I. The Changing Waves
After leaving the dark seabed, Maneless, Lyra, and Kairos swam towards shallower waters. However, something felt different. The sea that was usually calm now surged, its currents erratic, swirling particles of sand and coral fragments around them.
Maneless looked up. The light from the surface seemed dim, shimmering in wild waves. "Something has changed..." he muttered, his voice heavy.
"Since you awakened that power," Kairos said, his tone wary, "this sea is no longer the same. It's as if... something has awakened."
Lyra swam closer, her blue hair floating in the water. "Are you sure you're okay, Maneless? Since then... you seem different. Much stronger, but also more..." She hesitated to continue her words.
"More dangerous," Kairos added without hesitation.
Maneless looked down, feeling heavy. He knew there was a change within him. He felt immense power flowing in his blood, but also strange whispers trying to lead him towards darkness.
"I control my power," Maneless finally said, his voice low, almost like an oath. "I will not let myself be controlled."
"In that case," Lyra said with a faint smile, "we must leave here quickly before this sea truly becomes a hell."
Suddenly, a roar echoed in the water. The ground beneath them trembled, sending shockwaves that pushed them back.
"What was that?!" Lyra exclaimed.
"Looks like we're not alone," Kairos replied, preparing his weapon.
Maneless clenched his fist. His eyes, now shining blue, scanned the darkness gathering around them.
"I will protect you," he said with unshakable resolve.
II. Attack from the Deep Sea
From the underwater darkness, terrifying creatures emerged—giant deep-sea fish with semi-transparent bodies, burning red eyes, and sharp fangs.
They swarmed around Maneless and his friends, forming a tight circle of death.
Kairos drew his sword, ready to fight. "There are so many!"
Lyra prepared on the other side, her left hand forming a small, rapidly spinning vortex of water. "We have to hold them off! Don't get separated!"
The first creature attacked, heading straight for Maneless with incredible speed. With a swift movement, Maneless dodged then struck the creature with a blast of blue energy from his palm.
The explosion broke the water around him, sending a shockwave that shook the entire area.
Kairos raised his weapon, spun once, and cut down one of the approaching creatures. Thick black blood billowed in the water.
"You're getting more brutal now!" Kairos called out to Maneless while fighting.
"I have to!" Maneless replied quickly, "It's the only way!"
Meanwhile, Lyra created a water shield around them, trying to fend off the sudden attacks.
However, the number of creatures kept increasing.
"We can't hold out much longer!" Lyra shouted, her breath starting to grow ragged.
Maneless summoned all his strength. In an instant, the blue aura around him flared brighter, pushing all the enemies back.
"Hold on tight!" he yelled, then created a large energy blast that propelled the three of them away from the swarm of creatures.
They swam quickly, seeking refuge among large coral rocks.
III. Temporary Shelter
They took shelter in a narrow coral canyon, just enough to hide themselves. Their breaths were ragged, their bodies exhausted.
"I've never seen creatures like that..." Lyra said, whispering while looking at a cut on her arm.
Kairos cursed softly. "This is all because your power awakened, Maneless. Who knows what we've unleashed."
Maneless looked down, feeling a heavy burden on his shoulders. "I didn't mean to wake them. I just..."
"Hey," Lyra cut in, placing her hand on Maneless's shoulder. "It's not entirely your fault. Something in this sea has been rotten for a long time. Maybe we just sped up what was already going to happen."
Kairos snorted, but finally nodded in agreement.
"I have to find the source of this power," Maneless said, his eyes gleaming with determination. "I need to understand what I truly am... before it's too late."
IV. A Clue from the Past
As they rested, Lyra took a small object from her belt—an old crystal stone that glowed faintly.
"I found this in the ruins," she said, handing the stone to Maneless.
As Maneless's fingers touched the crystal, a beam of light appeared. A blurred image was reflected around them—a majestic ancient underwater city, now ruined.
In the center of the city, there was a tall tower that seemed to be the source of power.
"That's..." Kairos was stunned.
"That's where we must go," Maneless said, his eyes flashing.
Lyra nodded. "That tower might hold the answers about the origin of your power... and maybe a way to stop this chaos."
Kairos shrugged. "If that's the only way, then let's finish off all the dangers in our path."
Maneless clutched the crystal tightly, feeling the same pulsing power resonate within him.
"I will find the answer," he whispered. "No matter what."
The three of them prepared, looking towards the dark deep sea—the place where truth and danger awaited them.