【90 - The Abyss Royals' Foray on the Underwater City!】

The Abyss Royals were sending a battleship fleet.

Jacob and Charles were in the navigation room again, Drache der'Zen had called on the holo-screen to inform them not forty minutes after Jacob had figured everything out himself. Gaigen had spared no time.

"I got a message from Abyssbell = Jashin Emperor. He ordered us to hand over the humans in our jurisdiction." Drache der'Zen was saying. His voice was part computerised, part underwater-muffled, but he came across as an easygoing, bard type. His guitar was in view on his back.

"Can we still trust you?" Charles asked.

"You can. I don't want the Abyss Royals to have access to Aurellia's resources any more than you do."

"So we're fighting them off?" Jacob asked.

"We are. There's just one teensy problem." The holo-screen flashed to the far-off fleet, within the flotilla was a gigantic cannon. "And by teensy I mean huge, huuuge problem. That is a hydronic laser. It can fire precise, wide beams underwater, and one that big is capable of damaging our city dome… and destroying your sub. We'll both be in firing range in twenty minutes."

It could hit them from kilometres away. That far!? Kanoa remarked into the mindlink.

"My bet is they'll destroy the sub, scoop up the wreckage and analyse everything back home, finding coordinates to Aurellia that way."

"We need to surface. We can manoeuvre faster," Charles said.

Jacob voiced Heidi's question, "Won't the other ships fire at us?"

Charles faced Jacob, "We won't have to stay up if the weapon is destroyed. I could launch a tiny receiver and parachute it down, a phoenix could digital travel out, destroy the weapon from up close."

"No way," Jacob said.

The blast doors opened, the other chosens had arrived.

"No way!?" Heidi led them in. "Yes way! It's the fastest way to stop the laser!"

"Gaigen pulled us off course last time, he could be waiting for this!"

There was no misunderstanding. It all came down to different opinions on the risks of losing their lives versus everyone back home. The other three were undecided.

Amira turned, "Charles, can't you just teleport everyone back to Aurellia?"

"All our creature connections are here and I can't liberate Aurellia without more prep time." Charles pointed to the screen, now barking, "We don't have time to discuss this! We need to stop that laser!"

"I won't do it!"

"Jacob!" Heidi yelled.

"ENOUGH!"

Everyone froze in surprise.

Kanoa had shouted.

"We are a team - for fuck's sake! We've not been a very good one, and the blame lies with each of us to some extent, but the only way we're going to win is by working together!"

After a few seconds Jupiter spoke, "...well said."

"You're right," Sinan began, "and I'm sorry we've been dismissive of you, Kanoa. You've been the glue keeping us together. I… want to keep doing what has to be done." He looked up, "I want to destroy the weapon. Only question is how."

They needed a new approach. Jacob's mind began racing over possibilities and Heidi jumped on one.

"Excellent idea."

"I don't like it," Jacob said.

"Too bad, it was your idea first. I'll be decoy. I'll fly over and carry Sinan in his human form. I'll get him close enough to take them by surprise and destroy the weapon."

Drache der'Zen raised a finger, "That laser can also fire through air, just so you know."

"We can't all escape risk," Heidi decided. Jacob felt guilty but his mind remained unchanged.

"I'm fine with this too!" Mars stated.

They all nodded as one.

A carrier vessel emerged, the ocean spilled off its flat surface. The coastal guard was comprised of Magic Cyber Moons and Machine Eaters, they broke the water en masse behind it. A mini-sub pulled up and its glass top slid back, Jacob and Amira stepped out and across the flat steel top. They stared to a distant bay as the enemy fleet made its way around.

"Even in phoenix mode their weapons can still hurt you," Mercury warned.

Pluto whispered, "Remember what I said before…"

Amira cut him off, "I got it. Free to use your powers."

They stared forward, standing a few feet apart.

The sub had surfaced kilometres behind them, above the underwater city. They'd made Kanoa stay on board to keep a pair of eyes there and to defend it if necessary.

They both spied Mars Disaster then, flying along the coastline. A brilliant, flaming giant in the distance. The cannon daunted them when it turned into view. Larger than any human weapon could hope to be. They could hear its metal groaning from afar as it took aim. Mars batted its wings as a white beam fired at it. A terrible roar reached from horizon to horizon. Jacob and Amira were startled by visions of her pain before Mars plummeted out of the sky.

They both gulped and faced forward. The fleet hadn't slowed and the cannon affixed itself to a new target.

A speedy boat had gone on ahead, carrying Alfred in a mech-suit. It looked like water civ tech. They let him approach and Alfred stepped off onto their carrier ship.

"Nice party suit," Jacob spat.

"It's turned me from an old man to a living tank." His fist thunked against his metal chest. "I can witness in person Charles' fall from grace then take back what's rightfully mine."

"Not here to talk terms then?"

"Here's the terms: you bring out Charles and have him surrender."

Amira's agitation was back. For her, seeing Alfred was like looking into a funhouse mirror. She saw herself but old, willing to do anything to survive and with no loyalties.

Alfred noticed her clenched fists. "Stand down."

"Never," Amira replied. "The others keep contrasting you with Oliver, your son-in-law, Ulrich's father. He saved the colony from an invasion back then. Even dead, he'd still be a better sight than you!" She yelled, "I'll never stand down again, because I don't ever want to become what you are!"

Alfred scowled. The giant cannon lit up once more.

"It's aiming for the sub!" Mercury shouted.

Amira didn't think, she ran to the edge and jumped. A blinding beam sizzled the air and struck Pluto Deathbringer who was huge enough to act as a physical shield. Pluto screeched terribly before the laser receded, needing some time to recharge again.

Darkness shrunk away and Amira was facedown in the ocean. Jacob dove in after her. Alfred watched him swim back and drag them both up.

Amira was unresponsive but alive.

"Stupid girl…" Alfred remarked.

Jacob set her down, then pulled out his deck. He walked until they were facing each other. "Kettou da."

"I want Charles! Not you!"

"Then you'll have to go through me first."

Alfred growled. A compartment opened, he extracted his cards.

Their tables and shields formed.

Jacob and Alfred charged mana for their first couple of turns. They paused when the cannon lit up once more. Jacob froze and Alfred started cackling.

Suddenly, Venus Ia Saint Mother erupted beneath it. It turned over, the beam misfiring across the sea horizon. Venus began ripping into its underside, the turrets of the surrounding ships spun around and pelted purple laserfire. Venus shrieked and had to escape underwater.

Alfred stammered. On that mark the border patrol sailed off, meeting the opposing force and letting loose once they were in firing distance.

Grinning, Jacob returned to their game against the backdrop of war.

Heidi blinked at a face over the sky. She was lying in a ditch.

"Timothy?"

"Hey." He was relieved. "I got Charles to beam me over. Great job throwing Sinan at the last moment. Now we gotta get you back."

She let him pull her to her feet.

Nobody was around. Timothy started walking and she followed.

"Can you transform?" he asked.

"Ouch - not yet. Hopefully soon." She stumbled after him over rocks and clods. They had to climb over a lip and Timothy held his arm out. She flashed back to similar times he'd supported her. She held on. "Thanks, Timothy."

"Don't mention it." They stepped over onto a downslope and she steadied herself against his arm as they crept down. "Is Mars okay?"

"I'm alright, thanks for asking."

Heidi spoke, "I know this isn't a good time, but until Mars gets his strength back, I can't do anything anyway. So… what have you been up to?"

They hadn't spoken one-on-one in the sub, on account of it being too awkward.

"Well, you know… after leaving you I went to a hospital in the next city and they redid my arm plasters. When that nuke went off I'd already left, I went looking for my fellow cultists like I said I would. They'd become nomads. I did find them though."

"That's great!"

"They tried to kill me. Cause of Narciel. And our temple."

"Oh. Bummer."

"When the apocalypse happened I remembered Tailee's research branch, so I went looking for the astronomical society, then asked to be sent across."

"We're ready to transform again," Mars interrupted them.

Heidi and Timothy stopped, staring at each other in farewell.

They'd finally had a talk and it had to end already.

"I gotta go," Heidi said.

"When I get back to the beach Charles can teleport me," Timothy reassured her. "Go save everyone. It's what you do best."

She smiled wide then turned away, ran and then jumped into the sky.

"I cast Earth Dragon God's Magic Encampment!" Jacob announced on this third turn. Three cards floated and faced him with a whumph. He took Dead Damned to his hand, the rejects slid away.

"I cast Just In You!" Alfred declared, four cards spilled from his deck to the graveyard. "I play Madan = Row. I get to look at your hand." His laser-focused eyes studied each card. "Discard Deam Damned." Snap.

Jacob retook his cards. What a waste. "I summon The Verde, Rainbow Sonic!" It rolled in on exhaust smoke. "In that case, mach fighter! It suicides with Madan = Row!" Its exhausts fired and it shot into the golem which came apart into bricks.

"I summon Broom = Proof!" A humanoid jackal magicked a spinning, double-ended broom into being. Alfred milled one.

Jacob sensed that if he played a creature in any other way than summoning, it'd be destroyed. It was good he had this sense, Alfred's lips were zipped.

Jacob paused mid-draw after sensing Heidi. Seconds later she fell from the sky, denting the metal below her feet before straightening up. She looked to the unconscious Amira then back to Alfred.

"Five!" Her table and shields appeared. Alfred snarled behind his glassy visor. "I summon Glenislay, Flame Dragon Ruler!" Her lavender hair was ponytailed, bangs covering her eyes and a great pink dahlia upon her head. Her white gi was half-covered in shogun armour. "Glenislay auto-battles Broom = Proof!" She leapt into action, snapping the spinning broom with a forearm block, then dishing a chop that bowled its wielder over backwards. It skidded along its back before exploding in a light ripple.

Heidi splayed her hand. "After winning a battle I can equip her with..." Electric chains whipped up and Glenislay crouched. "Gaisaga, Explosive Flame Greatsword!" She sprang and out of hyperspace fell a cyan sword, shaped like a burned-out something. She backflipped, catching the overly-sharp weapon and making it look easy, then settled into another stance. "She's now a speed attacker. I attack, and reveal my top card-" It was Mendelssohn, the spell went to the bottom of her deck. "Shield break!" With a heroic shout she leapt impossibly far, raking through glass.

"Shield trigger!" Alfred screeched. "Doorknocker = Nordocker! I give Glenislay -4000 power twice!"

It was a purple door with a gold lion-head knocker. The door split down the middle to reveal a muscled figure with four arms - the knocker was its head. It leapt, swinging four staffs that crashed down together. A yelp and light-wave, Glenislay was gone. Her sword floated into a closing portal.

Jacob went, "...I cast another Earth God Dragon's Encampment." This time he did the smart thing and gave himself more mana. "Turn end."

"I summon Jablood, Wicked Dragon!" From the abyss crawled out the hissing skeleton dragon. Alfred milled twice.

At that moment Gaigen arrived in his own mech-suit, landing with its jetpack.

Alfred smirked and contemplated, "Doorknocker…" he studied both opponents before zeroing on Heidi. "Attack her, ike!" It dashed over, rupturing glass with a poke from a staff.

Jacob faced his old enemy, "We'll finish things next."

"Why wait?" Gaigen asked as he began to glow.

"Can it be…?" Mercury gasped.

Gaigen raised his arm with glee, "I choose SIX!"

"Six!?" Heidi gasped.

"How can he…?" Jacob uttered. Gaigen projected six panels before himself, six mana and six cards in hand.

"He must have analysed our duels on that other world, then replicated the power. But Gaigen has taken it further than we could."

"No kidding!" Jacob replied. "At least with eighteen cards being banished, his deck will only have five after he draws."

"I summon Aqua Network!" A liquid being floated with legs crossed before a series of holographic screens. "I can play a spell or tamaseed for free, I cast Perfect Darkness and choose to use its first effect twice. You both have to discard, twice!"

Jacob's teeth clenched. Cyberdice Vegas and Miraculous Plague was all he had - now gone. Heidi struggled before tossing out two cards too.

"Alright! My turn!" She yelled and pulled. Jacob knew her plans and her cards in hand. She charged Royal Straight Flush Kaiser because she needed a fifth fire card for Mana Arms. "I cast "Help me! Malt!" and summon MaltNEXT, Super Battle Dragon Ruler!" Her hero of split red-blue fire roared, punching his fists and making sparks. Usually Heidi would choose Heart Burn, but she didn't have five fire dragons in her mana. She chose a different dragheart, "Batogaiheart, Explosive King Sword!" The sword that slipped out was red, gold and blue. "MaltNEXT attacks and if the top card of my deck counts as a dragon I can play it!" It flipped up, this time: success! "Glenislay, Flame Dragon Ruler!"

The hero twirled, that lavender hair swishing until she crouched ready once more. "She insta-battles Doorknocker!" She had her revenge, jump-kicking the abyssal. He grunted, flying out to sea. "I equip her again with Gaisaga Great Sword to make her a speed attacker. Next, Batogaiheart dragsolutions into Batogaiginga, Explosive King Deluxe!"

The first sword vibrated, ascending then exploding. It became a 12,000 dragon with purply-volcanic skin, wrinkled like a goblin with brilliant flames billowing from its back. The other players were struck by Heidi's power. Jacob grinned.

Heidi continued, "MaltNEXT's attack triggered all this and now it can continue! Double break!" It punched fireballs that cleared two of Alfred's panels.

"Sh-shield trigger! Torch = Totorot, Evil Light!" It was a wax-bodied figure with candle fingers. "Civil Count 3, I have three darkness creatures or tamaseeds: you have to destroy your strongest and weakest creature!"

The loss hit Heidi. She had to remove Glenislay and Batogaiginga before using them. Both burnt out in ghastly purple.

"Wait." Heidi pointed. "Why isn't Gaigen losing Aqua Network!"

"Not just that, Alfred didn't discard twice when we had to either," Jacob realised.

"We don't understand how yet, but Gaigen's version of the intrusion penalty is different to ours…" Mercury said.

The turn passed to Jacob. He had no cards but chanced a draw.

"I cast Hyperspatial Gallows Hole! I bounce Jablood!"

"I reshuffle four graveyard cards to keep it!"

"I bring out Black Ganveet, Temporal Wicked Soldier!" The psychic creature trotted out from its portal, a skeletal knight and steed. Gaigen can benefit from not being counted as Alfred's opponent, but we can actually benefit from being counted as opponents, Jacob thought to Heidi who met his stare. Once his opponent ended their turn: if an opponent had no cards in their hand Black Ganveet would psychic awaken into a stronger form. It was now Alfred's turn and Heidi had no cards in her hand.

Alfred charged before giving his partner a look, "...Why didn't you warn me about this duel hijacking ability you all have?"

"You didn't need to know."

"Didn't need to-!?"

"Just play."

Heidi and Jacob flickered looks between them, reading the precarious air of their alliance.

After a breath Alfred continued, "...I summon Bauwauja, Abyssall Three Roar!" The pale, three-headed cerberus with batwings leapt out next. Until he got his fourth card out both Jablood and Bauwauja were classed as tamaseeds, making them unable to attack - he was one short. "I mill four cards. Now Torch = Torotot attacks the girl's shield! Its own effect would destroy it after, but I reshuffle four cards and it stays." A gold arm trailing flames broke glass. Heidi took the card to her hand with pursed lips. Alfred ended his turn. Only Jacob was holding no cards so there was no psychic awakening.

The turn jumped around their square of a game, Gaigen went next, "I evolve Aqua Network into Adamski, S-rank Space!" It shone, random limbs bulking up into silver armour until a sleek, shimmering mecha took shape. "Attack Heidi, double break! Whenever Adamski would break a shield, a card gets milled from your deck instead!"

It punched glass that didn't break, sending a tremor into Heidi's table, two cards flopped over into her graveyard pile. Heidi was down to five cards in her deck - four, as she took her next turn.

She charged Glenlivet, now having the five fire dragons she needed in her mana zone. "I summon another MaltNEXT and bring out Heart Burn, Battle Galaxy Fortress!" The spiked temple landed with a crash. Jacob was targeting Alfred because his abyssal army would become too strong if it was built up. Heidi understood that but also his likeness to Amira pissed her off.

Gaigen could see the current state of the duel was bad. He started pressing buttons on his wrist. Shockingly, Alfred's mech-suit dulled, retracting from his limbs before falling onto the metal behind him. Alfred stared at his bare arms, his grey beard now blowing in the wind. He turned to see the shell of his armour.

"What… what are…?"

"Come now, Alfred," Gaigen explained, "I can't actually let you lead the Abyss Royals to Aurellia."

"But that was the whole point!?"

"We've already taken over," Gaigen shocked him further. "My objective has always been… Jacob."

Jacob clenched his fists. He wasn't the first chosen to have a lieutenant obsessed with murdering him. Heidi continued, drawing Alfred's shocked stare.

"MaltNEXT attacks, double break!"

"Wait - time out!" Glass flew and Alfred whimpered. His panicked voice was high, "Shield triggers, Doorknocker gives -8000 power to MaltNEXT!" He'd chosen to temporarily weaken Heidi's creature instead of destroying Black Ganveet. "My tamaseeds are now creatures too. Bauwauja is a 13,000 blocker."

"Dragon Mana Arms Five, MaltNEXT untaps! Heart Burn dragsolutions! GuyNEXT Super Battle Victory Dragon!" Her 17,000 giant transformed, towering from above. "GuyNEXT todomeda!"

"BLOCK!" Alfred screamed and his creature flew, dying in his place. The great dog was split down its middle by heat and sword.

Heidi was aglow amidst her fiery creatures. She lowered her head, staring down Alfred with two MaltNEXTs. One of them had been reduced in power to 1000 while the other was on 9000. She'd spared an enemy before and it had led to disastrous consequences.

Alfred mouthed, "Please."

He'd clearly been broken from over a decade of exile, stuck in a whirlpool effect of denial and shame. If he truly wanted to live on in such a pathetic manner, Heidi supposed she'd oblige him.

She turned the weaker one, "Todomeda!" Its flaming fist was dull and slow. Alfred was thanking her as it whacked him into unconsciousness.

"You won't get the same mercy," Jacob assured Gaigen.

"Hmph."

Heidi redirected her focus, "Second MaltNEXT, ike!"

"Hayabusamaru blocks!" The gold airship took the hit, confusing his opponents as to why he'd use it now. He was planning something funny.

Jacob drew. "Black Ganveet attacks and invasion! Dead Damned, Triple S-rank Disaster!" It shone, growing into one of his giant mechas. "It automatically destroys Adamski then double breaks!" Jacob threw a fist himself, mirroring him, a mechanical punch tore through the comparatively dwarven enemy. Dead Damned lurched around, continuing the swing with 11,000 power aimed square at Gaigen. Two shields burst, glass rained against his mech-suit.

"Strikeback! I discard and cast Order's Will, sealing Dead Damned." Chains shot out, so many wrapping it entirely into a metal cocoon. Gaigen began his turn, "I summon Deal, Mechanic and choose number 8." It was a bigger version of the casino-bot, flashing an eight of hearts card. "Batogaiginga is sent to Heidi's hand." Being a dragheart it flew into Heidi's grip before immediately snapping back to her hyperspace pile. Her giant melted away.

Heidi drew Vol-Val-8. With her only other card being dual-coloured it was too expensive to play. Jacob would have to finish Gaigen. "MaltNEXT double break!" Its power restored, it punched consecutive fireballs into more glass.

"I have shield triggers! First, Aqua Network!" That floating liquid person from before was back. "I cast a spell for free, Trial of the Gods!" It shone blindingly blue. "I reveal cards from my deck until I find two with the same cost." He only had three cards left, they floated up one at a time: Drache der'Zen and two spells, none had the same cost. Still, instead of decking out his spell shone brighter.

"And what happens if you can't?" Heidi pushed.

"Then I can no longer lose by running out of cards. Also, I get an extra turn after this one!" The three cards lowered into his hand. "My other shield trigger is Upheaval. We all swap our hands with our mana zones."

Heidi had one card and Jacob had none, they were left with barely any mana and given full hands.

That's why he used Hayabusamaru then, Jacob sank with the realisation. His deck utilises Upheaval and he wasn't sure he'd have the mana for a ninja strike later.

Heidi had another MaltNEXT so shook it off. "Final break!" It cleared his last shields.

"Lovely…" It became Gaigen's turn and he started with nothing to draw. He enjoyed the crestfallen looks on their faces. "I summon Busou, Demon Doll." It was covered in stitches. "Now I can return however many cards I want from my graveyard to my deck, and in any order." He raised his arm, "Aqua Network attacks Heidi, todomeda!" It raised both hands, generating a digital beam that sent her sliding, her dragons faded out. "Deal, Mechanic double breaks Jacob's shields!" Jacob received a guard strike but had nothing to target.

Jacob's turn. He had no mana and could do nothing other than charge. God it was painful. Gaigen was enjoying himself and Jacob bristled, watching him take his time with his draw.

"I summon Jenny's Shadow." The statue-tamaseed arose and a random card snapped from Jacob's hand. "Aqua Network, attack!" Glass flew. "Deal, Mechanic final break!" It flicked playing cards that sliced Jacob's last shields. This was it…

He closed his eyes slowly.

…and opened them to two glowing triggers.

"Hyperspatial JCA Hole and Team Tech's Wave Go!" Jacob shouted. "I bounce all your cards that cost five or less!" Crystal-tech creatures fired a pulse, eroding everything in Gaigen's zone except for Deal, Mechanic. "I bring out Ryusei Splash the Intense Wave and now Deal, Mechanic can't attack or block! Since Ryusei's a command I unseal Dead Damned." The chains burst, flinging out into the ocean.

Gaigen gazed upward.

"Ha…" Jacob drew, charged his second card. "I cast Earth Dragon God's Encampment, I'll take Redgirazone to my hand. Ryusei Splash attacks and revolution change, Redgirazone Roaring Revolution!" Jacob raised the card with his shout, emitting blinding light. He was flanked by both his 11,000 mecha monstrosities. Knowing that he was finally putting their rivalry to rest gave him more relief than the euphoria he'd been expecting. Through the blinding light, he'd not noticed the eagerness on Gaigen's face. "Todomeda!"

"Revolution Zero!" He wagged a card. "Judgement Gate of Revolution! I reveal my top card… if it's a darkness creature I can instantly destroy one of yours." He should have no more than a fifty-fifty chance, but he was entirely calm. Jacob suddenly remembered he'd ordered his deck with Busou, Demon Doll. Gaigen revealed, "Jenni-1 Doll. Lucky me. I destroy Redgirazone." Before that metal fist connected it exploded into falling lights. Gaigen spread his arms like it was snowfall.

Jacob's head was pounding. He had to try again. "Dead Damned, todomeda!"

"Rev Zero, again. Judgement Gate of Revolution. Oh look, another Jenni-1. Fancy that, huh?"

Jacob's second giant mecha exploded into a rain of yellow sparks. He stood amidst the fall, devastated.

Gaigen drew for turn, "Since you've had your turn, Ryusei Splash's effect expires and my creature can attack. You've been outplayed, dear old nemesis of mine…" He pointed and Jacob's eyes widened. "Deal, Mechanic! Todomeda!" Instead of throwing cards the robot sprang and palmed Jacob, he slid along the metal like Heidi. Once he stopped his limbs dropped and he didn't get up. Heidi ran to him.

Gaigen peered out to sea, "Uh oh… looks like your side is retreating."

The horizon had turned red from all the smoke of sinking ships.

Pissed, Heidi raised her hand and loosed a flamethrower. It parted around the mech-suit with no effect. Gaigen was laughing. He stopped when in a similar manner to Alfred, his suit folded up and fell off.

Jacob sat up, "...Mercury?"

"This time it was Drache der'Zen," she answered, smug.

Not wasting another second, Heidi loosed another stream and Gaigen was blasted off his feet. Jacob jumped up and they ran over.

Unfortunately, Gaigen had once more made use of a remote-controlled imposter.

They found a kaijudo-bot, saw the generator built into its chest for duels. The melting synthetic flesh had resembled Gaigen perfectly. More quality tech from the water civ. Did he ever step foot in the creature world at all?

"...Go get Amira," Jacob said. "We need to grab Sinan and return to the sub."

Heidi ran off and Jacob moved to carry the unconscious Alfred into their mini-sub.

They picked up Sinan who was swimming, exhausted. The dome opened up and he collapsed inside, soaked. They closed the ship and descended, zipping through bubbles as they escaped the encroaching fleet.

Kanoa relayed news. In seeing no other alternative, Charles had agreed to evacuate his crew to Aurellia. Drache der'Zen was confident the Abyss Royals wouldn't give up if he let them inside his underwater city.

"I'm surprised Charles agreed," Heidi said.

Drache der'Zen struck a deal with him, Kanoa explained. Three hundred battle tanks, fully automated and more advanced than anything back home. Charles will use them to fight the kaijudo bots and start a resistance on Aurellia.

"That's a start." Sinan looked at Amira and Alfred, neither of whom had woken up yet. "What about us?"

Drache der'Zen is willing to spare us a flying saucer.

"Wait… you mean like…?"

Kanoa answered Heidi: The Starbolt Cruiser and Carmen's Comet, yes. The technology had to have come from somewhere.

They docked in the submarine, which in turn docked in an outer hanger bay of the domed city.

As the chosens stepped out they were swarmed by grateful family and friends. They were then followed along to the navigation room while Alfred was carried off to a cell. They found Charles standing before the holo-screen with arms behind his back. Ulrich was with him, it seemed those two had finally patched things up. Charles had displayed a surprising amount of patience and paternal care toward the young teen.

Ulrich turned. "Heidi! You're back!"

The crowd filled in, the chosens stood at the front. Amira was now awake and supported upright by Simon.

Drache der'Zen was projected above the room. He began to explain, "I'll send your people back with the sub and the tanks, Charles, then wipe all your coordinates and data. For the sake of both our worlds, I must ask you never reach out to us again."

Charles nodded silently.

The water civ leader continued, "I'll film the teleportation, then send the footage as proof to the Abyss Royals that humans are no longer in our world. That should sort this mess."

"Can you send the chosens over separately?" Mercury asked. "There's one last thing I'd like us to try."

『AN: I said it last time, but I reaallly didn't think I'd make this update on time. In fact, I only made the duel plan two days ago and started writing yesterday. Right now both Acuma and Shuriken are yet to dip their toes into this quarter, but they definitely have a chance to catch up... becauussee I'm suspending my update schedule until further notice. I'm approaching the semester's end and I have too many assignments. Also, for the last two quarters I want to write the chapters all together so everything gets smoothed out. Thanks to Acuma and Azure for their crucial help with the duel. So, this is chapter 90, we're 90% through AUrellia, 50% through water arc... guess that doesn't work yet.』

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