Bobby and Alice scrambled to the top, collapsing onto the damp floor, their chests heaving with labored breaths. They turned to stare back into the darkened yellow void of the slide behind them.
A faint thud echoed from within the tunnel, distant but resonant. Then another. And another. The sound grew, a cacophony of heavy, deliberate thumps climbing the slide, each one louder and closer than the last.
Bobby felt the chains of dread tighten around his chest, and for a moment their minds failed them; neither of them moved, frozen in terrified anticipation.
A shrill echo permeated from the slide and as if a silent alarm had gone off within them—they snapped. Scrambling to their hands and knees, the two frantically began to crawl away. The sound of relentless thudding growing louder and louder.
Reaching the edge of the descent, the sound of the thumping felt ever close. Alice swung herself over first, water streaming from her arms and legs as she scrambled down.
The loose netting wobbled under her grip, making each movement shaky, but she pushed forward, her bare feet splashing onto the shallow water below. She spun around instantly, her eyes filled with an unrecognizable terror as she waved Bobby down.
Bobby slid himself over the edge, his damp hands slipping slightly against the netting. As he began descending, his gaze flicked back over the edge of the tunnel. His stomach dropped as he saw a crimson hand slam against the edge of the slide, claws scraping deep into the surface with an ear-splitting screech.
His breathing hitched, and his movements became frantic. He half-slid, half-dropped the rest of the way, landing hard beside Alice.
“Let’s go!” she snapped, grabbing his arm to pull him forward as the sound of the creature’s rhythmic growl echoed through the chamber.
The two splashed wildly as they sprinted across the chamber, water churning around their legs. Alice veered to the side, rushing to the door Bobby had tried earlier. She shoved at it with all her strength, but the water pressure held it firm, the latch refusing to budge.
“NO!” she hissed, slamming her fist against the door in frustration.
“Alice, it won’t work!” Bobby barked, grabbing her arm and pulling her back. “Let’s go!”
She hesitated, glaring at the stubborn door before relenting. Together, they scrambled toward the next tunnel, water sloshing around their knees as they climbed onto the damp mesh.
Behind them, a screech tore through the air—Bobby glanced over his shoulder to see the creature unfold itself from the yellow tunnel. Its grotesque form twisting and popping before it fell forward, splashing violently into the pool below.
“Climb faster!!” Bobby yelled as he waited below.
Alice trembled, her movements frantic as she scrambled upward. She glanced back and saw the creature rising from the water, its grotesque form unfolding with jerky, unnatural movements. Her fingers slipped against the slick, loose netting.
“Shit!” she yelled as Bobby stumbled, barely managing to catch her before they both tumbled into the water below. His legs buckled under the impact, and he gritted his teeth, steadying them both as the sound of splashing grew louder behind them.
The creature let out a breathy roar, its maw unhinged impossibly wide to reveal a mangled tangle of crimson-stained teeth. The two stared in terror as its body crackled and snapped, changing before their eyes.
A strange protrusion—a horn or perhaps an ear-like organ—jutted from one side of its head, twitching unnaturally. The crimson crystalline scales consumed its fleshy chest as it convulsed the new protrusions, jutting out like sharp blades, their jagged edges wet with pus and blood. Droplets dripped into the water below, hissing faintly as the creature shook its malformed head, sending splatters flying.
Alice’s breath caught in her throat. “What the fuck…?” she whispered, gripping Bobby's arm.
Before either could react, the tunnel they had been climbing up to erupted with motion. A compact mechanoid burst forth, its crab-like form skittering across the slick surface with alarming speed. Within moments, the machine began to shift, its segmented limbs folding and twisting. The transformation was almost instantaneous as it expanded into a humanoid shape, its metallic frame gleaming under its crumpled and wet clothing.
The mechanoid spun its head. Before locking on the gaunt crimson entity. “Evacuate now,” it said, its voice unexpectedly deep despite its cheery appearance.
The two didn’t hesitate; scrambling to their feet, they began to climb back up to the tunnel leading out.
The crimson creature moved slowly at first, wading through the water with deliberate steps. Its grotesquely elongated claws skimmed the surface, leaving faint ripples as it circled the mechanoid. The two beings stood in stark contrast—the beast hunched over, its deformed body twice the size of its mechanical opponent. Pus and blood oozed from its crystalline scales, dripping into the water as it rolled its head, studying the mechanoid with unnerving silence.
It struck!
With a sudden burst of speed, the creature lunged forward, its grotesquely stretched arm ripping through the water in a powerful arc. The attack was vicious, but the mechanoid reacted instantly, shifting back into its crab form with a fluid motion. The beast’s attack missed by inches, sending a spray of water into the air.
The crimson creature stumbled slightly, its balance thrown by its own force. The mechanoid seized the opportunity, darting low and slamming into one of its thin, deformed legs. A wet, crunching sound echoed as the beast staggered, its distorted frame buckling from the unexpected blow.
Bobby hauled himself up first, his chest heaving as he turned back and stretched a hand toward Alice.
The creature faltered, holstering itself against the mesh wall, its grotesque frame sagging momentarily against the netting. It seemed disoriented, but only for a moment. It looked around its single golden eye, catching the two escaping. Its mouth began to salivate profusely as its stomach physically twisted inward.
Ignoring the mechanoid, it began scaling the mesh wall, its deformed limbs gripped the damp surface with unnatural ease.
Alice shakily reached upward, her fingers brushing against Bobby’s outstretched hand.
The creature, now clinging to the ceiling like a grotesque spider, moved with horrifying speed. Its claws latched onto a structural beam, and it tensed, its malformed body coiling for a lunge.
Bobby’s eyes grew wide with fear as the creature enacted its plan. It launched itself toward Alice, its grotesque jaws unhinging impossibly wide as it soared through the air.
“No!” Bobby shouted, yanking Alice upward with all his strength. Time seemed to stretch, every second dragging as he watched the creature close the distance, its deformed body twisting midair.
Just as its gaping maw neared Alice, the crab-like mechanoid slammed into it from the side with startling speed. The metallic limb struck the creature’s face with a sickening crack, shattering its face and sending it careening off-course. The impact hurled it to the side, crashing into the wall with a wet, bone-rattling thud.
Alice scrambled over the edge, her chest heaving as she looked back wide-eyed. Bobby didn’t let go of her arm, his own breathing ragged. “Let’s go!” he said, his voice cracking as the sound of the creature’s enraged screech echoed through the chamber.
With its mangled jaws lodged into a steel support beam, the creature thrashed, trying to free itself—the mechanoid seized the moment, lunging out of the water with precision. Its appendages unfolded in a fluid motion as it landed squarely on the monster’s back. Metallic limbs shot out, gripping the creature’s neck and coiling tightly around it, constricting like a vice.
The creature seemed to panic, its golden eye looking around frantically as tears seemed to cascade down its profile. It clawed at the mechanoid’s body with its elongated hands, jagged nails tearing into the metal, but the machine’s grip only tightened. The creature rasped, its maw splitting wider as it struggled for air.
Then, a single resounding clap echoed from beyond.
The creature stilled for a moment, and a strange, eerie calm settled over it. Its body trembled as an unnatural energy began to emanate from its cracked skin—an eerie silent Kyyr, deep red and oppressive, spilled out in a wave of miasma. The thick, suffocating energy seeped beyond the chamber, reaching through the resort and the ranger station, spreading far beyond reaching everyone and everything.
Bobby and Alice were struck by the wave, falling over paralyzed mid-escape, their breath catching as the air grew heavy, the oppressive force sending their senses into a primal panic. Bobby felt a nauseating twist in his gut as the small cut in his hand began to bleed far more than it should. He tightened his hand into a fist as the world grew cold.
With its Kyyr fully unleashed, the creature roared, the sound muffled under its own power. Summoning all its strength, it ripped its head free from the wall with a sickening crack, then it grabbed the mechanoid—digging its claws into the steel frame with a renewed ferocity. The machine groaned under the strain, its limbs sparking and twisting, until finally, with a strained groan, the creature ripped it in half.
This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.
The severed pieces of the Life-Guard Unit crashed into the water below, sending up a splash that mingled with the miasma. The mechanoid’s display flickered weakly, its pixelated smile fading into static before the light in its frame went out entirely.
The creature stood hunched, its ragged breaths heaving as it tossed the shattered remains of the mechanoid aside. For a moment, the chamber was silent except for the low, pulsing hum of the unleashed Kyyr spreading through the air before it slowly faded away.
----------------------------------------
At the pool’s edge, Holly finally pulled her headphones off, her fingers trembling. Her breathing was rapid and uneven as she clutched her chest, staring in the direction of the foul presence.
Radomir burst into the resort, his boots echoing sharply against the tiled floor. Panic etched across his face, he scanned the area before his gaze landed on Holly. “What’s happening?!”
Holly stumbled to her feet, instinctively pressing her back against the wall as though it could shield her from the unseen force. Her lips quivered. “I—I don’t know…” she stammered, tears welling in her eyes as the suffocating miasma thickened.
The dark energy swelled back through the air, seeping back into the tunnels like a living thing. Holly gasped as it surged past, her legs buckling beneath her. She crumpled to the floor, her hands shaking uncontrollably. A soft, broken sob escaped her as she stared into the gloom, the sheer weight of the presence making her feel like prey.
In the common room of the ranger station, a tense silence hung in the air. Some of the rangers perked up, their senses heightened, while others crumpled to the ground in fear. The noxious presence that had briefly swept through was now gone, vanishing as suddenly as it had appeared—its depraved presence lingering in the air.
Will was the first to act. He rushed past the others, his expression grim as he headed toward the armory. He frowned, the familiar energy resonating through him. It was something he recognized—but it had grown far more sinister than he remembered.
The others hesitated, fear wafting through their confused whispers, until Calli broke from the group, following Will towards the armory. Not far behind her, a normally cheery figure, Morotov, joined the pursuit, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by a rare seriousness. One by one, others fell in step—Carmella, Sey, and a few other weary souls followed.
----------------------------------------
Beyond the station, not far, a lowglider carrying a group of rangers faltered under the wave of foul Kyyr. The rangers onboard shuddered, except for one. A rather tall man sat with his legs crossed. He straightened out, turning to face the direction of the new Krreat Ranger station. His red—amber-gold eyes seemed to ignite with recognition. As the lowglider stabilized, he stood up, walking over to the upper deck, and activated the manual controls. He squeezed the steering wheel before slamming his foot against the pedal.
----------------------------------------
Simultaneously, deep under the outskirts of Krreat, the silhouette of an iron dragon raised his head from his work. K-11 removed a welding mask from his snout as he looked up to stare at the spinning blades of a massive vent that led to the surface. His predatory eyes glimmered with anticipation as he felt the presence retreat. He tenderly set his equipment to the side before he let out an excited growl. Turning to face a wall covered in massive bladed weapons, huge guns, and other devices of exciting violence.
----------------------------------------
Back in the resort, after gearing up, the rangers reached the pool room. There they found Radomir, his rigid stance betraying his own alarm. The tension between them was heavy as they exchanged silent looks, each feeling the sinister weight of what hid within the room.
Radomir turned to the group with a grim, stern look. “Is it him?” he asked sternly.
Will stepped forward, looking into the maze of slides and tunnels. He exhaled before answering with a scowl. “It’s the crimson bastard, sir.”
Radomir’s frown deepened. “What’s with his Kyyr?”
The rangers exchanged uncertain glances, the question hanging heavily in the air.
Before anyone could respond further, Bern and Xizu arrived, flanked by four more rangers. Xizu pushed past the group, her face pale with worry, as she rushed over to Holly, who was still sitting against the wall, trembling.
“Are you okay?” she asked, leaning down to look at her daughter.
Holly nodded shakily.
“What happened? Where’s your sister?” Xizu demanded, her voice shaking.
Holly’s panicked gaze met her mother’s. Tears streamed down her face as she choked out the words, “She’s still inside there.”
Xizu’s heart sank, the weight of Holly’s words hitting her like a blow. She rose abruptly, her face etched with determination as she turned toward Bern, who was speaking to the gathered rangers.
“Bern!” she called out, her voice cracking. “Alice—she’s in there. With him.”
Bern’s face darkened, his usual composure faltering as he turned to Xizu. He turned back to the ranger’s present. “A-as you all know, well over a year ago, a Coarseblood mysteriously appeared. He was friendly—and aided us in dealing with the leaking abyss at the time—but we mustn't forget what he is…”
He paused, his frown deepening with a hint of self-loathing. “A Calamity-class organism. A Coarseblood. And while his presence helped us once, we know nothing about him—but we know what we must do.”
His gaze swept over the rangers, lingering on a few who had been present that fateful night. “Many of you were there... You saw what happened. You understand the violence he is capable of.” He took a deep breath, his voice sharpening with resolve. “Whatever we face tonight, we cannot hesitate.”
The room fell utterly still, his words sinking into each ranger like stones into deep water. The truth hung unspoken but undeniable: they weren’t just confronting an anomaly; they were stepping into the crimson maw of a Calamity-class entity—into the jaws of Gira.
A resounding roar interrupted them as they turned to face the Danger Castle.
Back inside, Bobby and Alice had stumbled into a labyrinth of see-through tunnels that stretched beneath a deep, ominous pool. The air was heavy, crushing, and thick with the residual miasma of Kyyr that had swept through like a tidal wave.
They sat huddled together, their breaths ragged and uneven. Terror clung to them like a second skin, their bodies trembling as they struggled to process what they’d just endured. The wave of vile energy from the Coarseblood had been more than a physical force—it had struck something deeper, leaving them shaken to their cores.
Alice hugged her knees to her chest, her eyes wide, staring into the dark water around the tunnel. Bobby sat beside her, his hand tight around his bloody fist that wouldn’t stop bleeding. He was growing delirious, his body cold as the blood refused to coagulate.
He fell on his side, cradling his bleeding hand, his whispery breaths subtle against the humid air. His eyes drifted upward, resting on the shifting light as the dim refractions bathed him in the low blue shimmer from the surface above. He felt a delicate chill bite into his body, his muscles trembling as warm blood trickled through his grip, but his mind clung to the glow above. He stared at shifting lights when, amid the restless waters, a shape emerged. A distorted silhouette moved against the shimmering backdrop. His pupils dilated as they focused on the warped figure as it slowly came into focus.
Panic jolted him out of his stupor. “A—Alice!” he called out.
Alice lifted her head from her knees. “What’s wrong?”
Bobby pushed himself up from the slick, wet floor of the tunnel, his movements shaky. “We have to go…” he muttered, his voice weak but urgent.
Before Alice could respond, a thunderous crash echoed through the tunnel as the Coarseblood plunged into the water. Its jaws gaped wide, slamming against the see-through barrier. Fangs tore into the thick plastic with unrelenting ferocity, the entire structure strained under the pressure of its attack. The structure groaned as the dense plastic warped and cracked under the crushing force of its bite.
Panic consumed them as they crawled away, the plastic creaking under the pressure. Water began to seep through the cracks, slowly raising the water level. Bobby dragged himself forward, leaving a faint trail of blood in his wake. His vision blurred as he scraped his body along the slick, clammy surface.
Behind them, the Coarseblood dug its claws into the tunnel, ripping away at its shell, causing water to explode into the tunnel, almost instantly flooding the insides, forcing them to hold their breaths as they bumped against the top of the tunnel.
They pulled forward, desperate for air, finally reaching an animal-themed chamber where streams of water gushed from the jaws of shark-like themed tunnels that hovered over the main pool area. The two were pushed out by the sudden surge of water from the collapsing tunnel, flushing them down into the new pool. They plunged into the rising water, splashing around as they gasped for air. Regaining their bearings, they began to swim towards the other side of the chamber. Behind, the deluge of water began to sputter out, and the muted thump of the creature slamming against the tunnel reverberated through the air, each impact growing heavier and more insistent.
Ahead, there were three main paths. Closest to them on the left and right were tunnels shaped like shark-like figures, accessible only through a challenging climb. The middle path was a short climb into another basic colored tunnel.
Reaching the jawed exits, Alice didn’t hesitate. She grabbed onto the wobbly netting, her body trembling with every wobble as she climbed up.
Behind, the Coarseblood emerged from the flooded tunnel, unfolding its body with a sickening grace. Its deep, resonant chittering reverberating through their bones as the two glanced at its horrific form.
Bobby's gaze lingered on the creature, feeling an abrupt sting from his bleeding hand. He noticed that as the Coarseblood approached, the bleeding seemed to escalate. His eyes darted back up at the unsteady netting leading up to the jawed exit. Clenching his fist tightly around his bleeding finger, he shouted, “Alice! I— I can’t climb that! We... we have to split up!”
His voice wavered, the panic clear, but he didn’t wait for a response. He turned and swam toward the middle tunnel, the warm water dragging at his body as the sound of the Coarseblood crashing into the water echoed through the room.
Alice reached the top, “Bobby wai—shit—” Before she could argue, she watched the crimson creature snake through the water, its scaled body slicing through the water as it swam after Bobby.
Bobby frantically struggled against the mesh as the Coarseblood closed the distance. Its long, stretched arm jutting out as it reached for the young man, its claws swiping dangerously close. With a desperate lunge, Bobby slipped into the tunnel just as the creature’s talons scraped the edge, barely missing him.
Alice screamed, her voice raw with desperation. But the creature didn’t so much as flinch, its focus locked on the trail of blood splattered across the netting.
The blood!
Alice’s eyes widened as the realization struck her. Without hesitation, she bit down on the wet, wrinkly skin of her hand, the sharp pain jolting through her, but she couldn’t tear away the flesh. She growled in frustration, the chemical taste filling her mouth as she desperately struggled. But her efforts faltered as she looked down, horrified.
The creature snapped its joints, its grotesque form undulating as it slithered into the slide after Bobby.
“No…” she whimpered in defeat.