The water darkened as Ethan Cross and Brandon descended past the known reefs into uncharted depths. Ethereal light from glowing plankton thinned until only the glow of Ethan's Abyssal Sigil illuminated the trench walls. This was the Cavern of Tides, the final resting place—and perhaps prison—of Tidelord Varesh, a beast of ancient oceans.
🌊 [Quest: Knowledge of the Abyss – Part II]
Objective: Form a Relic Bond with Tidelord Varesh
Warning: Failure will result in a server-wide environmental shift in favor of the Magisterium Arcanum.
Difficulty: S
Rewards: Abyssal Beast Bond – ???
Current Party: Ethan Cross (Abyssal Harbinger), Brandon Holt (Iron Vanguard)
As they entered a submerged cave mouth encrusted with translucent minerals and skeletal coral, system notifications appeared on their HUDs.
Environmental Effect: Deep Abyssal Pressure – HP Regeneration Reduced by 50%
Visibility: Low – Enemy detection range decreased. Stealth effectiveness increased.
Warning: You are in Leviathan Territory. Any combat may draw attention.
Brandon panned his trident. "You sure this is the place? My lungs feel like they're gonna pop."
Ethan, eyes glowing faintly from the Sigil's energy, nodded. "It's not just pressure. Something's watching us."
Suddenly, a rippling tremor surged through the water. A flash of movement—a glint of silver armor and abyss-blue scales—followed by a thunderous notification.
⚔️ [FIELD BOSS ENCOUNTER – TIDELORD VARESH]
Name: Tidelord Varesh
Race: Ancient Abyssal Leviabeast
Level: 98
HP: 680,077 / 680,077
Element: Water / Abyss
Status: Dormant
Disposition: Neutral Hostile
Passive Ability: Abyssal Sovereignty
Immune to crowd control
Water-based damage increased by 40%
Pressure Aura reduces enemy stamina regeneration by 30%
Summons Abyss Current every 30 seconds, dragging enemies away
Varesh uncurled from his resting place beneath layered obsidian rock. His eyes, orbs of glowing teal, stared directly at Ethan. Massive fins shimmered with rune-like patterns as tidal currents whipped violently around the chamber.
[Abyssal Sigil Resonance Detected]
Initiating Bond Trial…
Objective: Survive three waves of Tidelord's Judgement. Show strength, resolve, and clarity of purpose.
🌀 Phase I: The Drowning Gauntlet
Water churned. A vortex formed beneath Ethan and Brandon, attempting to split them apart. From the shadows, deep-sea elementals surged forward—creatures formed from water pressure and starlight.
Abyssal Elemental x5 – Level 85
HP: 23,301 / 23,301
Weak to: Lightning
Resistant to: Slashing
Brandon's eyes widened. "They're trying to divide us!"
Ethan roared, activating:
[Skill: Abyssal Chains – Bind all enemies in a 6m radius. Deals 9,113 damage over time.]
Tendrils of void energy lashed outward, wrapping around the elementals and constraining their movements. Ethan lunged forward, landing a blow:
Basic Attack → 7,353 DAMAGE (Crit!)
Elemental HP: 15,948 / 23,301
Brandon spun his trident with a crackling surge of blue lightning.
[Skill: Arc Current Lance – Line attack that deals 10,885 damage to all enemies in a straight path]
Elemental x3 Defeated!
Remaining HP: 0 / 23,301
But even as they cleared the area, the vortex exploded with shockwaves.
[Abyssal Current Triggered – You are pulled toward the Leviabeast!]
🌊 Phase II: Will of the Tidelord
Varesh raised his massive body, a storm forming in the depths. Giant spheres of pressurized water hovered mid-current—one for each adventurer.
[Trial of Will – Your conviction will be tested]
Survive Varesh's Abyssal Judgement.
Brandon was the first to be tested. A clone of himself emerged, wielding his own trident—faster, sharper, and brutal.
[Shadow Twin – Brandon's Clone]
Level 87
HP: 55,533
Damage: Mirrors Original Player
"Fighting myself now?" Brandon gritted his teeth. "Bring it."
Ethan faced something different. A specter of the Leviathan, as if molded from his own fears.
[Abyssal Fearform – Fragment of the Leviathan]
Level 95
HP: 88,887
Special: Fear Aura – Chance to cause skill misfire.
Ethan clutched the Sigil, rage brewing inside him.
[Skill: Abyssal Wrath] – Overload your next 3 attacks with abyssal damage. Each hit inflicts 11,111 bonus damage.
Cooldown: 180s
He dashed forward, striking with a flurry of shadow energy.
First Strike – 14,433
Second Strike – 13,577
Third Strike – 16,201
TOTAL: 44,211
Enemy HP Remaining: 44,676 / 88,887
With sweat pouring down his face, he activated:
[Skill: Abyssal Flare] – AoE burst. Deals 21,009 damage to all enemies within 5m.
Fragment of Leviathan Defeated!
Brandon, bloodied, finally bested his twin with a triple-strike counterattack.
Clone Defeated!
HP: 0 / 55,533
They were panting, bleeding, and low on mana—but still standing.
🌪️ Phase III: Tidelord's Judgement
Varesh surged forward, the cavern trembling.
[Tidal Rupture – Ultimate Skill – Channeling… 3s… 2s… 1s…]
Ethan's mind raced. "The coral outcrop! Get behind it!"
They dove for cover as a tidal shockwave exploded, shattering stone and coral. They avoided death by inches. The floor cracked open—revealing a glowing core beneath Varesh, and the Sigil responded.
[Relic Bond Eligible]
Initiate Binding?
Cost: 2 Abyssal Cores (You have 4)
Warning: Bonding a Leviabeast will consume one available summon slot.
Ethan confirmed.
🌀 BOND FORMED: Tidelord Varesh has joined your cause
You can summon Varesh once every 48 in-game hours.
Passive Buff: Tidal Favor – All water-type skills cost 25% less mana.
Active Skill Unlocked: [Abyssal Tempest] – Call Varesh for a sweeping water attack that stuns enemies for 5s.
💠 [Status Updated]
Summon: Tidelord Varesh
Summon Level: 98
Summon Role: Tank/CC
Duration: 10 minutes
Cooldown: 48h
Bond Strength: Tier 1 (Increases with use and synergy)
Brandon let out a wild laugh. "You just tamed a goddamn sea god!"
Ethan grinned. "No. I just made him an ally. Now the real war begins."
With Varesh at their side, the ocean was no longer their enemy—it was their weapon.