We refer to entering the Depths as Diving. We talk about Depths levels and Energy density. We see our worlds as Ponds within a wider collection.

  Why those names, why those concepts? Because that is how Awakened see the world around them. Those without abilities, those who do not see the world? They live in the shallows. Our Holdings and Constructs? Still low density, low pressure, but deeper.

  The further you go into the Depths? The denser the energy and the more dangerous it becomes. Just like diving into deep water. Each world its own microcosm, a pond within existence. Are the Depths a single shared space or are they distinct to the ponds? Stories say they are shared, that the first discovery of new Ponds happened when Divers traveled to far off the path and found another exit. But stories say many things.

  ~ * ~

  Seb felt Anya's concern as he pressed himself to the wall next to the entrance. The sound coming from outside didn't sound like anything she'd described but she'd also made it clear they should be safe. Lifting his sword he considered whether Bladesong was needed and decided to delay, it was still possible that whatever was out there would pass them by, there was no reason to call more attention to their location until absolutely necessary.

  When the creature finally came into view he was already swinging, bringing his weapon down even as the eerie notes rang out. He struck the long nose only for the blade to bounce away as though it was made of rubber. Frowning he tried again, this time straining to wrap it in the same Energy technique he could use on his fists. This time the blow had an effect, the wolf-sized rat flinching back onto to turn and snarl at him.

  Bladesong whispered and he threw himself to the side, barely avoiding the lunging rodent. He looked up from the ground, aware he would not be so lucky a second time. He tried to scurry back while holding the sword up to ward off sharp teeth, only for the rat to be driven to the side.

  He scrambled to his feet and took a step back, watching as Anya drew the creature's attention.

  Did it get you? she sent without glancing back.

  No, was about to when you- he cut off abruptly as she finally moved, not wanting to be a distraction.

  Where the fight against Rios had been a dance of evasion, attacking when possible only to dance away from retaliation, this was a dismantling. He'd known she was pacing herself when they sparred, matching her efforts to his capabilities, but he hadn't truly recognized the difference.

  The rat lunged again, only for Anya to slip past it and leave gouges down its ribs. Before it could regain its balance she was already striking, her movements a blur of motion and Energy that nearly blinded him as the techniques burst once after another. Moments later it crashed into the wall and lay still, deep gashes along its side and a clearly broken neck evidence of its defeat.

  Anya turned to face him, her eyes full of anger and concern as she looked him over.

  You idiot. she sent, a fading sense of panic fueling her words. What were you thinking?

  That you said we were safe here, that I should learn to fight and grow stronger, he answered honestly.

  That wasn't a bunny or a slime though. What if you'd been hurt? he could tell she wasn't sure who she was angry at, only that she had to be angry at the situation.

  Anya, I'm fine. It didn't touch me, it didn't hurt me. You dealt with the, he paused and looked at the creature, giant rat?

  Depths rat.

  I hit it, twice before it lunged, he continued with a frustrated smile. And this blade definitely is useless in a fight until I figure out how to actually imbue Energy into it.

  She smiled, her anger finally fading as she realized he truly was fine. I saw, the technique did something.

  Didn't do enough though, barely phased it.

  Might have worked better if you'd lunged? It is meant for punching, not parrying.

  He took a moment and thought about the technique, about how the energy projected when it impacted. It did burst forward from the fist, not off the arm. But if he'd lunged he wouldn't have been able to get away when it had attacked. Not yet at least.

  I'll have to try that next time.

  You're not fighting another Depths rat, she said with a glare. Not until you're level 2, they're as dangerous as a pack of rabbits.

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  I'll try to skewer a slime or a rabbit then, he answered as he switched out of his War Husk.

  He felt Anya giving him one last long look before stepping over to the dead rat. He watched as she sliced it the rest of the way open with a slash of her hand before reaching in and pulling out an Energy crystal, all that remained of the Energy that had once animated it.

  Before their first dive he had wondered how Energy got collected and used as a currency. Having to dig through his first slime to find the crystal had been both disgusting and eye opening. The density of Energy flowing through the small shard had surprised him, especially when he found out it was only the equivalent of a few minutes when used in a Censer. This new crystal was both brighter and denser, likely due to them being deeper and it being a larger threat.

  How many of those am I going to need to reach level 2 and be able to try to fight them?

  Should be level 2 by the time we go meet Phelann next. If we're careful and you train.

  Help me train? he sent with a smile.

  Summoning his blade he held it up towards her, focusing his thoughts on the technique they suspected would at least let him start to fight. She came over after a moment, still in her War Husk.

  I don't want you accidentally leaving bruises, she sent at his unspoken question. I'm not a training dummy, I can't just reset as if nothing happened.

  He started to chuckle at her reasoning then lunged, the technique forming more smoothly this time before detonating as the blade struck her chest. She took a slight step back and nodded before they reset.

  The next hour was spent testing out how to best use the technique with the blade. He'd been trying for the last several days to integrate Energy into his attacks with little success, he'd lose focus at the wrong moment and the technique would fail. The encounter with the rat ended up being the motivation he needed, his body and Energy finally moving as one.

  By the time they stopped he knew that lunges worked best, the technique driving forward along with his physical effort strongly enough that Anya took to parrying rather than letting it push her. Slashing was almost as effective, especially once he realized that he just had to shift his view of the technique to follow the strike not the weapon itself. It gave little benefit when trying to block, however Bladesong showed its worth in helping him understand where and when he was going to be hit. It didn't actually make him a better fighter, simply gave him hints on how to survive.

  Think you're ready for a real test? Anya sent as he took deep breaths after their last test had left him leaping this way and that to avoid her blows.

  Do you?

  I thought you were ready before the rat showed up, now I doubt an isolated slime or rabbit will be a problem.

  He thought about her words and nodded. If the slime was anything like what he'd fought on the first level he should be able to strike it with a lunge and retreat before it could retaliate. A killer bunny on the other hand? Probably not much more dangerous but still an unknown.

  Slime.

  ~ * ~

  Anya tried not to grumble as she turned away from another creature den before the goblins, as Seb called them, could notice her. So far she'd found vermin, rabbits and a slime blob that would have been dozens if not hundreds of slimes if they had all followed her. Nothing that couldn't be handled with a bit more practice, but horrible choices at this moment.

  The Depths rat was still bothering her. They weren't unheard of near the main paths but for one to come across them so quickly was still a shock. When Seb had fallen to the ground she hadn't taken the time to think, she'd flung herself at the creature and been ready to tear it to pieces. His answering right away that he was fine had helped focus her, although she'd still vented more than a little of her fear in the moments that followed.

  The next side cave she found was perfect. Only a handful of slimes and they were all far enough apart that he should be able to pick them off one by one.

  Here, one at a time, she sent and took a long look at him. He'd been more exhausted than she would have expected after their practice, she knew it wasn't stamina since they had often put more effort into their sessions back home. The few minutes it took him to recover definitely hinted at Energy exhaustion, something that shouldn't have come on quite so quickly.

  I know, he answered as he slipped past her, slowing ever so slightly as he brushed past her so they could share the moment.

  Then he was in the cave, Bladesong seeming to echo from the walls and drawing the attention of the nearest three slimes. Before any of them had slid more than a few feet he'd lunged into the first, the tip of his blade punching deep as the technique wrapped around it before a clear burst of energy blew it apart.

  Yuck! he grumbled while turning to the next. I think I got some on my face.

  She fought back a giggle as she kept her eyes on the remaining slimes. The fourth had noticed them and was slowly creeping forward even as Seb got to the second, this time a slash of Energy turning it into a pile of goo.

  Three more, she sent.

  She felt his confidence in response, the third falling prey to a lunge, this time definitely making a mess of his face, while the fourth hopped at the last moment and only lost a third of its mass when he slashed. She started to tense only to relax when he managed to follow through with his other hand already wrapped in the same technique.

  As the last approached she saw him step back, more cautious than he had been with the others. Confused she started into the cave as she reached out. Seb?

  I've got this, he answered. I want. No, I need to defend against it. I need to know I can do it.

  Relaxing she stepped further into the cave, flitting from one goo pile to the next until she held the four crystal shards. She saw him step aside as the slime hopped at him, avoiding the attack comfortably before cutting it down as easily as the rest.

  Only dodging once? she teased.

  They hop, you dodge, he answered as though it was obvious. If there were several it might be different but a single slime is just a slime.

  She nodded in understanding as she moved to his side, only to take a step back at the sight of all the goo on him. They'd brought the Water Creator and a few hours worth of Energy for it, until they went deeper it was still a luxury, but slimes made the luxury worth the expense.

  I think we're going to need to use some of our Energy reserves, you're a mess.

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