Chapter 197: The Deep Fleet

The journey to the Deep Fleet’s territory took four days.

Nathan and his party traveled across floating bridges and stone paths, guided by a Vine Council scout named Briar. The landscape changed slowly—the forested islands gave way to rocky spires and deep chasms. Then the water came. Not an ocean, but a floating sea—a massive body of green-tinged water that hung in the void like a suspended wave. Ships sailed across its surface, their hulls dark and sleek. Flags bearing the Deep Fleet’s sigil—a serpent coiled around an anchor—fluttered from their masts.

"The Deep Fleet controls the floating seas," Briar said. "They’re raiders. Privateers. They don’t trust anyone who walks on solid ground."

"Then we’ll convince them," Nathan said.

They boarded a small boat at the water’s edge—an old ferry that looked like it had seen better days. Briar negotiated with the ferryman, who eyed the party with open suspicion but accepted a handful of Tidecaller shells as payment.

The boat pushed off from the shore and glided across the floating sea. The water was strange—thick and green, like liquid glass. Nathan could see shapes moving beneath the surface. Large shapes.

"They know we’re here," Smithy said quietly. "The Deep Fleet has lookouts everywhere."

"Good," Nathan said. "Let them watch."

The ferry approached the Deep Fleet’s stronghold—a massive floating fortress built from the hulls of a hundred ships, lashed together with iron chains and driftwood. It rose from the sea like a mechanical island, its towers bristling with harpoons and ballistae. Ships surrounded it in a wide ring, their crews watching the approaching ferry with cold eyes.

A boarding party met them at the fortress’s main dock. At its head was a tall woman with sea-green hair and eyes like storm clouds. She wore armor of dark leather and carried a trident of black iron. Her face was scarred, and her expression was hard.

"Climbers," she said. "I am Captain Rhea, second in command of the Deep Fleet. Our Admiral is waiting for you in the war room. Come."

Nathan stepped off the ferry. "You knew we were coming."

"We know everything that happens in our waters." Rhea turned and walked toward the fortress’s heart. "The question is whether you’ll leave alive."

---

The war room was dark and damp, lit by hanging lamps that burned with green fire. A massive table dominated the center, its surface carved into a map of the floating seas. Around it stood the Deep Fleet’s officers—hard men and women with weathered faces and weapons close at hand.

At the head of the table sat Admiral Kaelen. He was old, his hair white and his face lined, but his body was still strong. His left arm was a prosthetic of carved bone and metal, and his eyes were the color of deep water. He watched Nathan with the patience of a predator.

"Climbers from the outside world," Kaelen said. His voice was like gravel rolling in a tide. "You’ve been busy. We heard about the Iron Court. The duel with General Kael. The Vine Council and the Shepherd’s seed. You’re either very brave or very stupid."

"Maybe both," Nathan said. "But we’re here to talk about ending the war."

Kaelen laughed—a dry, harsh sound. "Ending the war? The war has made the Deep Fleet rich. We raid the Iron Court’s supply lines. We prey on the Crownless. We take what we want from the shattered islands. Why would we want it to end?"

"Because the World is dying," Nathan said. "The Shepherd’s corruption is spreading. If the factions don’t unite, there won’t be anything left to fight over."

Kaelen’s eyes narrowed. "The Shepherd. We know of the Shepherd. We know the World is broken. But the Deep Fleet survives. We always survive." He leaned forward. "What do you want from us, Climber?"

"Your support. Your ships. Your knowledge of the floating seas. With the Legion, the Iron Court, and the Vine Council working together, we can restore the Throne. But we need the Deep Fleet to control the waters."

"And if we refuse?"

Nathan met his gaze. "Then the war continues. And eventually, one of us loses. But I don’t think you want that."

Kaelen was quiet for a long moment. Then he stood. "Words are cheap. You want the Deep Fleet’s support? Prove you’re worth it. Our champion against yours. Win, and we’ll talk. Lose, and you’ll feed the sea."

Nathan glanced at his party. Mirko’s eyes blazed. Shiro’s expression was calm. Kuro simply nodded. Garrett’s hand was on Volcan. Dillon’s katana crackled. Elise’s staff glowed.

"Who’s your champion?" Nathan asked.

Kaelen smiled. "You’ll meet him soon enough."

---

The arena was a floating platform in the center of the fortress, surrounded by water. The Deep Fleet’s crew lined the railings, their faces eager for blood. Nathan’s party stood at one end of the platform. At the other, a massive figure rose from the sea.

He was huge—seven feet tall, with grey-green skin and gills along his neck. His body was covered in scars and brands. In his hands, he carried two massive axes, their blades glowing faintly with green light. His eyes were black, empty, and he moved with the grace of something born in the water.

"That’s Korvex," Rhea said quietly. "Our best. He’s never lost."

Nathan looked at the champion. [Hunter’s Insight] read his mana signature—strong, but not overwhelming. The real threat was his size and speed. And the axes.

"Who fights him?" Dillon asked.

Nathan considered. Then Elise stepped forward. "I’ll do it."

The party turned to her. Garrett frowned. "Elise, you’re a mage. He’s a close-range fighter. If he gets close—"

"Then I won’t let him get close," Elise said calmly. She raised Aurora’s Heart, and the staff blazed with frozen light. "The Frost Golem will keep him busy. I’ll do the rest."

Nathan met her eyes. She was confident. Not arrogant—confident. "Be careful."

She smiled faintly. "I always am."

She walked onto the platform. The Frost Golem rose behind her, its crystalline body gleaming in the green light. Korvex watched her approach, his black eyes unreadable. Then he raised his axes and charged.

---

The battle was swift and brutal.

Korvex moved fast—faster than anything his size should. He crossed the platform in three strides, axes swinging. Elise stood her ground, and the Frost Golem stepped in front of her. The first axe struck the Golem’s chest, and ice cracked. The second axe followed, but the Golem’s massive fist caught it, holding it in place.

"Now," Elise said.

She raised Aurora’s Heart, and [Glacial Lance] materialized at the staff’s tip. She released. The spear of ice punched through Korvex’s shoulder, sending him stumbling backward. He roared and swung his axes, but the Frost Golem was already there, its frozen fists slamming into his chest. He crashed to the platform, gasping.

Elise didn’t hesitate. She summoned [Mana Bolts], the compressed energy detonating against Korvex’s arms, his legs, his chest. Each hit was precise, calculated. Korvex tried to rise, but the Frost Golem pinned him down.

"Yield," Elise said. "It’s over."

Korvex struggled. Then he went still. "I... yield."

The fortress erupted in shocked silence. Elise turned and walked back to the party, the Frost Golem following. Her expression was calm, but Nathan could see the slight shake in her hands.

"Not bad," Dillon said. "Not bad at all."

Elise smiled. "I’ve been practicing."

---

Admiral Kaelen’s expression was unreadable as he approached the party. "You’ve proven your strength. The Deep Fleet will join your alliance." He paused. "But know this, Climber. We do not trust easily. Betray us, and we will drown you all."

"Fair enough," Nathan said. "But we won’t."

Kaelen nodded slowly. "There’s one more thing. Before you leave, you should know—the Crownless are not what they seem. They’re not just nihilists. They’re waiting for something. Someone." His eyes darkened. "And they’re not the only ones."

Nathan felt a chill. "What do you mean?"

"The Shepherd’s servants are already inside the Throne. We’ve seen them. Pale figures in white robes. They move in the shadows. They watch." Kaelen’s voice dropped. "And they’re looking for you."

The words hung in the air. Nathan looked at the water. The green surface was still. But somewhere beneath, something was moving. Something old.

Something waiting.