One by one, the Goats climbed into the Scarab.
Their battered Thokcha prototypes scraped against the doorway and knocked against the benches as they shuffled inside. Dust clung to their hair and settled into every seam. Cracked plates hung crookedly over scorched fabric, and the marks of the forge trials followed them across the polished floor in a trail of grit.
Zax turned sideways to bring Bonk through the entrance, then carefully lowered his sleeping brother onto a leather bench. Behind him, Miki and Ren hauled Renuardo over the threshold. With a final effort, they helped him onto the seat beside them, where he slumped back with a weary breath.
Miki looked down at the battered gear hanging over her clothes, then studied what remained of Ren’s armor.
“I would’ve liked to see how you looked in it, Ren… but we don’t really have much armor left.”
Ren glanced down at himself and lifted one damaged piece with his fingers. It shifted with a small, unhappy clink.
Miki sighed. The little tiara in her hair caught the warm light of the floating crystals.
Silarias stopped beside a wooden table and looked around at the others. Then he turned toward Davinci, who was already sitting comfortably with one leg crossed over his knee.
“Uhh… Davinci? Are we really going out to eat like this? We look terrible.”
Davinci surveyed the dust, the torn fabric, and the crooked plates. A low chuckle escaped him.
“Oh, children…”
He uncrossed his legs and set the tip of his cane against the floor.
TAP.
A clear note travelled beneath the benches.
TAP.
The damaged fittings trembled. Miki caught Ren’s sleeve and looked down as the dust around their boots began to lift.
TAP.
On the third strike, the change swept through them.
A shimmer of ether spread across the battered prototypes. Cracked plates drew together, damaged fittings straightened, and torn fabric closed beneath them. Soot lifted from sleeves and collars, and dust vanished from their skin and hair. Their personal prototype gear settled neatly over their restored clothes, each set retaining its own shape and fittings. Across those different designs, the shared Goats details emerged from beneath the grime: the sun insignia and fine golden accents, worked into each outfit without concealing its wearer’s individual style. On some, the markings followed the contours of protective plates; on others, they lay against lighter fabric. The fur mantles draped over their shoulders shook free of grit and fell cleanly into place, bringing the group’s appearance together. Their heads remained uncovered, and their familiar weapons and belongings stayed with them.
The warmth reached beneath the gear. Miki felt the sting leave her knee as the scrape closed. Burns faded, bruises cleared, and the deep ache of the trials loosened its grip on their muscles. Steady strength returned with each breath.
On the benches, Bonk stirred and opened his eyes. He sat up slowly, blinking at the others, his expression clear and calm. Beside him, Renuardo flexed his fingers, lifted both arms, and planted his feet firmly on the floor. The weakness that had left him unable to stand was gone.
He rose cautiously, then looked straight at Davinci.
“Oh. Now you do that.”
Miki immediately checked her hair. The little tiara was still there.
“Oh!”
She turned toward Ren, tugging happily at her restored clothes. Around them, the others inspected their sleeves, brushed hands over clean collars, and exchanged astonished looks. Someone laughed. Beat held out both arms, examining himself as though he expected the soot to come back.
Nyx looked down at her clothes, then up at Silarias.
He was already looking at her.
They turned toward Davinci together.
“Wait…” Silarias began.
“You could’ve done that earlier?” Nyx asked.
Davinci gave a small, thoroughly unhelpful chuckle and settled back into his seat.
“Hehe… So, children. None of you are afraid of water, I hope?”
Before either of them could press him, the Scarab’s entrance sealed shut with a deep mechanical click.
A low vibration ran through the floor. The floating lights swayed gently above the tables, and for a few moments there was only the hum of the vehicle around them.
Then the vibration faded.
Davinci rose and gestured toward the exit.
The massive, gold-black wing of the Scarab folded upward with a raw, powerful hydraulic hiss and a discharge of hot steam.The confusion still lingering inside the vehicle instantly turned into pure, paralyzing shock. Beyond the open doorway lay no mountain path, no familiar landscape, and not a single known city. Outside, there was nothing but an endless, deep blue mass of water gently swaying against an invisible, almost imperceptibly vibrating boundary.“AAAARGH! WE’RE DROWNING! WE’RE GONNA DIE!” little Miki screamed in panic. Her voice cracked completely as she grabbed Ren by the shoulders and unceremoniously yanked him behind the nearest leather-upholstered bench. Ren squeezed his eyes tight shut, clutched Miki’s sleeve, and stayed there holding his breath, trembling like a leaf.Silarias, who was standing at the front to be the first to step out, stumbled forward near the entrance due to the sudden shift in light. He flailed his arms wildly through the air, utterly convinced he was about to plunge tens of meters deep into the harsh ocean.This is it, flashed through Silarias’ head like a rocket as the depths below beckoned. Cleaned up just to drown at the bottom of the sea. We haven’t even eaten yet.But not a single drop fell. No ice-cold water entered his lungs.The entire path directly beneath the opened wing leading up to the entrance of the destination was completely dry. A mighty, gently rippling ether barrier effortlessly held back the colossal, multi-thousand-ton mass of water. Before them lay a rough stone walkway, deeply carved into weathered, black granite, winding with a gentle curve across the pitch-black ocean floor. The path led directly to a colossal, almost monumental structure sheltered under a gigantic, glowing ether dome that kept the water at bay like a glass bubble.The restaurant itself looked as if it had been carved straight out of a forgotten, ancient era. Thick, rough stone blocks formed gigantic arches resting with heavy, brute pressure on massive coral pillars. Across the weathered masonry grew thick mats of bioluminescent deep-sea moss and glowing algae, casting a soft, warm golden-green radiance over the wooden tables. Heavy oak benches, soaked in resin and studded with heavy copper rivets, were arranged around enormous blocks of stone serving as tables. Suspended above their heads were rusty, thumb-thick chains holding hollowed-out prehistoric seashells filled with liquid, pulsing ether light, bathing the dark corners of the hall in a mysterious glow.Slowly, step by step, the twenty Goats left the vehicle, their boots sounding against the dry granite. Bonk walked beside Zax, while Renuardo followed Miki and Ren under his own strength. The clean fur mantles shifted over their restored prototype gear with every step.Above and beside them, schools of unknown, glowing fish swam past, their scales shimmering like floating stars in the deep. But further down in the dark, unfathomable abyss of the ocean, the grotesque silhouettes of gigantic sea monsters took shape. Bizarre deep-sea creatures with rows of glowing fins, giant serpents, and colossal Leviathans tens of meters long moved slowly and majestically through the dark blue depths.“WOAAHH! LOOK LOOK LOOK! What is that crazy thing?!” Miki and Ren shouted almost simultaneously. Their fear melted into wonder. With wide eyes and half-open mouths, Miki practically pressed her face against the vibrating ether wall, while Ren leaned so far forward his nose nearly touched the barrier.Davinci strolled casually beside them, the bottom of his wooden staff planting on the stone path with a dry, clear tap with every step.“This restaurant has maintained a no-war rule for this entire area for generations,” Davinci spoke in a calm, deep voice. He didn’t even look up at the gigantic shadows gliding past above them. “Out of sheer respect, all these sea monsters protect this specific location. The Leviathans, the deep-sea serpents, the ocean giants… Not a single beast attacks this zone. It is a sacred, inviolable sanctuary at the bottom of the world.”As Davinci spoke, a herd of grotesque seahorses galloped through the current just outside the barrier with graceful, powerful movements. Almost immediately after, a figure riding on the back of a gigantic, moss-covered sea turtle floated past. The figure on the shell noticed the unusual group on the walkway, smiled broadly, revealing a row of razor-sharp yet friendly teeth, and gave a cheerful wave.Miki waved back with a giant grin, while Ren stood on his tiptoes to see what kind of clothing the rider was wearing.Nicola kept his steps tight and controlled, but his eyes were working overtime. His sharp gaze scanned every detail, every ripple in the water, and every movement in the depths. Absolutely nothing escaped him.What kind of insane place is this? Nicola thought to himself, his hand resting instinctively against the fabric beside his Etherheart. This isn’t in any standard logbook from back home. Not a single map we’ve been given so far has these coordinates. How the hell does Davinci know a path leading straight to the heart of the ocean depths? Does the Council even know this place exists?Nicola stared intently at the teacher. “Davinci… What are those creatures? And where in the world are we really?”Davinci burst out laughing. “Haha! Still so much to learn, I see! The one who just waved to Miki? That was a Thalassian, from the Thalassari race. According to old, long-forgotten stories, the first Thalassari was not born as other creatures are. The ocean itself once gained consciousness. And that consciousness formed a physical body to behold the world above the surface of the water. That’s why some Thalassari believe their race doesn’t simply live in the ocean… The ocean lives through them.”Davinci raised his arm and pointed the engraved tip of his staff toward a dark, deep ocean trench, where a serpent-like monster with gleaming, golden scales and razor-sharp dorsal fins wound through the water.“And those over there… Those are Worldcoils and Aquatic Dragons,” Davinci continued, his voice taking on a solemn gravity. “But one Dragon King once broke the ancient rules. He opened a Heavenly River entirely. The world above the water back then was almost completely flooded and wiped off the map. Ever since, he has been named in ancient chronicles: The Dragon Who Drowned Heaven. Nobody knows where he slumbers nowadays… or when he will wake.”Davinci strolled along casually, threw his cloak over his shoulder, and kept talking dryly as if discussing yesterday’s weather. “Then you have the Moontiders, the Riverkins, and many more, but all in good time…” He stopped abruptly, turned around with a broad, almost irritating smirk toward the twenty students, and clapped his hands. “Which is why you are all attending classes tomorrow.”A collective sigh of frustration rose from the twenty students.“CLASSES?!” Beat yelled out, pressing his hands against his head. “We just spent all day in a forge! Can’t we get a break?”“A bit more respect for knowledge, Beat,” Faustus muttered in his low, calm voice, though he sounded no more eager to discuss tomorrow’s lessons.They stepped through the broad arch of the ether dome and entered the grotesque dining hall.The air meeting them smelled intensely of salty seawater, roasted fatty meat, pungent herbs, and grilled spices. The space was truly gigantic. Hundreds of creatures from various aquatic races sat everywhere at heavy stone and coral tables. Foam from brimming mugs spilled over the table edges, and the sound of booming voices and strange languages filled the hall.At a long, iron-reinforced table sat the Abyssborn: the absolute, natural warriors of the oceans. A mighty, dangerous hybrid of Sharkfolk, Sea Serpents, and Ocean Spirits. Their humanoid bodies were covered in thick, armor-like skin that looked as though it could repel any sword strike. Sharp, black fins protruded from their backs, their jaws were filled with rows of razor-sharp shark teeth, and their muscular tails rested heavily on the stone floor. Their senses were absurdly developed through their Blood Current, allowing them to feel the smallest movements and changes in fluids miles away.According to legend, their most infamous warrior, Maraak, The Red Fin, was once trapped in a bloody ocean following a massive, devastating naval battle. He simply followed the current of blood back to its exact origin, found an isolated island, and everyone living there vanished without a trace a single night later. Ever since, the Abyssborn have had a well-known saying: When the sea turns red, we do not swim away. We swim toward it.A little further, at smaller tables near a trickling water spring, sat the Riverkins: small, amphibious creatures with smooth skin, webbed fingers, large round eyes, and a hard ether-shell plate on the back of their heads. Their skin color varied depending on the river they originated from. Through their River Recall, they remained spiritually connected to their Home River forever.An old story existed about a Riverkin child who lost his river during a great war and searched for thousands of years across the world. When he finally found and touched a single, forgotten drop of his ancient river in a deep cavern, the entire lost river reappeared in full glory within the world. Their steadfast belief was simple: A river can die. But its memory cannot.And in the darkest, most secluded corners of the hall glided the Deep Ones: mysterious, squid-like figures with multiple flexible arms, tentacles dragging across the floor, enormous dark eyes absorbing the slightest bit of light, and bioluminescent patterns pulsing over their supple, fluid bone structure.The twenty students looked around in amazement, tension, and a touch of fear. Lyn froze up completely due to the overwhelming, almost threatening impressions of the hall. In pure panic, she grabbed Nicola’s hand.“I… Uhh… Nicola… Do you know what’s happening here?!” Lyn whispered with a trembling, almost inaudible voice.Nicola tried to keep his own heart rate under control. He gave her hand a brief, reassuring squeeze and offered her a firm, confident nod, while his eyes continued scanning the gigantic space with its stone arches, roaring deep-sea creatures, and flickering shell lamps.“Just stay close to me and the rest, Lyn. No sudden moves. Just take it all in,” Nicola spoke in a hushed voice.Nicola attempted to take in every detail, from the heavy copper taps pouring murky, foaming dragon beer to the jagged teeth of the creatures devouring whole chunks of roasted meat.If all hell breaks loose here, Nicola thought rapidly, the twenty of us are going to have a serious fight on our hands, even after whatever Davinci just did. We are standing right in the middle of their territory.Suddenly, a deep, jarring, gurgling voice reverberated through the entire hall. The sound was so heavy that the hanging shell lamps above their heads began to vibrate softly. It sounded as if an ancient sea monster were speaking directly from an underwater trench.“Mmm… You are new…”The entire, crowded hall fell dead silent in a single instant.The clattering of copper mugs and heavy cutlery on stone tables abruptly ceased. The booming conversations suffocated in the throats of the diners. Hundreds of eyes from sharks, deep-sea monsters, amphibians, and squid beings turned slowly, synchronously, and intently toward the twenty Goats.The pressure in the room spiked to a boiling point in a single second.Silarias swallowed so hard his throat ached. He didn’t move his head, but slowly looked out of the corner of his eye toward the old man standing beside him with complete nonchalance. Silarias spoke in a tiny, restrained whisper:“Ehh… Davinci… What now?!”