"So, you have won and are now allowed to travel. Shall we start right away. Where do you want to go?"

Mike stood up. He had no trouble standing, and his vision was perfect, so he was ready to move on. He thought for a moment.

"I am looking for two friends. How many lines are there?"

Mike looked at the knights. They tried not to laugh, but failed, and a grin slipped through. The golden fish spoke calmly.

"That could be difficult. Long ago, Aqua Kingdom was one large land, but we all had different opinions about everything. No matter the topic, it led to fights and wars. We understood how pointless it all was, yet we still could not get along. So we divided the city. Over time, our people no longer needed water to breathe, and that is how things became as they are now. Because of this, it will be quite hard to find your friends. However, we can enter the neighboring city. Come."

Mike thought for a moment and nodded. After considering it, this was the best decision he could make. He followed the golden fish.

They stopped just before the edge of the air bubble. The golden fish passed through it, and the water closed around him. He looked focused and stopped moving entirely. Mike stared in shock.

Why was he not moving?

The knights did the same. They went through and were surrounded by water as well. They moved slightly, as if waiting for something. Suddenly, a smaller air bubble formed around the three of them.

Mike understood.

The golden fish could create it without making them wait.

Mike jumped in and landed directly inside the small air bubble. It shot forward, and Mike was thrown backward. Luckily, not through it. The speed was far greater than anything Mike had ever ridden or flown on.

After two minutes, Mike saw the other city. It was black. A large white building appeared in the center. At first, Mike looked around but could not recognize anything. He had to wait until they arrived.

After another minute, the bubble stopped in front of the large building. The golden fish nodded.

"So, we are here. Go inside. Good luck."

Mike nodded and thanked him. He stepped out of the bubble and onto the ground. He looked back, and the three were already far away. They were only a small point in the distance now.

"Why so rushed?" Mike called after them.

Of course, they did not hear him.

Suddenly, Mike felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Who are you talking to?"

Mike turned around and had to grin. It was Hero. His blond hair was slightly wet, but his armor shone even more than before.

"Hero. You are here."

Hero grinned. "Yeah, I am. I have been looking for you for a long time. So, where is Ice?"

As soon as Hero finished speaking, he noticed the strange expression on Mike's face.

"She is not with you?" Mike asked in a panicked but calm tone.

"No…"

Mike's expression grew heavy and oppressive.

"Bad news. She could be anywhere. So—"

Hero stopped Mike and said, "Yeah, I already know everything. I just won a tournament and can now travel once to another line."

Mike looked annoyed. "So I did not even have to fight? You would have come to me anyway?"

Hero grinned a little. "Well… yes."

Then an idea came to Mike's mind.

"We can travel to the other side now. Let us find the golden fish."

Mike looked at Hero and noticed his doubtful expression.

"Golden fish? I got this instead."

Hero showed Mike a small air bubble in his hand. Hero laughed.

"I can use it underwater. It will be big enough for three or four people."

Mike grinned. That was useful. Now they only had to hope that Ice was in the city on the opposite side.

Mike nodded, and they set off. They only had to cross the city once to reach the other end. As they walked, Mike looked around and took everything in. The houses were black. The large white building in the center looked majestic and powerful, but its purpose was unclear. The inhabitants were, once again, fish people. They looked the same as the ones from Mike's city, so he paid them no further attention.

Half a day later, they reached the other side. They placed their hands on the air bubble. Hero glanced at Mike and nodded.

"So, come on."

Hero passed through the air bubble. Immediately, he raised the small bubble in his hand. Suddenly, a fish shot at him from the side. The bubble fell downward, but Hero instantly re equipped it into his inventory, and the bubble vanished. The fish was the same kind that had attacked Mike earlier. It grabbed Hero, leaving him no chance to escape.

Mike immediately drew his sword and ran through the bubble. He cut the fish in half. Hero nodded in thanks and let the bubble form again in his hand. At once, a slightly larger bubble surrounded them, and they could breathe again.

Mike immediately blurted out, "I hate these creatures."

Hero nodded. "Me too."

They traveled in silence, both lost in thought. The bubble was not as fast as the one Mike had used before, but it was larger, maybe even sturdier in a fight. Mike did not want to test that theory.

It would still take some time to reach the next city, so Mike lay down on the floor of the bubble and closed his eyes. He only opened them again when he heard Hero's voice.

"Wake up."

Mike got up and saw Hero stepping out of the bubble. Mike lay back down on the ground and closed his eyes. Instantly, the bubble collapsed, and Mike was soaked. He was wide awake at once, and for a moment he really wanted to kill Hero for that.

He immediately scanned his surroundings and saw the city in front of him, along with the entrance to the large bubble. Mike stepped inside and immediately jumped at Hero.

"You… you… why?!"

Hero laughed. "Sorry, that was just too funny."

After a few more minutes of laughing, Hero pulled himself together and became serious. Mike stopped talking to him. Soon, both of them focused again. They had to find Ice.

They looked around and noticed how worn down the black houses were. Some were damaged, others completely destroyed. Many were overgrown with plants. It quickly became clear.

"This village is abandoned," Mike said.

After only a few more seconds of looking around, Hero and Mike were surrounded. A group of armed fish people had closed in on them. They looked like the city's former inhabitants, but scars covered their eyes and faces. It was clear they meant no good.

There were about five of them. They aimed their swords at Hero and Mike.

Mike and Hero reacted immediately.

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