Under a beautiful evening sky, the glowing domes of several of the Dohrnii tribe's floating castles can be seen on the surface of the ocean. Beneath the small waves, the rest of the castles extend like inverted towers, with a landing built around the circumference near the bottom. Shin's submarine arrives quickly and after greeting the guards, he takes his prisoners inside. The guards think he's up to his tricks again. Scypho fears Shin wants the Key, Pezci is scared of how badly the last meeting between Dohrnii and Planifron went. In the central galleria, they all meet the Dohrnii elders, Sir Cindarii and Lady Nellii. After explaining that he failed to slay another monster for them, he explains how he ended up with prisoners, and that one of them is a Keyholder. All eyes turn to Pezci. Sir Cindarii recalls his manners and greets them warmly, introducing himself and his colleague. In a nervous fit, Pezci tries to assure them she's not a threat in any way.
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Synopsis[]
Beneath high, fluffy clouds in a beautiful evening sky, several lighted domes float on the surface of the ocean. Below the gently rippling water, like a jellyfish, is the rest of the castle, the dome simply being the roof sticking out of the water. The bulk of the castle has a slightly conical shape with windows spaced around the perimeter. Near the base is a lighted landing platform built around the circumference, sort of an underwater dock, above an inverted cap with a pointed finial. The whole thing looks like an upside-down tower floating in water.
Shin's submarine rapidly approaches one of the castles, one which features a stained glass window bearing a familiar crescent symbol. The boat races up to the platform, slowing hurriedly at the platform's edge, giving the Dohrnii guards reason to wonder. They swim up to the railing on the top deck, trying to discover why the rapid approach. They're startled when Shin kicks open the damaged hatch with a loud bang, and they pull back from the hull. Holding his golden speargun before him, Shin hustles his prisoners out the hatch, encouraging them to move along with kicks to the backside. Despite Shin's rude behavior, the two of them stop to gaze awestruck at the massive castle. The two guards join Shin, greeting him by name and asking about his trip. One comments that Shin has made new friends, but he's quick to correct that, letting them know the two fish in cuffs are his prisoners. They watch him lead Pezci and Scypho away, the one saying to the other that he's at it again.
As they proceed through the long tunnel, Scypho says he assumes Pezci's noticed that Shin's gonna try to take the Key. Scared at the prospect, she tells him she knows. Exuding confidence, he assures her he can devise an escape plan, she just has to follow what he does. She tells him no, that it's just her tribe and the Dohrnii used to have an alliance, but the last time they met with the Dohrnii it went very badly. He admits that could make things slightly more difficult. He tells her to act natural and don't say anything weird. Trying to make a joke, he adds they should just hope they don't kill us immediately.
They reach the end of the tunnel and discover the center of the castle is a tremendous galleria. There are balconies and tunnel openings all around, as well as support pylons, gardens and living coral statuary. There's a lot of bustle and activity taking place everywhere, and no one appears to be idle. Shin enters at the bottom and immediately loudly addresses two nobles who are standing by the coral, calling them Lady Nellii and Sir Cindarii. He gives them a small fright, and when he apologizes for failing to slay another monster for them, Sir Cindarii, with a hand on his head, tells him he was told not to worry about that right now. Lady Nellii looks unhappy and worried. Trying to make up for his gaffe, he tells them that on the bright side he has great news. Noting Pezci and Scypho in handcuffs, Sir Cindarii admonishes Shin, reminding him they don't take prisoners anymore, that he needs to stop bringing them random people. Shin defends himself, pointing at Pezci and saying no, this time it's important, he's found a Keyholder.
The entire castle's population stops what they're doing to look at the group, and Pezci in particular, and a collective "HUH?" echoes through the great galleria. Shy and mindful of all the stares, she looks around and only then thinks to cover her bonded hand, even though a golden haze still leaks out. Stunned, Sir Cindarii asks if he's sure. Like he's telling a dirty secret, Shin leans in and quietly states it's Pezci from the Planifron. Worried and concerned, the nobleman asks how Shin found them. Worried himself now, he tells Sir Cindarii they broke into the sub, and in disbelief, the noble asks if he remembered to lock the doors. He sheepishly tries to pass off a maybe.
Sir Cindarii lets out a sigh over the whole situation, and Lady Nellii looks on with concern. Turning to the prisoners, the nobleman greets them warmly and introduces himself and the noblewoman. He tells them they are the elders of the Dohrnii tribe, and that it's an honor to welcome them to their home. With a huge nervous grin and holding up her shackled wrists, Pezci tries to return the greeting, saying she's glad to be there, in the Dohrnii base, as a Planifron, and as a prisoner, not threatening in any way.
Scypho smacks himself in the face with his palm.
Trivia[]
In the comment section, the artist, Andreafishy replied to Carvel Comix's question
CC: "This art is fantastic! What are your inspirations?"
AF: "I looked at a lot of jellyfish anatomy and integrated it with a touch of Victorian architecture :)"