After their encounter with the Bull Kraken, Lassim and Korro continued their journey through the coral network. The days that followed were a mixture of silent travel and sporadic conversations, as Korro grew more relaxed and accustomed to Lassim again.
The underwater world around them remained a constant source of wonder for Lassim, filled with vibrant coral structures and an array of unique marine life.
Three days later, their sixth day since leaving Sailor’s Rest, they began to ascend through the coral tunnels, leading them more towards shallower waters. As they rose through the network, the water became brighter, illuminated by the rising up closer to the surface. The bits of coral tunnels exposing more holes and exits as they went.
Lassim could feel the anticipation building within him as he could tell they were nearing the end of their journey.
As they emerged from the final tunnel and out through a coral in the shape of a dome, a vast underwater city spread out before them.
It was another one of the city of Sitnalta’s outposts, its architecture a blend of natural coral formations and intricately crafted structures using some sort of white marble stone material. Domes of transparent crystal allowed the inhabitants to view the ocean around them like sun roofs, while various sea creatures swam freely through the open spaces.
However, something was amiss. As they approached, Lassim and Korro noticed the flicker of elemental explosions in the distance on the side of the city furthest from their position. The water trembled with the shockwaves of powerful attacks, and a sense of urgency filled the air.
"Do you see that?" Lassim asked, his voice tense.
Korro nodded, his expression grim. "We need to hurry. Something’s very wrong."
He urged the shark forward, cutting through the water with increasing speed. As they neared the city, the scene that greeted them was one of chaos and destruction.
An all too familiar scene appeared in Lassim’s view… A Dragal portal had opened underwater, and the abyssal legion was pouring through, wreaking havoc on the city and its inhabitants.
The demons, with their twisted forms and glowing red eyes, moved through the water with ease. It was as if they were perfectly fine in the water and completely uninhibited as they spread out rapidly, causing chaos everywhere.
They attacked the citizens of Sitnalta with ruthless efficiency, their claws and weapons leaving trails of dark energy in their wake. Dozens of spirit warriors, sahagin, mermaids, sirens, and naga fought valiantly against the abyssal legion, but the battle was far from over. If they were going by the first initial report, they’d been battling for at least 7 days now in total.
The loss of life should be immense by Lassim’s estimation as the destruction to the outpost city was evident. Several buildings were toppled over and dead bodies of its citizens and defenders were strewn amongst the rubble. What body parts were exposed were occasionally taken and eaten by some large mouthed abyssal bloodhounds. Their maws dripped blood into the surrounding flow of water.
"We need to help them!" Lassim shouted, drew his halberd and prepared for battle. His entire cultivation and divine pressure swept out. He unhooked his harness and dashed forward through the water.
The typical storm he would summon above him, unable to form in the depths of the ocean as he held back his lightning once more. He would have to work once again with just his water mana to defeat his enemies. Thankfully water and water mana were in abundance in the depths of the ocean.
Korro summoned his harpoon, his constellation glowing above him once more. "Let’s make a dent in these demons and see if we can save anyone!" He also gave the shark one simple command, "Kill the demons," before propelling forward to join Lassim.
They both dove into the fray together, watching each other’s backs, their weapons cutting through the water with deadly precision.
Lassim’s halberd cleaved through several beastial-looking members of the abyssal demon legion in front of him, his movements in the water swift and powerful. Mari controlled the surrounding flow of water to increase the flow of water to allow him to move more easily.
The water around him turned into a whirlpool of energy as he unleashed his mana and spun to send a [Slice] of water mana, striking down multiple enemies at once with the blades of water shooting in many directions.
Korro moved with equal ferocity, his harpoon darting through the water like a living extension of himself. The constellation above him seemed to empower his attacks and speed, each strike landing with devastating force as his cultivation was on full display.
Together, they fought their way through the chaotic battlefield, their presence bolstering the spirits of the defenders that they saved as they passed through.
Lassim’s mind was focused, his thoughts sharp as he analyzed the battlefield. He centered his attention on finding citizens and other warriors that were overwhelmed to lend a helping hand.
Out of the corner of his senses, he could see the Dragal portal at the center of the chaos off in the distance, a swirling vortex of dark energy that continued to spawn more demons every second.
The citizens of Sitnalta were holding their ground, but the situation was dire. Every moment the portal existed released five times as many demon legion members compared to the spirit warriors and seafolk arriving to fight back. Lassim knew that they needed to close the portal, and fast.
"Korro, we need to get to that portal!" Lassim shouted over the sound of him cleaving a two-headed, humanoid lizard demon from shoulder to waist. It’s chaotic and black blood oozed out from its spilling guts.
Korro nodded, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation. "Agreed. We’ll need to cut a path through these demons first to make it there."
They pressed forward, their weapons cutting a swath through the abyssal legion. The variety of demons were relentless, their attacks vicious and unending. Lassim and Korro fought with all their might, their movements a blur of elementally charged steel with their spirit weapons and battle art techniques.
The latest group of demons out of the portal seemed to recognize their most dangerous opponents as the tides of battle had begun to shift with Lassim and Korro’s advance. They headed towards their direction.
As the next wave of demons surged forward, Lassim and Korro steeled themselves for the onslaught and charged to meet them head on.
The abyssal demons were relentless, their dark and chaotic energy rippling through the water as they advanced. Lassim’s halberd moved with lethal precision, each swing cleaving through multiple of the demonic ranks.
His power was on the level of a Spirit Transcendent and didn’t hold back at all. His halberd moved swiftly and gracefully in the water, like an underwater cyclone. The amount of mana and pressure he was absorbing before sending out into gigantic blades of water caused the surrounding water to bubble and pop around him.
Mari assisted by controlling the surrounding water mana to turn into icicles that she shot forward any time a demon tried to sneak up on Lassim from behind. Zaphy was frustrated that she couldn’t help, but the risk of electrocuting an ally or even Korro near him was too great to release her lightning element.
Korro’s harpoon danced through the water, the constellation above him channeling energy downwards into his body that surged into his harpoon. Each thrust and parry was executed with deadly accuracy, the weapon piercing through demonic flesh and soft spots in his enemies with ease.
The two warriors fought side by side, their coordinated attacks creating a symphony of destruction that tore through the wave that confronted them.
The defenders of the Sitnalta outpost began to rally around them, inspired by their bravery, as they recognized reaching the portal was the duo’s goal.
A group of sahagin warriors, their scales shimmering in the light of the explosions and sunlight, formed a defensive line around the pair’s flanks, their tridents thrusting forward in unison to repel the demons.
Two sirens joined them in the center and sang a haunting melody that reverberated through the water that seemed to energize Lassim and the others. He felt his mana flow smoothen out and speed up.
Some naga joined the fray as well, lending aid where they could to sneak attacks where they sent forth water mana charged bubbles that exploded amidsts the unending wave of the abyssal legion.
Despite their efforts, the abyssal demons continued to pour through the portal, their numbers seemingly endless. He had a flashback to this same situation back in the Myriad Spirit City, but this time he at least wasn’t running. He was able to fight back against the Dragal’s minions.
The battle raged on, the water churning with the ferocity of the conflict. Lassim and Korro fought tirelessly amidst their allies, leading the charge as their bodies pushed to the limit as they advanced under the pressure.
Lassim’s mind was a whirlwind of focus. He could see the battlefield with crystal clarity, his spirit sense and latest water sense enhancing his perception several fold. He directed his water elemental techniques with pinpoint accuracy, targeting clusters of demons to maximize the impact of his attacks.
As the battle wore on, the strain began to take its toll. Korro’s movements slowed, his attacks losing some of their speed and precision. Lassim was doing fine as his progenitor marks seemed to constantly recharge and refill his stores of energy, almost as if he was at a full meditation during the battle.
However, the demons pressed their advantage after noticing the weakening defense of several members that were too tired like Korro. They intensified their assault as if reinvigorated by the sight of their weakened foes. Three of the sahagin warriors ended up having their necks slit when a gross looking three-eyed insect creature with shiny pale gold wings jettisoned through the water past the group.
Visit freёwebnovel.com for the 𝑏est n𝘰vel reading experience.
Yet, the defenders of Sitnalta fought with unyielding determination, their resolve unwavering despite the overwhelming odds and sudden deaths of their companions. A sahagin warrior that stood next to the others let out a roar of defiance, his trident flashing as he drove it into the heart of the gold winged demon.
The duet of the siren’s song rose to a crescendo, their voice a beacon of hope amidst the chaos.
Lassim knew they couldn’t keep this up forever. The portal continued to spawn more demons, and their strength as a whole was waning.
He cast a glance at Korro, seeing the exhaustion in his newest friend’s eyes. But there was no time for rest, no time for hesitation. He wasn’t sure how much this would help, but it was worth a try. They had to keep fighting and advance the line towards the portal, so he roared out.
"AAAAAGGGHHHH!! Aegrasian, help defend us! We need to reach the portal!" Lassim focused on his fragment of the soul of the ice dragon that resided in the statue that was the basis for his [Grand Aegis] technique.
A surge of icy energy erupted from Lassim, and the water around him grew colder as the ice dragon, Aegrasian, manifested. The spectral form of the dragon manifested behind them in the empty trail of dead abyssal demons behind them, its scales shimmering with a frosty glow.
Aegrasian’s presence first surprised the defenders in their group as the temperature dropped quickly, but only focused on slowing the movements of the demons.
Aegrasian let out a deafening roar that shook the ocean, its icy breath shot forward freezing several demons in place.
The group was then surrounded by shields from innate [Grand Aegis] technique’s icey protection, infused with the dragon’s protective aura. They pushed forward with renewed strength as the ice dragon’s massive tail swept through the battlefield, knocking demons aside like ragdolls. The defenders rallied with the dragon behind them, their spirits lifted by its imposing presence.
"Push forward! We can do this!" Lassim shouted, his voice echoing through the water.