In the thick and cold darkness, the Abyssal Caverns seem to press down on them with the depth of an eternal night. Islael led her Guardians, all glancing around the shadowed walls onto which creepy coral growths clung sharply like skeletal fingers. Glacial-hued sea creatures darted past them, disappearing as quickly as they appeared, their faint light starving under the ambient darkness.
Deeper they swam; deeper, deeper, until the waters grew cold and calm, almost as though they were holding their breath. The pulsating beat of the Coralveil Nexus left in the sanctuary they could no longer see dimmed in its vibrant glow in Islael's heart. This place, these caverns, felt like the vacuum of nothingness. Consequently, Islael began to discern that whatever ancient power there was behind these caverns had lain dormant for eons; whether it would arise to aid them or loomed instead as a threat remained unknown.
"Someone is watching us," Serin whispered behind her.
Alira swam closer, her gaze fixated on the shadow that seemed to move of its own accord. "Something here is...waiting. It knows we're here."
"Then we must tread carefully," responded Islael, her voice steady, though inside, she could feel an unfamiliar twinge of fear.
They pushed on until, finally, they entered a vast chamber. Gigantic crystals consisting of small outer facets flickered with faint lights. They twinkled oddly across the chamber floor. In the middle of the room, there was slowly moving water that twisted like a life of its own-a darker, almost viscous current, one they'd never seen before.
"Is this…?" The awe in Serin’s voice was clear, but the note of fear was impressive.
Before anybody could carry the conversation any further, the water in the pool began rippling, and an echoing voice rang within the cavern, creeping into their bones like an ancient cold.
"You seek the spirits of old." It was a whisper, each word tinged with equal parts invitation and admonition. "But not all who seek are worthy to receive."
Islael stepped forth, her voice steadfast. "We are the Guardians of the Eternal Reef. We desire to protect our ocean against those who would destroy it. And, if the ancient spirits plied their assistance, we seek only their wisdom and strength."
The waters parted and geysered forth, as some dark liquid. It tangled and twisted, taking on the form of a great creature—a serpent, its scales dark and glimmering in the light, a creature from hypothesized legends. The eyes said to be ancient and cold scrutinized Islael.
“You talk of protection as though your world was not fragile and fading,” it hissed. “And the one who stands in your way… is already here.”
The Guardians turned in horror. Through the shadows came Lord Dreygor, draped in dark robes with a mien that sang with the audible tones of malignant triumph from his eyes.
“Did you really think you could get away from me, Islael?” Dreygor's voice dropped to a growl, with each word saturated with venom. “This was once my realm, many eons before you or your Guardians were brought into being. The spirits you desire to save belong to me, by both blood and oath.”
The heart of Islael raced faster. Rumors had it that Dreygor had ancient connections with the darker powers; but the truth was much worse than she could ever have imagined. If he controlled the spirits, her last hope of turning the tide was fading with the passage of each precious moment.But as she gazed upon her compatriot Guardians, their faces rekindled her courage. She stood tall, across the cold of Dreygor's own stony eyes. "Your darkness may run wide, Dreygor, but the darkness cannot get it all. The ocean will remember those who protect. And as long as the Nexus pulses with life, we will stand against you."
Dreygor laughed loudly, sending ringing echoes throughout the cave. "Then you can go ahead and combat me, Islael, but this time, you should know your valor will betray you."
With a gesture of his hand, vivid shadows took form and made shapes like beasts of darkness and hatred, horror-twisted forms of sea creatures, corrupted by Dreygor's influence. They scuttled to the Guardians, ravenous eyes glaring with a maelstrom of unquenchable appetite.
“Guardians!” This Islael shouted to call upon her companions. “Remain steady! We fight not only for ourselves, but for every living soul ever threatened by Dreygor!”
And so began the battle within the core of the Abyssal Caverns. As the strength of the Guardians was pushed against the encroaching, crawling shadows by their courage, Dreygor's forces unrelentingly swarmed them, revealing that the battle would take from them something greater than strength: the very essence of their being.
Silent and watching, the ancient serpent observed each contest of power as if it awaited the moment of its true allegiance to be revealed.
