Nina awoke with a sense of purpose coursing through her veins. It was another day in the Harmony Keepers' citadel, and she was determined to make the most of it. Her destination was the gym on level 20, where she would continue her training for the upcoming Harmony Keeper Trials.
As she got out of bed, her gaze drifted to the walls of her room, which were adorned with weightlifting records. Her eyes widened as she noticed a common name at the top of every list—Daddyphatsnaps. It seemed that the hulking nerdcore artist held a firm grip on the gym's records, a testament to his strength and dedication.
Nina's determination flared as she saw these records. She was here to prove herself, to join the ranks of the Harmony Keepers, and to make a name for herself in the world of nerdcore music.
She headed to the gym, her heart pounding with anticipation. As she passed through the citadel's corridors, she noticed isthatfr0st leading an exercise class in one of the rooms. For a moment, she considered joining, but her anxiety got the best of her, and she quickly turned away.
Her thoughts were a whirlwind of self-doubt as she continued down the hallway. Lost in her own world, she didn't notice the figure approaching her until it was too late. She bumped into someone and tumbled backward, landing unceremoniously on her butt.
"Oh my gosh, are you alright?" a voice exclaimed.
Nina blinked in surprise and looked up to see a woman extending a hand to help her up. She took the offered hand and let herself be pulled to her feet. As her gaze traveled from bottom to top, her heart skipped a beat.
The woman had a feminine yet muscular build, and beads of sweat added a slight sheen to her glistening skin. But as Nina's eyes reached the top of her body, she gasped in shock.
The woman's head was floating above her body, completely disconnected. It hovered in the air, an ethereal visage that defied all logic and reason.
Nina's mouth hung open in astonishment. She had never seen anything like this before. Her mind raced with questions, but before she could utter a word, the woman spoke, her voice calm and soothing.
"Are you okay? I'm so sorry for bumping into you."
Nina stammered, "I...I think so."
Just as she was about to regain her composure, she glanced up at the floating head once more, and a rush of fear and confusion overwhelmed her. Her vision blurred, and her body went limp as she passed out.
The woman, who was HalaCG, watched with concern as Nina fainted. Without hesitation, she scooped up the unconscious catgirl in her arms and carried her with ease. She knew that time was of the essence, and she had to get Nina the help she needed.
HalaCG made her way to level 19, where the citadel's nurse was located. She gently laid Nina on a bed and explained the situation to the nurse, who began her examination.
Meanwhile, on level 20, Nina's two loyal shrimp knights, ghostmacaroni and elcacamora, paced nervously outside the infirmary door. They had been informed of Nina's condition and were deeply concerned for their m'lady.
When the nurse finally emerged from the room, they rushed forward, their eyes filled with worry. "M'lady, I'm so glad you're okay! What happened?" ghostmacaroni asked anxiously.
Nina hesitated for a moment, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She didn't want to admit that she had fainted at the sight of HalaCG's floating head. Instead, she replied, "I...I just tripped. It was nothing."
elcacamora nodded in understanding, but there was a glint of suspicion in his eyes. "Well, we're just glad you're alright."
Nina knew that she had to make amends for her earlier behavior. She needed to find HalaCG and apologize for her fainting spell. With a determined look on her face, she told her loyal knights, "I need to go back to the top floor and find Hala. I owe her an apology."
The two shrimp knights nodded in agreement and offered to escort her to the elevator. As they made their way to the elevator, Nina couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. It was as if something was amiss, a whisper of danger that sent shivers down her spine.
As she stepped into the elevator alone and pressed the button for level 20, she waved goodbye to ghostmacaroni and elcacamora. The doors closed, and the elevator began its ascent. But instead of going up, it descended at an alarming speed, the noises of mechanical failure echoing through the small enclosure.
Panic surged within Nina as the elevator hurtled downward, the flames of disaster and despair flickering in her mind. With a deafening boom, it finally came to a jarring stop, irreparably damaged and engulfed in flames.
Nina, battered and injured but miraculously alive, looked out at the bleak landscape that surrounded her. It was a place of darkness and foreboding, a place she knew all too well.
She had ended up on level -5—the very floor Stargirl had warned her to avoid. It was a place of mystery and danger, and Nina knew that she was in for a harrowing journey, with no clear path to safety.
As the flames licked at the shattered remnants of the elevator, Nina felt a sense of dread wash over her. She was far from the safety of the top