Episode 25

The Dohrnii elders provide guidance to the technician piloting the Dohrnii castle, concerned about the sudden appearance of the maelstrom. The helmsman confirms that the bases, running at full speed, should be able to outrun the storm. Sir Cindarii orders Shin to use his submarine to get the Keyholder safely to the Light Tower. Pezci and Scypho express concerns about Shin and are told that Shin's DNA was modified to give him the regenerative capabilities of the Dohrnii, and he is 5000 years old. When Scypho asks why they haven't shared this knowledge with the world, he's told they fear attacks and war with the other tribes. Then the elder politely warns Scypho it needs to stay secret. Scypho points out Shin's appearance alone could draw attention, but Shin says he's fishy enough.
Outside, they approach the submarine as it comes to rest on the dock. Lady Nellii informs them she has loaded the coordinates to the Light Tower. Sir Cindarii says he's sorry they couldn't visit more, and Pezci answers maybe she can visit them after she wins the Key game. The elder gives a final warning that the world knows about the Keys now, and to be mindful to avoid the maelstrom and people. The three adventurers board the submarine, and it heads out to sea.
This episode is the end of Chapter 3.
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== Cast of Characters ==
== Gallery ==
== Synopsis ==
Lady Nellii and Sir Cindarii are hovering behind the technician manning the control center for the floating castle they're living in. Outside of the large windscreen, the maelstrom rumbles and booms as it bears down the building. Scypho, Pezci and Shin hold position farther back, away from the station controls and out of the way. The distressed Lord demands in a loud voice to know how they didn't notice it sooner, and the equally agitated helmsman at the controls tells him that it just appeared without their radar units ever detecting it. The Lady asks if the other bases have been set to full speed, and the helmsman assures her the signal went out. He then concludes they will be able to outswim it with the currents on their side, but it will be close. He further notes that if they keep heading west, they can eventually take the Equatorial Current and definitely outrun it then. Sir Cindarii makes a disgusted noise and gripes that will take them near the Marine Orders' headquarters. Shin is happy to let the others know that Cindarii hates the Marine Orders. Lady Nellii asks how much time they have and is told they have about three hours. Pleased with the answer, she orders they make full speed towards the Equatorial Current, and to make sure all of their energy sources are focused on moving the bases. With a determined look on his face, the helmsman gives her a snappy salute without looking away from his task.
Turning away and leaving command of the control center in Lady Nellii's competent hands, Sir Cindarii tells Shin they need the Keyholder to leave immediately before the maelstrom gets closer. Putting a hand on the human's shoulder, the Lord tells him his submarine is the fastest they have, so he is entrusting Shin to get Scypho and Pezci to the Light Tower, causing Shin to go starry-eyed. He loses his mood when he thinks to ask if they don't need him at the base to help the elders. He tells the Lord that if they can't outrun the maelstrom, he can save them with the sub. The elder insists he can save them by winning the Key game, adding he wants Shin to go on an ocean adventure across the world, bringing the stars back to Shin's eyes. Shin conditionally agrees to go, stating once again he wants to stay if they need him home. Sir Cindarii tells him not to worry, they can definitely manage this, adding that he thinks it's time they implement one of Shin's backup escape plans. Gasping with excitement, Shin breathlessly asks if he means the super ultra extreme rocket-powered blast off escape plan for emergencies only. Sweating at the prospect, the elder agrees it's that one. Still excited, Shin says he knew they would need it someday, he just wishes he could stay and see it in action.
Pushing Shin along, the Lord tells him they need to get moving now, that there's no time to waste. He turns to Pezci and says it's a good thing she saw the storm in time, and that right now the most urgent matter is getting her away from the maelstrom as soon as possible. Quivering with barely suppressed fear, she asks if he's sure they'll be safe with Shin. That touches Shin's pride, and standing tall, he tells her that of course she'll be safe with him, claiming he's the best harpooner, hunter, and submarine captain they have. Frightened by his reaction, she assures him she didn't mean to be rude, that it's just strange to see a real living human that still exists.
Looking skeptical, Scypho asks if humans lived thousands of years ago, how is he still alive. Shin tells them he has Dohrnii DNA fused with his own, which has given him their immortal capabilities, saying the Dohrnii have genetically modified him to allow his cells to regenerate and continue living indefinitely. He then announces that next year will be his fifth millennium, roughly, freaking Pezci out that he's so old. Beaming proudly, Sir Cindarii tells them Shin's one of the Dohrnii's most brilliant scientific feats, even if he says so himself. Scypho becomes indignant, and demands to know that if they have the tech to make people live forever, why they don't share it with the world. The elder tells him it's because Shin's the last of his species, adding if the rest of the world found out about him, they would be in danger of war and attacks from other tribes. Then he looms over Scypho and asks in a heavy voice to please keep that information to himself, giving the smaller jellyfish a momentary chill of fear. He rebuts that Shin's appearance alone is still something very questionable, pointing out his weird limbs, bubble face, his lack of gills, and the fake fins. Looking daggers at the human, he states Shin's not very fishy, and definitely not very jellyfishy. Shin takes umbrage and tells Scypho he looks fishy enough, saying most people assume he's some weird-looking deep sea fish anyway. Sir Cindarii advises that, nonetheless, they should avoid contact with anyone at all costs. They can't risk people finding out that they have a Keyholder with them.
The group exits the castle just as the submarine pulls up to the dock. From the deck, Lady Nellii waves to them and tells them she's set the coordinates to the Light Tower on the fastest and safest route she could find. Sir Cindarii compliments her, calling Nellii without her title, causing Pezci some confusion. Placing his hand on her shoulder, he tells Pezci he's sorry they couldn't stay longer, because he would have loved to show her more of the Dohrnii bases. With a wistful smile, she says maybe she can see more of them when they win the Key game. Coming up behind her, Shin slaps her on the other shoulder, giving her a fright, and telling her that's the spirit. Taking their leave, the three travelers swim toward the deck of the submarine. The Lord calls out for them to be wary, that by now the news of the Keys has spread across the whole world. He tells them to be mindful to avoid the maelstrom and people as much as they can. Pezci calls back that they'll be careful, while Shin offers a military salute and Scypho just looks disinterested. Once inside, the submarine leaves the dock and heads out to sea.
== References ==