Isaac had been preparing for a moment like this ever since Bayu had approached him with his ambitious plan to journey to Ondale Reef and retrieve the Tidewater Pearl. What he hadn't anticipated, however, was facing down monstrous shark shifters in a collapsing underwater cavern. Simple logistics, he thought wryly as his fingers fumbled for the gadget lodged in his pocket.

The device was a brass sphere, slightly larger than a fist, etched with tiny runes that shimmered faintly in the dim light. Along its circumference ran gears and dials, each one calibrated with precision to activate specific mechanisms. At the top, a small slot was perfectly designed to house the Tidewater Pearl, its size calculated to the millimeter. When complete, the gadget would become a powerful weapon—part energy amplifier, part focused shockwave generator. But without the pearl, it was useless. And so were they.

Isaac cast a glance over his shoulder, sweat beading on his brow. "Bayu," he called, his voice steady despite the chaos. "Can you conjure up some smoke?"

Bayu, visibly drained but still clutching his resolve, waved a weary hand. A plume of smoke swirled around them, thick and opaque, cloaking their forms in a hazy shroud. Isaac could barely make out the writhing shapes of the shark-men as they thrashed wildly, confused and enraged by the sudden obscurity.

Seizing the opportunity, Isaac darted forward, his heart pounding like a drum in his chest. His hands reached for the pearl, now gleaming softly on its cushion at the throne's base. It was heavier than he'd expected, its surface smooth and warm, pulsing faintly like a living thing. He didn't have time to marvel at its beauty. Without hesitation, he slotted the pearl into the gadget.

As soon as the pearl clicked into place, the device whirred to life. The gears spun, the etched runes flared with blue light, and the entire sphere emitted a low hum that vibrated in his palms. He didn't have time to celebrate—the sharks had picked up on his movement. Their heads snapped toward him, and they surged through the smoke with terrifying speed, jaws snapping, teeth glinting.

Isaac's breath hitched. Sweat trickled down his temple. Please work. Please, for the love of everything, let this work.

He raised the gadget, aiming it at the closest shark's head, and pulled the lever.

"BOOM!"

A massive blast rippled through the room, a shockwave of energy that tore through the shark's flesh, splattering bits of muscle and bone onto the mirrored floor. Isaac flinched as blood sprayed across his face and hands. The other two sharks roared in unison, a guttural, haunting sound that sent a chill down his spine. Isaac didn't falter—he pulled the latch again, unleashing another concentrated burst of energy. The beam struck the second shark with devastating force, tearing through its body until it crumpled to the ground in a lifeless heap.

Debris began to fall, rocks and shards of coral raining from the ceiling as the room destabilized. Dust filled the air, choking and blinding. The last shark, wounded but still alive, thrashed wildly, sending waves of destruction through the chamber.

Isaac shoved the gadget back into his pocket, his hands trembling. "We have to go! NOW!"

Kai sprang into action. He shifted Tomoya's bloodied wolf form into his arms, holding him with surprising ease. "Move!" he barked. Isaac didn't need to be told twice. He rushed to Bayu, who was barely standing, his face pale and his frame sagging under the weight of his spent magic. Isaac hauled Bayu up, looping an arm around his waist and dragging him forward.

The collapsing debris grew relentless, crashing around them with deafening force. Dust and smoke stung Isaac's eyes, his lungs burning with each frantic breath. The hole they had descended from loomed ahead, but it seemed impossibly far.

"Bayu!" Isaac shouted. "The rope! Quick!"

Bayu gritted his teeth and raised a trembling hand. A thin string of magic, glowing faintly, shot upward and anchored itself. Isaac didn't waste a moment. He pushed Bayu toward it, helping him grasp the rope. One by one, they pulled themselves up, rocks scraping at their legs and dust choking their lungs. Isaac's arms screamed in protest, but adrenaline kept him moving.

Finally, they emerged into open water, bursting through the hole and into the swirling calm of the reef. For a moment, Isaac floated there, utterly spent, his chest heaving. The once-terrifying darkness of the ocean now seemed like a safe haven.

Kai surfaced next, cradling Tomoya in his arms. Blood still matted the wolf's fur, but his chest rose and fell steadily. Bayu followed, collapsing beside Isaac with his head lolling onto Isaac's shoulder, his damp locks tickling Isaac's chin.

Isaac let himself sink onto the reef floor, the solid surface grounding him. For a moment, no one spoke, their breaths filling the silence. Finally, Isaac broke the quiet, his voice a rasp. "Well... definitely not doing that again."

Kai, to Isaac's surprise, began to laugh. A deep, full-bodied laugh that echoed through the water. It started as a low chuckle and built until Kai threw his head back, his laughter ringing out like a release of all the tension, fear, and relief bottled up inside him.

When he finally stopped, Kai sat back up, his gaze settling on Isaac. There was something new in his expression—a deep intensity, a warmth that made Isaac's stomach flip.

"Oh, Isaac," Kai said. "What would we do without you?"