The underwater battlefield seemed to close in around us the moment the enemy commander advanced. The pressure of the water changed abruptly, as if something had locked the natural flow of the currents. The ocean stopped being merely an environment and began acting as an extension of his will. Every movement created distortions in the space around us, making even simply remaining in place difficult.
I adjusted my stance as I felt the impact of the first pressure wave pass through my body. It wasn't just physical strength. It was as if the sea itself were trying to crush everything around us. The sword in my hand vibrated slightly, reacting to the abnormal resistance of the environment. Beside me, Scarlet had already positioned herself firmly, maintaining her balance even as the currents tried to push her backward.
Lyannis quickly analyzed the flow patterns.
"They're using the ocean as a direct weapon. This changes everything," she said firmly.
Rai'kanna kept her eyes fixed on the enemy, observing every micro-movement.
"It's not just water control. It's as if they've altered the behavior of the pressure in here."
Liriel was focused, maintaining a layer of magical stability around us. The soft light she released created a kind of bubble that prevented the external pressure from completely crushing us, but the effort was still visible on her face.
The princess remained a little farther back, clearly shocked by the level of the battle.
"This has never happened before. They have never managed to dominate the ocean like this."
Before anyone could respond, the enemy commander raised his arm.
The ocean responded immediately.
Violent currents formed in multiple directions, advancing like invisible spears. The impact was almost simultaneous. Scarlet narrowly dodged one of them, while another struck the ocean floor and exploded into fragments of pressure. Rai'kanna responded with an explosion of concentrated energy that broke through part of the currents, but new ones appeared immediately afterward.
I advanced.
The sword's slash opened a path through the pressures, but the sensation was that of fighting against something that constantly regenerated. Every strike seemed to be absorbed by the environment and reapplied in a different form.
This isn't natural, I thought.
The commander watched without expression, as if he were merely adjusting the pace of the battle. Then, with a simple movement of his fingers, he altered the flow of the ocean again.
The underwater floor vibrated.
And something began to emerge from the depths.
They weren't merely ordinary soldiers like before. These new creatures had equipment attached to their bodies, metallic structures and demonic symbols pulsing with dark energy. They were living weapons integrated into the marine environment. Some of them fired bursts of compressed pressure, while others released energy blades that traveled through the water at high speed.
Lyannis widened her eyes.
"They're using weapons down here."
Rai'kanna immediately replied.
"These aren't ordinary weapons. They're devices that amplify magic underwater."
Scarlet spun her body, dodging a shot that tore through the space beside her.
"So they adapted technology for the ocean."
The princess seemed even more shaken.
"These devices didn't exist among our patrols. This is new."
I watched the enemies organize themselves again. There was now a clear combination of strategy. The creatures no longer fought merely with strength or instinct. They used specific formations, covering attack angles and creating controlled pressure zones.
The battle had completely changed.
It was no longer merely defense against an invasion.
It was structured warfare.
Liriel tried to stabilize the battlefield again, but one of the enemy devices released an interference wave that partially broke through her barrier. The impact caused the water around us to tremble and made our movement more difficult for a few seconds.
"They're nullifying support magic," she said with effort.
This is getting worse every second, I thought.
Scarlet advanced with a direct strike, destroying one of the devices. The explosion released a burst of energy that disrupted part of the enemy formation. Rai'kanna took advantage of the opening and launched a concentrated attack that struck two targets simultaneously.
But the commander did not retreat.
On the contrary.
He advanced.
This time with greater intensity.
The pressure of the ocean increased to an absurd level. It was as if the seafloor itself were being compressed toward us. The sensation was suffocating, even with the magical protection.
Lyannis shouted.
"He's trying to force us into a single point."
I understood immediately.
It was a field compression technique.
If he managed to gather us into a single space, the devices could maximize the impact.
"Don't let him control the space!" I shouted.
But it was already too late.
The currents partially closed around us, creating a kind of natural prison zone. The enemy had transformed the ocean into a living trap.
Scarlet tried to break through one of the barriers, but the reverse pressure pushed her back.
"It's not working," she said.
Rai'kanna quickly looked around.
"They're using anchor points on the ocean floor."
The princess pointed toward metallic structures buried among the rocks.
"Those weren't here before."
I observed them carefully.
The devices were connected to the seabed. They were fixed structures that amplified control over the surrounding water.
That means this isn't an improvised attack, I thought.
It's preparation.
The commander raised his hand again.
And the devices began charging energy simultaneously.
Liriel noticed first.
"They're going to release everything at once."
Silence took over for a strange second, even underwater.
Then I advanced.
There was no more room for prolonged defense. The only option was to break the center of the system.
The sword shone intensely as I pushed through the concentrated pressure. Scarlet came right behind me, clearing the way with rapid attacks. Rai'kanna covered the flank, destroying another device. Lyannis guided our movements with precision, indicating the weakest points in the enemy formation.
Liriel maintained the stabilization for as long as possible.
The pressure increased again.
And then it happened.
When I reached the center of the formation, I noticed something strange.
The devices weren't merely weapons.
They were transmitters.
Something was being sent through them, information or energy connected to something larger, far beyond that battlefield.
The commander retreated slightly for the first time.
And at that moment, I understood.
These aren't just soldiers, I thought.
They're building something here.
The battle continued, but now there was one clear certainty in the air.
What was happening at the bottom of the ocean was only one part of something much greater that we had yet to see.