Nox and Dorran slipped out of their hiding slot and moved cautiously toward the temple ruins. The deep sea was very quiet after the chaos. The normal, glowing fish-life had fled. As they approached the statue, Nox felt the orb in his hand grow warmer. The statue's eyes brightened in response.
It was even larger up close, towering over them, carved from a stone that seemed to absorb the faint light. Terra's expression was serene, but the power radiating from her was immense.
"Okay, we've looked," Dorran whispered urgently. "Now can we—"
"Wait…" Nox suddenly frowned. "You didn't understand me the last time when I said we're not leaving without the statue?"
"Fuck, how are we supposed to—" A sound cut him off. A low, chanting hum vibrated through the water.
From behind the broken columns and piles of coral, figures emerged. Dozens of them. Not the pearlescent Sea People from before, but the coral-armored Devotees. They were surrounded.
