Survivors of Alterna: Final Run

Chapter 8: The Great Maw

"Watch your step." Eight warned, hastily grabbing Nakji's arm to prevent her from walking off into the abyss below.

The group was traveling on a narrow platform that creaked with every step. It reminded Akikta of a rickety and unstable bridge. Said bridge took a sudden sharp turn, which wouldn't have been so bad if there were walls or railings to run into.

Thank the Great Spirit for Eight, since Akikta was certain the drop below would've killed his sister. He didn't know how far the ground was, but it looked steep enough. Then again, it could've just been the lighting, the area was incredibly dark. He wouldn't have been able to see more than a few feet in front of him were it not for the soft glows coming from the cephalopods. Surprisingly, they were somewhat bioluminescent.

"So, are we really not gonna talk about what we saw?" Frye said, inciting conversation.

"Question what? The swarm that attacked us?" Metta replied.

"No! Those two humanoid salmonids! Akikta, tell them!" Frye lightly nudged him with her elbow.

"She's talking about the Steel Twins," Akikta answered. "I don't know much about salmonids, but I assume humanoid ones are like, rare?"

"They're not just rare. They're downright mythical!" Pearl stated, walking behind Akikta with her hands tucked behind her head.

"I thought so. When I called Eosalmo a Salmonling, he said those don't exist."

"A salmonling? Heh, that sounds like something Marina would make up in her fanfiction."

Marina gasped. "Pearlie!" She squeaked with embarrassment, causing Pearl to giggle.

Pearl put her arms down; then her expression changed from laid-back to serious. "For real though, those things shouldn't exist. But...I'd be lyin' if I said I've never seen one."

Before Akikta could question what she meant, Frye spoke. "Uh, who's Eosalmo?"

Talk about a late reaction. Akikta thought before answering. "I didn't tell you? He's the one that wants my DNA... The salmonids call him Lord Sake."

Frye perked up. "Lord? You mean he's the boss around here?"

"Well, yeah." Frye suddenly cheered, jumping and punching the air.

"Uh oh." Big Man shuddered.

Shiver chuckled. "I don't think you should've told her that."

"Huh, why?" Akikta asked, confused.

"Our little Eel Tamer here has a track record for ignoring the smallfry. Why, she's probably itching to fight their lord right now."

"Heck yeah, I am!" Frye announced, her voice echoing through the darkness.

Akikta was perplexed by her reaction. He assumed Frye and the rest of Deep Cut already knew about Sal. Though, he does recall being told they—along with Metta—were extremely new to the whole Splatoon biz.

"We shouldn't fight him. Not until we're ready." Eight commented.

Akikta was reminded of the whooping Sal had given him earlier. "I agree. That guy is extremely dangerous, and we don't know what he's capable of."

"Ah, don't be so scared. With all of us here, especially you, we can defeat anything!" Frye encouraged.

Callie cleared her throat. "In case you haven't noticed, Frye, Akikta has been nothing but deadweight so far. I don't think he'll be any help." Akikta frowned but didn't say anything. She wasn't exactly wrong, but she didn't have to be so mean about it...