CHAPTER 20 - THE KINGDOM BENEATH THE WAVES
268 Words
The moment Alora entered the water, something incredible happened.
A glowing bubble formed around her head, allowing her to breathe.
Lyra laughed in surprise. “Well, that solves the problem.”
They followed Serena deeper into the ocean.
Sunlight filtered through the waves, creating shimmering patterns all around them. Schools of colorful fish swam past, and giant sea turtles drifted peacefully through the water.
Then Alora saw it.
The kingdom of Aqualis.
Massive coral towers rose from the ocean floor. Crystal domes glowed with soft blue light. Bridges made of flowing water connected the buildings like rivers frozen in motion.
It was beautiful.
Creatures with shimmering tails and glowing eyes swam through the city. Some looked human from the waist up, but their lower bodies were sleek fins.
Lyra whispered, “This place is incredible.”
Serena led them through the coral gates.
“The Crystal of Tides is kept in the Temple of the Deep,” she explained.
“But it is protected by an ancient trial.”
“What kind of trial?” Alora asked.
Serena stopped before a massive temple carved from glowing pearl stone.
“The trial of the heart.”
The temple doors slowly opened.
Inside, the chamber was dark except for one floating crystal glowing in the center of the room.
Blue energy pulsed from it like ocean waves.
“The Crystal of Tides,” Cael said quietly.
Alora stepped forward.
But suddenly—
The water around them shook violently.
Serena’s expression darkened.
“They followed you.”
Outside the temple, shadows moved through the ocean.
Obsidian soldiers were arriving again.
- Writer
