved the two of them forward, sending them hurtling down the slide. The tunnel was a chaotic mess of bright yellow walls and twisting shadows, the light shifting wildly as they descended.

The ride, however, was far from smooth. The slide's sporadically damp and dry surfaces slowed them down at awkward intervals, forcing them to push themselves forward in segments.

“This sucks.” Bobby groaned as he shoved against the slick walls, his voice echoing through the tunnel.

“Stop complaining!” Alice shot back, laughing as she kicked her legs once again gaining momentum. “It’s an adventure!”

“Some adventure!” Bobby grumbled, struggling to keep his balance as the slide jerked them through a sharp turn.

A faded dim light. They had arrived in another section of the resort but it was mostly dry, with water trickling through the grate that comprised the ground.

Bobby pulled himself out of the slide first, leaving a small blood stain on the rim of the slide, unnoticed as he stood up before freezing in place. His eyes darted around the room, he shuddered.

They were in a square chamber, similar to others in the resort, with elevated tunnels crisscrossing above. At first glance, it looked like just another forgotten corner of the maze. But there was something clearly wrong.

Bobby’s breath caught as his gaze fell to the floor in front of him. Blood. A long, dark streak of it trailed across the white grate floor, fresh droplets dripping through to the dark water below. The streak led from a white tunnel on his right to a yellow one directly in front of Bobby.

His eyes widened, his stomach twisting into knots. As he studied the yellow tunnel.There, faint but unmistakable, was a huge clawed handprint smeared against the inside of the bend within the tunnel.

Bobby swallowed hard, “Al-Alice…” he whispered, his voice trembling as his gaze remained fixed on the yellow tunnel.

“What’s wron—” Alice began, her voice loud in the quiet.

Bobby’s hand shot out, clamping over her mouth before she could finish. She flinched, struggling instinctively, but his expression made her stop. He turned to her, his bloodied hand pressing a finger to his lips in a desperate shushing motion, as a single drop of blood rolled down his arm.

Alice’s eyes darted around the room. Her body stiffened as she spotted the trail of blood, the vibrant red stark against the pale flooring. Her breath hitched as she realized it wasn’t dried. It was fresh.

Bobby’s grip on her mouth loosened, but neither of them spoke, the weight of the discovery hanging thick in the air.

A loud thump echoed from within the yellow slide, cutting through the oppressive silence. Bobby and Alice froze, their breaths caught in their throats as the fluorescent light above flickered, dimming slowly. The faint hum of electricity was replaced by another thump, louder this time.

Alice’s instincts kicked in first. She began to pull herself back into the slide, her movements slow and deliberate as she tried to avoid making noise. Bobby, however, remained paralyzed, his eyes locked on the tunnel’s dark aperture.

From the shadows, a figure began to emerge.

A crimson, shattered jaw came into view first, its jagged, fractured edges dripping with fresh blood. The creature’s form was obscured by the yellow glow of the tunnel, its silhouette distorted and grotesque. Then came the sound—a guttural clicking noise, rhythmic and sharp, echoing off the walls of the slide. The sound was almost insect-like, each click driving Bobby’s heart deeper into his throat.

A crimson-clawed hand reached out next; the limb elongated unnaturally, as if its flesh and bone had been torn and stretched to grotesque proportions. The crimson-scaled appendage erupted violently from what appeared to be a human torso, its form twisted and mutilated.

Another hand grabbed the edge of the tunnel, its fingers still human but unnaturally long, the nails cracked and bleeding as they scraped against the surface.

Then the head slowly emerged from the darkened yellow tunnel, no longer a silhouette.

It had no features—no nose, no ears, no proper face. Just a massive, gaping mess of a jaw that split open wider than should have been possible. Long, thin strands of slimy hair clung to the cracked, featureless surface where a face should have been, spilling down the back of its neck like a tattered mane. From one side of the disfigured head, a single human eye stared out, stretched grotesquely across the misshapen flesh. Blood dripped from the amber iris, trailing down its face in thick, sticky rivulets.

The creature tilted its head downward, the motion unnervingly slow and deliberate as its solitary eye fixed on Bobby’s bloodied hand.

The eye remained still, but its misshapen pupil seemed to stare into him.

The rhythmic clicking continued, echoing in time with the flickering light. Bobby’s chest tightened, his entire body screaming for him to move, but his legs refused to obey.

Alice grabbed him by the legs and yanked him down. “Bobby!” she hissed, her voice a harsh whisper. But he didn’t respond, his wide-eyed stare locked on the horrifying figure.

She cursed under her breath, her mind racing as she tried to channel her Kyyr. Nothing happened. What the hell!? She strained her every nerve, desperate to summon even the faintest flicker of energy. The room felt suffocating, her focus wavering as panic began to take hold.

A sudden, loud clang echoed through the chamber, freezing her in place. One of the creature’s grotesquely stretched legs slammed against the floor, its weight sending vibrations through the ground. Her breath hitched, her heart pounding in her ears.

Focus. Focus. By the fucking fifteen focus. She forced herself to take a deep breath, her trembling hands clenching as she pushed harder, willing her Kyyr to respond. A weak surge finally coursed through her, and with it, she coalesced a small shard of ice between her fingers.

Without hesitation, she pressed it against Bobby’s back, the sudden cold biting into his skin like a shock to the system.

Bobby jolted violently, the icy sensation snapping him out of his paralysis. His breathing grew ragged and uneven as he gasped, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

But his eyes remained fixed on the creature.

It was still deliberately unfolding itself out of the tight tunnel, its grotesque limbs stretching and twisting unnaturally as it dragged its mangled form up and out. The crimson clawed hand gripped the edge with an audible creak, the clicking sound from its throat growing louder and more erratic as its other leg slowly emerged.

“Bobby, let’s get the hell out of here!” Alice whispered urgently, tugging at his arm with all her strength, her voice shaking with panic.

He finally tore his gaze away, his body responding to her pull. Together, they scrambled back up the slide, their movements clumsy and frantic as their hands and knees slipped against the damp, slick surface.

Behind them, the creature let out a vile, bone-chilling cry—a sound somewhere between a shriek and a cough. The screech echoed through the chamber, reverberating off the walls and slicing through the air like a coarse blade.

Bobby’s heart pounded in his ears as his hands slipped against the damp slide, his knees struggling to get a grip. Alice was just ahead of him, pushing and clawing her way upward, her breaths sharp and panicked.

“Keep moving!” she whispered harshly, her voice trembling as the creature’s unearthly wail grew louder.

Back below, the creature rose to its full, horrific height, its gaunt, grotesquely stretched skin pulled taut over an unnaturally elongated and twisted frame. Its body trembled, each shudder carrying an eerie anticipation as it stood at the edge of the slide.

It tilted its head slightly, the lone, distorted eye tearing up as it studied the slide’s entrance, its eye focusing on the faint blood stain. Its eye then carefully traced the faint echoes of movement up the slide.

Its chest expanded with a rattling breath, and a low, guttural growl rumbled as its Kyyr receptors flared to life. It drank in their scent, the faint trails of fear and blood causing it to salivate profusely.

The air around it seemed to grow heavier—oppressive—as though the creature’s very presence warped the space it occupied. The creature let out not a cry—but a horrific roar that reverberated through the slides insides.