“Marco!” said an eerie collection of sing-song and childish, growling, snarling voices that issued from the red wolf.

“Polo!” said the campers. Some of them freezing in shock as the words escaped them regardless of their intention.

Another camper was found, this time the unfortunate victim was one of the orange cabins reggae-pigs.

The thing that now inhabited the red-furred wolf howled in ecstasy and pain.

‘It’ burned out its host’s body and then shifted into the reggae-pig. The person inside the orange costume clawed at themselves as if trying to escape from both the costume and their own skin, but in the end, the red presence still took control.

As the game of Marco-Polo began in earnest, the green-cabin cuttlefish all immediately closed their eyes.

Margot and her teammates gathered together, holding hands. Margot extended what little of her aura she could control over the group, bolstering it with a strong magnetic field to shield them from the effects of whatever was about to happen.

The temperature of the water changed growing colder and hotter. Thomas made a piss joke, which got him kicked in the shins by both Henrietta and Ashley.

Margot focused on the shift in their surroundings. Noting a sudden expansion of the lake they were in.

“Marco...” said the discordant and cacophonous voice within the reggae-pig.

“Polo!….Remember, guys...We should stay together if we can, but becoming it is a now go...” said Margot. Reminding the group of their slightly revised plan.

A perhaps unnecessary reminder, because it was unlikely that any of them would forget the red wolf’s horrifying screams as the red presence descended into his body.

“Marco…” said the reggae-pig. Its voice sounding alarmingly close.

“Polo!... Understood,” said Henrietta.

“Polo!... Got it,” said Thomas.

Ashley didn’t say anything she just followed behind the rest of them as the cuttlefish moved in a conga line. Not quite touching one another as they tried to put as much distance between themselves and the reggae-pig as possible.

Margot lead at the front, idly realizing the longer she kept her eyes closed the more she could see. She couldn’t see herself of course, and the world around her remained steeped in darkness, but she could see something.

“I...I don’t think we’re in the lake anymore,” said Margot. Recognizing signs of strange curving architecture.

“Uh...I, yeah...I was hoping I was just seeing things,” said Ashley. Sounding downcast.

The ancient, water-logged, architecture of their surroundings weighed heavy on her. The gloomy air of the sunken city she suddenly found herself in knocked up a part of her mind that even she hadn’t been aware existed. Tugging on a species-wide trauma that effected many Kaporka.

“Is anyone else hearing that?” said Thomas.

“Hearing what?” said Margot.

“Something’s following us?” said Thomas.

Everyone froze but only for a second. Then they resumed moving because they knew from experience and from the contents of Monty’s missives that this was one moment where they couldn’t afford to stop.

Eventually, they came to a building, its doors yawning and wide. An unfathomable aura issuing from its depths.

Margot read through the prompts on her interface. Musing over the contents as she lead the group inside.

“All the variables are there...just like he’d predicted...Nh, I wonder if this is a power or something I could learn.”

After the last of the cuttlefish had entered the building. Margot turned around and saw creatures creeping towards the building. Towards them.

These creatures were oddly shaped beings. Vaguely crustacean in shape, with hungry, hateful eyes.

Margot tossed a bolt of electricity at one of the creatures. The beast howled in pain and recoiled. Seeing their tribesmen injured rather than respond in anger, the other beasts recoiled as well. The hunger in their eyes replaced with fear.

As the creatures drew back, Margot pressed a button that missive said would be on the side of the entrance, and the doors of the building closed.

“What the fuck was that thing?” said Thomas.

“A Deep-Morlock.” said Margot.

“What?” said Thomas.

“They were mentioned in Monty’s last message...I think they’re an aquatic variation of trog. Just as evil, just as violent, but stronger, better armored, and able to breathe underwater.” said Henrietta.

“You were actually able to read that thing?” said Ashley. Sounding faintly awed because the number of pages, the size of the font, and the format for the information had made the messages all but unreadable for everyone besides Margot.

“I tried…” said Henrietta.

“What happens now?” said Thomas.

“We look around the building. This place is supposed to be safe...Or at least safer...and there’s actually a couple of items we can use here.” said Margot.

“Nh...Okay then,” said Ashley. Sighing. Shaking her head as Margot led the rest of the team deeper into the building.

*************************************************************************************************************

I watched the game of Marco-Polo. Observing the bloodthirsty body jumper as it tore through the crowd. At least half of those who died would end up dead for good. As the observation bubble switched through the teams, we came across my cuttlefish.

“Uh...Where the hell is this?” said Lamont. Frowning as he saw my group wandering through a building.

“Well, it’s part of the map ...ob- obviously?” answered Barnabas.

“Okay...And how the hell are they there?” said Lamont.

“Uh…” Barnabas floundered. Then he turned to me with a look of accusation and just a hint of desperation. He still hadn’t quite gotten out of the hot water his introduction of Mr. Wobbles had plopped him in and this likely wasn’t helping things.

Lamont and the rest of the immortals at the table all looked in my direction as well. I just shrugged and smiled. Using my control over my physical form to keep my heart-rate even and suppress the cold sweat that badly wanted to bead upon my brow.

“Don’t look at me...Luck’s a kind of strength too, you know.” I said. Chuckling lightly. Deciding to feign ignorance lest the immortals close up ranks and persecute my team.