The magical submarine began to move slowly after the adaptation spell was stabilized over our bodies. I felt a slight pressure in my chest, not painful, but strange, as if the ocean itself were trying to understand our presence there. Around us, the water was so deep that the light from the surface had completely disappeared, leaving only dark blue and greenish tones that blended together like an endless infinity. The girls were beside me inside the vessel, observing everything in silent attention, each reacting differently to that descent.
Lyannis kept her eyes fixed on the vehicle's magical window, curious and analytical. Liriel seemed focused, as if she were evaluating the structure of the spell sustaining us. Eara lightly held the side of the cabin, but she did not seem frightened, only attentive to the movement. Rai'kanna watched the seafloor with a strange gleam in her eyes, as if it brought memories of her own dragon people. Scarlet, on the other hand, wore a slight smile, clearly excited about the situation. Liriel's assistant simply watched in silence, trying to take everything in.
The fish-man guiding us remained at the front of the magical submarine, controlling the flow of mana that kept the vehicle moving. He explained that we were passing through the intermediate zone of the ocean, where few creatures lived, but that farther below there were entire regions unknown even to his people. He spoke naturally, as if that abyss were simply another ordinary path.
As we descended, the landscape began to change. Large natural structures appeared in the distance, like stone columns covered with luminous algae. Giant fish slowly passed around the submarine, some with glowing eyes that reflected our presence for a few seconds before disappearing into the darkness. At one point, an enormous creature, resembling a serpent made of blue light, crossed our path and caused the submarine to stop for a few moments. The fish-man remained calm and simply adjusted the spell, allowing us to continue.
The silence inside the cabin was almost absolute, broken only by the faint sound of water pressing against the magical shield around us. I could feel that this place was not merely deep, it was ancient. There was a strange sensation there, as if the ocean held memories of forgotten wars and creatures that should no longer exist. It was not fear that I felt, but constant alertness, as if any distraction there could be fatal.
After descending for some time, the seafloor began to appear more clearly. Underwater mountains emerged on the horizon, some covered with structures that seemed to have been built by intelligent hands. Beams of light filtered from some unknown source illuminated specific parts of the environment, revealing natural paths between the rocky formations. It was then that the fish-man pointed ahead, saying that we were approaching an inhabited region.
The darkness began to give way to a more vivid illumination, as if the ocean itself had a hidden city within it. Gradually, large structures began to appear, made of coral, stone, and golden materials that shone even underwater. The submarine reduced its speed as we passed enormous structures that rose like natural and artificial towers at the same time.
Smaller fish swam in organized schools between the submerged streets. Fish-man guards patrolled specific areas, carrying weapons that seemed adapted for underwater combat. I could see how the city was organized into different levels, each one deeper than the other, forming a kind of gigantic spiral on the ocean floor.
The feeling of being there was completely different from any kingdom on the surface. There was no wind, no sky, only the liquid vastness that surrounded everything. Even so, there was life, culture, and an order of its own. The girls watched everything with growing admiration, especially Eara and Lyannis, who seemed fascinated by the complexity of the place.
We continued through a large corridor formed by two golden coral structures until, finally, a gigantic construction appeared before us. It was the center of the city, a palace built from a mixture of white stone and marine elements that reflected the light in an impressive way. At its top, ancient symbols glowed softly, as if they were alive.
The submarine finally stopped in front of a disembarkation platform. The fish-man made a gesture, and the spell surrounding us adjusted once again, allowing us to leave without being crushed by the pressure of the water. He explained that the adaptation was complete and that we could now breathe normally, even outside the vessel.
When the door opened, the visual impact was immediate. The seafloor around us seemed to breathe along with us. The water no longer affected us as it had before. It was as if a new world had opened before our eyes. I took the first step outside and felt the firm ground beneath my feet, while the girls did the same right behind me.
The fish-men city stretched in every direction, vibrant and alive. It was impossible not to be impressed. Large structures slowly moved with the ocean currents, while natural lights illuminated the streets like underwater stars. Guards watched us from a distance, but there was no hostility, only curiosity.
As we advanced toward the palace, I realized that this place was not merely a kingdom. It was an entire civilization that had learned to live in harmony with the ocean, even amid the constant dangers it concealed. And at that moment, as I walked alongside my group through that impossible city, I felt that something much greater than just a mission was beginning there.