Side Story: The Boiling Channel

  The Mactan Channel stretched before them like a vast, ominous expanse. It was hard to see much in the dense, sulfurous fog that clung to the water’s surface. The boiling waters were a sickly yellow, the thick steam rising from them like a veil, obscuring the dangerous creatures lurking just beneath. The sound of the water bubbling and churning was deafening, almost as if the Channel itself were alive—angry and restless.

  Adrian had never felt more uncomfortable in his entire life. He could feel the pressure of the mission weighing on him, the need to move quickly pushing him forward. Every step he took was a calculated decision. Every plan, every move, had to be perfect. They were getting closer to Sarah’s location, but the boiling Channel stood in their way.

  “We’re going to have to cross this,” Adrian muttered to Mike, who was standing beside him, looking warily at the treacherous water.

  Mike’s eyes were wide with disbelief. "How the hell are we supposed to cross this mess?"

  Adrian paused for a moment, his mind working through the options. He could feel the familiar hum of the Genesis Ring against his wrist, the energy within it pulsing in sync with the Node. The gravity fields, the energy manipulation—it could work. But using that kind of power here, over such a wide expanse of boiling water? It was risky. It would require every bit of focus he had left.

  But it was their only option. They had no choice.

  “I can manipulate gravity,” Adrian said, his voice steady despite the uncertainty in the air. “We won’t be walking on the water itself. We’ll be walking on a manipulated surface. It’s risky, but it’s the only way we can get across.”

  Mike looked at him as though he hadn’t quite heard what Adrian had said. “Wait—what?”

  Adrian’s gaze didn’t leave the boiling Channel. “I’ll create a temporary gravity well, something solid enough to walk on. The gravity manipulation will alter the water’s structure enough to give us a stable surface. It’s not perfect, but it’ll hold long enough to get us across.”

  Mike’s jaw clenched. “You really think this is going to work?”

  Adrian didn’t respond right away. His mind was already racing with the necessary calculations. He had used the Genesis Ring to manipulate gravity before, but never in a situation like this. The risk of miscalculation was high. If the gravity didn’t hold, they would be swallowed up by the boiling waters below—both of them.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  He looked back at Mike, meeting his gaze. “We don’t have a choice. Sarah’s on the other side of this Channel, and we need to reach her.”

  Mike stared at the boiling water once more, his eyes filled with doubt. But then, he nodded slowly. “Alright. Let’s get this over with.”

  Adrian took a deep breath, focusing his mind on the task at hand. He reached out with the Genesis Ring, feeling the connection to the energy beneath them, to the very core of the earth itself. The ring thrummed with power as he tapped into the energy fields, pulling at the structure of the water. It wasn’t a simple task. The boiling water, the heat, the instability of the environment—all of it was a challenge. But Adrian’s connection to the Genesis Ring was strong. He could do this.

  The ground beneath their feet began to shift, the water rippling and then settling. Slowly, a solid, transparent surface began to form, suspended just above the boiling water. It was a gravity well, solid enough to support their weight but still delicate and unstable. The water beneath was still churning, but the gravity manipulation held it back, creating a small path that led across the Channel.

  Adrian stepped forward, the surface holding steady beneath him. He exhaled, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. It was working. But only just.

  “Stay close,” Adrian instructed Mike, who was still eyeing the surface with suspicion. “If we deviate from the path, the gravity will shift and we’ll fall.”

  Mike nodded, his face grim. “I’m not exactly thrilled about this, but I’m not letting you go across alone.”

  They moved cautiously, every step deliberate. Adrian focused on maintaining the gravity well, adjusting it as they walked. The air around them was thick with the stench of sulfur, the steam rising in waves. The water bubbled beneath them, the occasional glow of Boiler-Crabs just beneath the surface. Adrian could feel their eyes on him, could sense the hunger from the creatures lurking just out of sight. He kept his focus, pushing forward, trying to ignore the gnawing fear at the back of his mind.

  With each step, the tension grew. Mike was moving carefully, staying close behind Adrian, his eyes constantly scanning the water below them for signs of movement.

  They were halfway across the Channel when a loud screech pierced the air. Adrian’s head snapped up, his instincts on high alert. From the boiling depths, a massive Boiler-Crab surged upward, its pincers snapping as it propelled itself out of the water. Its eyes glowed a bright, angry red, and its sharp claws clicked together as it locked onto them.

  Adrian’s heart raced. The creature was huge, far larger than anything they had faced before. It was coming for them.

  “Move!” Adrian shouted, urging Mike to pick up the pace.

  The creature lunged, its massive claws reaching for them. Adrian twisted his wrist, activating the Genesis Ring to stabilize the gravity around the Crab. The ground beneath them shifted, and with a burst of energy, he sent the creature hurtling backward into the boiling waters.

  But it wasn’t enough.

  The Crab was still alive, thrashing violently beneath the water. Adrian could feel its energy surging beneath him, its hatred for them almost palpable. The path they had created was growing unstable, the gravity well flickering as the creature’s movements disturbed the water’s surface.

  “We need to move faster!” Adrian shouted, urgency in his voice.

  Mike, his body tense with the threat of the creature, didn’t need another word. He sped up, pushing himself forward. The surface beneath them seemed to ripple with every step, but Adrian kept his focus, adjusting the gravity fields just enough to maintain their stability.

  Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they reached the far edge of the Channel. Adrian stepped off the surface, feeling the solid ground beneath him. He let out a breath of relief, but his mind was already on the next challenge.

  Mike exhaled sharply beside him, wiping the sweat from his brow. “That... was insane. What now?”

  Adrian turned to look back at the boiling Channel, his eyes scanning the water for any sign of the Boiler-Crab. “We keep moving. We’ve crossed, but there’s still a long way to go. Sarah’s waiting.”

  Mike glanced at the building ahead, where the faintest flicker of a signal still pulsed. "Let's get to her, then."

  Adrian nodded. The Mactan Channel had been just the first obstacle, but they had made it through. Now, it was time to face whatever came next.

  With Sarah so close, Adrian knew that the real answers—about the System, the Admin, and the chaos surrounding them—were waiting on the other side.

  Next Chapter Coming Soon...