Carissa wondered what activities that they had to occupy themselves with if this was going to be considered fun.

‘A diving bell. Made of driftwood, metal and scraps and…skin?’ said Carissa as she pushed her hands against the various materials, they were flexible but strong.

‘Well, we don’t have the current technology to make anything better. I mean they used to on this planet, you’ll see that soon enough but it was flooded so…I guess Sherry could build something better and Chas could reinforce it with his prayers.’ said Mike as he shrugged his shoulders.

The three candidates and their respective guardians responsible for them were back inside the same room which Carissa had been in previously with the large pool of water inside the room with wooden boards sinking into the floor and providing a base.

‘Prayers, you meant to tell us that this thing is held together by prayers to dead fish heads?’ said Bonnie.

The tincture which she had drank in the dining area had rapidly calmed down her nerves but her body still gave involuntary minor twitches in reaction. Her eyes remained reddened after crying.

‘We who are blessed by the gods reject the one made from the flesh of people and the head of a fish.’ said Chas. His hands clasped in prayer as he sat cross-legged on the floor, refusing to sit in a chair.

‘Is that a no? Does he mean it doesn’t work with prayer? I’d like a straight answer. Back to my room, I could go back to my room while the rest of you play make-believe. I. I don’t know. I think I need fresh air.’ said Connie.

Mike spun around his wooden club in one hand before throwing it up into the air and catching it with another.

‘Where we’re going, you’ll find that you’ll care about fresh air a whole lot less than you think. Still, would you like to accompany me to the roof while Sherry works on her home-made project? Carissa? Derek?’ said Mike as he relaxed in his chair.

When he failed to receive any response, he just sighed and sank even deeper into his wooden chair than appeared humanly possible. Carissa considered that with his power over the main structure of this floating boat it was more than likely that he used it instinctively.

Her attention was drawn to the centrepiece of the entire room, hanging up on various chains and attachments which seemed rather backward to her given that she had been initially rescued in a modern inflatable lifeboat.

At the very top of the moon pool, gently swaying despite being fixed was a contraption that Carissa would have described as belonging in a cultural heritage centre. One featuring in ancient and exotic finds, it was large enough to fit at least five people with plenty of space to spare for additional equipment.

In a way it reminded her of the early humans on Terrus and how they had built vast temple complexes under the oceans through using such devices but on a much larger scale.

‘If it works, then it works. We can’t keep relying on the usability of the suits forever. There must be a catch though, you’re not going to send us underwater for a tour, are you?’ Carissa asked.

None of the equipment had been inside this room earlier but judging from the way that her own dry bag was able to fit in larger items without expanding or filling up they had also been a place of similar storage. Or another special magical ability.

Mike had mentioned to her that the rooms changed locations and the doors had no visible signs as a form of protection. Sea monsters, pirates or other raiders. Which meant that this place wasn’t safe from attack.

‘I asked a question, is nobody else going to respond or are the two of you going to keep staring?’ asked Carissa.

Direk was examining the various items of equipment on the racks, holding each in his hand and occasionally giving out a wistful sigh. He had one hand on his bag, seemingly ready to open his own spatial storage and throw things inside but he was also wary of offending his hosts.

‘Can we take anything from here? A few of these are so similar to my own designs and prototypes but I never had the funding to make them reality. Come to think of it, can we trade? I have these coins in my bag. A few other items that you might be interested in. I know that we’re basically freeloading at this point what with the accommodation, food and training but I’d be happy to swap the few things which the Ocean Gateway system hasn’t imposed limits on.’ said Direk.

‘I’m not getting inside that thing. Not without another drink to calm my nerves. I don’t know what the stuff that she gave me was but it worked wonders. Also, not safe. The thing is literally made out of pieces of organic matter, how is that meant to work with the electronic components and the chains? I don’t want a sightseeing tour. I’d like to go home.’ said Bonnie.

She moved towards Chas and he stood up from his sitting position reaching his hands forward and gave her a strong hug. The pair of them sat down and he clasped her hands and closed his eyes and began to pray silently.

‘Dear, you need to accept the waters of the world as fresh streams for you to experience and leave the old behind. Home, sanctuary, a true return is a gift from the gods. Pray with me and learn their names.’ muttered Chas.

Shaking his head from his seat Mike gave out a small chuckle.

'You'd think that after all this time I'd be used to this but I'm not. Similar fears and concerns every single time. The decapitated fish head was new though. Chas doesn't get this full-on religious this early on, until after a worthy player candidate chooses a priest class. To answer your spoken and unspoken questions, Direk, you can trade for equipment after this, Bonnie the device is safe and no home yet. Possible yes but not yet. Depends on how high you rise. Carissa. Beautiful Carissa, touch the damn thing and learn what it does according to Ocean Gateway System rules. Hesitation can mean death in this place.' Mike said.

Carissa kept her mouth shut at this one and realised that Mike had the right idea taking a seat and not getting involved. It wasn’t as though she was going to try and use equipment in the open water which she hadn’t personally tested several times although no matter what she wanted all three of them could force her into the diving bell if necessary.

‘Sherry? Everything prepared for our little trip yet? You know the rules, one stays and two accompany. Chas, you can quit it with the prayer. Ocean gods or not we need to make sure the tutorial gets finished. Or at least as close as we can manage it. Please check out our little candidate with the wandering eyes and hands.’ said Mike.

He received a nod from the woman wearing goggles who had moved over to Direk, gently pushing him away from the equipment with tools and with her voice lowered entered in a conversation with her that the others were unable to hear.

Carissa saw his face frown slightly before he shook his head and then her shoulders slumped a little and he pointed in her direction several times. Reaching into her own backpack, she pulled out another vial, similar to the one that had been given at the dining table but Direk out his hands in front of him pushing it away.

This time he pointed towards Bonnie who was hesitating to touch the diving bell, given the response from Mike Carissa accepted it direct permission. Her fingers grabbing onto the outer surface of the material as a message appeared in her mind’s eye.

[Player-Candidate Designate: Carissa.

This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

Diving Platform from Ocean Gateway System

-Designate Tutorial Use Only

-Item usable by ??? and performs???

-Protection and Security Protection Blessing

-Provided???

Bonded to Player Designate: Sherry

Class: Inventor???

Level: ???]

‘I wish you two candidates would learn from Carissa. She adapts. Pretty quickly from what I can see.’ said Mike.

Despite his lack of proximity to her and the fact that he was still lying deep in his own chair he had recognised her complete lack of physical reaction to the message from the Ocean Gateway System. Either he could see through the surrounding wood or he simply had physical abilities beyond her own.

The little bit of information from the diving bell was far more engaging for Carissa, she wasn’t able to see past the question marks and risk blood running from her nose or having her physical control removed again and urinating on herself wasn’t a plan.

The fact that she was finally able to discover a class meant more to her, Sherry was an inventor. Not that she could gleam any more than that.

So deep in her own thoughts she hadn’t even visually or physically noticed the presence of Mike right behind her until his hand lightly clamped on her shoulder.

‘Well done. You want to tell the others what class Sherry holds? At least, you might have found out even more information that that from the device but it’s best to hold a few secrets in reserve and I won’t push any further.’ said Mike.

‘Mike! It’s too early for that! We agree to slow down the process until they. Make their own choice. You know what they need to face. None of them are fully prepared yet.’ exclaimed Sherry.

She had guided Direk away from the equipment and they were both standing in front of the diving bell in what Carissa assumed to be the entrance. She couldn’t see a visible part of it and there was no connecting board to the swaying device. Only the moon pool lay several metres below.

‘Direk. You and me go first. Chas! Stop it with the prayers, I know priests give support but she needs to make her own choices. They all do. Eventually. Let her learn the true nature of this world on her on. She deserves it.’ said Sherry.

Chas opened his eyes, still sitting down and gently tugged back his hands from the short-haired blonde woman sitting opposite him. Her face had softened and clearly relaxed from what Carissa had seen, they had been conversing too quietly for her to hear though.

Turning to give her own smile to Chas she leaned forward and hugged him before putting her hand on the wooden floor and pushing herself onto her feet.

‘I understand our situation better. To return home is a goal, not a possibility. Direk, you can trust them. They’re trying to help us. Gods. The gods are real.’ said Bonnie.

Crossing his arms Mike just gave Chas a hard stare before he turned his attention towards Direk and Sherry.

‘No powers. What I did was in an emergency situation, no active powers on candidates. Chas, you and me need to have words when this is done with. Do not try that with Direk. Or even Carissa. An early realisation can be a rough ride. ‘Mike winked at her.

Before she could speak up Mike carried on talking, cutting off any chance of conversation from her side.

‘You might bite off more than you can chew. Seriously, here’s what we need to do so listen up, I’m going to give all three of you candidates a quick briefing on our next steps. This device built by our talented Sherry is designed to take you to greater depths. Once down there you’ll experience, learn and choose. And you will be safe. As long as you listen to the instructions given by either myself, Direk or Sherry. I’m not permitted to say more than that but the three of you should be thankful. It’s more than I ever got when I arrived.’ said Mike.

‘Or a threat. There are dangers below the depths as above.’ questioned Carissa.

‘Direk, you have a choice, you can either jump into the moon pool or climb down the ladder. Chas and Direk will both go with you while I stay here and then we’ll switch. Either way is fine with me. When you enter the water, allow your body to get used to it and submerge yourself a little. The training you’ve had with your suit will give you enough protection, or you can choose to be like Carissa here and leave it inside her backpack. Then you’ll enter the diving equipment and ascend for a time before coming back here.’ said Mike as he did a little jump with his feet before mimicking swimming with his arms.

The fact that Mike didn’t bother to respond to her and focused his attention purely on Direk was a reply in itself. He had given enough warnings and was simply following a process at this point.

This would be another training session. More dangerous than others, either that or an introduction to the waters of this world. All she needed to do was adapt and learn. She had already harnessed part of the workings of the Ocean Gateway system message and having physical contact with an object she wanted to review often worked better and with less pain.

Stepping forward he surprised Direk by grabbing him in a hug and lifting him off the ground, pinning his arms to his sides before he put him down and stepped back again.

‘Good luck. No matter what you experience or see we’ll be around to help. Are you clear on that? You need to ask Chas and Sherry for assistance. They’ve been through this more times than you’ve eaten food in our little community.’ said Mike.

Surprised by the sudden hug, Direk rubbed his arms and looked back.

‘We’ve only had two meals here!’ he exclaimed.

‘A little joke. Trust in Sherry, time to move. Chas, no tricks. He needs the full experience, not a watered-down version like you just tried to pull with Bonnie. No short-cuts, the gods don’t like cheaters. What are you waiting for? Get down the ladder or jump in!’ said Mike.

Letting one hand slip to his waist, Carissa noticed that he was holding onto the wooden club and his body language was entirely tensed up. He would force them, she was sure, just as he done the same with her when she had lost all rationality. Not because he cared for them, but as though he was following a structure of activities in which he had to follow.

All their well-being, the emotional and mental support provided, all of this was for a purpose. The makeshift tutorial in his words.

‘No.’ said Carissa as she put her own hand on his wrist holding onto the wooden club.

‘Excuse me? We need to follow this. Or the gods…the gods. I can’t explain this to you. This is the best that we can do in the circumstances. There are others, out there, doing the exact same as me, each with their own method but we’re trying our best to help you survive. All three of you are baby chocks alone in on a desert island filled with monsters. Don’t block me Carissa, I don’t want to have to fight again.’ said Mike.

Her hand held onto his wrist tighter this time, she let her nails dig in tightly, this time aware that his pain threshold was at the minimum higher than a base level human. Her grip felt flesh pierced with no response on his face.

‘I said no. I’m going first. Direk, Bonnie, Sherry had a class. She has skills and abilities which we don’t as simple candidates. Chas does as well give how he just calmed you down Bonnie with holding your hands and a few simple words. Mike here…has his own hidden abilities. For a start he’s been the only one actively armed this entire time with that wooden club of his and neither of you have even mentioned it once.’ said Carrisa.

When they only looked at her with a mixture of shock and confusion she turned to Mike, let go of his wrist and took a step next to him, holding onto his shoulder tightly. She grabbed harder and pulled him back to give her the precious seconds she would need and to delay his reaction before he could stop her.

‘I’ll be the first to go. You’ll be with me. Sherry or Chas can make their own choice.’ said Carissa before she ran forward.

Avoiding the edge of the diving bell with her body but scraping the edge with the backpack on her back and dived down towards the depths of the moon pool.

The waters below waited for her. It had been a message which had tried to ignore which had prompted her immediate actions.

[Player-Candidate Number 5428119402.

-An unknown Ocean God sends the following message.

Food. Drink. Escape. Carissa. Now!]