Breathe in. Breathe out. Simple. All it'd take to heal was time.

I let go, my muscles relaxing as the air left my body. I was still sprawled out on the floor, waiting for the burnin', constricted sensation in my chest to ease up. Even after all this, I wasn't about to risk gettin' serious Soulburn, so if waiting was all I had to do, then I'd do it. Lying flat on my back, my eyes were focused on the white lights above. Maybe starin' at the training hall's lights wasn't that good for the eyes, but I'd be fine. It helped me keep myself sane, doin' this over and over.

Slowly, my eyes drifted shut. I took a long, deep breath, and got to my feet. The tightness in my chest had passed once more. Now, it was time to try again.

I pressed both hands against my back, stretching a little after my latest break spent lying on the floor. Once I felt a little less stiff, I got right back to it. Letting out the breath from before, I called on my Soul once again. Trainin' like this felt a little pointless now, but I had to try, if nothing else.

With my next deep breath, I felt my body shift as my Soul did its work. My lungs and chest expanded, inflating like a balloon as the Aera within me warped and transformed. I tried to change it up a little, to make the end result just that little bit different. I put real force into this one! With no small amount of elbow grease, I'd make this one bigger and better than ever, a new breakthrough that'd make my teammates shocked that growth like this came from me of all-

I couldn't hold the breath. I exhaled, my jaws spreading wide as a large egg spilled out of my mouth alongside globs of spit. It was a little larger than the others, so I had some hope. My webbed hands clenched into fists as I eagerly awaited to see the fruits of my labour!

The egg shook. Then it cracked. And then, the Familiar crawled out.

It was... a little bigger than the others. Not by much, even if the egg had grown. Another avenue exhausted as the pain in my chest came back with a burnin' vengeance. Plain old size wasn't the answer either.

Gasping for breath, I made my way to the wall, reaching for a bottle of water I'd brought and left on the fold out 'table' at the side of the room. I took long, greedy gulps to fill my body back up, even if it didn't make the pain any easier to deal with.

I planted the plastic container back where I'd gotten it once I'd drained the whole thing in a single go. It fell on its side as I put it down, joining nearly a dozen other empty plastic bottles. Next to it was that newspaper I'd brought with me, too. I'd tried to read it a little between breaks, but my eyes and thoughts kept goin' back to that article. No matter what I read after it, that one bit always kept resurfacin'. It was a section I'd been reminded of the other night, one that popped up outta nowhere in a moment of weakness. An option that seemed to relentlessly hound me wherever my body and mind were.

With a sigh, I stepped forward, hopping up to sit on the edge of the table, castin' my eyes around the room.

It was a mess, but thankfully for me, I wouldn't need to lift a broom or brush to clean it. The floor was littered with broken transparent eggs and the bodies of dead Familiars. Some of 'em had minor differences. Extra eyes. Sharper claws. Two sets of teeth. One of 'em had a pair of nubbly wings, even if the poor thing couldn't even fly with 'em.

I'd gotten up early while the others were still sleepin' like young back in the Brain Gal's room. I'd been mopin' around in this little hall for a while, trainin' to the point of Soulburn for nothing. Delayin' the inevitable. I'd tried to improve my Familiars without success. Size, shape, power. I could make small changes, but they were insignificant in the end. Nothin' that could bridge that gap of power I'd seen and felt yesterday.

Shame, wasn't it? I tried for a smile, a forlorn shadow of a thing. Between the pounding flame in my chest and the feelings bumping around inside me, I didn't have the energy to keep the smile going.

With a sigh, I lay back against the table, staring up at the harsh white light above once again.

Why was I botherin' with all this? I wouldn't have tried all this stuff and gone through so much effort back home, would I? I was even the first person up, for the Priestess' sake! The others were always up and outta bed before me!

Nah. I couldn't help it. I wouldn't have done all this back home, but I wasn't home anymore, was I? This place was... different. Nicer, brighter, bigger, and better than anything I'd ever known before now. The food, the space, the company. I'd never been much of a talker, obviously, but I'd done more 'talking' in my brief time hangin' around this place than I had in my entire life before now. It was a little frightening, how much I'd grown to like the place. The feelin' had snuck up on me, like an Isonade or Shark stalking its prey before dealing that one big, fatal bite. Before I'd even been able to see those feelings comin', they were already upon me.

My chest expanded again, takin' in long, deep breaths of the stagnant hall air as I waited for my Soul to stop pulsin' with pain. I hopped to my webbed feet, legs shaking beneath me as I stepped away from the table.

Time to try again.

My chest expanded. The egg popped out. The Familiar was the same.

I'd been tryin' hard at this for a few days now, but nothin' worked. This was my best ability, but I couldn't develop it any further even if I needed to, and I suspected I knew the reason, too.

The Brain Gal had talked about it a few times before. Magic was a 'reflection' of the person usin' it. But... I was just a simple [Hermit]. There wasn't 'much' to me. I was a tiny puddle, while those four were sprawling, sparklin' oceans. There wasn't a whole lot of me to 'reflect', far as I could see.

I couldn't develop my magic any further because there wasn't anythin' to develop from. I knew that battle yesterday was important. Both the Cat Woman and the Unicorn Kid had fought really damn well! It had been shockin', to see how much better they'd gotten, especially the kid. Even the person who'd been told not to fight had done more than me.

They were all growin' more and more, and I was just... nothin', really. It was... a little disheartenin'.

I wasn't a complex fella. I had no powerful drive or ambition, no strong emotion or faith. I was a carefree, relaxed guy, one willin' to go wherever the tide took me. I would've followed the others wherever they'd gone, just because it was easier than doin' anything for myself. Shame none of that translated into power, not in any way I could see.

I couldn't just lay back and let them do it all. Yesterday had taught me that much. If I just did nothin'... well, I'd be useless. If I was alone that'd be fine, but that wasn't enough here, was it? If I wanted to stick around, I'd need to pull my weight. If I didn't, my group would be only three folks strong.

If those crazies got their war and won, this place of peace and comfort might just go under. I didn't want to lose the food, or the comfort, or... well... the community, I suppose. I'd grown to like it here.

I could leave Equinox and not drag the others down, but I'd feel terrible about it, and so would they. Especially the kid. He wasn't ready for that sort of thing to happen, not after the Slime Boy left too. I couldn't get stronger, and I couldn't leave. It was a lose/lose.

I'd let myself get attached and cozy with all this, so there was no helpin' it. If I didn't do somethin', I'd lose my income, my place to stay, and all the great food around here.

I could've taken the lazy way out, chalked it up to my age or their natural talent, but... I knew laziness was my biggest enemy right about now, even if it had always been my closest companion before comin' here. I needed to take action, like the others had.

Gods above, even the Brain Gal had been willin' to really put in the work, even while recoverin' from injuries and Soulburn far worse than mine! The kid had been comin' here day in and day out, practicin' and trainin'. I didn't know what the Cat Woman was goin' through, but she nearly let herself get beaten black and blue to try and grow.

They were all puttin' themselves on the line, and what was I doing?

People didn't treat losers well 'round here. After what I'd seen that Orc fella go through, that much was clear. I wasn't about to let me or the others go through that.

Even if I couldn't make my magic any better, that wasn't the only way to grow.

Last night, I'd received a reminder. A reminder of somethin' I'd seen in that newspaper. Fate or chance, it didn't matter. The possibility had slapped me in the face last night, right when I'd been tryin' to drink and relax. It felt like a sign, somethin' divine, almost, that this is what I had to do.

I turned, my orange eyes fixed on the door to the hall. With a [Water Sphere] in my hand, I swept up the spit and mucus, mixing it with the liquid I controlled before dumpin' it in a basin by the door. The broken shells and dead bugs would disappear on their own with time.

I didn't have much of an option if I needed to improve. Taking the first few steps towards the door, I tried to take deep breaths to get rid of the worst of the burn in my chest. I knew it'd wear off by the time I needed my Soul's services again, but the pain wasn't nice either. My webbed hand went forwards, reaching for the door to the hall, and-

It opened. Even before I'd touched it, the door opened.

Streiphen. The Unicorn Boy. He stood tall in that new blue jacket, carryin' around that freaky, mangled weapon of his. I didn't expect to see him around here this early.

"Oh! Good morning Fareel!" the boy chirped, glancing over my shoulder at the damp floor and the mess of broken shells and dead Familiars left in the basin. "Were you training? Do you want me to help you with your magic?"

Was it a big coincidence that he managed to find the hall that I'd been training in? Or... just Lady Fate tryin' to make things hard on me? Everythin' seemed determined to give me chance after chance to give up on the difficult option and just... take the easy path.

I wanted to, but... the Brain Gal and the Cat Woman would've done the hard thing for the good of the group too, so I needed to chip in.

I shook my head, tryin' to give the kid an easy smile that I couldn't help but feel probably looked... strained. I hoped he'd buy it.

"Oh... You don't want to train? Or... maybe you just finished. Guess I came at a bad time..." the boy murmured, looking over my expression before tilting his head to the side. "Are... are you okay, Fareel?"

I shrugged. How could I even answer that? I felt a little hollow, lookin' at him. I didn't wanna upset the kid or anything, but if I went through with all this and it worked, then I'd be a real asset to the team. If not...

Giving the boy a pat on the shoulder, I moved to walk past him and out into the hallway. I needed to get down to-

"Where're you going?" the boy asked from behind me, more urgency in his voice than I hoped there'd be.

He knew somethin' was up.

I paused. Maybe I could've patted my stomach or tried to lie, but... the kid was clever, persistent, and had a great intuition when it came to me. It was... better to just give it to 'em straight. He was prob'ly sick of people not tellin' him how it was anyway. I pointed upwards. Towards the surface.

"Oh, are you going for a walk?" Streiphen asked, his starry eyes filling with relief. "I could come with you!"

I shook my head.

"Oh, okay... Miss Sigura prefers to run with faster people too, but I'll be able to jog with her soon, when I can catch up!" he chirped back, his eyes still locked firmly on mine, as if holding me in place.

The Cat Woman wouldn't like this 'walk' either. Don't worry, little buddy.

"When will you be back?" he asked, voice firm. "Do you... wanna get food afterwards? Breakfast? I'll pay."

I gave a wiggle of my hand. There wasn't any way to answer when I'd be back.

"Okay... Stay safe, alright?" Streiphen replied, his voice... subdued. I gave him an awkward, delayed nod in return. I didn't know how 'safe' this'd be, or how it'd all turn out. I had no real way to know, so I just had to... go with the flow on this.

I turned away, taking another step towards the corridor before I heard heavy footsteps pounding against the floor behind me. The boy's arms wrapped around my body, holding me in place as he laid his cheek against the back of my head. The white horn protruding from his forehead lay side by side against the fin atop my scalp.

"You... You've had a really weird look in your eyes Fareel. I don't like it," Streiphen murmured, clutching me tight. I didn't move. "I... I've seen it for a few days now, and you haven't said what's happening. I... I really, really don't like it. Will..."

The boy's words seized up in his throat. I felt water running down along the back of my head.

"You'll come back, won't you?" he whispered. "You're not... leaving?"

Jeez... The Gods were really takin' pleasure in tormentin' me on this. The kid's intuition is way too sharp for his own good. It wasn't... gonna be as easy to lie about that. With a trembling arm, I reached up to hold one of the kid's hands in my own, giving it a squeeze.

He let go, taking a step back away from me. I took the moment to turn back around towards him, giving the boy a nod.

I'd... do my best, to make sure this wasn't a permanent thing. Weird, huh? 'Doing my best'. This place really drew some strange things outta me.

"Are... how long will you be gone?" he asked, hurriedly wiping the tears in his eyes into his jacket. "An... afternoon? A day? A week?"

In the worst case scenario... well. Nah, I wouldn't think about it, and I wasn't about to burden the kid with thoughts like that either. I just needed to look sharp, think sharp, and go with the flow. That's what the [Shamans] back home advised, especially for this sorta stuff.

I reached out with one hand, squeezing the boy's shoulder one last time, giving him a smile that at least felt convincing to me. I could only hope he bought it as much as I did.

Then, I went for the newspaper I'd left on the table, folding it under my arm before I left the hall and the Unicorn Kid behind.

The walk was numbing. That fading, burnin' feeling in my chest was the least of my burdens right about now. I arrived at our room, planting a webbed hand against the plastic panel over the Selarium, blue light flowing into it as the doors opened up. My eyes lingered a little too long on my hand before I stepped inside.

The clothes I wore. The food I ate. The room we had. I would've had none of this stuff back home.

I climbed up the ladder to my bunk above that of the kid's, leaving the newspaper down on the messy sheets. I'd made sure to put it back to the first page, folding the paper neatly. I... ripped out the bit I didn't want them to see, just to try and make sure they didn't get any funny ideas. I knew they'd talk about what I removed, but I didn't want 'em to worry. They didn't know about this sorta stuff like I did, and it was for the best.

Sitting on the covers of the bed, I reached forwards into the pile of clothes in front of me. I wasn't that young a Fishfolk anymore, but I'd only started to do somethin' beyond calm and complacent survival without a care in the world since we snuck into this city. I'd gotten the taste of civilisation, and now I was hooked like a young Human on Satyr Leaves.

I wasn't an excitable person, but this was somethin'... new. I was surprised a feelin' like that interested me. It was a hassle, but one of the rare, real hassles I was willin' to do something to protect. To fight for, if I needed to.

Finding the coin pouch buried within the clothes pile, I took just enough for a meal from it, leaving the rest behind before leaping down to the floor. I hid the coins with the torn piece of newspaper within the collar of my wetsuit, quickening my pace as I walked out of the room.

I made my way through the hallways of the Velvet Star, quicker than I had before. I couldn't afford to mope around any longer. I had a job to do for this place, even if it was one I took myself. The 'pay' was just too good to pass up. What was that phrase I'd heard some of the people round here say? 'Can't teach an old Dog new tricks?' Might've been true, but even an old Dog like me could be given new toys.

I turned to the left, heading down the long, dark corridor as lights flickered on overhead, making my way towards the secret exit out into the alleyways of Divastyr.

This place might've been a little gaudy for my tastes, but the food here was fantastic. It was better than anything I'd ever eaten back home, and I wasn't about to give that up 'neither! Maybe I didn't deserve it yet, but I'd change that. If I didn't do anythin' to change, and this 'war' was lost, that food might not stick around.

If those artsy folk actually beat the Velvet Star, what would happen then? If this place all fell to ruin, I'd be back to square one. Nah. Worse. I couldn't just go back to the easy life after all these creature comforts, could I? I'd fallen into the trap of civilisation. It was a shame, maybe, but this was the situation I was in.

Glancing at the paintings on the walls as I went, I arrived at the end of the dark corridor. I climbed up the metal steps, reaching up to turn the latches keepin' the trap door firmly in place. I lifted it up, just a crack, to listen for the sounds of people. Footsteps on pavement and wagons on roads were far away, but none of 'em were close. Hearing that the coast was clear, I pushed open the door, hopping up into an empty, dank street before closing it behind me.

Should I have left a note or somethin' behind? To tell them I'd be back? That I was sorry for bein' a nuisance?

I shook my head. Couldn't waste time thinkin' about stuff like that. I had stuff to do.

With a deep breath flowing down into my lungs, I left the door behind as my legs took me out into the streets of Divastyr. The sky above was a dim blue, the sun partially obscured by a cluster of dark rollin' clouds. It wasn't the sort of sky that would warrant a day out, nor the sort of sky I bet the Brain Gal would want to see.

Still, beggars couldn't be choosers. Even if it looked like it'd rain, all I could do was hope there wouldn't be any hailstones.

I strode out into the sparse crowds wandering the streets, weavin' my way around people of all shapes and sizes with focused steps. Some of 'em rightfully threw their heads skyward, worried about the weather. Some people like myself didn't mind as much for one reason or another.

A lot of the buildings I passed were familiar. As I wound my way through the streets, I recognised some from my walks, and others from... fuzzy recollections. Snippets of places I'd never been from those funky dreams that slipped into my sleepin' mind every once in a while. They were always vague and foggy things that swam away from me the moment I woke up, but some stood out. I'd been able to put the pieces together from things the others had said, too. Parts of me had been attached to this place before I'd even come here. Parts of me that had been other people before Chimera did their work on us.

Even more reason not to let this place come to harm. If not for my sake, then for those who gave up the ghost to let me take the helm of this body. I couldn't just let it all go like that.

Even if the sparse crowds could be hard to walk through at times, it was nothin' compared to the lack of angry armed Orcs stompin' around lookin' for me or my teammates. It was pretty peaceful, just how I liked it. That'd change if this little 'war' didn't go our way, too. Back home, nothin' changed, it felt like. Life for civilised folk wasn't quite so peaceful and stagnant.

More than once, I came across a large puddle that called out to me like a Siren's song, but I held myself back the best I could. I was goin' somewhere today, and wanted to be at my best.

After walkin' for a while, I arrived at my first stop. A familiar restaurant, one with a blue coat of paint and a mural of crashing sea waves along the bottom. The 'Seashine Shell', a restaurant that I'd entered before without any coin to use, but this time I was ready for a good meal!

Following my nose, I let the scent of cooked seafood wafting through the air guide my path. I reached up high, pulling on the store's handle as a bell chimed overhead. It was a pleasant sound, one that felt more welcoming than the last time.

Walkin' inside, I didn't feel the need to run away or make a quick escape this time. I was high and dry, even if keepin' myself that way put a bit of a damper on my comfort.

There were people in here like last time, too. The air had changed since my last visit, if their looks were any indication. The people 'round the eatery still looked stunned, but worry had been replaced by wide eyes and murmured chatter. Somethin' different to before, and not just the dark whispers of blind distrust.

Just like the first time, I didn't pay much mind to those sittin' at tables and couch-like seats. I let me feet carry me to the source until I stood at the counter.

My bright orange eyes traced over the words on the menu hangin' high above. A smile crept across my face as I was greeted with option after option. The civilised folk's Scandian script looked less alien to me now, given that I'd been reading it more and more as of late. Funny, how easily things like this could become commonplace with such little effort.

Beyond the counter was a rising cloud of steam, one that carried the delicious scent of cooked fish through the store, a scent that practically begged me to put my coin on the counter and get a helpin' for myself.

Like before, I could see the folks workin' here glancing towards me from their cauldrons and magic cookin' equipment. It wasn't the look of disgust I'd come to expect, but one of wariness. It wasn't a look that the Orc [Chef] who'd approached me last time shared.

"Welcome to the Seashine Shell," the gruff Orc said, arraving at the counter with arms crossed over his apron, beady eyes locked on my far shorter form. "You are Yakamoz, yes?"

Yeah. That's what was different. I nodded back to him, givin' him the confirmation he was looking for. People knew who I was nowadays. I wasn't just some freaky Chimera Fishfolk wanderin' the streets, but I was a member of Equinox. The Velvet Star. I was someone who was affiliated with prominent folks in the community, and they knew me because of that-

"Thank you, Yakamoz, for what you did yesterday," the Orc spoke, giving a bow of his head that left me feelin' more than a little bewildered. "My sister was a dear friend to Nemean, a brave warrior of this city honored by the monument you and your team guarded. I have been told what happened, and wish to extend my sincerest thanks. Their memory is one that deserves preservation."

Yup. Definitely not what I expected.

The air around here was different to the last time I visited. This time, there was the chatterin' of [Gossips] and rumormongers, but there wasn't a stark lack of hospitality. They were curious, but not quite as wary or hostile. I felt myself grinnin' at the thought as some of the folks around leaned outta the sides of their booths to look towards the counter.

I gave the Orc a thumbs up to go with my side order of grin.

"Are you here to order?" the Orc asked, to which I nodded, pointing up at my meal of choice on the menu.

The Orc reached a meaty finger upwards, drifting it along the menu while glancing back at me for better directions. Once the digit landed on the meal I wanted, I gave him a thumbs up.

"Few of your size order such a hefty meal," the Orc commented with a raised eyebrow. "An important day today, is it Yakamoz?"

I gave him a shrug. I had no real way of knowin' yet. Today was either gonna be a fruitless, average afternoon, or home to the biggest moment in my entire life.

"Do you have the coin?" the Orc asked, raising an eyebrow with a strange, pensive look in his eyes.

I nodded back to him, reaching into the collar of my skintight blue wetsuit to pull free a few gold coins.

"You would get plenty of change with this much," the Orc grinned, shaking his head. "But... I have no intention of charging you for food today, Yakamoz. You and your ilk were not dutybound to protect that monument, yet protect it you did. You are not of this city, but... Divastyr is lucky to have you."

Oh... Huh. That was... really nice to hear, actually. I responded with a sheepish grin, giving the big guy a hesitant, embarrassed nod as my hand went to stroke a fin at the back of my neck.

"Take the booth by the window, Yakamoz," the Orc told me, nodding towards a spot in the corner. "The food will be ready shortly."

Giving the guy a thumbs up, I made my way to the plush booth as I felt more eyes join those already on my back. The seats were pretty comfy, to the point where I practically sank into 'em! The table was within easy reach too, making it a good spot. The booth was right next to the window, giving me a good view of... well, the city. On its own, it was nothin' that I hadn't seen before. Towering buildings, people of all kinds, and... snow.

It was first time seein' the stuff fall since coming inside the city walls, but here it was. I shivered at the mere thought of goin' out in it afterwards, but at least I'd have good food in my stomach to warm me up.

"Here you are... Mr. Yakamoz," a Human said after a few brief minutes of lounging around in wait. "Your meal."

I grinned up at the man, one wearing a standard [Waiter's] outfit with a round metal platter holding up a plate with my meal in his hands. Cutlery sat on either side of it, along with a tall glass of water. I was glad for the drink, even if I knew the cutlery would go to waste.

He left the platter down next to me on the table, ending with a soft "We hope you enjoy your meal" as I gave him a thumbs up. I gulped, hoping that I wouldn't get too many stares from what I was eating or how I chose to eat it.

The meal itself was a big red Lobster, steam rolling off the perfectly cooked back. It reminded me of the stuff I'd have caught back home, even if it paled in comparison to this stuff. I couldn't make anything quite as thick lookin' as the Lobster with my magic, either.

With eager hands, I moved to peel the carapace apart with little effort, picking up the tender meat within. Food meant a lot to people who lived on the edge of survival, like my old tribe did. Maybe it wasn't quite as prevalent to the people of this city who could pay for food rather than hunt it themselves, but this sorta stuff was important!

Back home, different meals meant different things. It wasn't just for the sake of fillin' our bellies. The hunt had meaning as much as the end result. I was eatin' a Bloodshed Lobster, somethin' that I'd rarely ever seen someone back home eat. It was the sort of thing eaten during important feasts and rituals, consumed by [Warriors] or [Heroes] about to partake in grand journeys or experience great danger.

Even if this sorta stuff was nothin' but superstition... this whole afternoon's success hinged entirely on that superstition. It was the greatest avenue for hope I had. The route with the most potential for explosive growth open to me.

As I tucked into my meal, other thoughts wandered to mind. If that old Orc guy behind the counter ended up in a place like those Aerasthetic folks wanted to make and became a Caster, would he try to do bigger and better things than work here? Would he pursue somethin' more 'important' than owning a restaurant alone if the risk was greater? He seemed like the type that liked tradition and upholdin' peace and all that, so I guessed he'd have the drive for it, too. Especially if he had the Levels needed to make food this good.

That, if anything, would've been downright criminal. Givin' up a great service like this to go out and throw punches or fling [Releases] around just to get by? It was a waste! I needed to protect this, too.

Not everyone had to do somethin' violent or risk their lives to get by. They didn't need to shoot for the stars to feel accomplished. But... given the group I'd found myself in, I was one of those stars. I needed to do my part and make sure others could live safely here on the ground, too.

Funny how this one guy who's name I didn't know gave me that little bit of extra resolve, huh? I felt myself grinning as my sharp teeth tore up the last of the Lobster in front of me, not letting a single scrap escape my sight. I felt full, satisfied, and ready to take on the world!

It was a good meal, and one I would come back for. I wouldn't let myself leave forever. I'd come back to Divastyr, not just for the others, but for little comforts like these.

I hopped out of my seat, stretching my arms out before belching my compliments to the [Chef]. The sound was loud, catchin' the eyes of many still eatin' their food. The Orc turned towards me from behind the counter, and I saw him give a small nod of recognition. With a thumbs up and a grin in return, I left the store.

It was cold outside, but I'd have to make the most of it. I wasn't about to back down now, not after gettin' such a good meal to spur me on. The ground was colder now as flecks of snow began to gather and coalesce on the sidewalk. The first step was the hardest, but once I started movin', it got easier. I took a single, long look back at the Seashine Shell, wantin' to visit it again at some point.

Then, I started walkin' to the coast.

It didn't get any warmer as the scent of salty sea air rushed out to greet me. The snow was fallin' heavier now, and it all helped to remind me of home as flashes of memory came to mind unbidden. My webbed feet shivered from the cold of grey stone as I arrived at the harbour.

Seagulls and Mailbirds carryin' bags flew overhead, completely unperturbed by the weather. At least they could take the cold. Unlike the birds, most Humans would be wrapped up in furs and coats. There were a few mullin' about on and off of boats docked further down to my right, but most of the civvies hangin' about were Seafolk or Beastfolk with fur to help 'em bear the chill. A few children, Inura by the looks of 'em, were playin' on the beach despite the cold. I didn't get the appeal of sand, but I guess they liked it more than my kind might've.

My eyes traced the beachfront as I continued my focused walk, searchin' for my goal. I caught sight of ships big and small docked all along the harbour, and beyond that...

The city walls.

They were huge things, structures of some special lookin' dark grey stone that none of the buildin's around had. Maybe they mined it around here, or they had it imported. Either way, it looked pretty impressive to me. It was shockin' to think that somethin' that massive was made by the work of mortal hands, not those of Gods. Magic prob'ly played a part in crafting them, but still.

Mortal settlements further from the coasts liked their walls, but none of 'em I'd seen had been able to boast something like this. They protected the city from invader and monster alike, as they did for most places.

Our 'walls' were nothin' but small fences and rings of trees. We'd used bad scents and the protective circles of our [Shamans] to keep monsters from gobblin' up our young whenever we weren't lookin'. We were humble folk that lived humble lives.

...

Heh.

Not much chance of that for me now that I was part of a criminal syndicate. Life had a way of bein' really strange like that now and again, huh?

Those giant walls weren't just built on land, either. They cut into the ocean, splitting it in two as it carved a huge body of water into the harbour area. With the size of those walls, they made even the city harbour look small by comparison. The massive gates in the middle of those walls were cut off from the sea, keepin' the monsters of the ocean from getting in.

How long would that work for, given what'd be happenin' if all went as planned? I only knew enough to get things started and 'working', even if I'd never done anythin' like this before.

My feet began to pick up the pace as I grew more alert, pullin' my eyes from the walls. I wasn't in Sova anymore, not this far down the harbour. I was a known man now, wasn't I? A criminal, and one of a 'foreign' region, even if everyone shared the space within these walls. I had to be ready, just in case someone tried anythin'. I had magic ready to go just in case I needed to make a quick escape. My full stomach reassured me I wouldn't run out of steam after one or two casts.

The sparse folk, civvies and [Sailors] alike, threw occasional whispers and nods my way. Some of curiosity, others of recognition. More than a few Seafolk did double takes in my direction, seein' the differences between me and others of my ilk.

They had questions about me, but I wasn't about to supply any answers. Today, I had work to be doin'.

I was so close to the sea, so there had to be somethin' I could use around here somewhere, right? Surely the folk around here hadn't completely forsaken the original Gods? Even if the Primordials were nothin' but names alone now, lacking in contact with mortalkind, they'd made everythin'. Twenty one of 'em gave birth to the world and its original people, and from there, life flourished.

Even someone livin' as far out as me knew the stories. But they were gone now.

Dead? Hibernating? Leavin' for distant lands to give birth to new worlds somewhere else? No idea, but did it even matter? Not bein' around shouldn't kill people's faith in 'em. Even if they didn't speak or act, many believed they listened.

It was impressive, really. They didn't give blessings or advice anymore, but people could still be devout. Old habits really did die hard. I was glad for it, too. Not givin' thanks to 'em after they'd gone to the trouble of makin' the world and those who lived in it felt pretty stingy. Like a freeloading group not upholding their end of the deal. Showing no gratitude.

Passing by a collection of boats and bars, I found what I came here for. A church to the Oceanic Priestess, one of the most fickle and changeable of all Primordials, sitting out on a lone pier stretching out over the man-made ocean.

It wasn't the sorta thing city folk might've pictured when they thought of a 'church'. It was more like a shrine, really. A small, blue building crafted from wood, one with no front wall, door, or windows, exposed completely to the elements. The base of the wooden walls were decorated with that familiar crashing wave design. The imagery was what led the Seashine Shell to catch my eye. Even if it was silent, they proudly showed off where they stood. It was why I'd given it a chance over the other seafood places around the harbour.

My feet walked from stone to wood, the ground creaking lightly under my feet as Seagulls cawed all around me. Some of 'em cawed at me, but they seemed used to Humanoid folk enough for most not to bother.

This humble little church had no [Priests], [Priestesses], or followers around. All it had was a small altar, a statue, and woven baskets filled with wood around it. It was a common thing the people here did, from what I'd read. They put their offerings into those woven baskets and let 'em drift out to sea as a tribute to the Oceanic Priestess. Back home, we just did it the old fashioned way. We swam out a little, and gave our offerings to the sea ourselves without some fickle old basket acting as a gobetween.

The wood here was left for [Shipwrights] after bein' 'blessed' by [Priests] and [Priestesses]. I even spotted a few unpainted surfboards lined up on the inside of the shrine. For teachin' new [Hydromancers] the way of the waves, I supposed. We'd done somethin' similar, even if Humans got more out of it, given how much more risk they faced. Not bein' able to swim as well or breathe beneath the water's surface had its perks when it came to Experience.

They were good for making boats not scorned by the Priestess' waves. Just another little bit of faith shinin' true for good luck.

This whole place felt... peaceful. Strangely serene, separated from the city just behind me. Windy currents, the scent of salty sea air, and the sound of gulls. Nice and calm. It'd do.

Gingerly stepping around the baskets full of wood, I sat down in front of the altar, partially protected from the snow. I had to crane my neck up a little to see the statue standing proud behind it, but I smiled at the sight. It was a stone statue, one carved to look like one big raindrop surrounded by a ring of clouds. Different shades had been carved into the clouds too, with little bits of lightning pokin' out of the darker ones. A cute little touch.

It was better to do things that way. The race, appearance, and general traits of a Primordial differed between meetings, and between who they visited. Or so the legends said, anyway. Representin' 'em with symbols? It was better. More primal, in a way. Helped to avoid disagreements too, at least around public shrines like this. Given that the Gods had gone cold on us, maybe we'd never know what they looked like. Maybe that was for the best.

The Oceanic Priestess was the God for us. Seafolk. Fishfolk like me, Tritons, Nymphs, and others. Even if we'd come a little after her, we were all still children of the ocean. I wasn't here today to call on the aid of her more ruly children. Today, I'd come to call on her darker spawn. The personifications of her wrath. Not just Sirens, but somethin' worse. Somethin' much worse.

When the Gods were gone, the strong had come to fill the thrones they left behind. Man, monster, it was all the same. Strength was worthy of praise and worship, and so praise and worship it got.

I didn't expect to find a shrine dedicated to the monster I hoped to call on, even if a city like this would be the place to look for it. Still, this'd do just fine. I'd pray to the mother to call the son.

The statue had been enchanted with magic. Not divine, but mortal. I could feel its thrum from where I was sittin'. Even without havin' the touch of the divine, it'd do the job of a Patron Stone just fine with the right ritual.

The sound around me changed. I turned my head, glancin' over my shoulder at the world outside this little hut of tranquil paradise. The snow was gone, and rain had come in its place. Even the Beastfolk kids that could tolerate the snow were called back by parents, guardians, and folks with the Watch. The Tritons and other Seafolk playin' about came with 'em. Friends stickin' by friends.

The sight made me smile, even if I shivered from the chill as water pelted the roof of the shrine, splashing against my back. It was cold, but oddly comfortin'.

I closed my eyes, breathing deep to drown out the world around me. My thoughts turned to prayer alone, givin' thanks to the Priestess that the tides of life led to me washin' up here of all places, and with the people I'd found. Even if I was a little old for a life changin' journey, I wouldn't make light of this subtle, silent blessing. The Gods worked in quieter ways nowadays, and ending up in a place like this with the people I'd found felt... divine. Makin' it out of that facility with people I could count on, only to live a good life after? There was no way such a thing could be anythin' but the work of Gods.

My tribe had always wondered why the Gods went quiet. Maybe it was because Casters were active now, more than they had in ages past. Since the Calamity. They didn't need the Gods' permission to use magic anymore. Everythin' a person needed was inside themselves, now. The Gods took a step back for mortalkind. They'd paved the first path for us, and now all we had to do was walk along it.

Sorry for what I'm usin' your altar for, Lady Priestess. I hope you won't think too bad of me.

My fingers turned wet as the blue glow of my Aera spread along the digits. I was no [Shaman] or chosen one, but there was no harm in tryin' somethin' special. Or... so I hoped.

The thoughts of that newspaper flashed through my head. With wet fingers, I reached into the collar of my clothes, movin' past the unspent gold and to the small, torn piece of paper. It didn't matter if it got all wet and soggy now. The intent was clear. All I needed to do was grip it tight, to make sure it didn't blow away in the vicious wind.

I rose to my feet with a sigh, stepping out into the full force of the wind and rain. It splashed against my skin as I walked past the shrine, walkin' down a set of wooden steps at the edge of the pier, leadin' down to the water's edge. I sat on the last step, dippin' my webbed feet into the water. I was gettin' used to the cold now.

With one fist clenched around that little slip of paper, the other went to the inside of my mouth. One hard, forceful tug later, and I'd plucked a long tooth from the back of my jaw. Holdin' a tooth in my hand, I winced from the pain of the pluck. Blood dripped onto my hand as I raised an arm to shield my clenched fist from the elements. Opening my fist just a crack, I let the blood from my injured gum drip down onto the paper. The light brown was dyed crimson, and I pulled it away.

Soggy from the wet, I jammed the tooth I'd plucked through the center of the flimsy scrap of newspaper, lettin' my blue Aera seep through the paper and the tooth, bindin' with the blood I'd spilled.

A way to message him.

Pullin' my lower lip in, I leaned my mouth over the water, lettin' blood drip down into the murky man-made sea. The water became stained, much like the paper had. With a single throw, I cast the tooth and the paper into the water, watching it smack against the surface with a soft plop!

Faith wasn't enough for some folks. Some wanted tangible results and clear, physical beings to worship. This 'Sacred Six' business, six Humanoids clad in light that saved the world from certain destruction when the Calamity hit centuries ago, and what others called 'Regional Gods'. Powerful folk, Casters of massive power, Spirits of good and evil, Exceed, Demons, and monsters that could offer results. And...

...

Dragons.

I felt a chill run straight through me, cracklin' down along my spine. It wasn't the sorta chill that came with the cold, 'neither. I was bein' watched.

The rain and wind picked up, pourin' down from the heavens with even greater force. I opened up my mouth, catchin' some of the water to help wash out the taste of blood. Even after spittin' out a few mouthfuls, the feelin' didn't leave me. T'was a shame I lost the taste of that Lobster so quick after gettin' the privilege to enjoy it.

Another sound reached me, not the rain, wind, or cackling gulls, but the sound of heavy footsteps on wood. Folks from the Watch...? There were a few Humanoids dartin' down the pier towards me, led by someone I recognised a little.

A massive Varani lookin' fella, one with ice-blue scales, big wings, and armor. He locked a pair of black, beady eyes on me, and I felt myself grinnin' madly, blood still drippin down my chin.

"What have you done, cur?!?" the monster roared. His voice helped me remember. One of the slavers from before. Yeah, now I had it. 'Gold Standard'. I raised one hand, seein' that I didn't need it for the ritual anymore, flashin' him a great gesture I'd seen Metal Arms flash the Book Gnome back at the workshop.

Pikuja. You just wait and see. It'll be clear enough what I did soon.

The beast of a fella raised both arms, an icy blue light formin' round his hands.

Now all that was left was the final step. To call their name. Even if I couldn't speak it, I could pour my intent into my Aera. It spilled out from my feet, travellin' through the water. The 'name' callin' wasn't just somethin' limited to Demons. Rituals like these carried intent when performed by those that knew what they were doin'. Not many understood quite as well as we did, even as disconnected from the tribe's worship as I'd been. Now, I was callin' on a constant of the ocean. A creature all folks on both land and sea feared.

Leviathan.

The sound of waves crashin' against the outside of the city walls carried far inland. Even from here, I could hear the worried cries of the Watchmen makin' patrols along the walls, small as they looked. Sorry about this, fellas. You didn't deserve the trouble, but this wouldn't take long if all goes well.

"You! You're the monster from before, the one with the Star! You will be coming with us!" the Varani-like fella bellowed, a spear of ice formin' between his cupped hands. "You'll make for a good ransom once you pay for what you did! We intend to make sure you understand not to mess with-"

Whatever he was yappin' about was drowned out by the sounds of wailin' sirens by the walls.

"Emergency! Everyone, leave the docks and head further inland! Follow Watch instructions and evacuate the coastline! This is not a drill! All Casters with proficiency in Water and Earth Magic above Silver Rank level are required to head towards the coast immediately! This is not a drill!"

The warning was a sound that carried far, enhanced by Sound Magic, a Skill, or an artefact that did much the same. It came from the wall, but it was deafenin' from this close up.

The Lizardfolk's eyes widened as he threw the spear. Not at me, but at the bay. A smile crept along my face. Whether it was because of the rain, or that I'd worked up the nerve to come here, or just the good graces of the Gods, I was feelin' in the zone now.

My hands snapped out, callin' a [Water Sphere] to form between my palms. The ball shot forward, growing in the rain as it caught the spear mid-flight. The ball turned to ice in little under a second, then fell harmlessly into the water.

With a grin, I turned my head, spottin' folks on the harbour calling their friends and families out of storefronts. Even Casters and [Sailors] abandoned buildings, heading for the streets in droves. I wasn't that impressive a Caster, and this was nothin' but faith, but I could make somethin' like this happen. Even flimsy 'faith' like this could be rewarded with power, if it was true enough. Or... punished, if not. I'd have to wait and find out, but I felt confident enough about all this.

"Damn you, cur! I'll have you-" the Varani roared, eyes widening in stunned shocked as they turned towards the walls. "What...? What is this? You are not capable of such..."

I saw 'em cresting the wall. Three massive pillars of seawater. The two pillars flankin' the middle one were headless, but the echoed head of a Dragon sat atop the center tower. Even as a shadow of the real thing, the traits were there for all to see, molded in water with great detail as if chiseled into stone by a [Sculptor's] hand. A long serpentine head with a Shark-like fin atop it. Fish-like fins and gills along the sides and lined with scales. There were no wings, either. There was no need of such a thing for a Dragon of the sea. Humanoid figures sat as silhouettes in the two pillars flankin' the watery Dragon echo as I leapt into the water.

The sound of muffled roaring and the sirens that weren't Sirens were left behind as I swam through the murk, headin' for the coastal wall. All around me, I saw dark shapes. Massive shadows of gigantic fish that had no business bein' here behind the city's walls.

I knew they were just illusions anyway. A test of will, given that it was a Dragon I'd called on. I didn't hesitate for a second, pressin' on without a thought. One of the shapes turned in the water, sendin' the water churning around me as its mouth opened wide. The sparkling blue bay was consumed by pitch, empty black, teeth and eyes glinting in the murk. I swam right into the mouth of the shadow, pushin' right through the water as I kicked towards the surface.

My head popped free of the water's grasp, and I floated on the spot, lightly kickin' my legs in the water to keep me aloft in the churnin' stormy bay. With a turn of my head, I saw the icy scaled coward and his pals runnin' back along the dock. I gave 'em the salute I'd learned from Metal Arms and turned my head skyward, floating flat on my back along the waves.

I was never good at sayin' goodbyes anyway, but hopefully this wouldn't be goodbye. I'd be back, sooner rather than later, if I had any say in it.

The pillars curled over the top of the wall as I watched. Flashes and slashes of coloured light snapped through the air as the dutiful Watch atop the wall tried in vain to cut the pillars down with [Release]. They weren't able to stop somethin' like this. It was as much a force of nature as the wind or earth. This wasn't the realm of mortals like us anymore. Now, all I could do was let the waves carry me away.

The two pillars on either side slammed into the bay, causin' the water around me to sway wildly. I kept still, trustin' my safety to the water as I stared up into the glowin' blue eyes of a Sea Dragon's aquatic echo. The beast opened its maw, and I felt a real shiver of terror run through me.

This wasn't some illusion. This was the 'risk' I had to take for growth. I had to stay strong.

I saw the swimmin' Humanoids in the two pillars on either side of me grin as the Dragon's head dove down towards me. I closed my eyes and prayed to the Priestess.

To her, I showed my trust, my dedication to growth, and my faith.

Then, the jaws of the sea crashed against the bay, and I was swallowed by the tide.