The Diver my Partner

Late in the evening, salty wind swirled past the sea bridge of a submarine harbor. The silhouettes of two people were reflected in the moonlit sea.                                                    

"Erwin, wait a moment!" a young man called out to the older one walking ahead. Erwin was distinguished by his long blonde hair and was a head taller than him. Despite their age difference, the younger one was his superior.                                                                                

"Did you really mean what you said earlier?" he grabbed him by the sleeve.                               

"I thought we'd already discussed this" he continued with a concerned voice. Erwin sighed and finally stopped.                                                                                                                             

"I'm sorry, Okuyama, but I underestimated all of this" he replied.                                                      "For my wife and daughters..." Erwin continued,  "I can't put them through it if something happens to me in this sea!"                                         

Takumi felt a weight on his shoulders grow heavier. Their world had always been threatened by creatures of the sea, also called Offsprings of the Leviathan. Since he decided to become a marine explorer, Takumi had been determined to find and study them. But this was only possible if a unique diver like Erwin accompanied him. Takumi had hoped to have found a partner in him, but now it seemed that hope was washing away. He let him go and took a step back. He wasn't the type to endlessly argue when he knew it was hopeless.

"I understand" Takumi finally said, trying to hide his disappointment behind a smile.

"We're still in the probation period"

He pulled out a pass from his pocket, one Erwin had given him a few months ago for their collaboration. "Project Dive" was written in shiny gold letters on the red cover. The pass symbolized the cooperation between marine explorers and these special divers, descendants of a long-past experiment. Without Erwin, Takumi was just a researcher with his hands tied.

It's too dangerous for a human to go on an expedition alone. That's why one must always be accompanied by one of them divers.

That's what they'd said during the lecture in his studies. Takumi furrowed his brow, his gaze still fixed on the pass.

"What a ridiculous proverb," he thought. Are they saying divers aren't human? Sure, they can survive underwater with little oxygen and withstand water pressure better, but that doesn't make it any less dangerous for them. If the government allowed it, Takumi would've long since gotten a diving license himself if it wasn't for that rule. Then he wouldn't be standing here pathetically dealing with quitters. He sighed and handed Erwin back his ID.

"I'll let the consortium know tomorrow"

Erwin took the pass. He couldn't quite make out Takumi's face in the dark, but he could imagine how bewildered he must look.

"Listen... i know how you feel, after all we're all in the same boat. But don't let it get you down"

"If this causes you any trouble, don't hesitate to come by. Maybe my family and I can help you out" he said, not wanting to imply too much.

Takumi, however, knew exactly what he was hinting at. Sure, he could use plenty of help now that he was unemployed. It could start with a place to sleep, since he wouldn't be able to afford his apartment any longer. Arms crossed, he turned his back. He didn't show it, but deep down he just wanted to get this departure over with.

"Uh, yeah, of course" he muttered reluctantly.

Erwin smiled encouragingly. "Don't worry, you're a resourceful young man. We'll get you back on track"

Takumi cast a regretful glance at the submarines, the ones he had hoped to embark on alongside his comrade. Perhaps he should have talked more about the risks of the partnership in the interview and less about what he could earn later.

"Well, that didn't work out..." he thought.

Suddenly he felt a chill in his chest and something seemed to constrict his windpipe. Your career is about to go down the drain again a derogatory voice whispered in his ear. It was a voice he didn't like. A voice that was like poison yet also felt strangely familiar. He thought that he had left it behind him long ago.

A sudden, loud bang shattered the night's silence, snapping him out of his thoughts. Takumi spun around to confirm if it was the same noise he suspected.

"Erwin!!" he yelled. His worst fears were confirmed when he saw Erwin's shattered head on the ground. It was as if the air itself had caused it to burst out of nowhere. Takumi staggered backward, unable to grasp the scene. However, he shouldn't have been entirely surprised this had happened. There had been a growing movement, one that killed them without remorse. His gaze swept over the surroundings, hoping to spot the culprit. But there was no one. His eyes squinted through the flickering black streetlights but he just heard his pounding ribs alongside the sound of the waves crashing against the harbor's dock. He slowed his breathing, trying to filter out the background noise. He reached into his pocket to check if he had the glock with him. Not that he was eager to shoot someone but before his exams he had to obtain a gun permit. This was the first time he might have to use it. He wondered if he still remembered what he had learned over five days two years ago.

"Damn it, what am I even doing here?" he muttered, gripping the gun tightly.

"I'm here to explore the seas. To make progress. Not to take down some lunatic for the regiment!"

Just when Takumi contemplated reconsidering his career choice, he suddenly saw a flash coming from an eighty-meter-high crane. They were tiny round lenses of binocular glasses in the darkness, reflecting a green light towards his direction. The figure standing on the gold-brown crane seemed to have stared back at him the moment it noticed his gaze. Before Takumi could get a better look, the night enveloped the figure with its darkness, and it was no longer visible.

"Erwin.." he turned worriedly back to the man lying on the ground. But upon seeing the cracked skull, he realized again that it was futile. His once reliable partners and friends life was gone forever. And that, after he had wanted to return home to his wife and children. The thought made Takumi collapse to his knees.

The following days passed in a fog. The subsequent funeral. The confrontation with the relatives who badgered him with guilt. The science and technical consortium breathing down his neck for not delivering results. The lack of money driving him out of his apartment. His life became a living hell.

Days later, he found himself in front of a bar. A huge neon sign reading "Midnight's Drop" hung from the rooftop. He sighed as he walked down the stairs to the entrance.

"Well, if it isn't my little starfish" sang a sweet voice from behind the bar as he turned the doorknob. It was the hostess herself, Henrietta Woss. She was a petite, plump woman with broad lips. Her absurdly tight dress had frills around her waist like a rosy maid outfit, causing some to mistake her for a waitress. Takumi had known her since his university days when he spent a lot of time in her bar with classmates. Not much had changed. The pub was in perfect condition and as busy as ever. The lights were dimmed for the afternoon, and as usual, a radio station played softly in the background.

"I'm happy to see you" she finally said with a clear, bell-like voice.

Exhausted, he set a box of his belongings on the floor and shrugged off his brown fleece jacket. Henrietta polished one of her fine wine glasses with a linen cloth and turned back to him.

"The room is just behind the bar, down the stairs" she nodded helpfully.

"Sorry, it's a bit run-down, but it's the only thing I can offer you right now."

"Don't worry about it, I don't plan on being a burden for too long" he replied with a tired smile.

"Thanks again for your help" he murmured after a short pause. Henrietta chuckled.

"There's some news, by the way. Have you read today's paper yet?" she changed the subject.

"Not yet... I've had so much on my plate lately"

"It's all anyone's talking about, even the radio won't stop talking about it," she said, turning the dial up to a news anchor talking about a 21-year-old breaking the law.

At that moment, a large, burly man entered the bar. "Takumi! Glad you're here!"

"You're the only one who can help me now!" he called out in a deep but gentle voice.

The name of the sweaty, shaggy man was Roberto Feltmane. He worked in the city as a delivery driver for Stoking's Mart, a beverage store. Back when Roberto urgently needed extra help for his company. Takumi had agreed, as he needed money for his studies, and Roberto's company had generously financed his flight to Barlor. Without Roberto, he wouldn't be where he was today, so he still felt somewhat indebted to him. Accompanying Roberto, Takumi quickly turned his gaze away from him and stared at the veneer of the bar counter, was Roberto's girlfriend, Lydia.

"Well, hello. If it isn't my old classmate. Long time no see" she greeted him through almond-shaped eyes.

He had known her for many years. They had gone to university together and were seatmates.

"Never thought you'd choose marine exploring of all things. Far too uneconomical and dangerous, if you ask me. How's it going?" she asked mockingly.

Takumi stayed calm. He was familiar with her tactic of trying to intimidate him thus he smiled at her.

"It's going great, and how's things with you at the consortium? Congratulations again on getting the position—"

"I'm so sorry, Takumi!" Roberto interrupted him.

"About Erwin... and... and i heard you're unemployed now..." Takumi remained silent and reached for the drink Henrietta had set in front of him a while ago. Lydia widened her eyes in surprise.

"Not so great, huh?" was all she could think to say.

"What are you guys here for? To kick me while I'm down?" he asked without looking at them.

"On the contrary! I have something that might solve both of our problems!" Roberto interjected impatiently, grabbing Lydia by the shoulders.

"And what might your problem be?..." Takumi rubbed his forehead.

"Have you not heard? My sister is supposed to be sent to a detention center in Perun because she was diving in Juban Lake!"

"You could help me get her out of that!" he called out anxiously.

Takumi swirled the ice cubes in his empty cocktail glass.

"Well, if she broke the rules, there's not much that can be done. What do I have to do with your sister anyway?" he mumbled as he stood up to gather his things.

"Have you already forgotten about my family?" Roberto looked at him strangely.

"Sorry, Roberto, I really don't have the time to deal with your family issues right now... Maybe another time, okay?" he replied.

He was about to pick up the cardboard box to retreat to Henrietta's basement when Roberto's words suddenly sparked a realization. Takumi's eyes widened slowly as he thought about the surname Feltmane. There was that famous man, Edugarde Feltmane, who had set a diving record of 457 meters into the sea. He was Roberto's grandfather.

"My sister is a Diver!"