Chapter 8: Underwater Palace

Genno was correct about their experience inside the vessel. The five of them were locked inside a small cylinder where none could stand up straight. The vessel was being pulled along by water horses that were taking them to their destination.

“So I need to create an air bubble around this vessel when we get to the bottom?” Zhi asked Livia.

“Yes I assume you are able to do so.” Livia said without taking her eyes away from the glass pane in the front through which they could see the ocean.

They were far enough underwater that it was hard to see much in front of them as not much sunlight reached there. What they did see was a large, never-ending vast empty expanse. This was anxiety inducing to Corin.

Corin tried his best to ignore his surroundings, while Livia was enthralled by everything she saw. Simeon snored loudly in a corner and Nanaua gripped her pike with such intensity that Corin feared she might snap it.

“Well yes, I mean that is very easy for me to do. But I would rather be asked next time than just told.” Zhi said as she glanced sideways at Livia.

“Sure, yes. Of course.” Livia’s reply seemed very disinterested in continuing the conversation.

Their journey under the seas continued without much of note. Livia's device was firmly affixed to the outside of the vessel and the group hoped that they would not hear the ominous bell ring.

Eventually they did reach the underwater structure, and were at a loss for words. Even for Nanaua and Zhi, who were used to the grand floating Dragon temples, what was in front of them was unlike anything they had seen before.

What they were looking at seemed like a natural underwater mountain that was shooting from the bottom of the ocean floor. But upon further inspection there were many differences. The faces of the structure were cut at very precise angles, the different edges intersecting each other too abruptly for it to have been created by slow erosion. Another telling point was the light emanating from the structure. What seemed to be the top of the structure emanated a faint glow, and so did the bottom of the structure, where what seemed to be an opening could be seen.

“Are we in the clear?” Simeon asked.

Corin did not know when the older man woke up.

The entire group stared out the window. All that could be seen around the structure were various schools of fish swimming around. Nothing larger than the vessel they were on could be seen.

“It sure seems that way.” Livia replied still scanning ahead.

“Interesting.” Simeon replied.

The vessel continued and stopped in front of the large structure. Zhi whispered some words and moved her fingers.

Corin instantly saw as the water around their vessel was pushed back. The water horses were well outside the air bubble created by Zhi.

Cautiously the group stepped outside, Corin was the last outside. The only light at this depth was the torch that Simeon carried with him.

He stepped on the ground and was surprised at how solid it felt. He looked around and was mesmerized at what he saw.

The sea around him was being held back by an invisible wall. All around him the sea continued existing as normal except for the small bubble he and the rest of the group found themselves in.

“We need to hurry.” Zhi exhorted them as she sounded to be under great duress.

“Let's.” Livia replied and the group hurried into the structure.

They arrived at the base of the structure and saw the entrance. It was a small entryway that Nanaua barely fit through.

As they passed the entry it was as Genno had said. The passage between the inside and the outside somehow prevented any water from entering and the group found themselves standing on solid, dry ground.

Corin could see in the inside of the structure the extent of Zhi’s barrier as a wall of air appeared around them.

Once all were inside Zhi brought down the wall and proceeded to fall to a knee. Nanaua was there to hold her up.

“You did well my dear.” Nanaua said to Zhi while she took several deep breaths.

The group found themselves in near darkness. Beyond Simeon's torch and some light near the entrance, there was not a lot they could see far into the steucture.

“Let me start a light.” Zhi began.

“Don't. We need you to conserve your energy.” Livia replied quickly.

“Corin, get a torch as well.” Livia ordered.

Corin grabbed the torch and lit it.

“You don't mind leading the way do you? I hear you have a natural talent for finding trouble rather quickly.” Simeon smiled at Corin.

Corin went to the front and Nanaua stayed close next to him. She was holding the pike at the ready for anything that might come.

Zhi and Livia followed in the middle with Simeon as the rearguard holding the torch.

Within moments they were in a long narrow corridor. They had no option but to follow along. As they moved along Corin noticed a lot of similarities to the intriguing designs he had seen in the dragon temple.

The reliefs of various Leviathans and small carvings that would have repeating shapes. These small repeating carvings seemed different to the ones from the dragon temple.

“That's the Leviathans alphabet.” Simeon said as Corin studied the carvings.

“Alphabet?” Corin asked.

“A written language. I never learned one myself, but I have seen enough of the draconic alphabet to know the difference.” Simeon said.

Corin was amazed at the concept.

“Why did you never learn it?” Corin asked.

“No furtive was allowed to learn the draconic alphabet. They were instantly put to the sword. From what I heard the giants share that tradition as well. Seems like titans don't like it when the furtives begin learning too much.” Simeon replied.

The group continued down the hall and found a large room with two diverging hallways connecting to it. Aside from the two paths there was nothing of note in the large room.

While Corin looked around to determine where to go he felt himself go off balance as he was pushed harshly to the ground.

“Archers! Somewhere above!” Nanaua shouted.

Where he had just been standing he heard a loud thud as an arrow embedded itself on the ground behind him.

Nanaua had been the one who pushed him out of the way.

Corin heard another arrow land somewhere solid as he shot up from the floor.

Zhi conjured up a fireball in front of her and looked around. Another arrow came flying by and she was pushed out of the way at the last second by Livia.

“It's no use! We need to move on!” Livia shouted at Zhi as she grabbed her arm and led the group towards the left hallway.

As they passed into the recesses of the hallway they heard more arrows impact the ground behind them.

Once they were safe from the barrage they checked on each other.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“No injuries this time, next time we might not be so lucky.” Simeon said.

“Well at least we know we're not the only ones here. Let's keep moving.” Corin hurried the group along.

Knowing that they were not alone the group did not waste any time studying any architectural details that may decorate the building.

The group reached another room, this one was large and spherical with a domed top that seemed impossibly large inside this structure. Corin and Nanaua entered by themselves while the rest of the group waited beyond the threshold of the room. They looked around and found no hints of danger. The only thing they noticed was that the entirety of the floor was covered in sand, unlike any other room in the structure.

Upon the rest of the group entering the room a light began to flicker from the top of the ceiling, illuminating the room. Now they could see at the other end a solitary door that was sealed shut. In the middle of the room three dark brown vases were placed. They seemed to be firmly rooted to the floor underneath the sand.

“Well this is odd.” Zhi said aloud, echoing what every other member of the group was thinking.

Simeon was the first to approach the sealed door. There were carvings on the sides and the top of the door that bore the same three symbols, which were all variations on triangles. The first triangle was upright and had a straight line running through the center parallel to the base of the triangle. The second triangle was identical to the first but it pointed down. The third triangle had no line running through it and pointed down.

Simeon studied the shapes for a second. He grabbed the doused torch he had been carrying and poked the door with it.

No reaction.

He cautiously brought his hand to the door and touched it. Again no reaction.

Simeon moved his hand across the door trying to feel any groove or indent. He wanted to see if there might be any unlocking mechanism but found nothing of the sort.

He tried running his hand around the edge of the door, where it met the wall. He was able to stick his fingers in and tried to pry the door open, but there was no discernible reaction from the door.

“I shall employ my strength.” Nanaua spoke behind Simeon.

She too slid her fingers between the door and the wall, and attempted to force the door open.

Nanaua struggled with all her might but the door did not give even the slightest impression that her attempts were making any headway into their goal.

“Well if we are to get through there, it does not seem as if that is how we're going to be able to open it.” Simeon sighed in frustration.

“So what about these?” Corin asked as he stood next to the three vases.

The group came over to study them.

Each of them had one of the symbols next to the door. The left vase had the upside down triangle with no line, the center vase had the lined upside down triangle and the rightmost vase had the lined upwards pointed triangle. Beneath each of the markings each vase had an identical marking. The marking was a circle around a pyramid, which held a square inside that enclosed a circle.

“Does this make any sense to you?” Corin asked Zhi.

“I don't recall seeing that anywhere.” Zhi mentioned.

Corin looked at Simeon.

“I'm not remembering anything specific, it just looks too vague.” Simeon said.

The group looked inside the vases and found them completely empty as well.

Livia studied the vases from every possible angle. Looking from the side, the top, from different sides of the room.

“Any luck?” Corin asked.

Livia ignored his question and continued furrowing her brow. He knew this meant that no, she had not in fact had any luck.

Simeon was the first one to actually try touching the vases. Just like the door he poked at it with the torch. The only thing that produced was a loud resounding noise, indicating that the vases were empty.

“Maybe we need to fill these up?” Zhi asked as she looked at the sand around them.

“Do you think so?” Corin asked.

“Well what would you suggest?” Zhi replied.

“Well, might as well try it.” Simeon interjected. The three of them grabbed some sand and stood next to a vase each.

They all hesitated as they stared at each other.

“Ready?” Simeon asked the two of them.

Corin and Zhi nodded.

“Go.” Simeon said.

The three of them dropped the sand in unison.

Everyone in the room waited quietly to see what would ensue. The result was nothing happening.

“Maybe you need more sand?” Nanaua asked.

“Maybe.” Zhi replied.

With a wave of her hand three large pockets of sand were lifted of the ground. They floated in a perfectly spherical shape, all big enough that they could fill the vases instantly.

Zhi quickly directed them over each vase and let them fall inside the vase.

Much to the surprise of the group, the sand fell into the vase and did not leave any trace of its presence. The vases were completely empty as if Zhi had not put anything in them.

“It should be full.” Simeon muttered as he peered inside the vases.

But they all took turns looking at each of the vases. They all saw that the vases were completely empty.

“We are getting nowhere.” Corin sighed in frustration.

The rest of the group continued studying the vases and trying different things to put in. Zhi conjured up water and dumped it into a vase, no effect. Simeon lit a piece of wood on fire and threw it in. Nothing happened. The group looked inside afterwards, no trace of the burning piece of wood could be seen.

“Maybe we are not meant to go this way?” Nanaua asked aloud.

“Nanaua, if we are being prevented from going this direction, then the reason might be because the artifact is behind this door.” Simeon countered with kindness but some exasperation as well.

The group hovered around the vases and Corin stepped back. He tried to look at the vases from every possible angle. Much like his wife earlier he had no luck.

He rubbed the pendant.

Cyril what would you do?

No, what should I do?

A memory flashed in Corin's head. He remembered as a young boy when Cyril gave him a wooden soldier as a toy. Corin instantly loved the toy and went out to play with it. He played all around town with it, spending all day, going from place to place imagining his wooden soldier fighting invisible enemies. The day flew by until it was late and Cyril started shouting his name for Corin to come home.

Corin has not realized how late it was and dashed home. He arrived and hastily began helping his brother prepare dinned. Afterwards he was so exhausted that he went straight to sleep. The next day when he woke up, he went to grab his wooden soldier but could not see it. He realized that in his haste to come back home he must have left it somewhere in town.

He went out into town trying to find it. He spent hours retracing his steps from the town to the house. Despite his best efforts he was not able to find the toy. Later in the day Cyril found him crying in a secluded corner of the town and asked Corin what the problem was.

“The toy you made me. I was playing with it yesterday and when I heard you calling I ran home and forgot it. Now I don't know where I left it. I looked all over town.” Corin mumbled amidst his sobs.

Cyril was quiet and thinking.

“I hope you're not angry with me brother.” Corin said.

“Of course not Corin. I am just trying to think of where to look.” Cyril said.

“So you have looked all over town?” Cyril asked.

Corin nodded as he kept sobbing.

“Well how about inside?” Cyril asked.

“What do you mean?” Corin replied confused.

“Well have you looked inside our house?” Cyril asked him.

Corin realized what Cyril was asking and ran back home. He had only given a cursory glance in the house before heading out. Inside their home, Corin found the toy quickly, in the kitchen put away along with other utensils.

Corin felt a certain feeling of lightheadedness.

What an odd memory.

Corin looked around, at the group, and at the vases.

Inside?

Corin looked at the three vases again. He approached the one nearest to him, the right most vase.

Without warning he stuck his arm inside.

“What are you doing?” Livia asked bewildered.

Corin moved his hand around, trying as best he could to see what could be inside the vase.

He did not reply to Livia, and the rest of the group just stared, wondering what sort of madness had overcome him, and also if he might find something of value.

But Corin searched and searched and could not feel anything. In fact the inside of the vase felt completely empty as if nothing has been poured in.

He pulled his hand out and looked at the group.

They were awaiting an answer. Corin just shook his head.

“We might have to turn around.” Livia said.

Corin placed his head on the edge of the vase, and sighed in frustration.

WHOOSH!

The sound echoed around the room as the vase suddenly started glowing green. It now hummed as a current seemed to be turning inside of it.

Corin instantly jumped back.

The rest of the group stared in amazement.

“What did you do?” Livia shouted in surprise.

“I don't know!” Corin stated befuddled.

Zhi shouted from across the room.

“Look, look at the door!”

All turned to look. The right side up lined triangle etching now glowed around the door.

“So these are the keys to unlocking the door.” Simeon said out loud as he looked at the vases.

“But how?” Nanaua asked.

“Corin, my boy, what exactly were you doing?” Simeon asked excitedly.

“Well,” Corin began as he placed his face to the rim of the vase.

“I just placed my face here and sighed” Corin said as he breathed out.

“Ah-ah-ah! I see.” Simeon started.

“You breathed into the vase, you provided air. This symbol here, it must stand for air.” Simeon pointed to the upright triangle.

“So these other symbols, they must mean something else.” Simeon continued excitedly.

“In magic we have the three domains, the three deities. Air, for the dragons. Sea, for the Leviathans. And land, for the giants.” Zhi spoke up.

“Yes! That must be it!” Simeon replied almost instantly.

“But Zhi already tried filling the vases with water. None of them reacted.” Livia spoke up.

“True, true.” Simeon went quiet as he thought.

“Is there anything else to the three domains? Anything we might be missing?” Nanaua asked.

“Well there are three domains of magic. Three domains inhabited by titans. Three domains of life.” Zhi said.

“Life! That is what we are missing. When Corin breathed into the vase it was just not air, it was his breath!” Simeon got excited once more.

“Zhi can you conjure up some water and just hold it right here?” Simeon asked as he went to look in his bag.

Zhi did as asked conjuring up a large water sphere in front of her.

“Here!” Simeon pulled out a small pouch from his bag.

“I see.” Livia said softly.

“Salt?” Nanaua asked.

“Of course!” Simeon poured some of it in the floating sphere.

“Try it!” He urged Zhi.

“Which vase should we try?” Zhi asked.

“The left.” Nanaua spoke up.

Nobody else questioned her call and Zhi followed.

As soon as the saltwater entered the vase a loud WHOOOSH echoed around the room and the vase started glowing. The downward pointing triangle etching on the side of the door started glowing.

“How clever.” Livia said as she smiled at Simeon.

“I can't let you be the only clever one here.” Simeon replied with a grin.

“So that leaves land.” Corin said.

“Already on it.” Simeon’s excitement could not be contained.

He brought out some potatoes from his sack.

“You are going to feed it potatoes?” Livia asked.

“No, I am not going to feed it potatoes. It just happens that these are covered in soil.” Simeon grinned as he held them above the vase.

He rubbed off all the soil into the vase, but there was no response.

“Do we not have enough?” Zhi asked.

“I don't believe so. I barely breathed into the first vase and it responded.” Corin replied.

The group fell back into thinking.

“What else is significant to life on the land?” Livia asked.

“Leviathans thrive in the salty ocean. Dragons thrive in the airy skies. But giants walk on land! So what are we missing?” Corin asked.

Simeon pondered quietly. He seemed to be having a conversation by himself. The group was curious to hear the details of the conversation but he just mouthed words, making it impossible to hear it.

Simeon went quiet and went to his bag.

“Did you figure it out?” Nanaua, Zhi, Livia and Corin asked in unison.

Without looking Simeon replied.

“That we shall see.” He said as he pulled out a red stone that seemed as if it were burning.

“A gem?” Nanaua said.

“Yes a gem. I have heard legend say that giants' hearts are made out of large pure gems. If that is the case then perhaps it could mean this is our last key.” As soon as Simeon finished speaking he threw the gem into the vase.

The resulting WHOOOSH from the vase and it's glow instantly confirmed Simeon’s suspicion.

The last etching around the door lit up and the massive stone door slid open.

The group rejoiced at their success. As they prepared to continue Corin turned to Simeon and patted his back.

“I knew bringing you along was the right call.” Corin smiled as he spoke to his old friend.