“He doesn’t look like he’s plugged into anything,” I point out. “No cords.”
“You are right,” she says, moving back and forth on my shoulder. “I shall fly and search.”
She leaps off my shoulder, her wings opening to carry her across the room, searching for a power source. I follow after her, looking for anything that looks like a potential power source.
“Ew, oh my god,” Stevie moans as a bunch of steam billows around him. His light flares in offense and he lingers further back. “I’ll be over with the strong-armed Warden. I bet he can keep me safe in this big, ole warehouse.”
“I’m sure he’d love your company,” I say, winking at Havoc when he tenses in annoyance.
He narrows his eyes at me.
“If I were a steam-powered resource, where would I hide?” I mumble to myself as I look around the platform.
“It is not something you would have seen before in Dross,” Cipher says, popping in.
“I thought you weren’t allowed to give hints,” I reply.
“I am not,” he answers. “However, telling you what it is not is not exactly breaking any rules.”
I grin. “Got it. So, is it this?” I point to a large lever hanging about three meters away from the platform. To reach it, I’m going to have to jump.
“That is a valve for the sewage pipes in Smokestack Row,” Cipher answers.
“There are sewage pipes?” I ask, blinking. “Then why does everyone pour it into the street?”
“A player turned that lever over a year ago and shut the valves off while attempting to defeat the Boiler King. The NPCs cannot fix the problem themselves as this is not their domain.”
I make a note of that fact to come back later to and move to the next lever. “Is it a lever like this?”
“No.”
I blow out a puff of air and search for more things that looks like some sort of power source. Unfortunately, nothing else looks like it could be feeding the Boiler King.
“Fuck!” Locke shouts, just before diving out of the way of the Boiler King’s giant fists. “He’s getting faster, Hyena! Could use some help!”
“I’m going as fast as I can,” I say, starting to panic. “Nothing looks like power!”
“Look faster,” Locke growls.
“I’m looking as fast as I can!” I snarl back, searching high and low. “There’s nothing here!”
I look over at Havoc who stands with his arms crossed, a smile on his face as he watches us. I’ve never wanted to punch someone in their pretty lips more. Even just a small hint would help. Even just something?—
The Boiler King’s back is to me as he chases after Locke, his giant fists slamming against the platform hard enough to shake it beneath my feet. I grab the railing as I study him. He’s just as intimidating from the back, large smokestacks rising from his shoulders, turning gears, large valve wheel?—
“There,” I breathe, pointing. “Cipher, is that it?”
He takes a second to respond. “I cannot give you hints on how to defeat the Minor Boss.”
I grin. “Thanks, Cipher.” To Locke, I shout, “I found it! It’s on his back!”
“You’re fucking kidding me,” Locke shouts back, just barely avoiding the fists when the Boiler King speeds up again.
“He’s getting faster,” Havoc says unhelpfully. “His gears are loosening up. If you’re gonna do it, now’s the time.”
“No shit,” I snarl at him. “How about you just stand over there and look pretty instead of being unhelpful?”
Havoc raises his brow at me but surprisingly listens.
