Phase 16

Mandryx's Perspective

It has been precisely one week since the noble patriarch and the esteemed Lady Étienne rescued young Raiden from the perilous precipice. It has also been a week since the refined stratagems of my compatriot, San, and my own strategies were honed to perfection. Today, we shall embark upon the implementation of our meticulously crafted plans.

"Ensure that every moment is captured on record, as I shall do likewise. Good fortune be with you, San," I conveyed before departing in advance of him.

At present, I make my way toward the rear of the station, aiming to traverse the shorter route to the verdant cavern.

"Director, might you require any assistance?" I found myself halted by a group of divers upon their realization of my struggle to properly affix the tank to my suit.

"Your kind offer is most appreciated," were the words of gratitude I proffered, acquiescing to their aid. Following their departure, assured of my self-sufficiency, I continue my sojourn, exercising caution in anticipation of the potential appearance of the serpent, for the path lies in close proximity to the cliff. Though Raiden's current state is less than favorable, I possess unwavering faith in his resilience. He shall surely recover forthwith, as he harbors an abundance of revelations yet to be unveiled within the confines of our enterprise.

A sigh escapes my lips as recollections of the entire footage recorded within the capsule, where his tumultuous ordeal was documented per the company's obligatory documentary procedures during his submerged voyage, flooding my mind. When he departed the laboratory, he lay in a coma, only to awaken abruptly and find himself ascending to the surface, undoubtedly disillusioned by his mother's decision.

I am acutely aware of his abhorrence toward others making decisions on his behalf. Such inclinations have often been a source of contention between us, as I embody the antithesis of such tendencies. Frequently, I make decisions covertly, for his choices tend to place him in perilous predicaments. He is not one to opt for the path of least resistance; instead, he invariably gravitates toward arduous paths, even when they exceed his capabilities.

I find myself pondering the content of his dream, the one that transpired after he succumbed to unconsciousness immediately following his deactivation of the capsule's luminous alarm. The imagery of his interaction with an unseen entity instills in me a desire to rouse him from slumber and inquire about the matter, for he appeared to be profoundly affected by an unforeseen ordeal. Though his nightmares have become a familiar occurrence, this particular instance deviated from the norm, leaving an indelible mark upon him, so much so that he cried out in distress, as if hunted by some unseen specter.

After several minutes of swimming, I arrived at the covert tunnel clandestinely connecting to the rear of the emerald-hued cave, a secret known only to San and me. As anticipated, darkness pervades this passageway, unlike the main route adorned with luminescent stones. Originally, my intent was to surreptitiously infiltrate my grandfather's private laboratory, yet a lack of sufficient justification prevents me from doing so. However, thanks to Raiden's manipulation of the capsule's system, all the recorded footage was automatically transmitted to my personal account, securely shielded from the company's prying eyes. This turn of events has provided me with a pretext to finally breach the confines of Grandfather's cherished sanctuary.

The existence of his experiments is hardly news to us, given Grandfather's penchant for scientific inquiries. Nevertheless, I yearn for elucidation regarding the enigmatic creature. I desire comprehension of his motivations, for what compels him to engage in such whimsical pursuits while the rest of us perilously navigate this mission?

Upon reaching the metal bar concealed behind towering foliage, just adjacent to the rear entrance of the tower, I promptly commenced recording. Vigilant of my surroundings and wary of any divers who may materialize, I patiently await the surveillance camera's rotation to the opposing side before propelling myself forward and slipping through the back door. This venture into forbidden territory is undeniably unlawful, a fact that does not elude my awareness. However, the allure of the forbidden, the thrill of this transgression, is simply too enticing to relinquish.

'Mandr—krkrkrkr—yx!' My call to San is abruptly interrupted by a disconcerting auditory assault.

"San, what is happening?!"

'The—krrkrkrkrrr—creatures—vdjddbdjds—they are att—acking me!'

In response to his distressing utterance, I instinctively abandon any notion of entering the tower, opting instead to swiftly retreat to the open waters. As I navigate my way back to the station, I search diligently for San's location, swiftly altering my course upon emerging from the tunnel, directing my trajectory straight toward him. How did he end up perilously close to the cliff's edge when our plan dictated that we remain a considerable distance away?

Drawing nearer to his vicinity, I am abruptly impeded from fully approaching the capsule in which Raiden is ensnared. A sensation of alarm courses through me as I bear witness not to a solitary mermaid-like creature but a quintet of them, diligently attempting to pry open the very capsule within which San seeks refuge. Panic grips me as two of these abhorrent entities commence pulling the entire structure from its crevice. With trembling hands, I extract the flare gun from its holster and ignite the flares, hoping that the ensuing illumination will dissuade their advance. Every flare within my possession is discharged toward their location. As the blinding radiance gradually recedes and my vision adjusts accordingly, I hasten toward the capsule, aghast to find no sign of the menacing creatures. Nevertheless, a ghastly realization dawns upon me—the capsule has vanished from the crevice, hurtling toward the abyssal depths of the cliff, its contents and the unfathomable depths within it now an enigma. Unfazed by the specter of danger, instinct compels me to plunge into the water, resolute in my mission to reach Raiden, who remains confined within the capsule's confines.

Yet, the force of the current relentlessly opposes my efforts, transforming the struggle into a grueling contest against the capsule's relentless descent. I am keenly aware of San's signals, urging me to retreat, yet I obstinately press onward, disregarding his pleas. Even if it means the ultimate sacrifice of my own life, I cannot abide the thought of leaving him stranded. I refuse to subject his unborn child to the plight of having only one parent—an experience with which I am all too familiar. Exhausted by the relentless current, I finally drew near the capsule.

"Assist me!" I beseech through the radio tethered to San.

"What in the blazes are you doing?! Return to the surface before the serpent materializes!"

Unheeding of his cautionary words, I summon every ounce of my strength, pounding fervently upon the capsule's front, hoping to jar it loose. Alas, my efforts prove feeble, akin to a futile jest. I retrieve the underwater firearm and motion to San to shift slightly aside. As the current gains momentum, exerting its compressive force upon the capsule, I discharge the firearm, causing a momentous impact that shatters the capsule's door.

Assisting San in his egress from the capsule, we valiantly endeavor to navigate the opposing current, striving to ascend toward the upper reaches of the cliff. Yet, the current's strength intensifies with each passing moment, obstructing our advance and consuming our energy. Our suits' alarms sound, warning us of the mounting pressure. Without warning, a suffocating sensation grips me, as if an invisible force constricts my chest, hindering my breath. Hope blossoms as we draw perilously close to the rocky outcrop lining the cliff's precipice.

Signaling to San, we maneuver toward the craggy wall, employing it as a makeshift ladder, facilitating our ascent. Although the arduous task remains fraught with challenges, it pales in comparison to our earlier ordeal. An hour elapses before we finally reach the uppermost ledge. Our air supply hovers precariously at a mere 10%, evidence of our strained breathing and the severity of our predicament.

"That was a close call! HAHAHA!" I jest, momentarily forgetting the gravity of our brush with death, only to be met with an indignant blow to my abdomen from none other than San.

"This is no laughing matter, Mandryx! We narrowly escaped the clutches of demise. This is hardly an opportune time for jesting!" His stern rebuke delivered, he storms off, refusing to meet my gaze. I trail behind, peppering him with playful taunts until we eventually arrive at our station. We affect an air of nonchalance, masking the life-threatening escapade we have just endured. San remains incensed, to the point of parting ways without so much as a glance in my direction. I retreat to my quarters to change, intending to pay a visit to Raiden, only to be assailed by a piercing ache in my shoulder, a testament to the strain exerted during our ascent of the rocky precipice.