25. Emergence

The sea was rough and churning after the massive naval battle that barely concluded.

Just then, from the corner of his eye, Wuxian spotted a figure emerging from the water.

"It's him!" Wuxian shouted, pointing toward Elliot's silhouette against the ocean's waters.

The entire crew froze before erupting into cheers.

Amiyan without hesitation—immediately dove into the water without a single word, swimming toward Elliot with powerful strokes.

Elliot bobbed above the waves, coughing out seawater. He raised a weak arm as Amiyan approached.

"Took you long enough," Elliot croaked, his voice raspy but laced with humor.

Amiyan grabbed him firmly. "You scared the hell out of us," he muttered, half-scolding, half-relieved.

Elliot, soaked to the bone and shivering, still managed a faint smirk. With deliberate effort, he raised his arm, the charmed bracelet gleaming faintly.

"Guess our matching bracelet worked, huh?" His voice was raspy, but there was a teasing lilt to it.

Amiyan, took one long look at the bracelet before rolling his eyes.

"I guess you're fine since you're still joking around." The faintest shadow of a relieved grin pulling at his lips. "I suppose I'll let you swim on your own."

Elliot, treading water with a wry grin, shot back, "How heartless! Aren't you worried I might actually drown?"

Amiyan climbed up first. Crouching to help Elliot up. "Worried? You jest. I'm just worried Amara would feel guilty of you died."

Elliot clasped Amiyan's arm, letting himself be hoisted to his feet. "Good to know I'm in such capable hands."

As he stumbled slightly, Amiyan steadied him, his grip firm. "Try not to make this a habit. I don't have time to keep saving reckless idiots."

Elliot shot him a sidelong glance, his grin softening. "Thanks, Amiyan. For real."

For a moment, Amiyan hesitated, the usual aloofness in his expression giving way to something warmer. "Don't mention it," he muttered, though his voice carried a rare note of sincerity.

Altan, watching from the side, broke the moment with a dramatic entrance.

"Oh. Elliot! We were so worried!" He bounded over, throwing his arms around both of them in an tight group hug.

Elliot laughed weakly, patting Altan's shoulder. "I appreciate the enthusiasm, but maybe let me breathe?"

"Not until I'm sure you're alive and not a ghost!" Altan declared, squeezing tighter.

"I thought you were fish food!" Altan cried, squeezing Elliot so tightly he almost regretted surviving.

"Altan... ribs!" Elliot groaned.

"Altan!" Amiyan protested, trying to wiggle free. "Get off me!"

"Fine, fine. But seriously, don't scare us like that again." Altan loosened his grip, only to be shoved aside by Roshan, who tackled Elliot in a hug.

"You idiot! Do you know how worried I was?" she exclaimed, burying her face in his chest.

"Sorry, I'll try not to fall off any more ships," Elliot quipped, patting her awkwardly on the back.

Wuxian approached, offering a rare smile as he gave Elliot a firm pat on the shoulder. "Welcome back, hero. Try not to make a habit of this."

"I'll keep that in mind," Elliot said, the weight of the moment making him chuckle softly.

As the others joined in, their relief palpable, Amiyan gave Elliot one last look. "Next time, maybe try not to jump into the ocean with monsters around."

Elliot chuckled. "I'll keep that in mind."

Amiyan rolled his eyes again, but this time there was an undeniable camaraderie in the gesture.

As the commotion settled, Amara stood at a distance, watching with tear-filled eyes. She clutched her staff tightly, her shoulders trembling.

Elliot noticed her, his smile fading into concern. Gently untangling himself from Roshan's grasp, he walked over to Amara.

"Hey," he said softly, his voice warm despite his exhaustion.

Amara looked up at him, her tears finally spilling over. "I thought… I thought we lost you," she whispered, her voice breaking.

Elliot placed a hand on her shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze. "I'm here," he said firmly. "And I'm not going anywhere."

Amara sniffled, a small, shaky laugh escaping her lips. "You better not. We've got too much to do."

"Exactly," Elliot replied, smiling as he wiped a tear from her cheek.

The warm moment was interrupted by Roshan throwing her hands up in despair. "Wait. WAIT! Where's my sweets?!"

The group turned to look at her.

"My entire collection of sweets and dried fruits sank with the ship!" Roshan wailed, clutching her head. "I explored the city until dawn to gather all that!"

Altan gasped, his face paling. "My camping essentials!" He frantically rummaged through the few salvaged crates on the deck, only to slump in despair. "It's all gone. The herbs, the spices, the—oh no, my ham bone! I was saving it for later!"

Elliot raised an eyebrow, smirking despite himself. "I thought you said it was all 'essential.'"

"It was!" Altan declared dramatically. "How am I supposed to survive without my gourmet gear?"

"You're both ridiculous," Amiyan sighed, shaking his head.

"Ridiculously hungry," Altan retorted, earning a chuckle from the group despite the tension.

The crew exchanged lighthearted banter, the weight of the battle slowly lifting. Even Elder Vaqal, who stood at the helm observing the horizon, allowed herself a small smile as she listened to the group.

For a moment, the group stood together, their laughter and teasing a balm against the chaos they had just endured.

But the celebration was short-lived.

A sudden burst of mana erupted from the deep, its oppressive force crashing over the group like a tidal wave.

Elliot felt his chest tighten, his legs buckling beneath him. Around him, everyone dropped to their knees, trembling under the weight of the overwhelming power.

Elliot's mind swirled in chaos. *What is this? It feels like… dying.*

Amiyan clutched the rail of the ship, his face pale. *This feels like Mother's power, no—something even more primal.*

Altan trembled, his voice barely a whisper. *It's suffocating. This power isn't human…*

Roshan gritted her teeth, her nails digging into the wood of the deck. *This… this can't be real.*

Amara collapsed beside Elliot, her staff rolling out of her grasp. Her wide eyes stared at nothing. *I… I don't want to die…*

Suddenly, Elliot alone heard a piercing cry—a sound that wasn't just heard but felt, like an agonized wail in the depths of his soul. He clutched his head, his breathing ragged.

Then, as abruptly as it came, the mana subsided.

Everyone struggled to rise, shaken but alive.

"What… was that?" Altan stammered, his voice barely audible over the sound of the waves.

Amiyan, still gripping the rail, exhaled sharply. "That power... It's on par with the Archon. Maybe stronger."

"Stronger than the Archon?" Roshan whispered, her voice laced with disbelief.

Vaqal's expression was grim. "Brace yourselves," she said urgently. "This isn't over yet."

As if summoned by her words, the waters around them churned violently. From the deep, countless monsters emerged, their massive forms breaking the surface. Some were even larger than the ones they fought earlier.

"Oh gods," Altan whimpered, stepping back. "We're done for."

"We can still fight!," Amiyan snapped, trying to rally everyone.

"Not while we're already half-dead!" Roshan retorted, drawing her weapon.

But the monsters didn't attack. Instead, they swam away, their massive bodies cutting through the water in a frantic retreat.

"Are they… running?" Amara asked, her voice trembling.

Elliot frowned, unease gnawing at him. "Running... from what?"

Vaqal's voice cut through the chaos. "It's not over! Everyone, evacuate!"