Shadows of the Storm

The waters of the chasm rippled with an ancient resonance, prickling Ling Yue's senses. Her grin vanished as she listened to the whispers of the waves. Her gaze sharpened, understanding flickering across her features as she turned to Long Fei.

"The King is summoning an ancient chant. We don't have much time." Her sharp eyes tracked the subtle rise and fall of her master's chest as he struggled to breathe. Her fingers rummaged through her mystical satchel, pulling out a harpoon, a shield, and a chest that defied all logic in its dimensions.

His airways began to narrow, an unsettling pressure within him. Without control over the air, his lungs screamed for oxygen, the absence of his powers making every breath a battle. He could barely contain his discomfort behind a composed demeanor.

His body shuddered, each second more painful than the last. Every movement felt labored as his muscles struggled under the pressure of the depths. He reached out and attempted to summon the air molecules around them. But his efforts had no response, no familiar sensation.

The pressure inside his chest tightened, a bitter reminder that he was no longer the immortal who could command elements of the wind or summon storms with a thought. His body, once a vessel of grace and strength, now felt like a foreign shell. The confidence that once surged through him, like the winds he commanded, had withered, leaving him stranded in a significantly weaker form. With every breath labored, a bitter reminder of his helplessness.

The realization gnawed at him—he, who once controlled storms, now struggled to hold his breath underwater. His weakened state left him feeling fragile. He turned to his pet, hoping she would find what he needed.

The guardian pet desperately continued to find an item. With one final pull, she produced an ornate, glowing amulet.

"This will help you breathe underwater. But it's temporary," she said, her voice tinged with urgency.

His hands slightly trembled as he took the amulet from her, his fingers brushing her hands, a silent apology. He quickly fastened the amulet around his neck. For the first time in ages, he felt an unfamiliar pang of dependence. He had always been the one to offer strength, to give guidance, but now, he needed her. His pride didn't stop him from accepting the help, but it felt unfamiliar, and he needed more time to adjust. The amulet was a temporary salvation, but it did not ease the crushing realization that he was no longer who he once was. The pressure on his lungs eased. Fresh air filled his lungs, a blessing in itself. He exhaled in relief and gave her a nod of gratitude, gently patting her head.

"Let's go," he murmured. 

"Yes! It's morphing time," she grinned, her form shimmering before his eyes. 

He had seen her transform countless times, but this moment never failed to amaze him. 

Her form rippled with power, expanding until she was a massive whale, her shadow darkening the waters. The ocean churned violently as sea creatures scattered in a frenzy, knowing better than to remain in her path. Her tail sliced through the sea with effortless grace. The chasm trembled in reverence to her colossal form.

He swam onto her back, gripping her fin tightly. She surged forward, her speed unmatched. Her massive form parted the sea like a divine force. Fearsome creatures of all sizes—including notorious serpents and massive sea monsters—scattered in terror at the sight of her. They all knew better than to challenge the guardian of the sea.

As they rushed past the Merfolk town, the merfolks looked up in awe, their jaws agape. They have witnessed a rare sight—Ling Yue's majestic whale form casting a shadow over the town. 

The palace gates came into view, and she slowed, her massive form shrinking. Her body twirled, compacting, until she was once again a graceful, humanoid figure. Her long silver-blue hair swayed with the motion of the sea as she stepped onto the palace grounds. Although accustomed to this transformation, he could not help but smile. Despite the urgency, watching her return to her humanoid form was captivating.

The palace guards, upon seeing Ling Yue approach, scrambled to get out of her way. 

"Move it, or lose it!" she barked. 

In a blur, she dashed forward, sending guards tumbling into the sand, disoriented and helpless. They scrambled to regain their footing, but none dared to challenge her.

Long Fei followed closely behind, using his qi gong to propel himself forward. He could no longer control the wind as he once did. Although he retained his martial arts abilities, it was still a fraction of the power he once had now that he was mortal. His once graceful movements now felt clumsy. His sight was not as clear and the ocean seemed to blur around him, mocking his limitations. His body had turned sluggish, and every motion now required more effort than it ever should have. He longed for the air to answer his call, but the silence was suffocating. He barely avoided the tumbling guards. His body was stiff with the loss of his immortal powers.

"Really, Ling Yue?" he called out, dodging another guard who had landed directly in his path. "Must you always make a grand entrance?"

She smirked; her focus ahead. She was determined, pushing everything and everyone aside in her path.

As they neared the throne room, a chill in the air caught her attention. The light around them dimmed, and the coral walls held their breath. Her movements slowed, instinctively drawing closer to Long Fei, her sharp gaze scanning the heavy silence that had fallen. The pressure in the air thickened with each step. She paused; her senses on high alert. The very foundations of the palace were humming with an ominous force. There was a growing sense of something terrible waiting inside.

Her eyes darted toward the throne room door, she stopped at the entrance. Every sound from within seemed to echo louder amplifying the growing sense of dread that seeped into her bones. Then, a faint crackling noise filtered through the cracks in the ornate door. It wasn't just the sound of magic. It was something far darker like the buzz of an electric charge just before a storm broke. Her gaze narrowed as the sound grew, bracing for something violent to erupt.

And then, through the narrowest of gaps, faint sobs slipped out. Soft, broken, and filled with grief, distinctly familiar and deeply unsettling.

Long Fei's pulse quickened. The sobs were unmistakable: The princess. His heart skipped a beat, his body tensing as the faint sobs became louder like a cry of a prisoner being tortured. They echoed through the door with an undeniable despair. His hands clenched at his sides, the sensation of helplessness gnawing at him. The crackling grew louder, like a violent storm about to break. His breath became shallow, and a cold sweat ran down his spine as the oppressive force pressed against him. He wished he could give the Sacred Pearl to the princess. Whatever ruse the King had spun, it may have been too convincing and terrible.

Ling Yue's brow furrowed, her usual confidence momentarily flickering as the gravity of the situation settled on her. Her eyes flicked to Long Fei, and without speaking, she placed a finger to her lips, signaling for silence. The faintest tremor ran through her body, but she quickly masked it with a stern expression.

A strong aura of dark magic leaked through the gaps of the door.

"We can't interrupt the King at the moment," she whispered, barely audible over the crackling that had now turned to a sharp, jagged sound from within the throne room. It sounded like something was breaking.

"It would be catastrophic."