Chapter Text
"Reptiles are abhorrent because of their cold body, pale color, cartilaginous skeleton, filthy skin, fierce aspect, calculating eye, offensive smell, harsh voice, squalid habitation, and terrible venom; wherefore their Creator has not exerted his powers to make many of them."
— Carl von Linné
Sea of Corruption
"Tell me again, Nausicaa," Asbel asked for the tenth time, his voice muffled by his mask. "Why are we in the Sea of Corruption?"
Nausicaa chuckled, her quiet voice also muffled by her own mask. "C'mon, Asbel, I thought you liked being in my company."
Asbel sighed. Yes, he did enjoy spending time with her, but only when it didn't involve the Sea of Corruption. While he and Nausicaa found out its true nature in that it was purifying the world, it didn't mean it wasn't a risk to one's health being here. A cut would expose the blood to countless spores and fall prey to Hardening Disease. Five minutes without a mask could cause one's lungs to shrivel up like grapes in the hot sun and the body's entire blood supply would shoot out of their mouth. Not to mention, if one were to defend themselves with so much as a handgun, the fungal forest's population of insects would descend upon them and tear them to shreds.
Even with its true nature, the Sea of Corruption was not a fun place to be. Though, he was glad to have a guide in the form of the Valley of the Wind's princess. With Lord Yupa currently running things in the Valley, Nausicaa and Asbel were given more than enough time to explore the Sea of Corruption. At least until she came of age, what with the passing of her father.
"Hey, what's that?" Nausicaa piped up.
"What?" Asbel dashed up to her, being careful not to trip over piles of recently shed Rotwood spores.
That's when he saw it. It looked like a large, dark purple archway. Even when surrounded by the foliage of the Sea of Corruption, it seemed rather... untouched.
"What is that?" Asbel asked.
Nausicaa shrugged. "Never seen anything like it."
She then pulled out her short sword and tapped the blade against the arch. It rang out in a harsh, metallic note.
"Metal." Nausicaa whispered astonished.
"I thought the art of metalworks was lost in the Seven Days of Fire." Asbel commented.
"And yet..." Nausicaa trailed off when she noticed what looked like a panel on the right side.
"Nausicaa, I don't think you should be touching that." Asbel warned. However, much to his dismay, Nausicaa ignored him and started toying with the panel. Each time she touched it, the slots began to glow an eerie orange light and a low, humming noise filled the air. Even, Teto, deep inside his Shoki basket seemed agitated and began squeaking profusely, almost as if begging his owner to stop.
"Nausicaa..." Asbel strained.
Nausicaa didn't listen as she hit the last slot, causing a higher electric hum to fill the air.
Oh, God, this thing's going to explode, Asbel thought in horror.