Chapter 14: Nothing Like Before
Saero's view
As we went down the path, I started to notice that it looked different. Instead of the steel platforms from before, it looked as if it was made from rock and stone, like we were in a cavern. When we got to the end, what we saw surprised us. We were in a canyon that appeared to be naturally made, but there were buildings made of steel. "This is nothing like I imagined.", I said, still trying to understand what I was looking at, "Where are we?" "I... I have no idea.", Dorea said, "I've never seen anything like this before." I then shook my head, snapping myself out of my trance. "Well, regardless of what this place is, we have to find out where those missing Inklings are. "R-Right.", Nira said before the three of us ran ahead.
The three of us split up, trying to gather as much info as we could. We noticed that all the inhabitants were Octolings, but they weren't wearing the armor from Octo Valley, or any of the gear sold at the Booyah Base. Rather, their clothing appeared to be handmade. In the end, there was nothing in the village that helped us, but we did find a tunnel that led outside, but it was blocked off by guards. Dorea did manage to get some information from them, though.
"Apparantly, that tunnel leads to a bunch of areas that are inhabited by preditorial creatures.", Dorea said, "But there's also a lab over there, but the only safe path to it can't even be opened without an ID card." "Then I guess we'll just have to fight our way through.", I said. "Actually, I checked with the guards, and our ink weapons won't work on them.", Dorea said, "We'll need to get some actual weapons if we even want a chance of surviving, and it could take several days to get there." "O-Oh... I see.", I said, disappointed, "So what should we do now?" "As much as I hate it, we'll have to head back for now.", Nira said, "We'll report this to the captain and then figure out a plan." I gave a hesitant nod before the three of us turned to return to Octo Valley.
*To be continued*