The ocean holds its secrets well. Beneath the shimmering surface, where the light fades into twilight and finally into impenetrable darkness, lies a world untouched by human hands. In the depths of the Abyss, ancient ruins whisper of a time long forgotten, their glyphs carved with warnings no one alive can read. It is said that before the kingdoms of the sea rose, there was only chaos- a force too great to be tamed. Nydralis, the external storm, was both creator and destroyer, bound by the waters it had once ruled. The old stories tell of a balance struck to imprison the being: the light of creation and the shadow of destruction kept apart, forever unyielding.

But legends fade.

Darian woke with a start, the remnants of the nightmare clinging to him like a cold mist. His chest heaved, his crimson eyes glowed faintly in the shadows of his grand chamber. For a moment, he remained still, gripping the edge of the silken sheets as the voice from his dream echoed.

"Darian...''

The sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the stone corridor outside. A muffled knock came at the door before it creaked open, revealing a young servant clutching a lantern.''Lord Darian?'' the boy asked nervously, his voice trembling.''I heard .....shouting.Are you unwell? Do you need anything, milord?'' Darian exhaled slowly, brushing his hair to mask his unease.'' It was nothing,' he said, his voice calm but distant." Just a dream," he whispered.

The boy hesitated, his eyes darting towards the window where the heavy velvet curtains swayed slightly in the breeze. The faint glow of the moonlight filtered through, casting long shadows across the room.

"Shall I bring anything, my lord? A drink, perhaps ?"Darian dismissed him with a flick of his hand. "No need. Go back to bed, Evan."Evan lingered for a moment, his fingers tightening around the lantern's handle ."The dreams are happening more often, aren't they?" he asked cautiously. One look from Darian was enough to have the boy trembling and turning into a stuttering mess." How would you know ?"Darian asked, his eyes piercing him as if looking into his soul. Evan swallowed hard, his face paling."Forgive me, my lord. It's just...th..the... staff talk. They say you haven't been yourself lately. That you have been.....restless."Darian turned away towards the arched window overlooking the cliffs.."I didn't know that I paid people to gossip. The staff would do well to keep their mouth shut."

"Yes, my lord." Evan dipped his head quickly."I'll leave you now." But before the boy could retreat, Darian spoke again, his voice soft this time."Evan."The servant froze, glancing back over his shoulder."If you hear anything unusual.....anything at all...come to me immediately ." 

"Yes, my Lord," Evan replied, bowing deeply before slipping out of the room and closing the door behind him.

Darian let out a breath that he hadn't realized he was holding, his hand gripping the edge of the windowsill. Below, the ocean stretched endlessly, the waves glinting under the moonlight, creating a beautiful illusion of calm. But Darian knew better. The dreams had been coming more frequently, and with them, the whispers. Each night, the voice grew louder, its words clearer. The glyphs etched into the ruins in his visions glowed brighter, pulsating like a heartbeat. And always, the same feeling pulled deep and relentless, like the Abyss itself was reaching for him.

He clenched his jaw. The Abyss has been quiet for centuries, and whatever lay within it was better left undisturbed. He had no time for omens, no patience for dreams. Yet even as he tried to push the thoughts aside, the voice returned, soft and insistent.

"Darian....."

He stared out into the night, his fists tightening. Whatever was stirring in the Abyss, he would not let it control him 

Not again.