A veil of turquoise dawn shimmered over Coral Bay as the guardians' ship cut through glassy waters. Fishermen's nets lay abandoned on the docks—word had come that the reefs of Murena had fallen silent, their once-brilliant corals muting to ashen gray and emitting a low, discordant hum that chilled the tide.
Lior stood at the bow, flame flickering uncertainly in his hand. "This reef's heart beats no more," he murmured. "We must rekindle its song."
Sylas climbed the rigging, wind-parting the salt mist. "Let me carry a breeze across the shallows—perhaps it will coax the reef's spirit back to life." He released a spiral of wind down to the water's edge, stirring gentle ripples across the coral tops.
Corwin donned his diving mask and pressed the conch to his lips. The waters around him glowed with pale silver light. "The tide's currents hold both life and memory," he said. "I'll weave a healing flow through every channel." He dove, trailing a ribbon of Wellspring water that bubbled toward the depths.
Bram waded into the shallows, earthroot staff in hand. Living roots sprouted beneath the sandy floor, anchoring protective wards around trembling coral heads. "Stone will shelter you," he promised, as his roots wove a lattice of strength beneath the reef.
Beneath the surface, Corwin guided each guardian's token:
Lior's ember glowed at the reef's core, melting away a thick, corrosive veil of rot.
Sylas's breeze spiraled through the coral canyons, dispersing choking spores.
Corwin's tide swept new life into every crevice, carrying seeds of plankton and healing currents.
Bram's stone-roots formed living arches that supported fragile coral branches.
Above the water, Riven's lantern light filtered through the waves, revealing phosphorescent patterns as the coral began to pulse with returning color.
As the last token settled, the guardians joined at the water's surface and intoned their vow:
"By flame to cleanse,
By wind to renew,
By tide to sustain,
By stone to protect,
We stand as one—and restore your song."
A chorus of clicks and warbles swelled from the reef's depths. Coral polyps unfurled in rainbow blooms, fish returned in glittering shoals, and the reef's hum transformed into a vibrant lullaby that rippled through the bay.
Lior exhaled, flame steady once more. "Its heart sings."
Sylas smiled, wind rippling the sails. "Its melody is ours again."
Corwin surfaced, water dripping from his conch. "Its tide carries hope."
Bram tapped his staff on the deck. "Its stone stands steadfast."
Riven gathered them close. "The Singing Reef's harmony is restored—but like any song, it must be cherished. Aetherion's unity will be its lasting refrain."
As the sun rose higher, the guardians stood shoulder to shoulder on the deck, listening to the reef's joyous chorus—a living testament to four hearts bound as one, guardians of every melody the world had to offer.