Chapter 169: The First Trial

The Sea Stone Plaque is signed out by SKY Ocean Hunter since none of the other scans read Pacifia, "This is the Hollowed Hall of those who are on the path to becoming Rulers. We the Ocean Lords have placed this trail in front of you. The kind of leader you will be tested and only those with the ability to become true rulers will be able to succeed. Once the trail is started you must complete them to or you will have an intense backlash. Turn back if you doubt, do not proceed if you fear." SKY Ocean Hunter made sure to sign slow enough for everyone to see the message clearly. He is thinking about it deeply as a few words stick to him. He sends these to Tyr and Styx. 

X2CU signs, " Well that not very friendly arent they suppose to be great lords and all at least they could be happy that someone is trying these tests." She swims about looking for more clues it's clear that this seaweed in front of them has something to do with it. 

Magmaheart signs, "Yeah boss what the plan?" She looks at the distant SKy OCean Hunter who is staring into the Seaweed in front of them. His colours are not low but nor are they bright he is in a nominal mood which to means not his top. She has to stand for the rest things are moving quicker than she thought they would. Like Calypso said, "It is critical for all of us to make a lasting impression on him as the guild leader. I want to go on crazy adventures that shape and change the guild and he is the best one for that." Calypso has crazy eyes whenever she speaks about SKY Ocean Hunter but she is not wrong. 

BABYMAKERXCREAM signs, "Looking around won't get us more, we should just head in." SKY Ocean Hunter grabs her as soon as she swims towards the Seaweed. 

SKY Ocean Hunter sings, "We don't in a rush even if the Isekal is on the last level we will work on this at our own pace. Remember we don't know what exactly is happening what if it sends you halfway across the world it will take you years to return.' Calypso can see he has spotted something, BABYMAKERXCREAM looks at Hakagure for help who only sends bright limes of trepidation. Hakagure also wants to move but she knows better than anyone else how being quick-footed can go badly for a person. This is especially true in her personal life. 

SmittenKitten69 sings, "Is it just me or the Seaweed acting odd." In the ocean, the seaweed flows with current and it is generally all in the same direction yet she is sure some of the Seaweed is completely frozen. 

SKY Ocean Hunter signs, "Yep and it looks like some kind of path the only question is that is moving seaweed a trap or not." Since he has no direct clue and the moving Seaweed path could be anything from a trap to them or mindless tasks that will have them eventually fail.

Calypso signs, "It doesn't matter you have to make a decision, of course, we all want to see you succeed and we have looked for better clues. I can't see anything special about the Sea Stone plaque. 

McQueen sings, "Exactly! We will just follower your lead great and mighty leader." 

SKY Ocean Hunter smirks at that reading her sign with an extra dose of sarcasm which he is not sure if she intended at all. Of course, they are right and he is also glad that they can freely voice their opinions. He has always believed many heads are infinitely better than one. If this really does test his aptitude as a ruler. He has to think of it as a test along those lines of what people would look for in a ruler. He put himself in the shoes of the Ocean Lords he has zero understanding of the world they lived in and what their true goals might be. Often personal experience plays into how one sees a test. To him, this should be a rather rudimentary test. Almost like an I.Q. test set up to question the first thing most people ask presented with a ruler. How goo dis there judgement. 

SKY Ocean Hunter says, "We will swim in pairs one on top of the other. Given the height of the Seaweed, we won't be able to navigate without some help. So we need a tell where each person is. The Seaweed doesn't appear to be a very long path but it could be easy to get lost if we are not careful." His abundance of caution come from previous games navigating stellar nurseries is no easy thing. The buddy system is a common and well-accepted method of handling complex navigational scenarios. 

SmittenKitten69 signs, " I have to go first as the protector it is my duty to shield all of you from danger." She looks at McQueen who nods and her colours match SmittenKitten69 in agreement. They often make a powerful combo SmittenKItten69 being a Protector and McQueen being an Elementalist. The Two place them at the forefront as the pod separates into groups. 

BABYMAKERXCREAM signs to Hakagure only, "Do you think he knows she has the hearts for him. " The pod al like SKY Ocean Hunter, he is strong, handsome, well-spoken and taken. All good points it just that sometimes Calypso can be a little much with her attempts to come off as a natural and normal read to BABYMAKERXCREAM like one of those weird articles about teen angst. Sometimes it makes her giggle but just now Calypso had nearly pushed poor X2CU just to make sure she is in the group with SKY OCena Hunter. 

Hakagure sings, "At least she goes for what she wants. Plus he had to be fucking idiot not know  and I don't think he is one at all." She herself has been pining over another gorgeous specimen in the guild. The thing about Calypso is that she wears her emotions on her sleeve something Hakagure can't do. 

SKY Ocean Hunter signs, "go on ahead and we will tell you where to stop." SmittenKitten69 and McQueen make their way onto the Maze of Seaweed. McQueen mirroring SmittienKitten69 as they are guided by SKY Ocean hunter to the first turn. A thought occurs to him that the can McQueen as marker for his next then bounce them ahead while.

Hakagure and BABYMAKERXCREAM swim up the protector and Elementalist taking their place. SKY Ocean Hunter wants to respect the fact that she is willing to put herself at risk. A good leader takes the temperament of his people into account. Since he doesn't know the exact criteria of the test he purposefully makes to sign out his reasons. He isn't sure if this is a magically run test or one directly administrated by the Order. Either way, he is crossing his I's and dotting his t's. 

Calypso signs, " How do you think the Isekal did this test, " Given their large numbers according to Solkor SUN Striker they would use a brute method. If it is even possible of course without the nature of the punishment of Frozen Seaweed. He carefully navigates them through the Maze making sure that they all understood their role and what to do. If SKY Ocean Hunter had closer attention when he was in the maze he would be seen that some of the frozen seaweed is made out of people who he would recognise as members of the Isekal house. 

Chime players when they make them through the maze...

---Message from Tyr to SKY Ocean Hunter and Styx---

/Styx - I don't think the sea stone has any deeper meaning it is a very simple self-contained verse. I am running it through our loreist to be safe but that could take a long while. But it's cool that it could be connected.

/SKY Ocean Hunter - The chances are higher than normal just think about who we are and what I'm doing it can be coincidence.

/Tyr - I would treat every mention of rulers as clue, and investigate further we haven't had any clue besides the threat from the Monarch of magic. plus it makes as you said given who you are there is probably something they're related to one of your seals. I really hope it is.

/Styx -Come on PRimo I'm still here on this damned island waiting for a chance and you are already on another clue. Thats not fair!!!

/Tyr - Serious is their security that tight. It's just a door the dungeon isn't even on the same floor. re you sure you are not trying to do some extracurricular killing. 

/SKY Ocean Hunter - You can pay them back but don't take it too far all-out war is and for us right now. 

/Styx - Hermano tighter than nuns arse. Plus I know relax only a couple hundred at most I promise.