With her newfound abilities, Acy felt a renewed sense of confidence and purpose. The integration of the White Viper's venom had given her an edge she hadn’t possessed before. She and A.I.C. continued their work, focusing on gathering information and preparing for future challenges.

One day, as Acy was exploring a new section of Atlantis, A.I.C.'s voice came through the communication device with a note of urgency. "Acy, there's a situation on the surface. I've detected an unusual amount of activity near the village. It seems the knights are mobilizing in greater numbers."

Acy's heart quickened. "Why would they be gathering?"

"I'm not certain, but it's likely they are searching for you or something related to Atlantis," A.I.C. replied. "We need to find out what they're planning."

Determined to uncover the knights' intentions, Acy donned her cloak and made her way to the surface once more. As she approached the village, she kept to the shadows, her senses on high alert. The village square was bustling with activity. Dozens of knights, clad in shining armor and bearing the insignia of the kingdom, were gathered, their expressions grim and determined.

Acy crouched behind a building, straining to hear their conversation.

"We have reliable information that the creature has been seen in this area," one knight said, his voice authoritative. "We are to search every corner of this village and the surrounding forest. It must be found and brought to the king."

Acy felt a chill run down her spine. They were getting closer to discovering her presence. She needed to act quickly. She retreated to a safe distance and activated her communication device. "A.I.C., the knights are planning a thorough search of the village and forest. We need to be cautious."

A.I.C. processed this new information. "You should avoid confrontation at all costs. However, if they come too close, use your abilities to defend yourself and escape."

Acy nodded, formulating a plan. She decided to gather more information by infiltrating their camp at night. She waited until darkness fell, the village growing quiet as the knights set up their temporary encampment on the outskirts. Silently, she crept closer, her enhanced senses guiding her through the shadows.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

As she approached the camp, she overheard a conversation between two knights.

"Why are we chasing after this creature?" one knight grumbled. "I've heard it has the power to control poison and venom. It's too dangerous."

"The king believes it holds the key to untold power," the other knight replied. "If we capture it, we could change the fate of our kingdom."

Acy's mind raced. The king was seeking power through her abilities. She needed to find a way to stop them from discovering Atlantis or capturing her.

Suddenly, a twig snapped under her foot, drawing the attention of a nearby knight. "Who's there?" he called out, his hand reaching for his sword.

Acy cursed under her breath and sprang into action. She darted into the forest, the knights hot on her trail. The chase was on.

A.I.C.'s voice crackled through the device. "Acy, you need to lead them away from the village. Use your abilities to create barriers and obstacles."

Acy nodded, her mind focused on the task at hand. She ran deeper into the forest, using her venom to create noxious barriers and slow down her pursuers. The knights struggled to keep up, but their numbers and determination were formidable.

As she led them further into the dense woods, Acy spotted a narrow ravine up ahead. She sprinted towards it, her agility allowing her to leap across effortlessly. The knights, however, were not as fortunate. Several of them attempted to jump but fell short, tumbling into the ravine with cries of alarm.

The remaining knights hesitated, giving Acy the chance she needed to disappear into the thick underbrush. She used her enhanced senses to navigate silently, circling back towards the village while avoiding detection.

"A.I.C., I've managed to lose most of them, but they won't stop searching," Acy whispered into the communication device.

"Return to Atlantis immediately," A.I.C. instructed. "We need to reassess our strategy and prepare for their next move."

Acy made her way back to the ocean and swam swiftly to the safety of Atlantis. Upon her return, she relayed everything she had learned to A.I.C., who processed the information carefully.

"This situation is escalating," A.I.C. said, its tone grave. "The king's interest in your abilities poses a significant threat. We must enhance our defenses and gather more allies."

"Agreed," Acy replied, her resolve strengthening. "But how do we counter the knights' efforts?"

"We need to find others who oppose the king's ambitions," A.I.C. suggested. "There may be factions or individuals who can aid us. Additionally, we should explore the possibility of recruiting powerful creatures or gaining new abilities from the dungeons."

Acy nodded. "I'll start looking for potential allies and continue exploring the dungeons. We need all the help we can get."

As they continued to plan their next moves, Acy felt a renewed sense of determination. The knights' pursuit had highlighted the urgency of their mission. Together with A.I.C., she was ready to face whatever challenges came their way, uncover the secrets of the surface world, and protect Atlantis from those who sought to exploit its power.