Chapter 4: The Land of Undine Episode 4: Facing the Kraken

Akira's team gathered in the deep waters, surrounded by an oppressive silence and shadowy darkness. Thick black mist, dense with chaos, obscured their view, swallowing the faint glow of distant starfish. The frigid, eerie atmosphere weighed heavily on them, as if they were approaching something beyond the realm of the natural.

"Before we proceed," Akira said, his voice calm yet firm enough to command attention, "we need to understand our enemy—the Kraken. What are its strengths and weaknesses?"

One of the Undine mages stepped forward, speaking with a tone laced with apprehension. "The Kraken resides within this chaotic mist, rarely leaving its domain. It uses the mist and its ink to obscure itself. If we get too close, it will release more ink to expand the darkness or use its tentacles to drag us in. From a distance, it hurls debris, wreckage, or stones at us with terrifying force and unpredictability."

Another mage added, "We've tried creating water vortexes to clear the mist, but the Kraken can disrupt them with its tentacles. Random spell attacks only seem to provoke it further, making it retaliate with even greater ferocity."

Akira listened intently, his gaze fixed on the black fog ahead. His mind flashed to video game scenarios where enemies relied on stealth and ranged attacks. In battles like these, visibility was the key to victory.

He turned to Yue, standing nearby. "Yue… can you see the Kraken within that mist?"

Yue hesitated momentarily before nodding. "I'm not sure, but… I'll try." Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and focused. A mysterious energy radiated from her as her eyes gradually shifted to a deep black, sparkling like the infinite cosmos.

"I see it!" Yue exclaimed, her voice tinged with excitement. "It's right there… it's enormous!"

Everyone froze in astonishment. Mirelle, her tone filled with surprise, murmured, "That ability… it's incredible."

"Our plan must be precise," Akira began, his tone measured and steady. "We'll surround the triangle with the mage team, bombarding the mist with spells to disrupt it or force the Kraken out. But everyone needs to stay at a safe distance—its attacks will be fast and brutal."

He turned to Draco. "You made that Megalodon float earlier. Can you do it again, but with even more force?"

Draco smirked. "Leave it to me."

"Good. Get ready," Akira continued. "You and I will dive above the Kraken. Mirelle will use her water magic to send us down quickly. Yue, buff both of us. Mirelle, back us up. If we stick to the plan, the Kraken will float out of the mist, and everyone will have a clear shot."

Mirelle nodded. "Understood. I'll give it everything I have."

Once preparations were complete, the outer mage team began casting whirlpools and lightning spells to disrupt the mist. The Kraken responded immediately, hurling chunks of wreckage and rocks out of the fog. Explosions of water echoed as the debris collided with protective barriers.

Akira and Draco swam above the Kraken's position, moving swiftly. Yue stood beside Mirelle, her eyes glowing as she cast a strengthening buff. "I'm ready, Akira!" she called out.

"Send us in, Mirelle!" Akira shouted. Mirelle chanted a powerful spell, creating a massive whirlpool that propelled Akira and Draco downward with incredible speed. The Kraken, sensing their approach, lashed out with its colossal tentacles.

"Not so fast!" Akira, bolstered by the buffs from Mirelle and Yue, unleashed his Starblade technique. Waves of energy sliced through the water, severing the Kraken's tentacles as they reached for them.

"We're here!" Draco roared, summoning his full power. He cast an intense gravity spell, reducing the Kraken's immense weight. The once-mighty beast, hidden within the chaos-laden mist, began to rise uncontrollably, its massive form becoming visible to all.

"Target acquired!" Mirelle yelled. The outer mage team unleashed a relentless barrage of spells, lightning and water striking the Kraken as it floated helplessly.

Akira prepared for the final blow. Drawing on his training in Iaijutsu, a sword technique learned from his mentor Sayaka, and inspired by the devastating move of the Fire Lion, he whispered to himself, "This time, I'll take it even further."

With a swift, fluid motion, he unleashed five consecutive waves of glowing blue energy. The blade's arcs tore through the Kraken's massive body, exploding against the water's surface above, scattering luminous particles that shimmered like a rainbow beneath the ocean depths.

The Kraken let out a deafening, guttural roar as its massive form convulsed one last time before falling still. Cheers erupted from the Undine mages, their collective fear replaced by exhilaration.

"We did it!" Mirelle exclaimed, a rare smile lighting her face. She turned to Akira, her eyes filled with genuine respect. "This… this is the victory we've waited for so long."

"But the mission isn't over," Akira replied, his gaze fixed on the distant silhouette of Atlantino. "This is just the beginning."