Chapter 154: Aquatic Power
Scene: The dimly lit corridors of the Aquarian Empire stretch endlessly as Aria, Asher, and Kaida continue forward. The eerie silence is broken only by the faint hum of the sinister mana saturating the air. Aria kneels beside Kaida, focusing her Wind Mana to heal Kaida's injured leg.
Aria: (gently) Hold still. This might tingle a bit.
Kaida: (smiling weakly) I'll take tingling over pain any day.
Aria channels her Wind Mana, her hands glowing faintly as a soothing green energy flows into Kaida's wound. The injury closes slowly but surely, and Kaida lets out a relieved sigh.
Asher: (nodding) Nice work, Aria. We'll need everyone at full strength for what's ahead.
Aria: (standing up) Let's keep moving.
Narrator: Just as the group begins to move, a groan echoes behind them. They turn sharply to see the three Aquarians stirring, their wounds healing rapidly, their eyes glowing with dark purple light.
First Aquarian: (laughing darkly) Leaving so soon? That's rude.
Second Aquarian: (grinning) Did you think it'd be that easy?
Third Aquarian: (coldly) We were only testing you. Now, let's see what you're really made of.
Aria's expression hardens, and she steps forward, but the Aquarians' auras flare, and their menacing power freezes her in her tracks. Kaitaro's voice suddenly echoes in their minds.
Kaitaro: (telepathically) Aria, Asher, Kaida—be careful. I can feel their mana from here. They're stronger than we thought.
Eren: (telepathically) Asher! Aria! Are you okay?
Asher: (aloud) We're fine for now.
Eren: (telepathically) I'm coming—
Commander Elara: (interrupting, firmly) No, you're not. Aria and Asher can handle this. Trust your team, Eren.
The Aquarians take a step forward, their auras flaring brighter, the oppressive energy in the air growing heavier. The second Aquarian smirks, his voice dripping with arrogance.
Second Aquarian: (mockingly) Do you feel it? This is the power of the strongest life form ever created.
First Aquarian: (grinning) Your little tricks won't work against us anymore.
Asher: (stepping forward, his eyes narrowing) We'll see about that.
Narrator: Without warning, the first Aquarian attacks, a wave of dark mana surging toward them. Asher reacts quickly, creating a water barrier to block the attack. The force shakes the corridor, sending debris flying.
Aria: (shouting) Watch out!
The second Aquarian darts forward, faster than before, slamming into Aria with a mana-infused strike. She crashes into the wall and crumples to the ground, unconscious.
Asher: (furious) Aria!
Asher shoves Kaida behind him and unleashes a barrage of water-based mana attacks, striking the second Aquarian and sending him skidding across the ground. The first and third Aquarians retaliate, their combined attacks forcing Asher to dive and dodge.
Kaida: (frantically) What do we do?
Asher: (gritting his teeth) Stay back. I'll handle this.
The third Aquarian steps forward, his voice low and menacing.
Third Aquarian: (darkly) You're strong. But strength alone won't save you.
He raises his hand, summoning a massive vortex of dark mana infused with water, calling it "Abyss Surge." The vortex spirals toward Asher, the sheer force of it causing the water around them to churn violently.
Asher: (narrowing his eyes) Not today.
He thrusts his hands forward, manipulating the surrounding water to counter the surge. The two forces collide, sending shockwaves through the corridor, but Asher holds his ground, forcing the vortex to dissipate.
First Aquarian: (smirking) Impressive. But let's see how you handle this.
The first Aquarian channels his mana into the ground, causing jagged spikes of corrupted coral to erupt from the floor, forcing Asher to leap and dodge. One spike grazes his arm, drawing blood.
Asher: (gritting his teeth) You'll have to do better than that.
First Aquarian: (grinning) Oh, I will.
Asher's aura begins to glow brighter, the surrounding water responding to his presence. He feels the ocean coursing through him, amplifying his power.
Asher: (softly to himself) The water… it's alive. It's with me.
Narrator: Asher raises his hand, focusing his mana into a singular point. The water around him begins to condense, forming a small, highly compressed sphere. The Aquarians' confident expressions falter slightly as they sense the immense power radiating from it.
Asher: (calmly) This ends now. Sea of Shadows!
Asher releases the sphere, which shoots forward with blinding speed, piercing through the first Aquarian's chest. The force of the attack sends him flying, his body disintegrating into the water. The second Aquarian attempts to dodge, but the sphere curves mid-flight, striking him directly in the heart. He collapses to the ground, lifeless.
Third Aquarian: (staggering, his voice faltering) What… what are you?
Asher: (his voice heavy with regret) I didn't want to kill you.
Narrator: The corridor falls silent as the last Aquarian collapses. The oppressive mana dissipates, leaving only the sound of the water lapping against the walls. Asher stands there, his aura dimming, his face filled with guilt.
Kaida: (stepping forward cautiously) Asher… are you okay?
Asher: (clenching his fists) No. They were still human, Kaida. They didn't deserve this.
Aria: (groaning as she stirs) What… what happened?
Kaida: (kneeling beside her) You're okay. Asher… he saved us.
Aria: (sitting up, her eyes wide) Asher, your power… it's incredible.
Asher: (shaking his head) Incredible doesn't make it right.
Narrator: Kaitaro's voice echoes in their minds, breaking the heavy silence.
Kaitaro: (telepathically) What happened? I felt their mana vanish.
Asher: (quietly) They're gone.
Kaitaro: (pausing) I see. Keep moving. We're counting on you.
Narrator: Asher helps Aria to her feet, his resolve hardening despite the guilt weighing on him. The group presses forward, knowing there's no turning back now.
The chapter ends with Asher glancing back at the fallen Aquarians, his determination burning brighter as they approach the heart of the Aquarian Empire.