Chapter 151: Darkness
Scene: The underground chamber of the Shadow Troupe hideout is tense with anticipation. The heroes, Shadow Troupe members, and Kaitaro sit together, ready to plan the next step in their mission. The room is dimly lit, the flickering torches casting long shadows as the leaders take charge.
Commander Elara: (standing at the head of the group) We've made it this far, but now the real challenge begins. Kaitaro, you and I need to coordinate our strategies to make this work.
Kaitaro: (nodding) Agreed. First, we need to address the obvious. We're going underwater. That means we need a reliable way to breathe, or none of this will matter.
Ryu: (leaning back) Breathing's one thing, but we also need to locate their empire. Without a clear target, we're swimming blind.
Commander Elara: (glancing at Eren and Asher) That's where you two come in.
Eren: (raising an eyebrow) Us?
Commander Elara: (firmly) Your Fusion Burst has become significantly more powerful with your elemental mana. If you combine it carefully, it might act as a sonar, helping us pinpoint the Aquarian Empire.
Asher: (nodding) I can give it a shot.
Narrator: As the group starts to align on their strategy, a young woman from the Shadow Troupe raises her hand. Her sharp features and calculating gaze set her apart. Her voice carries both authority and intellect.
Young Woman: (clearly) If I may.
Kaitaro: (gesturing) Speak, Kaida.
Kaida: (standing) Before we talk about battle, I need to remind everyone of something crucial. The Aquarians are still human. Their crimes are driven by what's been done to them, not by choice.
The room falls silent for a moment as her words sink in. Kaitaro nods, his expression grave.
Kaitaro: (seriously) She's right. Kuzan's experiments didn't just turn them into monsters—they turned them into victims. If we can reverse this, we must.
Kaida: (confidently) And I believe there's a way.
Aria: (hopeful) Really?
Kaida: (nodding) If I can analyze your mana and normal human blood, I might be able to develop a counteragent. Something to reverse the transformation.
Rylan: (skeptical) That's… ambitious.
Kaida: (smirking) Ambition is how we survive, Rylan. Trust me.
Kaitaro gestures for her to continue, his trust in Kaida evident.
Narrator: With the group agreeing to trust Kaida's expertise, they now shift their focus to the immediate issue: breathing underwater.
Kaida: (thinking aloud) For this, we need to harness elemental mana. Specifically, water and wind.
Asher: (stepping forward) I'm water element.
Aria: (raising her hand) And I've got wind. What's the plan?
Kaida: (explaining) Asher, you'll create microscopic spheres of water mana. Aria, you'll compress and infuse those spheres with air using your wind mana. The result will be breathable capsules of mana that we'll carefully transfer into everyone's lungs.
Ryu: (wide-eyed) You're asking them to turn us into walking air tanks?
Kaida: (dryly) If you'd rather hold your breath, feel free to stay here.
The group chuckles nervously, but they understand the seriousness of the task. Aria and Asher step to the center of the room, their faces focused as they begin their work.
Narrator: It takes three attempts, but the duo finally succeeds. Asher's water spheres shimmer with precision, while Aria's wind mana pumps them full of breathable air.
Kaida: (gesturing) Good. Now, carefully guide those spheres into each person's body. Focus on their lungs.
One by one, the heroes and Shadow Troupe members receive the mana capsules. The process feels strange but not painful, and as the last person finishes, everyone feels a renewed sense of preparedness.
Commander Elara: (rolling her shoulders) Well done. We can breathe underwater now. That's one step down.
Narrator: With the breathing issue resolved, Kaitaro steps forward, his tone shifting to one of urgency and inspiration.
Kaitaro: Listen closely, all of you. This mission is unlike anything we've faced before. The Aquarians are dangerous, yes, but they are also our friends, neighbors, and family who were twisted into something else. Remember that. Fight to stop them—but if Kaida's solution works, fight to save them as well.
The room nods in agreement, the weight of Kaitaro's words settling over them.
Narrator: As a final preparation, Kaitaro presents the heroes with new outfits—sleek, lightweight clothing traditionally worn by the Shadow Troupe.
Kaitaro: (handing out the attire) These aren't just for looks. They're designed for stealth and speed. Perfect for assassins—and perfect for this mission.
The heroes take the clothes, admiring the lightweight yet durable material. Commander Elara adjusts her outfit, her eyes narrowing with determination.
Commander Elara: (quietly) Let's finish this.
Narrator: Dressed and equipped, the group steps out of the hideout, ready for the next phase of their mission. The shining waters of Zisteria now hold their target: the Aquarian Empire beneath the ocean.
Eren: (clenching his fists) We're not backing down. Let's go.
Kaitaro: (calmly) Then let's move.
The chapter ends with the group standing at the water's edge, prepared to dive into the unknown depths to face the horrors and hope of the Aquarian Empire.