[Few moments before everything began]
The ocean around the island had already turned into a gathering ground, though no one called it that out loud, yet the stillness in the air and the weight in the water made it obvious that something unusual was about to unfold, as if the ocean itself was holding its breath.
Figures emerged from every direction, rising from the depths of the sea and standing over the surface, each keeping a careful distance from the others, yet none willing to take the first step towards the island, as if an unspoken understanding held them back, their attention subtly drawn by the same unseen pull that none of them could ignore.
The first to arrive in full presence were the Shark Kin.
Tall, broad shouldered, their skin carried faint patterns like scars shaped by currents, their eyes sharp and restless as if always searching for weakness, never staying still for even a moment, constantly scanning everything around them.
Their leader stood at the front, bare upper body with the face of a shark, but his body was radiating so much energy that it was impossible to think that he was weak, the water beneath his feet trembling faintly from the pressure he carried, small ripples spreading outward in quiet waves that disturbed the otherwise steady surface.
Behind him, Hundreds of other Shark kins were standing on the surface of the water, waiting for the command, their presence heavy and oppressive as they remained completely still, like a force that could move at any moment but chose not to, restrained only by discipline.
"So this Island is the Source that is causing disturbance in the waves, but I can’t see anything special on the island," he said quietly, though there was a hint of excitement beneath his voice, as if he was already thinking of something, his eyes narrowing slightly as he tried to pierce through what he could not see, testing the limits of his perception again and again.
Due to the Concealment Runes placed by Ash, figures gathered around the Island did not witness anything, to them there was nothing on the Island, only an empty stretch of land surrounded by restless waters that did not match what they were sensing.
But, the waves that were originating from the island were hard to miss, which made all this even more interesting, as the contradiction itself drew their attention even further, forcing even the more patient ones to remain alert and cautious.
Not far from him, the waters parted with a softer motion, the tension in that space easing slightly as if responding to a different kind of presence, one that did not force itself upon the surroundings but was acknowledged all the same.
Another figure appeared.
Ocean Elves.
Creatures that were fundamentally different from normal elves and one of rarest and one of the Most Ancient Races of the Ocean world, their existence itself carrying a quiet sense of history that few could truly understand.
There were around 30-40 Ocean Elves, lead by a beautiful women at the front.
Her body was slim and well-shaped, her confidence was apparent in the way she held herself. Her shoulders were narrow and smooth, leading into lean arms that looked light, yet there was a subtle strength in the way her posture never wavered, remaining composed in every moment.
Her skin was a deep blue, soft and even, with faint scale-like patterns spread across it. These patterns blended naturally into her body and caught the light in a subtle way, shifting gently as she moved. Thin golden lines ran across her arms and shoulders, glowing softly like gentle threads beneath the surface, giving her an almost ethereal presence that did not overwhelm but quietly lingered.
Her figure had soft, natural curves, nothing sharp or exaggerated, just a smooth and balanced flow from top to bottom. Her neck was long and elegant, adding to her calm presence, with simple gold ornaments resting against her skin. With her long thick deep sea colored hairs adding and unknown charm to her appearance, moving slightly as if guided by the ocean itself, giving her an almost fluid grace even while standing still.
She glanced at the leader of the Shark Kin who has appeared first here and said, "Oh, the brutes are already here. Well, You guys are pretty fast, so I had a feeling that you might reach here faster than us, though I did not expect you to arrive this early, it seems you did not hesitate at all."
The Shark Kin leader let out a faint laugh, "I am grateful for your praise, but I didn’t know that this Island was special enough to attract the attention of the Elf Princess herself, it seems the situation is more interesting than I thought, or perhaps more troublesome than it appears, which only makes it better."
Although, the Ocean Elves were rare and mysterious races, the Shark kins were not to be trifled at. They were brutes with monstrous strength and with the Alliance in place, the Ocean was pretty calm place for now, a fragile balance that both sides understood well enough not to break without reason.
"Well, I also didn’t thought that your people will send the Genius of their Race here, I mean you are also not someone who I expected to see here and...the matter at hand...is not something to be taken lightly," she said, her voice steady, but layered with thought, as if she was already weighing possibilities, her eyes lingering on the island for a moment longer as if trying to grasp something beyond sight.
"After all, something that could affect the Ocean to their Ends, might not be a ordinary thing."
The Shark Kin leader let out a faint laugh. "You always make things sound deeper than they are. I came here, because I felt I would see something good, and I trust that instinct more than anything else, even if it leads me into trouble, which it often does."
"And you always choose not to look deeper than the surface and I expect nothing less from the brutes like you, " she replied without turning toward him, her gaze still fixed on the island, her tone calm but carrying a faint edge, as if she had long accepted this difference between them.
Before their words could stretch further, another presence made itself known, the water itself reacting as if something far more significant had just arrived, the surrounding currents slowing slightly in response as if acknowledging it.
A group of figures stepped forward from beneath the water.
Their bodies were tall and refined, their skin carrying a faint pale glow that seemed to exist beneath the surface rather than above it, and their eyes were colorless, almost empty, yet filled with a depth that was difficult to look at for long without feeling something subtle press against the mind.
The Sirens.
There were not many of them, barely a dozen, yet the moment they appeared, the restless movement of the ocean seemed to quiet down around the area they were in, as if the sea itself was listening closely.
At the front stood a woman, her long dark hair drifting slowly around her and her body was seductive enough to make any man drool, coupled with her calm and almost detached expression, she looked like a fairy that anyone would want to conquer, though the stillness in her eyes suggested something far more dangerous beneath that surface.
She looked at the Island first. Her eyes changing color to golden, before that glow receded, as if she had briefly touched upon something hidden that others could not perceive.
Then, finally, her gaze shifted toward the others.
"So you people came too," she said, her tone soft, yet carrying a familiarity that made it clear this was not their first encounter, her voice calm as if this gathering was expected.
The Shark Kin leader let out a low breath that almost turned into a chuckle. "If something stirs the ocean like this, how could I not come, Seris," he replied, calling her name as if it was something natural, his sharp eyes resting on her for a moment before shifting back to the island, though his attention had clearly sharpened.
The Ocean Elf Princess glanced between them, a faint smile touching her lips. "You two still speak as if nothing ever changes," she said, her voice light, though her gaze remained thoughtful, "last time you met, I recall things ended a bit differently, not as calmly as this, if I remember correctly."
The Shark Kin leader smirked slightly. "That was just a misunderstanding."
Seris did not react much, though her eyes lingered on him for a brief moment as she spoke, "You call tearing apart my personal island a misunderstanding."
"It was," he replied shamelessly, almost embarrassed to talk about that incident, yet not denying it either, as if he truly believed his own words.
The Ocean Elf Princess shook her head lightly, her expression calm but not without a hint of amusement. "You really haven’t changed."
Before the moment could settle further, the ocean shifted again.
The water beneath them sank slightly, enough for everyone present to feel it clearly, as if something massive had moved below and its presence alone was enough to press the ocean down, creating a subtle but undeniable pressure that spread outward.
Then, from the depths, another group rose.
***