Chapter 19 – A Park Transformed
The crisp October air carried the scent of fresh wood and paint through Elysion Park. Lucas stood just inside the main gates, taking in the view. Explorer's Landing had set the tone months ago, but now… now the entire park matched its quality.
Stone-textured pathways stretched out ahead, etched with subtle map patterns that caught the autumn light. Wooden benches with copper-nautical armrests lined the walkways, surrounded by planters overflowing with exotic greenery. Ornamental lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, their glass catching glints of gold.
From here, each zone unfolded in its own story.
The Explorer Zone's "Max Around the World" stood proudly with its refreshed façade, flanked by colorful props and travel-themed murals.
The Jungle Zone's Elysion Expedition: Cursed Ruins loomed with dramatic stonework and overgrown vines, while the log flume's rock formations and temple gates drew constant streams of riders.
Guests were already noticing the difference.
"Feels like a whole new park," one man said, snapping photos near the carousel.
"It's so much more… complete," a woman replied, guiding her child toward Secrets of the Silk Road. "Everywhere you look, there's something to see now."
Small clusters of visitors stopped to pose beside stacked crates, globe sculptures, and explorer statues. Others simply strolled, listening to the newly added background music — a soft mix of strings, drums, and the faint call of distant birds.
Near the far end of the Jungle Zone, tall construction walls now cut across a section of pathway. A colorful sign read:
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Something Big is Coming – Opening Summer 2017
Elysion Park is building a brand-new thrill for explorers of all ages. Stay tuned.
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A second set of walls had appeared near the park's western edge, where the future flat ride would be built. That sign simply teased: "New Adventure – 2017".
Lucas stood just far enough back to watch guests' reactions without being noticed. Some were already speculating.
"Must be a roller coaster," a teenage boy said to his friend.
"Or a dark ride," she guessed. "Look how close it is to the log flume."
Lucas smiled faintly. The truth was sealed away in signed contracts — one for the coaster, one for the flat ride. Both would change the park forever.
And for now, he let the guests enjoy the mystery.
Two days after the theming reveal, the early morning hum of machinery echoed through Elysion Park. Construction crews were already at work behind the high walls in the Jungle Zone. The air smelled faintly of damp soil and diesel.
Lucas walked the perimeter with Walter, clipboard in hand. From certain angles, they could see over the fence: surveyors marking out the coaster's footprint, workers unloading rebar and wooden formwork for the foundations.
"They're moving quick," Walter said, slowing near the bend in the path where Secrets of the Silk Road ended. "If they keep this pace, your summer opening is realistic."
Lucas nodded, keeping his expression neutral even though the system had already confirmed the timeline. "Let's just make sure it's done right."
They moved on toward the park's western edge. Here, the flat ride site was smaller, but no less active. A backhoe carved into the ground, while a delivery truck idled nearby with crates marked Ride Components – Fragile.
Walter glanced at the sign on the fence: New Adventure – 2017.
"Any guesses from the guests?"
"Plenty," Lucas said. "Some think it's a spinning ride, others a drop tower. No one's guessed the real answer yet."
Back in the main walkway, they passed a group of teenagers debating loudly.
"It's definitely a coaster," one boy insisted.
"In both spots?" his friend challenged. "That's overkill."
Lucas allowed himself a faint smile. Let them wonder. The real reveals would come in time — and until then, the mystery was half the fun.
As they returned toward the office, he glanced back at both construction zones. Steel and machinery for now, but soon… themed adventures to rival anything in Europe.
Late that evening, Lucas sat in his office with a cup of tea, scrolling through the fan forum ParkTalk Europe. The new photos of Elysion Park's completed theming had already sparked multiple threads — and the speculation was running wild.
> ThrillHunter92: "If you've seen the new Jungle Zone rockwork, you know they could do an insane dark ride. Imagine the detail level, but indoors."
> LoopMaster: "Nah, I'm betting coaster. That construction site is way too big for just a dark ride building."
> ThemeDreamer: "Whatever it is, the Explorer's Landing set the standard. If the rest of the park matches that quality, Elysion could become a serious contender in Europe."
One comment caught his eye:
> MysticRails: "Part of me hopes for a boat ride through a massive temple. The log flume looks great, but imagine the atmosphere they could pull off in total darkness…"
Lucas leaned back, a faint smile playing on his lips. If only they knew that behind those walls in the Jungle Zone, the foundations for a new coaster would soon be set. And the smaller site? A flat ride, not a drop tower or spinning contraption as so many had guessed.
For now, the secrets were safe — and the anticipation was building exactly the way he wanted.
October 20th, 2016.
Lucas closed the blinds in his office, shutting out the late afternoon sun. It was time to see exactly where Elysion Park stood.
"System," he thought, "show me the current funds."
A familiar translucent panel flickered into view.
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📊 Current Balance — October 20th, 2016
Park Budget (real funds): €8,900,000
System Funds (project use only): €24,000,000
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He opened a second window — one that listed ongoing commitments.
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Active Projects:
Park-wide theming overhaul – €10,000,000 (system funds, completed October 2016)
Jungle Coaster (Intamin Family Launch) – €9,000,000 (system funds, signed September 2016)
Jungle Coaster theming – €600,000 (system funds, in-house crew)
Flat Ride – Western Edge – €1,200,000 (park budget, signed September 2016)
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That meant €9.6 million had already been committed from system funds, and €1.2 million from the park budget.
He leaned back, doing the math in his head. Plenty of funds remained — enough to keep investing, but also a cushion for operational security.
His mind wandered to smaller additions: a second F&B outlet near the flat ride, more shaded seating, maybe even a small-scale family attraction for the 2018 season to keep momentum after the coaster's debut.
For now, he decided, it was better to wait until both construction projects were well underway before committing more. The theming had already elevated the park's reputation — now it was time for the rides to prove Elysion Park could deliver thrills as well as atmosphere.
Outside, the distant sound of drilling and hammering carried on the breeze. The future was already being built.