The group stood at the threshold of the chamber, ready to leave the nightmare of cylinders and summoning circles behind. The air still tasted of burnt metal and that ancient, acrid something that clung to the back of the throat like old regret.
Then footsteps echoed from the corridor—measured, mechanical, unhurried.
Everyone froze.
A single automaton walked into the room. It moved with purpose, its oxidized bronze frame tinged and green, its single optical sensor sweeping across the space as if cataloging everything it saw. Its limbs whirred with the sound of ancient gears grinding against centuries of disuse.
Penguin's hand drifted toward his weapon. "What the hell is that thing?"
Eliane's wings folded against her back as she landed lightly on the stone floor. "It's like the ones on our ship. The maintenance ones."
Aurélie's chin lifted, her silver hair swaying. "It's called an automaton. An automated mechanism designed to assist with specific tasks."
Charlie cleared his throat, adjusting his pith helmet. "If I may, these are highly sophisticated constructs. They were engineered to perform complex operations without human intervention. Truly remarkable examples of—"
Shachi cut him off. "Yeah, yeah, they're fancy robots. What is it doing?"
The AI Tontatta materialized above them, its tricorn hat flickering at the edges. It twirled through the air with manic enthusiasm. "I am so glad you asked!"
The group watched as the automaton moved toward one of the full cylinders—the one containing the creature with too many joints and not enough eyes. Its mechanical fingers worked with surprising delicacy, unscrewing the cylinder's seal with a series of precise motions. The glass container hissed as pressure equalized.
Then the automaton lifted the cylinder and began walking toward the far exit.
Charlie's hand rose to his chin, his brow furrowing. His eyes tracked the automaton's movement with an intensity that bordered on obsessive. "Where is this automaton going?"
The AI Tontatta performed a series of backflips, holographic confetti showering the group. "I am so glad you ask! The automaton is following through with its final order: transporting the devils to the P.A.L.S. observatory."
Aurélie's eyes narrowed. "What is the P.A.L.S. observatory?"
More confetti. More backflips. "I am so glad you asked! P.A.L.S. stands for Point Aloft Lookout Structure!"
Vesta groaned, her rainbow hair drooping with exhaustion. "So this is really interesting and all, but can we go now? My feet are killing me."
Charlie's expression tightened. He took a step forward, then another, his eyes fixed on the automaton as it disappeared through the far doorway. His jaw worked, his lips moving silently as if already forming questions.
Penguin watched him go. "Hey, where is he going?"
Jelly bounced past, his translucent body wobbling with excitement. "New friend!"
Vesta threw her hands up. "Oh no! Not you too!"
Eliane's wings unfurled. "Are we going to follow?"
Aurélie's sigh carried the weight of someone who had long since accepted that her life involved chasing academics through ancient facilities. "It would be wise to." She reached out and clamped her hand around Ember's arm.
Ember squealed in protest, her mismatched eyes going wide. "But Josiah—"
Aurélie's grip didn't loosen. "He can come too." She dragged the protesting bomber toward the doorway.
Sanza looked around, his red hair flopping across his face. "What is a Point Aloft Lookout Structure?" He spun in a circle, searching for an answer, and found only empty space.
"Hey!" He bolted for the door. "Wait for me!"
---
Charlie moved through the corridors with a single-minded focus that bordered on obsession. The automaton remained just ahead of him, its mechanical footsteps echoing off the ancient walls, the full cylinder cradled in its arms like a precious offering.
Aurélie caught up to him, Ember still trapped in her grip. "It appears this location is off limits."
Charlie didn't break stride. "Academia knows no bounds."
Vesta limped along behind them, her platform boots clicking against the metal grating. "Yeah, but my feet do!"
Charlie glanced over his shoulder, his glasses glinting. "Then you should invest in more appropriate footwear."
Eliane swooped through the air, her wings beating in steady rhythm. "That's why flying is so great!"
Vesta shot her a sour look. "My wings aren't big enough to fly!"
Penguin's voice drifted from behind. "Is this going to—"
A distant yell cut through the corridor. "HEY! WAIT FOR ME!"
Everyone turned as Sanza came sprinting into view, his small legs pumping furiously, his practice sword bouncing against his hip. He skidded to a halt beside the group, chest heaving.
Jelly bounced in place. "Game time!"
Ember clapped her hands together—and Aurélie's grip tightened, her eyes narrowing into a warning glare.
"No running off," Aurélie said, her voice flat.
Ember pouted. "No fun!"
Jelly bounced closer. "More fun!"
Aurélie turned her glare on Jelly, and the gelatinous creature immediately bounced away, hiding his eyes with his amorphous hands. He landed on Eliane's shoulder as she swooped down.
"Bloop!" Jelly's voice carried a note of exaggerated fear. "Scary eyes!"
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