The journey into the sewer was a lot longer than he thought. It was about thirty seconds before Taylum reached the bottom of the ladder where a giant pile of mysterious green slime was waiting for him.

“See that goo? That’s genius? Mother nature’s brand.” Laughed Entol, his voice echoing throughout the sewer. Entol walked toward Taylum with his strange light. At first, Taylum thought the light looked like fire but then it grew brighter and brighter like a flickering little sun over his head until the whole section of sewer around Entol lit-up as if someone turned on the lights.

“How did you do that!?” Asked Taylum without thinking.

“The Slime? Tha-” Tried explained Entol.

“No! Not the slime. The light!” Corrected Taylum

“You're a little rude for a child. Least you can say is thank you.” Sighed Entol. “Anyway the light wasn’t me. It’s him.” Replied Entol, pointing at the beady eyed creature lying next to his feet. “He’s a friend of mine. A Red Sewer Frog. When he croaks he puffs out a bubble of fire that kinda just sticks around for at least a minute or two, getting brighter and brighter until it fizzles out.” Explained Entol as he approached Taylum.

Taylum could only gasp in amazement as Entol picked up the frog and handed it right to him. As it rested on Taylum’s right shoulder, he couldn’t help but stare as he had never seen anything like it. “Nothing like the frogs up top.” He thought. The black and blue frogs on the surface were usually small and about the size of Taylum’s palm. This red frog was enormous in comparison, a little larger than the size of Goat the pup. Instead of hollow yellow eyes the frog had large glistening orange eyes with a yellow slit in the middle and instead of sticky appendages it was extremely slimy. Even stranger for Taylum, whenever it crawled around his shoulder it left behind a glowing blue goop.

“What’s his name anyway?” Asked Taylum.

“Red Sewer Frog.” Continued Entol with a serious expression.

“Are you sure this is a frog? It’s got a big fin on it’s back and a little tail. Frogs don’t do that up on the surface.” Asked Taylum nervously, gazing at the frog.

“You know the best part about these flame balls? If you touch it like this, you don’t feel anything but a tingle and it’s like you were never there.” He explained as if he didn’t hear Taylum’s question.

As the light enveloped the sewer, it gradually exposed the intricacies of the city's sewer in a way Taylum never thought he’d see. The sewer was not only huge but it was a highway of metal tunnels and gears like he’d never seen or imagined possible. Engravings of animals he’d only dream of we’re all over the sewer. Creatures and myths of all kinds came to life in the engravings. Gears of all sizes rattled and puffed steam all over the walls of the sewer. Taylum felt like he shrunk down and was walking inside of an expensive watch.

“This is amazing.” Taylum howled in excitement.

“Ah yes! It is my home.” Entol agreed with pride.

“Where exactly do you live in this whole place?” Exclaimed Taylum. “And uh… where did you put my friend Lian!?” He asked in a jump into reality.

“To answer your first question, this whole sewer is my home. However, there is a little section I prefer to live inside of. It’s a cozy place not too far from here. You will not be going there. To answer the second question… if you're talking about the boy you hurled down tens of meters, you passed him.” Entol explained while grabbing the frog.

“Best take him outta your hands. He might snatch out that puppy from under your hands. These things will eat anything.” Continued Entol.

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“I passed him?” Thought Taylum aloud.

Taylum scoured the sewer for a bit, hoping to find anything that looked like the entrance to a room but there was simply too much going in. The walls themselves looked like they moved frequently and the steam they put out made it hard to see anything but the center stream of water going through the sewer. Suddenly, the sewer went dark.

“Op. Hold on. Give him a second.” Stumbled Entol in the dark.

“There you go!” I gave the little guy some pinch of alcohol so those bubbles can come out one after the other. A little trick I learned from living here for so long.” Explained Entol.

“Where did you get that bottle? You don’t have any pockets?” Asked Taylum.

“Idiot boy. Your friend is in the goop next to the later. What did I say? Nature’s miracle?” Entol chimed in. “And before you ask? The baby is safe. I’ll take you to him as soon as you pry your friend from the pile of excrement.”

“Ex...creament?” Wondered Taylum.

“Feces! Shit! Poop! Whatever.” Replied Entol, as he approached Taylum. “Put the pup down and C’mon! We’ll haul him out before he drowns. Just keep the little kicker away from the frog.”

“No way you just said that.” Murmered Taylum aloud.

“Shut up and help me!” Shouted Entol.

“I’m not digging in poop old man! You may smell but I don't. I care about how I look and smell.” Answered Taylum quickly.

“Stupid kid! What kind of friend are you? Your friend can choke on shit. Choke...On...Shit.” Shouted Entol in return.

“Awwwww…. but….tsk...uuughhh… fine!!! But Lian owes me big!” Agreed Taylum, reluctantly.

Within seconds Entol had already grabbed Taylum by the shoulder and tossed him toward the enormous pile of slimy poop.

“You threw me in it!?” Why?” Questioned Taylum, covered head to toe in green slime.

“Because you piss me off.” Countered Entol. “Did you even notice how clean this sewer smells. Take a good whiff because nothing here actually smells like piss or shit. Most of you surface dwellers don’t know this but this sewer actually cleans all the crystal clear water you see flowing here several times before it makes its way around again.” Explained Entol, grabbing Lian’s exposed feet from the green goop.

“So the goop is all the poop and nastiness removed!?” Blurted Taylum, grabbing Lian’s other leg.

“Yes it is!” Answered Entol quickly.

“Really!?” Said Taylum with a look of sheer horror.

“No.” Corrected Entol. “This slime is excrement I collect from a large creature who likes to take a dip into our sewer system. I always make sure to collect a bunch of the excrement and put it next to the ladders. If you cook the stuff it’ll turn bright green, bouncy, and lose its gross scent. In fact, most surface dwellers use a mixture of the stuff in there mattresses and pillows. I gotta admit, I use it down here too. Now shut up and help me pull your friend outta here.”

“I’m trying, he’s really stuck in here.” Huffed Taylum.

After a couple of minutes or so, Taylum and Entol successfully removed Lian from the goop. To Taylum’s delight, he was just fine, he was still pale but just fine. Entol brushed down his robe to remove any residual goop and proceeded to begin walking away, deeper into the sewer.

“Babys’ over here boy. A little nook and cranny storage city maintenance used back in the day for their equipment. Follow me if you don’t want to get lost. This frog doesn’t have infinite juice.” Instructed Entol.

“What about Lian? I’m not moving without him.” Asked Taylum.

“Oh yes! The mysterious boy.” Pondered Entol aloud. “Layton! Obey your master and take the boy into the storage room.

“Of course Princess! I will do as commanded!” Echoed a voice in the darkness of the sewer.

Out of seemingly nowhere came about Layton, rushing towards Lian from the darkness of the sewers. His clanking feet could be heard coming down the sewer like metal blocks falling down a set of stairs.

“Ah yes. Taylum. My enem- Error! My ...f- f-riend. You are my friend. Hello. Present your identification or you will be electrocuted.” Greeted Layton.

“Layton! I saw you helping Lian! How’s it go bud!?” Said Taylum in excitement. “Why does he call you Princess?

“He is clearly having some...issues with his programming. Now hurry this way!” Explained Entol. “The frog may have 2 minutes of juice left. It should be more than enough time to make our way into the storage unit. Hustle now!”

Layton lobbed Lian over his shoulder and carried him just behind Entol. Taylum quickly grabbed Goat and followed suit. The sewer was winding but Taylum enjoyed every minute of it. Perhaps this was finally the adventure Taylum didn’t know he needed.