waters around Aqualis had grown restless.
Even inside the palace, the currents felt uneasy, like the ocean itself was nervous. Small stones rolled across the palace floor, and distant rumbles echoed through the deep water.
Selene looked around. "Okay… either the ocean is having a bad day or something huge is coming."
Riven's expression was serious. "Something is coming."
Before anyone could ask more, a thunderous roar shook the entire city.
BOOOOM.
The palace pillars trembled. Cracks spread through old stone walls as a massive shadow passed over the ruins outside.
Kael tightened his grip on the trident. "Everyone outside. Now."
The group rushed through the palace gates and into the open ruins of Aqualis.
What they saw made Selene freeze.
A gigantic creature towered above the broken city.
The Leviathan.
Its body was longer than the palace itself, covered in dark armored scales that shimmered like black steel. Massive fins sliced through the water like blades, and its glowing blue eyes burned with ancient fury.
Each movement of its body created powerful currents that tore through the ruins.
Selene blinked. "Yeah… that's definitely bigger than Neroth."
The Leviathan opened its enormous mouth and released a thunderous roar that shook the sea floor.
Kael stepped forward.
"We can't let it destroy the city."
Riven nodded calmly. "Then we stop it."
The Leviathan struck first.
Its massive tail slammed into a nearby tower, shattering the ancient stone and sending debris crashing toward the group.
Selene reacted quickly, spinning her arms through the water. A powerful whirlpool formed, catching the falling rubble and pulling it away from them.
"Nice save!" she shouted.
Kael surged forward next. With a powerful swing of his trident, he summoned a giant tidal wave that slammed into the Leviathan's side.
The creature barely moved.
Instead, it turned its massive head and lunged at Kael.
"Kael!" Liora cried.
Without thinking, Liora raised the Moon Relic. Silver light burst from the crystal, spreading through the water like glowing threads.
The moonlight wrapped around the Leviathan's body, slowing its movement.
But the creature was too powerful.
With a violent shake, it broke the glowing chains and roared again.
The ocean churned wildly.
Selene floated beside Liora, breathing fast. "Okay… new plan. Big monster, tough scales… we hit it together."
Kael nodded. "All of us."
Riven placed his hand in the water, focusing deeply. The currents around the Leviathan began shifting, pulling against its movement.
"Now!" he said.
Kael launched another massive wave.
Selene created spinning whirlpools around the creature's fins.
Liora unleashed a powerful beam of silver moonlight from the relic.
The combined power slammed into the Leviathan with explosive force.
For a moment, the entire ocean glowed.
The Leviathan let out a furious roar and was pushed backward, crashing into the ruins beyond the city.
The waters slowly calmed.
Selene looked around carefully. "Did we… win?"
But Riven shook his head slowly.
"No."
Far in the distance, the Leviathan's glowing eyes opened again in the darkness.
It was wounded.
But not defeated.
And somewhere deeper in the ocean, Neroth was smiling.
"The guardians grow stronger," he whispered.
"But so will the sea's darkness."
Back in Aqualis, the young heroes realized something terrifying.
If that monster had only been the beginning…
What else was waiting in the deep?
🌊🌙⚔️