Epics of Noche 3, Limbo

EON CH 21 - ACT 36, SEA FUNERAL

DIVERS IN FORMAL WEAR. 

1774, NOVEMBER 28th, MONDAY12:55 pm.

Each step sent a send cloud drifting about the sea floor. Each breath sent a plume of bubbles to rise towards the unseen surface. For Noche, it was a surreal experience to walk at the bottom of the ocean floor. What little light there was fell like heavy curtains in these dark blue waters.

The blonde paused when a town became visible in the distance. She hurried in her approach, but upon arriving it was evident that the place had been forsaken. It was similar in appearance to the place near the DriveMetal factory where Noche met Boots.

In this replica, there was a certain spot that called to Noche's subconscious. She walked through the streets and alleyways, avoiding the giant fish hooks that littered the sky like a flock of birds frozen in time. Making her way to the location where she fought boots. Past the area where she made her deal with Dia.

Noche stood where that mother and daughter died.

There were no bodies. The tar had left nothing behind. Yet she felt like if she listened closely she could still hear their screams. How much time passed, Noche couldn't say. She stood there for what seemed to be hours.

In the distance, an old, sunken galleon ship rose from its watery grave. With rapid speed, it ascended towards the surface. Leaving a new path open in its wake.

Noche broke free from her trance and made her way towards the site. In the spot where the boat had rested was now an abyss. She stopped and stared before jumping in. As darkness surrounded Noche her consciousness faded.

She woke up in a graveyard. On a hill surrounded by wooden tombs covered in barnacles. Her appearance had changed to human again, but this time in a black dress. Despite still being underwater there was a yellow light in the distance. As she approached music became audible too – it was mournful.

Dark humanoid shapes appeared to be filling in a grave. An ornate, bronze music box sat atop a wooden barrel right next to a lit lantern.

The people appeared to be scuba-divers that wore antique diving helmets and tuxedos instead of waterproof suits. Noche didn't notice herself wearing one such helmet. At the divers' feet were a total of nine graves.

"There was nothing you could do."

"Water under the bridge."

"Flow with the tide."

"You're an anchor."

"All you every do is weigh them down."

Noche's gaze turned towards the graves. Each one had a wooden tombstone with a single letter.

"J, S, G, J, V, M, A, B, and V," she muttered.

The first grave had already been filled, but the second one was in the process of being so. In it was a body obscured by dirt, but it appeared to be a tall woman. As for the other seven graves, they were all empty.

All the scuba divers stopped what they were doing and turned to Noche. She backed away and caught a glimpse of something red. It was her hands – she raised them and both were covered in blood.

When her head snapped back up she was inside a wooden box. A coffin. The lid closed on her and Noche panicked. She beat against the door but it was supernaturally solid. Noche was carried to a spot far away from the nine graves – an isolated hole in the ground.

The coffin was lowered as Noche continued to beat against the lid. Soon, impacts resounded against the opposite side as dirt was shoveled onto her box. She screamed and fought, but couldn't escape. Just as the ants in her body threatened to take over, the back vanished and Noche fell into the dark.

She hit the ground hard. It took her a moment to recover and stand, but when she did, she found herself outside of Cross HQ. Specifically before the double giant, Viking doors that used to pose such a challenge for her. They were cracked open to reveal a dark library with books floating about.

Despite her familiarity with the environment, it felt strange. The lights were off, the world was cold, and she was still underwater. Behind her was a cliff that descended into endless black. With only one path presented to her, Noche continued forward.