( Still Jason )

  After some more time passed, we finally arrived at the unusually rge hole which contained the thick, yet broken chains. All of us were by the window, looking down into that deep darkness. The wives were silent, a bewildered expression on each of their faces. Not hard to imagine as I was the same. The sheer size of these chains indicated the creature was, at the minimum, the size of Mt. Everest.

  “Holy mother shit fuck…” The foul mouthed Lily spoke her words of wisdom as per the usual. Really delving deep into the philosophical nature of communication.

  “This makes no logical sense-“ Alice started, but then paused when remembering the Leviathan. Still, she was right.

  “I know. My Leviathans need a gigantic amount of food entering their systems in order to even operate. Not to mention most are only going to be the size of… maybe a city at best? For this thing to even survive, it would need to consume a literal ke’s worth of food.”

  Though technically we could go a long time without eating, we did need food eventually. Some sort of sustenance to keep our bodies functioning at tip top shape. Otherwise, we’ll start getting weaker and weaker.

  “Wonder how strong it was…” Athena muttered, ever the battle maniac.

  Looking down at the children, I could see how interested they were. So much so their fear of the surrounding water had decreased greatly. I commanded the Submarine Eel to get a closer look, so they could read the illustrations on the chains. After doing so, Lily rubbed her forehead.

  “Aliens are believable based on the universe’s size and whatnot. But this is actual nonsense?" Alice had a interested look, almost like she were a professor.

  “I wonder if this means there’s a whole civilization beneath out feet. And was the creature locked here an actual God? Ah!” She was enlightened!

  “Is this where Cthulhu came from?”

  I shrugged my shoulders.

  “Could be. I did send some infected to dig through the ground. Although they’ve found secret caves and whatnot, nothing like a legit civilization. Or even the remnants of one.” She was disappointed at first, but then became full of life.

  “If they can’t find it, I will! This sounds like so much fun!” Well I’m gd she’s happy at least. It does sound kinda cool though. Make the universe a lot more interesting knowing Gods actually existed. But for some reason, I have doubts.

  “Okay.” I cpped my hands, getting their attention.

  "I’m gonna go out and search around for anything reted to these chains. If you want to join in on the fun, make sure you can swim effectively and breathe underwater. Shouldn’t be hard for you to get the hang of it.” They nodded as I made my way to the exit. Could’ve done it myself but they’re big girls.

  Before I could leave, three small hands stopped me. My children looked at me with begging eyes, clearly wanting to join. How saddening. I crouched down to their level and brought them in for a hug.

  “You wanna come with daddy munchkins? So adorable.” Gently, my finger tendrils entered their bodies and reshaped them. Obviously without any side effects.

  They yelped, startled at the sudden change. Gills, webbed hands and feet, and a pair of fins to help them swim. However, they soon became curious and touched their new appendages with fascination. But since I don’t trust them not to get lost, I wrapped a tendril around their waists and connected them to me.

  A quick goodbye ter and a promise to join, me and the children left through the Eel’s mouth. Instantly, they filed about and freaked out. Wasn’t strange considering both their age and the simple fact they haven’t gone swimming yet. Yet who were they? My smart and adaptable children! In just two minutes, they were gleefully swimming around like Olympic Swimmers.

  Since this was more about their fun than mine, we didn’t rush around like some maniacs. Instead taking this time to deepen our bond and py with each other. Wasn't long before I saw the wives leave the Eel, outfitted with their own swimming gear. They split up into different directions and soon vanished into the horizon.

  “Dante, asswipe, stop trying to strangle daddy’s tendril.” The goofball angrily ignored me, trying his hardest to bend my tendril in half.

  The less results he achieved, the more strength he put into it. I wonder, what went wrong with this one? A glitch during the birthing process? Hit on his head when I wasn't looking? Well, as long as it keeps him entertained.

  We slowly swam around the chains themselves, trying to see if I missed anything the first time around. Curiously, the Infestation was struggling to spread onto them. At the current pace, might take another week or two to be fully corrupted. Maybe it’s because of the material used. Whatever these chains are made of, I have nothing in my memories about them.

  Once Dante tired himself out with the fruitless attempt of strangling my tendril connecting us, he set his sights on the chains. I swear if I hadn’t checked his brain out myself, I’d think he was some type of window licker.

  Raven and Elizabeth were side by side as they floated around, curiously eyeing all the new sights. The tter would even touch the Infestation on the seafloor, interested in it’s goopiness. Eventually though, we had no choice but to leave as I found jack diddly shit. Dante was fuming at me pulling him away, yet got over it in the span of a minute and joyfully giggled to himself while he swam about Is this how children normally are, or is Dante a little… special?

  Anyways, I searched around with my munchkins for a good couple of minutes while also pying with them. Just as I thought this trip would end up yielding nothing, Alice hit me with some telepathy.

  “Jason?! Me and Athena found something!” Her excited voice echoed in my mind with an extreme amount of volume.

  “Come on sweethearts, let’s go find mommy. One of them at least.” I gave myself an extra arm and gripped each one of them tightly. Then with a sonic boom, rushed through the water.

  Though shocked at first, the children burst into adorable giggles, waving their hands around. We swiftly made our way to Athena and Alice’s location via our connection. But when I arrived, found a bit of a problem.

  “Alice? Where are you?” I gnced around, seeing absolutely nothing except some familiar rocks which were now infested.

  During my st trip here, I remember searching this area very casually for only a minute or so. Obviously, I found a steaming pile of horseshit for all my efforts. Elizabeth made a frustrated noise, looking in one direction with reluctance.

  “Darling?” I softly asked, causing her to look at me with sadness.

  “What’s wrong cupcake?” I kissed her on the cheek as she gnced in the same direction again. I joined her and saw, nothing. Just empty water and Infestation as far as the eye could see.

  Suddenly, a wild Lily appeared on my left and once she saw us, instantly came our way. Her head turned all around, likely trying to find Alice as well. But then gave up and came to me with a loving smile.

  “You look so fatherly right now.” She giggled to herself and started teasing Dante who was reaching for her.

  I look fatherly though? My gaze wandered around my body, holding three children in my arms and keeping them connected to me via tendril. She’s… not wrong.

  “Jason? Lily? Can you hear me?” Alice’s sudden voice startled us, this time not in my mind. We looked all around, yet couldn’t spot a thing. Strange. It sounded like she was literally in front of us, but nothing was there.

  “Where the fuck are you?” Lily swam forwards a bit and stretched her hand out.

  Then the weirdest thing happened. It suddenly vanished, causing the children to gasp cutely. Dante had tears well up in his eyes, thinking his mother lost her hand. Frightened, Lily brought her hand back and it reappeared.

  “What in the flying fuck?” Never a dull moment with this foul mouthed woman. While we were shocked, a loud chuckle followed by light giggling sounded out.

  From legitimately ten feet ahead of us, Athena and Alice just appeared out of thin air. Our eyes all went wide as Elizabeth became happy. She reached out for mommy, who obediently came and took her from me. Did Elizabeth sense her using her psychic bullshit? Her reaction beforehand is making a lot more sense.

  “Alice? Mind expining a bit?” Facing my question, she smiled brightly. Did that give me a half chub? Absolutely. If not I might as well start waving a rainbow fg around.

  “Why expin when I can show you? Come on.”

  She beckoned me with one hand and started swimming away. Me and Lily followed after her and Athena, coming to that same pce they appeared from. Once they crossed a certain threshold, they vanished. I looked at the big sister who did the same. Then, we went through.

  The whole world of darkness disappeared, filled now with a dim light over a rge area. In front of our faces were metallic structures, numbering ten in total. They all surrounded an extremely rge one, almost five hundred meters tall. It’s shape was odd to say the least. Looked more like some sort of gateway with an arch at the top.

  Unlike the barren wastend outside, this pce had a small amount of life to it. A few infected fishes swimming here and there, completely different from any species found on Theia.

  “Wow…” Lily to my right muttered with wonder, copying my awed expression. The children in my arms were exactly like us, looking around with curiosity.

  “How did you find this pce Alice?” She began expining with a smile on her face.

  “Luck. Me and Athena had been swimming together and started rough housing.” Her eyes gred to her left at the big muscur sadist, who shrugged her shoulders nonchantly.

  “I was bored. And it’s your fault anyway Bunny.” She was in disbelief.

  “Me? How do you figure?”

  “You were the one who said brains beats brawn.” Alice snorted at the unexpected answer and ughed for a few moments.

  “Really? I said that three weeks ago. You still remember that shit?” Athena turned proud as she stuck out her sizable and delicious chest.

  “Of course. Don’t underestimate my memory or ability to hold a grudge, Bunny.” Shaking her head, Alice turned back at me.

  “So after she punched me in the stomach, I flew into here. She rushed to my rescue and came in as well. We didn’t search around too much and wanted to wait for you guys. Better to explore together.” What an epic tale filled with a riveting sense of adventure. But her st sentence was so cute. Makes me want to snuggle up to her adorable self.

  Together, we started by going to the first and closest structure. Average in size compared to the other buildings. Should be around a hundred or so meters tall and… ‘decently’ wide. As in maybe a mile?

  “Think that’s the entrance?” Lily pointed in front of us where a blue, shimmering shield could be seen. It was thin like paper and rippled slowly.

  “Probably. Let me go first.” I handed Dante to Lily and Raven to Athena, then swam forwards. I braced myself for anything and went through.

  Gravity suddenly kicked in and brought me down to the floor. Landing on my feet, I realized there was no water here. Almost as if I were separated from the ocean outside. Sticking my hand out, I beckoned them to follow. Simir to me, they were shocked and fell to the ground. However, these three beauties were no slouches and safety nded, no harm to the surprised children.

  “Holy shit this is cool!” Alice was fangirling at our surroundings. I can see why given how futuristic everything seemed. At the moment we were in a mini and green hallway which led to an extremely wide open space, numerous gadgets and devices everywhere.

  “Hey.” I got my three children’s attention, who were walking with us.

  “Stay close to me.” They did as I said, but were given free reign to walk around themselves.

  We headed to the main room and marveled at the high quality tech. Definitely not something found on Theia or even the Alliance, meaning this must’ve been some other alien civilization. Certainly more advanced, like light years more advanced than even the Holy Empire. However, nobody had been here for many years at the very least. Although the interior is way too clean, the exterior of the buildings had worn down a bit. And simir to the chains, the Infestation was struggling to spread on them.

  “Is that a robot?” Lily’s words made us all look towards where she was pointing. A tiny robot, barely the size of a human’s head, slowly came out of the wall and mindlessly started cleaning. Strangely resembled a more advanced roomba.

  “No wonder this pce is so neat and tidy.”

  “Yeah, and it seems to be cleaning time.” I pointed a ways away where more robots were exiting the walls. A few were like the mini roombas, while others had different designs. None were outfitted for combat though, strictly cleaning.

  While Dante started chasing one around with a goofy smile, we explored a bit. All over the pce were these rge and strange gss containers filled with water and lifeforms. A few could be seen on Theia, but the others? Definitely not something found here. Without exception though, each one was dead.

  “I wonder what they were doing here?” Alice said to no one in particur.

  “Let’s find out huh? If you run into trouble just shout and I’ll come running.” From the main room there were three other hallways, excluding the one we came from.

  Alice went north with Elizabeth, Lily and the annoyed Dante went left, and Athena and Raven sticked with me on the right. Only a minute into out journey, I brought up something on my mind to the muscur woman.

  “Something wrong?” I softly asked Athena, Raven on my left holding my hand. She gnced at me with confusion.

  “Yes? Why do you ask?” I shrugged my shoulders.

  “You’ve been looking pretty bored most of the time. Just want to make sure you’re doing okay.” She looked a bit shocked before giggling lightly. Her fingers aggressively grabbed my chin, pulling me in to a gentle kiss. After separating, she smiled.

  “I’m fine Jason. And bored? A little, but you know how I am. Fighting is my passion. Gets my blood pumping like nothing else, besides you fucking me of course. Don’t get me wrong though, I love hanging out with you guys just like this.” I nodded, feeling a bit better. While I knew me and the others were having a good time, I wasn’t sure about Athena. Would make me feel like shit if she didn’t really want to be here.

  Anyway, we continued our journey through this strange pce and came across more creatures. Each one was weirder than the st with a few having simirities to other lifeforms on Theia. Even saw a goddamn Megalodon, perfectly preserved in some strange liquid but clearly dead. How far back do these alien bastards go I wonder? Or maybe the Megalodon didn’t go extinct when we thought?

  “Oh here we go. Now we’re talking.” We came across what seemed to be some sort of computer or maybe a terminal. It was at the far end of the hall, in between two terrariums full of bones.

  When I pressed the screen, it suddenly came to life and projected a hologram in front of me. That, is super fucking cool. The odd thing is, the terminal itself was much smaller than me and seemed designed for someone at eight or ten feet tall. Yet when I touched it, the hologram adjusted to my height, allowing me to perfectly use it. While Athena pced her chin on my shoulder and watched me interact with it, Raven was curious and touched the terminal herself. Thankfully, it gave her a new hologram fitted for her height.

  There wasn’t much to py with here and clearly, was meant for everyone. Not some super cssified thing. Searching around a little led me to the various creature’s information and the experiments done on them. Unfortunately, it was all written in absolute fucking gibberish. Though my intelligence has increased, that doesn’t mean I can suddenly learn a new nguage instantly. It’ll take me some time to decode this stuff.

  However, there was one thing here that kept repeating. A word, over and over again. Wonder what it meant.

  “So? Learn anything?” The beauty on my shoulder said, tickling my ear with her breath. This harlot. Unknowingly seducing me like this. Has she no shame?

  “Nope. All written in a nguage I can’t speak or read. But my memories from the Alliance did help a bit with this.” I pointed at a logo at the top right. An arc with a dot in the middle and a oddly designed N at the bottom.

  “This mark was found in four separate ruins in different worlds and sections of our gaxy. They have no idea what it means, only that it belonged to some sort of civilization.” She hummed lightly, not much care on her face. Catching me staring, she smiled knowingly.

  "Am I that pretty?" I gave her a deadly smooch on the lips.

  "That answer your question or do you need more?" A contemptive look appeared on her face.

  "Definitely need more. A couple hundred more times oughta do it." We stared into each other's eyes for a few moments before locking lips. Yet since this wasn't the time or pce, went no further. Though the asshole had the nerve to bite my tongue on the way out.

  Ignoring her cheeky grin, I gazed down at Raven and saw she was admiring the pictures of the creatures. Despite her creepiness and intelligence, she was still a child at heart I suppose. Good to have some normalization-

  Okay, scratch that. She directly skipped the normal pictures and went to the dissection portion. Her eyes were practically glued to the hologram now as the video pyed. Guess she really is my daughter.