The crew stood at the edge of the rocky bay, where the third gate leading to Arthalon began. The water was still, but its color was a deep blue, as if concealing something deep beneath.
"Make sure you have your diving masks, ropes, and insulating sheets," Linus said, checking his equipment. "No room for error."
"Remember… underwater, no sound, no shouting, just signals," Romulus said quietly.
"So I can't make jokes? That's the worst part!" Darius laughed.
"Good! We'll finally have a break from your comments," Callias snapped.
"Are we sure this is the right entrance?" Nikos asked, staring into the water.
"Yes," Morir replied. "The third gate is the only one not directly monitored… but it's risky."
Linus said, "Then we move. The order of descent: I go first, then Morir, then Darius, and the rest follow." Romulus said, "I'll be last... to close behind us if necessary."
*
They began diving one by one, the water growing colder the lower they went. Visibility was limited, but the rocky tunnel was clear, neatly carved.
"Is this normal?" Darius said, swimming beside Morir.
"Yes... so far," Morir replied with a sign.
*
Suddenly, the water around them shuddered, and a huge shadow appeared, moving rapidly.
"Danger!" Nikos waved.
"Brace yourselves!" said Linus, brandishing his water sword.
Out of the darkness emerged Radin, one of Morir's brothers, wearing water armor and carrying a long spear. Radin said in a low voice over the communicator:
"Morrer… I didn't expect to see you here."
"I'm not going back," Morrer replied firmly.
"I've chosen my path."
"Then I'll stop you from advancing," Radin said.
*
Radin lunged at Linus, parrying him with his sword, and the underwater battle began.
"Oh! This is fun!" Darius swam quickly.
"Don't get too excited… he's fast!" Callias charged from the side.
"His shield deflects blows… we need a plan!" Nikos watched.
"His shield deflects blows… we need a plan!"
*
"Strike from three sides… don't give him a chance to retaliate," Romulus said over the communicator.
"Callias from the right, Darius from behind, me from the front!" Linus said.
"I'll try to disable his breathing apparatus," Morrer said, approaching.
*
The coordinated attack began. Radin flinched for a moment, then received a blow to the back from Darius.
"You hit the target!" Darius said, laughing.
"Don't stop!" Kallias said.
"Push harder!" Linus charged.
"Now, Morir!" Linus charged.
*
Maurer sped forward, unscrewing part of Radin's breathing apparatus, forcing him to retreat.
"This isn't the end… I'll be back," Radin said, walking away.
"I won't let you hurt them," Morir glared at him.
*
The waters were calm again, the crew breathing heavily.
"The first test… and we survived," Nikos said.
"But we exposed ourselves," Romulus said. "The Markor family knows we're getting close."
"Then we hurry… before the road closes," Linus said, staring down the tunnel.