Early September brought cooler mornings, but the sun still warmed the stone-patterned paths of Elysion Park. In several areas, the plain asphalt walkways had been replaced with wide paths of sand- and rust-toned stone, subtle compass and map patterns etched into their surfaces.
Wrought-iron lanterns stood at regular intervals, their copper accents catching the light. Wooden benches with nautical-style armrests lined the routes, each flanked by planters overflowing with tropical greenery.
Lucas strolled through one of the newly finished sections between Explorer's Landing and Explorer Zone. A family had stopped by a set of stacked crates and barrels topped with a small bronze statue of a 16th-century navigator.
"Look, Dad, it's got a little plaque," the boy said, leaning in.
His father read aloud, "'Explorer's Notes — Ferdinand Magellan.' Huh… Didn't know this park did stuff like that."
Nearby, a couple snapped photos of the decorative props and fresh landscaping. "It feels different," one said. "Like you're on the way to somewhere important."
Lucas smiled to himself. That was exactly the point — every step in the park should feel like part of the journey.
As he reached the curve leading into Explorer Zone, he caught sight of the Jungle Zone in the distance. Guests lined up for Jungle Splash Adventure as usual, the sound of the final drop echoing over the trees. But just beyond the ride's plaza, fresh theming work continued behind decorated construction walls, giving passers-by small viewing windows into the progress.
"I wonder if this is for that new ride they teased," someone whispered.
Lucas didn't stop walking, but the corners of his mouth lifted. You'll find out soon enough, he thought. In a few weeks, the papers with Intamin would be signed, and the countdown to something spectacular would begin.
The late September air carried the first hints of autumn, but inside the conference room above Globe & Griddle, the atmosphere was warm with anticipation.
Lucas sat at the long oak table, a stack of papers neatly arranged in front of him. Across from him sat two representatives from Intamin — Markus, the project manager, and Elena, the design coordinator. Walter occupied the seat to Lucas's right, arms folded, eyes scanning the technical drawings one more time.
On the table, a scaled site plan of the Jungle Zone spread wide. The familiar shapes of Jungle Splash Adventure and Secrets of the Silk Road stood out, with a new, looping outline filling the open land beside them. It was the proposed layout for the park's next major attraction: a family launch coaster that would twist through dense jungle foliage, skim close to the water channels, and dive past weathered temple ruins.
"This plot gives us a lot to work with," Markus explained, pointing to the section just behind the walkthrough's exit. "It's large enough for a complete two-launch circuit without overwhelming the area, and it allows us to integrate the ride's story with the log flume."
Walter nodded approvingly. "This will make the Jungle Zone the largest and most immersive part of the park. Guests could easily spend half their day here."
Lucas studied the site plan, imagining the trains bursting from the launch tunnel into sunlight, framed by the same rockwork style that already gave Jungle Splash Adventure its identity. "It has to feel like it's been here forever," he said. "No seams between the old and new."
Elena slid the contract toward him. "If we start as soon as the permits are cleared, we're looking at twelve months from groundbreaking to opening."
Lucas picked up the pen. For a moment, he thought of the announcement he'd made back in May — promising the largest transformation in the park's history. This was the centrepiece that would complete it.
The pen scratched across the final signature line.
"Congratulations," Markus said, offering his hand. "You've just commissioned an Intamin."
Lucas shook it firmly. "And in a year, the Jungle Zone will be something people will travel across Europe to see."
Outside, the distant roar of Jungle Splash Adventure's drop echoed through the window — a reminder of what the park could already deliver, and a promise of what was still to come.
Two days after signing the contract, Lucas and Walter drove into the nearby town, the morning sun glinting off the roofs as they pulled up to the sandstone façade of the town hall. The building looked much the same as it had decades ago — neat, solid, a little formal — but today it felt like the gateway to the next stage of Elysion Park's future.
Inside, the mayor's office smelled faintly of polished wood and fresh coffee. Mayor Claudia Reinhardt, a tall woman in her late fifties with sharp eyes softened by a warm smile, rose from behind her desk.
"Mr. Brandt, Mr. Vermeer," she greeted, shaking each of their hands. "I understand you're here with something… significant?"
Lucas smiled politely. "Two projects, actually. One major, one smaller — but both important to the park and the region."
Walter laid a rolled site plan on her desk, gently unfastening the tie. The paper unfurled to show the Jungle Zone, with the bold outline of the new coaster site beside Secrets of the Silk Road and Jungle Splash Adventure. Next to it was a smaller drawing of the flat ride plot in another section of the park.
"The coaster will take longer — about twelve months after breaking ground," Lucas explained. "The flat ride could be ready for the start of next season."
Mayor Reinhardt studied the drawings, then looked up. "You've certainly been busy since the reopening. Visitor numbers have… more than doubled, if my reports are correct."
Lucas kept his tone even. "We've invested heavily in improving the experience. These new additions are part of making sure that growth lasts."
She tapped the coaster section with one neatly manicured finger. "This will be visible from the highway, yes?"
Walter nodded. "That's the idea. It'll be a visual signature for the park — a reason for people driving past to decide they have to stop."
The mayor leaned back, considering. "I'll need the usual environmental and safety documentation, but if that all checks out, I don't see a reason to delay the permits. The park is good for the local economy — I'd like to see it continue that way."
Lucas felt a quiet relief settle in. "We'll have the full paperwork to your office within the week."
As they left the building, Walter glanced over with a faint grin. "Step one done. Now all we need is everything else."
Lucas chuckled. "And we've only got twelve months for the big one."
Outside, the church bells rang the hour, the sound carrying faintly toward the direction of the park — and the ground that would soon be transformed.