Helix Operatives: Creation

The Underworld: Ceves

The underground city was dark with only the balls of fire hanging in the sky from the force fields to light the area. The streets were cracked and the paint was worn. The buildings were damaged and old, the windows were broken. There was a cold breeze flowing through the city.

"Well, there's another way in... Otherwise there wouldn't be a breeze," said Silence as they wandered through the city.

"Yeah... What the hell is this place?" Asked Seeker as they passed a toppled stop sign.

"It looks like a giant shell placed over an entire city," said RX.

"That's because that's what it is," said Spire as she walked past a large patch of dirt with rusted metal around it. "Guess land was still available here." Valor walked up to a large piece of rubble on the ground of the lot, rubbing away the dark object caked on it.

"It's a sign... for a public park..." said Valor as he looked over the green and white sign. "The thing looks burnt."

"Burnt?" Asked Silence as he looked at the sign over Valor's shoulder. The sign had orange and black discoloration and the black cover over it felt look soot.

"What the fuck? Was there a fire?" Asked Silence.

"Putting a dome over it would've put it out," said Mirazh.

"Ja, but ze destruction seems targeted... localized..." said Schloss as she looked at the buildings. "Public buildings seem to be untouched by fire but ze street in front of them is. Plus specific homes and the ones around them are safe... It looks like they were targeted."

"Da, it seems like that," said Mirazh.

"I say we keep moving... I can just feel something down here," said Seeker as he brought his weapon up.

"Yeah, keep ready for anything," said Silence.

"I already am," said Valor as he placed a RDAP on a street corner. The sound of a door closing came from down the street, causing the group to be aware.

"I think that came from the hotel," said RX as he pointed down the street.

"Should we..." said Valor.

"Um, hell to the fuck no," said Silence. "That is how people die in every horror movie ever."

"What if it's Lanchar?" Asked Spire.

"Why would he be here?" Asked Silence.

"Kingslayer brought us here, right? What if he got the location right, but not the height? I mean, a city no one ever knew about except for maybe one person. Sounds like the Puppeteer, and assuming that he brought Lanchar close to him. It makes too much sense," said Spire as she kept her weapon ready.

"...Why does that make sense? Everyone be careful," said Silence as he slowly approached the hotel. The hotel was five floors tall with peeling white paint on the walls and a damaged blue roof.

"Okay, everyone keep on your guard. Who know what's in there," said Silence.

"Da," said Mirazh as she kept her weapon up. They headed into the building, entering into the lobby of the building. The lobby was burnt up and most of the furniture was charred.

"So, a mass arsonist swept through the area?" Asked Spire.

"...No..." said RX as he looked at a patter of char on the ground. "Look at this... It's in the shape of..."

"Oh fuck," said Schloss after seeing it.

"No way..." said Valor.

"It's a... a body," said Silence, unable to mistake the outline of the char on the floor.