Depths entrances are well monitored. It wouldn't do for Unawakened to accidentally stumble across one and end up disappearing.

  Most have moderate Construct build-up at their entrance, ensuring easy resupply and administration. Dedicated routes to deeper levels are usually available to expedite access for Divers who do not have more convenient access through their Holding affiliations.

  ~ * ~

  The next morning they finished collecting Diving supplies from the Vault and were heading out to the car when Seb noticed Anya pause as they passed the training hall. Stepping up behind her he thought back to how he'd gotten even with her for scaring him.

  He'd felt her pause and surprise at him being serious about tickling her, he'd seen her demeanor shift right before they both dropped back to their Everyday Husks. She'd started to pull away when he tickled her before making a real effort to let it happen. Of course he'd stopped right as she did so and asked her whether she agreed that his getting even was bullshit, that it was ridiculous that both of them felt that there should be consequences. When he resumed tickling her it had taken her a moment to realize she was free to retaliate and that everything was long forgiven. He'd known the moment he felt the urge to get even with her for scaring him that it was stupid, he'd felt how guilty she felt when she apologized, how despite hearing him say he'd forgiven her that she didn't fully believe it. Tickling had been the best solution in his opinion, harmless but attention grabbing, perfect closure for something that didn't need it.

  "Do you need another lesson on why it was bullshit?" he asked softly as he leaned in so his lips nearly brushed her ear.

  She startled, coming out of her own recollection with a laugh. "Later, if you actually think I need one."

  She stepped just out of arm's reach before he could answer, turning to look at him for a moment before skipping down the rest of the hallway while calling out in a singsong voice. "We have things to do."

  He hurried after her, catching up as she finished loading the tent and water creator into their vehicle. He added his own stack of supplies, mostly enough food to last them a week or two. They were planning to Dive for most of the month but they could only carry so much at a time.

  "Next time it will be easier," she promised. "Dive Staging points make it a lot quicker."

  "Hopefully they can get that done before our next meeting."

  He nodded and pulled out of the driveway. The nearest accessible Depths entrance was a couple hours outside town. They'd be able to park there and resupply without having to drive all the way home, but they still had to get there in the first place.

  ~ * ~

  The Depths entrance looked like every other run down warehouse on the empty highway. When they'd first come here a month ago Anya hadn't been sure it was the right place despite the directions they'd gotten from the EDN. This time they knew to pull around to the back so they could park inside the building, to park inside and not wander around looking lost.

  This time she led Seb directly to a deeper path than the first, aiming for the 3rd level of the Depths and skipping the second outright. She was more than capable of handling the threats they might encounter, and Seb would be able to catch up faster. It would be more dangerous and leave him less time to perfect his techniques, but she wanted him to catch up so they could fight together. And now that he could use Bladesong and she'd seen what it could do she doubted he'd face any real danger.

  The trip down took a few hours, they could have made it faster if they had rushed but there was no immediate hurry. As they crossed into the second level she saw Seb pause for a moment but said nothing. When they finally reached the third he stopped and looked back up the passage.

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  "Is everything heavier?"

  "Not exactly," she answered. "You probably didn't realize you felt it when we were in the first level Depths, but it would have happened then too."

  "What is it then?"

  "Seer stuff," she answered with a sigh. "All I know is that if the Energy Density is higher than your level it is harder to move and act. It makes you weaker compared to the environment. If the density is lower, you are faster and stronger. In Deep Lows we're always faster and stronger to varying degrees, as we Dive we lose those advantages, but bigger challenges mean faster progress."

  "So we can advance safe and slow, be stronger than what we face, be consistent and face our own level, or take risks and go faster?"

  "Yes," she answered.

  "Were you going to ask if I wanted to play it safe?" he asked with a grin. "Or did you simply figure I'd be just as competitive as you are?"

  Anya paused for a split second then simply looked at him, waiting, until he shook his head in defeat.

  "Alright, we both know I'm going to compete."

  She took the lead once more, only pretending to hide the smug grin she knew he would have some awareness of through the bond. As they stepped away from the safe path they fell silent, the risk of actually being attacked so soon was low but why tempt fate. Soon enough they found a small cave tucked away off the path, just large enough for their tent to fit and still give them space to stretch.

  Should be safe to set up here, she sent as she started unfolding the tent.

  Only one entrance, couldn't we get trapped? he asked.

  Normally, yes, she answered after a moment of thought. But the odds of anything being too dangerous for me to handle alone if needed are low enough I'm not worried. If anything even notices us to begin with.

  With his silent agreement they finished setting everything up. Nothing was left outside the tent, they had enough room to store everything since they didn't mind the fact that it left them sleeping nearly on top of one another. She shook her head back and forth in an attempt to distract herself, she wasn't about to think about all the benefits the close quarters provided.

  Stepping back outside she took a moment to watch Seb stretch, she wasn't sure if he planned to try to hunt anything today but she wasn't going to complain about him working through the basics she had taught him. Unfortunately neither of them really knew anything about swords beyond the idea of them being used to slash or lunge when attacking, which did them no good when his weapon was useless at both those things. Hopefully he'd figure out how to use it to protect himself, or figure out how to use imbuements sooner than later. She knew he would eventually.

  She realized she'd been lost in thought staring when he cleared his throat, loudly. They'd been quiet for so long that the volume was more shocking than the fact that she'd gotten distracted. If anything had happened she was the one who would need to deal with it, why had she let herself get distracted when she was their only real line of defense?

  So what kind of differences should I expect? he asked as though she hadn't just jumped over a foot in the air.

  More or less the same as what we saw at the first level, but instead of only a little stronger they'll probably be at least as fast as you if not faster, at least as strong if not stronger.

  So more slimes? he asked with a groan. Do I really need to punch more of those things? They're so messy.

  Slimes, maybe some small green long-eared humanoids, or some rabbits.

  Rabbits? Really? Are they going to nuzzle me to death?

  They bite. She looked at him, her mental tone deadly serious. They bite your ankles, they bite your hands, they cripple you and keep biting. They are not cuddly or friendly.

  He nodded. And the humanoids, I'm going to guess they use crude weapons, prefer to work in groups and get scared easily?

  Yes..? she answered hesitantly.

  So they're goblins?

  She tried to figure out what he meant, she'd never heard them called anything other than green vermin. Then she thought back to Shallows culture and understood. Yes, they're goblins.

  Well then I guess I should be happy there aren't any wolves.

  Why would there be wolves underground?

  Why are there rabbits underground?

  They're not actually rabbits, they just have floppy ears, long teeth and claws, and hop around.

  So they're killer bunnies, got it.

  He shook his head, his amusement clear over the band as he added. Slimes, goblins and killer bunnies. The Path Selection Interface made references to Wizards as being based on actual Energysts. Now you've basically described the exact kind of threats that show up early on when you go adventuring into dungeons in Shallows stories.

  So you're saying-

  She froze mid sentence, the sound of something significantly larger than a killer bunny or goblin coming from the tunnel they had to set up camp. By the time she had glanced from the entrance back to Seb he was in his War Husk and had his sword in hand, and already halfway to the wall.

  Seb!

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