"Who are you?" Ingrit's mom asked, her voice sharp and unwavering. Her piercing blue eyes locked onto the mysterious girl, her posture tense, ready to strike at a moment's notice.
Ingrit instinctively took a few steps back, shifting into a defensive stance, his muscles coiled like a spring.
"Do not fear, humans. I am not here to fight you," the girl responded calmly, her tone steady despite the tension in the air. Her long blue hair danced in the wind.
"Then state your purpose," Ingrit's mom said coldly, her gaze unrelenting.
A faint, solemn smile crossed the girl's lips as she slowly bowed her head. "My name is Meliana Deforte. I am the one and only dragon princess of the Blue Sea Dragons. Please, hear me out…"
She inhaled deeply, steadying herself before speaking again. "I have come to ask for the aid of you powerful humans."
"Huh?"
Both Ingrit and his mother blinked, momentarily caught off guard. A sea beast asking humans for help? That was unheard of. For a brief moment, neither of them knew how to respond.
"Did I hear you correctly?" Ingrit asked, his brow furrowing in disbelief.
"Yes," Meliana affirmed. "I need your help."
Silence hung in the air for a moment before Ingrit's mother finally broke it. "Why?" she asked, her expression unreadable.
Meliana lifted her hand, desperation etched across her delicate features. "A few days ago, the Black Sea Dragon tribe launched a brutal attack on my people. They seized our tribe, slaughtered our warriors, and…"
Her voice wavered, sorrow flickering in her deep blue eyes.
She hesitated, then exhaled shakily. "My father, the head of our tribe… was killed by them."
Ingrit and his mother exchanged glances, their expressions uncertain. The weight of Meliana's words settled between them, heavy and unfamiliar. Ingrit, especially, struggled to find the right response.
With a sigh, he finally said, "Look, I get that you're in trouble, but this doesn't really concer—"
"I will help," his mother interrupted firmly.
Ingrit's eyes widened.
"What?"
He turned to face her, frowning. "Mom, a diver's job is to HUNT sea beasts, not AID them. Besides, this has nothing to do with us."
His mother closed her eyes briefly before exhaling. When she opened them again, her decision was clear.
"You don't have to come with me, Ingrit. This doesn't concern you. But I am going."
Ingrit's breath hitched.
"Have you lost your mind?! Even if you're strong, there's no telling what's waiting for you down there!"
She turned to him, offering a small, confident smile. "Don't worry. I am strong."
Without another word, she stepped forward, heading toward the dragon princess.
'Besides, I have a debt to pay.'
She thought.
Ingrit watched her go, his fists clenching at his sides. Then, with a resigned sigh, he shoved his hands into the pockets of his black shorts and followed.
His mother glanced at him from the corner of her eye.
"Wait, you're coming?"
Ingrit sighed again. "Yeah. It's always better to have an extra pair of hands."
'Besides, I can't leave Mom alone on such a dangerous mission. Also, I will get the chance to fight sea beasts too. This will help make me get stronger, at the very least.'
His mother said nothing more, merely looking ahead as they continued walking.
Meliana, however, widened her eyes in surprise. For a moment, she simply stared at them, her expression shifting from disbelief to gratitude. Her entire face lit up, overwhelmed with emotion.
She bowed deeply once more. "Thank you… thank you so much, kind humans." Her voice trembled slightly, filled with relief. Then, straightening, she looked at them with hopeful eyes. "May I know your names?"
***
Selina Kyle, an A-rank diver, short blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, and a vibrant yellow suit with matching gloves.
Wakiya Meruim, a B-rank diver, carried a quiet intensity, her sleek black hair and calculating black eyes complementing her pristine white suit.
Radir Haman, an A-rank prodigy from an influential clan, had an enigmatic aura. The same age as Ingrit, his long black hair, sharp eyes, and dark suit added to his imposing presence.
Laila Thoma, a spirited C-rank second-year, had long blonde hair, bright green eyes, and a youthful energy that matched his green suit.
Daimen Rukar, a rebellious B-rank diver, sported green hair, matching eyes, ear piercings, and a bold green suit.
Seiya Aintraz, a B rank diver, had long pink hair, blue eyes.
Givan, a C rank Diver, had messy black hair, black eyes.
Finally, Jiver Reincart, an A rank pro diver. The captain of the team of 8 divers.
[Note: I am describing these characters again with you dear readers in mind. I thought this way the readers would have a easy time remembering who's who.]
All eight of them were underwater. Neither of them were wearing goggles and masks even though the water was very poisonous.
The reason behind this was simple: the head of the magic association gave them special kind of invisible helmets that allows them to breath freely underwater.
This kind of magical helmet are a upgraded version of magical goggles and masks. Though, only S ranks get to use them.
But for this mission, the head of the association made an exception.
The water was littered with the bloodstained bodies of Black Sea Dragons, their lifeless bodies drifting aimlessly beneath the surface. Dark crimson tendrils spread through the depths, a grim testament to the fierce battle that had taken place. It was clear—Jiver's team had clashed with the Black Dragon forces, and the aftermath was written in blood.
"Follow me, guys." Jiver whispered as he quickly gestured his hand forward.
All of them nodded.
After that, all of them was diving forward with vigilant eyes.
Within a minute, as they were diving, they found their destination.
Reaching their destination, Jiver grinned. But it was short lived.
Soon, his face grew pale, as he was looking forward.
Beneath the rolling green hills, a once-thriving Black Dragon settlement lay in complete ruin. Small cave-like dwellings were reduced to rubble, and the towering black stone castle had been obliterated, its remains scattered like the remnants of a fallen empire.
But the devastation wasn't the only thing unsettling.
A sudden, suffocating presence crept up behind Seiya, thick and overwhelming. The sheer weight of it sent a chill down her spine. Her breath hitched, and a sharp gasp escaped her lips. This was no ordinary foe.
Her hands trembled involuntarily as dread coiled around her like an iron grip. Slowly, hesitantly, she turned her gaze over her shoulder.
Her eyes widened in sheer terror.
Behind her stood a monstrosity.