Chapter 58

"You're going to wear a path in the coral," Kael joked, though his eyes remained fixed on the tunnel entrance where Arin stood guard.

Sophia stopped pacing and checked the hybrid device again. The merged crystal pulsed with energy, but the connection remained silent. "We're running out of time. Chen should have reached the drop point by now."

Tharros swam to her side, his massive form casting shadows across the coral walls. "Perhaps your message didn't get through clearly."

"It got through," Sophia insisted. "Chen understood. He has to come."

The chamber they'd prepared sat in a hidden underwater cavern, just a hundred feet below the surface. Sunlight filtered down through a crack in the ceiling, creating dancing patterns on the sandy floor. They had brought only essential supplies-magical tools from Arin, weapons from Kael, and energy crystals from Tharros's royal stores.

Sophia adjusted the settings on her creation-a blend of ancient magic and scientific principles that looked like nothing found in either world. Crystals and coral formed its base, while runes and mathematical equations spiraled around its structure.

"Let me try again," she said, placing her hands on the device. She closed her eyes, focusing on the unique energy signature that was Dr. Chen. She had worked with him for three years; she knew the feel of his mind, the rhythm of his thoughts.

Nothing happened.

"The barrier between worlds is stronger than I thought," Arin said, swimming over to examine the device. Her silver patterns flashed with curiosity. "Even with the Heart weakened, the old protections resist being breached."

Sophia slammed her fist against the coral wall in frustration. "We don't have time for this! Every minute we waste, the corruption spreads further."

Kael touched her shoulder gently. "We'll find another way."

"There is no other way," Sophia snapped, then immediately regretted her tone. "I'm sorry. I'm just-"

"Scared," Tharros finished for her. "We all are."

The dragon king's admission surprised everyone. He rarely acknowledged fear of any kind.

"I may be able to help," he continued, swimming closer to the device. "My connection to Aquaria runs deeper than any magic. The kingdom was built on dragon fire and blood."

Sophia looked up at him, hope flickering in her eyes. "What are you suggesting?"

"A direct link. My power, your knowledge," Tharros said. "The barriers might resist magic alone, but not the bond between mates."

Arin's eyes widened. "That could work. The prophecy speaks of barriers dissolving when the four bonds are united."

"Will it hurt you?" Sophia asked Tharros, concern evident in her voice.

A rare smile crossed the dragon king's face. "I've survived worse."

He placed his hands on the device, his palms covering Sophia's. The moment their skin touched, both gasped as energy surged between them. Tharros's eyes glowed with inner fire, and Sophia's skin began to shimmer with faint iridescent scales.

"Whoa," Kael whispered, backing up a step.

Arin watched in fascination as the energy patterns shifted around the pair. "Their signatures are synchronizing. I've never seen anything like it."

Sophia felt Tharros's ancient power flowing through her, amplifying her own abilities. It was like seeing the world through two sets of eyes simultaneously-the scientist and the dragon, human logic and primal magic.

"Now," Tharros commanded. "Reach for your friend."

Sophia closed her eyes again, picturing Chen. But this time, she could see more than just his physical form. She could sense the web of connections surrounding him-his love for his daughter, his dedication to science, his worry for his missing colleague.

The device hummed, the crystal at its center glowing brighter. A beam of light shot upward, piercing through the water toward the surface. Images flickered within the beam, faster than before-ocean waves, shoreline, cliffs, and finally, a man standing alone on a rocky beach, surrounded by waterproof cases.

"Chen!" Sophia called out.

The image sharpened. Dr. Chen stood on the exact coordinates Sophia had given him, scanning the water nervously. He wore a wetsuit and carried a waterproof tablet that displayed scrolling data.

"Sophia?" His voice crackled through the connection. "I've been here for hours. Where are you?"

"I'm here," she answered. "I can see you."

Chen spun around, confused. "Where? I don't see anyone."

"I'm not exactly... on the beach," Sophia said carefully. She glanced at Tharros, who nodded slightly. "I'm still in the water."

"In the water?" Chen sounded alarmed. "Sophia, it's been weeks! How are you alive? I've been analyzing the data from that day. The creature that took you-it wasn't like anything we've ever documented."

"That's because it wasn't a creature," Sophia replied. "It was Tharros. And he's right here with me."

Chen's mouth fell open. "The specimen? He has a name?"

Tharros snorted, sending a ripple through their connection. "Specimen," he muttered under his breath.

"It's complicated," Sophia continued. "But I need those supplies you brought. They're our only hope of stopping something terrible from happening-something that will affect both our worlds."

Chen crouched beside his equipment cases. "You mean the surface and... wherever you are now?"

"Yes. And we don't have much time."

The scientist in Chen was visibly battling with the impossible situation. "This defies everything I know, Sophia. You're asking me to just hand over equipment worth millions without explanation? How do I even get it to you?"

Kael swam forward. "Can he hear all of us?"

Sophia nodded.

"Then let me speak to him," the warrior said. He positioned himself next to Sophia, careful not to break the connection maintained by her and Tharros. "Dr. Chen, my name is Kael. I'm a friend of Sophia's. I know this is difficult to believe, but your world stands on the edge of destruction if we fail."

Chen's eyes widened at the new voice. "Who else is down there with you?"

"Friends," Sophia answered simply. "Friends who are trying to save everyone."

"From what?" Chen pressed.

Sophia hesitated, then decided a partial truth was better than nothing. "A form of corruption that's spreading through the ocean. It's already killing coral and marine life, but it's going to get worse. Much worse."

Chen's scientific interest was piqued. "Is that connected to the strange readings we've been getting? Dark zones where nothing lives anymore, spreading outward from deep ocean trenches?"

Sophia and Tharros exchanged alarmed looks. The corruption was advancing faster than they'd thought.

"Yes," Sophia confirmed. "And it will reach coastal areas within days if we can't stop it."

The connection flickered, dark tendrils appearing at the edges of the light beam.

"It's found us again," Arin warned, her patterns flashing urgently. "We need to disconnect."

"Chen, listen carefully," Sophia said quickly. "Put the equipment in the water. We'll retrieve it. Then go back to the Genesis. Watch for signs of the corruption spreading. If we fail, you'll need to warn everyone."

Chen moved toward the water's edge, dragging one of the cases. "Sophia, wait! How will I know if you succeeded? How can I help you more directly?"

The connection deteriorated further, Chen's image breaking apart.

"Trust me," Sophia called out as Tharros pulled her hands from the device, breaking the connection before the corruption could trace it back to them.

The light beam vanished, leaving the chamber in semi-darkness.

"Did he understand?" Kael asked.

Sophia nodded, her limbs shaking from the power that had flowed through her. "He'll leave the equipment. But we need to move fast."

Tharros looked equally drained, his normally imposing presence diminished. "That connection... it revealed something new between us."

"I felt it too," Sophia admitted. "Like we were thinking with one mind."

Arin examined them both with knowing eyes. "The prophecy spoke of four becoming one. Perhaps this is the beginning of that transformation."

Before they could discuss it further, a rumble shook the cavern. Small fragments of rock fell from the ceiling, splashing into the water.

"What was that?" Kael asked, weapon already drawn.

Tharros's expression darkened. "The Leviathan. It's rising toward the surface."

"But why?" Sophia looked upward toward the crack of sunlight. "What could it want up there?"

"Not what," Arin said grimly. "Who. It sensed our connection to Chen."

Horror dawned on Sophia's face. "We've led it straight to him."

Kael was already gathering their essentials. "Then we need to get to those supplies and reach the surface before it does."

As they prepared to leave, Sophia cast one last look at the device that had connected them to the surface world. For a brief moment, she had bridged the gap between her old life and new. Now both worlds hung in the balance.

And somewhere above them, unaware of the danger swimming up from the depths, Dr. Chen waited by the shore, his scientific mind struggling to comprehend a truth bigger than anything he had ever imagined.

Trust or Betray

Dr. James Chen stood at the rocky shoreline long after Sophia's voice had faded. The waves crashed against the waterproof cases at his feet, spray hitting his face. He wiped the saltwater from his glasses, wondering if he had imagined the entire conversation.

But the equipment cases were real. And Sophia-his brilliant colleague who everyone believed was dead-had somehow spoken to him from beneath the waves.

"This is insane," he muttered, pushing one of the heavy cases deeper into the water. The others followed, bobbing briefly before sinking beneath the surface. Part of him wanted to dive in after them, to follow wherever they went. Instead, he backed away, checking that no one was watching from the cliffs above.

His phone buzzed in the pocket of his wetsuit. Chen flinched, then pulled it out with trembling fingers. The caller ID read: "Director Harmon - ORI."

Chen took a deep breath before answering. "Dr. Chen speaking."

"Where are you?" Director Harmon's voice was sharp with impatience. "You were supposed to check in hours ago."

"Sorry, sir. I've been running tests on the coastal waters. The anomalies are spreading faster than we predicted."

A heavy sigh came through the line. "That's precisely why we need you back at the Genesis. We're planning a full recovery operation."

Chen's heart skipped a beat. "Recovery of what, exactly?"