Chapter 60

Rivera studied him for a moment. "Director Harmon approved it. Materials will arrive by helicopter this afternoon." She paused at the door. "You've changed, James. Since Sophia disappeared."

After she left, Chen released a shaky breath. He had hours, not days, to gather what Sophia needed.

Beneath the waves, Sophia Rodriguez floated in the healing chamber of Aquaria's palace. The water glowed with soft blue light, easing the pain from yesterday's battle.

She wasn't alone. Tharros's massive dragon form curled protectively around the chamber's perimeter. His scales rippled with silver-blue patterns that matched the healing waters.

"You're thinking about the surface again," Tharros rumbled, his voice resonating through the water. "About your friend."

Sophia didn't deny it. "Chen risked everything to help us. And we'll need him again if we're going to stop what's coming."

"You trust him too easily," Tharros said. His massive head swung closer, golden eyes studying her face. "Humans have betrayed us before."

"I was human three weeks ago," Sophia reminded him, reaching out to touch his snout. The scales were warm beneath her fingers. "Not all of us are enemies."

Tharros huffed, sending bubbles swirling around them. "You were never just human, Sophia."

The chamber doors opened with a rush of water. Kael entered, his warrior's armor gleaming. Fresh scars crossed his chest where the Leviathan had struck him.

"The Council is meeting," he announced. "Arin's spells confirm what we feared. The dark zones are spreading faster."

Sophia pushed away from the healing waters, her body still aching. "Then we need to move tonight."

Kael's expression darkened. "It's too dangerous. You nearly died yesterday."

"We all nearly died," Sophia corrected him. "And we'll certainly die if we do nothing."

Tharros transformed in a swirl of magic, his dragon form condensing into his human appearance. Even in this form, power radiated from him like heat from fire.

"The witch agrees with Sophia," he said reluctantly. "We need technology from the surface. Things that cannot be created with our magic."

Kael crossed his arms, the motion revealing more battle scars. "And if this Dr. Chen betrays us? If he brings the Institute's hunters instead?"

"He won't," Sophia said with more confidence than she felt. "I know him."

The afternoon dragged with agonizing slowness for Chen. He attended briefings, nodded at the right moments, and volunteered to supervise the equipment delivery when the helicopter arrived.

Agent Kramer found him on the helipad as crates were being unloaded.

"Impressive setup you've requested," Kramer said, examining the manifest. "Most of this isn't standard oceanographic equipment."

Chen kept his voice steady. "Standard equipment doesn't detect non-standard phenomena."

"You believe that's what we're dealing with? Something... beyond conventional science?"

Chen met Kramer's gaze. "Three weeks ago, I would have laughed at the suggestion. Now? I've seen too much to dismiss anything."

Kramer's expression remained unreadable. "Director Harmon has authorized your independent operation tonight. Take whatever you need, but maintain hourly radio contact."

Chen blinked in surprise. "Independent operation?"

"Your theory about the electromagnetic anomalies warrants investigation," Kramer said smoothly. "A small boat, minimal equipment, just you. Less disruption to potential readings."

A trap? Or unexpected luck? Chen couldn't tell, but he nodded gratefully. "Thank you. I'll report anything I find."

As Kramer walked away, Chen's stomach twisted with guilt and fear. The man was giving him exactly what he needed to help Sophia, while Chen planned to betray his trust.

The council chamber of Aquaria stretched into a vast dome, its walls alive with coral and crystal. Sophia stood before the gathered leaders, still unaccustomed to how they looked to her for answers.

Arin floated beside her, her sea witch's robes swirling in magical currents. "The barriers between worlds are weakening," she told the council. "The Leviathan was only the first sign."

"The corruption will follow," Sophia continued. "Not just in our waters, but everywhere. The dark zones spreading on the surface are only the beginning."

An elder from the Dolphin Pods clicked in distress. "Your proposed solution is dangerous. Bringing surface technology into Aquaria violates our oldest laws."

"Laws made before the corruption returned," Tharros countered, his voice echoing with royal authority. "Before the prophecy of four was fulfilled."

Sophia touched the markings on her skin, still new and sometimes painful. The symbols that connected her to Tharros, to Kael, and to Arin pulsed with shared energy.

"I'm not asking permission," she said finally. "I'm telling you what must be done. Tonight, we meet my friend at the surface. Tomorrow, we begin building a device that combines your magic with human science. It's our only chance."

The council erupted in argument, but Sophia had already turned away. Her decision was made.

Night fell over the ocean. Chen piloted the small research boat away from the Genesis, the requested equipment secured in waterproof cases. His hourly radio check had just been completed. The next wasn't due for sixty minutes.

The coordinates from Sophia's message took him to the same rocky shoreline. Waves crashed against the hull as he cut the engine and dropped anchor.

"I must be insane," he muttered, checking that no one had followed.

The water around the boat began to glow. Soft blue light spiraled upward from the depths, illuminating the night. Chen held his breath as three figures broke the surface.

Sophia came first, but not the Sophia he remembered. Her skin shimmered with iridescent patterns. Her eyes reflected the moonlight like a cat's. Behind her rose a man with an aura of barely contained power, then another whose muscled body bore the marks of recent battle.

"James," Sophia called, her voice carrying over the waves. "Thank you for coming."

Chen swallowed hard. "I brought what you asked for. But Sophia, they're getting suspicious. I can't keep doing this."

"You won't have to," she promised. "After tonight, everything changes."

The powerful man beside her spoke, his voice rumbling like distant thunder. "You've taken a great risk, surface dweller. Aquaria will remember."

Chen began lowering the equipment into the water. "Will you at least tell me what we're building?"

"A bridge," Sophia answered. "Between magic and science. Between their world and ours."

As the last case disappeared beneath the waves, Chen felt a chill that had nothing to do with the night air.

"Sophia, what's really happening out there? What are these dark zones?"

Her expression grew grim. "Death, James. A corruption that consumes everything. And it's looking for a way to the surface."

Miles below, in the crushing darkness of the deepest trench, something stirred. The Leviathan, wounded but healing, sensed the exchange above. It felt the magic flowing between worlds, the barrier thinning where they met.

The corruption that had once used the Leviathan as a host now sought a new way through. It reached out, tasting the weakness where ocean and air met, where magic and science mingled.

And it began to climb toward the light.

Fire Meets Shore

Dawn broke over Aquaria, painting the coral spires with golden light that filtered through the waves. In the royal chamber, Tharros paced like a caged animal. His footsteps left small scorch marks on the floor, steam rising where his heated skin touched water.

"It's decided," he growled, his voice echoing off crystal walls. "I will go to the surface."

Sophia looked up from the strange device she was assembling. Her fingers worked quickly, connecting copper wires to the crystal resonators Chen had provided. The magic flowing through her veins made the crystals pulse with blue light.

"You haven't been to the surface in centuries," she reminded him. "Everything has changed."

Tharros's eyes flashed golden. "The air is still air. The land is still land."

"And humans are still everywhere," Kael said, entering the chamber. His warrior's armor gleamed, fresh battle scars visible across his arms. "With cameras and weapons and curiosity that will endanger us all."

Arin floated in behind him, her sea witch's robes swirling around her slim form. "The mer prince speaks truth, my king. Your dragon form cannot be hidden from modern eyes."

Tharros turned to face them, his anger making the water around him bubble. "You think I plan to announce myself? To fly over their cities breathing fire?"

"We think you haven't thought this through," Sophia said gently, setting down her tools. She swam to him, placing a hand on his chest. The markings on her skin glowed where they touched him. "The surface isn't what you remember."

"I don't care what it's become," Tharros snapped. "The corruption is spreading. Your friend Chen cannot transport what we need alone. Someone must go, and it must be me."

Kael moved closer, his hand resting on the hilt of his trident. "Then I will accompany you."

"No." Tharros's voice was final. "You and Arin must remain here. The barriers weaken by the hour. If they fall while we're gone..."

He didn't need to finish. They all knew what would happen if the magical shields protecting Aquaria collapsed. The corruption would pour in, consuming everything.

"Then I'll go with Tharros," Sophia said. The room fell silent as three pairs of eyes turned to her. "I know the surface. I can help him blend in, navigate the human world."

Arin shook her head, worry clear in her ancient eyes. "The bond between you is strongest. If you both leave, Kael and I may not have enough power to maintain the barriers."

"And if we stay, we lose our only chance to complete this device," Sophia countered, pointing to her work. "We need components that exist only on land."

A tense silence filled the chamber. Kael and Arin exchanged glances, a wordless communication born from centuries of friendship. Tharros watched them, his expression unreadable.

"There's another problem," Kael finally said. "The surface air. Sophia has adapted to water, but returning to air might harm her."

Sophia hadn't considered this. Her transformation had been rapid, her human lungs replaced by gills that filtered oxygen from water. Could she still breathe air?

Arin glided forward, her fingers weaving a pattern in the water. "I can cast a protection spell. It will allow her to breathe both air and water for three days."

"Three days," Tharros repeated. "Then that's how long we have."

"Not enough time," Kael argued. "The journey alone-"

"Will be swift if I fly," Tharros cut in. "My dragon form can carry Sophia over open water, away from human eyes. We'll only appear human once we reach land."

Sophia felt a flutter of fear mixed with excitement. She had seen Tharros transform, but never ridden on his back. The thought was both terrifying and thrilling.

"The risk is too great," Kael insisted, moving to stand between Sophia and Tharros. His protective stance made Tharros's eyes narrow dangerously.

"The risk of doing nothing is greater," Sophia said, placing a calming hand on Kael's arm. The markings connecting them pulsed with shared emotion. "You know I'm right."

Kael's resistance crumbled under her touch. He stepped aside, but his face remained troubled. "Three days. If you're not back by then..."

"We'll be back," Tharros promised. "With everything we need."

They prepared quickly. Arin's magic wrapped around Sophia like a second skin, invisible but strong. Tharros changed his appearance, dulling the royal markings that covered his human form. They couldn't disappear entirely-they were part of him-but they faded to what might pass for unusual tattoos.

In the great dome at the top of the palace, they gathered to say goodbye. Sophia embraced Kael, feeling his strong arms tighten around her.

"Come back to me," he whispered. "To us."

"I will," she promised. "Keep the barriers strong until then."

Arin approached next, pressing her forehead to Sophia's in the traditional witch's blessing. "The spell will hold for three days and nights," she said. "Not a moment longer."

Sophia nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. In just weeks, these people had become her family, her home. Leaving them felt wrong, even if necessary.

Tharros stood apart, his body already beginning to change. Scales appeared along his arms, his eyes growing more golden by the second.

"It's time," he said, his voice deeper than before.