Casual observers were willing to follow the foreign forces beneath the waves, but most were not willing to follow them into the depths. However, the further they went the more those who were serious about involving themselves one way or another grew more determined. It was more than just the wider alliance keeping track of them, but also other forces who wanted to snatch away their prize- or at least pick up the scraps left behind by a rare event.

Whether this was the sort of thing that occurred only once every decade, century, or even longer… those with ambition wanted to leave their own mark on history. Not all would be on the side of the alliance, but those not associated with the Molten Sea or Sky Islands would still help them blend in to the crowd.

The combined Tenebach and Brandle clan forces did more than just blend in, fading into the darkness of the depths as they swam downward. The two clans had a long history of cooperation, and under the guidance of John and Matayal their spiritual energy was able to work together to support the weaknesses of others. Replenishment of breath and swimming speed from the water cultivators matched with improved vision and stealth from the darkness cultivators.

Given the quantities of cultivators involved, the creatures dwelling on the way to the depths were more aware of them, though the individual reactions varied. Some became more aggressive despite the numbers, and some hid away- looking for stragglers.

The Order of the Amber Heart came separately, escorting the Golden Tomb Guardians. Meanwhile, the Milanovic and Mulyani clan remained behind on the surface to guard their ships and thus a relatively safe position to return to.

When they actually arrived at the depths, among underwater vents and where the sea life changed to the bizarre, they were close to the Leviathan. The flow of the sea in the area was turbulent, unlike normal.

A point of contention came when Sitora of the Sky Islands split away from the groups of Gesine leading the Molten Sea. Which of them seemed most likely to have better intel? Assuming they even had the same goals. Ultimately, they split by elemental compatibility- Renato and Deirdre split off to follow the Sky Islands. Earth would match perfectly well against combined earth and air, and the Sky Islands should have some darkness cultivators as backup. Light cultivators would be at somewhat of a disadvantage in the depths, but they would still be very effective offensively. If they were up against only darkness cultivators, the Order could augment their defensive lines.

That left darkness and water to deal with water and fire. Cultivators of two elements would always have one that empowered the other, and their weakness to that same element in reverse would be lessened- but it was still better for water to face water than for earth to go up against the Molten Sea where they only had a weakness and no strength. The Tenebach clan had no direct strengths and weaknesses, but would be generally empowered by the darkness of the depths, to a similar level as water cultivators.

Each of the groups split up more and more. Either they were leaving decoys, or they were still searching for what they desired. Given the numbers involved, the latter seemed more likely- and it was clear they intended to brute force finding whatever it was they wanted.

These groups led not just to the depths, but into the great leviathan and the ‘tunnels’ through it. Having a small number of cultivators and occasional conflicts with local wildlife hadn’t yet caused trouble… but these numbers were simply asking for the leviathan to do something more than taking a simple breath in and out. They had to be ready. Ultimately, John and Matayal set out to follow Gesine with the core of their forces, being careful to maintain a reasonable distance.

-----

The Kelp Spire Forest and thus the Shimmering Islands were not the only places in the region seeing spikes in activity. Not at the same exact moment, but within days on either side other pieces began to move. The Stone Conglomerate and the Phoenix Forest simultaneously moved into Astrein with the intent of expelling the Molten Sea for good. Whether they planned to block their retreat or simply cut off supplies was not set in stone… but either way they planned to send a message.

The Sunfields were further along that same path, but they were less united in their intent. A number of them had capitulated to the Molten Sea, foremost among them the Righteous Flame League. They were of limited use in the depths, with both of their elements suppressed… so they planned to act on land. Specifically, they sought to redeem themselves in the eyes of the Molten Sea by moving against the allies of the Tenebach clan- the Golden Tomb Guardians they had prior conflict with. With many of the Golden Tomb Guardians away, it was a prime opportunity.

To the south, forces of the Green Sands were moving to their southwest border, that shared with the Darklands and the Wuthering Steppes. Though for the most part not directly impacted by the arrival of the Sky Islands, they had still chosen to stand against them throwing their weight around. They were joined by forces from the southern Darklands, such as the Calamitous Swarm and the Ebon Crest. That even continued around the complicated border of the Annihilation Strip into the Deadlands and Prism Underfields where the Combining Luster Sect and others moved to their northeastern border to enter the Wuthering Steppes.

Together these forces didn’t fear retaliation from either of the greater powers, their unity overcoming the initial hesitation at the regions’ power. Not that such a unity was expected to last beyond a short time. Internal squabbles would likely resume once more within a few years. But for the moment, there were common enemies to drive out, powerful forces that simply chose to extend themselves too far for some sort of opportunity.

And elsewhere around the Shimmering Islands groups were on the move to participate in the events, even if some of them were slower than others.

-----

Monika Zeman stood atop the walls of the Golden Tomb Guardians along with Zacharie, looking down upon the forces arrayed against them. “They sure seem serious about this, don’t they?” she said, gesturing to the flaming catapults and other siege engines. “They mean to raze us to the ground.”

“They were the ones who began the conflict,” Zacharie said. “It’s not strange that they would choose to escalate it, with their skewed view of morality. Strictly speaking, we should be the most righteous as pure light cultivators.”

“It’s obviously not about that. Not for anybody who knows anything, at least. Maybe their witless recruits. They just like to put up a front, and when that image gets damaged they can’t help but react violently.”

Zacharie sighed, “Should we have called for aid from the Phoenix Forest? These fellows are working with the Molten Sea after all.”

“Perhaps. I certainly hadn’t anticipated such a response,” Monika admitted. “Hopefully Deirdre does well with the forces she took, because we could have used them here.”

“What should we do?”

“Well, surrender is out of the question. One would hope that our allies in the region would come to support us against such a blatant assault. We’ll have to hold out against them as long as possible.”

“And then what?” Zacharie said. “If no help arrives in time, I mean. They don’t seem to be dawdling.”

“Then we retreat and focus on protecting the most important parts of our sect.”

Zacharie frowned. “Should we lock ourselves up in the tomb?’

Monika shook her head. “I think not. That will take care of itself.”

“I’ll admit there are plentiful traps but-”

“Trust me,” Monika said. “If they choose to enter there, the situation will resolve itself. Though we could hardly be called the Golden Tomb Guardians if we simply let them do as they pleased. Suppose they find it open and seemingly accessible, while our armories and libraries are secured. Then we simply have to follow in after them.”

Zacharie sighed, “You are the one with her ear. But I hope you are fully considering the possibilities.”

“Don’t worry,” Monika said. “I am thinking of the good of the sect as a whole. And as you say, should any harm come to her my position would be in jeopardy.”

“You know something I don’t, huh?”

“Oh, do I?” the older woman grinned. “Amazing.”

“Fine, keep it a secret. You and your apprentice.”

“Oh, she’s hardly my apprentice anymore,” Monika shook her head. “She’s well on her way to taking over the sect.”

Zacharie sighed. He didn’t mind Deirdre’s advancement, he just wished he understood more. “I suppose we must deal with what’s in front of us now regardless.”

“That’s the spirit. And if you’re lucky, you’ll get to learn some of those secrets you’re itching for.”

-----

John found himself overwhelmed by the presence of the leviathan and thus unable to properly trace the location of Gesine, despite the fact that she was otherwise quite obvious as an Ascending Soul Phase cultivator. “Is there any end to this thing?” John asked Matayal. “I thought I understood it well enough observing from outside, but clearly I was missing more than I could imagine.”

“Of course it has an end,” Matayal said. “It is not infinite. Just vast. However, there are certainly many winding pathways through it.”

“It’s strange,” John said. “I thought the first we found was something akin to a blowhole. But now these numerous tunnels, they’d have to be akin to veins or capillaries. Except there is no blood flowing through them.”

“And what is blood?” Matayal asked.

“A substance made up of many components, with the goal of carrying nutrients and withdrawing waste from different parts of the body.”

“And it’s also salty,” Matayal said. “So maybe we’re part of the blood now.”

“... I really feel like at this scale the salt is a minor factor. And I’m really hoping that we aren’t nutrients.”

“Foreign agents in the blood, then.”

“I don’t know if that makes me feel any better,” John said. “I don’t want to run into any white blood cells or other parts of its immune system.”

“... I’d love to hear about these details later,” Matayal said. “But for the moment, I think we are safe. I have been deeper than this with Tirto and found little that could be of danger. Though I doubt Gesine will stop herself before breaking through something.”

John looked at the walls around him, flesh encased in stone. “Would that actually help if you don’t know where to go?”

“Oh no, not through the walls. Things are simply not so open everywhere.”

“What sorts of things?”

“Structures out of which bursts of water flow during the ‘breaths’.”

“So… valves?” John asked.

“I suppose so,” Matayal said.

“Doesn’t make it seem less like we’re in some sort of blood system.”

“Anyway… I suspect we’ll run into the true dangers there. Otherwise we just have to deal with incidentals. Speaking of which…” Matayal called back to the others. “Everyone gather around. Another flow is coming.”

Everyone packed into as tight of an area as possible without blocking the tunnels they were traveling through. Then, the water cultivators focused on smoothing the flow around them. As Matayal predicted, a sudden force pushed past them. The internal pressure of the tunnels could vastly exceed that outside that created the great ‘tides’, so caution was important. Even if the pressure itself wasn’t an issue, being flung into a wall from the momentum of a turn could be extremely damaging depending on the speed one was moving. Anchoring down and aiding the flow was the best bet.

It seemed Gesine and her group understood the same, as there hadn’t been any signs of injuries- but it was likely more difficult for air and earth cultivators to manage. At best they would be neutral, with the earth helping them anchor and the air making them prone to being pushed about.

“Alright, just give it another moment and-” another pulse nearly pushed away their group. Matayal shook her head. “Looks like it’s started then. That one wasn’t supposed to happen. A path is open now… hopefully it doesn’t lead to something that will kill us. And if it does, we need to maneuver so it attacks them first so we can flee.”