The tunnel stretched on and on, winding deeper into the darkness until Alina began to lose her sense of ti altogether. Every few steps she felt Boo’s tiny glow brighten near her cheek, his soft tail brushing her arm as if silently reassuring her that he was still there.
How long is this cave...? she wondered anxiously, her heartbeat echoing with each step she took. The cold deepened with every passing mont, settling heavily into her bones until her teeth almost chattered.
Finally, the narrow path widened into a larger chamber.
Alina froze.
The walls were no longer raw stone; they had transford into sothing breathtaking and eerie. Smooth surfaces lined with rows of shining sea treasures glowed faintly. Pearls, shells, and pretty stones were arranged in strange, intricate spirals that looked almost like ancient symbols. Beautiful sea plants draped from the ceiling like underwater lanterns, their gentle light filling the chamber with a soft, greenish glow.
But Alina barely noticed any of that.
Her breath stopped.
Because at the center of the room she saw a massive creature.
Its thick tentacles curled solemnly around a small trembling figure.
Rocky.
He was hugged tightly against the octopus creature’s chest as if being examined. The creature was enormous—dark purple skin that shifted with rippling patterns, eight strong arms resting on the sea floor, and two huge golden eyes blinking at her slowly.
Alina’s voice burst out before she could think.
"LET THEM GO!"
Her scream echoed violently through the chamber, her instinct louder than her fear. She clutched Boo closer, ready to protect him with her whole soul, and dashed forward without a second thought.
But then she stumbled to a halt.
Her eyes flickered downward in confusion.
Felix and Kelpie were sitting calmly on a soft carpet made of woven sea plants—alive, safe, and looking oddly relaxed. Felix was nibbling sothing from a bowl, his fox ears perked. Kelpie looked like he had just finished crying, his cheeks blotchy but his posture calm.
Alina’s breath hitched.
"What...?"
The giant octopus blinked at her again, one tentacle gently patting Rocky’s head as if calming him.
Felix looked up and waved his tiny paw. "Teacher! We fine!"
Kelpie sniffled and rubbed his eyes. "Teacher... we were not kidnapped..."
Alina stood frozen in the glowing chamber, heart pounding, Boo trembling in her arms, and she had absolutely no idea what was happening.
Her whole body tightened as she stared at the giant octopus creature—no, now man—standing before her. He was easily twice Dante’s size, broad-shouldered and unsettling in every possible way, with long purple hair sliding down his back like wet silk. His eight arms shifted behind him in a slow, eerie ripple. His golden eyes glowed faintly, ringed with harsh lines that hinted at age and power.
Alina swallowed hard.
He was horrifying.
And yet... the mont he gently set Rocky down, she sensed a strange gentleness in the movent.
Still, fear didn’t leave her chest.
She stepped forward, shielding the children automatically. Her heart pounded, but her voice rose strong with anger.
"Why did you kidnap them?" she demanded, refusing to let her eyes linger too long on his many arms. "Do you have any idea how worried everyone is outside? Their parents, the king, the principal—everyone is searching for them!"
Rocky called out softly, "Teacher..." but Alina didn’t lower her guard.
"All of you—behind ," she said firmly, reaching back as if to pull them close. "We’re leaving. Right now. You can explain yourself later."
But before she could take a step, Kelpie grabbed the hem of her dress with both hands, tears already pooling in his big eyes.
"Teacher, please don’t scold him..." he sniffled. "Uncle Octopus didn’t kidnap us. He fainted behind a stall when everyone was busy buying things. Rocky saw him fall... and we wanted to help, so we called Felix too..."
Rocky nodded quickly, his little voice trembling. "He was alone, teacher... and he looked hurt... so we stayed... and when he woke up he didn’t know where he was, and he brought us here to thank us. He didn’t do anything bad, I promise."
Kelpie sniffled harder, wiping his cheeks. "Uncle lives alone... nobody cos to see him... he is very pitiful..."
Felix, standing politely with the bowl in his hands, whispered, "We just didn’t know how to tell teacher..."
Alina pressed a hand to her forehead. Relief, exasperation, lingering fear... all mixed together in her chest.
Her voice, still sharp, turned toward the octopus man. "Even then—you cannot just take children into a cave without telling anyone!"
The man didn’t flinch. His golden eyes were calm but distant, his face unreadable as he slowly inclined his head.
"My na is Koel," he said, his voice deep and smooth like currents shifting in the deep sea. "And yes. I admit it—I acted selfishly. They helped when I collapsed. When I woke, I... rely wished to offer them sothing in return."
His tone was cold, but the faint twitch around his eyes made him look strangely embarrassed.
Before Alina could reply, Boo—still wrapped around her neck—leaned forward dramatically, his eyes huge with terror.
"U-uncle..." Boo whispered, pointing one trembling finger. "Do you... do you want to eat babies like the Earth Worms??"
Silence.
Complete, deadly silence.
Koel’s expression cracked so fast it was almost codic. His golden eyes widened in insulted shock, and for the first ti his stoic posture faltered.
"Eat—?!" he sputtered, all eight arms jerking upright. "Do I look like I eat children?!"
Boo blinked innocently. "Ummm... you have eight arms... and a big head... and sharp eyes..."
Alina slapped a hand over Boo’s mouth, mortified. Boo still whispered against her fingers, "He very much look like villain..."
Koel’s jaw tightened as he looked away, clearly offended. One of his eight arms folded across his chest.
"I have never eaten a child in my life," he said stiffly. "Nor do I intend to."
Alina let out a long, shaky breath. Relief washed over her... but so did exhaustion, worry, frustration, and a sudden urge to hug all the children until she turned them into tiny marshmallows.
She looked at Koel and her anger softened just a little. Not much. Just enough.
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