The battlefield was still unstable when we realized that the enemy formation had completely changed. The devices buried on the ocean floor continued emitting irregular pulses, as if they were synchronized with some kind of central command. The water around us vibrated at short intervals, creating distortions that made it difficult even to clearly see the surroundings.
I could still feel the pressure from the previous impact on my body, but there was no time to rest. Scarlet had already advanced to the left side, cutting through the flow of a current that was trying to surround our position. Rai'kanna maintained her distance, firing precise attacks at the smaller devices that appeared between the rocks. Lyannis coordinated our movements, analyzing the attack patterns in real time.
"They're reorganizing their formation," she said urgently.
Liriel kept her magic active, but now with greater effort. The barrier protecting us had become unstable due to interference from the enemy devices. Even so, she did not retreat, only adjusting the magical flow to prevent a complete collapse.
The princess was beside Lyannis, watching everything with growing attention.
"They've never fought like this before… this looks like a real organized war."
The ocean around us began moving again.
This time, it was not just pressure.
It was coordination.
The demonic creatures emerged from multiple points at the same time, forming organized units that advanced in successive waves. Each group had a specific function. Some created flow blockades, others attacked directly, while a third layer manipulated the environment to make our movements more difficult.
Scarlet swung her weapon with force, breaking through the first wave.
"This is getting more complicated every minute."
Rai'kanna responded by firing a concentrated beam that destroyed two enemies at the same time.
"They're learning quickly."
I advanced between the formations, cutting through the central path. The sword reacted better now that I had partially understood the behavior of the pressure. Instead of fighting against the ocean, I began using small deviations in the flow to create space between the attacks.
Even so, it was not enough.
The devices on the ocean floor began to glow more intensely.
Lyannis noticed immediately.
"They're going to activate something big."
Before we could react, a massive wave of pressure was released. The impact struck the entire battlefield at once. The sensation was like being crushed by an invisible mountain. The entire ocean seemed to contract toward a single point.
Liriel shouted as she reinforced the barrier.
"Hold on tight."
The light around us intensified, but cracks began appearing in the magical structure. The enemy pressure was simply absurd. Even with all our resistance, the space around us was being compressed.
Scarlet was pushed several meters backward.
"This isn't just force… this is a full-area attack."
Rai'kanna tried to stabilize her position, but the flow of water made any precise movement difficult.
"They want to trap us here."
The princess looked around, clearly realizing the growing danger.
"If this continues, we'll be crushed."
I tightened my grip on the sword.
"Then let's break this before that happens."
I advanced again.
This time, directly toward the core of the formation. The objective was no longer just to destroy individual enemies, but to reach the main devices coordinating the entire operation.
Scarlet followed right behind me, clearing the way with quick and precise strikes. Rai'kanna covered the side, eliminating any threat that attempted to flank us. Lyannis pointed out the points of least resistance, guiding our progress through the unstable battlefield.
Liriel kept the barrier active for as long as possible, despite the obvious strain.
"We're almost there," she said with effort.
The core of the formation was now visible.
It was a structure larger than the other devices, partially buried on the ocean floor, pulsing with dark and irregular energy. Streams of energy connected to it like living roots, spreading control throughout the entire combat area.
That was the true center.
Rai'kanna's eyes widened.
"If we destroy this, their control will collapse."
But before we could advance completely, the enemy commander appeared again.
This time, he was not alone.
Three elite units emerged around him, all equipped with larger and more complex devices. The pressure in the environment increased immediately, as if the ocean itself were being folded over itself.
Scarlet narrowed her eyes.
"Now it's serious."
Lyannis took a deep breath.
"These are the core guardians."
The commander slowly raised his hand.
And the currents responded.
This time, they were not merely attacks. The entire environment began to transform. The ocean floor reorganized itself in real time, creating walls of pressure that completely isolated our position.
Liriel tried to reinforce the magic, but the interference was constant.
"I can't maintain complete stability here."
The princess held herself firmly, staring at the core.
"If they fully activate this, we won't be able to get out."
I looked at the center again.
The energy was accumulating.
Now it was a race against time.
Scarlet stepped forward.
"Then we won't let them activate it."
She advanced first.
The final battle of that phase began with a direct impact. Scarlet opened a path by destroying one of the guardians with a brutal strike. Rai'kanna followed right behind, eliminating another with absolute precision. Lyannis coordinated every movement, adjusting the pace of the offensive.
I advanced straight toward the core.
The commander tried to intercept me, but Liriel redirected the flow of water for a critical moment, creating the opening we needed.
The sword shone intensely.
And struck the central structure.
The impact was devastating.
An explosion of energy spread across the ocean floor, severing the connections between the devices. The artificial currents began to rapidly break apart, losing stability.
The commander retreated for the first time in a clear manner.
But before everything completely collapsed, he looked directly at us.
And disappeared into the pressure of the ocean.
The remaining devices exploded in succession, releasing a wave of energy that slowly dissipated through the water.
The silence returned in a strange way.
The battle in that area was over.
Scarlet took a deep breath.
"That was only a part of them."
Rai'kanna looked at the remains.
"They were testing something here."
Lyannis confirmed with a serious expression.
"And now they know how much we're capable of responding."
Liriel kept the barrier active for a few more seconds before finally releasing it.
The princess looked around, still stunned.
"If this is only a part… then what comes next?"
I looked toward the ocean floor, where the core had been destroyed.
And I felt it clearly.
That was not the end of anything.
It was only the beginning of something much greater that was still hidden in the depths.