The Herald's voice echoed in my mind as the orb dissolved.
"You have three months to reach the Spire and complete the trial. Fail, and the tides will consume all."
The figure stepped backward into the ocean, their translucent form dissolving into a cascade of water. The ripples they left behind seemed to radiate far beyond the shoreline, as if the sea itself carried their warning to distant lands.
The oppressive pressure lifted, leaving me standing in the aftermath of their message, my claws still faintly glowing from the residual energy. Around me, the hunters stood frozen in a mixture of awe and fear, their murmurs rising like the uneasy tide.
"Three months?" Dren's voice cut through the tension, low and incredulous. "That's no time at all."
My mind raced, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on me. The Herald's words weren't just a challenge—they were a warning of catastrophe. If I failed, it wouldn't just be my life at stake. The Depth Tides, already more frequent and ferocious than ever before, would consume everything.
I clenched my fists, the energy within me surging with determination. "Then we don't waste a second."
The hunters around us broke into frantic discussions, their voices overlapping in confusion and fear. Some stared at me with thinly veiled distrust, as if my evolution into an Ethereal had somehow invited this trial upon them. Others looked at me with something closer to hope—a desperate belief that I could rise to the challenge and save them.
Dren stepped closer, his expression hardening with resolve. "If what the Herald said is true, this trial isn't just about you—it's about all of us. What do you need, Azrytharion?"
"Maps," I said immediately. "Supplies. A way to navigate the depths. If the Spire is as dangerous as they claim, I'll need everything we can spare." My voice was steady, but inside, my thoughts churned with uncertainty.
Dren nodded. "We'll gather what we can. You've earned our help, and more than that, we need you to succeed."
As the hunters dispersed to prepare, I turned back to the sea. The waves lapped against the rocks below, deceptively calm after weeks of unrelenting storms. But I couldn't shake the feeling that the ocean was watching, waiting for my next move.
The rest of the day passed in a blur of activity. The hunters worked tirelessly, pooling their resources to support my mission. They brought me charts of the surrounding waters, some so old their edges were frayed and illegible. Dren helped sort through them, pointing out likely routes based on my description of the Abyssal Spire—a towering structure rising from the ocean floor, its surface glowing faintly in the dim light of the depths.
"It's here," Dren said, tapping a trench marked on the map. "The Deep Maw. It's one of the most dangerous areas in the region. The currents alone could kill you, not to mention the beasts that call it home."
I studied the map, memorizing the route and the hazards Dren outlined. My claws traced the lines of the trench, my mind already envisioning the challenges ahead. "I'll manage," I said, though the weight of the task pressed heavily on my chest.
Dren's gaze lingered on me, his expression unreadable. "You've already proven yourself, Azrytharion. Whatever happens out there, know that you're not alone in this. The settlement stands with you."
I nodded, grateful for his support but acutely aware that the burden of this trial was mine alone.
The sun dipped below the horizon as the preparations continued, casting the settlement in shades of gold and crimson. I stood alone on the cliff's edge, staring out at the endless expanse of water. My claws flexed involuntarily, glowing faintly in the twilight as I replayed the Herald's words in my mind.
"You have three months to reach the Spire and complete the trial."
The timeline felt impossibly short. I would need to push myself to my limits and beyond, mastering the full extent of my Ethereal abilities while navigating one of the most dangerous regions of the ocean.
A soft rustle behind me broke my concentration. I turned to see Liora, one of the younger hunters, holding a bundle of supplies. Her wide eyes betrayed her nervousness, but she stood firm.
"I thought you might need these," she said, offering the bundle.
I took it, unwrapping the cloth to reveal a set of tools—an intricately crafted dagger, a coil of strong cord, and a small, waterproof pouch filled with medicinal herbs. "Thank you," I said, touched by her gesture.
Liora hesitated, then added, "You're going to make it back, right? You've faced worse than this before."
Her words struck a chord. The hunters were looking to me not just as a warrior, but as a symbol of hope. I couldn't afford to fail—not for their sake, and not for my own.
"I'll do everything I can," I promised, meeting her gaze. "But this fight isn't just about me. It's about all of us working together to survive."
The night passed restlessly. I slept in short bursts, my dreams haunted by visions of the Abyssal Spire and the creatures that guarded it. Each time I closed my eyes, I saw flashes of jagged coral, swirling currents, and glowing eyes watching from the darkness.
When morning came, I rose before dawn, my resolve hardened by the weight of the task ahead. The hunters gathered to see me off, their faces a mixture of determination and apprehension.
Dren approached, handing me a small, leather-bound journal. "This belonged to one of our best navigators. It's filled with notes on the currents and the creatures you might encounter. Take it—it might just save your life."
I accepted the journal, tucking it securely into my pack. "Thank you," I said.
The hunters parted as I made my way to the water's edge, their whispers following me like a shadow. I could feel their eyes on my back, their hopes and fears mingling in the air.
As I stepped into the waves, the chill of the ocean sent a shiver down my spine. The currents tugged at me, as if testing my resolve. I took a deep breath, focusing on the energy within me, and plunged into the depths.
The water closed over my head, and the world above faded into silence. All that remained was the vast, unknowable expanse of the ocean, its darkness punctuated by faint glimmers of light from the creatures that called it home.
The journey to the Abyssal Spire had begun.