Down With The Gods

Over at Mira’s tent, despite her protest, the two girls gather for an all-girl talk. Christine’s eyes are immediately drawn to a particular item in Mira's impressive collection of “toys” as she enters.

“Like, when did you get this?” Christine asks.

“Right after the corkscrew fight. I was in awe of the shape,” Mira replies.

“So like, the items we buy get delivered to our tents? Nice!” Christine says, intrigued.

The girls settle in the middle of the tent, and Christine starts the conversation by questioning Wyn’s leadership, expressing her concerns about some of the close calls they’ve had.

“He’s not perfect, but he’s the best out of us all. Plus, he’s been adjusting to the growing number of members, and he hates people,” Mira replies.

“He’s, like, weird…Why do you like him so much?”

“He’s different, yes. He’s not the type I’d go for in real life, but something about him intrigues me.”

“So, you genuinely, like, believe he’s fit to lead?”

“We’re all still alive, aren’t we? He’s pulled us through some tough fights, like the previous one!”

Sensing the potential for conflict, Mira shifts the topic to Yu. She’s curious about Christine’s thoughts on the youngest member of the group.

“I, like, erm, do like him, but…he’s, like, immature.”

“He’s young. Why don’t you spend more time alone with him and get to know him better?”

“Maybe…”

“Spend a night in his tent. He’s a virgin, from what Wyn’s told me!”

“I’m not, like, that kind of girl!”

As the hour-long chat wraps up, Christine heads to her tent. The darkness outside reflects the party’s theme in the lobby. Meanwhile, Yu and Anish, both drunk, claim they’re too exhausted to return to their own tents, forcing Wyn to buy yet another sleeping bag. They occupy the newly purchased second floor of Wyn’s tent, which extends vertically. Everyone sleeps soundly, except for one member who tosses and turns, thinking about how he can improve his battle skills.

Then the twelve-hour timer goes off, waking everyone in Wyn’s tent.

As promised, Wyn is supposed to wake the girls, but Yu snatches the opportunity instead, telling them to wait in the lobby for a surprise. After roughly ten minutes, the guys walk into the lobby.

“Hey ladies. We are the Oppa Triplets!” Yu announces proudly, as all the guys are wearing matching versions of Wyn’s outfit.

“Wow! I’m more curious as to why you would agree to this, Wyn.”

“I didn’t. Trust me, and I’d rather not explain what led to this.”

“Anyways, guys. I’ve been thinking long and hard, that I wanna see something long and hard…sooo, let’s go to the beach!”

“Come on! You don’t know what we had to do to get his outfit!” Yu groans.

“At this point, I’m not sure if I wanna know. BUT! I need to whore it up at the beach, like in any anime with a hot girl!”

Mira opens the map, showing the team the location of the only beach in the Abandoned City – it’s located between Catutu’s and Catita’s campsites. Taking this as an opportunity to visit their old friend, Catutu, the team drops by her lobby.

“Welcome back!” Catutu greets them with a smile.

Anish asks Catutu if the beach is a safe place to relax. While creatures usually roam the area, Catutu mentions an upcoming special event, making it safe for the time being. She urges the team to grab a smart vehicle and head to the beach quickly. It seems, however, everyone in the lobby has been given the same advice, as the parking lot is empty.

“Welcome…Oh! You are the ones who left…”

The team heads out of Catita’s lobby and, fortunately, finds the last available smart vehicle. During the ride, Christine surprises everyone by volunteering to sit next to Wyn.

“You know, like, Mira thinks you’re odd. So, it’s not just me,” Christine says, keeping her voice low.

“Mira? Good to know,” Wyn replies, not reacting.

“Anyways, like, let’s do our best to get along.”

“I’ve been doing my best to get along with you. The rest is up to you.”

Christine falls silent after his response. Wyn closes his eyes, attempting to nap, but, as usual, fails. After a thirty-minute ride, the team arrives at the beach parking lot. The beach itself is rather a letdown, being smaller than expected. The area seems crowded, both on the beach and the cement path leading from the parking lot. Undeterred, Mira leads the team after having changed into a revealing bright orange two-piece. Her skin soothes an aura that catches a lot of attention.

“I think your bikini is brighter than the fake sun,” Wyn remarks.

“Hush, Wyn! She’s sooo gorgeous,” Anish says, following closely behind Mira as they reach the cement path, shooing away bystanders.

“Hi! Are there five of you? It seems your team lacks diversity,” says a stranger.

“And what about it?” Wyn asks.

“We’re a DEI group collectively known as Sour Baby Incorporated. For one thousand catnips, we can tell you how to become more diverse.”

“We can exchange catnips now?” Anish wonders.

“Yes! We’re new and we’re hot! Everyone appreciates our service.”

Anish quickly checks his screen. Upon clicking on the newly implemented animated notification icon, a message pops up. It appears his prior request has been fulfilled. In a letter, the management thanks Anish and many others who submitted a request for the feature.

“We don’t have time. I. NEED. TO. GET. TO. THE. BEACH. NOW!” Mira says.

“We’ll blackmail your entire party!” the stranger threatens.

“Seems like you’re oblivious to the HD3Ps. But hey, I’ll play along. How about we cut off this guy’s dick, and call him trans in the name of diversity?” Wyn says, looking at Yu, who quickly covers his crotch area in response.

Led by Mira, the team pushes their way onto the beach, ignoring the angry shouts behind them. Aside from Mira, everyone else opts for Hawaiian shirts, relaxed shorts, and sandals. Anish, not owning a Hawaiian shirt, settles for a regular light blue tee, brown shorts, and goes barefoot.

“So much for the ‘Oppa Look’ we worked so hard to get,” Yu complains.

Near the shoreline, a line of demon cats stands guard, blocking anyone from advancing further. Not far behind them, a massive creature, known as the whalewhalewhale, lies beached. The white creature with a green belly is hexagon-shaped. Three black, hand fan-like tails are stacked horizontally at its end, with gaps between them. Despite its whale-like appearance, there’s no blowhole. Demons scurry around the creature, racing the clock, seemingly setting up something.

"Stay under an umbrella for your safety. We are not responsible for any damage or death," a demon loudly announces.

The team quickly huddles beneath a wide umbrella, joining a group of strangers. It's just large enough to shield everyone from whatever might happen next.

“Psst. How old are you?” one of the strangers whispers.

“Me?” Christine asks, turning her head.

“No, you girls look too old. The boy, how old are you?”

“I’M WHAT?”

“Nineteen. Why?” Yu answers.

“Perfect. Are you an A-S-S? Want to follow us after the show for a private party?”

“A what now???”

“A-S-S – Adolescent Seeking Sex. If you are one, you should join us for some fun.” The stranger winks.

“They’re pedos, Yu. I guess since they can’t go lower than sixteen here, anyone in their teens would do,” Wyn cuts in.

“Stay close to me,” Christine directs Yu, holding his hand.

“You shouldn’t be allowed on this level if you’re pedos,” Wyn says.

“Preferences change. It's an acquired taste. And FYI, we are T-A-P’s – Teen Attracted Persons.”

“Ugh, you’re still pedos,” Wyn calls out the strangers, then turns to Yu with a wry grin. “Man, you should really think about cutting it off. For your own safety and for the sake of diversity.”

Christine tugs Yu toward another umbrella as the rest of the team trails behind. Under this new cover, Mira begins mingling with anyone who catches her eye, regardless of gender. Anish watches, clearly upset as she flirts freely. Within less than one minute and thirty five seconds, she’s gathered four other souls – mostly men – and begins to walk off with them.

“I’ll meet you guys at the car thing. You’re not mad right, Wyn?” she gives him puppy eyes, feeling guilty but can’t resist the temptation.

“I completely understand. Do what you must.”

Wyn places a hand on Anish’s shoulder to stop him from following her.

“There there, big guy. There’s probably a vagene for you out there somewhere, just not hers.” Wyn consoles the sad Anish, patting him on the back.

Meanwhile, Yu is relieved Christine is no longer mad at him for reasons he still doesn’t fully understand.

“You know, like, you’re a bit immature. Everyone agrees so. Can you be a man? Like, for me?” she says as she turns to him.

“A man? Um, I’ll try. Thanks for being honest,” Yu answers, scratching his head.

Deep down, Yu doesn’t dwell on her words. He’s just happy Christine is talking to him again.

“Get ready for the show! DO NOT attempt to collect essence afterward,” a demon announces.

The demons quickly vanish from the scene. Moments later, the whale creature explodes, sending chunks of its body flying. But instead of landing, each chunk bursts into even smaller pieces, repeatedly exploding until the fragments become essence, floating gently down to the beach. The transparent umbrella allows Wyn to observe the event, despite his vertical shortcomings.

“That’s both disgusting and beautiful. I applaud the sick mind behind this,” Wyn remarks.

The shimmering essence scatters across the sand and sea, creating a mesmerizing sight. Since the demons don’t return, some souls begin collecting the essence. Wyn and his team decline, deciding to leave the crowded beach and head back to their vehicle. Upon arrival, they find Mira already waiting, casually leaning against the hood.

“You’re done? Where did you do it?” Wyn asks, as Anish quickly covers his ears.

“Here!”

“Er, here? You mean...in OUR vehicle?”

“Yeah! I was guarding it while I was at it! Two corkscrews with one stone!”

“Sounds like more than two to me...Let’s just warp out. I ain’t touchin’ ‘em seats with a ten-foot pole.”

“Don’t talk like haggy, please!!!”

“Oh, I ain’t stoppin’ anytime soon, lady!”

Although the trip was brief, each member leaves with something gained – especially Mira. The boys change back into their "Oppa outfits" while the girls return to their earlier attire. Together, the team exits through the parking lot, arriving at the lobby of campsite number seven. There, they’re greeted by Catati, a red-eyed, fangless cat.