'Time to change things up then.'
Eli gritted his teeth as the vines lifted him higher, the air thick with the stench of blood and ink.
His fingers trembled against the slick surface beneath him, the octopus's flesh squirming like something alive—soft, elastic, and unnervingly warm.
The vines beneath him writhed, giving him one last push before releasing. He landed hard against the creature's back, his knees sinking slightly into the jelly-like texture.
The entire surface rippled beneath his weight, responding to every breath, every movement.
"Eli! What the hell are you doing?!" Mio's voice tore through the chaos, raw and panicked.
His threads lashed around the monster's head, slicing and binding in desperate motions. "That's not part of the plan!"
Mel's voice followed, louder, rougher. "Get down from there before it throws you off!" His vines strained, roots creaking under the monster's weight. "You'll get crushed if it rolls!"
