Kael POV
The sea breeze carried salt and panic. From the deck of the observation tower, I could see the city of Zara in chaos. Ships were capsizing, docks splintering, and screams echoed over the waves. A massive shape lurked beneath the water, rippling the surface like a storm in miniature.
"Kael," Luminor said beside me, eyes narrowing as he observed the scene. "That is no ordinary sea creature. Its mana signature… it's colossal."
I activated Mana Construct, forming a protective aura around myself as I scanned. The creature—an immense leviathan with scales like jagged obsidian and eyes glowing deep crimson—was thrashing, seemingly drawn toward the city by some unseen force.
"Brown," I said, summoning him through the portal system. "We need the Undead Legion here. Prepare for a maritime assault."
He appeared instantly, skeletal grin wide. "Master, do you want me to swim with them?"
"Something like that," I said, activating Domain Domination. "I'll stabilize the city defenses first. Then we strike."
---
Arrival and Assessment
I could feel the panic of Zara's citizens—merchants fleeing the docks, fishermen abandoning their vessels, families screaming as waves smashed over the quays. The system pinged:
[Threat Level: Extreme — Sea Monster Detected]
[Mana Signature: Corrupted Abyssal]
[City Status: Under Attack]
I turned to Luminor. "Prepare the barrier arrays. Pallas, Elian, and Lyra—you're on evacuation. Move civilians inland."
Pallas's wings flared as she lifted off, scooping up stranded townsfolk. Elian launched arrows of binding magic to stabilize collapsing structures. Lyra activated healing wards, calming those injured and frightened.
Vex appeared beside me, holding a satchel of magical concoctions. "Kael, I've made sea-resistant alchemy grenades. If deployed strategically, they can disrupt the creature's mana flow."
I nodded. "Good. We'll need precision. Brown—focus your Shadow Legion along the coast. Keep the creature distracted."
Brown split the legions, skeletal warriors marching across the shore. Death Knights waded into the water, their weapons gleaming with spectral energy, slashing at the massive leviathan. The creature roared, waves exploding like mountains, yet it barely faltered.
---
The Battle Begins
The sea monster lunged, snapping its massive jaws toward the docks. I leapt, activated Displacement, and redirected one strike away from the city center. Mana Construct amplified my movements, letting me move with supernatural speed.
Seraphelle appeared beside me, her wings cutting the air like blades of silver light. She cast a radiant barrier over the city, partially shielding the harbor, while simultaneously striking the leviathan with bursts of celestial energy.
The system pinged:
[Skill Acquisition: Abyssal Mana Analysis Lv.1]
[Experience: +90,000]
Brown's Death Knights coordinated perfectly, slashing and binding the monster's limbs. Yet the leviathan adapted. Its body shimmered, regenerating scales even as our attacks tore through them.
I gritted my teeth. "It's learning… fast."
Vex tossed alchemy grenades. They exploded on impact, releasing a cloud of silver mist that disrupted the creature's mana. The beast shrieked, momentarily disoriented.
"Now!" I shouted, activating Domain Domination. Waves of energy radiated from my position, bending water and air, forcing the leviathan into a controlled path. Brown's legions pressed forward, Death Knights piercing weak spots.
I leapt onto the dock, drawing the Tempest energy from Blue. Lightning crackled across my blade, arcing over the waves, striking the monster in multiple places simultaneously.
The system chimed:
[Tempest Skill Amplification Active — +25% Damage]
[Mana Construct Sync: Blue's Tempest Aura +10%]
The leviathan thrashed violently, but with combined power—my Tempest blade, Brown's Death Knights, and Seraphelle's divine energy—we forced it back toward the open sea.
---
Turning the Tide
Just as we gained the upper hand, the creature unleashed a massive tidal wave, knocking several Death Knights into the water. I spun mid-air, activating Displacement, redirecting the wave toward empty docks to minimize casualties.
Seraphelle roared, channeling divine light into the storm. The tidal energy dispersed, creating a safe corridor. Brown, his skeletal form glowing with lich evolution power, raised his hand and called down spectral chains, binding the leviathan's tail.
"It's not enough!" I shouted. "We need the finishing blow!"
Vex and I synchronized: he threw another alchemy grenade to weaken the beast's mana flow, while I focused Blue's Tempest energy into a concentrated strike. Lightning struck, searing its massive body. The creature let out a deafening roar before collapsing into the water, waves calming around its massive form.
The system pinged:
[Sea Monster Defeated — Skill Fragment Acquired: Abyssal Resistance Lv.1]
[Experience: +150,000]
---
Aftermath
The city of Zara, though battered, was safe. Civilians cheered from the shore, and the harbor slowly cleared of debris. Pallas flew overhead, making sure no one was left stranded. Lyra healed the injured, while Luminor reinforced the magical wards to prevent further attacks.
Brown floated beside me, deathly grin softer than usual. "That was… exhilarating. Even the sea recognizes my legions."
I laughed quietly, wiping sweat from my brow. "We'll need to reinforce Zara's defenses. This was a warning—the Celestial War's agents are getting bolder."
Seraphelle hovered above the docks, wings folding. "Kael… every world, every city, every faction will test you. But you will prevail if you continue as you have—strategic, adaptable, and united with your allies."
I looked at the horizon, waves shimmering in the sunset. "Zara is safe—for now. But the next challenge will come, and we must be ready."
Brown's grin widened. "Master, let me know when it does. I'm ready to drown more monsters."
I smiled faintly. "I will. But for now… let's make sure our people sleep tonight."
The wind carried the faint scent of salt and power. The sea had roared, the monster had been defeated, and REF's allies had proven themselves once more. But in the depths of my mind, I knew this was only the beginning. The Celestial War's shadow stretched far beyond, and Kael Eldrath would be at its heart.