Deepwoken: Divers

Promotion: Second Wind

  After Castle Light was cleared of monsters, renovations instantly began, trying to fix the damage that has been caused. Kevin returned to the Union, although our four friends kept in touch with him, developing a signal-system. Faust and Gwen would shoot a blinding flame, Colt would summon thunder and Pakki would shoot a singularity orb into the sky in order to ask for help.

As soon as the main hall was finished, which was quite fast due to the re-discovery of Ironsing, a mandatory meeting would be held. Gwen, Colt, Faust and Pakki all stood with their hands behind their backs in front of the crowd of Divers, Klaris Llienfield, considered by many to be the strongest black diver, walking back and forth.
"Now that you all finally quieted down... I would like to congratulate these four divers; Colt Kalinof, for devising the plan that would become 'Operation Lightpath'." She said, standing a little in front and beside our rookie divers. "Gwen Mirad, for giving a heartfelt speech to motivate the divers to execute the plan. And finally, Faust Ytreshi and Patrick Jaeger for venturing outside Castle Light to get help. I hereby declare all four of them as journeymen divers for their courage, empathy and bravery!"

Our four friends all smiled in unison as Nathan handed them each their new clothes. The Divers' leadership decided to leave Klaris back at Castle Light in order to keep anything like this from ever happening again. However, now that she was forced to stay back at the castle, she decided she would occupy herself with sending people to Layer 2 with her light hook.

Since Klaris, the only authority present, was in the deepest part of the castle, the survivors of the breach decided to throw a party of some kind. It wasn't much, but for those who have been living here for years on end, it was some of the best fun they ever had. Especially Faust and Pakki who lived their entire lives here in the Depths. Though it was still only the same Urchin Stew they'd eat all day, every day, it felt special. Whilst the three boys were having fun partying, Gwen excused herself.

When she returned, she had something behind her back. "Hey you three... I found something for us~"
Pakki looked at her. "Found something..? Heh, you mean stole something?"
Faust crossed his arms. "Hey, finders keepers... If she could just take it, they weren't using it anyway."
Gwen smiled. "Exactly!" She pulled out a bottle of wine from behind her back. "This...! This is the stuff the black divers drink!"
Colt's face got pale. "You stole from THE BLACK DIVERS?!"
Gwen grabbed four glasses, pouring them each some of it. "Yup! We deserve it after what we accomplished."
Colt examined it closely. "Why is it red again...?"
Faust shrugged, downing it all. "Who cares? Just drink the evidence away!"
Pakki laughed, downing it as well.
Gwen walked up to Colt, grabbing his hand. "Come on, do it with me. One... Two... Three!" They both downed it, Colt's face squeezing up from the taste.

Pakki stumbled around for a moment before excusing himself to go outside to throw up. Just as he was about to return, Colt went out to him. "Hey..." He walked up to Pakki.
"Huh?.. Colt..? What are you doing out here?" Pakki asked.
Colt leaned on the remaining debree at the entrance. "It's... Gwen... Kinda..."
Pakki tilted his head. "Gwen? What's up with her..?"
Colt placed his head on his arms, mumbling. "I... ....have a crush on her. And I have absolutely no idea how to tell her."
"HUH?! A crush on her..?" Pakki asked. "I think you should just be upfront about it."
"It's not that easy!" Colt lifted his head to look at Pakki. "I just... wish it was different..."
Pakki narrowed his eyes. "Different? What 'it' are you talking about..?"
"....Being divers... We could very well die at any given moment." Colt looked at the distant wasteland.
Pakki leaned on the debris next to him. "Hey... ...Why'd you become a diver again?"
"I'm... Not sure. My parents were both divers... It just felt like the right thing to do.. y'know..?" Colt answered.
"Like you didn't have an option..." Pakki leaned on his hand. "Think of the bright side... You got to meet her BECAUSE you became a diver. And actually... I think she's only alive because of your plan."
"That was one time, Pakki... I just... Know I'm not as strong as you guys are. Not as strong as she is. If she needs help... I don't think I could save her." Colt answered, clearly speaking everything that was on his mind.
"I know how it feels... You throw everything your arsenal at them and they just get right back up..." Pakki stared out into the horizon.

"How... did you have the courage to rush at the monsters when they breached this place?" Colt asked, looking at Pakki.
"I.... Don't know. I just thought about you guys... just focused on my anger... And kinda.. Channeled it, if you know what I mean." Pakki answered, now staring at the place he and Faust fought the initial onslaught.
"That's what I'm talking about... I don't think I could ever do that..." Colt sighed.
"Then don't. That's just.. What keeps me going. Fight for what you want to fight for. Fight for her survival. Fight for your own survival. Remember what she always tells us?" Pakki looked at Colt.
The tired Celtorian sighed once more. "...'When you're out there, you have to keep pushing on, even if you can't anymore', right?"
"Yeah.. Focus on that." Pakki smiled a little. "And hey... me and Faust plan on getting out of here one day. We'd happily take you guys..."
Colt got back from the debris. "To live a normal life... Sounds great..." He smiled. "Thanks... I'll go back inside. Don't forget we're gonna have our first proper mission tomorrow." He turned to leave back inside.

Pakki nodded. He took one last look at the distant city, trying to turn around, though he couldn't move. A figure loomed over him as he couldn't move a single muscle. He heard Nathan speak.
"Tomorrow... Don't use your magic. At all. No matter what.  Or you'll be killed. Got it?"
Pakki looked at him, moving only his eyes, though Nathan's hair obscured his expression. "Y-yes...?"