The two of them carved messages every few hundred feet in the immediate area around the atrium. After they finished they decided to return and rest for a few hours. Kai checked the two barricades on the other hallways and found them unmolested.
"We should make as many of these weighted nets as we can," Anya said, her eyes gleaming with purpose. "If we can trap the beasts more reliably, it will give us a significant advantage."
Kai nodded, already envisioning the intricate web of metal and wire they could construct. "You're right. The more we have, the better our chances of survival." He paused, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "And maybe we can even sell them on the market."
Anya's eyes widened, and she returned his smile. "That's a brilliant idea, Kai! We could earn credits towards my echelon quest."
Eagerly, they set to work, their hands deftly weaving the materials together. Kai found a strange sense of satisfaction in the repetitive motion, the rhythmic clanking of the metal soothing his nerves. As they crafted net after net, he couldn't help but feel a growing sense of pride in their accomplishment.
Once they had amassed a sizable collection, Kai stepped back, surveying their handiwork. "Alright, let's get these listed on the market. Who knows, maybe someone out there is in desperate need of a good trap."
Anya nodded, already moving towards her sanctuary and the control panel. "I'll handle the listings. You should take a break and rest up. You've been working hard."
Kai hesitated, his gaze drifting towards the scattered debris. "Actually, I had an idea of my own. Something that might give us an extra edge in combat."
Anya paused, her brow furrowing with curiosity. "What is it?"
Kai grinned, already moving towards a pile of battered metal sheets. "What if we made some armor? Something to protect us from those claws and teeth?"
Anya's eyes widened, and a spark of excitement flickered across her face. "That's a brilliant idea, Kai! Let's do it!"
"I'll come back out to help as soon as I list these nets." Anya said and practically sprinted to her room.
Kai's hands moved with a practiced precision, his mind focused on the task at hand. As he worked, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation – the thought of facing the Silo's beasts with an extra layer of protection filled him with a renewed confidence.
"There, I think that should do it," Kai said, stepping back to admire his handiwork. He held up the metal plates, testing their weight and flexibility.
He was almost done strapping it to his legs when Anya returned from her sanctuary. She burst out laughing and even doubled over to add insult to injury. Kai waited impatiently until her infectious laughter caused him to start laughing. After a few seconds, they both regained control.
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry. You look absolutely ridiculous and I needed that laugh more than any other I've ever had." Anya said, wiping tears from her eyes.
"I was going for function over form…" Kai trailed off with a giggle and Anya started laughing again.
"Okay, now really let me see." Anya motioned her fingers in a circle and Kai obliged.
Anya studied the armor, her expression thoughtful. "It looks sturdy, and the coverage seems pretty good. Let's try it all on and see how it feels."
Kai nodded, quickly strapping the plates onto his body. The metal was cold against his skin, despite the thin shirt between them, but it provided a comforting sense of security. He rolled his shoulders, testing the range of motion, and was pleased to find that the armor didn't hinder his movements.
"This is amazing, Kai!" Anya exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement. "You're going to be practically invincible out there."
Kai couldn't help but chuckle at her enthusiasm. "I wouldn't go that far, but it's definitely an improvement. Now, let's see if we can make some for you."
Anya turned to walk back to Kai's scrap heap collection. "Hey Anya, how many credits did you lose this nets for?"
"Oh I did the first one for 10 and then 25 for the rest. Have to hook customers with a discount" She replied with a chuckle.
* * *
Kai and Anya spent a pleasant few hours scavenging parts to make a set of armor similar to Kai's for Anya. They worked together, their hands moving in unison as they bent and shaped the metal plates to fit Anya's smaller frame. Kai couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction as he watched Anya don the armor, her eyes shining with determination.
Kai watched with pride as Anya slid the final piece of armor into place, the metal plates fitting snugly against her slender frame. She turned to him, a shy smile playing on her lips.
"How does it look?" she asked, her fingers tracing the edges of the armor.
"It looks great," he replied, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "You're going to be unstoppable out there."
Anya's smile widened, and she struck a playful pose, her brow furrowing in concentration as she tested the mobility of the armor. "I feel like a real warrior," she declared, her eyes sparkling with a newfound confidence.
"You know, I think you should give us a little fashion show," he teased, gesturing to the open space of the atrium. "Show off your new look."
Anya's cheeks flushed, but she nodded eagerly, stepping into the center of the room. Kai leaned back against the wall, his eyes fixed on her as she began to slowly turn, allowing the light to catch the various angles of the armor.
She started with a simple spin, the metal plates glinting softly. Then, she picked up the pace, her movements becoming more fluid and confident. When she picked up the pipe and had a mock fight with a beast, he clapped loudly in applause.
Anya paused, placing one hand on her hip and striking a pose. "What do you think?" she asked, her voice filled with a newfound sense of pride.
"Fearsome, may all Dragon Hounds cower in terror." Kai said with a bow.
"Okay, I deserve that for laughing at you." Anya replied with a chuckle.
"Alright, let's test how far away from our sanctuarys can get and still access the Market," Kai suggested, his gaze drifting towards his room.
Anya nodded, already moving towards the entrance. "I'll do the same from mine. That way we can see if there is a difference."
Kai watched as Anya disappeared into her sanctuary. He walked in to Haven and opened the Market Overlay. Then he turned and walked back out, about a third of the way into the Atrium the overlay just disappeared. Kai tried a few times to summon it again but it never came.
Anya shared her results and they were the same. It seemed that the limitation was consistent for them both. Was it tied to their sanctuary?
"Did you read about the sanctuary being able to be upgraded? That could have something to do with the range of the different overlays." Kai suggested.
"Oh yeah. I wonder how we upgrade them?"
"Just another question to the list in this place," Kai muttered.
Anya nodded, running her hands through her hair with concern. "What if someone responds to our message while we're out of range?"
Kai hesitated, weighing the risks in his mind. "It's a chance we'll have to take. We can't stay cooped up in the Atrium forever. Besides, we need to keep exploring if we want to find other survivors."
Anya nodded, her expression thoughtful. "You're right."
Kai could sense her hesitation, but he knew they couldn't let fear control their actions. They needed to be bold, to take risks if they wanted to survive in the Silo.
"Hey what did you name your sanctuary after all?" Kai asked.
"You can name them? Mine just says room #7114," Anya responded.
"Hah. Yeah you can, I named mine Haven right away." He told her.
She looked thoughtful as she stared off into space, likely using her overlay to change the name. "Dom."
"Dom?" Kai replied questioningly.
"Dom. Means home." Anya responded with a sad smile.
* * *
Kai stared at the Market Overlay. Anya had checked it just moments ago, and no one had purchased their carefully crafted nets. His message remained listed, a silent plea for contact in the vast, echoing expanse of the Silo.
Anya approached, her expression pensive. "It seems no one has taken the bait yet," she murmured, her gaze flickering between the overlay and Kai's face.
Kai nodded, a sigh escaping his lips. "Yeah, guess we'll have to try a different approach." He paused, considering their options. "Since no beasts are coming, maybe we should go explore and look for more people."
Anya's eyes widened slightly, and Kai could see the eagerness there. "Are you sure. I know you wanted to finish your quest."
"Yeah, can't finish it here without any more beasts though."
Anya considered his words, then slowly nodded. "Alright, let's do it. I'll go get ready."
"Of course," Kai assured her. He turned back to the Market Overlay, quickly purchasing a sturdy backpack and a used knife.
[Reinforced Backpack - 3 : 10 credits]
[Weathered Combat Knife - 1 : 20 credits]
The items materialized on the table in Haven, and he grabbed them. He waited for her to re-appear from her sanctuary.
"Here, this is for you," he said, pressing the worn handle into her palm. "Consider it an investment in our future."
Anya's eyes widened as she accepted the knife, her fingers tracing the blade. "Kai, I... Thank you. How much was this?."
Kai smiled. "We're in this together, Anya. I want you to be able to defend yourself out there. Don't worry about how much it cost."
"I want to know for learning the market. Don't worry you can keep thinking yourself as chivalrous." she replied with a wink.
"Oh yeah, uhh it was thirty credits for both. The knife was twenty and the bag was ten." He answered.
"We should grab all of the nutrition bars from the room since they refill. Fill up your…oh duh." Kai trailed off and walked back inside Haven.
[Sturdy Water Canteen - 1 : 20 credits]
"Here!" He walked back out and thrust the canteen at Anya. Dam the market is really convenient. One sturdy water canteen courtesy of whoever left those credits in that chest." Kai announced.
With that, the two of them set off from the Atrium, their footsteps echoing in the dimly lit corridors. Kai kept a watchful eye on their surroundings, alert for any signs of danger, while Anya trailed close behind him, her new knife gripped tightly in her hand.
* * *
"Once we turn left here, it'll be unfamiliar territory," Kai said, glancing back at his companion. It was strange to think of the Atrium as familiar, considering how little time he had spent in this place.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
Anya nodded. "Maybe we could make copies of the map and try to sell them on the market," she suggested. "That might help us connect with other survivors."
"You really like selling things." Kai remarked as he ducked under a low hanging wire.
"Well it is my echelon quest." Anya said in a sarcastic voice.
Kai considered her idea, weighing the pros and cons. "That's not a bad thought," he admitted. "But I'm a little hesitant to broadcast our location so openly. We don't know who else might be out there, or what their intentions are."
"Okay," Anya replied, her voice thoughtful. "Maybe we could make a master copy and then tweak the details on the others, just enough to hide the Atrium?"
Kai nodded, impressed by her pragmatism. "Yeah, that could work. We can see if anyone bites, but keep the specifics of our base of operations under wraps for now."
As they turned the corner, Kai felt a prickle of unease. The hallway stretched out before them, dimly lit and ominous. He gripped his pipe tighter, his senses heightened.
Anya must have sensed his tension, because she moved closer to him, her eyes scanning the shadows. "Do you hear that?" she whispered.
Kai strained his ears, and then he heard it – a faint scuttling sound, like something moving through the debris on the floor. He raised his hand, signaling Anya to stay close.
Slowly, they crept forward, their footsteps muffled as they navigated the uneven terrain. Movement caught his eye, and he tensed, ready to strike. But it was only a small creature, scurrying across the floor. Kai let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding.
"More rats?" Anya whispered, somehow able to convey her eye roll with her voice.
"Glowrats." Kai whispered back.
"Glowrats…" Anya sighed.
They continued down the hallway, their senses on high alert. Kai couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, even though he couldn't see anything in the shadows.
As they reached a junction, Kai paused, considering their options. "Alright, we can go left or right here. Any preference?"
Anya chewed on her lip, her gaze flickering between the two paths. "Let's go right," she decided. "I have a feeling there might be more... interesting things that way."
Kai couldn't help but chuckle at her words. "Alright, right it is. Lead the way, brave explorer."
Anya shot him a playful glare, then stepped forward, her knife held at the ready. Kai followed close behind, his eyes scanning the corridor for any signs of danger.
The hallway seemed to stretch on endlessly, the dim lighting casting eerie shadows on the walls. Kai could feel the weight of the silence pressing in on them.
As they walked, Kai's mind drifted to the task at hand – creating the map copies to sell on the market. It was a risky proposition, but if it could help them connect with other survivors, it might be worth the gamble.
He glanced over at Anya, who seemed to be lost in her own thoughts. "Hey, you still good with the map idea?" he asked, keeping his voice low.
Anya blinked, then nodded. "Yeah, I think it's worth a try. Even if we don't get any bites, it'll give us something to do, right?"
Kai smiled, appreciating her positive attitude. "That's true. And who knows, maybe we'll stumble across some other survivors in the process. Before we get any further away and invite trouble, lets make a few copies. We can list them when we get back to the Atrium later."
--
Kai focused intently as he carved the outline of the Atrium onto the scrap metal sheet. His brow furrowed in concentration, the sounds of Anya's own work echoing beside him.
"How accurate do you think we should make this?" Anya asked, pausing to examine her progress.
Kai considered the question, weighing the potential risks and rewards. "Well, we want it to be convincing enough to draw in potential allies," he mused. "But we also don't want to give away the exact location of our base."
Anya nodded, her gaze thoughtful. "Good point. Maybe we could place the fake Atrium in a smaller chamber, a few hundred feet away from the real one?"
Kai's eyes lit up at the idea. "That's brilliant! That way, if someone comes looking, they'll find a space that's similar, but not quite the same." He glanced around the dimly lit corridor. "And we can use the map to guide them there, without compromising our own position."
"Exactly." Anya smiled, already refining the details on her own sheet of metal. "We'll make it just convincing enough to pique their interest, but not so accurate that they can easily find us."
Kai resumed his carving, his movements confident and precise. As he worked, he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement at the prospect of potentially connecting with other survivors. The thought of having allies, of not being alone in this strange and hostile environment, was a comforting one.
"Do you think anyone will actually respond?" Anya asked, her voice betraying a hint of uncertainty.
"I hope so," Kai replied, his eyes never leaving the metal. "It's worth a try, at least. And if nothing else, it'll give us something to do besides waiting and worrying."
Anya chuckled softly. "True enough. Sitting around Haven all day is starting to make me stir-crazy."
As he neared the completion of his map, he paused, studying the details. "Alright, I think I've got it. How's yours looking?"
Anya held up her own sheet, the carved lines and symbols eerily similar to the real Atrium. "I think we've got a pretty convincing replica here," she said, a hint of pride in her voice.
Kai nodded, impressed by her handiwork. "Definitely."
"Okay, back to the dark, scary hallways full of powerful and disgusting beasts intent on killing us." Anya said and started walking.
"Yeah…" Kai muttered and got up to follow her.
* * *
Kai's was walking about ten feet behind Anya when he heard a loan groan followed by a tearing sound. The floor under Anya sagged for a moment before dropping out and she fell through it with a yell. He ran over to the hole and saw nothing but darkness.
"Anya!" he called out, peering into the darkness below. "Are you alright?"
A muffled groan echoed up from the hole, and Kai felt a wave of relief wash over him. "I'm okay," Anya replied, her voice strained. "Just... a little banged up."
The flashlight he had given her popped on a minute later. "It's really dark on this level."
Kai nodded, even though she couldn't see him. "Hang on, I'm coming down to get you."
He looked around the opening for any way down. The edges of the new hole were sharp and it looked like a straight drop down. The ceiling above him offered no place to tie any sort of rope. With a sigh, Kai pulled his pack off his back.
"Can you catch my bag?" Kai called down.
"Okay."
"Is there a safe place for me to land? I can't find another way down."
"Uhh yeah well I just landed in surprise, you should be fine. Your stats are higher anyway." Was the response.
Taking a deep breath, Kai jumped down into the opening. The tunnel below was in a state of severe disrepair, the walls and floor covered in a thick, gooey substance that Kai couldn't help but liken to toxic waste from an old sci-fi movie.
He spotted Anya, who was sitting up and cradling her arm. "What happened?" Kai asked, moving to her side.
Anya winced as she shifted her position. "I slipped on that... stuff," she said, nodding towards the goo-covered floor. "Twisted my ankle, I think. Banged my elbow pretty good."
Kai's gaze followed hers, and he couldn't help but wrinkle his nose at the sight of the viscous liquid. "Yeah, that stuff looks nasty. Let me take a look at your ankle."
Gently, Kai examined Anya's injured limb, relieved to find that it didn't appear to be broken. A long cut ran around her leg. "Looks like a sprain," he concluded. "We'll need to wrap it up and get you off your feet for a bit."
Anya nodded, her expression a mix of pain and determination. "Alright, let's get to it then. The sooner we can get out of this place, the better."
Kai offered her a reassuring smile and began tearing strips from the net to use as a makeshift bandage. As he worked, he couldn't help but glance around the tunnel, taking in the ominous atmosphere.
"This place is a lot worse than the rest of the Silo," he murmured, more to himself than to Anya. "I wonder what happened down here..."
Anya followed his gaze, her brow furrowed. "I don't know, but I have a feeling we're about to find out. This just reeks of trouble. If this was a movie…"
Kai couldn't help but agree. The thick, viscous goo covering the floor and walls was unsettling, and the overall state of disrepair suggested that this particular tunnel had been abandoned for a very long time.
* * *
Anya let out a soft sigh, her gaze sweeping over the dilapidated tunnel. "I'm not sure I can make the climb back up, though. This place is a mess."
Kai nodded, his lips pressed into a thin line as he considered their options. "Yeah, I'm not sure either of us would be able to scale that gap easily." He paused, glancing over at Anya. "What's your strength stat again?"
Anya's brow furrowed as she thought for a moment. "One, I think. Why?"
Kai couldn't help but laugh, the corners of his mouth quirking upwards in a wry smile. "A one, huh?"
Anya rolled her eyes, but Kai could see the amusement sparkling in her gaze. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. Not all of us started exercising religiously like you." She stuck her tongue out at him playfully.
"Maybe I should start exercising every morning…" Kai heard her mutter and chuckled.
The two of them shared a moment of levity, the tension in the air momentarily dissipating. Kai was grateful for Anya's ability to find humor even in their dire circumstances. It was a welcome respite from the oppressive gloom that seemed to permeate every corner of the Silo.
Once the laughter had died down, Kai's expression grew more serious. "Well, since we're both squishy, I guess that means we'd better take a break and refuel." He reached into his pack, pulling out a few of the ubiquitous nutrition bars. "Lunch is served."
Anya accepted the bar gratefully, taking a large bite. "Mmm, delicious," she said, her words muffled by the food in her mouth. "I don't think I'll ever get tired of these things."
Kai chuckled as he unwrapped his own bar, taking a moment to savor the familiar flavor. "Yeah, well, let's hope we find some real food soon. I'm getting a little tired of the same old thing."
The two of them fell silent for a moment, lost in their own thoughts as they ate. Kai's gaze drifted back to Anya's injured ankle, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of concern. They needed to find a way out of this tunnel, but with Anya's mobility compromised, it was going to be a challenge.
"So, any ideas on how we're going to get out of this mess?" Anya asked, her voice cutting through the silence.
Kai shook his head, taking a final bite of his nutrition bar before crumpling the wrapper and stuffing it back into his pack. "Not yet. Either we climb back up that hole, which seems difficult," he motioned to her ankle and elbow. "Or we continue down these tunnels until we make it back up a level."
"Hey, Anya," he said, his voice low. "I know you're not exactly a powerhouse, but do you think you could give me a boost up to the top? Even with a sprained ankle, you might be able to help me get a foothold."
Anya considered the suggestion, her brow furrowed in concentration. "I... I don't know, Kai. I'm not sure I have the strength to lift you all the way up there." She let out a frustrated sigh, her gaze dropping to the gooey floor. "I feel so useless right now."
Anya took a deep breath, steeling herself. "Alright, let's give it a shot."
Kai watched as Anya braced herself, planting her feet firmly on the gooey floor. She reached up, grasping his forearms with a determined expression. Kai mirrored her, gripping her forearms as well.
"Okay, on three," Anya said, her voice strained with effort. "One, two, three!"
Kai jumped up and felt Anya's hands on his thighs, pushing him higher. He reached up to the ledge and pulled his hand back with a yelp, the torn metal cutting his palm. Kai flailed in the air for a moment before tumbling back down.
Anya let out a surprised yelp as Kai's weight pulled her down as well, and the two of them landed in a tangled mess of limbs and laughter.
Kai couldn't help but chuckle as he disentangled himself, the absurdity of the situation lightening the heavy mood. "Well, that didn't work," he said, reaching out a hand to help Anya sit up.
"I didn't expect the edge to be so sharp." Kai said and cradled his sliced hand. He removed a spare shirt from Haven and ripped a strip of it off. He made a make shift bandage and held pressure until it stopped bleeding.
Anya accepted his hand, her own laughter bubbling up. " Yeah and I guess I'm not as strong as I thought," she admitted, shaking her head ruefully.
Kai grinned, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "Hey, don't sell yourself short. You tried your best, and that's what counts."
Anya returned his smile, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Yeah, well, I guess we're both just a couple of weaklings, huh?"
Kai snorted, playfully nudging her shoulder. "Speak for yourself. I'll have you know I'm a highly trained urban explorer, capable of feats of incredible strength and agility."
Anya raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Oh really? Forgive me if I don't exactly take your word for it, Mr. Tumble-down-the-hole."
Kai gasped in mock offense, pressing a hand to his chest. "Why, I'll have you know that was a tactical maneuver, I knew you'd never come down here willingly. Anything for the footage." Kai mimed taking a picture of Anya slumped against the tunnel wall.
Anya's laughter rang out, echoing through the damp tunnel. "Sure, sure, whatever you say." She shook her head, a fond smile playing on her lips.
The two of them sat there for a moment, the tension in the air slowly dissipating as their laughter subsided. Kai couldn't help but marvel at how quickly Anya had managed to lift his spirits. Despite the grim circumstances, she had a way of finding the humor in even the most dire situations.
"So, what's the plan now, fearless leader?" Anya asked, her gaze searching his face.
Kai hummed thoughtfully, his mind racing as he considered their options. "Well, since we can't climb back up, I guess our only choice is to keep moving forward."
He glanced down the dimly lit tunnel, his brow furrowing. "I'm not sure where it leads, but it's got to be better than just sitting here, right?"
Anya nodded, her expression determined. "Sounds like a plan. Lead the way, oh mighty explorer."
Kai chuckled, pushing himself to his feet and offering Anya a hand up. "Oh, my turn to lead now?"
Carefully, the two of them made their way down the tunnel, Anya leaning on Kai for support as they navigated the uneven terrain. The air grew colder and the walls more dilapidated the further they went, but Kai couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement stirring within him.
Despite the dire circumstances, there was something about exploring the unknown that sent a thrill through his veins. He couldn't help but wonder what secrets the Silo held, what mysteries they might uncover.
As they rounded a corner, Kai's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but let out a low whistle. "What the f…."
* * *
Kai's heart raced as he stared in stunned silence at the monstrous centipede that had emerged from the shadows. The creature's segmented body moved with a disturbing, undulating rhythm, its countless legs skittering across the damp floor.
Anya's hand gripped his arm, her face etched with fear. "Kai, we have to get out of here," she whispered urgently.
The duo started running down the opposite way but only made it fifteen feet before Anya stumbled. She reached down to her ankle with a whimper and rocked back. Kai stopped and reached down to pull her back up.
Kai's mind whirled, trying to devise a plan of escape. But as he glanced down at Anya's injured ankle, he knew they had little chance of outrunning the rapidly approaching behemoth.
"I can't leave you behind," Kai said, his voice firm. He positioned himself in front of Anya, shielding her with his body.
The centipede let out a bone-chilling screech, its mandibles clicking menacingly as it surged forward. Kai gripped his knife, his knuckles turning white, as he braced himself for the onslaught.
"Kai, please, you have to go!" Anya cried, her voice laced with desperation. "I'll only slow you down. Save yourself!"
Kai's jaw tightened, his eyes filled with a resolute determination. "I'm not leaving you," he growled, his grip on the knife tightening. He would not abandon Anya, not after everything they had been through.
Kai seized the moment, pushing Anya back as the centipede recoiled. "Run!" he yelled, his voice ragged with exertion. "I'll hold it off!"
* * *
Kai braced himself as the monstrous centipede reared up, its body undulating with a sickening rhythm. To his horror, the creature opened its maw and a thick, noxious gas erupted forth, enveloping Kai and Anya in a choking cloud.
Kai immediately began to cough, the fumes burning his throat and stinging his eyes. He stumbled back, reaching out blindly for Anya. "Anya!" he choked out, his voice ragged.
Beside him, Anya was coughing as well, the gas sapping her strength. Kai could feel her trembling as he pulled her close, trying to shield her from the noxious fumes.
The centipede's screeching cries echoed through the corridor, but instead of advancing, Kai watched in bewilderment as the creature slithered away, disappearing back into the shadows.
Kai and Anya stared after it, their coughing subsiding as the gas began to dissipate. Kai's brow furrowed in confusion. "Why did it retreat?" he murmured, his gaze searching the darkness for any sign of the creature.
Anya shook her head weakly, her voice hoarse. "I don't know…"
Kai's mind raced as he tried to make sense of the centipede's bizarre behavior. Had the gas been some kind of defensive mechanism? Or was there something more sinister at play?
He lowered his knife and turned to see Anya swinging the broken pipe at his head will full strength.