Ball of Nothing

A little over two months since Pocky returned, the ship that Zero and Truen commissioned was finally ready for sailing.

Even after going for many dives with Docky, they were still unable to hear the voice of the sea. Zero didn't know what to do since Mii couldn't learn the skill, and the mini-map function wasn't very helpful. Thankfully, Ottley and his crew volunteered to join Zero on his voyage.

The Marrissa stood proudly at the harbour, ready to be introduced to water for the very first time after it was built. Pepper volunteered to come along as their cartographer while Thomas looked forward to returning to Half Moon Village.

The Sea Hand brothers worked doubly hard to ensure all the gnomes' latest technology worked seamlessly after multiple vigorous tests. The Kraken mana core thrummed lowly in the magical device containing it. The engine was powered, and Truen realised just how much of this ship's interior was metal. Even if it wasn't made from undead wood, surely this would sink.

"Alright, boys!" Ottley shouted. "Let's do a headcount before we depart!"

Sobbing can be heard in the background as families said their goodbyes. Those who volunteered to accompany Zero on his voyage were prepared to spend years away from their families with the mental preparation that they might never return. After all, no sea otter had ever dived into the midnight zone of the sea and lived to tell the tale.

For Ottley, he volunteered in Docky's place for two reasons. The first was his thirst for knowledge to return to the sea. He had to overcome his fear of the sea monsters if he wanted to go on many more voyages. The other reason was that he was the only one in his generation who received Minerva's blessing as a Weatherman. Docky and Pocky should remain in the village to complete building their airship.

Although the crew did not need to load up any perishables or food for the journey because Zero assured them he had a way to feed everyone on board, they still had to shift crates of tools and various supplies.

The handful of sailors selected toiled away as Zero talked to the Sea Hand brothers. Truen kept an eye on the children of the village who were eyeing the sinking ship with mischief. As an elf with better hearing, Truen overheard their plans to sneak onto the vessel just before it left. As if he was going to allow that to happen. Truen paid extra attention to every piece of cargo getting loaded on the Marrissa. The last thing they needed was extra baggage for the dangerous journey.

"We don't know much about the things in the abyss and the trench," Docky reminded Zero. "If Indra Seagloo is hidden in the deeper layers, you wouldn't be able to find them. The trench is said to go right to the centre of the Earth, but nobody has ever confirmed it. The Marrissa cannot take the underwater pressure past the midnight zone, so be very careful not to get s.u.c.k.e.d by the undertow when you're approaching the boundaries between those two levels."

Before Zero left, he passed Thomas a message.

"I may be gone for a very long time and might not return after I find Indra Seagloo. In the case of an emergency, I leave the responsibilities of the village leader to Cleo and Lady Zenobia."

The gnome looked slightly surprised, but he immediately understood. This was Zero's way of parting and cutting connections with everyone. He might not know much about the Chosen One, but after the God of Death appeared before them for this doctor, they understood that he was never meant to stay long in this world.

"Don't worry, I will pass on the message. Travel safely!"

Satisfied, Zero returned to check on Ottley's crew. Almost everything was loaded up. The engines were running, and the shipwrights lowered the Marrissa into the water for the first time.

The heavy ship landed in the water with a splash, and those who were going on a long voyage walked up to the ship without looking back. Zero saw how many sea otters held back tears as they shouted their goodbyes. Bob ran up to his master and hopped onto Zero's shoulder, not wanting to be left behind as Zero climbed up the ladder.

At the top, Truen was waiting with an outstretched hand.

"Come on," the archer urged. "We should leave before the tide beaches us in."

Zero took one last look at the village and climbed that last rung before slipping inside the sinking ship.

"Prepare to dive!" Ottley shouted as he took hold of the steering, peering into what looked like an inverted telescope.

Zero didn't know how different operating the Marrissa was from an ordinary ship, but everything looked so crammed in this enclosed space. Truen pulled Zero along to show him their shared quarters. It was better to settle Zero in before he felt the need to offer assistance. The sea otters were busy enough, and the last thing anyone needed was for Zero to accidentally hit a lever that he wasn't supposed to touch.

There was very little to unpack on Zero and Truen's end. However, they stayed in the room for a long time, feeling seasick as the sinking ship started moving. The initial phase was very rough as the ship battled against the current. The engine g.r.o.a.n.e.d but held its own against the force of mother nature.

It took the sea otters almost twenty minutes to hit the calmer waters, and when it finally did, Zero started to feel the familiar bubble pressure in his ear.

"Good work, lads! We're officially diving fifty meters down under. The pressure is steady, and all systems are functioning well. You may now resume normal activities on stage two standby. Teams four and six on duty. Everyone else at ease."

When Ottley ended the announcement, Zero and Truen decided to explore the rest of the Marrissa, and Bob tagged along.