Chapter Text
Being kicked out without much of an answer really sucks. Like, what was that all about? I’m just trying to survive here, not start an argument with a half-fish, half-snake thing that could probably eat me for lunch if he wanted to. But honestly, should I even bother asking the other monsters? Knowing my luck, they’ll probably just try to bite my head off the second I open my mouth.
"Hey, Mr. Eyefestation, mind telling me why everyone here is so grumpy? Oh, wait, don’t look at me like that—I don’t want my brain fried today, thanks."
Nope
“Oh Mr. Good people STOP COLLECTING MY SKIN .”
Nope
Or maybe I could try chatting with the Angel. "Excuse me, Angel? Could you put down those deadly wings for a second and let me know if there’s an exit around here? No? Alright, no need to slash me to bits, just asking…"
Welp why keep trying if they all attack me anyway! And they can’t even talk!
Yeah, I can already see how that’s going to turn out. Wonderful. Just wonderful.
I sigh, running a hand through my hair as I continue down the hallway, dodging any creepy crawly things lurking in the shadows. Maybe the only one who can answer all my questions is the computer AI. The idea isn’t exactly comforting, considering the AI’s reputation for being a bit… well, aggressive. But at least it won’t bite my head off, right? Probably.
I let out another sigh, heavier this time, the weight of everything pressing down on me. “Great, so my best shot at getting any answers is talking to a machine that probably hates me just as much as Sebastian does. What could possibly go wrong?”
I take a deep breath, trying to comfort myself before continuing down this never-ending maze of rooms and corridors. Each step feels heavier, like the weight of the entire ocean is pressing down on me. I can’t shake the feeling that there’s something I’m missing, some piece of history buried beneath all this darkness. But what is it? What could have happened here to turn this place into such a nightmare?
walking forward, only to find myself staring at a dead end. Great. And beyond that dead end? Just the ocean, stretching out endlessly below, black and uninviting. This is the part I hate the most. I steel myself, getting my gear ready for what’s about to come. It’s not like I have much of a choice—if I want to keep going, I’ve got to swim down to the bottom of that dark ocean.
Good thing there’s always that eerie green light to guide me around. It’s unsettling, but without it, I’d be lost down there for sure.
I make my way to each door, careful, cautious. Nearly dying to “Pinkie” wasn’t on my agenda today. That pink female angelfish… attacking without a sound, just out of nowhere. I shudder at the thought. I didn’t even see it coming, and that’s what makes it so terrifying. I barely made it out alive.
As you stand in front of the door marked Z-779, you notice the old computer screen next to it, displaying a crudely drawn smiley face. The face shifts slightly, the AI seemingly sizing you up.
“Hey, I would like to speak to you for a bit if that’s okay?” you say, trying to keep your voice steady. Inside, though, you’re sweating bullets. You’re not sure if this is going to work.
The smiley face immediately twists into an angry scowl, and the AI snaps, “Talk? No time to talk when the fun’s about to begin!”
The roof above you creaks ominously, and before you know it, the Eyefestation descends, its many eyes boring into you, trying to tear down your mental defenses. You can feel its presence creeping into your mind, trying to crush your spirit. Your hands are shaking, your heart pounding in your chest, but you know you have to push back, even if it’s just with words.
“Oh, great. Another round of this,” you mutter, your voice laced with forced sarcasm. “You really think you’re going to get into my head? I mean, good luck with that—it’s like trying to read a book that’s been through a shredder. And I’m not just talking about any shredder; I’m talking the industrial kind that can turn a dictionary into confetti in seconds.”
You swallow hard, trying to hide the fear creeping into your voice. The Eyefestation doesn’t seem to be backing off. If anything, it’s pressing harder.
“You think you’re so tough, huh?” you continue, the hostility in your tone barely masking the underlying anxiety. “Well, news flash: I’ve already had my brain fried so many times, there’s not much left to fry! So go ahead, give it your best shot. I’ll be here, sweating and making jokes like a madman, because that’s what I do now—survive and spit out bad jokes until something works.”
The AI screen flickers, and the smiley face looks almost... annoyed. “Are you serious right now?” it asks, its voice tinged with disbelief and irritation.
You don’t have time to answer before the Eyefestation tries again, its influence gnawing at the edges of your consciousness. You grit your teeth, barely holding it together.
“Look,” you say, your voice trembling slightly despite your best efforts, “if you’re trying to mess with my emotions, you’re going to need more than this. I’ve lost so much already that you’re just wasting your time. I’m like a broken vending machine—shake me all you want, but you’re not getting anything useful out of me. Just frustration.”
The Eyefestation seems to falter, as if unsure of how to proceed. The AI screen flickers again, now visibly annoyed. “I can’t believe this,” it mutters, more to itself than to you. “You’re still standing after that?”
You laugh nervously, more out of relief than anything. “Yeah, well, let’s just say I’ve gotten really good at pretending I’m not scared out of my mind.”
The AI seems to consider this, staring at you in silence for a tense fifteen seconds. “This is ridiculous,” it finally says, its voice full of exasperation. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
You let out a shaky breath. It’s not a victory, but you’re still alive, even if your hands are still trembling, “Guess that makes two of us who can’t believe it.”
“So about that talk- hey wait where are you going!?”
The screen just grumpy and left you alone after you keep on talking.
Man I just wanna talk!