Tide of Eternity Chapter 8: The Abyss Fights Back
The decisive blows were seemingly given as Thal'vok's Avatar came crumbling down, his kernel completely destroyed, but sharp waft of neglecting sound rendered a deafening roar that tore through the lair, for Thal'vok’s true form emerged from the deteriorating shells of his Avatar: The Abyss Incarnate, a gargantuan pure-blooded abyssal energy being fused with biomechanical tendrils.
Thal'vok heralds his ultimate ancient runime-summoning. Described in lore as Tideforging Ascension, his love merges directly with the Abyssal Core, thereby becoming Lord of the Oceans. "You thought this was the end? I AM THE ABYSS!" Their waters stirred, dreadful waves rose as he gave shape to new places of battle and chaos.
Thal'vok gains new powers: - Abyssal Rifts: Portals that summon infinite Void Sentinels and disrupt magic. - Aetheric Binding: A spell that locks Corsair and Zethrak's abilities momentarily, leaving them vulnerable. - Echoed Wrath: A psychic assault that bombards their minds with their worst fears and memories, causing debilitating hesitation.
The lair shook, coral and metal falling into the roiling waters below. With plasma cannons fed by Corsair's truly impressive power and Zethrak's hydrokinesis barely holding the attack off, they manage to hold their heads above water long enough to regroup but to no avail, as Thal'vok releases a progesterone cataclysmic surge, flooding the chamber with agonizing pressure.
Chapter 9: The Curse Breaks
Under the strain of Thal’vok's Echoed Wrath, Zethrak collapses, Corsair, beaten but undaunted, pulling himself up, using the compass to conjure an energy shield around them. In the protection of the shield, Zethrak perceives a vision. The spirits of The Abyssal Plane arise, telling him the truth: Zethrak was a God of the Abyss and higher deities sealed away his powers and erased his memories to spare the Monniverse from his wrath.
In the vision, Zethrak is addressed by the Abyssal Gods, who offer him a choice: Reclaim his former powers at great peril of being overwhelmed by their surfeit. Fight as he is, with chances of oceans being destroyed.
Zethrak awakens his powers, swearing to wield them with solemnity. The curse disintegrates, his body glowing divinely as his bioluminescent markings transmogrify into intricate runes of divine origin. This is the evolution of his power: - Abyssal Godform: Unrivaled control of oceanic magic and currents. - Tidal Rebirth: Energizes and heals the group's wounds. - Leviathan's Fury: Invokes enormous sea creatures infused with his divine foundation to fight alongside him.
Chapter 10: The Abyss Strikes Back
Deprived of his binding, using his newly endowed ability, Zethrak summons the Leviathan Tempest, an immense cyclone that disrupts Thal'vok's connection with the Abyssal Core. However, in the meantime, the villain's Aetheric Binding has bound Corsair. Zethrak sees this and instills divine energy in Corsair's weapons, giving him the power to break the binding.
Now possessor of divine energy, Corsair comes straight to battle with Thal'vok. His plasma cannons become Abyssal Blasters, capable of rending apart the villain's defenses. Zethrak channels his divine power to seal off Thal'vok's Abyssal Rifts to prevent the overpowering Void Sentinels.
But this one merges with its crushing lair-Thekpok-IneintoOM! Into a monster which is a kind of biomechanical changeling. With miles-tendrils capable of pulling down undersea cities-and the ability to launch a nova of Black Abyss, which menaces to devour the very expanse of the ocean.
Chapter 11: The Abyssal Core’s Sacrifice
Thal'vok itself could not be destroyed without endangering the oceans; hence, Corsair and Zethrak devised one last demented plan. Corsair used the magical compass to find a secret chamber built inside the Abyssal Core itself-sixteen removable, armless, distorted, and deformed-whatever.
In order to turn it on, a permanent sacrifice has to be made: to merge one's very being with the Anchor to balance the oceans and seal Thal'vok once and for all. And Zethrak offers himself; but Corsair does not succumb to his request, saying that the Monniverse requires Zethrak's divine might.
In another twist of fate, Kaelthar, the Abyss Leviathan, comes back, healed without any corruption. He, therefore, proposes an unworthy pact on the grounds: "I was born to serve for the protection of the Abyss. Let me serve my purpose."
Kalethar's sacrifice sets the Eternal Anchor in motion and unleashes a surge of pure energy hurling a pulverizing brunt into Thal'vok's physical body. His spirit becomes imprisoned in the Anchor, never again to rise.
Chapter 12: A New Dawn
Their defeat dealt a crushing blow to Thal'vok, but the oceans began to heal. The Abyssal Core stabilizes now, with the currents of the Monniverse back to their eternal rhythm. Zethrak, fully cognizant of his divine essence, chooses to stay in the Monniverse as its protector. He swears to guard the Abyss against a future attack.
Corsair, this hero of the deep, now sets his own adventures to more ends than his personal benefits. He appropriately names his ship The Abyssal Vanguard and vows to unite the ocean's factions.
In the epilogue, whispers tell of a new terrorist attack: The Riftborn, beings beyond the Abyss, drawn by the chaos Thal'vok let loose. With battles ahead, Corsair and Zethrak ready themselves, knowing fully well that The Monniverse's oceans will never be safe.
To Be Continued...
Epilogue: Roars of the RiftbornThe oceans may presently find peace, but the thundering polemic of the chaos of Thal'vok still echoes forth, heralding forth beings from realms beyond imagination. The Riftborn are stirring, vowing to usher an even greater threat that none of the Corsair nor the Zethrak would be able to face alone. The battle for the oceans of the Monniverse is far, far from over.
