After climbing down from the central grid building, the group moved cautiously through the maze of collapsed alleys. The sound of static still hummed faintly in the air, like an ever-present reminder that the city was no longer stable. Rian kept to the front, his gauntlet sparking occasionally as he suppressed its unpredictable surges.

Milo kept close to Devika, his gaze constantly flickering to the shadows. Zara moved ahead, spear in hand, scanning every crevice as they navigated the wreckage.

“What do you think happened to that guy?” Milo whispered. “The one… changing.”

Devika kept her voice low. “The energy — whatever it is — it’s not just mutating them. It’s like it’s rewriting something inside.”

Rian glanced back. “If that’s true, it means exposure might not be enough. It could be… targeting.”

Zara scoffed softly. “Targeting how? Like picking people?”

Milo shrugged. “Maybe it’s not random. Maybe it’s linked to where they were or what they were doing.”

Rian considered the idea. “If it affected the grid workers first, it could mean the energy is interacting with electrical systems differently. People who worked there might be more susceptible.”

Devika frowned. “But why would it change them and not just kill them?”

“That’s what bothers me,” Rian admitted. “If it’s changing people, it means it’s looking for something specific.”

They reached a partially collapsed tunnel entrance, the remnants of a metro line. Zara tested the ground with her spear before stepping inside. “If we can get through here, it’ll take us closer to the ridge without being exposed on the streets.”

The tunnel was cold, moisture collecting on the walls. Flickering emergency lights cast eerie shadows, and the sound of dripping water echoed off the cracked tiles. Milo glanced at one of the maps from Rian’s pack, tracing their path with a trembling finger.

“It should come out near the old rail station,” he whispered. “If it’s not blocked.”

They moved deeper, the tunnel growing darker. Rian clicked on his flashlight, illuminating the narrow corridor. At one point, they passed a rusted vending machine, its buttons blinking erratically. Milo reached for it, but Rian stopped him. “Leave it. Could be linked to whatever’s affecting the city.”

Zara whispered, “You’re paranoid.”

Rian didn’t respond, just kept moving. Suddenly, a noise echoed from deeper in the tunnel — a soft, rhythmic thudding. They froze, listening.

Devika’s eyes widened. “It’s like… something banging on metal. Repeatedly.”

They crept forward, emerging into a wider maintenance bay. An old maintenance robot lay slumped against the wall, its arm periodically swinging and hitting a support beam. Its eyes flickered with dim red light, stuck in a malfunctioning loop.

Milo moved closer, intrigued. “Think it’s still working?”

Rian shook his head. “More like it’s caught in a glitch. We should move before it draws attention.”

Just as they started to back away, the robot’s head swiveled abruptly toward them, emitting a distorted burst of static. Its arm whirred, trying to lift but failing. Devika stepped closer, curious despite the risk. “It’s trying to say something.”

Rian motioned her back. “Careful.”

A crackling voice broke through the static. “…systems compromised… power failure… personnel… critical malfunction…”

Zara frowned. “Is it repeating some kind of log?”

Milo crouched down, peering at a broken screen embedded in the wall. “It’s still connected to the station’s network. Maybe it’s pulling old data.”

Rian nodded. “If it’s stuck like that, something disrupted its protocols. Could be linked to the power surge.”

The robot sputtered again. “…protect… central node… contamination detected… evacuation advised…”

Devika’s brow furrowed. “Contamination? You think it means the energy surge?”

Zara tapped the robot lightly with her spear. “Doesn’t seem hostile. Just broken.”

Milo hesitated. “If it’s warning about contamination, maybe that’s what changed the workers. Could be something the grid is leaking.”

Rian considered it. “If the energy is leaking from the grid, it could be more than just power — it could be altering whatever it touches.”

Before they could discuss further, a loud clattering echoed from the tunnel behind them. They spun around, weapons ready. A faint glow appeared from the dark corridor — a pair of mutated creatures, crawling on the walls like spiders, their limbs twisted and elongated.

Zara whispered, “We can’t fight them here. Too tight.”

Rian scanned the maintenance bay, spotting a rusted gate leading to the maintenance tracks. “There. Move!”

They sprinted for the gate, Milo sliding under as Rian and Zara pulled it shut behind them. The creatures crashed into the bars, clawing and screeching. Rian jammed a metal rod into the gate to hold it. “That’ll buy us time. Move.”

They rushed down the tracks, the sound of clawing slowly fading behind them. After several minutes of navigating the darkened path, they reached an old platform. Rian caught his breath, checking the group. “Everyone alright?”

Milo nodded, though his hands shook. Zara was breathing hard but uninjured. Devika leaned against a pillar, her glow flickering. “Whatever’s leaking from the grid… it’s changing more than just people.”

Rian glanced at the gauntlet, wondering how much of its malfunction was due to the energy surge. “We’ll figure it out. Let’s get to the ridge. If we can see the grid from above, maybe we’ll understand what’s happening.”

They moved forward, wary of every sound, as the city continued to pulse with unseen changes.

End of Chapter 9.