Chapter 4: Whispers of the Deep
The Sea Guardian descended through the abyss, the weight of the ocean pressing against her as the darkness grew thicker. The eerie silence was broken only by the thrum of her spear, which pulsed with light, guiding her path like a beacon. As she dove deeper, the colossal gate loomed larger, its intricately carved seals glowing faintly as if awakening from a long slumber.
When she finally reached the seabed, she felt a surge of ancient power radiating from the gate. Her fingers traced the word “Abysnos” etched into the stone, its curves pulsing with a cold, spectral light. The voice she’d heard before echoed again, clearer this time.
— “Seek the echoes of the lost. Their whispers will unlock the truth.”
The Sea Guardian took a deep breath, the water shimmering around her, and pressed her palm against the central seal. A tremor coursed through the stone, and with a deep rumble, the gate began to part, unveiling a passage into a forgotten realm. She hesitated only for a moment before stepping through the threshold, the light from her spear piercing the veil of shadows.
Inside, an underwater city sprawled before her eyes—Abysnos, the first of the lost cities. Towering spires twisted like the arms of ancient sea creatures, their surfaces covered in bioluminescent runes. Faint whispers brushed past her ears, a language long forgotten but filled with a desperate plea.
As she swam through the ruins, the whispering grew louder, forming words she could almost understand. The ground beneath her shimmered, and a translucent figure began to form—a guardian spirit, draped in flowing robes, its eyes hollow yet filled with wisdom.
— “You carry the light, yet the darkness has many faces,” the spirit intoned. “To truly defeat it, you must know its name and its source.”
The Sea Guardian nodded, determination in her eyes. “Tell me how to find this truth.”
The spirit raised an arm, pointing to the heart of the city, where an ancient obelisk stood. Dark tendrils coiled around it, writhing like living shadows. “The Core of Shadows is rooted there. But be warned—the closer you get, the more it will test your mind. Doubt, fear, and regret will be your true enemies.”
With renewed purpose, she advanced toward the obelisk. The shadows writhed more violently as she approached, their whispers twisting into cruel taunts.
— “You are not enough.”
— “This power will consume you.”
— “Turn back, before you lose yourself.”
The shadows tried to invade her thoughts, sowing seeds of doubt. Her grip on her spear faltered, but she clenched her jaw, drawing on memories of every battle she had fought and every life she had protected. A radiant surge of light burst from her spear, pushing back the darkness.
“I am the Sea Guardian,” she declared. “My strength comes from the light I protect.”
The shadows recoiled, screeching as they retreated. The obelisk quivered and began to crack. As the fissures spread, a core of pure darkness was revealed. The Sea Guardian raised her spear, channeling all her energy into a final blow. Light met darkness in a clash that shook the city.
For a moment, silence reigned. Then, the obelisk shattered, releasing a surge of energy that swept through Abysnos. The shadows dissipated, and the city’s runes flared to life once more, casting a serene glow.
The guardian spirit reappeared, its hollow eyes now filled with warmth. “You have passed the first test. But greater challenges await. The darkness you face has a name—Nekronis, the Devourer of Depths. To defeat him, you must uncover the secrets of the remaining lost cities.”
The Sea Guardian nodded, her heart steady. The path was clearer now, but she knew the journey was far from over. The whispers of the deep had given her a name, a purpose, and a greater resolve.
She turned back to the abyss, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
