**Chapter 29: The Tides of Survival**
As the scorched sands trembled beneath the fury of the Hellhound's resurgence, its flaming form burned brighter than ever. The trio—Valen, Marcus, and Alexander—stood battered and bloodied. Even Larren Rohn, the young heir of the Sea Warriors, knelt on one knee, panting and bleeding from a gash across his chest. The beast's howl split the air, and a wave of despair washed over them.
"This is it…" Marcus muttered, his grip on his blade faltering.
Larren, though weakened, stepped forward, arms spread in defiance. "If it must end… then let it end protecting my friends."
The beast lunged forward, jaws wide open with fire dripping from its fangs. The four warriors steeled themselves, ready to meet death together.
But then—
A tidal roar thundered through the cavern. The air grew dense with moisture. In an instant, the scorching air turned cool and salty. A monstrous wave surged from the rear of the cave, crashing into the Hellhound mid-leap.
Out from the shadows stepped a man clad in a robe of crashing waves. His aura rippled like the ocean tide, his presence enough to make the ground itself tremble.
"Fall, beast of flame," the man said.
With a flick of his trident, a spiraling jet of water pierced through the Hellhound's skull. The flaming monster screeched, writhing before it collapsed with a hiss, steam rising as the fire extinguished for good.
The four collapsed onto the ground, panting in shock.
"Commander Daryon Rohn…" Larren breathed, a smile forming despite the pain. "You're back."
The Sea Warrior leader walked toward them, inspecting each of their wounds. "I came when I felt the surge of corrupted energy. You did well. All of you."
He channeled a glowing blue aura through his palms, gently placing them on their wounds. One by one, the gashes, burns, and bruises healed.
"I was investigating the disturbances in the sea. Something dark is stirring far beyond the surface world… but I returned just in time. It seems you've found yourselves in the middle of it all."
Valen nodded grimly. "We thought we could handle it."
Daryon chuckled. "You handled it better than many warriors twice your age."
With that, he brought them back to the hidden city beneath the desert—a marvelous place where coral structures lined saltwater streets and water flowed in elevated streams across buildings. The city of Aquatheon was alive with quiet awe as the four returned, escorted by the legendary Daryon.
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**Day One of Training**
The next morning, the group stood at the edge of a massive lagoon that served as the Sea Warriors' sacred training ground.
"Welcome," Daryon announced. "For the next seven days, you will be trained in the art of Sea Resonance—an ancient technique that allows you to harness the memory of the ocean within your body. Only those attuned to its will may wield it."
Their training began with grueling physical exercises. They ran across shifting coral bridges, sparred under crashing waterfalls, and meditated while submerged beneath frigid water.
Alexander, blessed by Poseidon, found himself resonating deeply with the training. His movements became more fluid, his magic more potent. By the fourth day, Daryon nodded with pride.
"You've reached the 5th realm—beginner stage," he told Alexander. "Poseidon's gift was not in vain."
Marcus and Valen were not far behind. Both pushed their limits, breaking through the walls of their former selves. On the seventh day, both stood at the peak of the 4th realm, their auras brimming with newfound power.
Larren, ever the determined one, matched them step for step. Though he had already reached the peak of the fourth realm before, his control over Sea Resonance became near perfect.
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**The Final Spar**
As the sun dipped below the ocean's horizon, painting the underwater city in hues of blue and gold, Daryon called the four warriors together.
"You've grown strong. Now show me how far you've come. Fight me—together."
The four looked at each other, then nodded.
The battle began. Daryon, despite holding back, was a tidal wave of power. Valen unleashed his twin-bladed strikes, Marcus struck with lightning-imbued speed, Larren channeled water into spears, and Alexander's trident gleamed with Poseidon's blessing.
They danced across the arena in coordinated harmony. They had become more than allies—they were a unit.
Finally, after an hour-long duel, Daryon raised his hand. "Enough."
Breathing heavily, he smiled. "You are ready."
The warriors dropped to the floor, exhausted yet filled with pride.
The next chapter of their journey awaited. But now, they had each other, and they had strength worthy of the storm to come.
**End of Chapter 29**