Protectors of Atlantis – Part 2

The sun was just about to rise once again, and a new day was coming to the city of Atlantis. Citizens were all now living their what it would be, normal lives. In exception for Azure, they all were. She woke up too with another nightmare, similar to the one that the land heroes just had today, which was caused by that monster. When she woke up, she felt kinda shaky, and with almost having the urge to leave tears on her eyes.

A knock was heard from the door over the other side of her own room, which was as big and furnished as a room for a royal daughter could be. Her own comfy bed, covered in curtains as the blue light of a jellyfish-shaped lamp gleamed all over the room. It was decorated over all with any sorts of figures of starfishes, oysters, shells and oceanic flowers. A small library having books, some of them from her own childhood. She liked the stories of a little golden fish called Chrysus. And on top of a table near her bed, there stood a music box, which would play some lullaby for her in her uneasy nights.

Azure answered the door, and there stood both Inky and Pinky, the royal guards.

—H-Huh? What are you doing here this early?

—Your Majesty! —They both bowed. —Good morning. There are some shocking news today. Reports say some dark activity emerged from a place far ahead. It looks like some ruins. Someone just opened a way inside… somewhere!

Azure didn’t know what to say about that. —Ah shucks! The Ice Temple… It has been open? —she thought. She knew what Ralsei said about the Temple, that they had to go on today’s morning, by the rise of the sun.

—I-Is Ralsei here? He told me to gather at morning, early—she asked them.

—Well, that’s another problem. You see, we-

—Inky… —Pinky interrupted Inky’s conversation. —We can’t tell her that.

—And what do you expect me to say then? We’ve been looking a long time for Ralsei to get back with us when he was all done in those Ruins, but he does not come back! How can she know-

—Hold on… —Azure was in a shock. —Ralsei is… MISSING?!? But... How?

Pinky groaned on Inky. —I told you not to tell out that!

—Again, what DO YOU expect me to say?

Azure groaned, putting a hand over her head. —Oh great. I had a very short and bad sleep this night, and now this happens. Great way to stress me over already. —she said, before leaving the room out to the castle's big halls and closing the door.

—You had a rough night, your Majesty? —Pinky said, worried.

—Nothing. Just… a nightmare. That’s all. Well… I-I… Don’t know exactly. It looked like some sort of memory. Something that happened… a long time ago. A past event I had to experience. Something of our history. It… It kind of scares me. Uuugh… —Azure felt a little shaky.

—Don’t worry Your Majesty… —said Inky. —Maybe you can talk with Her Holiness about it before we go… If you want to…

—I said it’s nothing. Just a nightmare, that’s all. Don’t worry about me —Azure replied to him with a smile. —it’s not like I fear to something like being kidnapped again by pirates, or like if I get some nightmare about it. Say again. Where are our land friends?

—The landners? Well… there were no reports of them just yet…

Crossing the path of the three of them, was an aquatic ghost guardian of gold color, with goggles. The ghost turned around quickly and after letting out a short scream of surprise, he stood up firm in a second.

—A-ah! Good morning, Your Majesty! Intel Unit Kinzo here, reporting for duty! I have some good news! I am in a work in progress to invent something to secure our sacred Relic Sapphire from any other attack from now on.

—Eh… O-Okay, but please listen… Has any of the landners made it here already? Because that, for me, could be of great priority now to know.

—Well that’s bad news… No report yet on the earther heroes. We’ll keep looking!

Pinky sighed. —Well…it seems we have to wait some more. Let’s go out and wait for them in the castle grounds. By the way Kinzo… Uh… You… how are you going with that super ghostly-like machine of yours? —she smiled at him.

—Almost done with the builds —Kinzo said. —Just a couple more tweaks and it will be ready for a beta test. Channelling magic could be kinda hard.

—Cool —Azure said. —We have to go now. Guard Kinzo, tell me later if you see our friends. Thanks, you’re dismissed.

—See ya! —said Kinzo before leaving the hall, and they continued. The three of them went through a big door and went outside of the castle, at its own grounds.

—Well, this is all getting crazy. I get this nightmare, and… in an instant, Ralsei is gone. Considering I’ve been quite sleepy after that pirate incident…

—Yeah, your Majesty. And now that i think of it, you really should keep yourself safe. Like, REAL safe. A definitive loss of a Princess would be a significative loss to the whole kingdom and it's citizens. You must bring these landners with you and tell them to protect you at all times no matter what.

—Argh, Guard Inky, you now are trying to sound like my own mother… —said the Princess, while Pinky smacked him on his back in a silly way, saying—That’s right, Inky. For once, stop acting all worried like that!

—But I can’t help it! You’ve seen Her Holliness itself, almost trying to vaporize innocent landners into sea salts!

—Don’t worry so much, Inky! For this time, nothing’s going to happen now to the landners or Azure. I promise you. —Pinky winked.

—Yeah, But i'm more worried about Ralsei. He's, like, my trustworthy royal advisor. He's the most to help me when I need it. —Azure said with a frown —Last time I saw him was at night, before I went to sleep, he exited the castle. I saw him through the window. And I thought: “Maybe he's about to buy something“. But I was just so sleepy so I went to bed, and I never heard of Ralsei ever again. What do you think that happened to him? Perhaps Ralsei… Do you think he went to…?

Bout before Azure could think of what to say that happened, a sudden horn played at the distance, surprising the three. It was the horn of the heroes’ submarine. They were already coming over.

Two of the guard ghosts walked over the big gate, looking at face with both Azure and Ralsei.

—Your Majesty! The heroes from land. They’re here! —The big castle gate was slowly opening, and then, the submarine parked in.

—Oh! Oh! Zurie! —said Rio excitedly. —Hello again, sweetie! We all came back!

—Oh, my cute little rabbit! —she responded to Rio charmingly. —I’m so glad you all came back soon!

—Gee. —Tory said. —There’s no doubt of it, this guy’s lost on the love clouds. —The entire rest of the team just showed agreement.

—Alright, Princess —Zephyr said. —We came back here now from the portal. And… we’ve brought some more company. I don’t know his first surprise when he first came here.

—You bet I wasn’t surprised. —said Aorix. —Thousands and thousands of years of the finest magic you can find, and the resistance to stay in its most purified state… their long genealogy in the crown…

—Well, let’s not say it resisted for too much now.

—So —Azure said, looking at Aorix. —You brought a new adventurer? He kinda looks… familiar. Is your kind the ones from the forests? They’re… satyrs, right?

—Uh… I think so. —Aorix responded. —Whoa, it’s been a long time since I haven’t seen mermaids. Or even… visited this town. Years ago, it was… a little happier.

—Oh, I see. So, are you ready again to splash in?

—We surely do! And all of us now! —Kiya talked through her scuba suit at the sight of the Princess.

—Whoa! You, uh, phoenix girl, I assume now you can swim here underwater. Nice! We finally have you in the team. You'll serve of much help.

—Aww, thanks Your Majesty. —said Kiya gladly. —Though I’m thinking of if my fire sabers and more of my classic, common powers can be used through this suit. But sadly, I think they can’t be used… Now, I see it’s time where you transform the rest of my friends here again, I suppose?

—Right you are! Let’s get to the castle and tell my mother we are here.

—Ok! —said Tory. —Crew, let’s put on some helmets on and get in too.

—Whoa! —Aorix got surprised. —To be the first time to be inside the one and only Castle of Atlantis and meet the Crown itself… I’m really excited.

—Don’t get too excited —said Zep. —Last time we entered; she wasn’t of the best mood to receive landners. We’re just lucky to be still alive, and not involved in what it would be a war against sea beings, and even probable of lasting for the rest of our lives!

—Oh, don’t be like that Zep! —Topaz said. —She might be busy, and… maybe she wanted us to not interfere, but you’re not dead, plus, she considers us nice people now.

—But I saw her! With my own eyes! She almost banished me if it wasn’t for Griffon stopping her and getting slammed to a wall! Right, Griffon? Don’t tell me you forgot…

—I… Uh… Well… —Griffon, unhappy, tried to think of something to say. —Yeah, I do, but… Zep…

—Wait, the Queen did what? —Kiya was left confused while seeing Aorix was just like her too. —She tried to execute you? Wow…

—Execute me? That fate could be even worse than the one I thought in that moment, which was being turned into a minuscule worthless sea worm… —Zep shivered. —For real, Topaz, you have to know I’m scared of keeping up on this! I feel if my head is pending the judgement to be cut or not, and it all depends of any screw up I do in this adventure.

—Zeppy… Please, chill yourself down. Take a deep, icy dragon breath… —Topaz said, trying to calm them down. —The Queen won’t do anything bad to us now. That’s what I know in me. Because you went all the way to rescue me and her daughter from Clair’s crew! Isn’t that heroic enough for you?

—Well, except the part I fought Clair with a banana…

—You don’t have to fear nothing to her now that you have helped to do something special for her. You saved her daughter! But not alone. Your own friends helped you along the way. And if everything goes worse here, don’t forget we all are here for you! Because friends will be there anytime you feel painful. They will be with you when all looks lost to bring hope. They will be standing against any war or injustices to bring back the peacefulness. Don’t give up on them, and not even on yourself.

—Right, Zeppy. Don’t feel so bad! —Kiya agreed. —I hate it when you do. It’s kind of… drinking away my happiness. Don’t forget, as friends, we like you to have a great time. Well, just like me when I had to borrow this submarine.

—Aw, thanks… —Zep said, then hugged Topaz as a giving of thanks while she hugged back. —I want all of you to be alright too. —they said, with a smile, while Kiya reached up with her hand to pet their head.

—Zeppy, you’re such a thing… Don’t be an uneasy dragon… —Kiya said. Zep’s face was all blushy.

—Aww —said Rio.

—I never thought Zep could sometimes be that cute —said Aorix.

—Ok, Affection Team! —Tory called out his crew. —Here are the portable helmets I have. Put these on and press the big button on the side of them. That’s how you’ll compress them and activate their micro oxygen pump function. When you’re all done, I’ll eject you into the water, but be ready first! And to take out these helmets, hold the smaller button for 2 seconds, then press the big one again when you hear a click. But only take them out when you… uh… transform into your fishy shapy magic things or something. Rio, you stay here with me.

Rio groaned. —But why, Tory? Uh, can’t you see I’m about to rejoin again with Azure?

—That’s the reason, you enamored rabbit. I don’t want you to make the poor Queen grumpier with you, so I think it’s better for you to stay out of it.

—Awww… How many times I have to tell you, you’re not funny, old man.

The rest of the team had already put on the helmets, then they activated them. The helmets were compressed within their heads and ready to proportion breathable air. Then, Tory opened a hatch in the submarine that ejected them all in a sweep to the outer ocean.

—Whoa, whoa! —they all yelled out while being ejected from the sub. —That… was quite turbulent like the last time… —said Zep.

—Good luck, mates! —finally said Tory to the heroes—We’ll wait here for you until we’re done!

—Alright, let’s go back to that castle! —said Griffon, and everyone went inside.

---

Aorix couldn’t believe it. He never ever was in such a place like the castle of Atlantis, not even when he was visiting that city. He was amazed every time at anything new he perceived, the big rooms and halls, and the greatly decorated structure they had, from floor, to walls, to ceiling… The paintings and statues, it was all so amazing for him; he could not help but to say: “Wow!” every time. He wished he had his book already to write it all, but sadly, he couldn’t bring it here because they all were already underwater.

Once the team made it all to the throne room when the same Queen was waiting for them, along with Azure, Aorix became paralyzed to see her. —Whoa… Is that the… Queen of Atlantis? I can’t believe it… —he whispered. He started to become a little nervous. —I’m about to meet her… the great Queen of the underseas…

—Mother… Our landners are back. —said Azure to the Queen, while presenting the team again.

—I see… —she responded. —Let them advance.

The guards that were in front of them walked to the sides, letting them go a little further, except for Aorix, who was a little intimidated, just by remembering what Zep said before. Then, the heroes bowed down, and Griffon spoke.

—Your Holiness… We are all back. And we brought a little more of company. —Aorix stepped forward now to the place where they all were…

—You… brought someone from the wilds? —The Queen looked at him with a questioning look.

—G-greetings, your Holiness… My… My name is Aorix. I’m here with my friends to help them in their… adventure. I’ve been aware of the dangers awaiting in their adventures, but I also understand the fate of the city if we all fail. And I tend to embarge on adventures to protect this city, if it means being with my friends here.

The Queen had a moment of thought, and being not quite sure to let him in, she said: —You sure you accept that? We sense that you’re somewhat scared.

—Well… That could be because… It’s my very first time serving for royalty…? I’ve never met any king or queen like this close… In person.

The Queen was more and more unsure to let him in, and that was making Aorix a little more uneasy just by looking at her face and mood.

—How do we know that you’ll be useful?

—Aw, come on mother… —said Azure. —I know… well, not exactly know, but heard… that some forest beings are quite skilled in the magic, just like us. We and fauns are quite good friends, aren’t… we…? Heh heh… —She tried to dissimulate a laugh. Everyone looked at her with discomfort.

—This will have to be thought better.

—Oh please, mother? I know he’ll be pretty useful. Pretty please? —she pleaded to her with glittering eyes.

—Oh, Azure I hate when you put that face on me! —she tried to look away at her, looking now at the faun boy who had now a face in confusion.

—Alright. Whatever you want, daughter. Only if he’s deemed worthy, we’ll consider your new friend to join us. You understand?

—Yes, your Holiness. —said Aorix, having a little more bravery. —I promise I’ll do everything to company these heroes and help them with their quests whatever happens. I promise to be useful for them… because somehow, they see I am…

—That’s about to be seen. —The Queen then saw Kiya behind in a suit. —And you’re someone new, too?

Kiya was not quite nervous as Aorix was, but she indeed felt like having a little of nerves. —No, your Holiness. Actually, I think I don’t. I’ve been yesterday making company of them too.

Azure explained to her: —She went to the help of our heroes in that pirate ship. With that submarine.

—Interesting.

—All right, mother, we have to transform them again so we can go. You’ll help me?

But the Queen said to her: —Azure, I… — which somewhat made her instantly think for a while: “Argh. She’ll refuse again.” which made herself to look unhappy.

—For yesterday I’ve been questioning all your actions. Seeing them as wrongdoings. But now… you have the chance to prove yourself to me… that you’re doing things right. For when your time comes to be the next Queen after me… If you believe this is right, then I shall, too.

Azure wasn’t expecting that from her; she regained her happiness and said: —Don’t worry too much, mother. I know from deep inside me that they can, and will, save our city.

—Very well. I’ll help you summon the magic.

Azure then called in the heroes. —OK, now… I need all of you to stand in that light that you are now. But I recommend to close your eyes, then hold your breath and take off helmets once I charge the magic. You’ll do?

—We’ll do, princess! —Topaz said.

—At least I hope we won’t die… —Aorix said.

—Hey, don’t worry! —the Princess responded. —Just hold your breath when you take off your helmets. You’ll know it when you can breathe again.

—Here we go… —Kiya said, while backing away from that light circle. —Let’s see the transformation again! This will be awesome…!

The Queen, now holding the Sapphire’s three shards, put them over in a shrine. They started to float, higher and higher, until standing between the projected light of the ceiling’s glass. The light shining over the team was now stained blue. Azure stood in front of the Queen, and they both lift their hands. The shards started to glow, and the circle of light started to become more and more illuminated. A series of runes started to appear inside the circle, glowing in a bright blue magic light under the feet of our heroes, including their new member Aorix, as they once again closed their eyes, and felt the magic course within them that soothed their blood and soul.

Azure then ordered them: —Take your helmets off!

As they all did. They held their own breaths as long as they could, before holding the button pressed on Tory’s helmets. They all were ejected off their heads and dropped on the floor. They all were now floating with the water, with their heads being bare. The magic over them charged more and more, as it flashed down on them all of a sudden with a bright light.

They all were now feeling the transformation taking effect, as all they could see was light around them. After some seconds, the transformation was successful. The crew was already back on their fishy, elegant aquatic forms they had known. They descended back to the floor, still with their eyes closed, as the lights fade away…

—That’s it, open your eyes!

One by one, Zep, Griffon and Topaz, all three began to open their eyes, started breathing again and getting the oxygen from their own once again created gills. The three of them did look happy again.

—It worked!

—Yes, that’s it!

—It’s good to be back in action!

The next thing the three of them noticed behind them was now Aorix, starting to loot amazed at his new aquatic form. His head had now a green and blue fin over, and his ears had now golden, glowy earrings. His fish tail was very long and curly, and on his neck, he had an amulet with a beautiful emerald. He couldn’t believe it- the transformation had gone successful for him too. He was now able to breathe underwater. His mouth was wide open while trying to look at his feet (or tail), and feel his ears and head.

—Oh… MY. This… Is…! I can’t- I… I mean, you!? How?!

—Amazing, isn’t that what you want to say? —said Griffon.

—Definitely yes… Amazing!

—See? I’d knew you’ll look like the Capricorn. —Topaz smiled.

—Wait, I… Do I look like a Capricorn?

—I guess… you do? —said Zep.

The next thing that Aorix tried to do was to think what he was now able to do. —Wait, did I bring my pan flute? It hasn’t vapored away when I transformed, did it? Did I even bring it here?

—I think the Sapphire’s transform magic can sometimes vapor away some things… —Azure said, worried.

—Oh no… I can’t remember if I left it there at the workshop…

And just by thinking more about Aorix’s instrument, the emerald in his amulet began to glow. His hand started to sparkle and feel tickly. A spark of light in his hand started to form into another musical instrument. It was a silver lyre, covered with some magical inscriptions, and having the same magic gem that his own pan flute had.

—Wait… A… lyre? Did… did my flute transform into a lyre?

—Well, that’s what I can’t expect the Sapphire to do —said Azure, confused.

—You say it. I don’t know how to play lyres —he said, as he tried plucking the strings to test it. —It doesn’t look too difficult, though.

—It may not be… —Zep said, feeling a little drowsy. —But I gotta say it’s… pretty… calming…

Kiya came in and smacked Zep behind their head before they even tried to sleep. —Ow!

—Stay awake already, Zep… —she said.

—Okay! We’re now done. —Azure grabbed the shards again and put them back in their place. —Now listen what we have to do. —She used their magic again to display the map, and pointed the location to the temple. —Right now, the Ice Temple we were going for has been opened for us. And I feel Ralsei, somehow, is somewhere inside. We have to find him… and figure out what is going on.

—Wait… —Kiya said. —We have to break in an Ice Temple? Oh, you got to be kidding me. Now when I can’t handle water, I need to be able to handle ice too?

The Queen heard her. —Hold on. You can’t handle water, nor ice?

—I’m going to need to be ashamed again… No, Your Holiness… I still can’t. I haven’t trained yet to.

—Well, this now looks serious. Pretty serious.

—But I’m going to be well! Ice is as not as bad as water is! I’m just able to melt it… only when I try not to touch it…

—Well Kiya, I hope you just don’t die like that in an awful way when we already get there. —said Zep. —Promise to me please, you’ll be very cautious. We don’t want to do anything stupid.

—Zephyr, since when I would do something stupid?

—Do you think there’s another shard in there? —said Topaz. —Because I can probably tell so.

—We’ll just have to find out. No one even dared to look inside. We’ll be the first… well, not first, because Ralsei just went in first… the second ones to know! We need to leave now. Ralsei’s probably desperate for us.

—Alright. Let’s do this! —Kiya said.

—Here we go! —said Griffon then.

—I’m so excited, friends! —Aorix said.

Zep grabbed the helmets that dropped after their transforming, as he left through the great door. —There’s no time to waste. If we get strong and lucky, we will turn these tides. Let’s get going. And… Your Holiness… Thank you for letting us assist you.

—May the God Poseidon aid you on your luck… May he bring back the justice to the seas with you. —The Queen finished up saying. —You’ll need the best.

—Thank you, mother. —Azure said to her, happily and proud. —We’ll do it fine; I promise. —before the crew now swam out, leaving the throne room.

---

Just far at the west of the Drowned City, were some huge ruins. Ruins that nobody knew what were of them. Everything around felt a little dark and foggy. A cold was engulfing all of them, a mild cold, and with that, they knew they somehow were getting closer. The team just kept swimming- with Tory and Rio also making company with the lights of the submarine, to help in the sight against the fog.

—Do you see any entrance, or something? —said Rio.

—Nothing— said Griffon. —Just rubble, and more rubble… And some bricks…

—What were of these ruins? —said Aorix.

—Well —Azure tried to respond. —Some people say these were some secret parts from Atlantis that were totally forgotten thousands of years ago… But others say there are dark secrets that were trying to hide here, and because of that, they thought it was time to break down the place and forget it ever existed… But maybe, the Ice Temple could be the only thing that survived.

—You don’t think there are… Like… Dangerous creatures here? —asked Zep. —I mean, last time we got attacked by Drowned, and sharks. And now we’re headed to a creepy temple; It’s weird to not see any creepy creature, like, guarding the place and preventing us to get any further?

—Wow, you say it like that and it sounds a little like one big real RPG game… —Kiya said.

—Actually, they would say it like that and I would think Zep could be right. —Azure replied. —Whatever happens, we have to be aware… Anything could be stopping us at any minute. So, I suggest you to stay alert…

They all continued swimming on, and on. Trying to find something… or at least someone except for all of them now.

—But… this place looks like pretty barren.—said Topaz.

—Right… —Tory said inside the submarine. —Nothing unusual in my radar…

—How do we know we are really getting close? —said Rio. —And how can we get back now? I think the fog under here is getting a little thicker. This is getting scary already.

Just then, Aorix noticed a big stone brick on his right. He looked curious to read it. Until reading a few lines, he called out. —Hey, check this out, everyone!

Everyone just had gone in.

—Look what it says in here!

—Aorix… Uh… We don’t know how to read Greek. Remember that please…

—Oh, right… Sorry about that… I can still translate it, though. It says that here stood some old, forgotten and totally forbidden things. And those who dared to delve even deeper here, could probably leave with a bad fate if they were dumb enough. Oh dear… So… Is it like the Princess said?

—I fear that might be… —said Topaz. —Alright then. From now on, let’s be careful and aware.

Suddenly, the submarine’s radar began to receive a signal from ahead.

—Oh! Quiet, everyone! I sense something… —said Tory.

—EEP! —Azure squealed silently. —Please, don’t be another shark…!

The signal in the radar now showed that same being starting to get closer, and closer.

—It’s getting closer!

—Oh no! Is it getting here?! —Azure said, terrified.

—Can you focus that light on it so we can tell what it is? —said Rio. Tory tried to control the sub’s headlights, but he couldn’t find anything. The radar now showed that same being, but it was on their left.

—It’s on our left!

Griffon and Zep looked, at just a fraction of a second, some shadow passing over the thick fog really fast.

—Whoa! What was that?

Griffon, just in case, readied his own magic sun spear, and Topaz, her staff, in case that they were attacked.

—It’s even closer than before… Look out!

And suddenly, whatever it was hiding and running in that fog, stumbled hardly running upon the whole crew.

—OW!

—OOF!

Zep then lost the balance and started to spin around in the water. When they regained control, they looked down at the floor and found that thing that was stalking all of them. A big fish indeed, but not a shark. Azure really got all frightened at first, letting out a squeal and covering her own eyes. But then she stopped covering them, for the creature didn’t attack them.

Griffon and Topaz let their guard down and vanished their weapons. Zep tried to come closer to that fish, and they just got surprised to recognize it.

—A dolphin? Was this… Why is a dolphin here in the middle of some dark old scary ruins? Why is it pink?

—Whoa, a pink dolphin? Those are rare!

—Wait… a… dolphin? —Azure said, shaking. —D-dolphins… but pink dolphins have not been seen since… way too long. —She then stared at the pink dolphin, who was already crying and whining of the sudden impact. —Oh no, are you hurt?! Here, let me help you. —She then approached the crying creature, regaining her bravery. The problem was that the dolphin’s cries were not because of an injury, but distress. They tried to tell the whole crew something. It looked like a cry for help.

—You lost yourself?

The dolphin squeaked again to the princess. They pointed out a path in all the ruins, a foggy one, and chattered with her into a dolphin kind of language no one but her could understand. The crew got confused.

—Is the dolphin… saying something? —Topaz asked.

—It wants us to follow them. —Azure said as she was trying to translate the dolphin. —They saw… some people trapped in… cold and scary temple. Oh, no. It doesn’t mean THAT temple?!

—Looks like we have to go there —Griffon answered. —Hey, maybe the dolphin could guide us to where we have to go.

—Oh, shudder. —Azure saw the dolphin crying again. —Aww, poor thing. —she said as she gave the creature a hug. —Don’t worry. We’ll soon save your friends. —as the dolphin calmed down.

—Let’s get to it, little dolphin! Lead the way. —Tory joined to cheer them up. He then climbed to the Metal Shark command and turned on some flashy lights. The crew had to cover their eyes of the brilliant light, but as soon as they looked the foggy path, the Metal Shark’s light was pretty useful to see the way. The dolphin let another squeak; this time more confident. Azure began again to translate.

—They want us to follow them. But let’s not split too far from them.

And they all followed her towards the fog, the headlights of the submarine lighting the way across the darkness. But then, all of a sudden, a shadow spawned in front of them. The shadow began to grow in, and it let go of more Drowned, like the ones fought near the Atlantis gate.

—AAAHHH!!! —both Azure and the Dolphin yelled. —I knew something would block our path!

—Then we’ll make it through this blocking. —said Zep.

The three of them were all ready for battle again, against what it turned now a horde of Drowned monsters guarding the entrance to the temple. And then it came out something else; a bunch of Creepers, but not like the usual ones. Their body was blue, and in the shape of a fish, but they still had their unique, awful to remember exploding behaviors.

—Now this is crazier than I thought. —said Griffon.

—Azure, guys… Whatever you do… Don’t let these blue pickles explode on your face. I tell you! They’re explosive! —Zep warned them.

—Wait, THEY EXPLODE?!?! EEEEEP!!!

—Don’t worry, I got it! —Tory then fired the sub’s torpedoes at the Aquatic Creepers. It directly hit them, causing them to explode against the Drowned. Some few ruins were crumbling down.

—We better not be blowing up the whole place! Come on, we need to get through them!
They all now were trying to advance through the horde of the remaining Drowned. Griffon went on throwing spears of sunlight, while Zep cycled through a group of them faster and faster, forming something like a whirlpool, while they threw their acid breath and burned them away. Topaz shocked another group with her moon magic. Azure in sometime tried to join in too, and she summoned once again her magic halberd. While she still struggled to use it because of it being a little heavy, she defeated some of them, doing her best to defend herself, and mostly the crying dolphin near her from harm.

But Aorix… He wanted to join in too. But the only thing in his hands was nothing but a lyre. He stared at it panicked, trying to think of something and quick. But what he could do with something like that? It’s not like he could defeat a whole horde of monsters by just playing a song. He never played a song for a battle. He doesn’t even know a song that could magically produce a harm or an evil curse, because it’s not his style. He doesn’t like such things. It’s not even likely that some lyre would produce a magnified acoustic vibration such that it could damage eardrums or at least produce hearing loss.

While the team advanced more and more until they were getting pretty near, Aorix tried to fiddle within the strings of the lyre, trying to find something. Maybe, at least in his thoughts, this lyre given to him had a secret mechanism in it that would unveil a certain weapon. Until he found this secret trick. A button, hidden near the emerald that looked like his old trusty pan flute. He pressed it, and…

SHWING! The secret mechanism Aorix looked for was found. The shell of the lyre was extended, and the both of their grip arms opened up. The lyre’s string, that once looked like it had multiple strings, got loose from the shell, turning into just one string that was extending from one of the grips to the other. In half of a second, Aorix’s new instrument just turned into a useful weapon he just needed: A Bow.
—No way… —he would be getting more and more impressed by all these new things he was discovering. He just had a little experience with bows, he only learnt to do things such as shooting targets and stuff. But then he thought: —Ah bummer. I have no arrows!
Just then, another spark of light appeared on Aorix’s new bow, it shaped to an arrow. —Whoa! Where did it came from? —the arrow was as bright as a pearl. Aorix felt the arrow on that string; he pulled it back and tensed it. He tried to aim towards the enemies. And he found another Aqua Creeper coming straight to their way. Without thinking, he held a breath, gained patience, and shot an arrow. It went flying with a bright green trail of magic as fast as it could, directly hitting the Creeper. The Creeper fell down to the Drowned and exploded, clearing all of them inside the explosion. The pillars around started to crumble down, and block their way. They were all now encased in the rubble of the ancient pillars.
—WOW! Aorix I didn't know your instrument could turn into a bow! —said Kiya.
—Oh whoa, me neither! —he worriedly responded.
—Then that means I was right! You… no way. You were chosen too! —Azure was perplexed.
—C-chosen?
—Let's discuss this later —said Zep who was behind them all. —I think we finally have reached our destination…
It made everyone turn around to see just a really massive structure in front of Zep. It looked ancient and ruined. The ambient looked colder than ever before. And it looked like there was a big entrance, but it was blocked by a boulder.
—Here it is… the scary Ice Palace… —Azure said. —I hope Ralsei’s… not inside. I’m scared to think of it…
—Don’t worry Princess… Remember we’re here to rescue anything we find inside. —Topaz said. But first… how do we get in?
Tory got closer with the sub. —Leave this big boulder to the big guy. Step aside, please! —He actioned the Metal Shark to use its mechanical arms. They could easily grab the heavy boulder and move it out of the way.
—Alright, it’s time for you all to get inside. Rio and I will patrol the fort and make sure no other monster gets in.
—You can count on us! —said Rio inside the submarine. —But really. I wish I could go in and help too. Sorry if this old man on my side is not gonna allow me.
—You’ll do enough with this. I know some time you can do something meaningful for us, my sweetie… —said Azure, really charmed, leaving Rio really flattered. Tory, watching all this, let a small laugh.

Then, the dolphin came to Azure and chattered. —Huh? —the Princess looked down at them as they became scared. The dolphin chattered again. —You want to stay here with them too? Are you scared to go in? —the dolphin whimpered.

—We’ll be back soon. If you want to stay with them, you can. But just… don’t get hurt, okay…? —she ended up saying softly, before giving the creature another big hug. The dolphin made a long but relaxed squeak before seeing the Princess go inside the temple with the rest of her friends.

---

The team went on inside. It was dark as the maw of a whale. And the ambient was getting colder, and colder. They all swam through a darker and darker hallway, until they couldn’t see the light from the entrance anymore.

—Great, now what? —Griffon groaned. —Can we do some light with our magic?

—Maybe we can try…? —Aorix said.

—Wait. Don’t do that. —said Azure, scared. —What if we wake up a monster or something like that?

—But I can’t even see my own tail! Am I touching a creature here?! —yelled Griffon, while trying to touch something in his reach.

Just then, Kiya felt something on her shoulder, and without any seconds of thought, she screamed —EEEEEAAAAK! A MONSTER HAS ME!

—Wait! A MONSTER?

—Argh you idiot! That’s ME!

—For Sea Salts, STAY QUIET! —yelled out Azure. —You’re going to make anything know we are here if you keep yelling like that. And stop moving!

—We need light, Azure. If we don’t have it, we’re gonna scream every time someone touches someone —said Zep. —Hold on. Topaz, can you use your staff here to make light? I thought of using my dragon breath to see if it’s glowy, but I don’t want to burn anyone…

—Great idea Zep! —Topaz responded. —Let’s try…

She summoned her staff, and the crystal moon shaped stone on it began to glow, emitting enough light for everyone to see. —It works! I now can see you!

—Yeah! I can see Griffon too, Kiya, Princess Azure, Aorix… We’re all here, right? Nobody missing?

—Eep! I’m here! —Her call frightened Zep. —Oops, sorry.

—Good. At least we know you’re still here…

The light illuminated the whole hall, revealing another giant entrance leading to a big room. And it was illuminated this time. Topaz turned off the lights. And so, they began to get inside.

The room looked like the interior of a big palace. It was covered with, mostly, ice itself. Everything looked so shiny, and beautiful, and at the same time, dangerous. The ambient of the place combined with both a feeling of a sub-zero coldness and a dark, impure magic. Half of the team was already shivering.

—W-well… I-I-I think this is l-like one of… th-those days in the winter w-whe-when… —Zep felt cold to their bones. —K-Kiya hugs me t-to… warm m-myself up?

—Aw Zeppy… But I don’t think this is the time… Besides, I’m literally covered in a diving suit. And I don’t want to melt it by using my fire magic… Though it’s not pretty probable if Tory studied my flames pretty well to make this suit, right? R-Right?

—So, this is the Ice Temple Ralsei wanted us to go to? —Griffon said.

—Everything looks pretty and nice here. —said Aorix.

—Yeah, but we must stay alert at any time. —Topaz said.

And all of a sudden, a mild rumble resonated through the place.

—Oh, what’s going on? This isn’t good! —Azure yelled.

The big door behind them began to close. Azure ran towards it swimming as fast as she could, and Zep and Aorix followed in. But before they could get in time, it shut itself, being completely sealed, trapping all the crew inside the icy dungeon.