Chapter 439
"By the currents," breathed Coralia, her voice filled with dismay. "The legends...they were true."
"Worse than true," added Delphin, his usually jovial demeanor replaced with a somber expression. "This...this is a catastrophe."
"We won the battle," said Thalassa, her voice firm, attempting to rally their spirits, "but the war is far from over."
"Indeed," agreed Coralia. "This...this contamination. It spreads. We need to contain it, isolate it before it consumes the entire ocean."
"Easier said than done," Delphin pointed out. "Creating a barrier strong enough to hold back this...this corruption...it will require immense power."
"And what about the creatures?" Thalassa added, her gaze sweeping over the schools of fish attempting to navigate around the polluted zone. "The unintelligent ones...they won’t understand. They’ll swim straight into it."
"We’ll need to guide them," Coralia said, her voice filled with determination. "Create pathways, safe routes around the tainted water. It will be a monumental task, but we have no choice."
"This will take all of us," Delphin said, his voice grim. "Every godling, every spirit, every creature with a shred of intelligence. We need to work together if we’re going to save our home."
Thalassa nodded. "We’ll send out the call. Rally the others. This is not just a fight for our kingdoms, it’s a fight for the survival of our entire world."
Meanwhile, high above the eastern continent, Xerosis felt the familiar tug of arrival. A thrill, mingled with anticipation, coursed through her as she emerged from the opulent cabin of her airship. Her gaze, sharp and focused, pierced the swirling clouds below, seeking the legendary peak that marked her destination. It was a mountain spoken of by her cousin Ikem, its summit shrouded in mystery and perpetually veiled by the swirling mists. Even from this distance, she could feel the raw power emanating from it, a silent promise of the wonders – and perhaps dangers – that lay ahead.
With a subtle mental command, Xerosis willed the airship to ascend. The vessel responded instantly, smoothly rising through the turbulent air. Yet, a disquieting sensation began to creep in. Despite the ship’s steady climb, the clouds remained stubbornly close, an impenetrable white blanket that refused to yield. Xerosis frowned, her brow furrowing slightly. She had expected to break through the cloud cover long ago, to be greeted by the crisp, clear air of the higher altitudes. Instead, she found herself trapped within a swirling vortex of mist, the air thick and damp. A hesitant unease settled over her. Was this some trick of the mountain, a magical defense designed to deter unwanted visitors?