\n Stahl dove from the raft headfirst, propelling himself downward into the ocean in unison with Kai and three other groups of two. The splash was minimal as the sleek bodies of the Lahu were made for easy entry to bodies of water. Stahl and Kai both kept their eyes open as they entered the water, looking down into the darkness below them, which concealed a collapsing ancient structure far below on the ocean floor. Keeping their vision clear and focused was important, as their other senses were dulled or rendered useless by the deep water.

\n The average breath span of a Lahu was 15 or 20 minutes, but Stahl his fellow salvagers could last quite a bit longer. Thanks to their training under Alaka (and blessings from Len), their breath span had been increased to nearly 30 minutes. Other useful skills that Alaka imparted to them were the various tactical signals used while underwater, and the proper conventions of salvaging â€" knowing what to take and when to take it.

\n Stahl looked over at Kai lazily as they swam side by side. Stahl's partner was thinner than he was, sleeker and with far thinner fur. The end result was that Kai was faster and more agile while in the water. The downside to his build was that he wasn't as tough as Stahl, who could swim for longer periods of time without becoming exhausted. Stahl's more muscular build also meant he was of great use when the job required a heavy lifter. Stahl watched Kai, his fur shading from a rich ruby to burgundy and into black as they slid deeper into the ocean depths, the shimmering light from the surface having almost completely faded. Kai kept swimming as he looked over and saw Stahl paying more attention to him than the ruins that were appearing below them. He deliberately raised his paw and then gestured down towards the approaching ocean floor.

\n Breath training and the signals struck Stahl as useful during his training, and paying attention to those kept Alaka off his back. Stahl was relieved when they had reached an advanced enough level that Alaka no longer accompanied them on their swims, because knowing what to take wasn't something he particularly cared for. This was the simplest fact that separated him from the other salvagers. Things that were junk, useless to the tribe, those were the things that Stahl felt the greatest connection to. The things he found that gave hints and clues about the lives of those that had come before them, those were what Stahl invariably came back to the tribe with, stuffed into his pouches.

\n He wasn't particularly bad at finding things to salvage, he just had a different opinion on what was useful than the rest of the tribe. It didn't help his case that he was contrasted by Kai, who was able to anticipate the uses of the things he was salvaging, and bring back only the most utilitarian objects. Things that glimmered and shined had no effect on Kai, but at least Stahl could defend that the fancier jewelry was useful for decoration. In the end, it worked out, because Stahl and Kai were different sides of the same coin. They balanced each other nicely, and this was the only reason Alaka tolerated Stahl's behavior. That and because Len told him to.

\n The ruins that were slipping slowly into view as their eyes adjusted to the darkness were the Koena ruins. The Koena ruins were one of the many ruins that were scattered around the ocean floor, and had only recently been discovered. They were not discovered by Stahl's tribe, but by another tribe that was trespassing their waters. After being caught, the other tribe agreed begrudgingly to stay out of the Koena ruins. The ruins themselves were a set of buildings only a few stories tall, all centered around a central courtyard and surrounded by tall metal wall that was equal in height to the buildings. The ruins and wall were completely overtaken by aquatic life, covered in sprawling plants and providing homes for numerous creatures.

\n As they delved deep into the darkness of the ocean, towards the Koena ruins on the ocean floor, the groups split up and directed themselves towards their assigned scouting locations. The first few trips to any new ruin were always scouting - searching for pockets of air, undisturbed structures, potential threats, and entrances to the buildings. Alaka dictated, of course, that any scouting assignment be no further than 15 minutes from the topside of the ocean. Even if an air pocket was found in one of the ruins, the rules stated that it was to be marked on the working map and would be considered in later expeditions.

\n Stahl and Kai swam together, both of their attentions firmly focused on reaching the ruins as fast as possible. After all, if they scouted a useful pocket of materials, they'd have first rights to it's salvage. Although it didn't really matter who brought what back, Kai had a reputation to keep up, and Stahl just wanted a chance to explore. They glanced quickly at each other as the gloomy buildings of the ruins came into sight. Stahl and Kai found themselves maneuvering around the thick plants as they approached the ocean floor, looking for a place to plant their paws down.

\n Now that they were finally standing in the thick of the ruins, Stahl and Kai looked at each other and gave a quick nod. The area they had been instructed to scout was on the eastern side of the ruins, between the wall and a nearby building. Glancing around, they noted things that might be important to check out while they were there. Just past the wall, Stahl could see an outcropping of rock jutting upward for a few yards through the gloom of the ocean. Some of the rock that had more recently been raised mangled the lower portion of the metal wall, the earth taking back the ocean floor for itself. Stahl turned his attention to the building behind him. He noticed most of the windows, which were set into the side of the building in a repetitive pattern, were broken, and were slowly being replaced by a prolific seaweed. Any more details were obscured by the darkness, so Stahl wanted to get a closer look.

\n Stahl tapped Kai on the shoulder, and Kai quickly turned his attention to his partner. Stahl raised his paw and sliced it forward through the water in front of him, and then he pointed over at the building itself. After that, he raised his paw in front of him, holding it palm up, waiting for Kai's response. Kai placed his paw, palm down, on top of Stahl's and then turned to swim towards the building, with Stahl following suit.

\n As they approached the building, Stahl could make out more details on the wall. There were cracks running in every direction, up and down the length of the building, and the unnatural looking stone was being engulfed by algae. He swam up to one of the windows and peered inside, but it was too dark to see anything inside the ruins. Stahl also knew that he'd never hear the end of it if he went inside without permission. He turned his head to the side and saw that Kai was looking inside another window, searching fervently for anything useful, though Stahl was sure Kai was as blind as himself.

\n Stahl returned his attention to his window. It was too dark, but he squinted and leaned in close to the threshold, sticking part of his muzzle through it, into the dark ruins. He could make out a faint object nearby, which he figured was a desk similar to the one that Lakeland had in his hut. He glanced back to Kai, to make sure he was still preoccupied, before reaching his paw and arm through the window, towards the desk. He couldn't reach it, so he leaned forward more, his entire head and shoulders now inside the threshold. He knew Kai would scold him if he saw, but at least he wouldn't tell Alaka.

\n It was almost time to head back to the surface, so Stahl felt around frantically on the desk, hoping to find anything he could take back as a prize. His face lit with excitement as he felt his paw come down on top of a small object, which he clasped his fingers around and pulled towards him, leaning back and out of the ruins. He looked down in wonder at what he had found. It was rectangular in shape, and sliced thin. As he moved it in close to his face, he could see writing he recognized but couldn't understand imprinted into the rectangle. He turned it around to get a good look at it, but most of the non-imprinted markings had all faded with time.

\n As he stashed the wafer in his pouch, Stahl looked over to see his partner tapping a foot paw on the ocean floor, his arms crossed on his sleek chest. Stahl raised his paws to his side and shrugged slowly and visibly, with a sheepish grin. Kai rolled his eyes and waved one of his paws towards himself, signaling Stahl to come over. Stahl smiled as he swam over to his friend, assuming that Kai had seen something interesting and wanted to show him.

\n Stahl's smile froze when the wall next to Kai erupted outwards, knocking him to the side, obscuring Stahl's sight of him. The form of a massive creature filled Stahl's vision as it swam through the hole and in between the two Lahu. Panic took a hold of him. He didn't know where Kai was. He knew where the monster was. He watched as it swam past him. It was larger than any living creature he had seen before. It's skin was dark and coarse, and it had a fin on each side, as well as a fin on its back. The large arc shaped tail lashed past Stahl last, dragging roughly against him as it forced him backwards, ripping at his fur and pulling some from his body. He expelled a part of his breath in a soundless scream, and scrambled to get himself upright again.

\n Kai. He had to find Kai and get back to the surface. Or not. He decided the monster would follow them to the surface. That wouldn't be any safer. He needed to find Kai and they needed to find somewhere to hide. Some place with air. Fear gripped his muscles. His heart was pounding, he could feel it in his head. Finally he forced himself to lean forward and kick his legs and tail out behind him, propelling towards Kai. He kept his eyes on the monster as it swam out towards the wall and started to turn around. The dirt that got kicked up was heavy, and it stung at Stahl's eyes.

\n The Lahu swam low to the ground, looking for Kai in the dirt and rubble. A paw. He saw a paw in front of him and swam quickly towards it. He found Kai dazed but unhurt, and still conscious. He shook his head and looked around, and then towards Stahl. Stahl pointed in the direction of the monster as it swam back towards them. He grabbed Kai's paw and swam upwards, pulling them both up and out of the monsters path. The monster tried to turn, but it still slammed into the wall as it did, filling the water with more dust.

\n Using the moment in which the monster was recuperating, Kai pointed up towards the surface and held his paw palm up. Stahl shook his head and sliced his paw through the water horizontally, pointing then at the monster and then up. He tried to mouth words to Kai, but it didn't seem to be working. He grabbed Kai's paw and swam.

\n They swam towards the metal wall, where Stahl remembered seeing the hole at the bottom moments before. The monster had turned and was making a quick pursuit. It was gaining on them. Stahl was leading, so Kai was the one closer to the monster's gnashing teeth. He picked up the pace, trying to match speed with Stahl. The hole in the wall was only big enough for one of them at a time, so he didn't want to overtake him. As they approached the wall, Stahl let go of Kai's hand and folded his arms in front of him.

\n Stahl hoped he would slip through the hole with ease, but something caught on his right shoulder and sliced into it, and he grunted inwardly as he put the wall behind him. Before he could turn around, there was a loud noise, and the wall shook. He spun, looking towards the hole for Kai. He wasn't there. The water to Stahl's side was turning red. He bled from a long, deep slash on his arm, across his salvager's tattoo.

\n He winced at the pain in his shoulder as he swam up to the top of the wall and looked over it, searching for Kai. Though there was no sign of Kai, the monster seemed to be attracted to the blood spilling from the open wound. It turned it's attention's upward and towards Stahl. He swam down, realizing that he was rapidly approaching his limits. He would soon be out of breath. His eyes scanned the rocks below for anywhere that he could use to escape from the monster. It was too late to return to the surface now, he would suffocate on the way.

\n He wondered where Kai was. The question held onto him, and he couldn't shake it from his head as he searched for an escape. Kai had to be okay. They had been friends since they were little, and Kai had always watched his back. He should have let Kai swim through first, made sure he was safe. Maybe Kai already made a break for the surface, and he would get there just in time. That was a comforting thought for Stahl, a small spark of calm in the torrent of fear that racked him.

\n The monster drew closer as Stahl weaved through rocks, swimming parallel to the wall, between it and the outcropping of rock that jutted towards the surface. Something caught Stahl's eye. A hole. A small cave, just big enough for him. The monster wouldn't be able to follow. Unfortunately, the blood would keep the monster circling outside until Stahl ran out of air. If the cave didn't lead somewhere where he could breathe, he'd drown in there.

\n Kai. He prayed for Kai's safety as he slipped down into the cave and into the darkness beyond. He felt around the rock walls as the cave became more and more narrow. Before long, he was pulling himself through using the rocks, as there was no room to swim. He had all but forgotten about the wound on his shoulder. His breath span was reaching its limit. He couldn't even tell which direction he was heading anymore. He closed his eyes as he pulled his way through the cave. He was going to die down there.

\n Suddenly, Stahl's paw broke through the water's surface, and his eyes shot open as he felt the frigid air on his soaked fur. He strenuously reached his other paw out, grabbing for the end of the rock wall, hoping to pull himself out of the water. Stahl planted his paws on the rock and pulled, squeezing through the tight fit. His shoulders were caught at the end of the cave, just slightly too big to fit through. The air was inches from his muzzle. He pulled. His shoulder burned. The rock dug into his shoulder and his wound, tearing at his flesh and fur, but he pulled himself regardless.

\n Stahl slipped through the hole and gasped for air as his muzzle broke the surface of the water, entering the cold cave above. His chest heaved as he took in the precious air, leaning down to his side onto the damp, icy rock. The fur on his shoulder was matted with blood, which dripped idly onto the cave floor. Stahl panted as he felt ready to pass out, and began to close his eyes. Then his eyes fluttered open as he realized what was before him, and a loud gasp echoed through the chamber.
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