🤫📜 Chimera was not a stranger to monsters. He’d been called one enough times. In fact, it had taken years to finally see himself not as an aberration, but as a being who deserved respect. As he held the sketches in his hand though, he realized this had gone past anything he thought was possible - Biogear were trying to birth a mythical monster - the kraken. His heart hammered against his chest as time slipped away. He needed proof, something to link this Biogear facility to Everlife. Torchlight had bought him valuable minutes but soon they’d be onto him. 

Rage clouded his vision as he tore through the notes, looking for the logo that was branded into his mind. Somewhere nearby, an alarm began to sound and red flashing lights threatened to distract his focus. His claws dug into the table and he let out a roar of frustration. This was useless. His time was up. Now, all their progress would be for nothing. Chimera slumped down on the floor. Defeated.

A bead of sweat rolled down Torchlight’s face. What was taking Chimera so long? In front of him lay a sea of cameras, snapping away during the conference. It had taken so much work to organize this event. Countless favors had been called in, bribes exchanged, entire groups sworn to secrecy. But here they were, on Aulelei Island, poised to expose Biogear - one of Everlife’s many subsidiaries - and the illegal experimentation they’d been doing. All they needed was proof. Proof which Chimera was supposed to have found by now. 

Thank goodness he’d prepared a backup plan, although just the thought of it was making him sweat. Would that even work? Torchlight was called up to the podium, ready to give a speech and officially open the Mech Arena Event. Before starting, he coughed, his agreed signal, and watched Major, one of his oldest friends, sigh deeply. Panic flipped across his face, and Major sat frozen in place. 

Torchlight coughed again, harder this time. With a small shake, Major composed himself before crumpling forward and falling out of his chair. Gasps erupted from all sides and Torchlight feigned shock.

“Quickly - fetch the medic!”

Someone rushed up instantly to Major, “Where is the pain located?”

Major looked pointedly at Torchlight. 

It had only been seconds but for Chimera, it felt like an eternity. He didn’t know whether to run or keep going. None of the words made sense. His animal instincts were taking control. Then it hit him - those same instincts could help him. Blocking out the alarm, the lights and the fear - Chimera inhaled and let his nose guide him. The acrid scent of the lab assailed his senses, nausea bubbling in his throat. But there, hidden in the chemical haze, was something he could not place. He followed this whisper of a smell until the trail went cold, as he stood in front of an inconspicuous metal panel in the wall. Chimera rapped his knuckle against it. It echoed, suggesting a hollow space behind. In desperation, Chimera shredded the metal like it was paper, revealing a dark, cavern-like space. He thanked his superior night vision and stepped through into the gloom. 

Dripping water fell slowly from the ceiling as he took in the huge room. As he moved forward, lights triggered, and rows upon rows of giant glass tanks were revealed out in front of him. Chimera couldn’t hold back his horror as he saw what was suspended in each tank - tentacles of various shapes, neatly arranged by size, writhing in some strange liquid. Beneath the tanks was Everlife’s logo. Bingo. His eyes darted to a console in the center. Trying to regain control, Chimera frantically read the button labels, and one jumped out. Observation Hatch.

That sounded promising. As he pressed the button, the sound of metal grinding pierced his ears and grains of sand started falling from above. Whatever he’d just done, he hoped it would be a big enough reveal for Torchlight.

On the surface, the ground began to rumble as Torchlight continued to stall. Sirens blared and everyone in the crowd heard the words: “Warning: Opening Observation Hatch. Please stand back.” A giant panel began to slide backwards near the stage, inciting panic among those assembled at the press briefing. Torchlight let out a sigh of relief, Chimera had come through. As people ran from the growing chasm, the cameras continued to roll, capturing a scene of utter chaos on Biogear’s watch. As the rumbling finally slowed and the sand settled, an entire lab was revealed to the astonished crowd - Biogear’s experimentation finally out in the open. On the wall were huge blueprints for a Kraken-esque monster, with rows upon rows of giant tentacles and jars of botched creatures. Torchlight shuddered as film crews pushed past to fully capture the interior.

A Biogear executive looked onwards, pale and shaking, as he moved out of earshot to make a hushed call. A cameraman trying to follow him was pushed away as the executive started running. Torchlight scanned the room, checking that Chimera was clear of the lab. Together, they had hopefully prevented a monster from being made and exposed Biogear’s intentions. But now they needed Everlife to be held accountable. That would be the real battle. 

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