The flying beast sliced through the clouds like a missile, leaving behind trails of shimmering blue as they crossed over the horizon. The sunlight faded into a deep aquatic glow as the sky ahead turned darker—the sea swallowing it whole.
Moments later, the massive shadow of the Underwater City—Aqualis Rift—emerged beneath them. A sprawling fortress of light and glass, domes and tunnels stretching endlessly under the waves. Schools of glowing fish darted past, weaving between coral-coated towers, and massive serpentine sea beasts lurked in the deeper parts, their outlines faint under the shimmering surface.
The beast descended slowly, bubbles rising past them as the city's protective barrier opened. The moment they crossed it, their surroundings shifted from air to simulated water pressure—sound muffled, everything glowing in shades of blue and gold.
Jayden's eyes were wide open behind his visor. "Bro… this is insane."
