Livia’s entire being ached. Her arms were tired and her body was covered in bruises.

  “Again.” She said. Just speaking felt like an insurmountable task.

  “Livia-” Pavan began to argue but Livia interrupted him.

  She lunged at him with her weapon. She put every ounce of strength she had into her attack. The move only surprised Pavan for a split moment. He had plenty of time to react to her oncoming slash and easily side step her and strike her on her wrist. The blow made her drop the sword. Livia knelt to pick it up but could not find the strength to get back up.

  “How about we continue this another day?” Pavan asked Livia as he knelt near her.

  “But I must-” She began as she put her hand on the sword but Pavan put his hand over hers.

  “Livia, there is only so much you can accomplish in a day of training.” He said as he looked Livia in her eyes. “You have already learned a lot in the short amount of time we have been training.”

  Livia looked at Pavan. Deep within her she did not feel that she had accomplished much, but even if she wanted to she could not continue training. Her body hurt all over and she did not think she could find the strength to lift the sword.

  “I just want to be sure that next time we send an army, that I am ready.” Livia said as she looked at the weapon on the ground.

  “Livia-” Pavan tried to reassure her.

  “Zhi was speared through Pavan! Hundreds of our Legionnaires have already been confirmed as casualties! And the war just started!” Livia shouted at him. “I am not content with just staying here and doing nothing!”

  “You're not the only one whose heart breaks for every death!” Pavan quickly replied. “You think you're the only one who worries about those out there? You think I do not worry about Artesh?”

  “I-” Livia began. “I know. I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way.”

  “I too struggle with not being out there on the front lines.” Pavan began. “Did you think I envisioned myself staying behind when the army went out? I envisioned myself standing next to the man I love fighting to the death, basking in the glory of the fight. Staying behind and training the next wave of recruits did not ever cross my mind. But that is what our Goddess deemed best, and has her guidance failed us yet? You should know this better as one of the first to have been visited by her.”

  Livia was silent. She knew the lie embedded in that story, but she also knew that without Jokasta they could never stand up to the Titans. Before her the thought of defeating even one Titan was nothing short of a miracle; now furtives had defeated several Giants and seemed unstoppable.

  “You’re right.” Livia said. “I'm sorry. I just can't help but feel restless.”

  “And we should not forget that your greatest contribution to the furtives lies not in your ability to wield a sword but in the weapons you provide.” Pavan added. “Your weapons allow the furtives to strike at the enemy in ways that we could not have even imagined.”

  “But you heard about the encounter with Baoba!” Livia repudiated. “What kind of weapon can match such brute strength beyond the might of someone like Zhi?”

  “Don't underestimate Artesh.” Pavan replied with a slight grin.

  Livia tried to but could not see the silver lining Pavan did.

  “So you want to bet the entire fate of our army on two furtives?” Livia asked with an exasperated sigh.

  “Hmm.” Pavan replied and thought.

  “I am also betting it on myself. To train the next wave better than our first Legionnaires. To take them out onto the field of battle and rout the Titans. But more importantly it is you who I look to as well. I believe we have yet to see the last of your contributions.” Pavan replied.

  “Me? You flatter me.” Livia replied now laughing.

  “I do not say this for the sake of flattery. I am serious.” Pavan said. “Just as Zhi had a hidden potential she did not even know of, I'm sure we have yet to see the limits to your ingenuity.”

  Livia was quiet. She had pursued various projects since the Legion left and none had borne fruit. The failures had been weighing heavily on her. She had provided rifles, cannons and other tools for the furtives to wield against the Titans. But in the face of stronger Titans those did not seem enough. She feared that she had reached the limit of her utility, that she could not contribute a decisive edge to the furtives. She felt helpless. She hated feeling like this.

  “It is not as simple as you make it sound.” She began. “For every successful weapon I am able to design for the furtives there are so many failures. I don't even know what else I can provide.”

  “I'm sure it's not easy.” Pavan replied. “I could never imagine possessing a fraction of your ingenuity. But if it were easy then it would not be you who would be pursuing this effort.”

  Livia was silent. Her entire body ached but her mind raced.

  Her attempts to understand the mysterious metals had all come up short. She attempted mixing it with different metals, exposing it to dragon powder, even detonating some dragonpowder on it, but nothing had given her any positive results. But she was not ready to give up on the unique metal.

  If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  Is there something else? Something I am missing.

  She thought of Leander. Her reliable source of information. The one who had braved the sea many times for details that she might have missed.

  The sea!

  Livia shot up despite the aches in her body.

  “Livia where are you-” Pavan began.

  “I must speak with Leander.” She replied as she left the room.

  “Oh, well he's certainly going to complain to me about this.”

  ***

  “You want to go down into the depths with us?” Leander asked, clearly enunciating every word.

  “Yes!” Livia replied. A new found sense of hope had taken a hold of her. It had been a while since she felt so passionate about anything.

  “You previously mentioned encountering underwater palaces while searching for the metals you brought me. Isn’t that what you said?” Livia asked.

  “You’re not wrong… But I am sure you know that we do not know anything that could be in those palaces. It could be quite dangerous there.” Leander replied. “I don't know if you should go. I think it would be best if we go in there and find relics to bring you.”

  “Do you know how to read Leviathan script?” Livia asked without even listening to Leander.

  “Well, no, I do not.” Leander replied.

  “How familiar are you with it? Would you be able to distinguish a symbol over a specific word? Would you be able to distinguish an up turning line after a complete sentence compared to a similar looking line when referring to the God of the seas Maji?” Livia continued her questioning of Leander.

  The siren was overwhelmed by all that Livia said. He barely understood what she was saying.

  “No.” He said.

  “But I have brought back many artifacts of use to you. It should not be an issue for myself and the others to gather several artifacts from the temples and bring those to you.” Leander followed.

  “But you would not know what to bring, you would only be guessing as to what is of use. While many artifacts that you have brought have been useful, a large number of them just state random facts the Leviathans thought noteworthy and have not been very helpful. These palaces can hold many such pieces. To make sure that what you bring back is useful I need to see them for myself. I fear that unless I am there you won't be able to find what I need.” Livia rebutted.

  “Fine, but how?”

  “Easy, in order for this to work we will need Giocco’s help.” She replied quickly.

  “Of course you would think of him.” He replied.

  Giocco was one of the few siren Onsiels in the camp. Livia knew she could rely on him. He was also somewhat familiar with the various alphabets.

  “But enough of that. When would you be ready to return to the site?” She asked.

  Leander showed no surprise.

  “If we are doing this then I don't need a team that is too large. I will notify Giocco, but I think he will be prepared to depart soon.”

  “I already alerted Giocco.” Livia interjected.

  “Of course you did.” Leander laughed. “I shall ask Genno to join us as well, he is good at distracting Leviathans in case of danger. I shall speak to him soon but I believe by the end of the day we should have everything they need.” Leander replied.

  “Good.” Livia spoke. “Let us meet by the crossing in the morning.”

  ***

  Leander came with the two sirens as promised. Genno smiled as he looked at Livia.

  “If you are here, then trouble is sure to follow.” He said to her as he walked up.

  “Genno this is supposed to be a painless endeavour..” Leander spoke up. “We should do everything in our abilities to avoid confrontations.”

  “My apologies, Scoutmaster Leander. It has been a while since I have encountered a Leviathan and I find any encounters with them thrilling.”

  “You and the High Onsiel attract very interesting furtives I must say.” Leander added as he spoke to Livia.

  Giocco walked up to Livia. He carried with him something in his hand. She had seldom interacted with the Onsiel siren but had quickly learned about his unique personality. He was famous for his extremely serious demeanor and he had a unique way of interacting with others. The siren was studying Livia as he walked up to her.

  “Quartermaster Livia, I thought of your request on how to best navigate the water.” Giocco said as he looked all over Livia.

  Giocco spoke but made no eye contact with Livia, he kept studying her.

  “I knew you'd be the best option for this mission.” She replied trying to meet his gaze but he was focused on other things.

  “Yes yes, of course.” Giocco replied. It was clear that he did not care for idle banter.

  “I was going to suggest some methods to help me breathe underwater.” Livia began. “If you could create an air pocket around me, then I should be able to breathe as I swim and I could swim with you all.”

  Giocco stopped and looked at Livia.

  “What?” He replied confused as he digested what she said.

  “In order for me to breathe underwater and follow you.” Livia began. “I was thinking you could enchant the air around me and I could-”

  “Oh no.” Giocco replied quickly. “That will not do. That is not a good idea.”

  “Giocco!” Leander shouted. “Be mindful of how you talk to your superiors!”

  “It’s fine Leander.” Livia interjected. “What would you suggest Giocco?”

  “Put this over your face.” Giocco said as he handed Livia something.

  She looked at the object. It seemed like a mask of sorts. She slipped it over her head and stared through the visor at the sirens.

  “Stay still.” Giocco said as he moved his hand.

  In an instant a large water bubble formed around Livia and encapsulated her completely.

  Livia panicked as she saw the water enveloping her.

  “Wait what are you-” she began but stopped. That is when the realization dawned upon her.

  She could not feel the water. She looked down at her arms and could see the water around her but it did not seem to affect her. As she moved her arm she saw a small layer of separation between her and the water. Not only that but she realized that she was able to breathe without any issues with the mask on. The water would not come through the mask and she was able to breathe regularly and see through the water with no issue.

  The water around her dissipated.

  “Lady Livia, are you fine?” Leander shouted, concerned.

  “I told you she's fine.” Giocco spoke out loud.

  “Quiet you!” Leander shouted as he walked up to Giocco.

  Livia took off the mask and quickly intervened.

  “No it's fine!” She said stepping in between Leander and Giocco.

  “The mask worked! I didn't feel the water. It seemed to just glide over me! And I was able to breathe through it! This is amazing!” She said turning to Giocco.

  “Thank you Quartermaster Livia.” Giocco replied with his usual serious expression.

  “How were you able to accomplish this?” Livia asked.

  “I had been working with Jaco on different relics that spoke of various different magics. He discovered some that mentioned the possibility of enchanting items.” Giocco replied. “I was able to enchant this mask to allow its wearer the ability to breathe underwater and to glide through the water as a siren would.”

  “Amazing Giocco! This is simply amazing! The possibilities are endless!” Livia replied. “We could do so much with this.”

  “Thank you Quartermaster.” Giocco replied unfazed by the adulation. “But I must say that enchanting an item is not an easy process. I tried many times before being successful and the enchantment is not long lived. I will have to re-enchant the item before long.” Giocco replied.

  “This is even better than what I had planned.” Livia stated as she stared at the mask in her hands.

  “Next time let us know what you are planning.” Leander said, his temper still hot. He stared daggers at Giocco who seemed unbothered by the entire affair.

  “Well it seems we are all set to go.” Genno replied.

  Leander looked back at him and then Livia.

  “We are ready whenever you are Quartermaster.” He added warily eyeing Giocco who now began to stretch in preparation for the expedition.

  Livia looked to the sea ahead of them.

  “It will take us about two days of travel to reach the site.” He added.

  “Then let us make haste.” Livia replied.