———

The bed beneath him had been made with some sort of sponge like material. Blue... and White... Like most of the surrounding room. The thick atmosphere's cause had been difficult for OJ to pinpoint. Was it the nature? Or surroundings? Perhaps both. OJ sat up, his body ached from being brutalized last night. He groaned futilely and looked through water, and observed every marking. And every patch of bioluminescent light. He was intrigued by the nature of this place. He tried to take a breath, but no air filled his lungs. He was under water after all. OJ wondered how things came to this. One moment... He was with his beloved husband in a decrepit mansion... The next he was running from a demonic beast in a freakish underground water city.

He silently swam sorely over to the a thick stained glass window. His eyes gazed into a bustling city. It seemed to be thriving. It was filled with different types of objects, with different fish like creatures. He wondered how long these creatures have been hiding from society. He wanted to explore, to learn more. It would help him a lot. But alas, he was trapped. The door was still locked, he wondered if this was a trap. They already tortured him, and whatever they tortured him for—He couldn't provide..

OJ turned back to go lay down again, but jumped as he saw the handle turn, and open. He watched as a woman, maybe in her early twenties stood at the doorway, holding a plate of sea-food. She had splotchy blemishes, and a long fish tail. Her face was kind, and her feet and finger tips were webbed, but she had no extra fins.

OJ's eyes widened, her scrawny form held the tray up. Her eyes fixated on OJ. The man stared at her for a moment. He could take her... She took a step forward, and lifted off the ground to swim in.

OJ spring into action, and charged her, the girl kept her small smile. She stopped and placed a hand out in front of her, as if to ask OJ to stop.

OJ's eyes narrowed, as if he'd listen because he was 'asked nicely'... He continued, only swimming faster. In an instant a barrage of bubbles came from her palm, OJ's eyes snapped open, like round marbles as he was blasted back into the wall behind him. The girl lowered her hand, and placed the tray on the bed. She then flicked her wrist and a few bubbles pushed the door shut.

OJ would've groaned, but he was beneath water. No sound escaped. He glanced up to see the girl approach, he braced himself, as if to be attacked. But nothing came... he only watched as the girl pointed a index finger up, and a bubble formed on it's tip.

OJ was confused at first.

The girl blinked, her smile faded, a sighing motion then followed. She swiped the bubble away. She then placed her hands together, as if executing a clap, and separated her hands. It formed another small bubble. She then pointed at OJ.

He thought for a moment, before FINALLY understanding. He was in a lot of pain... Sore... And exhausted still. But, if he could communicate, that was better than nothing. He focused his energy to separate the oxygen from the water, and pushed it all into one large bubble. Soon after, he gasped, and rolled over to his stomach to vomit and sputter up the water in his lungs and throat.

The girl flicked her wrist, her fish tail followed, and bubbles of water arose from her mouth calmly.

OJ groaned and glanced back, not bothering to face her. He was spiteful. He had a right to be. Locked away! What an outrage! Uncouth indeed. "What the hell do you want from me...?!" He gasped, nearly flailing like a fish at her feet.

"I just want to assist you! Teardrop told me to help." The girl chimed, her kind smile returning. OJ growled, and finally turned to face her, only for her hand to be extended, as to help him up.

OJ got up without it, "You mean that t-tiny freak?! Cut the crap..." He seethed, he then slapped her hand, which made her recoil and grab it. "I don't need your 'help'... Whatever it is..."

Her smile faded as she rubbed the back of her hand. It stung from being slapped. "It seems like you don't have many options here." She spat in retaliation. Pointing out the obvious.

OJ felt a bead of sweat form on the side of his face, he snarled, "I... Don't..." He muttered, letting up slightly, but getting to his feet defensively.

She smiled kindly again, "willing to at least listen? I can give you some answers. And teach you how to communicate." She offered.

OJ glared at the shorter woman. Her gaze was kind, not hostile in the slightest. She did want to help, it was best not to let this opportunity go to waste. "Fine..." He grumbled.

The woman's grin grew. She held out a hand for OJ to shake, extending it politely. "Great! My name is Pin. As you can probably tell." She explained.

OJ made a prolonged sound of uncertainty, but finally shook her hand in greeting. His gaze locked on her nervously. "OJ..." He replied.

Pin nodded, "Teardrop, as much as she may seem hostile, only wants best for her people. I'm sorry if our hospitality wasn't... Up to standard..." She grinned nervously.

OJ scoffed, "Hospitality... Right..." he sneered causticly, very hospitable... He felt SO welcome. What a horrid situation. "Why are you bothering with me..." He asked with skepticism.

"I'm the maid of; The Crowned of The Water's Temple." She responded politely. "I am also a mage, actively studying spells."

"So that bubble thing you did? That was a spell?" He asked, referring to when he was flung ever so violently onto his back by her. To which she gave a firm, near in remorseful nod. And he replied with a grumble.

"You bet!" She happily responded.

"Whatever..." He crossed his arms, and stared at her. As if waiting for her to speak. She stood up straight and stood before him.

"No other questions? I can answer more if you like. I have no details I'm not allowed to share! You've been given full clearance you know." Pin happily explained, folding her arms in front of her.

"Wait, anything?" He raised a brow. Pin nodded in response, OJ jumped in, "Where are we?" He asked with hostility.

"Atlantis! located in the Goiky Sea." She responded, "The capital of the Aquobjects."

OJ blinked, "The... The what?" He furrowed his brows, not sure if he was concerned or confused by his lack of knowledge, "What— ATLANTIS?!" The situation hit him like a rock— THAT WAS REAL? "What the hell is the Goiky Sea?!"

"The Main Ocean of Centra-Omnia." She answered, then confused momentarily. "You didn't know this?" Pin asked, skepticism in the lack of basic knowledge. This was confusing to her.

"I—U-uhh... N-no..." He blinked... Centra-Omnia? That was no place he's heard of. "Uh... Where... Where is that?" He asked, dumbfounded. He felt like a kindergartener, and he did NOT like that feeling.

"The... World?" She replied, cocking her head to the right, confused... This sort of oblivious behaviour was not one she'd thought to be dealing with today.

"No. The world is called Earth." He replied with an aggressive edge to his voice, he then chuckled bitterly. "What is this—I—..."

"—Centra-Omnia. That is what this world is called..." Pin repeated, her gaze sharp. Sharper than OJ's. It made him feel uneasy. Pin then felt a sudden realization hit her, "How exactly did you get here..." She asked.

"Wh... I—I went through this... Massive... Gateway—thing? It had a bunch of symbols on it... like—a... Water drop... and flame... and stuff?" OJ recalled, he lifted a hand to his chin.

"Did it start glowing when you touched it...?!" She called with interest, stepping forwards.

OJ's wings stiffened as he thought back, "Yes." He nodded in response. "Is that a bad thing?" OJ questioned as he shuffled back from her approach.

"No... No. That's... Just..." She glanced down at the back of his hand, and the bubble surrounding. It was exactly like the marking of the girl she pledged herself to. "Teardrop was right... You must be Crowned." She spoke breathlessly.

"Crowned?" He raised a brow, confused.

"Gods. Crowned are Gods to this world—and many others. Or... So I've heard." Pin explained, "but in the past century, they've died out. The only one remaining is the Divine..." She trailed off... "Teardrop was one of them. And suspected you as her successor after she'd seen you regenerate."

OJ froze... He? A god? He grabbed at his chest—This was huge. "Me? A god? Like— Poseidon? Of the Ocean?" He was astonished. Like a child on Christmas morning.

"Poseidon? Who???" She furrowed her brows in confusion. Looking into his giddy eyes with unnerve. She had no recollection of anyone with the name.

OJ's grin faltered, and he looked aside. "God of the Ocean?" He shrugged. A bit concerned that she didn't even recall the name, but whatever.

"Oh no, more of Water in general." She smiled again, her gaze softened.

"Water..." Her muttered, that explained a LOT. Who assigned him such a title? Responsibility? This was better than managing a hotel full of children—he felt... Powerful. "How did... The previous gods die... The whole point of an immortal deity is for them to be—well—immortal. If they're dead that defeats the entire point... And may become a threat to me, too." He crossed his arms, now in boss mode. What a switch.

Pin flinched at the question, "I suppose you wouldn't know, huh?" She frowned, and looked out the window sorrowfully. "Well, Atlantis wasn't always only beneath the sea. Aquobjects are amphibious." She spoke grievously. "The land portion of this was destroyed a long time ago, and at that time, protecting and hiding our city away from danger, Teardrop was killed."

OJ flinched, that little brat of a god... Died... Saving these people? "To whom?"

"A name long forgotten to time." Pin huffed she turned to face the window directly, "A long time ago, ten Arch demons resided in goiky... the centre and largest continent of Centra-Omnia. They were the followers of the Crowned of Corruption. We thought they were a kind soul... They'd always shown themself to be. But slowly over time... they caused more and more trouble... the only equally matched Crowned to the divine. Their demons soon followed in their attacks, and mischief. Relentlessly slaughtering villages and towns." Pin took a shaky breath. "We turned on them, firing all we had back, and killed four of them. But ....that's as far as we got before the Gods of this world were slain. We managed to injure the Crowned of corruption but never saw them again...It's why we lived in fear, why—... Teardrop tortured you."

"She thought I was one of them?" He asked, confused as to why. Did they look similar to him in some way.

"More or less... They can change form. Their bodies are made of darkness. A cursed mass of it." Pin sighed, turning back, her tail flicking between her legs. As if this topic was... a hard one for her.

OJ narrowed his eyes in thought, "A sludge like substance?!" He gasped in revelation.

Pin nodded.

"Sounds like... Those creatures and... Cobs." He whispered to himself, Pin heard and spoke up.

"Who?" She questioned.

"Cobs—where we come from he's the founder of Meeple, a large company, but one day he just... Showed up. And attacked us." OJ explained hurriedly, as if trying to think... "Those demons... were they giant masses of animalistic darkness? Creature like?"

Pin shook her head, "No. No... More humanoid... You'd know one if you saw one. They have a... A feeling. An Aura. It emits fear." Pin replied, twiddling her thumbs.

"Damn..." He sighed, he'd thought he was into something. "I... ugh... This is bad..." He whined. "I have to find Paper—!"

"—no! You cant leave. You need to learn our language first... At least try..." Pin huffed, which OJ grumbled in response.

"There's no time for lessons! If not finding Paper, I need to talk to this... 'Divine' person..." He spat, angrily. "I need more answers— My HUSBAND could be in danger! And I'm not going to just... Sit around and wait for him to die. Especially if he's still with Balloon or something... Paper would die for that stupid kid." OJ conveyed with clear anger and distress.

Pin bit her lip nervously. "I'm sorry... Teardrop won't allow you to see G—..." She shouldn't speak her name around those who have not been told. "—The Divine until you speak with her directly. Please just... I can teach you." She smiled welcomingly, but it had a demanding undertone. Like she wasn't going to take no for an answer.

OJ lowered his clenched fists, and sighed... There was no way out of this but forwards. "Fine. But the MOMENT we're through?! I want to see The Divine." He snarled.

Pin nodded, "Alright—I-I can make that happen. Don't worry." She soothed, and then sat down, her koi-tail curled to her side. "Sit, and we may begin." She muttered.

OJ obliged, this was going to be a long day... And he intended to finish it on a good note. He would find Paper soon.

———