Dark clouds gathered above the island.
The wind had grown stronger since morning, and the waves crashed harder against the shore. It wasn't a storm yet, but the air carried the tension of one approaching.
Thalren stood near the water with the heavy iron chains still wrapped around his waist.
His breathing was slow.
Focused.
Kael watched him from the beach with his arms crossed.
"Again," the old man said.
Thalren stepped into the water.
The chains dragged heavily behind him, sinking into the wet sand beneath the waves. Each movement demanded strength from every muscle in his body.
But today felt different.
Over the past few days, something inside him had started to change.
The warmth from the crystal necklace appeared more often now.
It pulsed slowly against his chest, almost like a second heartbeat.
Step.
Step.
Step.
The water reached his waist as he moved deeper.
Kael called out from behind him.
"Stop there."
Thalren turned.
"What now?"
Kael pointed toward the open water.
"Swing your sword."
The boy frowned.
"At what?"
"Nothing," Kael replied calmly. "Just swing."
Thalren raised the wooden sword.
The wind brushed across his face as he took a deep breath.
He swung.
The blade cut through the air.
Nothing happened.
Kael shook his head.
"Again."
Thalren focused on the warmth inside the crystal.
He felt it again.
That faint pulse.
The same feeling he had sensed during training before.
He swung once more.
This time—
The crystal flashed.
A thin line of water followed the path of his sword.
It shot forward across the surface of the waves before breaking apart.
Thalren's eyes widened.
"I did it again!"
Kael nodded slowly.
"Yes."
But the old man's expression remained serious.
"Again."
Thalren swung repeatedly.
The necklace glowed brighter each time.
Small arcs of water began following his movements.
Tiny splashes erupted where the invisible force struck the waves.
At first it felt exciting.
Then it became harder.
The warmth inside the crystal started spreading through his chest.
Then into his arms.
Then into his head.
The pressure returned.
The same pressure he had felt during the vision beneath the depths.
His breathing became uneven.
"Kael…" he muttered.
The old man's eyes narrowed.
"What is it?"
"My head…"
Thalren staggered slightly.
The crystal suddenly burned with bright blue light.
The water around him began moving violently.
Waves pushed outward from his body as if something invisible had exploded beneath the surface.
Kael's expression changed instantly.
"Thalren!"
The boy dropped to one knee in the water.
His vision blurred again.
Darkness surrounded him.
Endless depths stretched around him once more.
Massive shadows moved silently through the dark waters.
But this time the vision was stronger.
Closer.
One enormous creature swam past him, its glowing eyes briefly turning in his direction.
Then another shadow appeared far below.
Larger.
Much larger.
Two enormous golden eyes slowly opened in the darkness.
The pressure was unbearable.
Thalren gasped for air.
Then—
The vision shattered.
The water around him exploded outward in a massive splash.
Kael rushed forward and grabbed his shoulder, pulling him back toward the shore.
The crystal's glow slowly faded.
Thalren collapsed onto the wet sand, breathing heavily.
"What… just happened?" he whispered.
Kael knelt beside him.
"You pushed the relic too far."
Thalren stared at the necklace.
"I didn't mean to…"
Kael shook his head.
"That's the problem."
The old man looked toward the water.
"You're tapping into power you don't understand yet."
Thalren slowly sat up.
"When that happened… I saw them again."
Kael's eyes sharpened.
"The creatures from the depths?"
Thalren nodded.
"There were many."
He swallowed nervously.
"But one of them…"
His voice dropped slightly.
"It was enormous."
Kael remained silent.
"Bigger than anything I've ever imagined."
The wind grew stronger as the waves crashed against the shore.
Finally Kael spoke.
"If your relic truly connects to the deepest parts of the sea…"
"Then those creatures can feel it."
Thalren's stomach tightened.
"They can feel me?"
Kael nodded once.
"Yes."
The boy looked toward the dark water stretching toward the horizon.
A strange mixture of fear and determination filled his chest.
"Then one day I'll face them."
Kael studied him carefully.
"You might."
The old man stood up slowly.
"But before that happens…"
He pointed toward the wooden sword lying in the sand.
"You need far more control."
Thalren slowly stood up again.
His body still felt weak, but the determination in his eyes remained strong.
He picked up the sword.
The crystal necklace rested silently against his chest once more.
Yet deep beneath the endless waters…
Something enormous had already begun moving.