As they studied the research archive carved into the chamber walls, the triangle bond between them began to resonate with something else. Something approaching through the water with malevolent purpose.
"Someone's coming," Osa said, his healing senses detecting not just aggression but a wrongness that made his skin crawl. "Multiple vessels. And the spirits in the water are... screaming."
Radji's connection to the coral reef revealed shapes moving through the depths—sleek submersibles that left trails of spiritual corruption in their wake. "They're using bound spirits to power their engines. The spirits are being consumed as fuel."
Scholar Miren's academic composure cracked slightly. "Impossible. Such techniques would require—"
"Techniques the Academy pretends don't exist," a voice said from the chamber entrance.
