Bab 700: Ethel's Underwater Rule (4)

An ancient octopus, its size rivaling the pillars themselves, draped its tentacles across a fallen tower, watching her with unblinking, knowing eyes. In the distance, an immense, glowing shark-like creature circled slowly, its vast, ancient body covered in scars and bio-luminescent patterns that pulsed in time with the energy of the kingdom.

Farther up, toward what seemed like the upper reaches of this trench-city, massive ziggurats rose like mountains, their steps lined with crystalline coral that gleamed as if alive. Each structure was adorned with coral gardens and kelp that swayed gently in the deep ocean currents, as though in silent reverence for Ethel's presence. Ancient carvings decorated the surfaces, depicting forgotten myths and battles, scenes of primordial sea creatures clashing with one another in cosmic struggles, eternally frozen in stone.