I still remember the water droplets clinging to my skin like whispered secrets as I plunged into Fontaine's embrace. The Aqueous Tidemarks quest wasn't just another adventure—it was a conversation with history itself, a dance with memories long submerged beneath the waves. Oh, how the currents seemed to hum ancient melodies as I followed Virgil's mysterious trail, each bubble rising to the surface carrying fragments of stories waiting to be remembered.

Where the Journey Begins

Finding Virgil felt like discovering the first note of a forgotten song. There he stood, right beside the Statue of the Seven in the Court of Fontaine—a man whose eyes held more mysteries than the ocean deep. When he offered me the choice to begin immediately or prepare, something in his voice made me think, "This guy's hiding more than just treasure maps." The way he casually mentioned transporting me directly... it felt too convenient, like the calm before a storm.

The Whispering Clues Beneath the Waves

Diving into those turquoise depths was like entering a living museum. The water itself seemed to breathe with forgotten memories as I followed the markers leading southeast. Four investigation spots awaited me, each one feeling like a page torn from Fontaine's diary. That last clue by the underwater ruins—oh, the way Paimon and Virgil's dialogue echoed through the water, it gave me chills. The ruins seemed to sigh with every current, sharing secrets they'd held for centuries.

The Liliacruces Forum's Silent Song

The real magic began when I reached the former site of the Liliacruces Forum. Using the Xenochromatic Hunter Ray's ability felt like learning a new language—the language of the ocean itself. Cutting through Fontemer Seagrass by aiming at those glowing orbs was... well, let's just say it wasn't exactly a walk in the park. But the satisfaction when the seagrass parted? Pure poetry.

What I Found	Where It Was Hidden	Special Requirement
Exquisite Chests	Scattered around area	None
The Key	Mora Chest	Hidden in seagrass or lying openly
Xenochromatic Crab	Near cracked rock	Needed for ability

Finding that key felt like solving the first real puzzle. The way it automatically unlocked the next area—the game was practically winking at me, saying "the real adventure starts now." And boy, was it right.

The Dance of Mechanisms and Currents

That Arkhe puzzle above water? Honestly, it was simpler than I expected. Two glowing orbs, two relays—it was like watching fireflies dancing in the moonlight. The Mutual Annihilation reaction when I attacked the opposite-colored relay... magic. Pure magic. 🎯

But the real showstopper was that chamber that filled with water. Watching the space gradually transform from dry ruins to an aquatic elevator? I held my breath along with the room, rising slowly toward whatever secrets awaited above.

The Final Revelation

That moment when Virgil turned on us—I can't say I was completely surprised, but my heart still sank faster than a stone. The way he locked us in with that modified Ruin Grader... the thing was tougher than my morning coffee. Emptying its health bar twice? Yeah, that was one stubborn machine.

When Paimon suggested breaking the glass wall, it was like finding the last piece of a puzzle you didn't know you were solving. The rush of water sweeping us away felt like the ocean itself was coming to our rescue.

Riding the Current Home

Being carried by that powerful current was... liberating. Just moving through the water, avoiding obstacles, passing through speed rings—it felt like the ocean was apologizing for Virgil's betrayal. And that Luxurious Chest waiting by the Thalatta Submarine Canyon Teleport Waypoint? The perfect ending to a wild ride.

Unlocking Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea felt like earning a badge of honor from the depths themselves. The ocean had tested me, challenged me, and ultimately, embraced me as one of its own.

Sometimes I still visit that area, just to listen to the water whisper. The Aqueous Tidemarks quest wasn't just about treasure or achievements—it was about learning to listen to the stories the ocean wants to tell. And honestly? I'm still listening.