Chapter 5: Bull Rock Attacks Jatex in Knower
Even after rescuing Viola, my chest still burned from the effort of holding onto her against the turbulent currents. The ruins ahead stretched like a labyrinth of glowing coral and stone, whispering secrets in the dim blue light of the palace. Every pulse of the Core reminded me that the palace was alive, aware of us, and watching our every move.
"Stay close," I said to the group, voice steady despite the lingering adrenaline. "We need to keep moving. Whatever comes next, we face it together."
The friends nodded, still catching their breath. Jasmine kept a protective arm around Viola, while Maxi and Josh scanned the path ahead. Vadia, Aeliana, and Jim formed a tight rear guard. I glanced at the glowing map we had discovered in the ruins — it led to a place called Knower, an enormous chamber deep within the palace that radiated a strange, almost sentient energy.
"The map shows Knower up ahead," Aeliana whispered, pointing toward a large archway. "It's… massive. I've never seen anything like it."
"Knower?" I echoed. The name resonated oddly in my mind, humming with potential knowledge and power. "Let's move carefully. Whatever's waiting there… it won't be easy."
The tunnel leading to Knower narrowed as we approached, forcing us into a single line. I led the way, trident tool ready, scanning for traps, unstable terrain, and any sign of Bull Rock. My instincts screamed that he hadn't disappeared — he was still near, watching, biding his time.
As we entered the grand chamber of Knower, the cavern opened like a cathedral beneath the ocean. Stalactites glimmered with embedded crystals, casting refracted light across the walls. Strange glyphs covered the floors and ceilings, glowing faintly as we passed. The energy here was thick, almost tangible — a hum that resonated in my chest. I could feel the Core's pulse, still strong despite the distance.
"Wow," Maxi breathed. "This place… it's insane."
Viola, clutching my arm, whispered, "It feels… alive. Like it knows us."
"Exactly," I said softly, scanning the cavern. "Knower isn't just a chamber. It's a… consciousness. A mind. We need to be cautious. And we aren't alone."
No sooner had the words left my lips than the water shifted violently. Shadows flickered along the walls, twisting with purpose. And then I saw him.
Bull Rock.
He surged from the darkness at the far end of the chamber, moving with terrifying speed and precision. His eyes locked on me, cold and calculating, a cruel smile tugging at his lips.
"You just can't stay away from trouble, Jatex," he taunted. "Knower is mine. And I will take it — and you — by force if I must."
"Not today!" I shouted, raising my trident. The energy from the Core pulsed through it, illuminating my face with a faint blue glow. I could feel my body responding, strength surging, reflexes sharpening.
The friends tensed behind me. Jasmine's hands tightened around Viola's, ready to protect her. Josh and Maxi flanked us, and Vadia, Aeliana, and Jim spread out cautiously, forming a defensive perimeter.
Bull Rock moved first. With a sudden surge of water energy, he created a violent wave that slammed into me, throwing me sideways. I spun mid-water, narrowly dodging the lethal force, and tried to regain control. My body was pushed against the glowing ruins, shards of coral scraping my arms.
"Stay focused!" I shouted to the friends. "Don't let him divide us!"
He grinned, circling us like a predator. "You think you can survive me, Jatex? The tide itself will betray you!"
I lunged forward, driving the trident through the water toward him. A burst of energy shot from the tip, but Bull Rock twisted effortlessly, dodging the attack. He countered with a surge of concentrated water force, sending a shockwave that knocked me backward. I slammed into a crystalline pillar, gasping.
"Jatex!" Viola shouted, panic and determination in her voice. "Watch out!"
I turned just in time to deflect another surge aimed at the group. The friends were holding their positions, using their own tools and instincts to protect each other, but the energy was intense. Bull Rock wasn't just strong; he was calculating, using the currents, the palace's shifts, and the Core's residual energy to manipulate the battlefield.
I realized then that Knower itself was reacting. The glyphs on the walls glowed brighter, pulsing with energy that seemed to match the rhythm of Bull Rock's strikes. It was as if the chamber were alive, judging our courage and skill, amplifying the intensity of the battle.
"Focus on your breathing!" I reminded myself silently, feeling the Core's pulse in my chest. Unity… courage… trust… I drew strength from the presence of my friends, each of us tethered together by invisible bonds of trust.
Bull Rock surged again, striking at me directly this time. I braced, twisting mid-water to deflect the attack with my trident. Sparks of energy exploded on contact, sending ripples through the water. I countered, aiming a sharp thrust at his side. He dodged, but I could feel the brush of his aura, a warning that he was closing in.
"Jatex!" Maxi shouted, pushing forward to assist, but I signaled him to hold back. I needed this fight to be personal, to test my limits, to protect the group and gauge Bull Rock's strength.
The chamber pulsed violently. Crystal shards fell from the ceiling, colliding with the water in bursts of light. I dodged, twisting and turning with precision, but the pressure of the attack was overwhelming. Bull Rock's smirk never faltered.
"You're good," he said. "But not good enough."
I gritted my teeth, adrenaline fueling my limbs. Think, Jatex… think! I remembered the whispers from the Core: Courage… unity… protect the tide… protect your friends. That last thought strengthened me. I wasn't alone.
"Everyone, stay sharp!" I yelled. "Use the walls, the currents, anything!"
The friends reacted instantly. Josh and Maxi created diversions, Vadia and Aeliana used bursts of light energy to disorient Bull Rock, and Jasmine shielded Viola with controlled water currents. Jim floated to my side, lending his strength and focus.
The coordinated effort gave me a window. I lunged forward, thrusting the trident with precision. This time, the energy from the Core surged through it fully. Bull Rock was caught off guard, staggering back for the first time in the fight.
"Yes!" I shouted internally, seizing the advantage. "Now!"
I moved quickly, driving him toward a narrow section of Knower. The currents there were unstable, twisting violently. Bull Rock tried to resist, but the chamber itself seemed to push against him. He snarled, struggling to maintain balance.
"Impossible!" he growled. "The palace… it's against me!"
I gritted my teeth, pressing forward. "No, Bull Rock," I said, voice firm. "We're not the palace. We are the tide, and together… we're unstoppable."
He lunged at me one last time, energy coiling around him like a whip. I sidestepped, letting him surge past. The chamber shifted, the glyphs glowing brightly, and he was caught in a vortex of water energy created by the palace itself. He thrashed violently, struggling to escape, but the combined forces of Knower and our group held him.
I swam toward him, trident ready. "This is your warning," I said. "Leave now, or next time, you won't escape so easily."
Bull Rock glared, chest heaving, before finally retreating, slipping through a shadowed corridor and disappearing from sight. The currents calmed, and the chamber's glow returned to a steady rhythm.
We exhaled collectively, relief washing over us, but I knew it was temporary. Bull Rock would return — stronger, smarter, and hungrier for the Core.
I turned to the friends. "Everyone okay?"
"Yes," Jasmine said, hugging Viola tightly. "Thanks to you."
Josh, Maxi, Vadia, Aeliana, and Jim nodded, exhausted but relieved.
I looked around Knower, the massive chamber still humming with power. "We survived," I said softly. "But this fight… it's only the beginning. Knower has secrets we haven't uncovered, and Bull Rock… he won't give up."
Viola stepped forward, her voice steady. "We can face him, Jatex. Together."
I nodded. "Yes. Together. And whatever comes next… we'll be ready."
The energy of Knower pulsed gently, almost as if acknowledging our courage. But deep in my chest, I knew that the real challenges were still ahead — ancient mysteries, powerful forces, and the ever-present threat of Bull Rock.
We had survived. We had fought. But the battle for Walpole Under the Ocean was far from over.