Chapter 6: Rise of the Abyssal Guardians

The Sea Guardian's fingers trembled over the last fragments of the crystal. The darkness in the citadel had lifted, but the moment of peace was short-lived. A tremor, deep and resonant, shook the water, squeezing her heart with invisible pressure. Something... No, many things had awakened.

The ancient symbols on the walls began to glow one by one. Then, from the stone floor, thin shadows started to rise. At first, they were shapeless silhouettes, but soon they solidified: armored, menacing figures with eyes that glowed with an eerie light. They were the Abyssal Guardians—ancient protectors of the depths, sworn to defend the citadel's secrets.

Her spear pulsed, sensing the impending threat. There was no avoiding this fight.

The Guardians moved. The first attack came from her left—a towering figure clad in black armor, wielding a trident, cutting through the water with terrifying speed. The Sea Guardian barely dodged, the trident's tip grazing her cheek. Pain didn’t matter. She had to focus.

She counterattacked, spinning her spear and striking with a burst of light. The blow struck the shadow’s armor with a metallic clang. But these beings were resilient. They wouldn’t fall easily.

Gritting her teeth, she sensed another Guardian closing in from behind. She twisted and lashed out with her spear, striking the shadow’s head. The form dispersed into a smoky mist, but another took its place almost instantly.

"They don’t die!" she thought. But she could outmaneuver them.

Her eyes darted to the massive stone pillars at the center of the citadel. Perhaps she could use the structure to her advantage. Darting between the pillars with agile precision, she forced the Guardians into narrow spaces, limiting their movements and looking for the perfect moment to strike.

Suddenly, a massive Guardian leapt from atop a pillar, a huge axe raised high. The Sea Guardian ducked just in time, the weapon's arc whipping past her head, wind slicing through the water. She sprang to her feet and drove her spear into the Guardian’s chest. Light flared, consuming the shadow from within.

But there were still too many.

The ground trembled beneath her feet. The Guardians froze for an instant. Then a deep, echoing voice reverberated through the depths:

“Nekronis... is coming...”

The Sea Guardian's eyes widened. This was only the beginning. After the Guardians, the true darkness awaited.

The battle was far from over. But she was ready.