The group made their way toward the bustling docks, where a bright yellow, two-story submarine awaited them, its sleek, rounded design was adorned with intricate engravings and reinforced plating that shimmered in the sunlight.
Standing atop the vessel was an elf with an unusually long, braided silver beard that reached his waist. His pointed ears peeked out from beneath a worn leather cap, and his nimble hands worked skillfully to adjust a panel on the submarine's roof.
The elf glanced down at the approaching group, his keen eyes immediately landing on Volhcard, "Ah, my dear friend," he called out in a deep Keltrian accent. "She's ready to dive down and if I say so myself, she's got a fine groove to her, doesn't she, lad?"
Volhcard chuckled, spinning his staff effortlessly in his hands before replying in fluent Keltrian.
The elf raised an impressed eyebrow, and grinned. "Didn't know dwarves could speak Keltrian... That's a bloody good surprise to see for once."
The old elf leaped gracefully off the submarin, landing with practiced ease. Extending his hand, a calm smile spread across his weathered face as he said, "Payment for my services, if you please."
Volhcard pulled out a small pouch and placed it in the elf's hand with a nod ofc acknowledgement. Turning back to the group, he gestured toward the submarine and called out,
"Alright, let's get a move on, all aboard!"
However as Idol stepped forward to enter, Volhcard shot him a knowing look. "You're not going to fit in there, big guy. You're a bit too... hefty. Let the others handle this one while we go on our own little venture."
Theo glanced back at Volhcard who had Idol right next to him, raising an eyebrow, "You sure? I mean this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet a deity?"
Volhcard simply gave him thumbs, Theo nodding in response got inside the submarine.
Stepping into the submarine, Yuni was immediately met with a bewildering amount of controls—levers, dials, and glowing runes etched into every surface, all seemingly arranged with no rhyme or reason.
Her confused expression was enough to make Jae sigh and shut down mentally, deciding to give up before even trying to understand.
Meanwhile, Sticky let out a soft gurgling noise, contentedly snoozing atop Theo's head as if oblivious to the chaos around them.
Theo was already beginning to regret taking the lead, but he chose not to voice his frustration. Instead, he focused his energy in meticulously inspecting the controls of the submarine, his sharp eyes scanning every lever and rune with unwavering attention.
After a careful inspection, Theo finally decided to flip a red switch and pull two levers. The submarine rumbled to life, its mechanisms whirring and humming as it began to power up.
Theo let out a sigh of relief as he grabbed a circular rune, which appeared to function as the submarine's steering wheel.
Yuni smirked and clapped her hands slowly, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she said, "Well done, captain. Truly inspiring work."
Theo shot her a deadpan stare, his expression unreadable, yet Yuni knew all to well how annoyed he was at this moment.
He carefully maneuvered the submarine, guiding it through the depths with precision and cautiousness until they reach their destination.
Chuckling softly, Yuni slung her right arm around Theo's neck, a mischievous grin on her neck.
"So, tell me," she teased, "how's it feel being the Ragtag's leader?"
Just as Theo was about to reply, his hand instinctively yanked the rune, bringing the submarine to an abrupt halt.
His eyes widened in stunned astonishment as he took in the breathtaking sight in front of him.
As Yuni and the others were about to complain, their words caught in their throats as they followed Theo's gaze.
Before them lay magnificent ruins that stood at 150 meters tall which were crafted from coral stone combined with obsidian which shimmered in the dim light, surrounded by vibrant coral reefs and an array of colorful marine life.
The calls of whales, the chatters of fish, the distant growls of sharks, and all other marine life blended together, creating an ethereal symphony that echoed through the ruins.
As the submarine drew closer, the massive chained gates began to rise, unveiling a stunning palace of white and bluish stone that shimmered like a dream in the underwater light.
They were all left speechless by the breathtaking sight before them. Sticky who was the quickest to snap out of their stunned silence, they let out a soft gurgling noise which loosely translated to,
"Those two are really missing out on this masterpiece..."
Jae nodded in agreement, while Theo brought the submarine to a halt, his eyes still fixed on the palace.
He reached for his blunderbuss with a determined look.
"Let's get moving." his voice steady and focused.
....
Deep within the palace, the same tall pale man with flowing blue hair, standing at 8'5, gazed coldly at Aralia, who was chained and battered.
His expression was a cruel yet strangely calm, almost detached. "I can feel it," he said, his voice low and eerie. "You're friends they've come for Mother—and for you."
Water coiled around his hand, shaping into a dark blue trident crackling with dark lightning. He raised it slowly, aiming the weapon at Aralia.
Tiliting his head slightly, his voice was unnervingly calm, yet filled with an unsettling malice. "You will die—and so will you're friends... Like pigs to a slaughter."
With great effort, Aralia lifted her head, her eyes meeting the man's with unwavering determination.
She coughed up blood, but still spoke through the pain, her voice fierce, "No. You will die... Because they are bestest kindest people I've ever known—even if it has only been two weeks!"
"Ack!" Aralia groaned
The pale man snarled, his grip tightening around her neck as he leaned close, the cold point of the trident against her left cheek.
"Who are you to decide my fate, rat?" he hissed, his voice dripping with cruelty. His eyes glowed a dark crimson, no longer the oceanic blue, a terrifying shift in his demeanor
Despite the tightened grip around her neck, Aralia managed to scoff at him, her voice filled with defiance. She spat at his face, a mocking smile tugging at her lips, "Whatever you say, stranger."
The man released his grip on her neck, his expression darkening with malice. Without warning, he drove the trident through her stomach, twisting it cruelly as he met her gaze with a twisted smile.
"You're funny." he sneered, his chuckle low and dark as he shoved the trident deeper into her.
Just as the trident was about to pierce through, the pale man froze, sensing a presence nearby. "A vessel of Laguna?" he murmured in disbelief, his eyes narrowing. Reluctantly, he withdrew the trident from her, his grip tightening in frustration.
Then, he felt another presence—an aura so divine, so powerful, it rivaled his own. The realization sent a surge of loathing through him, "So you're calling for help, wretched brother?" he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt.
His hatred for his own brother consumed him so completely that he momentarily forgot about Aralia. Fury burning in his chest, he stormed out of the dark chambers, his fists clenched causing the trident to vanish into water.
"You just won't quit, will you? Damn you, you wretched bastard!" he spat, his voice seething with rage.
.....
Sometime after the group separated to find Aralia. A small blue duck waddled weakly, its movements sluggish. It was then that it crossed paths with Yuni, who, for the first time in her life, found something truly adorable.