Citizen 241 Zinnia

Monarda might like swimming, but diving deep down into the dark pit of potential hell that is the posian trench is not something she would have seen herself doing. But now that she's coming of age it's something she does want to do. Getting over her fears is very important to her. Monarda has always been very much on her own. Her parents are no more and with how she grew up she's not too good at making friends. The best thing for her is being able to take care of herself. And that includes being able to dive deep and be ready for darkness. Even when it is very scary for her.

She's been diving since a very young age. And while she's not too good at using magic to make her able to filter oxygen out of water she can hold her breath for quite a while! She's been practicing with the group of seal that she protected. They like playing with her and challenge her to be under water for longer periods. Which increased her diving time by a lot!

Monarda took the time to read up on potential creatures she might encounter while diving. That way she would be less scared. Identifying aquatic life is one of her hobby's and will help her keep her cool while diving down.

At the edge of the posian trench there stand a few more Rexals. Some of which will also be diving today. But there's the judges, some parents and friends as well of course. She walks up to them and tells them she'll be diving today. They nod and wish her luck, placing her as next in line as she stands to the side, waiting for one of the others to come back up so the next one can start their trial.

After about 5 minutes a small Rexal comes up from the darkness. Panicking and gasping for air he swims towards the land as quick as he can. With wide eyes and tears welling up he runs towards his family and friends. They ran towards him as well and start consoling him. Sadly this boy did not pass the trial.

Sweat starts to build up as Monarda is called next. She didnt think she'd be next since other's were waiting for a longer period of time. But appearently they pick in an order not known to the trail takers. Maybe at random, maybe as a hunch.

"Here i go" she utters before stepping into it and starting to swim to the middle of the dark circular hole in the water. While taking a deep breath of the fresh somewhat warm and humid air she pulls her head under water. The water is warm. For now.

While decending she can feel the water getting colder and colder. To a point where her skin is starting to sting and she activated her magic. Her body is slowly warming up and her magic is giving her just the tiniest amount of light. The pink radient lighting barely does anything against the pitch dark water around her. She still can't really see anything.

What it does do is attracht small critters towards her. Deep sea snakes, eels, sea angels and other wonderous creatures she had not seen before start circkling around her. They don't touch her, thankfully. But they do keep close to her.

Suddenly they scatter in all directions. Monarda does very much know what this means and gulps. "Ohno please don't be scary and predatory. I'm just trying to reach the bottom..' she thinks in herself and a worried expression is shown on her face.

Trails of soft pink magic flowing from her apertures and mouth. Alone in the middle of a pitch black world. As if she's in space, in the afterlife, or maybe urgatory?

On her face she feels the soft swirling of the water. Something is moving. Something is coming.

A big face resembling a dragon, but with lots of tendrils, fins and completely covered in barnacles and other sea life that has latched on to it starts appearing from beneath Monarda, from the way she is swimming, right in front of her.

Monarda stops dead in her tracks and jerks. Some air escapes her as she does so and she tries not to move.

The creature moves it's head to the side.

A giant eye stares at her. With a slit pupil tthat's completely dialating and almost turning completely round. Low rumbling sounds are felt through the water.

They stare at each other for what feels like an eternity. Panic gathers in her body. She starts to shake. Her magic is faltering and drafts of cold water hit her body. "Please don't hurt me.."

Suddently the creatures starts moving. It swims around Monarda, creating currents so strong she cannot do anything against them. "Is this it? I can't possibly outswim this. I'm gonna get dragged to the bottom of the trench and drown!"

She stops her thinking for a second. "I'm going to get dragged to the bottom..!"

Without resisting she lets the giant creature do it's thing. It's long, almost like a snake or eel. But scaled. It has a lot of long gorgous fins. Spikes along it's back. She had never seen anything like it.

The currents become stronger and before she sees it coming the tip of the tail of the gigantic creature is fastly approaching her. "AH no wait!" The tail hits her, she shouts out a muted scream and she closes her eyes. Losing even more of her precious air.

It takes a while before the currents stop but all that is left is the pitch black dakness. It's freezing cold. Luckily she has her magic to keep her warm. But it's working as hard as it can to keep her up to temperature after all that stress.

She slowly opens her eyes and the light of what must be thousands of bioluminescent objects and plants illuminate her surroundings.

It's gorgeous! There's spotted plants, striped plants, weapons, trinkets, pots, shards, rocks, shells. All types of different items surrounding her! "Oh i should take something as proof!" She quickly searcher around. Ready to leave this place before she can no longer hold her breath. "There's so much to choose. What should i take? Is it even okay for me to take anything? No wait i have to. And i need to be quick!"

The cold, even being kept at bay by her magic, is slowly seeping into her body, stiffening her movements. Making it harder to stay awake.

She seaches and searches with as much speed as she can. Disturbing the bottom. Kicking up sand with her movements to find something that catches her eye even more. Then, in between some rocks, she spots something small, something round, something that is shining a soft pale pink color but with blue woven into it. She tries to jam her claw between the rocks but it's just out of reach. "I want this!"

Hastely she stands on the bottom. The sand is very soft and feels light, she sinks deep into it. Almost unnatural. With as much strenght as she can muster while not breathing and being under so much pressure from being so deep in the water she starts pulling the rocks apart.

They're old and start to crumble under their own movement.

Quickly she grabs the item. It feels smooth. It's around the size of a ping pong ball. It's....warm? Without looking at what she got she swims as vast as she can. Towards the light before she passes out!

After what must have seen like a lifetime she emerges with much sputtering and coughing and deep breaths of the humid air fill her lungs again. Almost hyperventilating from holding her breath for so long she bobs towards the shore. climbing up only half way before laying down in the wet sand.

One of the judges walks towards her. "And? Are you okay? Dit you find anything?" They say in a soft voice while helping her up and out of the water. Monarda opens up her claw. A big orb on a silver string appears. It looks like a pearl, but bigger, and somewhat translucent almost like a mix of glass and nacre. There's something in the middle as well.

Before Monarda can take a closer look the judge grabs the orb, nods proudly and turns away from her. "She passed!!"

Everyone at the edge starts cheering and congratulate her. Monarda had never really been cheered on like that and tears start forming in her eyes. She stands up and thanks everyone while quickly trying to get away from the spotlight. They kept saying how proud she should be and how great of a job she did!

Slowly scooting away from the croud she keeps thanking everyone. Once they calmed down and the next contestant was announced they became quiet again.

Monarda was going back home. But got stopped in her tracks by the judge who had helped her out of the water. "Oh you almost forgot this! Here you go. Keep it close, you earned it!" She pushes the orb back into her claws. "I will be taking record of your achievement and you're now officially an adult! congratulations once more! I hope you have a wonderful day and goodbye!"

She nods and thanks the judge, having completely forgotten her deep sea treasure from all the nervousness and access tension from her trial. Once home she inspects the orb once more.

There's something blue flickering inside of it. Almost like a flame? Out of exhaustion from what happened she decided not to think too much about it and to just be happy with her pretty price. She checks the silver string for it's durability and after making sure it's strong enough she binds it around her tail. Where it can act as a gorgeous token of her bravery and achievement.

And now, let's take a well deserved nap.

Author: Chrysokami