Torrents of rain have been pouring on the Alpine region of Dessimoz for weeks. Being a remote place not too far from the Italian ridgeline, this forced its inhabitants to manage any disaster that may come on their own. However, despite their efforts to prepare themselves against a flood, the residents of the region couldn't have anticipated a whole deluge to hit their homes.

At that time, the Vigilanti army, the local militia protecting the region, tried their best to help the villagers evacuate. While they were successful in their operations, most of the infrastructures of the region were at best unusable and at worst destroyed.

Despite their seemingly heroic actions, the Vigilantis were later confronted by the village council, accusing them of not warning the people about the deluge in order to relocate their quarters first before aiding the townsfolk.

Shunned by the regional community, the Vigilanti troops were left to wander the Alps without a sense of purpose and were later reported missing by the end of the year...

A Vigilanti soldier. Behind their smirks hides a painful past.

Itou, a 20-year-old diver. She’s headstrong and playful, but can easily get riled up.

At the NMSS (Namur’s Marine Science School), a young diving student named Itou was making her way to the director's office with a sorrowful look on her face. Just the day before, she got into a serious argument with another student, which quickly escalated to the point of them fighting.
As she arrived in front of the black door leading to her uncertain future, she took a deep breath and opened the door.

"Well, looks like you've gotten yourself into some serious trouble this time, Itou," said the director with a cold tone to the diver, who tried her best not to squirm too much on her chair while looking at his piercing glare.

"...I'm sorry, sir, but I just couldn't stand that Rita anymore. I should've ignored what she said, but I-I don't know what took over me..." responded Itou with an earnest tone. She wasn't the type to stoop this low to insults, but this time she couldn't stand it anymore.

"Hmm... It's not like you acted out of spite, I can understand that. Still, recordings of it have already been posted online, and we need to do something to keep our image clean."

These last words made Itou's heart drop.

"...Am I gonna get expelled?" she asked with a slight half-hearted smile.

"It depends," swiftly responded the head of the school, "there is still one thing you could do. Me and the rest of the school board have been lately working on an important project and we need some help to make it happen. If you accept, I can personally guarantee you that you'll not only stay here, but also be compensated for your troubles."

The student let out a brief sigh of relief, before she regained her composure and politely asked, "Alright, uh, what do you propose, sir?"

On a sunny morning somewhere near the Italian Alps, Itou and her classmate Yena were walking up a rural road leading to the region's lake named 'Palco'. The two students were already wearing their wetsuits and they each carried their diving equipment, leaving most of their stuff back at the hotel they were staying in.

"Still not sure why he proposed you to find an artifact to 'clear your name', but at least it makes for a nice trip," said Yena. She was Itou's best friend and had developed a strong bond with her thoughout their years of study at the NMSS.

"Yeah, tell me about it. At least things can only get better by searching for this thing. Also thanks again for tagging along, it would have been a hell of a bore to do this alone!"

"For sure! I'm glad to help after what happened back in school. I really should have stuck by your side when this all went down, I just stood there and did nothing like an idiot..."

"Don't say that! This was really just a matter between me and her, having more people humiliate themselves on this wouldn't have changed a thing." responded Itou with a slight scoff.

"Heh, I guess so yeah."

After ten more minutes of hiking, the pair finally arrived at the lake. Rays of sunlight reflected on the calm waters, and a few abandoned houses could be seen around the lakeside.

"Welp, I guess this is it: the Palco lake!" exclaimed Itou.

"Cool! Though it's odd, there doesn't seem to be any people here," remarked Yena, looking around the lakeside.

"Yeah... Maybe they're out working, after all we didn't see much folks on the way either."

"Right, could be the case yeah."

Itou and Yena walked down a small wooden bridge leading right into the lake, gently creaking as they got to the other end. They settled down their equipment and started donning their diving fins and oxygen tanks.
However, just as they were about to put their masks on, Itou stopped for a second and looked at the lake.

"God, I really hope we can find that thing. I can't afford to leave yet another school..." she said in a weary tone.

Yena set her mask aside and put her hand on Itou's shoulder, trying to reassure her.

"Hey, don't worry! Even if we come back empty-handed, we can always try and figure something out."

"...Yeah! You're right, let's just hope for the best..."

Yena, a 19-year-old diver. She’s reserved and shy, but deeply cares for her loved ones.