"Eeeeeeek!" screamed Cleo, a firefighter assigned to the heavy rescue truck. "What is that? Get it away. Get it out of the kitchen!"

"Shit," laughed Cody Minkah. "It's a molten roach."

"Kill it, Codes, just kill it!" she cried.

Cody looked down at the molten roach and its bright golden outline. It didn't bother anyone as it twitched and slowly crawled along the counter.

"Cleo, that's a molten roach," he said. "It's not hurting anyone.

Cleo looked at Cody with a confused, irritated facial expression. Holding the spatula, she was on the verge of losing her mind as she lifted it high in the air. Cody had kept his head low, looking at the roach. As Cleo slammed the spatula with all her might on the counter, hot oil still dripped from it. This sent bits of roach guts and hot oil onto Cody's face. Cody reacted slowly, but as the pain intensified, he grabbed his face and cursed loudly. Wiping off the roach guts and oil from his face, Cody gazed at Cleo with a look of rage. Sitting across the kitchen at the long, twelve-seat table was Spencer Montrose. Spencer heard the conversation but focused on the morning paper. He always sat at the table in the morning, usually reading a novel, but today was different. Spencer was 27 and had been doing this job since he was eighteen. Every man in his family has served as a firefighter and as a Special Rescue Unit member. All but two have died in the line of duty. It was like a family honor. The longer you live, the more your soul strives to separate itself from your physical body. He didn't consider it a curse but rather saw it as a blessing. Spencer could hear the commotion, chuckling slightly as Cleo and Cody engaged in a fight.

"Keep it down, would yah," Spencer sighed. "There's still people asleep."

The two of them didn't bother. Cody was upset. He scrunched up his face and raised his arm up high. His hand had all five fingers connected to each other as he swung his hand toward Cleo's face. Spencer lowered the paper, clearing his throat as Cody's hand hovered just inches from slapping Cleo's face.

"Minkah, if you slap her, I will put you down for assault and have you arrested," Spencer stated. "If she told you to kill the bug, do so or remove it from the kitchen. Cleo, no one likes bugs in their kitchen. That's why it's your responsibility to clean the kitchen, which you neglected to do last night. Stop fighting each other or else you both can leave the firehouse."

Cody sucked his teeth as he looked Cleo in the eye, muttering the word, "Slut."

Cleo's face was in shock as Cody walked out of the kitchen, leaving a frozen Cleo and a curious Spencer.

"So, I guess I'll just get back to cooking," Cleo stuttered.

"Yeah, and make sure the chief doesn't know what you're trying to do," Spencer chuckled as he flapped the newspaper and continued reading it.

Cleo felt sick but cleaned the spatula, scrubbing it well before cooking food with it.

"Next time you go out, buy a new spatula," Spencer asked. He stood up, pushed his chair under the table, and left the kitchen. Spencer was a level-headed man in the morning. He didn't need to have any sort of coffee or energy drink to get his day started. The work he does gives him a boost in the morning. Despite the Gurn being a hotbed of crime and sadness, he took pride in protecting it.

[7:32 A.M.]

"Morning, Micah," sang Marcus Boundman. "You slept early and woke early."

"Yeah, I know," yawned Micah. He was still half asleep. The dorm was nearly empty, as only a few people were still in bed. A fire alarm in a school had prompted the dispatch of the engine and ladder on an early morning call. This left a few people at the station for the time being. Jordan had disappeared, and Xavier had been sound asleep. His bed was cleaned and made. Marcus walked out of the dorm holding a novel as he rubbed his head. Still in his pajamas, he continued singing a tune. Micah got up and headed to the bathroom. Facing the mirror, he lifted his eyelid to examine his eye once more.

Micah sighed, resting his hands on the sink. "Fuck." He ran the water and splashed it onto his face. After that, he took a shower, brushed his teeth, and went down stairs. At this time, it was very quiet at the firehouse.

As Micah walked past the mechanic room, he heard someone talking. The voice sounded like Spencer, but who else was in the room with him? Micah knocked on the door and slowly pushed it. Micah observed sparks flying and a man donning a welding helmet. Spencer was standing with his back facing the door, while the man in front of him had stopped using a torch and looked up from his work.

"Micah?" said a voice that sounded like Jordan. "What brings you in here?"

"What's going on here?" Micah asked. "I'm just curious and bored."

Jordan lifted the welding helmet to reveal his face. He lifted a sledgehammer, which had a completely different design from the rest.

"Spencer's sledgehammer," he revealed. "Look how beautiful it is."

Spencer had his arms crossed and walked toward a wall leaning on it. The mechanics room, a small, rectangular-shaped room, housed the majority of the electronic equipment. This room also serves as Jordan's workspace for repairing various electronic equipment. However, instead of repairing tools, Jordan has successfully modified and enhanced Spencer's sledgehammer.

"I coated the wiring and all so it didn't stand out," he praised himself. "Tapping it on the ground, like so—" Bzzzmmm

The sledgehammer's hammer section illuminated slightly, revealing a deadly electrical current flowing along its metal edges. There was a tiny button on the pole of the sledgehammer. Jordan pressed the button once and then gently tapped his finger on the head of the sledgehammer. Micah shielded his eyes from Jordan's actions, but Jordan remained calm.

"What a beauty," Jordan smiled. "A beauty at work."

He walked over to Spencer, kneeled on one knee, and presented him with his weapon, giggling as it was happening. Spencer took the sledgehammer and inspected every aspect of it. He gave a cheap but surprising smile, thanking Jordan for this amazing modification.

"Looks sick," Micah said.

"Wait, wait," Jordan halted. He opened up a white storage trunk and took out two fire axes, one smaller than the other. He ushered both Spencer and Micah out of the room and walked outside the firehouse toward the back. There was a spare truck and a ton of room for any sort of activity. The pavement wasn't the best and had a few cracks along the way. A white wooden fence divided the firehouse from abandoned houses. Jordan threw gloves to Micah and handed him the longer fire axe. The axe had a modified handle and was a bit heavier than the normal ones. There was a small button at the bottom of the handle.

"Is this the activation button?" Micah asked.

"Yes," Jordan answered. He then handed Micah a welding mask, just in case.

"Will this hurt?" Micah asked.

"Don't know," Jordan replied. Jordan gave a thumbs up as he and Spencer backed up, indicating they were at a safe distance of 20 yards.

Micah held the axe far from him. He aimed it toward the ground and pressed the button, but nothing happened.

"I think it's broken!" Micah shouted.

"Why's he shouting?" Spencer muttered.

"Don't know," Jordan replied.

"What's he shouting?" Spencer asked.

"Don't know," Jordan replied. "Micah, try tapping it on the ground a couple times."

Micah held the axe with two hands, slamming it rapidly on the ground, causing Jordan to jump as if a bug had crawled on him.

"NOT THAT HARD!" Jordan screamed.

Even if it was excessive, the axe started to spark, the same as Spencer's sledgehammer. No matter how gently Micah swayed it by his side, nothing happened, though. It seemed completely useless. He gave a sad-looking shrug.

"Shit," Jordan sighed.

"Maybe it doesn't work," Micah mumbled. "What if I—" Fwoosh

Micah quickly lost patience and started swinging the axe wildly. The axe lit up with sparks again before igniting into a bright white flame. The flames were so bright it looked like a second sun. If you were in close proximity, it certainly appeared that way. Spencer was impressed with the work Jordan had done. Jordan was celebrating, jumping up high as if he were a child again.

"Do something," Spencer said. "Come on."

Micah started swinging the axe rapidly. Although he was being extra cautious, his movement was as if he were dancing with the axe. It was evident that Micah had been afraid of the flame.

"Don't use too much of the gas," Jordan smiled. Don't be concerned about catching fire either. The purpose of these flames is to ignite specific metals. But always be cautious. But live a little. But don't act stupid!"

"Right," Micah nodded, still wearing the welding mask.

Micah switched the axe's fire off as it slowly extinguished itself. Despite being a prototype, the axe was unique but still in need of improvement, of course. Jordan was listing things he still needed to add. Nevertheless, the tech that Jordan had produced intrigued Spencer and Micah. After a brief talk, Jordan had taken the fire axe back to the mechanics room. The morning went on, as both Micah and Jordan sat outside, watching Spencer practice his movement with his new modified sledgehammer. Every time he swung it, sparks would fly. Every time he slammed it on the ground, it would ricochet upwards, leaving a dark mark on the concrete. Spencer was sweating profusely as he swung the sledgehammer.

"Do you think it's too heavy?" Micah asked, sipping on a nice cold bottle of water with the welding helmet still covering his face.

"I tried to tell him," Jordan sighed. "Ah, but the guy has concrete in his brain!"

Spencer's grunts grew louder as he exerted himself to the maximum. He slammed the sledgehammer harder and harder on the concrete, causing cracks, which surprised Micah and Jordan. The pinging noise made by the metal also intensified. It seemed as though he was reenacting the fight he had with the oddity the day before.

"Errag!" screamed Spencer. He dragged the sledgehammer across the concrete and swung it, sending a zipping noise and a loud crack towards the fence. "Pfh!"

"What was that!" screamed Cleo as she came running out of the firehouse holding a spatula. "What the fuck was that?"

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"Go away, Cleo," Jordan said as he turned his head back. "We're working here."

She spat on the ground near Jordan and walked back inside, mumbling words such as "Ungrateful shits" and "Why do I put up with this? I need a girls night."

Cleo was a stunning lady. So stunning that even Jordan had a crush on her. Yet he always insulted her. She had red hair and braces. She had an insane overbite. Her skin was tan, and her freckles littered her face, spreading from the nose toward her cheeks. She had brown eyes and a tenor's voice. Cleo was also tall and muscular, but she was extremely afraid of bugs.

She dreamed of being a part of the Special Rescue Unit, but her fear of oddities is what holds her back. Cleo's backstory is harsh. As a result, she likes to be at the firehouse rather than at home.

*Crack*

"Do you realize how loud that is?" she yelled as she ran back outside, hurling the spatula at Jordan's head. "People are sleeping, and you've scared Nina twice! Twice now, you moronic fatass!"

"Ow, you slut that hurt!" Jordan screamed.

Spencer stopped what he was doing, chuckling at the altercation. Micah watched, the welding helmet concealing his shocked face. Micah found himself unable to utter a word as they began hurling insults at each other, using language that could land someone in prison. The atmosphere became hostile, and their yelling echoed louder than Spencer's sledgehammer.

"Where's the chief?" asked Spencer. "Is he back yet?"

Cleo stopped her verbal assault on Jordan. She looked over at Spencer, who had been resting his arms on the butt of the sledgehammer.

"Yes, the chief's back," she replied.

"Why don't you bring him out here?" Spencer said.

"Do I look like a maid around here?" Cleo asked. She went on another rant.

"Cleo, I don't want to hear it," Spencer sighed. "Just go get the chief. I rank higher than you. You know that, right?"

She rolled her eyes, walking back into the station. Her words could be heard, and she wasn't happy at all. Spencer returned to wielding the sledgehammer and reenacting the fight. It was a sight to see. He was destined to serve as a SRU firefighter from birth.

[Chapter Two: An Eye For An Eye]

The chief never came outside. Instead, he ordered Cleo to bring the SRU members to his office.

"Boys," the chief stated. "You've done fine work."

Jordan, Spencer, Micah, and a fully awakened Xavier were standing upright, arms by their sides, as the chief spoke in his quiet, cold office that overlooked the road. Achievement medals adorned the office, along with the Gurn government medal. Despite the Gurn government's subpar performance, most people took the initiative to designate district leaders.

"I know you guys are supposed to have off," he cleared his throat. "I apologize for the inconvenience, but I don't want Vanguard to interfere with the investigation. I want you four to go down there and watch over the place as the District 12 police investigate it."

"No need to apologize, chief," Micah smiled.

"Yeah, it's no problem," Xavier replied.

"Fine by me, as long as we can bring our gear," Jordan chuckled.

"I'm alright with it, sir," Spencer answered. He looked up to the chief, as if he were his father.

The chief smiled as he sipped his tea and wiped the excess liquid off his brown-trimmed mustache. Prior to his promotion to Battalion Chief, he served as a firefighter for the Gurn for twenty-two years. He stood at 6'3" and had numerous wristbands either on his arm or stretched out along his desk. Everyone at the firehouse was unaware of the meaning of these wristbands, but judging by his neat and clean appearance, everyone knew they must hold significance.

The four of them left the chief's room. Two hours later, after Jordan had worked on the equipment, they headed out and down the road into a busy area of the Gurn.

"This is where you will activate it," Micah clarified. He pointed to a small button in the center of the eagle hook.

"What is it, though?" Xavier asked. "What does it do?"

"You're smart, X," Jordan said. "You'll figure it out."

"Really?" Xavier chuckled.

He looked back for a second, thanking Micah for telling Xavier everything as they were en route. Micah relaxed, resting his head on the window as the hum of the truck made him sleepy.

"Shit," Jordan sighed. "Didn't have breakfast."

"No one did," Xavier noted. "Or at least I think no one did, because I was sleeping for half the morning."

"Right, Spencer?" Jordan laughed.

Spencer didn't respond verbally but instead gave a thumbs-up.

[1:21 P.M.]

Errchhh

"Out," Jordan ordered.

"I'll drive when we're finished here," Xavier told Jordan.

"Sure, I don't mind," Jordan replied.

The building that had initially been on fire had an exposed back, but the front was still upright. It looked eerie and freaky, especially given that the other buildings next to it had also caught on fire. Vanguard was nowhere to be seen, which made this job much easier. Spencer approached the detectives while the other three leaned against the truck, awaiting orders. Patrol officers and detectives carried bags in and out of the building, while police cars were parked all over the place.

"Are those bodies?" asked Micah. Just thinking about it gave him shivers.

"Probably," Xavier replied. "There were still a lot of dead people there."

"No, they've probably all turned to ashes," Jordan interrupted. "After killing that oddity, I wouldn't be surprised if they all turned to dust."

"You think we could ask?" Micah pointed. The three of them focused their attention on a lone detective who was resting on a car, staring directly at them.

"Does he have a problem?" Xavier asked. "What's his problem?"

"It's kind of freaking me out," Micah uttered. "Do something, Jordan. You're the oldest."

Jordan turned his head and was flabbergasted by that sudden command. He looked forward to seeing the detective still staring at them. But as Jordan took his sweet time to react, the detective got in his car and drove off.

"Nice going, moron," Xavier said. "It could've been some important business. Or maybe he was curious."

Spencer was walking back to the three of them. Once they met up, Jordan pointed over to where the detective had been. It was an intriguing conversation that Spencer didn't fully understand. Spencer kept the conversation in mind but had told the three of them what the detectives wanted them to do as they investigated the scene.

[2:21 P.M.]

All four members of the Special Rescue Unit spread out around the charred remains of several buildings, watching and waiting an hour after arriving at the site. The plan was for them to spend only a few hours there. Their paycheck would include extra pay. Micah, struggling to keep his eyes open due to boredom, held his new, still-in-progress fire axe. Spencer had been helping the detectives while Jordan stood near the truck. Stationed in the back of the buildings, Xavier's current status remained unknown. It became a very uneventful time. The occasional onlooker would try and take pictures of the burned buildings and of the SRU truck.

It was boring, and the minutes he spent standing, waiting, and doing nothing at all caused Micah to briefly nod off.

Beeeeeeep

A sudden noise quickly woke up Micah. Spencer walked out of the building, dragging the sledgehammer.

"Cathedral fire alarm!" he shouted. "Let's move!"

"Why are we going for a fire alarm?" asked Micah. He dashed to the truck, which Jordan had already started. Xavier came running out of the building, as well as almost tripping over caution tape and other obstacles.

"I thought I was driving," Xavier wondered.

"Just get in the truck," Jordan ordered.

They turned their sirens on and fled down the road. The truck's noise startled everyone as it swayed in and out of the few cars on the uneven road.

"So," Micah spoke. "Why are we going for a fire alarm?"

"We're the closest one to it," Jordan said. "Right Spencer?"

Spencer nodded.

The fire alarm was loud as people gathered outside the cathedral. The bishop had been standing outside, hushing onlookers and moving them out of the way. His priests also helped. Many curious people had jammed the road leading up to the front of the cathedral. Jordan rolled the window down as onlookers started taking pictures with their old-world disposable cameras.

"Get outta the way!" Jordan screamed. "Move it, people—move it!"

"We can't get close," Micah said.

Jordan's loud honk caused people to scatter, but the road remained flooded. The District 12 cathedral was heavily celebrated. The bishop held ceremonies on how he can contact the gods of the upper world, as well as those below.

"Want to get out?" Jordan asked. "I'll try and get the truck closer. Just go check it out."

Spencer looked back at Xavier and Micah and told them to get every piece of gear they could and move swiftly through the crowd. They followed Spencer's instructions as they exited. Micah carried his axe along with all the gear he was able to hold. Xavier carried his modified eagle hook while Spencer swiftly dragged his sledgehammer. It was as if they were crowd surfing. People were constantly attempting to grab hold of their equipment.

"Back off!" screamed Spencer.

They were close to the cathedral, and the truck was slowly making its way forward. Like a zombie apocalypse, the people of the Gurn stretched out to grab them. Disposable camera flashes blasted into their faces as people stepped in front of them. They moved closer and closer to the front of the cathedral. The bishop stretched his hand out to the oncoming firemen. Spencer, Micah, and Xavier advance with the fire alarm blaring loudly.

"Our holy place needs no unwanted guests," the bishop announced. "Please turn back. We do not allow weapons in our house of glory.

Spencer finally broke free of the crowd, moving closer to the bishop. Micah and Xavier soon followed, almost losing their balance as they pushed through the crowd.

"Get out of the way," Spencer ordered. "We've got a job to do, Bishop."

"Oh, my dear Spencer," the bishop cried. "Why haven't you been attending Sunday services?"

"Please get out of the way, bishop," Spencer repeated. "We'll talk after we shut off the fire alarm."

The bishop tried to grab hold of Spencer. Same with the priests. Micah and Xavier sprinted past Spencer, who was struggling with the restraints, and stormed into the cathedral while the priests attempted to seize them. The fire alarm screamed loudly as soon as the doors opened, but nothing unusual was occurring. Micah and Xavier looked at each other in confusion.

"No!" the bishop screamed. "That is not right!"

Spencer broke free, running with the sledgehammer into the cathedral. A priest trailed him, followed by Jordan, who had maneuvered the truck near the cathedral's steps as the crowd attempted to leap into it. He was exhausted, holding a bag of gear just in case.

"I don't think we'll have a truck by the time we leave here," Jordan said as the cathedral doors shut.

"Did you shut the door?" Micah inquired, turning back to see Jordan surveying the majestic white cathedral. Stained glass murals of Jesus, Isaac, Joseph, and other figures adorn the windows. Xavier heard the crowd outside, the fire alarm still blaring as he walked further down the aisle. The large pillars aligned down the aisle with the altar just up ahead caused an eerie atmosphere. The priest who ran in was now kneeling at the altar.

"Ma'am," Xavier spoke. His voice, without attempting to be loud, reverberated throughout the entire nave. "We're still investigating the fire alarm. I kindly ask for you to leave."

She didn't even turn around. Her face was resting on a small table. Her prayers began softly before gradually becoming louder and louder.

"Oh, I sacrifice myself," she uttered. "Take me, oh gracious one. I sacrifice myself!"

"What is her problem?" Micah asked Spencer.

Jordan wandered around the cathedral, trying to find the problem. It took him several minutes to silence the alarm as he made his way back from an unknown room. The lady was still praying. This time she was shouting.

"Protect me, and I will protect you!" she screamed. She raised her hand and began mumbling incoherently.

"False alarm," Jordan walked by.

The lady had stood up now, her arms stretched up as high as they could go. Despite the confusion among the crew, Jordan's investigation revealed nothing unusual. As they turned back, Xavier continued to observe the lady from a safe distance. She started crying rapidly.

"My life is now over," she sobbed. "To the promised land I go."

Xavier heard a horrifying scream and stared at the lady. Jordan, Micah, and Spencer turned around to see an eight-legged monstrosity hanging from the lady's half-eaten body, its pale, human-like face frowning. Its eyes were hollow, with darkness inside them. Its body is skinny and bruised. Damage and discoloration to its skin gave it a battered appearance. It also had a variety of skin colors. All of its hands were large and dark. Its claws are sharp and long, like a Therizinosaurus. As it chomped on the lady, blood splashed down onto the table and floor where she had been. The frowning face spooked all four of them as it twisted its body and jumped toward a pillar.

"What even is that thing?" Micah squeaked.

It emitted a low rumbling noise, followed by another low growl that violently shook the cathedral. Spencer went towards the door. Jordan pushed it open as a flash of wind almost swept him off his feet. The world was pitch black, with no sound. It felt like there was no oxygen either, as Jordan couldn't breathe properly. Jordan swiftly shut the door and proceeded to where Micah and Xavier had previously been. The creature's head trembled rapidly as it leapt towards the wall behind the altar, emitting another low-pitched sound.

"We're not even in the Gurn," Jordan uttered. "It's like we're in Hell."

Micah prayed, and Spencer kissed his necklace. Jordan took deep breaths, and Xavier gripped his eagle hook as tightly as he could. The creature in front of them moved its limbs slowly as it twisted its head upside down, letting out its battle cry before leaping from one pillar to another.

Classification: Breach

Location: Cathedral, Gurn, 12th District

Oddity Type: Unknown

Breach Level Estimation: ABCDE (FGXYZ)-> Potential Estimation: Code (??)

[What Lies Below]