The moment Moonbounce's cannons locked into place, the atmosphere of the cave changed. The air grew heavy, saturated with divine energy so dense that the crystal walls began to hum in resonance. Rhys could feel it—the same way one feels the ocean before a storm.
"Let's move," he said, stepping forward as silver ripples spread across the flooded path.
The first stretch of the Seragon Caves was deceptively calm. Luminous fish drifted through suspended streams above them, and crystalline lotuses floated on pools of water glowing with inner light. The illusion of peace, however, ended the moment the first ripple broke unnaturally.
The water surface bulged, and from its depths rose a creature made of living crystal—a Seragon Spawn. Its long, translucent body shimmered in shades of blue and violet, scales clinking like glass in the current.
Moonbounce growled, shifting his weight.
Before Rhys could even give the order, the turtle's side cannons rotated and fired.