Chapter 7: Whispers of the Depths

The Sea Guardian struggled to steady her breath, the echoing voice from the depths still ringing in her ears:

“Nekronis... is coming...”

For a moment, the pressure of the water intensified, as if the depths themselves were trying to crush her. Her heart pounded violently in her chest. Her eyes scanned the trembling pillars, where shadows flickered and retreated into the darkness. But this was no victory — only a prelude to a greater threat.

The whispers from the depths grew louder, merging into a chilling hum. The water trembled, uneasy, as if it, too, resisted carrying these cursed words. With each vibration, the cracks in the ancient walls widened, dislodging moss-covered stones.

“The secrets of the seas are sealed in darkness...”

The Sea Guardian’s mind clouded. Where were these words coming from? Who was speaking? Buried beneath everything was a forgotten sorrow, an anger long dormant in the depths. The shadows seemed alive, the darkness itself breathing.

Ahead, a faint, pale-blue light flickered on the ocean floor. At first, she thought it was a reflection, but the light grew stronger, swirling with the mist rising from the cracks. Elegant lines of light began to weave together in the water, forming a symbol — an ancient seal.

She recognized it. It was one of the seals described in old legends, those guarding the lost cities forgotten by time. But this seal was incomplete, broken. She dreaded to think what might happen if it were ever completed.

Suddenly, the whispers became clearer, sharper, as if the spirits of the deep were speaking directly to her:

“Your fate will be sealed here... You will become light, or you will be lost to the darkness...”

The pressure surged again. The Sea Guardian sank to one knee under the invisible weight, her muscles trembling as she gripped her spear. But something inside her refused to give up.

The pale-blue light from the cracks grew brighter, taking on a distinct shape. The swirling lines finally coalesced into a slender, intricate form — a key. But this was no ordinary key; it felt as though it could unlock the deepest secrets hidden in the ocean’s memory.

Without realizing it, her hand reached for the light. The moment her fingers touched it, the current reversed. A powerful vortex formed, dragging her into its swirling depths. Panic flickered in her mind, but she surrendered to the pull with a deep sense of purpose.

“I must do this,” she thought.

As the water twisted around her like a tunnel, her mind filled with echoes of the past. Images flashed rapidly: lost cities, ancient guardians, oaths forgotten by the sea’s people... And at the center of it all, a massive shadow with glowing eyes awaited her.

Nekronis.

The vortex pulled her deeper into the cold, infinite darkness, the name reverberating in her mind. Nekronis was a fire of blue flame, burning in the heart of the abyss. This was the true beginning of her journey; here, she would discover the secret of the depths — and her own destiny.

With a final flash of light, the Sea Guardian was drawn beyond the vortex, into the unknown.