Master Of None

”They build islands on their backs to show off?” Gil was curious but he also knew that if he asked more than once Walker might head back and start collecting samples of the plants of the crab’s backs.

”Weird right? But we managed to get some good hunting out of it without any real injuries. Just small scrapes and cuts, but everyone under the water got some learning done.”

”Interesting. I wonder if we will see much else, the ride has been the same, nice weather, steady wind, and very few monsters. Do you think it’s because the wind currents are different due to the islands and how close they are to our continent too?”

While at first it seemed like Gil was tempting fate to throw something difficult their way, he actually made a lot of sense.

”Ther might be something like that happening. The way that the islands used to be mountains must have some effect on how the weather moves in the sky. I would assume if it was still mountains, the clouds would settle more and we would see more fog around because we are getting to shallower waters. But instead, because the water is higher the clouds are pressed higher.”

As much as Walker knew, this might not be fully true. But it somewhat explained what Gilw as thinking and it made Walker worry if the water would recede in the coming years. The only reason that the continent was partially submerged was because the world had lost connection to the mana of the elemental planes and there was a lot of water melting on the continent.

It also presented the idea that the continent might have had a very large section frozen in ice and snow. Meaning something might be encountered in the more northern areas or there might have been plenty of monsters that adapted over time. Either way, they would have some interesting theories to research in relation to that.

”That’s definitely an island though?” Gil slowly pointed out the smallest of small rocks with barely a group of seaweed growing on it.

”I guess you could call it that, but now we have to keep changing course to maneuver the changes in the underwater environment.” Without hesitation, Walker dove from the flying ship and straight down in to the water. He didn’t feel any pressure when hitting the water since the water opened up and cleared all around him. Using water mana manipulation was always a nice benefit to have.

Using the water mana around him, Walker could sense a lot more activity. Extending that feeling to the life mana, and the flare up of different monsters smaller and larger in the greater surroundings was high too. He also noticed the guards moving around him since they were waiting to see what he had to say. They knew all too well his sensory and scouting ability would be much greater than theirs.

The ships had already navigated around the rocks they saw, but Walker also understood from this point on they would be handling what had once been a very large mountain range. It was underwater, covered in seaweed and corals with different monsters living within it, but it was a mountain range.

The cliffside they had been near which was why they only saw the top of one rock was proof of this. Walker could clearly see the hefty drop in the clearer waters while also analyzing the change in water currents. He could sense the warmer water of shallow areas clashing against the minimal colder water that only formed in deeper depths.

The mountains had acted as a break point for colder and warmer waters drastically changing the environment. Showing higher growth in seaweed ahead compared to behind. It also gave plenty more homes and dangers related to monsters ahead as well.

”We need to ensure that we have every guard prepared. Not only scouting ahead to avoid other high rocky points, but to make sure we can’t enter too many dangerous territories.” While underwater species of monster might not have the same territories that above ground monsters had, it still rang true to worry about. There would be monsters that hunted the same areas often because that was the ideal location their prey could grow. It just made sense.

This also presented a few mysteries.

What sort of monsters found a safe haven here? What monsters of that size could even live here because the water was more shallow and the currents were not as strong as they would be without the underwater mountain range keeping the larger currents at bay? What plants grew in these warmer waters because there was a better condition here than just about anywhere else?

Just these three questions were enough to make it a little harder to decide on where they would go or what they would do. The unknown was what they had to prepare for as much as they all believed that they were strong enough to face anything.

That was also the issue. The party could handle just about everything. They knew that the world had mysteries and dangers that they had yet to face. However, the soldiers, guards, and everyone else associated with Genesis were not at that level. They had yet to reach the same strength or even half of what the party had risen to through their constant challenges and work. Let alone the level of what the party had gained in terms of adventuring through the outer elemental planes.

Therefore, the party had to consider the best ways to protect those with them.

Walker also knew that he was stronger and different from the general people. He had considered it. But the rest of the party hadn’t quite grasped the absolute difference. Only Su had truly begun to understand the immense gap between themselves and others since she was always teaching others. Whereas Gil would teach some here and there before rushing off to handle other responsibilities.

Looking further underwater, Walker could barely make out the sands on the deeper end below them. He could see that they were rougher, less broken than the sands of a normal shallow area. This actually was a good thing since it allowed for more seawards and corals to latch on. Meaning that the further they moved in the ships toward the land, the more coral and seawards they would find.

These different varieties were perfect for helping expand the knowledge of what plants they may find and what monsters lived in which areas.

’Sand stalker

This is a small fish that has razor sharp fins and teeth. It hides in sand and waits to see smaller monsters it can attack. It will then use a large birth of water mana to propel it at the target and devastatingly cut in to them…’

This was the first monster Walker’s eyes spotted. They were small, about the size of his fist. But they blended in with the coarse rocky sand easily. Meaning that they were a predator perfect for the environment here. But they also were staying fairly far from everyone swimming around to scout out the same passage through this area.

But that was also the key to everything. They stayed away from the larger rocks which would have been boulder piles or perfect hiding places for other monsters if it was above ground.

Not that this changed underwater. It actually made these crevices even better for monsters to hide.

Swimming up, Walker found that many of the merfolk and underwater golems were leaping in to the water. The forces to protect the ships were being used in the best way possible while the flying ships had lowered themselves to be closer to the water. They were preparing to be able to defend from any monsters that may get foolish enough to attack the ships on the water.

”Monster spotted in the distance. Larger and awaiting appraisal. Stand on guard!”

The bellowed order was enough to put everyone on edge, it also made Walker take to the sky again just to hear the appraisal from one of the tamers ring out.

”Giant Saltwater crocodile. It might fight us, but it might be scared away by our larger size. Do not splash around a lot because it will go in to a feeding rage!”

This was good because Walker didn’t need to call out his appraisal, he could just examine the dark green scaly skin of the monster slowly approaching in curiosity. It didn’t appear violent but with its size it could easily do a decent amount of damage to the ships if it flailed or tried to bite it. However, a few groups prepared arrows, harpoons, and magic to cast at it. This was a perfect chance to grab a monster for materials, a lot of food for the starting camp, and to work together as a team before anything else appeared.

Walker chose to watch and see what might need improvement, the forces were strong, so he should let them show it off properly.

….

Please say no to piracy! Don’t take part in crime! Don’t patronize thieves!

Drop those golden tickets!