My Last Dive [Made in Abyss Fanfiction]

03| Edge of the Abyss

When Melva said we'd be heading for the Abyss, I didn't know she meant "in two more weeks." She did come back in two days, but with a load of tools and other things. In hindsight, it made sense she wanted me to become familiar with the various hammers, ropes, and other equipment. That didn't stop me from carrying out the training with slight reluctance, however.

Now, those weeks were over, and today was the day I'd finally be making my first trip down into the Abyss.

I stood before the mirror in the bathroom, marveling at what looked back at me. Gone were the plain, dark clothes I was so accustomed to. In their place, I wore the gear of a Delver. I'd been provided with a brown short-sleeved jacket that I wore one of my sturdier green button-up shirts under, a pair of dark pants, leather gloves, sturdy boots, and a helmet that reminded me of those the miners back home wore. To top it off was my red whistle, which I could confirm functioned very well.

With a flourish, I pushed open the bathroom door and stepped out into the dining room where my family was waiting. Aedia was still sick, but she insisted on seeing me off.

"Wow, you look so cool, Len!" Aedia squealed. I put my hands on my hips and puffed my chest out, trying to look gallant. Still, I could feel the light blush on my cheeks from the feeling of everyone watching me.

"I still think this isn't the best idea," Mother said, "but if it'll get your curiosity out, then we might as well try it."

Father sighed reluctantly before saying, "I agree, though holing him up in the clinic isn't a good alternative. It's better that he engages with the culture than try to dismiss it. Either way, we already said yes, so Len won't let us back out now," he chuckled.

You're right, I wouldn't let you! I thought firmly with a mental nod.

It took far too long for Melva to appear, even if she had arrived exactly on time. She was also wearing her delving gear, though she had the addition of a large backpack this time. Following a greeting and a goodbye from my parents and Aedia, we were off.

"So I got ya this," Melva said as she tossed me a backpack. It looked just like hers, only smaller. "It's got basic supplies in there too. In exchange, I get all your Relics for now. Shit's expensive."

"Thank you again so much for agreeing to teach me," I said, putting on my new backpack. I hoped she understood how grateful I was for all of this. "I still can't believe you were able to convince my parents to let me go."

Melva shrugged. "I lied 'bout goin' with a group since I'm not much of a people person, an' I had to leave a couple other things out. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it." I wondered what she meant, though I had a feeling she wouldn't answer if I asked.

"So what exactly are we going to be doing?" I asked.

"We're not goin' down far today, hundred yards or so. I'll teach ya basic Relic-collectin' techniques, and I also wanna focus on gettin' ya familiar with the ecology and all that. I promised your parents I'd bring ya back in one piece, and that ain't happenin' if ya don't know what's happenin' 'round ya."