The Deep District was the antithesis of the Foundry. Where the Industrial Sector was heat, noise, and metal, the Deep District was silence, cold, and bioluminescence. It was a massive canyon carved into the side of the city's foundation, enclosed by a dome of reinforced mana-glass to withstand the crushing pressure of the deep ocean.
Alvian materialized at the border checkpoint. Valeria was waiting for him, flanked by a squad of Vanguard knights and a contingent of the newly integrated City Watch. They looked tense.
"Situation?" Alvian asked, stepping off the pad.
"Weird," Valeria said, sheathing her sword. "We expected resistance. We expected water elementals, hydro-cannons, the works. But… nothing. The border guards just withdrew."
"Withdrew?" Alvian frowned. "Shui isn't the type to give ground."
"She sent a message," Valeria handed him a sleek, waterproof data-slate. "It arrived five minutes ago. Addressed to the High Marshall."
