The dawn mist clung to Dock 13 like a veil, though its waters were anything but calm. Whispers of the final chain breaking spread like wildfire through the ranks of players and NPCs alike. Every soul in the stronghold felt the weight of inevitability. Seven days remained before the Leviathan rose. Seven days before war drowned the coast.
Ethan stood at the seawall, watching the horizon. He had no illusions: Dock 13 would not hold without allies. And allies, in this fractured world, meant bargaining with powers long left alone.
"The Siren Colonies," Kaela said softly, joining him. "They're the only faction with the reach beneath the waves to strike at abyssal swarms before they surface. But they don't trust surface-dwellers."
"They don't trust anyone," Brandon muttered, adjusting his spear. "Last envoy to their coral throne? Came back with his mind shredded. If he came back at all."
Ethan tightened his grip on the Abyssforged Greatsword. "Then we'll give them a reason. If they won't ally for peace, they'll ally for survival."
[Quest Unlocked: The Siren's Bargain]
Objective: Negotiate with the Siren Queen of the Coral Sanctum.
Reward: Potential Alliance → Access to Siren Tidecallers (Elite NPC naval units).
Failure: Hostile Siren Colonies, raids on Dock 13 increase.
Difficulty: S-Rank.
Voyage into the Deep
By midday, Ethan's strike team boarded the reinforced vessel Sea Fang, its hull plated with abyssal iron from Verdant Mines. Iron Bastion engineers had rigged it with warded lanterns and harpoon launchers.
Harnic Stonebraid barked orders as he tightened bolts along the deck. "Stay sharp, lads. Ye don't go knocking on Siren doors without half expecting teeth on the other side."
Kaela spread her arms, golden runes flickering. "I'll maintain a shield of light. Siren magic is invasive—they attack your mind before your body. With luck, it'll give us breathing room."
Brandon spat into the sea. "Luck. Right."
The journey took them past waters warped by the Abyss. Waves grew jagged, rising like glass shards before crashing back into foam. Shadows writhed beneath the surface, and occasionally a massive fin cut through the water, vanishing before anyone could react.
Encounter: Abyssal Swarm
[Alert: Abyssal Eels (Lv. 45–48) detected!]
Dozens of serpentine creatures erupted from the waves, black scales slick with ichor. Their mouths split too wide, filled with rows of teeth.
Abyssal Eel (Elite)
HP: 9,230
ATK: 731 (Piercing)
Skill: Sanity Drain (Reduces enemy MP/Wisdom by 5% on hit)
"Brace!" Ethan roared, swinging the Abyssforged Greatsword in an arc that split two eels midair. Their blood steamed, sizzling against the iron hull.
Brandon's spear impaled another, electricity crackling as he used Storm Lunge, dealing 1,412 critical damage.
Kaela pressed her palms outward, unleashing [Radiant Dome]. Light shimmered across the deck, repelling tendrils of madness that lashed at their minds.
Siegebreakers manned the harpoons, bolts slamming into eel after eel, pinning corpses to the waves.
Minutes later, silence returned, broken only by Ethan's ragged breathing.
[Victory: Abyssal Eel Swarm Repelled]
Loot Gained: Abyssal Blood (12), Eel Fang (7)
Faction Morale +5
Arrival at the Coral Sanctum
The sea floor rose beneath them, shimmering with strange bioluminescence. Vast coral towers twisted upward like spires, glowing with eerie light. Schools of fish swirled around them, only to scatter when shadows slithered near.
The Sea Fang slowed as the Sirens appeared.
They rose from the waves in unison—half-women, half-creature. Their upper halves were pale and beautiful, their hair flowing like kelp. But below the waist, scales shifted into sleek tails with fins tipped in barbs. Their voices carried across the waves, lilting, haunting.
[Warning: Siren Song Detected – Wisdom Save Required.]
Ethan gritted his teeth as the melody clawed at his mind. Kaela's dome flickered, shielding them, though faint whispers still slipped through.
At last, a figure emerged atop a coral platform. Her crown shimmered with shells, her eyes like pools of the abyss.
Siren Queen Lyssira – Level ???
HP: ???
Race: Abyss-touched Siren
Title: Empress of the Drowned Choir
Her voice carried both melody and command.
"Surface-dwellers. You trespass in waters not your own. Speak quickly, before the tide decides your fate."
Negotiation
Ethan stepped forward. "I am Ethan Cross, leader of Dock 13. The Abyss rises, and when the Leviathan breaks free, it will not stop with us. Your sanctum will drown with the rest of us unless we stand together."
A ripple of laughter passed among the Sirens. Lyssira tilted her head. "Bold words, landborn. But the Abyss is as much our blood as the sea. Why should we side with prey when we could feast instead?"
Kaela raised her staff. "Because even predators drown when the ocean boils."
The Queen's eyes narrowed. For a moment, silence stretched. Then she raised a hand, and the water behind her churned. From the depths rose a massive serpentine beast, scales of coral and eyes glowing like coals.
[Guardian of the Sanctum: Coral Serpent – Lv. 52]
HP: 15,700
ATK: 1,290 (Piercing/Poison)
Skill: Hydrocoil Strike (AoE 1,550 water damage, knockback)
Lyssira's lips curled. "Prove you are worthy. Survive the guardian. If you live, the Sirens may listen."
Boss Fight: Coral Serpent
The beast lunged, tail sweeping across the Sea Fang's deck. Two Siegebreakers were thrown into the sea instantly.
"Hold formation!" Ethan shouted, activating [Chainfield]. Black chains burst from the deck, latching onto the serpent's coils. It shrieked, thrashing violently.
Brandon dove forward, spear flashing with [Storm Lunge]. He struck the serpent's neck: 1,102 damage (Critical).
The serpent retaliated, unleashing a torrent of water that hammered into the crew.
Ethan HP: -1,402 (Remaining: 6,199/8,720)
Kaela's dome cracked but held. "I can't keep this up forever!"
Ethan gritted his teeth, raising the Abyssforged Greatsword. "Then we end it now!"
He channeled its hunger, activating its special skill.
[Hunger Drain] triggered, the blade pulsing as it bit into the serpent's scales. Ethan dealt 2,342 damage, while regaining 174 HP.
The serpent shrieked, coils thrashing wildly, but Brandon leapt again, his spear piercing its eye. With a final roar, Ethan drove the greatsword through its skull.
[Boss Defeated: Coral Serpent]
Loot: Coral Heart Core (1), Siren's Scale Fragment (3)
Faction Reputation: +30 with Siren Colonies
Aftermath
The serpent collapsed into the waves, its corpse drifting. The Sirens fell silent. Lyssira regarded Ethan with something new—not disdain, but recognition.
"You bleed and yet stand. You are not like the others." She leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "Very well, Ethan Cross. Dock 13 shall have the Sirens' aid—for now. But betray us, and the waves will carry your bones."
A notification flashed.
[Alliance Secured: Siren Colonies]
Gain Access to Siren Tidecallers (Lv. 50 NPC naval units)
Dock 13's Defense Bonus +20% against Abyssal Naval Units
New Crafting Material: Siren Coral (Unlocks Sirenforged Equipment)
As the Sea Fang turned back toward Dock 13, Ethan tightened his grip on the Abyssforged Greatsword. Another piece had fallen into place. The Sirens would fight, but only because it suited them.
Brandon glanced at him. "You realize this doesn't solve anything, right? They'll turn on us the second the tide shifts."
Ethan nodded. "Then we make sure the tide never shifts."
But that night, as the stronghold came into view, the dreams returned. A massive eye beneath the waves. The final chain cracking. And a voice that whispered into his mind:
"Soon."