The voice let out a low, melodious laugh. "The Oracle is not found, young king. It is summoned."
"Summoned?" King repeated, confused. The water around him began to glow with a blue-green light, pulsing in rhythm with the guardian's voice. "How?"
"In the heart of Aquamarine lies the Sanctuary of the Tides. There, you will find three relics: the Trident of Chains, the Mirror of the Deep, and the Tear of Syrena. Gather these artifacts and the Oracle will manifest."
King looked at the vast submerged city, the grandeur of the ruins intimidating him. "Where is this Sanctuary?" he asked, feeling a pang of anxiety in his chest.
"Follow the current," the voice replied. "She will guide you. But be warned, young Goliath. Aquamarine guards her secrets zealously. Dangers lurk in every dark corner, and not all who seek the Oracle are worthy of her wisdom."
King swallowed hard, adrenaline coursing through his veins. The task seemed daunting, but the hope of finding answers fueled him. He took a deep breath, filling his lungs with water enriched by Aquamarine's magic, and began to swim, following the gentle current emanating from the city's center.
The submerged city was a labyrinth of ruined buildings, imposing arches, and colossal statues. Schools of bioluminescent fish swam around him, illuminating the path with an ethereal glow. King dodged giant algae and floating debris, his senses on high alert. With each shadow, he imagined sea monsters and ancient guardians.
Suddenly, a huge, slimy tentacle slithered past him, inches from his face. King dodged swiftly, his heart pounding in his chest. The creature, a giant squid with glowing red eyes, emerged from the shadows, its tentacles writhing menacingly. King drew his sword, the blade gleaming in the dim light. "It seems the dangers the guardian mentioned were no joke," he muttered to himself, bracing for combat.
The giant squid lunged forward, tentacles undulating like hungry whips. King roared in fury, his sword slicing through the air. The tight confines of the ruined city restricted his movements, fueling his frustration. The blade of his sword met the creature's tough flesh, a shock coursing through his arms. It was like trying to chop down a mountain with an axe.
"RAAAH!" he yelled, narrowly avoiding a tentacle that would have crushed his skull. The squid's speed and raw power were overwhelming. He needed to change things, and fast.
His eyes landed on a narrow archway between two ruined buildings. A desperate idea formed in his mind. He lunged through the archway, praying that the squid's size would prevent it from following him. But the creature was more adaptable than he had anticipated. Tentacles snaked through the opening, one brushing against his shoulder. King staggered, the sharp pain fueling his fury even more.
Run was not an option. He had no choice but to fight. Spinning in the water, he faced the squid, his eyes burning with fanatical rage. "You want a fight, creature?!" he yelled, his voice hoarse with anger. "I'LL GIVE YOU A FIGHT!"
With a primal roar, he charged forward, his fury giving him abnormal strength. His sword sliced through tentacles, dodging blows that would have crushed bones. His movements were savage, relentless. The squid, caught off guard by his sudden change of tactics, hesitated.
King seized the opportunity. With a leap fueled by fury, he climbed onto one of the creature's tentacles, ignoring the suckers that tried to tear him off. He climbed, an unstoppable force, until he reached the squid's massive head.
With a war cry that echoed through the city ruins, he plunged his greatsword into the creature's eye.
The squid roared in agony, its massive body thrashing violently. King clung on with all his might, determined not to be thrown. The creature struggled, slamming against the crumbling buildings. Finally, with a last convulsive spasm, it lay still.
King breathed heavily, wounded but triumphant. The giant squid was dead.
He stood, the fury waning, replaced by a wave of exhaustion. But he knew he had to keep going. The Tidal Sanctuary awaited him.
King swam toward the Tidal Sanctuary, his body aching after the battle with the giant squid. The pain in his shoulder throbbed, but he pressed on, determined. The fate of the world depended on the ritual that could only be performed there, at the nexus of arcane energy. With each stroke, the atmosphere shifted, the water grew denser, the current itself seemed to vibrate. He stopped, taking a deep breath, preparing himself.
The sanctuary was imposing, of dark and mysterious stone, pulsating with ancient energy. King glided through the rising currents, each movement echoing in the aquatic stillness. But before entering, an imposing figure awaited him. Ignis, the Ancient Copper Dragon, her scales gleaming under the diffused light of the hydrothermal springs, hovered before him. Her golden eyes, filled with ancestral wisdom, fixed on King.
"You have arrived, young King," her voice resonated like bronze, spreading through the water. "The Sanctuary awaits you. But be warned, the dangers within are greater than any giant squid you have ever faced."
King nodded, his determination unwavering. Ignis's presence, though imposing, was comforting. She had brought him to this aquatic dimension, entrusting him with the mission of discovering the so-called "dark presence" in the Plane of Water. He would not disappoint her.
"I am ready, Ignis," King replied mentally; the dragon understood the message, "tell me what I must do."
Ignis spread her immense wings, creating a shadow over the Sanctuary. "Enter, the Sanctuary will reveal your path. But remember, the Oracle will only be summoned after you pass three tests. I cannot tell you what these tests will be, so all I can do is wish you good luck." King smiled and swam towards the entrance.