Searching for the Truth 5

The ocean twisted violently beneath them, waves heaving as something massive stirred below.

A split second later, a red kraken exploded from the depths, its tentacles whipping through the air, water raining down like a storm.

Its massive, unblinking eye locked onto them.

Then, it struck.

A thick limb, slick and towering, lashed forward—fast, crushing, unavoidable.

Except it wasn't.

The barrier didn't so much as ripple. The kraken's head met it head-on, and the result was instant.

One moment, the beast was attacking. The next, its skull split apart like a fruit against stone.

Its body hung there for half a breath, like it hadn't yet realized it was dead.

Then, with a wet, sickening splash, the lifeless corpse collapsed back into the sea.