A Forgotten Corridor

Dusk was always unwilling to leave Pearl's company, although she was similarly reluctant to impose on her for too long. As such, after a few hours of blissful peace, Dusk had made her way back home for a good night's rest. 

Now, she was lying lazily in bed, eyes drearily analysing her blank ceiling. She let out a quiet groan, deciding it would be in her best interest to at least try getting out of bed. While this proved more difficult than expected, she still managed to drag herself through some semblance of a morning routine. Then after a quick stop for breakfast, she resorted to her usual pass-time, exploration. 

She climbed up to the highest levels of Thermoa, her hand tracing the wall to stabilise herself on the uneven ground. With all the shadows and secrets found high above, it was easily Dusk's second favourite activity; second to visiting Pearl of course. 

The walls had grown damp and brittle with age, aching as though ready to collapse under the weight of the earth above. She was absorbed in her surroundings. Contemplating how each metal slab felt beneath her hand, feeling the faint hum of the reactor, a deep, unsteady throb she’d grown familiar with over the years. Unaware of any cracks that might be forming around her.

In an instant, the ground beneath Dusk broke away, and she slid. Her limbs scrambled to catch hold of anything stable as she rocketed towards a wall up ahead. She burst through. The thin veil of rusted steel and dirt having broken apart from the force. Dusk hit the ground hard but unhurt, lying still for a moment as the dust settled. As her senses recalibrated, she took in the vastness around her. Beyond her wasn’t the usual tight corridor—it was an immense cavern, stretching out in all directions as far as her eyes could see. 

It was a chaotic tapestry of ruin. Thick cables and metal beams zigzagged across the chasm like cobwebs, supporting the rickety, decayed remains of homes and structures. The dim, erratic flickers of bulbs cast a ghostly pallor over the cavern, linked by tangled wires that dangled precariously in the air. Some structures seemed untouched, left undisturbed for decades, while others had collapsed into heaps, half-sunken into the shadows below. They reminded Dusk of the uppermost levels of Thermoa, except here the homes were emptied, lifeless—a burial site clinging to the edges of nothingness.

As she took in the scene, an oppressive hum emanated from the distance. It was reminiscent of the reactor's low pulse, but deeper and twisted, like a distorted echo of the heart of Thermoa. There was something almost alive in the sound, a grim resonance that unsettled her.

Dusk shivered. This wasn’t a place meant for her to find. Yet it tempted her, each ruin calling out in a warped cry that beckoned her forward. Exploring further would require equipment, equipment she didn’t have. She noted how easily one could be lost or trapped here, an unforgiving expanse lay before her. The ground was riddled with holes, with dark abysses scattered between platforms falling deeper than her eyes could see. Many of the metal bridges and paths connecting each level had deteriorated, chasms littering the way ahead. She fixed her gaze on a cylindrical structure barely visible in the far far distance, half-concealed by a dark mossy overgrowth and inky shadows. She felt as though it were watching her, waiting.

It called to her.

After taking in the vastness of the abandoned landscape, Dusk climbed back up, her mind deep in thought. She wanted to explore, more than ever before. An undiscovered world that lay untouched before her. But she couldn't do it alone.

She'd need equipment, and not only that, she'd need a partner. Equipment was easy, Quill would be overjoyed to make some specialised gear. Though he certainly wasn't going to join Dusk in the adventure, he wouldn't leave his workshop even when faced with death. Dusk sighed, knowing full-well that she wouldn't drag Pearl on such a dangerous exploration. Dusk's sigh deepened as she acknowledged her only viable partner—April. "Its at times like this... where I wish I had more friends..." 

§

Dusk breathlessly clambered down the floors of Thermoa, hopping between tunnels and bouncing off roofs. Her curiosity should've mixed with uncertainty and fear, yet all she felt was elation. Pushing her forward at the thought of a new discovery, and before she knew it, ahead lay Quill’s workshop. He had rooted himself into a cramped little hole, that was, as usual, covered in scrap metal. Quill was hunched over, half-finished gadgets lying around him, with twisted cables seemingly binding him in position. His latest invention, an improved grappling hook, and it was just what Dusk needed.

“Quill!” Dusk yelled, snapping him from his concentration.

He looked up, somewhat startled by how loudly she'd just addressed him. "I always took you for the quiet type," he said, wiping his hands with a rag.

Dusk responded with a piercing glare, "I need your grappling hook."

"I only just finished it, and you're already stealing it away from me! I can't believe you." Quill replied in a joking manner.

"Well, can I have it or not." Dusk felt herself getting steadily irritated.

"You can, but only if you take some deep breaths first, you seem a bit out of it."

Dusk scowled but reluctantly did as she was told.

"So, mind telling me what's up?" Quill inquired, realising this wasn't exactly normal behaviour.

Dusk quickly described the cavern she had found. Its mysterious nature, the ruined structures, the bottomless abyss, and the cylindrical monument. As she spoke, his eyes gleamed with fascination, though she could tell Quill was gauging each potential danger.

“Sounds like you’ll need more than just a grappling hook,” Quill mused. “You’ll want something to cut through the metal too. How about this?” He picked up a small knife with a faintly glowing blade. “Laser-edged, the power should last for about a day before needing a recharge.”

Dusk took the knife, examining it. “And maybe something for leverage. The platforms were spread far apart, but they looked...unstable.” Dusk added.

Quill considered this and nodded. “I’ve got a retractable staff I’ve been working on. Should be good for balance and reach, and I can make it sharp enough to puncture metal if needed. I can probably get that to you in a week or so..." He paused briefly, going over what else Dusk might need in his head. "In the meantime, you should take these." He turned to a small pile and produced a pair of pickaxes, handing them over. 

"Thanks, do you have two pairs of those by any chance?" 

“Ah yeah, I should have another pair somewhere. Who else are you dragging along with you?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.

Dusk furrowed her brow. “It’ll be April,” she muttered.

Quill chuckled, passing her the pickaxes. “I think she'll be very happy to hear that."

"You're probably right there..." Dusk relented.

"Well, good luck anyway!" Quill crawled back to his corner, turning around to give a parting wave and grin.

§

On her way to find April, Dusk wandered through her usual set of winding pathways, avoiding the crowded areas where people gathered. Her footsteps slowed as she neared the reactor plaza, drawn to the murmur of the crowd ahead. She halted just at the edge of the square, watching a mass of people gather, their faces turned upwards in prayer. They chanted in low, unified voices, hands reaching toward the reactor’s towering structure. The sight unsettled her as it always did; the faithful masses, the way they filled the square as if emerging from the cracks beneath the earth for just this one purpose.

To Dusk, the people seemed to blur together; an indistinct creature, its faces shadowed in the dim light of the reactor. It felt unnatural to see so many people at once. A stark reminder of how most people here simply clung to survival without thought, they lived their lives shackled to the reactor’s power.

As she turned to leave, her ear caught a nearby conversation between two passing scientists.

“Have you heard the latest reports? The energy input is slowing down. We’ll need a way to boost our power resources soon.”

"I'm sure we can think of something. We've done it before."

"I guess for now we'll just have to make do with our reserve resources, should last long enough."

Dusk frowned in confusion. She had always found the scientists to be a curious bunch. They kept Thermoa alive, kept it functioning and yet they were distant. The hung about in small groups, barely interacting with general populous. As such, people paid them no mind, leaving them to their hi-tech labs and seemingly solemn lives. Yet if there was one thing everyone knew, without them, Thermoa wouldn't exist. 

Dusk had always viewed the reactor as something incomprehensible. It was powerful, it had lasted for a longer time than she could even imagine. It gave them life. So why now, why would it fail now. She saw fewer and fewer people each day, surely the power demand would lessen too. Theories whirled around in her head, but she made no progress. Deciding to file away these ideas for another time.

§

When she finally found April, she hesitated. April’s energy was palpable from a distance, an infectious brightness that grated on Dusk’s quiet vibes. April waved enthusiastically, greeting Dusk with an explosive smile.

“Dusk! Looking for a new adventure?” she teased.

Dusk took a breath, readying herself for what might be a more overwhelming conversation than she’d planned. “Yes, actually,” she said, her tone as controlled as she could manage. “There’s a...cavern. Near some old corridors, in the upper levels. I fell into it by accident.”

April’s hazel eyes lit up. “Exploring a hidden cavern? You’re speaking my language!” April bounced around struggling to contain her excitement. "Should I, be a bit quieter about this? Is this like a secret adventure thing?" She quickly asked dropping her voice. Dusk nodded in response, thankful that April had shut up on her own accord.

"Also, I thought you should know, I'm not sure how safe it will be."

"Oh?" April seemed unfazed.

Dusk frowned, searching for the right words. “It doesn’t feel... right. There’s something strange down there. So I’d rather keep it quiet until I know what we’re dealing with. Not to mention there's a giant abyss below everything..."

April’s grin widened. “This sounds even better than reactor guard duty! I always knew there'd be something better waiting for me outside of boring volunteer work. Count me in!” She thumped a hand on her chest. “Though, by the sounds of it, we'll need extra equipment and stuff. Any ideas?”

Dusk nodded. “Water should be easy, and I have a plan to get food. Otherwise, I've also got Quill making some equipment for us."

April clapped her hands, a triumphant spark in her eye. “Sounds like we’re set then! See you in a week!"

Dusk exhaled, exhausted. She wasn't sure if she'd be able to survive the adventure anymore, she suspected April might vaporise her with those glistening eyes of her; but as irksome as she could be, April's resilience and unwaveringly optimism was a useful tool. She’d be a necessary ally in the strange, forsaken cavern. For now though, she had to find supplies; an adventure Dusk wasn't looking forward to.

As they parted ways, Dusk’s mind lingered on that haunting, distorted hum, she seemed to hear it, even now. The Abyss was waiting.