The Tentaculars!

Retrobamba, the capital city of Egret, nestled near the hillside, was embraced by majestic mountains adorned with lush greenery. This city captivated visitors with its stunning blend of natural wonders and architectural marvels. Situated on the coast, it offered a mesmerizing Oceanside view, drawing people in with its pristine white sand beaches.

As night fell, an atmosphere of harmony descended upon Retrobamba, casting a magical spell over the city. The gentle breeze carried the soothing sound of waves crashing against the shore, creating a symphony of tranquility.

Inside the royal castle, King Lefang Letra and his advisor stood overlooking the city, a smile gracing the king's face. "It's been a while since the atmosphere of the city was this harmonious," he remarked, his voice filled with a sense of pride.

"Yes, your majesty. After the famine struck Egret, it was truly a depressing time. However, thanks to the aid provided by the King of Arcadia, the city has once again returned to its previous harmonious state," the advisor replied.

The king nodded, his gaze distant as he recalled the young king who had brought an end to the tyranny of the slave kingdom. "Indeed, we owe a great debt of gratitude to that righteous leader. Who would have thought such a noble figure would emerge to champion justice?" King Lefang Letra mused.

Suddenly, the conversation took a somber turn. "By the way, I heard that one of the fishermen had an encounter with Tentaculars," the king inquired.

"Yes, your majesty. The fishermen who went out today did not return as expected. Later, one of the men was found by the beach, and during his interrogation, he reported that their ship was wrecked after being attacked by a Tentacular," the advisor explained.

The king let out a sigh of frustration. "Those damn monsters," he muttered, his voice laced with annoyance. Egret was well aware of the nest of Tentaculars situated not far from their shores, and shipwrecks caused by these creatures were an unfortunate occurrence almost every year.

As the king and his advisor discussed the Tentacular threat, a sudden roar resounded throughout Retrobamba, causing everyone to stop in their tracks and turn their gaze towards the ocean.

"ROAAR!!"

A majestic roar reverberated through the city, and King Lefang Letra retrieved his spyglass, fixing his gaze upon the ocean. He witnessed a breathtaking sight—a giant sea serpent, the guardian and protector of Egret, confronted a colossal squid-like creature, vying for dominance.

The surface of the sea churned as the two ancient creatures clashed with titanic force. The sea serpent, with shimmering scales and a long, sinuous body, initially appeared to have the upper hand. Its jaws snapped with ferocity, and its tail thrashed through the water, creating waves that crashed upon the nearby coast.

The Tentacular, however, proved to be a formidable opponent. Its numerous long and powerful tentacles lashed out with lightning speed, attempting to ensnare the sea serpent and crush it within their grip. The struggle sent shockwaves through the surrounding waters, as the sea boiled with their clash.

Though it seemed the sea serpent would emerge victorious, the battle took an unexpected turn. Other Tentaculars emerged from the depths and attacked the sea serpent, overwhelming it with their collective power.

Unable to withstand the onslaught, the sea serpent was forced to retreat, swimming back to the safety of its cave. The king and the people of Egret watched with concern, their guardian defeated yet still alive.

The sea serpent retreated back to its cave, but the eyes of the masses remained fixated on the Tentaculars, monitoring their every movement.

As they watched the Tentaculars depart, a collective sigh of relief escaped their lips. However, before their worries could dissipate, the surface of the sea began to churn, rising ominously and flooding the waters.

In front of the stunned eyes of the people of Egret, a colossal Tentacular emerged from the dark depths of the ocean, dwarfing its predecessors in size and strength.

Mighty waves crashed down upon the capital city, flooding the roads. Panicked residents of Retrobamba fled, seeking safety for themselves and their loved ones.

The behemoth rose from the water's embrace, emitting a bone-chilling cry that sent shivers down the spines of all who heard it. With its enormous tentacles, it viciously assaulted the capital city.

***

"...So that's what happened," Alex muttered under his breath, his brow furrowing in concern as the messengers from the Luphu tribe, acting on behalf of their king, recounted the events of the devastating attack.

"The capital city was decimated in the assault. The king and the royal family had no choice but to evacuate. Unfortunately, members of the royal family perished, and his majesty suffered critical injuries," one of the messengers explained, his voice heavy with sorrow.

Lexi listened intently, her heart filled with empathy as she absorbed the accounts of the horrifying event. She turned her gaze towards the messengers, conveying her genuine compassion for their people's plight.

Taking a deep breath, the lead messenger continued, "Minister Chaska has entrusted us, members of the Luphu tribe, with the task of reaching out to King Alexander. Our purpose is to convey a plea for aid on behalf of Egret, our ravaged kingdom."

Upon hearing this, Alex, seated upon his regal throne, leaned forward, his expression grave yet determined. He addressed his council and declared, "We shall not ignore the plight of our fellow kingdom. I will personally travel to Egret today. Aria, prepare the Infernas unit, the Nova unit and Juggernaut unit for immediate deployment."

"As you wish, Your Majesty," Aria, seated on one of the ministerial thrones, promptly responded to the order. However, Kael, concerned for the monarch's safety, voiced his apprehension.

"...But, Your Majesty, it may not be wise for you to venture to Egret alone."

"I understand your concern, Minister Kael," Alex replied, his voice filled with conviction. "But rest assured, my safety is not a cause for worry. I possess the strength to protect myself, and if the situation turns dire, I can teleport back to Arcadia."

"If that is your wish, then I bid you good luck, Your Majesty," Kael bowed, conveying his well-wishes, while the rest of the council members joined in offering their support and prayers for Alex's success.