"I'm scared."

Isaac's words hung in the heavy, still air, his voice barely rising above the faint lapping of water around them. He had his hands wrapped tightly around Kai's arm—something that had become increasingly familiar, the subtle pressure of Isaac's grip a constant reminder of how close they had all become over the course of their mission. Kai couldn't argue with him. He felt it too. Fear, not just for the mission ahead but for what lay beneath it all: the unknown. The deep darkness of Reken Cove was nothing like the vibrant, bustling Ondale Reef they had left behind. There, they had enjoyed the comfort of soft, warm waters, fragrant air, and the reassuring sounds of life all around them. Here, in the depths of the ocean, there was nothing but silence, broken only by the occasional eerie creak of shifting coral or the distant hum of water moving through narrow passages.

The ocean bed was a sprawling, overgrown forest, its tangled roots and seaweed-covered plants clinging to the rocky surface like a deadly maze. They had been walking for what felt like hours, slipping on slick corals and sharp, gnarled plants that reached out like fingers, scraping at their cheeks and necks. The further they moved into the cove, the darker the water became, the light from above dwindling until all that remained was a haunting twilight. Above them, the surface of the water seemed miles away.

"Are you guys alright?" Kai called back over his shoulder, snapping out of his thoughts. His voice sounded more steady than he felt.

Behind him, Tomoya and Bayu were picking their way through the thick undergrowth, their expressions pinched with effort, eyes darting suspiciously at their surroundings. Tomoya had been quieter than usual, his eyes narrowed in concentration. Bayu, on the other hand, kept throwing glances around, as though trying to get a feel for the danger that might be lurking in the murk. Without a word, Bayu gave him a thumbs-up, a gesture that was supposed to be reassuring, but only added to the mounting pressure that was building in Kai's chest.

Isaac, noticing the silence, tried to lighten the mood, though his attempt fell short. He gave Kai a sideways grin and let out a short chuckle, though there was no real humor in it. "What are the odds that—" he started, voice dripping with sarcasm, "—we can just waltz right into the cove, snatch up the pearl, and run out before anyone notices?"

Kai let out a short, unexpected laugh, the sound caught somewhere between disbelief and exhaustion. "That would make our lives so much easier," he agreed, shaking his head at the ridiculousness of it all.

He wished it could be that simple.

They had come so far, and yet, every step deeper into the cove felt like another layer of danger wrapping around them. The pressure of the mission weighed on Kai heavily. Not just because of the physical dangers they faced, but because of the stakes that had been placed on his shoulders. He was the leader. The one who had to keep everyone together, keep them moving forward when the uncertainty threatened to swallow them whole. And right now, more than ever, he wasn't sure if he could carry it.

But there was no turning back now. The pearl was close—just beyond the next bend, they all hoped—but so was the threat that had guarded it for centuries.

"I can feel it," Isaac muttered under his breath. His hand was still wrapped around Kai's arm, but now there was a hint of tension in his grip, as though he too had started to feel the weight of the journey.

Bayu's voice cut through the water, louder now as he and Tomoya reached the front. "We should be getting close," Bayu called, glancing back at them. "Stay alert."

Tomoya's voice followed, low and cautious. "Keep your wits about you. This place... it's like something out of a nightmare."

A sudden hiss filled the air, followed by a deadly volley of poison-tipped arrows that whizzed past them from all directions. Kai cursed sharply, instincts kicking in as he barked, "Everybody, get down!" The squad hit the ground as arrows clattered and ricocheted off the rocks around them, some embedding themselves in the soft mud with ominous twangs.

Kai's mind raced as he scanned their surroundings, his eyes catching every detail in the dim, murky light. Among the dense coral and seaweed, his gaze landed on a large hole partially obscured by layers of growth. It was risky. The drop looked steep, and there was no way of knowing where it led, but it was their only chance to escape the barrage.

"This way!" he yelled, already springing to his feet and making a break for it. He reached the edge of the hole and didn't hesitate, throwing himself in. The fall was longer than he expected, his stomach lurching as he hit the ground with a wet, heavy thud. The impact sent a splatter of mud and water flying up around him, and he groaned as he quickly rolled to his feet, scanning the area. The tunnel was narrow, the air musty and oppressive, with a damp, earthy smell that clung to his nostrils. The ground was thick with mud, sucking at his boots with every movement.

Above, Isaac's wide, terrified eyes peered down at him, hesitation written all over his face.

"JUMP!" Kai shouted, bracing himself and holding his arms out as if to catch him.

Isaac drew in a shaky breath, clenching his jaw. "You better not drop me!" and before he could talk himself out of it, he leapt. Kai caught him in a firm grip, their bodies colliding with enough force to make him stumble slightly. He wrapped his arms around Isaac's back to steady him, then quickly released him, already looking up for the next one.

Tomoya followed, his movements fluid and effortless. He had transformed into a wolf, landing lightly on his feet with barely a sound. Kai almost forgot how agile he could be in his wolf form.

Bayu was last, his hands glowing faintly as he muttered a quick spell to soften his fall. He landed with a graceful thud, the magic dispersing in a shimmer of blue light as his boots touched the ground.

Kai didn't give them time to catch their breath. "Move!" he ordered, his voice sharp with urgency. He took the lead, the squad falling in behind him as they sprinted through the narrow, winding tunnel. The air was heavy, each breath coming harder and faster as they ran, mud splashing up their legs with every step. Kai didn't know where they were going, but he knew one thing: they couldn't stop. Not yet.

The tunnel trembled suddenly, a deep, guttural voice booming through the dark like the roar of a storm. "YOU DARE TO CONTINUE? NOBLE SOLDIERS, TURN BACK AND LEAVE WITH YOUR LIVES."

Kai froze, skidding to a halt as the voice echoed around them. The ground beneath his feet shifted slightly, loose rocks tumbling from the walls.

This was their last chance to retreat. The words of Lukas, their commander, rang in Kai's ears: "Failure is not an option. If you can't complete this mission, you'll have no place in the Aetherwing Brigade." The memory stung. Kai took a deep breath, the heat of his dragonfire burning in his chest. His claws flexed instinctively as he stepped forward, his voice rising with determination.

"We are Squad 14, dispatched from the Aetherwing Brigade," he bellowed. "We've come to collect the Tidewater Pearl to save Antigua." He felt the heat rise to his throat, and with a mighty roar, he unleashed a plume of dragonfire into the air. The tunnel lit up briefly, the fiery light casting shadows that danced on the walls like specters.

Kai's heart hammered in his chest as he wiped the sweat from his brow. He took another step forward, emboldened by the fire still coursing through him. "We're not leaving here without a fight!"

A deep, rumbling laugh answered him, the sound so loud it made the ground tremble. Loose stones and debris rained down from the ceiling as the voice boomed again. "SO BE IT."

The tunnel shook violently as a massive plume of rock began to fall, crashing down in a cascade of destruction.

"Hold steady!" Bayu shouted, his voice strained as he raised his hands. A faint blue sheen surrounded them, shimmering like a protective bubble. It absorbed the worst of the impact, shielding them from the falling debris, but cracks were already forming in the magical barrier. Bayu's face was pale, sweat dripping down his temples. "It won't hold for long!"

Kai gritted his teeth, his mind racing. The voice wasn't bluffing. Whatever was ahead of them wasn't going to let them take the pearl without a fight. But if they turned back now, it would all be for nothing.

"We keep moving!" Kai roared, grabbing Isaac by the arm and pulling him forward. The others followed, the ground beneath them shaking with every step as the tunnel seemed to come alive, the voice continuing to mock them.

A massive, jagged piece of rock crashed down, blocking their path as debris continued to fall around them. Bayu acted swiftly, his hands alight with blue energy. With a burst of magic, he blasted through the obstacle, shattering the rock into sparkling fragments that scattered like shattered glass. Without missing a beat, they all tumbled forward into the newly opened space.

What lay before them stole Kai's breath—a stunning throne room, majestic yet ominous. The floor shimmered like a mirrored ocean, its surface glowing with soft, undulating blue light. Intricate coral patterns twisted along the walls, and luminous jellyfish drifted lazily above, casting shifting shadows across the chamber. The throne itself was carved from what looked like a single piece of crystalline sapphire, its surface etched with swirling patterns that seemed alive, glowing faintly in the dim light. Resting on a soft cushion of seafoam-green silk sat the object they had come for—a massive, glassy blue pearl, radiating a faint inner glow that pulsed like a heartbeat.

From the corner of his eye, Kai caught movement. Isaac, wide-eyed and reckless, lunged toward the pearl with outstretched hands. Before he could reach it, however, movement from above drew everyone's attention. From the shadows of the vaulted ceiling descended three figures, their blue-tinged skin glistening like polished stone. They were tall and muscular, with swirling marks and ceremonial paintings etched into their chests and arms. Each carried a quiver of arrows slung over their shoulders, their eyes glowing an otherworldly blue.

Before Kai could shout a warning, the three figures began to transform. Their skin rippled and shimmered like water, their limbs contorting as fins burst forth from their arms and legs. Their faces elongated, jaws widening grotesquely to reveal rows of jagged, glistening teeth. Their torsos expanded, the swirling marks shifting and morphing into the patterns of a great shark's body. Their final forms were monstrous—a trio of massive, humanoid sharks, their sleek, muscular bodies radiating an aura of raw power and predatory menace.

Isaac screamed, the sound tearing through the tension. "Go back! Go back!" Kai found himself shouting, his own voice barely audible over the deep, guttural roars of the shark shifters.

The monsters wasted no time. With a bone-chilling snarl, they bared their glistening teeth and surged forward, moving with terrifying speed. Kai's heart pounded as he saw Bayu step forward, his hands crackling with streams of blue magic. He unleashed a barrage of energy, the bright arcs slamming into the shark-men's bodies. But the attacks were useless—the magic rolled off their smooth, impenetrable skin like water over stone.

Tomoya lunged at the neck of the nearest shark, his powerful jaws snapping shut. But the creature thrashed violently, throwing Tomoya off as if he weighed nothing more than a leaf. Tomoya hit the mirrored floor with a sickening thud, a faint yelp escaping his muzzle.

Kai knew he had to act. He took a deep breath, feeling the heat swell in his chest, and let out a powerful roar, releasing a torrent of dragonfire. The flames lit up the chamber, engulfing the sharks in a fiery inferno. But to his horror, the largest shark opened its enormous jaws, swallowing the flames whole. The fire dissipated as if it had never existed, leaving the creature completely unharmed.

Kai stumbled back, his mind racing. This was a suicide mission. The realization gripped him, icy and paralyzing. Lukas had sent them here knowing the odds were slim—knowing they might not return. He looked around desperately. Bayu was gasping for breath, his frame trembling with exhaustion after expending so much magic. Tomoya lay on his side, blood dripping from a gash that marred his flank. And Isaac—where was Isaac?

A heavy hand landed on Kai's shoulder. He turned to see Isaac standing beside him, his emerald-green eyes blazing with a determination Kai had never seen before.

"Don't worry," Isaac said. "I've got this."

Before Kai could respond, Isaac surged forward, charging straight toward the monstrous sharks.