An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Venus made her way to the elevator. Empty halls greeted her. Not a flicker of light. She let out a sigh of relief as she waited for the elevator. The moment the doors opened, her fear returned. Looming inside the overly decorated lift was a terrifying specter. What must have been a bear yōkai once distorted and shifted as it stared down at her with empty eyes. Drool spilled from its jaws where a nasty wound tore through its lips. More bloody gashes lined its fur. One of its broken ribs pierced through its chest. “Miss Venus?” Her gaze jerked down to the tiny octopus attendant. He smiled up at her. “Going up or down?” He asked as if nothing were amiss. Of course it wasn’t. He couldn’t see it. She swallowed. “Up. To Big Mama.”