Just beneath the surface

The intertwining cords of fate

On the Brazilian coast facing the south Atlantic, Jahmil sat on the cold morning sand, and meditated. It was a new hobby of his, sitting peacefully and concentrating. The forest was already far behind him, and there was a whole new horizon up ahead, filled with a host of new mana. The seawater itself seemed to be rich in mana, so he wondered just what else lied beyond the line of sight of a normal human. The waves crashed on the sand, a melody to his ears. The breeze reminded him of the simple life he once lived, all those months ago, before the waves of fate swept him into such a voyage. How funny it was, Jahmil thought. To think such a lowly tribesman who had never seen the world apart from his home island would be on such a remarkable quest. Fate was truly like the water, it was never constant. For a moment his fate was for him to die, and on the next it would be to live with the woman he loved. Not long after it would be on a ship, sailing steadily in search for the words his parents have yet to tell him. Still, he couldn't shake the feeling of doubt if the "parents" part of the reward was true. He even began to doubt the entire voyage. Confusion arose within the crew, with some holding the words of the old man carrying the mirror, some on the side of the hooded man. Jahmil did not know which to believe, but as experience told him, the hooded man had never let them down. But on Andres' account, the old man was the one who gave him the blade, and his wisdom was priceless. So many unknowns, Jahmil thought.

"Breakfast!" Andres called out.

Jahmil stood up and took a deep, heavy breath. He walked to the inn where the entire crew had been staying. The governor of the town granted them gold and accomodation for the map they had given, and for the trade routes they had established with Manaus. They figure out that the reason why they couldn't get to Manaus was because they took a wrong turn along the way, which led to another fork, leading them further away from the town. They all agreed however to keep the chorus flower poison a secret. Though some of them refuted knowing that the poison would sell for a hefty price, they all had to convene to Fernando's final decision. For breakfast, they stayed at the nearby tavern, where they celebrated for their success. As Jahmil opened the door, a cup came flying out, barely hitting him in the face. All around the tavern, the men laughed, jeered, and sulked; at the same time. They sure got busy quite early, Jahmil thought. On the second floor, Fernando waved, gesturing for Jahmil to head up stairs. Jahmil has a hard time heading through the stairs as cups, dishes and spoons went flying everywhere.

"That's quite the ruckus you'll have to clean up later on", Jahmil remarked, wiping of a smudge of pepper on his coat.

"Yeah for now we'll just have to wait it out. Anyway, about the remainder of this quest, what are your thoughts?" Fernando asked.

"What do you mean?" Jahmil asked.

"About the decision whether to follow the hooded man or the old man, we need your call", Fernando replied.

"Oh, about that. Well, I don't know much about the old man, but the hooded man is really convincing. Here's my thoughts. So, we continue this voyage, but we must sign a contract that whatever the outcome or consequences we face, we have to fix it no matter what", Jahmil said.

"He says it like it's that easy", Randall said. " Like I said that old man is not any old man, he can summon mirrors out of thin air and shoot light out of them. He instantly shredded that treant in seconds. If he gets in our way, I doubt Jahmil can stop him", he continued.

"You have a point, but, if he does try to stop us, then we'll just give up", Jahmil said.

"Like we said it's not that easy. Are you telling us to spend the resources for the voyage then just call it off once something goes wrong?" Pedro asked.

"What else can we do?" Jahmil asked.

"What we're saying is that we continue the voyage, but stop at nothing to accomplish it", Victor replied.

"No that's not what I-"

"Randall, look on the bright side. The hooded man could be trailing us right now. I'm sure he would pop up once things go south", Victor continued.

"So that's settled. About the next thing, how do you plan to obtain something from the bottom of the ocean?" Fernando asked.

"Beats me. I have no idea how I'm even going to last long enough underwater. My mana is pointless down there, if only I had the mana to control water that would be better. Two minutes is my limit" Jahmil replied.

"Two minutes? That's inhuman!" Pedro remarked.

"It's still not long enough for him to descend to the bottom. Besides, who knows what wacky tricks those things have. Who knows they could be just as tricky as the treants", Randall said.

"Speaking of which, did you really bring the treant's arms on the ship?" Fernando asked.

"Yeah why not? There could be some kind of enchantment on Andres' book that could tame it", Randall replied.

"Where is Andres? Why is he not part of this session?" Jahmil asked.

"Ahh the boy said he didn't want to hear serious stuff like this, he's probably eating outside", Pedro replied.

"Well, the session is over. We have two more weeks to figure out a way to stay underwater, until then, keep thinking", Fernando said.

"Oh and could someone check the situation outside?" He asked.

"Yes captain", Pedro said.

Just as he opened the door, a pouch of rice came flying towards his face, knocking him down.

"Bullseye! Yee haw!" A sailor shouted. Fernando went out and flared at them. The sailors that had sobered up tried to pull the drunk sailor down from the table, but the drunkard kept on laughing.

"It doesn't seem to go well I suppose?" Jahmil asked.

While the rest stayed in the tavern drinking to their heart's content, Andres took a dip in the sea to try something he had just traded with a local merchant; Leather goggles with wax lenses. He hoped that it might be helpful for Jahmil when he would have to see underwater. It was quite blurry, but good enough for one to make out the underwater landscape. He brought a glass with him as well, as he hoped to catch a fish with it. As he submerged himself, he noticed that the glass, though now underwater, was only half full. He tipped it over, and bubbles came jostling for the surface. He tried it again, taking the glass out of the water, then dipping it into the sea. It really worked! To prove his point, he had to try it with a bucket. He felt like it was rather stupid, but he was intrigued. He wore the bucket over his head, and walked away from the coast. He placed his hand up to see if he really was underwater. Soon, his hands, though raised up high, were now underwater, but he could still breath! Perhaps the weight of the bucket helped him stay anchored to the bottom. He walked for a bit more, but soon the water inside the bucket began to rise, and the air felt denser. He took the bucket off, then realised that the surface was over five feet over his head. He swam for the surface, hoping that his plan could be rather considerable.

"Really?" Jahmil asked. Once again he has been meditating, this time under a coconut tree.

"I'm serious it actually works, we just need a bigger bucket, or probably a barrel, or even something that could fit a person, so that there would be a lot of air. It would also need a glass pane that could survive underwater without getting crushed", Andres said.

"Oh yeah, the pressure is too strong underwater", Jahmil remarked.

"How do you know that word?" Andres asked.

"Someone taught me back home", Jahmil replied, remembering the times Alyaha would teach him things she had learned at the University.

"Well, we better tell Fernando about this", Jahmil said.

They both went to Fernando to explain the idea.

"Really? Try it in the aquarium then", Fernando said.

Andres then demonstrated the discovery using a glass, even placing a leaf inside to prove that one could stay inside and not get wet.

"Well that brilliant idea couldn't have come at a better time. "We could start building this device of yours, so come up with rational designs of how we are going to make it", He continued.

That night, Andres began coming up with ideas, sketching detailed plans on thin sheets of paper. He actually loved drawing, , so he found thinking of ideas and sketching them rather fun. The next morning, they went over his sketches to decide on which design would best suit their purpose.

"To think he let the kid do it", Randall remarked.

Fernando looked him in the eye and said, "he may be a kid but he still could be more brilliant than you are".

Jahmil and Pedro chuckled.

"Anyway, the diving bell, it seems to be the most appropriate for this undertaking", Fernando remarked.

"The glass pane in the middle must be really thick", Jahmil said.

"If it's not possible for any glass to withstand the pressure we could just take it out", Andres replied.

"Well we could do that but I think I'll need it when I go down. It's best to pinpoint the location before charging in", Jahmil said.

"Now that the idea has been laid out, I think it's time to start on the actual thing", Fernando said.

The crew then dispersed around the town, searching for the necessary materials such as iron, glass, and places they could efficiently forge the cables and nails. The entire week would be dedicated to creating the round, cage like structure, with an opening at the bottom. They estimated it's weight, and found out that even the lowest estimate was too much for even their ship. The weight would tip the ship off balance .

"Well we should make a smaller ship, probably one that could balance the weight by having a heavy left side", Jahmil remarked.

"Do we still have money for that though?" Andres asked.

The crew then sailed back to Campeche, for one specific purpose; trade. With all the glowing flowers from the Quezian island, they could make a fortune.

"Are you sure we're really not breaking the natural law right now?" Andres asked.

"They gave these to us so that we could sell them, remember", Jahmil replied.

"Ten gold coins should be about enough for one right?" Fernando asked.

That night, one specific flower stand glowed bright under the moon shining over the highway of traders. Merchants were enticed to buy from the shop, and soon, the crowd grew larger and larger.

"See i told you it would be enough", Jahmil said, as more and more gold coins poured into the treasure box.

"Just make sure everything goes under control and make sure you speak none of the flower's origin", Fernando said.

"What do you mean, why would anyone even ask about-"

"Where did you find these?" A merchant asked.

"How do they not wilt even though they don't have roots?" Another asked.

"You don't have a witch with you right? This could be the work of a witch", another said.

"Now, now calm down", Jahmil said. All these come from-"

"If you're going to trade I'd rather not ask that many questions. First of all, these come from wherever they came from, and the reason why they glow is unknown", Fernando interrupted. He then flared at Jahmil. Once again, the crew settled down in an inn nearby, and while the others took shifts guarding the flower stand, the others drank and ate at the tavern. Andres, now having all the materials needed, began estimating the proportions of the boat, as well as the weight of the ballast it would need to carry the iron ball. A smaller hull would be attached to the side of the boat and would be filled with cargo in order to maintain balance. The other side would have a pole with a pulley wherein a chain would be fixed. The chain would host the iron ball over to the side.

"Still busy are you , it's already late at night", Jahmil said, as he drank a cup of tea.

"Well I have to do this quickly or else our timing might be flawed. I'm not even sure if this will work", Andres replied.

"Are you sure you don't want to visit your family? I mean it's less than a day's travel from here", Jahmil asked.

"Not yet. I promised her I'd return only when I'm done", Andres replied.

"If you say so. Better get some rest, it's gonna be a busy day tomorrow", Jahmil said.

Andres continued thinking, but now his head was also filled with thoughts of going home. He decided to sleep.

Fernando approved the idea that Andres proposed, and immediately began the construction of the boat. They also began enlisting new sailors to man the new boat.

They stayed at Campeche for about a month, and after the long wait the initial version of the "diving bell" had been completed. It was time to put it to the test just by the coast. Inside, there was a bar in the middle for a person to sit. A second chain was attached to a bell on the surface so that the person inside would be able to give the people on the boat signals. One tap to stop, two taps to be pulled up, and multiple ones if the person was in trouble. The daring day arrived, and Jahmil was the first one to try out their new invention.

"You sure this will work right Andres?" Jahmil asked.

"It should", Andres replied. Jahmil looked at Andres in a puzzled look.

"It will", Andres said.

The crew released the peg that held the diving bell and dropped it into the sea. Jahmil swam inside, through the hole in the bottom. From the outside, the men signalled that they would hoist him down. From the glass pane, Jahmil could clearly see that he was underwater. He was amazed at how he still didn't get wet, and how a pool of water formed in the hole beneath him. As he descended deeper, he felt a compressing force, like he was pushed from all sides. Fish circled around the diving bell, like a vortex of flesh. Suddenly, he heard something c***k. He looked at the glass pane, and saw a light accent in the middle. As expected, the glass began to c***k. Jahmil pulled the chain, clanging the bell, and signalling to the crew above to hoist him up. The crew above immediately jumped into action, trying their best to lift Jahmil up as soon as possible. The glass continued cracking, until it shattered, allowing sea water to gush in. Jahmil swam out, and luckily he was near enough to the surface.

"That's the thickest glass we've got. If it can't hold strong, then nothing else will", Fernando said.

"Sixty meters in was when he signalled ya to pull him up", Pedro said.

"Do we really need the glass?" Victor asked.

"Yeah I think we actually do, without it I can't estimate the depth from the bottom. The diving bell might actually land on the bottom and leave me no room to exit", Jahmil replied.

"Where's Andres by the way? Shouldn't he be here?" Victor asked.

"He said he would think of a solution as he walks through the town, I wonder if that would even help", Fernando replied.

Andre was surprised at how the town looked like now. The trading center had an array of glowing flowers perched on every stall. He still couldn't find a solution to their problem, but he knew there could be a way. As Jahmil told him, the glass would actually be necessary. He sat on a log on the side of the street, and thought about it.

"You're one of those sailors who sold those glowing flowers right?" A girl asked. She didn't seem to be from Campeche, Jahmil thought, or from anywhere around there. She dressed differently, more like an Arabian, with a hijab partially concealing her beautiful pitch black hair. He didn't bother asking where she came from though, as she could fluently speak Spanish.

"Ahh, Yes- uh, how can I help you?" Jahmil replied. He noticed how she actually could be around his age.

"Are you still selling them? I noticed the flower stand where you guys sold isn't at the market anymore, did you run out?" The girl asked.

"Oh, no we didn't run out. It's just that everyone had to do something today, so no one could attend to the stand", Jahmil replied. "We still sell at the tavern we are staying in though", He continued.

"I see, I would want to buy some", the girl said.

She bought three flowers, flowers that she said would be for her mother's grave.

"Thank you!" She said, and left.

I didn't even ask her name, Andres thought. It turned out the problem with glass was even more serious than they thought. As Jahmil went over the books, they had one page that was common to all three, and it contained an illustration. It appeared that they would have to construct a structure that had three massive glass lenses, which would be used to channel light into the lever to raise Atlantis. It was daunting, as the lenses would have to be five feet in diameter. They would also have to be submerged deep underwater, as the lever is situated on the ocean surface. Terracetacean sap would be spread over the first two lenses in order for the light to work. They badly needed glass that would be tough enough to withstand not only the force underneath, but the voyage there too. When he told Andres about it, Andres really knew he had to find a way or else there would be no way in raising Atlantis.

Once again, he walked around the town to search for clues. Some members of the crew also went around the market asking the merchants if they had heard of unbreakable glass. Andres hopes to see the girl again, not only because he wanted to know her name, but because he had a strong feeling she could help them. He went to the log he sat on the other day.

"So, when are you leaving?" The girl asked.

"Oh- uh, you're here", Andres said, quite awkwardly. "Well, We're not leaving until this project of ours becomes a success", He continued.

"That round lump of iron? What's with it anyway?" She asked.

"H-how do you know about that?- have you been watching us?" Andres asked.

"I am fascinated about explorers of the sea, so whenever sailors come around these parts, they really heighten my curiosity", The girl replied.

"My father was a sailor, you see, and he worked under your captain's brother, that, until they disappeared somewhere in the pacific, never to return again", she continued.

"My Captain's brother? You know my Captain?" Andres asked.

"Captain Fernando El Magillione, yes I know him", the girl replied.

"Oh I also heard that you would be needing unbreakable glass. Your friends seem to be in dire need for it at the market. It seems the waves of fate swept you to the right person", she continued.

"What do you mean?" Andres asked.

"There's a specific form of silt found in Madagascar, an island in the most southern tip of Africa. My father, being the captain's adviser, was told about this certain silt, and how once mixed with sand, it could create unbreakable glass. It's located in a secluded lake, which only I know, as my father gave me the only map before he left for his final voyage", the girl replied.

Andres was dumbfounded. He didn't know what to say at all.

"Then that means... the problem is... solved?" Andres asked.

"You could put it that way, I actually have a sheet of that kind of glass back home, so I could show it to your captain. I'll be talking to him too, I have a request in exchange for this information", The girl replied.

"Oh sure, where are you from anyway, and What is your name?" Andres asked.

"Oh yes I forgot the formalities. I'm Veronica Esperanza. We used to live in Egypt in an oasis by the Nile. My mother couldn't bear my father coming and going every now and then, so we decided to move here, as this was once their headquarters", she replied.

"What's your name?" She asked.

"I'm Andres magillione", he replied.

"You're the captain's son?" Veronica asked.

"No, he's my uncle", Andres replied.

"Wow, what a small world we live in", Veronica said

"Oh who is this young lass, a friend of yours?" Fernando asked.

"It might be more than just his friend", Jahmil chuckled.

"Shove it, we have the answers to all our problems right here", Andres replied.

Veronica then dropped a sheet of glass, and though it fell on the floor and created a heavy thud, it didn't break, or even have as much as a c***k on it.

"There's a special sediment that must be added to the solution to create the unbreakable glass, however only I know where it can be found. There's one condition, however; you'll have to bring me along, else the map won't be in your hands", Veronica said.

"I'm sorry, but I can't have more people into the bounty. I'll just buy the map, two hundred gold pieces should be worth it right?" Fernando asked.

Veronica then pulled out a g*n from her pocket and pointed it at Fernando, her eyes brimming with determination.

"Acting tough won't do you any good here young lady", Jahmil said, slowly unsheathing the sword.

"Wait, Captain, That g*n is-"

"Yes, that's one of the two naiad revolvers That are able to fire obsidian rounds, revolvers only the Magillione family possesses. How do you have it?" Fernando asked.

"Your brother gave his revolver to his adviser as a gift, and that adviser happened to be my father", Veronica replied. " I have no idea what happened, but because my father died laying the groundwork for your cause, I swore an oath to finish the task he failed to complete", She continued.

"Your resolve is firm, but are you going to leave your family here?" Fernando asked.

"I don't have a family anymore, all that's left for me here is to rot away", Veronica replied.

"Fine then. Pack your things, we'll leave in a few days, now that the solution to our problem is in our hands", Fernando said.

For the days to come, the crew began loading everything aboard, including materials they would need to build the lens. They would have to stock more supplies than usual as they would have to sail across the Atlantic. Once again they would enter the domain of perilous storms and churning waves, but they had faith that fate would be by their side. The mighty ship was ready to set sail once again, and the men on the harbour removed the ropes tied to the pegs. They rolled down the sails, and the ship began to move backwards.

"It's been far too long", Fernando said.

Suddenly the ship shook and stopped. A rope was still tied to a peg, but it was on the other side of the harbor, so the port guard had no other choice but to run to it.

"Are we seriously waiting for this?" Veronica asked the port guard slowly ran to the peg. She took out her revolver, loaded a light weight round and shot the rope, cutting the rope, and setting the ship free. Everyone who saw it was dumbfounded at the accuracy of the shot.

"As expected from the daughter of the marksman Lorenzo Esperanza", Fernando remarked. A sudden thought came to his mind, which struck fear into his heart, could it be that she joined them in order to-, he then discarded the idea. There's no way, he thought.

The ship bellowed as the wind pushed its mighty sails, heading in the direction of the East.