Page 62 of Music of the Ocean

“This is the first stop for all newcomers. Someone is assigned to help them adjust, too.” Indigo gestured for Saxby to follow him back to the main corridor, then into another building. This one was tall. “The residential areas are organized by function and preference. Some citizens prefer communal living. Others privacy.”

Saxby watched as a young woman with skin the color of coral emerged from one of the rooms, calling back to someone inside. She caught sight of Indigo and nodded respectfully before continuing down the corridor.

“Does everyone know you?” Saxby asked.

“Yes,” Indigo replied. “I’ve been here a very long time.”

They emerged from the residential wing into a wider corridor that curved upward. The current here was stronger, pulling them along with increasing speed. Saxby found himself swimming harder to maintain control.

“Where are we going?” Saxby asked.

“To the observatory,” Indigo replied. “The best view of the city if from there.”

The corridor opened suddenly into a vast chamber with a domed ceiling made entirely of transparent material. Saxby stopped swimming and let himself drift upward, his mouth falling open.

Above him, the ocean stretched in every direction, its depths shifting from deep blue to black. The city sprawled below, its structures glowing with bioluminescent light.

From this height, Saxby could see the full extent of the city’s spiraling towers, the interconnected bridges, its gardens, workshops, and living quarters. He could see for miles.

“It’s enormous,” Saxby whispered. There was no need to be quiet, but the moment seemed to call for it.

“The city has grown over centuries,” Indigo said, coming to hover beside him. “Each new citizen adds to it, in their way.”

Saxby turned slowly, taking in the panoramic view. In the distance, he could see the dark shape of the trench they’d visited earlier, its depths swallowing the light.

“It’s beautiful,” Saxby said.

Indigo nodded, his gaze fixed on Saxby rather than the view. “Yes, it is.”

They floated in silence for several minutes, then Indigo gestured toward the far side of the dome. “There’s more.”

“Lead the way! I can’t wait to see what else there is.”

They swam through a narrow passage that opened into a series of interconnected chambers.

Each room revealed another aspect of the city’s infrastructure. They visited the water purification systems, energy generation nodes, and what appeared to be some kind of educational center where groups of children gathered around floating displays.

“The city is self-sustaining,” Indigo explained as they passed a massive filtration unit. “We produce most everything we need here.”

Saxby nodded, his attention caught by the way the water changed temperature as they moved from chamber to chamber. The subtle shifts in pressure and salinity were becoming more noticeable to his newly adapted senses.

They emerged into a wide corridor lined with doorways. Saxby noticed his stomach growling, which was no surprise. He had no idea how long they’d been touring the city, but he was hungry again.

“I think it is time for the final meal,” Indigo said, grinning at Saxby.

“Yeah, I could eat a little something,” Saxby said, acting like his growling stomach didn’t sound like a wild animal.

Saxby followed Indigo to a new place to eat. The room buzzed with conversation, and dozens of people filled the space. The scent of cooked kelp and something spicy filled the surrounding water.

Indigo left, then returned with a plate full of mixed vegetables and what looked like small crustaceans. He placed them on the table along with two cups of a pale green liquid.

Saxby picked up the utensil provided and examined the food. The aroma was rich and complex, with undertones of something he couldn’t identify.

“Try it,” Indigo said, already eating his portion.

Saxby took a tentative bite. The flavor was savory with a hint of sweetness, and the texture firm but yielding. “It’s good. Everything I’ve tried is good. That’s so awesome.”

When they finished eating, Indigo stacked their plates and gestured for Saxby to follow. They left the dining chamber behind and stepped into the main corridor. The frenetic movement and chatter from earlier had given way to a hushed quiet. The few citizens still visible moved with a measured, unhurried pace, though.