Transcendence Volume 2: Awakening

Chapter 35: Nautilus

[Tritoth]

"So why do we have to draw a giant circle within the Camp?" Felicia asked as she watched Hanamiya, Yi and S3N went about and began drawing a massive circle as they eventually found themselves inside a massive cave that was later filled with air barriers allowing them to breathe with ease thanks to the efforts of the Mages.

"Sea Bears." The Three said as they directed the other Marked Ones who continued to do the same thing as they began working on the same circle.

There's good news and bad news on their current situation, the good news is that they are right on track to the Lost City of Mahri. The bad news is that since the Titanic II was destroyed by the Stone Crab and the resources required for the maintenance of Life Pods is limited, they will have no other choice other than to move on foot.

"Sea Bears?" Felicia asked in mild confusion.

"Yeah we heard of those back in our world and just in case they come we'll be ready," Yi said as S3N and Hanamiya talked to the other Marked Ones present and all of them took up positions as if guarding the camp.

"How will we stop them in case they come?" Felicia asked worriedly, throughout her life she had gained the general idea of Marked Ones being permanently divided. But the fact that these 'sea bears' are enough to get a crowd of Marked Ones to work together is a sign that they are that of a threat.

"Don't worry the ASC will keep us safe." Yi, Hanamiya and S3N raised their thumbs in confidence.

"I'm sorry ASC?" She asked in confusion wondering if it was one of many devices that the Marked Ones within the world.

"Anti-Seabear Circle." The three said in unison as they all pointed to the dirt circle on the ground.

"What?" She asked her confusion getting even worse, how was a dirt circle managed to keep away a monster that was enough to get them to work together.

"Don't worry about it," Hanamiya reassured her as she pulled out a lamp and handed her a suit. "In the meantime, we should get ready to head on foot."

She reluctantly took it but around them, the water around the air bubble rippled and was followed by a chase of several Camp Guards.

"What's going on?" Hanamiya asked turning in the direction to where the commotion is happening.

"We saw a group of Sionmunths wandering around," One of the Patrols said now in full suits as they all scrambled around weapons drawn preparing to fight.

"We should split the jobs for this," Yi suggested.

"Agreed, I'll take the rest of the Archileo staff and make our way to Mahri." Hanamiya said putting on her helmet. "Hopefully if we continue the trek there we'll be able to find a new campsite to be safe."

"I'll maintain the life pods and see if we can re-establish some form of contact to the surface," S3N suggested as she took off her helmet.

"Then that leaves me to do the patrols then," Yi crossed her arms.

"You don't have to do it on your own, our people can swap between the maintenance and the defence," S3N commented.

"Alright then, we should get going then," Hanamiya said as she and Felicia began to make their way out of the camp and is followed by a handful of other Archileo staff.

"Good luck to us all then," S3N commented as they went in different directions.

[Transcendence Volume 2: Awakening]

"It's quiet," Felicia commented as she aimed the light towards the path they were heading into a recently walked path which the entire group found suspicious.