Ignis extended her claw toward King, her palm emitting a soft blue glow. "The journey to the Plane of Water requires adaptation," she declared, her voice sweet and resonant.
The blue light intensified, enveloping King in a magical embrace. As he was pushed into the water, he felt a slight pressure in his lungs, a strange sensation of adaptation. "I can breathe!" he exclaimed, surprised.
Ignis nodded. "Magic is temporary," she warned. "There's no time to lose." She lowered herself, offering her broad, scaly back. "Rise."
King, still marveling at the magic, quickly mounted the dragon. Ignis's skin was surprisingly soft beneath his hands. With a powerful thrust, Ignis plunged into the crystal-clear waters of the spring. King, feeling the water glide over him without resistance, clung to the dragon's scales.
The portal glowed at the bottom of the spring, a rippling silver circle. As Ignis swam toward him, King, taking advantage of the proximity, asked, "How did you become the guardian of this portal?"
"The connection to the Plane of Water is ancient in my lineage," Ignis replied, her voice echoing peculiarly in the water. "It's a burden, an honor, and a constant challenge."
"Challenge?" King questioned, intrigued.
Ignis sighed, creating a swirl of bubbles around her. "Maintaining the portal's balance requires a lot of energy. And finding food in this isolated region..." She hesitated, almost as if embarrassed. "Let's just say I need to be... creative."
King looked at her curiously. "Creative?"
A slight smile curved Ignis's lips. "There's a small human village nearby," she revealed, her voice amused. "I learned to assume a human form to blend in with the inhabitants. It makes it easier to... acquire supplies." She cast a suggestive glance at King. "It's amazing how generous humans are to a 'helpless' traveler."
King laughed, imagining the imposing dragon disguised as a human. The situation, despite the gravity of the threat, had an unexpected touch of humor. The silvery light of the portal enveloped them. The adventure in the Plane of Water was just beginning.
The portal swallowed them in a whirlwind of light and colors. King closed his eyes, feeling a strange pressure in his ears. When he opened them again, the landscape had completely transformed. The crystalline spring had given way to a vast ocean of coral and bioluminescent algae. Schools of exotic fish and never-before-seen marine creatures swam around them, creating a spectacle of vibrant colors.
Ignis, now fully adapted to the aquatic environment, moved with grace and speed. Its scales shimmered in the light of the algae, reflecting the ocean's colors in a mesmerizing kaleidoscope. King, still clinging to its back, watched everything with fascination. Ignis's magic allowed it to breathe normally, as if it were on dry land.
"Incredible..." King murmured, marveling. "I never imagined a place like this could exist."
"The Plane of Water is a realm of wonders and dangers," Ignis replied, its voice sounding clearer and more powerful in the water. "Stay alert. Not all creatures here are friendly."
King nodded, noticing the seriousness in its voice. He gripped the hilt of his sword, feeling strangely vulnerable in this unfamiliar environment.
Ignis swam toward a rock formation covered in shimmering coral. In the center of the formation, a dark and mysterious cave opened up. "The Oracle of Water resides there," Ignis announced. "He will guide us in our quest."
King felt a chill run down his spine. The cave emanated a sinister aura, as if it guarded ancient and dangerous secrets. "Are you sure it's safe?" he asked hesitantly.
"The Oracle is a being of great power, but also of wisdom," Ignis replied. "He will not harm us unless we provoke him." She approached the cave entrance, her eyes gleaming with an intense blue light. "Come, there is no time to lose. The magic that allows you to breathe here will not last forever."
King took a deep breath and followed Ignis into the darkness. The water inside the cave was cold and strangely still. The light from the algae outside did not penetrate the deep darkness, creating an oppressive atmosphere. King felt a powerful presence emanating from the depths of the cave, an ancient and mysterious force that made him shudder.
He knew he was entering unknown and dangerous territory, but his determination to save his kingdom propelled him forward. The adventure in the Plane of Water was only beginning, and the fate of his people depended on his courage and cunning.