u/TarveyVent

Yoyoyoyo my wowza readers! Here is part 4! Enjoy!

Part 4 “Sea Devils”

"Nico, do you remember when I mentioned sea devils?

Earlier in the day, Nico and Thessa were spending their usual time together. They were older now, around 16 years old, and both have grown: Nico was taller, more lean and tone from years of training and sailing with his body tatted with fresher scars (one single line going down on his chin) with his hair was styled like the other Beasts and Bravers: short on the sides with zig-zag lines cuts and longer jagged intentional uneven edges on the top that goes back down towards his shoulder. Nico also got tanner! Thessa’s tail was longer (and prettier!), her long wet hair was a darker tone navy blue with silvery highlights but most importantly and the most obvious change about her was that the bubble on her cheeks had burst into a deep blue fin-like six appendages. Nico points this out since their last visit she still had the bubbles on her face. “Thessa! What happened to yer face!”

Thessa places her hands over her face. “What!? Do I not excite you anymore?”

Nico gives out a hardy laugh. “No, my silly little mermaid! Yer even more beautiful than my human mind could ever dream of! Look! Even the ocean herself cannot bear to stand yer sight!” Nico uses her arms to part the top of the water that caused a small ripple to form away from them. “See!” He points out.

Thessa was watching through the gaps of her fingers. Even with her face covered, Nico could tell that she was blushing. Now when a mermaid blushes, only around their noses is where their blood vessels dilate like a human. “Oh, you silly clownfish. Let’s go dipping.” The couple swam deeper into the ocean. Their ventures would go on until night and their journeys would end at the sea floor where the breathtaking bottom reefs dwelled and housed many undersea creatures so vastly larger than the ones Nico’s group would see on yer voyages. There were bottom feeder sea creatures the size of whale sharks casually strolling by heading into the abyss zone was absent to the human knowledge! Now, yer probably thinking, how are they not suspicious about Nico or how could nobody has found out about his secrecy? Well, being born in Trito, young men and women are trained to be independent. It’s encouraged to voyage out in the sea but at a safe distance. So, his disappearance would not raise any suspicion. As far as the voyages go, they don’t last more than a week. Nico would return back into Thessa’s arms before the end of the week. Yes, they were truly inseparable until they were reawakening to their world’s reality.

“Let’s go.” Nico said flatly. Thessa stares into his almond eyes, waiting but knowing all too well what he was referring to.

“I want to.”

“Then why don’t we?” Nico asked.

“I…my people. They have strict rules, especially with land dwellers.” She explained.

Nico swims closer to Thessa’s side. Her hands cup to her chest. “Rules were meant to be broken, aren’t they?”

Thessa’s slight smirk was noticeable, but she presses her lips to avoid making it obvious. “Perhaps.”
“Heh. Think about it. Yer power from Oceanus is out worldly. We could travel the seas together. I don’t mind having gills.” He says as he points at his neck. Thessa only giggles in response. Nico and Thessa, as perfect as they may seem, had bumped heads a few times. For instance, something that she took a silence to due to Nico’s carefree nature rubbed off onto her own, was her special magical powers.

(A previous conversation between the two a few years back)

“How do you do that!?” Nico exclaimed as the periwinkle powder floats off his body. Thessa still had the bubbles on her face. She was watching a massive great white shark nearly 38 feet long torn in two from the periwinkle powder. “That was ocean-tastic! Wowza! I can’t believe my eyes! You are incredible!” He complimented. Thessa did not smile nor acknowledge the commendation. Instead, she gave Nico a serious look that caused his words to dry up in his mouth (despite being underwater!).

“Do you like that?” She asked with a straight face. There was no hint of malice in her voice.  

Nicos smile faded. “I mean, it’s something we humans don’t see every day, but we know its there. The magic from Oceanus is apparent all around us. I mean, look at the animals he created. The ocean is his home after-all.”

“What if I told you that this isn’t his power? What if I told you we don’t believe in Oceanus?”

Nico gave out a nervous chuckle. “Water you mean? Isn’t Oceanus yer creator? Doesn’t his power stem from yers?” Thessa doesn’t reply. She continues to stare. “It only makes sense, right? The ocean belongs to Oceanus.”

“But he isn’t here, is he?” Thessa demanded. Her words were not sharp but they were firm. “There are others that created us. Oceanus isn’t the only creator. And water of the evil in the ocean? Are those his creations too?”

“They are.” Nico countered. Thessa waited for further explanation. “Its just like on the surface world. Each land believes in their own universe. We believe in the ocean. The ocean is filled with many creatures and things. Within that creation, you will have evil that takes form. Its inevitable. Where there is good, like you and yer people, there will be evil that tries to overtake you, like in the abyss. Oceanus created it all. The ocean is Oceanus as Oceanus is the ocean.” Thessa doesn’t reply. Instead, she repeats Nico’s answer over and over again, until a smile slowly forms on her light blue lips. She simply couldn’t be mad at her Nico for his simplicity of the world, but she took this opportunity to torment the boy by not speaking to him the entire day and instead filed it with crossed arms and head turns. Of course, Nico fell for it hook line and sinker. 

(Back to the present time)

Nico and Thessa both lie next to each other on top of a giant yellow cup coral while watching a school of reef fish swim by like a fish parade. “Let’s go to the edge of the abyss.” Nico suddenly said out of the blue.

“Oh, my friends tell me how mad you are and I don’t believe them, but this takes the water-cake!” Thessa stated sitting up. “Are you trying to meet a water death with Davy!?”

“We don’t fear Davy’s Locker! Besides, we can take on anything together.” Nico says proudly. Thessa presses her lips together. Nico notices this. “Why so nervous? You do that thing with yer lips when you feel that way? The abyss is really scary huh?”

“Yes, and it’s not just because if the darkness, Nico, it’s because...” She hesitates before she says. “Nico, do you remember when I mentioned sea devils?”

This catches Nico’s attention. “You’ve mentioned it before but never splashed on it much. What are the sea devils?”

“Not what, who.” Thessa stated. “The sea devils, or the deeper sea creatures, are a race of powerful monsters that live in the deepest parts of the Abyss. They are the sworn enemies of the Mers. We’ve been at war with them since the birth of our race. Their numbers and birth are completely unknown, but its likely they’re as old as Oceanus himself. I truly believe they are the true children of Oceanus.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Because they’re size and strength match that of a titan. They’ve killed many of our people. Even though we are separated by kindred, we still swim together. that is why its forbidden to go there, even if its at the edge of the Abyss.” Thessa explained. Nico listened with genuine eyes and ears. He waited for her to stop speaking before he began.

“They sound pretty intimidating.” Nico opined. “How often do you see them?”

“Not all the time. Just a few suns rise every now and then.” Thessa said gently whilst staring down at her hands. Nico chuckled, which shocked Thessa.

“Then let’s go! You and me. Just at the edge of the Abyss. Then we’ll leave before anything comes out! And besides, even if anything swims our way, we’ll just beat their fish ass!” This comment was even more shocking than his casual chuckle. Thessa couldn’t pinpoint what drove Nico to be the way he was: bravery, arrogance, stupidity, confidence? Whatever it was, it was always refreshing, but deep down inside, this also troubled her.

“I-I don’t know, Nico.” Thessa whispered.

“Rules are always a great unity build, but sometimes, rules are there to restrict you from doing what you truly want to become.”

Thessa looks up into Nico’s daring eyes. “Which is?”

“True freedom.” From these two words alone, Thessa’s heart felt weightless. To no surprise, Thessa felt closer to Nico then she had ever been before. It was only he who connected with her on a soul-full level. None of the other male Mers who tried to court her stood even remotely close to Nico’s burning fire that lingered in her mind and heart. Thessa grips her hands tightly to her chest, and she agrees to make their way towards the Abyss. Now, the Abyss is the deepest part of the ocean to those who don’t understand where that is. And to add more to the mystery of this area, here is where the 79% of unexplored lands are, meaning, anything goes and anything can be in the Abyss. During their journey, Thessa swam behind Nico, who doesn’t see phase at the moment from her nervousness. Together, they make it down onto the top of a cliff on the sea floor that overlooks the Abyss.

“This is where the Bloodbellies Kindred live.” Thessa thought to herself a she peers over her shoulder. “I wonder if any will be around?”

Nico stands on the edge of the cliff and takes a moment to study the darkness before him. Nico’s eyes widen; a few bubbles escape his gaping mouth while he stares silently into the abyss. This was the first time Nico had genuinely felt fear for the first time since the great white shark that attacked his guppy group’s raft when he was 7. Looking into the darkness brought a sense of feeling that felt incredibly unfamiliar: Timorousness. Nico’s body trembled slightly but the tightening of Thessa’s hands on his shoulders brought him back to reality. “Whoa. Ok, now I understand fully why you fear this place. Its…unknown. Like anything can reach out and grab you at any moment at any time.” Thessa did not reply to him, instead, she slowly began to pull him away from the edge. Captivated, Nico was unaware of what she was doing. “Thessa?” The words slipped from his mouth by accident. His body suddenly tensed. Before Thessa could reply to him, she reacted completely by instincts. Her body urged, no, screamed for her to duck. Taking Nico down onto the floor with her, a giant spikey tentacle had reached up from underground right where Nico had previously been standing on. The tip of the cliff was now gone entirely, but the tentacle had arisen so high, it nearly blocked the sun above. Nico immediately drew out his weapon. “THESSA!” He hollered as the tentacle came down quicker then its size should ever be able to move. Both Thessa and Nico managed to move out of the way in time, but they were now separated. “Thessa! To me!” Nico called out as he stabs the tenacle then drags it across to deliver a deep cut. At the end of the tentacle, Thessa swam with haste. The tentacle had risen up once more, but this time it shot out the spike down towards the couple. Nico swims in-front of Thessa to block a few of the spikes (with a handful penetrating into his right arm and shoulder). More spikes rained down from above, but Thessa slaps her hands to create a fine powder mist around the two. Nico felt a rush of power within after inhaling the periwinkle powder. The spikes that were once descending had now stop momentarily. In a swift motion, Nico whips his weapon to the side and sends a periwinkle-colored slash that obliterated all the spikes in their path. With the hands gripping his weapon, Nico readies for the next slam from the tentacle. Right on time, the tentacle is thrown down, but its pace sowed greatly. So much so, it gave Nico the necessary time to slash the top half of the tentacle off. The spikey tentacle flinched from his strength, then retreated back into the Abyss. “HAHAHA!” Nico boasted proudly. “You see that! We can take them down together!” Thessa grabs Nico by the arm and swims away from the area. All the while, Nico was laughing joyfully.

(Moments later)

They were safe from the Abyss. Both of them were breathing heavily; Thessa from fright while Nico was from excitement. They breathed in silence for a moment until Thessa turns to him with dismay. “I-I told you! I told you they would come! The sea devil was there!”

Nico laughs. “I know! And we fought it! We even inured it and forced it to retreat! Yer amazing!”

“And yer insane!” Thessa shouted. “I…was my kindred right about you? About humans?” She now said softly. “This was forbidden, but it was you that inspired me to break it…our biggest taboo…” Her eyes were watery with thick bubbles tears. Nico’s smile faded as he listened to her words. “Nico…this isn’t a game. This isn’t training. This is the ocean life. THIS is the dangers we have to face every day. They don’t attack all at once, they don’t attack every day, but this is the battles my people have to endure. It’s not a game!” She shouted more aggressively now as she stares up at him with more bubble tears ascending up from her face. “I could have lost you.” She whispered. Nico’s eyes watered as well. He kneels down to be equal in height with her. “There’s a name they gave you. My people. They called you my Land Devil. And the bill fits.” She says painfully. She lowers her head but Nico catches her chin before raising up for her eyes to meet with his.

“I don’t want you to be shacked down, imprisoned by the thought of yer people to not allow you to be free for yerself. Freedom always comes with consequences, but it’s because we have that choice to make, allows us to grow as sea people. If you never had doubt in yer heart, we’d never would have meant. And I’m grateful for it.” He paused. Thessa was silent, but she kept her sights on him. “And if I am yer land devil, then it would only be fair for you, my silly little mermaid, to now be my Water Angel.” He stated firmly with a smile. Now his bubble tears floated from his face. Thessa presses her lips tightly together before she began to hit her chest, over and over again.

Oops! I meant to post this a couple days ago, but here ya go my wowza readers! What will Digman do!? LEt me know what you think of the ending! Enjoy!

The 8th Layer, Pebdig

The salty blocks were pretty crazy to get through for Digman, but luckily with all that climbing on Salzdig, he got some extra muscles to tear through the blocks with no trouble. Several hours go by when something happens. Every several feet, Digman would brush against a handful of pebbles, which are small sized rocks. Wormguy took notice to this. “Hm? What’s this here?” Wormguy tries to take a bite out of it, but it was as hard as a…rock! “OUCH!”

Digman chuckles. “Hey now. You don’t wanna eat these.” He places a pebble in one of his pockets on his overalls. “These are pebbles. Just smaller sized rocks. Aren’t they pretty?” He pointed out. Wormguy takes this time to view the different pebbles. There were colors of light pale green that raced into a light pale pink before it made its way to pale grey then back over to light pale green. Wormguy had to admit, the scenery was pretty cool so far. Digman made his way down further through the new layer. Now this layer was weird: not only was the soil very loose like sand, but it was also chunky enough to hold everything up together. The paths Digman made did not fill up with pebbles or dirt, instead, it held together rather well. Something else lived here too. A creature that lends a hand, or should I say a tail, to color all the pebbles. Unfortunately, they haven’t met with one yet. “Here we are. The Pebdig Layer.” Digman announced as he dug through the ceiling to land down below onto the new layer. Now here, it was a pebble heaven. Pebbles all over the place. It was like an ocean filled with the pretty things! Digman takes this moment to do some swimming in the pebble ocean. It felt very flush to move past all the pebbles with no issues. It was fun to even dive down then leap out back on the surface. Just then, something catches his eyes. This place was defiantly much like the ocean, so what lies in the ocean? Or the pebble ocean? Well, the very things we spoke about earlier! “Say, there’s some of the multi-colored rubber eels now! Look wormy!” We find a dozen of leaping rubbery eels bouncing on top of the surface before diving into the pebble ocean. These eels were the same colors as the pebbles: pale green, pale pink, pale grey and even a few pale purples and pale yellow. Digman watches in awe as he sees the multi-cooed rubber eels slide and slither across the surface of the pebble ocean. A handful of them get transformed into different colors similar to what was on their bodies. “That’s so Diggy dug! They’re the reason for the pebbles being different colors!” Wormguy peeks out to see what the fuss was about.

“Hmph. Those are my cousins. They think they’re so wormy great because they have different colors. That’s all they do though! Hmph!” Wormguy said as he ducked back into Digman’s pocket. Digman just shook his head. He takes out his diary and begins to write out his thoughts.

“Dear diary, what a world this is. It’s like I can go Sigging all day here. The pebbles aren’t very difficult to move around, so it was easy to maneuver around. The dirt here is not too different from what we found before but.” He pauses before he dips back into the ground to dig until he found some dirt. He scoops up some into his mouth to east the texture. “Diggy dug! This dirt is chunky, but boy does it taste good! Must be all that chunk instead of it. Almost like a dessert!” Digman taps his chin with his claws while a slight grin forms across his lips. “Hey Wormguy, what did the pebbles say when they get together?”

Wormguy pops out from one of his pockets. “What?”

“I feel boulder.” Digman says with a snicker. Wormguy sways to the right then to the left.

“You know what? That one was wormy good. I’ll let you have that one.” Wormguy complimented before he leaps out from Digman’s pocket. Digman nods, satisfied that his best friend finally approved one of his jokes. “

“Time for the final 9^(th) layer, the Felsendig.” Digman stated to himself before he places his diary away. “How great is this? I’m almost done with my journey to find out where I wanna live.” He then dives in headfirst into the pebble ocean.

 

The 9th Layer, Felsendig

“Pebbles, pebbles, pebbles! All around me! I scoop them up and dig them out, that’s the life for me!” Digman sang out while he dug his way down towards the final layer. What a journey! Not many of Digman’s people can boast about this commitment on traveling their world! Digman really wanted to pick the best spot for both him and his best buddy to live on. “These pebbles are so easy to move. I wonder what Felsendig Layer will show me?” It wouldn’t be long until that question was answered. After a few hours of Sigging around, Digman stumbles upon the now drier soil then before. It was almost like sand, but not quite as loose as it. He found that the soil was clump together and crumbled quite easily in his clawed hands. Also, just like Salzdig, there were large rocks that varied in sizes from the size of Digman’s head to nearly the size of boulders placed in his way. All the rocks had an elegant glow to them: healthy, clean and dark in colors. “These are very pretty.” Digman praised. There were some that were dark sienna, some were oxford blue and others were vampire black. Each of the rocks had an even more unique feature to them: like snowflakes on Earth, these rocks had their own style of swirl or circular pattern on the surface. Even the rocks that were as small as Digman’s nose had their own personal pattern! “Whoa…diggy dug! I want to see more! Time to explore!” Digman made his way down towards the new world but was immediately stopped by a large boulder that reached the very ceiling! “Wowza, what a boulder size guy.” Digman slides down the boulder to land on the new world: Felsendig Layer. Wormguy was already exploring around the area while Digman took this moment to observe. There were indeed more rocks, boulders in fact, that were scattered all over the place, perfectly spherical as if someone had personally carved them. There were flattened rock paths to guide you around the area. There were also beehive style boulders that either hung up on the walls, hung up on the ceilings or were shaped like posts on the floor level. “Thank goodness I didn’t break those!” Digman thought. Now, with each of the boulders and beehive style rocks, they all had the unique pattern on them, but also, it seemed as if someone had taken a chunk off of their surface. This was very odd to Digman. Out in the distance, Digman heard several sounds that sounded like ‘ping’ ‘ping’ ‘ping’. Digman uses the rocky path to get closer to the sound. Over yonder, there was the oldest of Digman’s people, ‘Oldman’. He had short black hair, old grayish eyes, wrinkled skin, chipped clawed finger and feet. You could say this was Digman’s father! Digman watched with a smile on his face as Oldman struggled to raise up his pickaxe, but boy this guy could swing down with power! PING! PING! PING! That sound was Oldman chipping away at a dark sienna boulder. From him chipping on the boulder, caused more rocks in the process. “So, it was Oldman making all them rocks?” Digman thought.

Oldman stops using his pickaxe to look over towards Digman. “Oh, there you are. So, you’ve come to see me again, eh?”

“Forgot you lived here!” Digman laughed. Oldman laughed too.

“You always forget. That’s ok. You decided to come and stay with me? Take over the family business?” Oldman asked as he leaned on his pickaxe.

Digman shook his head. “Not yet. I’m still wanting to explore. I’ll think about it.”

Oldman nods. “Take your time, Digman.” There was a pause. “Hey, you wanna hear a joke?”

“Would I!” Digman answered right away.

“What’s a rock’s favorite band?” Oldman asked. Digman thinks about it before he happily shakes his head. “The Rolling Stones.” Both Digman and Oldman laughed together in union. Wormguy appears nearby Digman’s feet.

“Ahh, not another one that tells horrible jokes.” Wormguy said before slipping back into the ground.

Oldman walks over towards Digman to hand him a rock the size of his palm. Inside the rock, there were 9 layers that overlapped perfectly on each other up towards the top of the surface. Around the edges of the rock were crimson orbs. This rock was radiating with beauty, so much so, Digman couldn’t take his eyes off of it! “Well, at least take this. This is the symbol of our people. I’m supposed to give it to Olddude, but what’s the use of giving it to someone that will crook soon! Take it my boy, ease one of my burdens!”

Digman studies the rock then nods. “I will.” Digman jolts down his last thoughts before he waves to Oldman and descends into the ground to follow Wormguy.

 

Digman’s Decision

It takes several hours to do so, but Digman and Wormguy both find themselves in a pretty funny situation. While they both were Sigging down into the rock filled dirt, all of a sudden, the ground became looser like sand, and not too long after the sudden change, both best friends were flung out from the Felsendig Layer back into their home! The ground layer they lived on before! Digman and Wormguy laid on their backs while they peered up towards the tannish skies. The best friends were very tired at this point, so they decided to take a nap before they would make the final decision. Digman was up first. He goes over his notes regarding of each layer: Sandig, Wassindig, Torfigdig, Haardig, Ton, Kaidig, Salzdig, Pebdig and Felsendig. Each of these layers were unique on their own. Each had their pros and cons to living there. Digman thought about it to himself. He was pretty focused, so much so, he didn’t even notice that Wormguy was trying to get his attention.

“Hey, hey! You worming out over there? You need any help?” Wormguy asked.

Digman taps a clawed finger on his chin. “Hmm. I’m not sure. I liked them all. I really do. Sandig felt like I was swimming. Wassindig, Torfigdig and Haardig has rich soil. Ton, Kaidig and Salzdig gave me a workout, so I’d get stronger there. Then Pebdig was super fun to be in while I could be with Oldman in Felsendig.”

“Sounds like you got yourself in wormy trouble.” Wormguy points out. “Which one are you wanting to pick to live in?”

Digman sighs. “I can tell you which ones I don’t want to! Haardig, Ton, Kaidig and Salzdig! I dig them, I do, but not the place for me.”

“Ok then.”

Digman goes over the remaining 5 layers. “Sandig and Pebdig could get boring. The only thing I’d want to go to Felsendig is for Oldman. So that leaves Wassindig, Torfigdig and Haardig.”

“Ok then. So, what will you pick?”

Digman smirks. “The roots might get annoying. Being in the way and all.” Digman accidently drops the special rock given to him by Oldman. He studies it for a moment then looks out on the ground layer he knew very well. The air was fresh, the dirt was easy to move about in and it was heavy enough to actually stick and hold together up well. It soft mud that stretched across the land here! On his ground layer, there were many mud castles he and Wormguy made with a few more of his people that lived in the ground layer. Digman suddenly laughs.

“What? What happened?” Wormguy asked.

Digman picks up the special rock, then places it in the hands of a mud statue that looked very similar to Oldman. The mud statues hands were placed out in-front of it as if it were offering something to you. Digman nods proudly at the display along with Wormguy, who wormed his way on his shoulder. “What do you think?”

“Pretty wormy cool, but you still haven’t answered my question. Where are you going to LIVE!?”

Digman smirks again. “I think its pretty obvious. You know what they say buddy, the best journey always takes you home!”

The End!

Yoyo wowza readers, here is the 6th and 7th layer of the 9-Layered Soil World! Hmmm, Digman is taking his time with this huh!? That's alright, let's see what he thinks of these two layers. Oh and Happy Easter!

The 6th Layer, the Kaidig

“I love digging, I love digging. Even though, even though. This stuff is pretty heavy but I’m pretty dandy with my claws, with my claws.” Digman sung while he tore through the clay. Oh, he was still doing the Diggy’s Drill form mind you, and yes, Wormguy was still in his pocket while all of this was happening.

“Are we wormy there yet?!” Wormguy shouted. Digman didn’t answer because he was still too busy singing. Wormguy could only sigh heavily (while also getting a mouthful of clay!) and stayed in his pocket for the time being. Now, hour did go by, but a new phenomenon happened. Once Digman felt as if the clay now had lightened up in weight, but every time he swung his clawed hands and clawed feet, a dust cloud forms in the air, causing both of the friends to start coughing. “Ah! *cough* What in the *cough* worm is *cough* this!?”

Digman shakes his head. “I’m not *cough* sure!”

“What *cough* do we *cough* worming *cough* do!?” Wormguy cried out.

Digman hesitates for a moment before his brain hatches an idea. “I *cough* got it!” Digman then turns around to use his clawed feet to dig down. This was an entirely new Sigging form that not one of Digman’s people have tried out. This is similar to a freestyle swim move, but in Digman’s case, he was digging backwards! “I call this one ‘Dig-Dugging’, a new move made by me!” Even though the dust cloud still formed from him using his clawed feet, the duo wasn’t coughing as much as they did before.

“This stuff is so wormy weird. Must be dirt, right?” Wormguy asked. Just before Digman was about to answer, they found themselves floating in the air.

“You wouldn’t happen to be able to fly?” Digman asked.

Wormguy looks up at Digman with a frown. “Oh yea, let me just get my worm wings ready an-SLAM! Digman had landed roughly on his back which formed a giant dust cloud. Wormguy slips out of his pocket to look around the area. Digman slowly gets up from the impact to look over the new world. Now here, it was a little strange. There were many hills across as far as the eyes can see, but there were tunnels formed through all of the hills. Digman takes a stroll into one of these tunnels and found drawings made not from clawed fingers or feet. Instead, someone made a bunch of brown sticks and left it on the floor. Digman picks one up and uses it to draw on the wall of the tunnel. It actually managed to leave a mark on the wall! Digman draws a picture of himself with Wormguy.

“Not bad.” Digman said, praising his work. Wormguy appeared out from the ground next to Digman.

“I like it. Hm, this still is pretty strange though. Who made these tunnels?”

“Probably one of our friends.”

If Wormguy had shoulders, he would be shrugging right now. “Anyways, the food is a little dry too.” Wormguy pointed out. Digman scoops up some of the clay-like material and took a bite. Yep, it was dry alright. And when he began speaking, the dust cloud formed out from his mouth.

“It is dry but its not bad.”

Wormguy coughed. “Talk the other way, you’re gonna make me cough again.”

“Oh, this is dirt by the way. It’s like the clay in the Ton Layer, but here its ore chalk. The chalk forms dust clouds like this. I like to call them chalk clouds.” Digman puffs out more chalk clouds and places a few of the sticks in one of his pockets. Wormguy slips into one of Digman’s free pockets.

“Well, what do you think? How is it here?”

Digman takes out his diary and writes out his thoughts. “Dear diary, the Kaidig Layer is something else. Very chalky and dry, but there’s something to do other then digging. You can write on the walls here. Not bad at all.” He taps his chin while a small smile forms on his face. “Say, I do feel sorry for digkids who used to eat chalk when they were little.”

“Why?”

“They must have dyed a little inside.” Digman said with a light chuckle. Wormguy sticks out his tongue at Digman while his best friend jotted some final notes before they would make their way to the next layer, Salzdig.

 

The 7th Layer, Salzdig

“You are such a wormy joke teller.” Wormy said just before Digman began to perform his new move Dig-Dugging to avoid the chalky clouds hitting their face. This went on until the clouds no longer formed behind them.

“I sure hope we don’t just suddenly fall backwards on the new layer world again. That last one really put a bigger crack on my butt.” Digman said with a chuckle.

“Maybe you need two helmets now: one for your hard head and one for your hard butt.” Wormguy added.

Digman pushes backwards to trend deeper into the new layer. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever you sa-WHAM! Wormguy was sent flying out from Digman’s pockets and onto the hard object in-front of them. “Eh?” Digman takes a minute to observe the pale-yellow rocky object.

Wormguy unsticks himself from the hard surface. “Whoa. What is this thing?” Wormguy scales around the object (while digging through the dirt of course). The object was pretty large; which was roughly the size of Digman.

Digman digs over and taps on the hard surface. Little pieces sprinkle from the tips of his claws. “Hm? I can chip this off pretty easily.”

And you’re either getting wormy strong or this thing is not as hard as your head.” Wormguy points out where Digman had struck Sigging backwards. The impact left both of his clawed feet imprinted on the side of the hard surface. Digman takes a small piece of the broken object and tastes it.

After smacking his lips a few times, Digman’s lips and mouth dried up. “Whoof. This stuff suuure is dry. Must be salt.” Digman concluded. “I’ll call these things salty blocks.” Wormguy also takes a bite out of a small broken piece and also gets the same reaction. Digman places the small broken piece in one of his pockets. “Well, I’ll need some water before my lips fall off.” Digman reaches in one of his pockets to grab the spongy soil from before (in the Torfigdig Layer) and squeezes the soil to release water into both him and Wormguy’s dried up mouths.

“Ahhh! Much better!” Wormguy said before heading off in his own direction. Digman places away his spongy soil before he dug forward with no particular Sigging form. Thank goodness for that! Because Digman wound up smacking into several saltier blocks along the way. Thankfully, he was able to maneuver out of harm’s way and into the new world: Salzdig Layer.

Landing roughly on the ground, Digman stood in awe to find that the salty blocks completely covered the entire world as far as the eyes can see but in unique formations. There were several layers where the salty blocks made hills, but these hills were just stacks of more salty blocks. There were some spots that had only a few salty blocks stacked up on each other to make walls or salt pillar. There were even some areas that had salty block stairs that went up straight or in a spiral (hey look! There’s Wormguy waving at us at the top of a salty block stair). Digman takes this time to climb up and over many of the formations. He dared not to take a lick on the salty blocks again though! Way too dry for his taste. “Dear diary, Salzdig Layer is pretty fun. You can climb up stairs, climb on hills and build some muscles here, but I wouldn’t recommend the food.” Digman taps a clawed finger on his chin while a slight smile appears on his face. “Hey Wormguy, I wanna say a joke about this salt here but…NA, you wouldn’t get it.”

Wormguy shakes head. “I think that salt you ate got in your brain. That joke was terrible! I defiantly don’t get it!” Wormguy leaps into one of Digman’s pockets. Digman chuckled.

“I knew you wouldn’t. Ok buddy looks like our journey is coming to an end. We only got two more areas left. You ready?” Digman asked. His buddy nods. With that, Digman descends into the ground. Onward to the next layer, Pebdig.

To be continued...