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Peter blocked Razan's strike with an arm and lashed out with his other fist, hitting the samurai in the ribs. Razan grunted, moving backwards in the water.

He was about to strike again when the clock dinged. Their time with the pool was up.

"Already?" Sophie asked, swimming to the edge. "It feels like we just got here."

"No it doesn't," Marie said flatly, following her.

Razan bowed to Peter. "You did well today."

"Thank you," he said, bowing back. "Think I'm ready for tomorrow?"

Razan frowned, thinking it over. "I do not know what you will face, but at least I know you will not die."

"Thanks, friend, yer jus' the best at encouragin' speechiz," Peter said, in as annoying a drawl as he could manage.

"I endeavor to be honest," Razan said coldly.

"An' shucks, yer as honest as the day is long."

"Peter, stop before he stabs you," Marie recommended.

He gave them an idiotic smile and strolled to the changing stalls.

They left the swimming room a few minutes later, fully dressed and mostly dry.

"Marie, speaking of being stabbed, should I get a knife?" Peter asked. "Razan has his swords, and Lord knows you have enough weapons, but I've just got my fists."

Marie paused. "I was going to lend you one of mine, but having your own wouldn't hurt."

"Let's all get knives!" Sophie cheered, bouncing.

Peter smiled at her, then frowned. "Is that my belt?"

She giggled, tugging at the belt which hung a bit loosely on her hips. "Took you long enough to notice."

He checked which belt he was wearing; it was the one he'd been given for the mountain climb. "How… did you get it?"

"She can't tell you," Marie said dismissively. "Magicians and thieves must never reveal their tricks. Razan, are you going to use your swords or would you like a new weapon?"

"I'd rather not submerge my weapons in salt water for an unspecified number of hours," Razan decided.

As a group they started walking to the weapon room.

Peter followed, watching Sophie. "I’d like my belt back, please."

She turned, looking at him from under her lashes. "You'll have to take it."

Peter's brain stopped working for a few seconds as she smiled.

"Later," Marie said, her voice cutting through the fog. "Peter, are you better with pistol or blade?"

"Never figured out how to use a sword, but I can hit a target with anything," he answered, still watching Sophie.

"Razan?"

"I was taught to shoot, but find it annoying. Blades are much simpler."

Marie grunted, opening the weapon room’s door. "Good to know. If there's ever a true battle here, we have a well-rounded group."

"What about me?" Sophie asked. "I don't know how to fight at all."

Razan smiled pleasantly. "You can steal their belts."

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Marie glanced up as the door to the weapons room opened. Kadek and Paola stood in the doorway, checking who was inside. They saw her and smiled.

"Good morning," Kadek said formally, walking to Marie. "As leader of the Stars, I would like to offer your group a truce."

"A truce?" Marie echoed, turning to face him.

"Yes. We will not attack members of your group if you agree to not attack us," he said.

"Is that allowed?"

Paola answered. "It's always allowed to make truces with up to five groups. For this contest we can’t team up to steal from other groups, or help if we see someone being attacked."

Marie held out her hand. "That's reasonable. On behalf of the Drifters, I accept your truce."

Kadek gave her a firm handshake. "Thank you. Good luck tomorrow."

"Likewise."

The pair waved to the rest of her group and left.

"Should we find four more groups to offer a truce to?" Razan asked, once the door was closed.

Peter frowned. "We don't really know four more groups, do we?"

"We know two," Sophie said. "Surely we can find two more."

Marie shook her head. "I'm not keen on offering friendship like that."

"Allow me," Razan said, bowing slightly. "I do not know teams, but I have met my fellow samurai here. I can ask them."

"We'd have to meet," Marie said. "Our group and theirs, to make sure we recognize each other."

"No we don't," Sophie said. "We all wear distinct colors. All Razan has to do is tell us what colors to avoid attacking."

"This is true," Razan nodded.

"Very well," Marie decided. "If you're done, go find two samurai to make truces with. I'll offer to the Seabirds and… whatever Ebba's group is called."

"Windward," Peter supplied.

"Right, them."

Razan bowed and left.

Marie turned back to the image of brass knuckles with three blades sticking up. The weapon looked insane, but functional.

Sophie smiled hopefully. "Rani said they're easy to use.”

"I'm sure she did," Marie muttered. "No, I'd prefer if you had something more defensive. You need an iron staff or something. A stick that can't be cut through."

"What about this?" Sophie asked, scrolling through the options. She chose one and stood aside.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Marie glanced at the name, chain spear, and read the description. She saw the price and looked at Sophie's all-too-innocent face.

So this is what the girl had bought.

She read the description again. "It'll take some training to learn how to hold it in a fight, you don't want a weapon to hit one of the links and break it, but it would do for you, yes. If you bent the end into a hook, there are plenty of surprising and painful things to do with that."

Sophie beamed. "I'll get this, then." Her movements told Marie she absolutely already had one.

Marie turned to Peter, letting the girl pretend to buy the thing. "Have you found something?"

He glanced at her. "I have, but it's expensive. There's a crossbow with various attachments. One is a line and reel, like a fishing rod, and it comes with, essentially, harpoon bolts."

"Can it be used to shoot different things?" Marie asked. "I could see a grappling hook be useful in our future."

Peter pushed a button. "Yes, there are a dozen hooks and bolts I can use in the crossbow."

She went to stand at his side, scrolling back to the harpoon. It looked very sharp. Anyone who got that stuck in them would have an exceedingly bad time.

And then she checked the price. They had two hundred and fifty credits, but only barely.

"It's a versatile weapon you will get much use from," Marie decided. "Buy it."

"Are you sure?" Peter asked.

"Yes. I'll lend you a knife as well, but having a ranged weapon that works underwater may be lifesaving."

He shrugged, pushing a button to purchase the crossbow and harpoon bolts.

Together, they watched their group funds blink from 286 to 36.

"We have to win this contest," Peter muttered.

Marie raised an eyebrow at him. "Now are you willing to fight?"

He looked at her grimly. "Until death."

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Razan smiled as he walked into the sparring area. Ariharu was polishing his blades, getting them ready for a fight. Keiko was sharing tea with Ujinao, describing something with quick hand movements.

"Miyamoto!" Ariharu called, bobbing his head. "Will your group be joining tomorrow?"

Razan bowed briefly. "Yes, we will. I've come in search of a truce between teams."

Keiko looked over. "I believe my team still has a place open."

He bowed to her. "Thank you. My team leader was going to speak to yours directly, as they know each other."

"I can offer a truce," Ariharu said. "My team is Dust. I'll ask the leader, Xavier, to visit your area tonight."

Razan bowed again. "Thank you." He looked at Ujinao.

"The Bees do not make truces," Ujinao said, shaking his head. "Sorry."

Keiko set her cup down, thinking. "I doubt Iesue will have a spot open; he likes making truces as quickly as possible."

"That's unfortunate," Razan said slowly. "Is there a team you recommend I ask?"

"Masks," Ujinao said immediately.

Keiko glared at him.

"Don't ask them," Ariharu said flatly. "They don't attack others, but attacking them is a bad idea. They… Don't do it."

"Why not?" Razan asked. "People act afraid of them, but I don't see why."

"They're a high-ranking team," Keiko said. "And yet they don't ask for or give help. Bad things happen to people who interact with them. They rarely leave their area, and no one has seen their faces. Some suspect they aren't human, others suspect they aren't alive."

"Doesn't mean you can't try to dethrone them," Ujinao shrugged. "I encourage you to try. Ask that girl on your team to befriend them."

"Don't," Ariharu warned. "I'm not saying they're spirits, but… they might be spirits."

"Or something like the birds," Keiko said, pointing to an upper corner of the room. A hawk sat there, hidden by shadows. "The rostari make birds, maybe they made fake humans."

Razan looked at it for a few seconds. "That would explain why they're in masks…" He smiled at Ujinao. "I think I will ask Sophie to befriend them. It would be interesting. Thank you for the suggestion. Meanwhile, is there anyone I should ask for a truce?"

"The Diamonds?" Ariharu tried, looking at Keiko. "They may be completely taken, but they're quite helpful."

"I'm sure they're full," Keiko said. "Everyone wants to be in a truce with them."

Razan nodded. "I'll ask regardless. Which area is theirs?"

"Five," Ariharu answered.

"Thank you," Razan said, bowing once more. "Truly. I appreciate your help and advice."

They bowed back as he left. He went to the weapons room, found it empty, and walked back to his group area.

Marie was making coffee, pouring water into the pitcher with ground beans.

He walked over and bowed slightly. “We have a truce with the Dust team. Their leader will contact you tonight.”

“Good. Only them?” she asked.

He nodded. “It was suggested we make a truce with the Diamonds.”

She shook her head. “I won’t introduce myself only to gain a truce. That’s a good way to get stabbed in the back.”

“Frankly, I agree.” They watched the liquid go from gold to black. “If I may… I was told the Bees do not make truces. I do not particularly like the member of that team I’m acquainted with. If you see someone dressed in yellow and grey, please target them.”

Marie grinned. “Ah, so not everyone here is happy and friendly? I am shocked.”

“I do not know the other members of the team, but at least one person here is not happy or friendly.”

“How good of a fighter is he?” Marie asked.

“Nothing extraordinary. Competent, but relies too much on strength.”

She nodded. “Bees. Yellow and grey. I’ll keep a weather eye out.”

“Thank you.”

“Any time… Have you had coffee yet? I know you didn’t like chocolate.”

Razan took a step back. “I’ll stay with tea, thank you.”

Marie shrugged, pushing the plunger down. “Suit yourself.”

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Sophie looked at the assortment of objects which had appeared on her desk during supper.

The first things to catch her eye were two thick elastic bands, striped in her team's colors. Nop instructed her to wear one on each wrist for identification.

Next was a simple mesh drawstring bag, for holding shells and anything else she found interesting. If she spotted a shiny rock and put it in the bag, she would be allowed to keep it.

Less interesting but more practical was a pair of clear goggles which fit snugly over her eyes.

And lastly came a breathing apparatus. There was a dark, leather-like bag full of air, enough for half an hour of breathing. It had straps that fit loosely over her shoulders. A dial on the side clearly marked how much good air was left. A pair of tubes ran from the bag to a face mask. The white mask felt like rubber. It fit tightly over the bridge of Sophie's nose and under her chin, looping around her ears to stay in place. When she put it on, the mask inflated slightly, providing a bubble of air around her nose and mouth.

It wasn't the most comfortable thing in the world, but once in the water she was sure she'd forget it was there.

Sophie put it all on and picked up her chain spear, pretending to look fearsome.

She didn't. She looked like a child playing at being a bandit.

After a moment of thought, she straightened up and held herself like Marie did; shoulders back, arms loose, one foot slightly in front of the other, ready to lash out with her weapon.

She didn't look as intimidating as Marie, she lacked the height, but she did look prepared to fight.

Perfect.

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Pacific Ocean, South of Hawai'i

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Marie flinched at the pins-and-needles sensation, fingers tightening around her dagger and cutlass.

Suddenly she was in a clear glass dome, suspended a third of the way between seafloor and the surface. She stared about in amazement, shocked at the amount of life and color.

Sophie ran to press her face to the glass, exclaiming at the colors.

Peter joined her, but Razan stepped next to Marie. He looked just as shocked as she was.

"So this is what it looks like…"

Marie glanced at him. "I had some idea, but never imagined it was this vibrant."

"Same," he said, watching a small shark glide by their platform. "The dishes I could make with all these fish…"

She laughed. "We are allowed to keep things we find. Have Sophie collect some oysters."

"And a shark and a fat squid," he chuckled.

"No shark," Marie said, shaking her head. "I don't eat anything that might want to take a bite out of me."

"A good predator shows respect for other predators," Razan said, nodding.

Marie grinned at him, then snapped her fingers. "Enough gawking, we have shells to find. How do we get out of this thing?"

"I've already seen a dozen shells," Sophie said, turning away from the glass. "They aren't hidden at all. I presume we leave through the hole there." She pointed down to an area Marie could only just see was different from the rest of the floor.

Peter shouldered his air bag, fitting the mask over his mouth. "Lead the way."

Sophie pulled on her mask, grabbed her spear, and bounced into the hole. Ripples formed as she vanished, showing clearly where the edge of the water was. Peter quickly followed. Marie and Razan adjusted their bags and masks, Marie finally seeing the pile of spare air bags.

“You’re sure I have to watch the child?” he asked resignedly.

“You said samurai were like bodyguards, yes?” Marie asked, raising an eyebrow. “I hereby formally assign you to guard Sophie.”

He bowed in reply.

She motioned to the bags. “Looks like we can take more than one at a time. Use the first half hour exploring the immediate area to the north, then take enough to go further. Peter and I will go south.”

Razan looked up, pointed at the sun, then moved his arm to the left. “North?”

Marie nodded. “Good luck.” She slid into the water.