Two months later, Vanitas returned to the site. A dirt road had been paved, shaving days from the trip. Isa was with him, custom made claymore sheathed and at his side. His black uniform fit perfectly on his muscular frame, making an imposing figure. Before leaving, Olette seemed genuinely concerned, and Void shared her sentiment. He assured them both with gentle pats on their heads that he could handle it. The researchers whom Vanitas had been acquainted with met them at the village.
Flags, rope, ladders and hanging lanterns decorated the ruins. Vines had been cleared away, unless it proved integral to structure or shape of what it'd been attached to. Sunlight was bright during the hot, cloudless day illuminating the entire excavation.
Vanitas listened to their explanations, looked at sketches, and carefully stepped around anything hazardous. In a tent, tables were lined with small objects that stemmed from coins to engraved tablets of stone. Several large chunks of orange crystal had their own table and Vanitas observed them closely.
"A truly amazing find." One of the researchers picked a smaller piece up with a gloved hand. "This crystal is, well, of unknown origin! It is not natural, nor does it bare any mark of being man made. Why, I've heard rumors that Lord Ansem of the Royal Radiance University is willing to pay a hefty sum for just one."
The Royal Radiance University was probably the largest, technologically advanced university in the world and as headmaster; Lord Ansem was like the king of a small kingdom.
"Where were they found?" Vanitas asked first.
"Allow me to show you!"
The researcher was giddy as he lead them down a path of half crumbled archways. Trees opened up, revealing a clearing of what used to be mosaic and stone tiled ground. Gravity and time took their toll for the most part, leaving roofless white stone hovels, though some bigger structures held most of their ancient shape.
A small lake surrounded by trees held remains of what Vanitas guessed was a shrine from its half sunk arches. White slabs of stone paved a bridge in a shape similar to an aqueduct before crumbling into water below. The researcher lead them to the shore of the lake, pointing to the structure a distance away.
"Here, by the water. Everyone's guess is that they drifted from that building. However, until we can get a proper team for going underwater, it remains a mystery."
"You said this Lord Ansem would pay a lot of money for those crystals?"
Both Vanitas and the other looked back to Isa who stopped right where dirt met water.
"Why, yes! But we cannot just sell them off. We're not even sure how rare they are."
"Master Vanitas, allow me two weeks. I can assemble a crew to explore and bring back more crystals than you may know what to do with."
Isa's declaration left the researcher stunned.
"But sir, there are specialized institutions for this very thing. Men who are trained in diving and have the proper equipmen-"
"And I used to be a pirate. Sunken treasure is my territory."
Two pairs of eyes fell onto Vanitas and he found no downside. It saved the time of putting together a team, and a ragtag group was certainly the most cost effective choice.
"Two weeks. Get your men. I expect a large haul."
In eleven days, Isa returned with a small group of impressionable men. Many of them had tattoos, piercings, and scars. A lone young woman stood out for her flowing red hair and pale skin covered by a ragged dress. Outside of his uniform, Isa wore a loose blouse and well-worn pants.
Vanitas waited out the time between the camp and village, using Xehanort's notes to study and understand the botany and archeology. Isa and his small crew rode in the back of a wagon, immediately making villagers and camp crew weary.
"Can't say I'm surprised, but I am impressed." He greeted, looking them all over.
"I am honored by your faith." Isa deadpanned, hopping over the side of the wagon. He re-adjusted the sheath of his sword and stepped forward, followed closely by the others. The young woman looked around with interest, catching Vanitas' eye with how completely out of place she was among everything. He tilted his head in her direction, eyebrows furrowed.
"This is Ariel, don't mind her. Just a never ending sense of curiosity. Shall we be on our way?"
The researcher seemed to be on the verge of biting his fingernails when they laughed at the mere idea of wearing diving suits. They set out to the lake in two fishing boats and Vanitas watched them through binoculars.
Isa lead charge, giving instructions and pointing down to the water. The woman jumped in first, staying underwater for several minutes and resurfacing, relaying whatever she'd found through different hand movements and the others began jumping in while she minded the boats. Isa carefully scaled the tilted wall of the building and peeked through holes. His voice traveling across the water didn't reach Vanitas as he shouted down to the girl his findings.
Every minute or so, one of them would resurface, dump something in a boat, and plunge back down. Isa used his arms to steady himself on an open arch and stared down as though watching something interesting. To Vanitas' surprise, he jumped.
The boats had been loaded so full they split the weight evenly and rowed back before either could sink with them in it.
True to his word, Isa returned with a haul, some crystals larger than small animals.
"I suggest sending word to Lord Ansem of purchasing one of those crystals." Isa smirked and held one out in his hand. Bright blue tinted its edge and contrasted with its orange core.
