Bab 19: Shadows of Treachery
The water around them was eerily quiet, the kind of silence that hinted at hidden dangers. Daniel swam alongside Mira, his wounds aching from the encounter with Vorrik. The tension between them was palpable, though neither spoke. The fragment pulsed faintly in Daniel's grasp, a constant reminder of the battles it would inevitably draw.
"How many more of these fragments are there?" Daniel asked finally, breaking the silence.
"Dozens, maybe more," Mira replied, her gaze fixed ahead. "The Abyss is vast, and the fragments are scattered across its most dangerous depths. Each one is protected, either by natural defenses or..." She hesitated.
"Or what?" Daniel pressed.
"By those who think they deserve them more than anyone else," Mira said, her voice heavy with meaning.
As they moved through the dark waters, a faint vibration tickled Daniel's senses. He stopped, his fins twitching as he scanned the area.
"Something's following us," he said.
Mira stiffened, her tail swishing defensively. "Can you tell where?"
Daniel activated Abyssal Perception, the system's interface casting faint ripples in his vision. A hazy outline appeared behind them—several small shapes moving in unison.
"We've got company," he said. "And they're closing in fast."
Before Mira could respond, the shapes burst into view: a pack of sleek, eel-like creatures with glowing eyes and sharp, needle-like teeth. They swirled around the pair, their movements coordinated and predatory.
"Eclipse Eels," Mira muttered. "Pack hunters. We're in trouble."
[Encounter Initiated: Eclipse Eel Swarm.]
Daniel gritted his teeth, his system chiming in with a steady stream of alerts.
[Enemy Identified: Eclipse Eel.]
[Threat Level: Moderate (Collective).]
[Weakness: Central Nervous Line—Target for Maximum Effectiveness.]
One of the eels darted forward, its teeth snapping inches from Daniel's fins. He lashed out with Piercing Surge, his blade slicing through its body. The eel thrashed violently before going still, its glow fading.
"That's one," Daniel said, his confidence rising.
"Don't get cocky!" Mira snapped, her tail striking another eel that had veered too close. "They're smart. They'll adapt."
As if to prove her point, the remaining eels shifted their formation, surrounding Daniel and Mira in a tightening spiral. Their glowing eyes flickered in unison, creating a disorienting pattern that made Daniel's head spin.
[Warning: Disorientation Field Detected. Mental Focus Compromised.]
"Great," Daniel muttered, shaking his head to clear the haze.
Mira acted swiftly, releasing a burst of bioluminescent energy that disrupted the eels' pattern. "Stay sharp! They're trying to wear us down!"
The battle became a chaotic blur of movement and light. Daniel's system highlighted weak points, guiding his strikes as he wove through the swarm. Mira fought with calculated precision, her attacks landing with deadly efficiency.
Despite their efforts, the swarm showed no signs of thinning. For every eel they defeated, another seemed to take its place.
"We can't keep this up," Daniel said, his voice strained.
"Then we need to change the game," Mira replied, her eyes narrowing.
Mira surged upward, drawing the eels' attention. "Follow me!" she called over her shoulder.
Daniel hesitated for a fraction of a second before following, trusting her instincts. The eels gave chase, their glowing eyes cutting through the gloom.
"What's the plan?" Daniel asked, struggling to keep up.
"Trust me," Mira said, a sly smile playing on her lips.
She led them toward a narrow crevice in the rocky seabed, its entrance barely wide enough for them to squeeze through. Without hesitation, she darted inside.
Daniel followed, the eels swarming behind him. The crevice twisted and turned, its walls pressing close. The eels' speed worked against them, their streamlined bodies struggling to navigate the tight space.
Mira suddenly stopped, turning to face the swarm. "Now!" she shouted.
Daniel didn't need further explanation. He activated Ripple Shockwave, the energy burst ricocheting through the confined space. The eels were caught in the blast, their bodies slamming against the crevice walls.
When the shockwave subsided, the water was still once more.
[Combat Concluded: Eclipse Eel Swarm Neutralized.]
Daniel and Mira emerged from the crevice, their breathing heavy.
"Nice thinking," Daniel said, glancing at Mira.
She shrugged, her expression unreadable. "Survival in the Abyss is about more than brute force. Sometimes, you have to outthink your enemies."
As they swam onward, Daniel couldn't shake the feeling that the eels hadn't been hunting them by chance.
"They were too coordinated," he said. "Do you think... someone sent them?"
Mira's expression darkened. "It's possible. Vorrik isn't the only one who wants us out of the way."
Daniel's thoughts turned to the fragment in his possession. It was more than a relic; it was a beacon, drawing danger with every pulse.
"We need to find a safe place to regroup," Mira said, breaking the silence. "And we need to decide our next move."
Daniel nodded, his resolve hardening. The Abyss was relentless, but so was he.
Hadiah
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