In the heart of the underwater city, the twins found themselves ensnared by Mamoa's unyielding binding terms. The magical array, a formidable force surrounding the city, held its inhabitants captive to their sworn oaths. Powerless and disarmed, their gear and weapons were confiscated, leaving them at Mamoa's mercy. Days blurred into grueling servitude as they toiled on mammoth city projects, using their magic to shape sprawling coral apartments that housed hundreds, all oath-bound like themselves. Despite their reluctant allegiance, they managed to save Mamoa from an assassin when assigned to guard duty, gradually earning a modicum of trust that afforded them limited freedom when not engaged in their city-building duties.
Valicar, after enduring a close call that nearly ended in drowning, was eventually unshackled when not performing her various tasks for Mamoa. Their magical prowess remained intact, but within the aquatic confines, their spells were reduced to subtle gestures, incapable of inflicting direct harm—a vexing constraint that hindered their escape.
Feeling a desperate resolve building within her, Sophia's fingers traced the ancient, intricate symbols of necromancy. She silently practiced the runes that would invoke the long-forgotten soul of a legendary kraken, imprisoned in the abyssal depths beneath their aquatic prison.
Mike, his impatience bubbling to the surface, couldn't help but question Sophia's unconventional method of working around the oath. "Do you honestly believe this will work? And even if you manage to bring it back, can you control it, or will it just lash out uncontrollably?"
Focused on her task, Sophia remained resolute. "We're running out of options. We're cornered, Mike. We can't deal direct harm, but we can incite chaos with something beyond our control, it just needs a jump start." Sophia noted the ancient behemoth in the distance, a long-dead kraken that stood as a trophy to some bygone scourge. If brought back to life and released to its free will, it would serve as the perfect distraction, wreaking havoc and exacting revenge.
"About time you stopped caring about casualties," Mike remarked, eyeing the colossal creature.
"You heard his proposal, and I don't plan on becoming a fish's bride. Do you?" she replied, her distaste evident. The memory of Mamoa's proposition still lingered—a man with multiple wives, seeking to add Valicar to his aquatic harem. If left to his devices, Mike would have likely dispatched Mamoa on the spot. Instead, his outburst at the casino lord had resulted in a beating, followed by confinement within their casino apartments that essentially functioned as their cell.
"Disturbing doesn't even begin to describe it," Mike admitted with a cringe, recalling Mamoa's unsettling advances and his apparent fascination with their ever-growing horns and tail. The mere thought sent shivers down their spine. Sophia had healed Valicar's body after their altercation with Mamoa, a moment of reprieve before their next assigned task.
In their shared form, Valicar's new tail became an asset, allowing them to move with a newfound ease underwater. Their work near the dormant kraken, once a majestic creature now a relic of ancient tales, offered a glimmer of hope for liberation. Sophia, utilizing her innate magic, subtly enhanced the coral constructions, reinforcing specific areas to serve as covert escape routes toward the casino and their gear.
Through hours of toil under the watchful eyes of the city's inhabitants and Mamoa's scrutiny, they awaited the precise moment to unleash the Kraken—a plan requiring flawless execution. As the day progressed and their work approached completion, Mamoa drew near Valicar, Sophia began the intricate necromantic ritual, subtle tendrils of dark energy intertwining around the slumbering kraken's ancient form.
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Their combined efforts and careful planning reached a crescendo as Sophia executed the final sequence. Dark energy wove its way through the waters, embracing the Kraken's immense body, as the once-dormant beast began to stir from its age-old slumber. Their combined efforts and careful planning reached a crescendo as Sophia executed the final sequence. Dark energy wove its way through the waters, embracing the Kraken's immense body, as the once-dormant beast began to stir from its dead slumber.
Mamoa, sensing an unexpected disturbance, rushed towards Valicar, his voice laced with both concern and curiosity. "What mischief do you attempt, my sweet?" he inquired, his gaze lingering on Valicar's form. Unaware of the looming threat that lurked beneath, he dismissed their actions as a futile attempt to breach the binding oath through rebellious endeavors. But as the Kraken's eyes flickered open, Mamoa's composed demeanor shattered, replaced by raw fear etched on his face.
"There's no sweetness in me, fish dick. Only the bitterness of revenge," Mike sneered, seizing the opportune moment. With Valicar's tail propelling them forward in a swift motion, they shot off towards the tunnels, escaping Mamoa's reach. Sophia orchestrated another spell, temporarily nullifying their auditory senses—an ingenious exploitation of the oath's limitations. If they couldn't hear Mamoa's orders, they wouldn't be compelled to obey. Mamoa's frantic calls to halt their escape were rendered futile as they hurtled through the waterways.
Meanwhile, the Kraken, awakened from its eternal slumber, roused by the twins' necromantic spellwork, free it stirred with a pulsating fury. Its monstrous form, shrouded in spectral energy, unleashed a torrent of power, wreaking havoc upon the underwater city. Buildings crumbled, structures shattered, and the once-pristine environment was consumed by chaos as the enraged creature lashed out in every direction.
Amidst the cacophony of destruction, Valicar navigated the labyrinthine tunnels, their movements propelled by desperation and defiance. The Kraken's wrath served as their diversion, a tumultuous spectacle that drew attention away from their escape. As they ventured deeper into the maze of corridors, the echoes of chaos faded, replaced by an eerie stillness, the twins swam through the underwater city, fueled by adrenaline. Guards and mages rushed to contain the beast's havoc leaving their path clear. Valicar navigated the casino's inner sanctum with precision, reaching the vault that held their confiscated bag and a trove of sea treasures.
With a swift incantation, they accessed the vault, grabbing not only their bag but also valuable sea artifacts, including shimmering gems and enchanted corals. The allure of these treasures drove them to quick decisions.
Their escape route led to the stables, where sea creatures resembling sea horses awaited. Reunited with their gear, Valicar swiftly secured their belongings and the newfound treasures. They rushed toward the stables, aiming to flee the underwater city's binding magical array before the sea dwellers subdued the rampaging kraken.
"Fuck the ocean," Sophia exclaimed upon finding the sea horse creatures commonly used around the city. With a minor wave of her hand, she enchanted the beast. "And fuck these guys; the city was cool, but the forced marriage is pretty fucked up."
"I liked the gambling, but that fish guy was cringe." Mike mounted the creature as they broke free from the stables at breakneck speed, the Kraken rampaging in the distance. Mages used ice attacks and cryomancy spells, revealing the limitations of underwater magic. Even a nature mage employed underwater plant life to ensnare the beast, while a sea druid transformed into a great white shark, taking on an undead tentacle in its jaws.
Amid the destruction of the city, the twins saw Mamoa—or what was left of him—floating lifeless. As they escaped the casino, the Kraken was finally defeated, but it was too late for their recapture. Valicar crossed the boundary of the magical array, and Sophia felt her total command of magic return. Mike sensed his demonic pact snapping back, along with the rage that came with such power. They were free, now fleeing north at insane speeds, far faster than their magical sandals could ever carry them.
The sea creature's endurance was unbelievable, making up for the lost days in the following weeks. Before long, the dark coast of the northern continent emerged in the distance. "You really have to learn how to teleport on your own," Mike complained.
"I'm inclined to agree with you," Sophia grumbled, promising herself to master the difficult magic. The cursed lands of the northern continent loomed ahead as they raced towards their next destination in the dead lands.