Inside the leviathan was a sweltering, claustrophobic nightmare. The air was stiflingly hot, heavy with humidity and filled with a rancid stench that clung to the back of Lazarus' throat. The thick, green substance underfoot squelched unpleasantly with each step, a disgusting mix of mucus and saliva that had Lazarus grimacing in distaste every time he moved. The foul liquid smeared his boots, adding an extra layer of discomfort to an already unbearable situation.

Illumination came solely from the soft, ethereal glow from towering figure, wearing only a short, revealing his wiry build with muscles protruding for every corner of his body. His long brunette hair, and his profound brown eyes effused an audacious valor. His magic light casted an eerie light over the gruesome scenery and amplified the macabre setting. Each glimmer revealed more of the beast's grotesque innards, a sight Lazarus found more annoying than terrifying - a maddening obstacle on his path to escape.

Heavy with frustration, a sigh escaped Lazarus, echoing the disarray around him. Sinking down, an unwelcome squishy sensation met him from beneath, adding to his mounting displeasure.

“Haahahaah!” An effervescent laughter sliced through the somber silence coming from the large man.

Lazarus was fairly sure this was the captain of the ship. Apparently, he’d been swallowed first and was happy to have new companions.

"Still... there's a certain thrill to this, don't you think?" His jubilant words hung surreal in the air, contrasting the grim situation.

Lazarus’ icy glare found a figure seated a few meters from him—an elven woman. Her hair, a waterfall of blue hues, echoed the azure shade of her eyes, and her beauty was as stunning as it was otherworldly. If it wasn’t for her, he wouldn’t be in this predicament. There was nothing thrilling about being swallowed whole, instead Lazarus felt a gnawing sensation grab a hold of the pit of his stomach and this– was all her fault. Lazarus’ gaze fell on the elf once more, just seeing those damned long ears and her looks made a fire burn at the back of his head.

"Thrilling? Ha! Not when you’re trapped in here with an insane elf," Lazarus said, bitterness tinging his words.

Matching his glare, her radiant features twisted into a mask of raw hatred. "Don't you dare label me a lunatic, you thief!"

"Whose fault do you think it is that we're in this mess? You damned elf." Lazarus spat, his voice carrying a contained anger threatening to breach the surface. He could imagine himself just bashing her skull in.

"Let's all take a breath and think about our next move. That would be more helpful, right?" The behemoth of a man, playing peacemaker, sought to intervene. His smile was strained, his gaze flicking anxiously between Lazarus and the elven woman.

As Lazarus held his gaze on the elven woman, he noticed a shift in her demeanor. She clenched her teeth, a clear sign of her brewing anger, but her piercing blue eyes had shifted focus. They were no longer fixed on him in a glare of icy reproach, but were instead cast downwards, on the gore-strewn ground beneath them.

He wondered, contemplating what whimsical thoughts could possibly be pirouetting in the mind of this crazy elf. Surely, she was lost in a fanciful daydream of prancing trees and frolicking vines.

The muscular captain broke the tension, his voice laced with curiosity. "I do have to ask, why are you two at each other's throats?" His gaze first turned to the elf, awaiting her response.

"I-.." The elf began, her gaze lifting from the beast's remains to meet his.

—------

Sylphi's teeth ground against each other, her fists tightening until her palms blushed with the force. The intensity of her anger was something she had only felt once before, when the news of her father's death at the hands of humans reached her.

Back in her youthful days, Sylphi was undeniably girlish, a trait that has since morphed with time. She was fond of adorning her head with a circlet of flowers, hoping to catch the eyes of others. Being the village chief's daughter, though, had its downside, and she often became a target of the village boys' jeering.

A group of those boys had once trampled her painstakingly-made floral crown under their thoughtless feet. The echoes of their laughter haunted her as she cried, a sorrow that only ended when a village guard took note and punished them. Her grandfather, after hearing of the incident, took it upon himself to train her, to strengthen her.

Initially, Sylphi was resistant, but the relentless teasing from a stronger boy ignited her desire to fight back. When her father was claimed by a brutal war with humans, her world crumbled. Days turned into a blur of tears and seclusion, her own sister unable to reach her through her grief.

Her mother, too, had disappeared during the war, leaving Sylphi with nothing but painful questions. It was her grandfather who finally broke through her sorrow, his comforting embrace providing a small haven in her personal storm. She cried until no more tears would come.

With her grandfather's encouragement, she ventured outside again. It was then she overheard the guards discussing their concerns for the tribe's future, questioning her ability to inherit her father's title. This set off a new surge of emotion within her, further inflamed when the same boy who tormented her teased her about being a poor choice for village chief.

Fuelled by anger, she attacked the boy, only to lose miserably. However, this defeat lit a spark within her: she would become stronger, inherit her father's title, and prove them all wrong.

As the years went on, Sylphi trained and fought, her victories eventually silencing her detractors. Her strength earned respect and admiration from the villagers, shifting their perception of her. Every duel, every victory brought her joy.

Thinking back, she realized that the boy who always provoked her did so because he had feelings for her, feelings that faded when she proved to be the stronger one. She had thought her strength would be enough to protect her forest, to fend off any human that threatened her people.

Bandits had tried to steal the precious Azalea flowers from her forest, but she thwarted them each time. She had become stronger than her father ever was, hoping he would be proud of her.

However, one fateful night, she spotted a human meddling with an Azalea. Assuming his mana was too weak to be detected, she let loose an arrow at him, only to watch him dodge with surprising agility.

He was suddenly behind her, a startling realization that came too late. She had failed to raise a mana barrier, and now she was at his mercy. To her disbelief, she had lost to a human, a bandit no less, and in front of her entire tribe.

The taunts from Lazarus, dismissing her challenge to a duel and calling her an 'egoistic little girl', only added to her humiliation and fueled her hatred. Never in her life had she detested someone as much as she did this man.

Whenever Lazarus crossed her mind, her head filled with a heated fog of loathing. An odd smile spread across her lips as she thought of capturing him, of defeating him in a fair fight, of making him pay for everything he’s done.

She looked at the captain, who was waiting for her response and said,

"That man violated the sanctity of our forest, stealing an Azalea flower. How could I not abhor him with every fiber of my being?" Sylphi's voice rang out clear, her gaze fixed on Lazarus.

The captain shifted his gaze towards Lazarus, arching a brow in a silent invitation to offer his side of the story.

"Clam it. It was you who shot the arrow when I knew nothing off it! Then––"

"Haaaa!?" Sylphi's outburst sliced through Lazarus's words, her voice sharp as a knife. Her blue eyes sparked with a surprise that was both indignant and mocking, a combination that sent a prickle of irritation under Lazarus's skin.

Veins popped on Lazarus’ forehead. He’d stayed quiet when she spoke, but now she was interrupting him? The annoyance twisted within him, a tempest threatening to unleash. Every syllable of her interruption grated against his nerves, stirring a disdain that rivaled the heat of the sun.

With tension thick between them, the captain stepped in, placing himself between their fiery gazes. Drawing from his experiences with sailor skirmishes, he knew diverting the conversation was the best course. "Alright, alright, let's just cool down a bit," he said, his voice firm but soothing. "We're all strangers here. Let's change that. I'm Leo, captain of the Wave Surfer. And you are?" His gaze settled on the elf maiden.

For a moment, Sylphi's brows knitted together, her silence speaking volumes about her reluctance to share her name. Sensing her hesitance, Leo chimed in again, "We're all in this together. A simple introduction can't hurt, can it?"

With a sigh that spoke volumes of her resignation, the elf finally gave in. "Sylphianna Krivstine Elisteyone…or Sylphi since you humans love to shorten words."

"Now, your turn?" Leo's attention turned towards Lazarus.

"Lazarus Hargreave," he responded, his tone cool and even.

"Great! So, Miss Krivstine," Captain Leo started, a glance at her blue hair prompting a guess, "So water magic is your thing, right? Think you can blast these beasts and help us find a way out?" His tone was casual, yet laced with an undertone of hope, his eyes hinting at the anticipation brewing within him.

Rising to her feet, Sylphi cast a quick glance towards Lazarus, ensuring he remained seated. Only once she had confirmed his static position, did she nod in agreement. "But first, please ensure you keep an eye on that man. There's no telling what he might do." Her voice was firm, the unspoken message clear - she didn't trust Lazarus, not one bit.

Lazarus had half a mind to shoot back a snappy retort. But then he figured, why bother? Going back and forth with this elf was likely to be a pain in the neck. So he decided to let it slide, allowing her words to echo in the air, unchallenged. He really wanted to stop getting pissed and just think clearly.

Observing that the two were about to attempt something, Lazarus took a moment to assess their surroundings.

The interior of the beast's stomach was shockingly vast, resembling two spacious rooms joined together. A few inches of water pooled at the bottom, while a green, sticky substance dripped from the ceiling and oozed from the walls, creating a grotesque landscape.

"Alright, let's begin," Captain Leo announced, breaking the stifling silence.

There was a brief pause as they readied themselves, the tension in the air palpable.

…

Their magic lit up the cavernous belly of the beast, but the effect was less than expected.

Watching the Captain and Sylphi throw their spells around was like watching a slow-motion replay. The magic was there, but it was like it had the wind knocked out of it. Lazarus couldn't help but furrow his brow. This beast seemed to have some kind of magic dampener built right in. It was a curious twist he hadn't counted on. After that failed, Leo tried his blade that he kept on his back, but it couldn’t even puncture the beast.

In any case, he wondered, — How deep was the creature diving at? Will it be risky to throw more spells at it?

Lazarus found himself mulling over their predicament, but was interrupted by a gratingly familiar voice.

"Hey! Why've you gone all quiet? Plotting something, are you?" Despite the soft, feminine lilt to her words, Lazarus found them irksome, and shot her a glare.

Lazarus felt a tick on his head and felt something boiling at the base of his neck. Sylphi had an uncanny talent for getting under his skin, especially when he was trying to focus. Right now, he was attempting to puzzle out their current predicament and find a possible escape route. But no, she just had to annoy him. He was already at a boiling point and was trying so hard to keep his calm.

Fed up with Sylphi's incessant interference, Lazarus couldn't contain his frustration any longer. He hissed through clenched teeth, his voice dripping with venom, "Can't you be quiet, you damned elf? Your magic is useless. You elves are all fcking useless. You're utterly worthless, so just shut your trap." His words cut through the air, sharp and biting.

"Insulting my people, huh?" The elven maiden's voice dropped to a low, dangerous tone. A fiery determination flickered in her eyes as she took a forceful step forward, her voice now raised with raw intensity. "I'll kill you!" Her words hung in the air, filled with a seething rage that threatened to boil over.

Lazarus, already seething with anger towards her, felt a perverse satisfaction at her words. His irritation had been simmering on a low boil for far too long, itching for an outlet, and her threat served as the perfect catalyst. It was as if a dam had burst within him, a flood of pent-up frustration and antagonism unleashed. His heart pounded, not in fear, but in anticipation. Every fiber in his body tightened, readying itself for the confrontation he had been craving. His mind was clear, his focus absolute. It was a welcome distraction from the gnawing dread that still clung to him like a second skin.

"Then what's stopping me from ending your miserable little life right here and now?" With a swift movement, he retrieved a sword hidden within his robe, brandishing it with a menacing air.

"Me..." Captain Leo's voice cut through the tension, his expression grave. "As long as I'm here, neither of you will be able to kill each other." His presence commanded attention, his words a solemn reminder of his authority in the situation.

Lazarus briefly entertained the thought of killing the both of them, but thought better of it.

With Captain Leo's intervention, a temporary respite settled between Sylphi and Lazarus. Lazarus, annoyed by the ongoing tension, clicked his tongue while Sylphi huffed and looked away.

"Hmm, I won't be taking sides since I don't know what's really what!" Captain Leo interjected, his voice calm but firm. "But I think we should be working together to get out of this... instead of trying to fight amongst ourselves."

He was right.

Realizing that the situation was spiraling out of control, Lazarus begrudgingly let some of his burning fury dissipate with a resigned sigh. Perhaps he could still salvage this situation. The elf seemed to echo his sentiments as she was just quietly looking away.

—------------------------------

As time passed, the sticky green substances continued to accumulate, heightening the sense of urgency. Lazarus felt a growing unease as the oxygen levels neared critical.

Lazarus glanced around their surroundings. "Hey, shouldn't we be figuring out how to get the hell out of here?" he voiced his concern, getting up from his seat to assess their cramped space.

Leo, shifting uncomfortably, glanced at Lazarus. "But we’ve tried everything right?" he asked, his voice filled with skepticism. "Maybe you should try your magic. I mean, if it doesn't—"

Lazarus wondered why he never asked him to try, but he shelved the thought and shook his head, cutting him off. "No need, I know it will work" he said firmly, his gaze steady as he drew his sword.

There was a certain intensity in Lazarus's eyes that gave Leo pause. He'd seen that look before, on the faces of sailors braving treacherous seas or soldiers preparing for battle. It was a look of certainty, a look that promised victory.

Sylphi, her usually bright eyes clouded with worry, watched the exchange with a frown. "Are you sure?" she asked, echoing Leo's concern. "If the beast's stomach could resist Leo's blade, what makes you think yours will be any different?"

Lazarus met her gaze, a slight smile playing on his lips. His sword was an advanced weapon made from means that these people could never dream of.

Leo, always practical, chimed in. "Even if we find an exit, we'll drown... We have no clue how deep this fish has dragged us," he explained, shaking his head.

Sylphi, confident in her elven abilities, added, "We elves can hold our breath for a long time, so that's not a problem for me. As long as that thing’s plan will work, I don’t care."

“Thing..huh? You–..” Lazarus shook his head. He was itching to bash her skull in but if they delayed anymore, who knows what could happen. He quietly put a hand to his chin and pondered. "Can't you expand your mana barrier to shield us until we reach the surface?" he suggested, looking at Sylphi and Leo.

Confusion and disbelief flickered across their faces as they processed his proposal.

"What?" Lazarus asked, taken aback by their simultaneous reaction.

Sylphi mocked, "Are you seriously suggesting that?"

"It's not that simple... We need a shield spell to pull that off. Expanding your mana to protect yourself like that requires the skills of archmages, ability users, or years of practice," Leo explained.

Lazarus scratched his head, a thought crossing his mind.

-’Wait a minute... Ability users? I think I have a book on that somewhere. I should give it a read when I have the chance.’-

"Then, do any of you have any shield spells?" Lazarus inquired, looking at Sylphi and Leo. Both of them shook their heads, and Leo admitted, "Most of my spells focus on reinforcing the body and launching attacks... I'm sorry."

"Okay then, I can do something about that. Leo, step closer," Lazarus said, his voice steady.

Leo raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched on his face. "And what's that?"

Lazarus extended his arm, and with it, an intricate forcefield unfolded. It manifested as a fully-enclosed sphere, transparent with a soft, blue hue. The most captivating feature was its geometric structure. Hexagonal patterns tessellated across the sphere, each one interlocking with the others to form a complex, honeycomb-like design.

"A forcefield," Lazarus explained, his voice echoing faintly within the translucent bubble. "It should keep us safe."

Leo and Sylphi stared at the forcefield in stunned silence, their eyes wide in disbelief. They had witnessed a variety of magical shields in Valeria, but nothing like the geometric spectacle now surrounding Lazarus and Leo.

"By the gods..." Leo muttered, reaching out tentatively to trace one of the hexagonal patterns with his fingertips. "I've never seen magic like this before. Are you an archmage, Lazarus?"

Lazarus let out a silent sigh. The forcefield wasn't a magical shield, it was an energy shield—a concept completely foreign to this world. However, he knew this was neither the time nor the place for a science lesson.

"There's no time to explain," he said instead, his gaze shifting to Sylphi. "As for you, seeing that you really hate me so much, then you should be able to manage on your own." he was hoping she wouldn’t ask for help as he didn’t care less about her. In fact, he wanted her to be on her own and maybe have a little accident from how annoying and downright absurd she was.

Sylphi's eyes blazed with defiance. "I've never hated anyone more," she retorted, arms crossed defiantly over her chest.

Lazarus laughed, he wanted to insult her to strike a nerve just as much as she did to him. As much as he didn’t really like to, he tried to be vulgar and said, "Is that so? Is the hate proportional to... well, that?" He indicated nonchalantly towards her chest.

Sylphi's scowl deepened, her forehead vein throbbing at the audacious comment. Not wanting to give her the time to respond, Lazarus looked at the beasts and cut off before Sylphi could open her mouth.

“Get ready.”

“You–!” The elven maiden could only glare at him before she readied herself.

"Ah–wait, What happens when we reach the surface?" Leo asked, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

Lazarus shrugged. "We'll be in open waters, which isn't the best, but it's far better than being inside this fish."

Sylphi piped in, her tone surprisingly nonchalant. "If there are any birds in the vicinity, I can ask them to scout for a nearby island, or send word to another elf about our predicament."

Leo nodded, unfazed by her statement. "Right, there's a ship headed to Kratos a day after ours. We could rendezvous with them."

Lazarus cast a skeptical look at Sylphi. "You can actually communicate with animals?"

Leo regarded Lazarus with a quizzical look. "Of course she can. She's an elf, Lazarus. That's kind of their thing."

Sylphi merely sighed and shook her head, as if used to the ignorance of non-elves.

Lazarus filed this new information away for future reference. It seemed he still had a lot to learn about this world. But for now, at least he could count on Sylphi not being entirely useless in their predicament.

Now then.

Lazarus positioned himself, gripping his sword tightly. Suddenly, the blade began to emit a bright, pulsating blue light. The sight caused Sylphi and Leo to both gasp audibly, their eyes wide with astonishment. This wasn't any magic they had seen before.

With a cry, Lazarus swung the energized weapon. It sliced through the Leviathan's flesh like it was nothing more than paper. The creature let out a terrible groan, its massive body thrashing in response to the unexpected pain. But Lazarus held firm, using his grip to anchor himself as he continued to cut through the creature.

Finally, the wall of the Leviathan's stomach gave way. Water surged in, the salty tang filling their nostrils. Sylphi chanted, “Serus, diadvi lem er zestu, en kantu!” A film of blue light enclosed around her before disappearing. Lazarus assumed she casted her mana barrier.

As the seawater crashed against the hexagonal forcefield, it held strong, repelling the liquid onslaught. The water battered against the shield, but the geometric pattern shimmered and held fast. Inside the forcefield, Lazarus and Leo remained dry, the powerful barrier performing its duty flawlessly.

Leo could hardly contain his awe. His eyes were wide, darting back and forth as he watched the relentless rush of water pummel against the forcefield, only to be effortlessly deflected. "Woahh…." he muttered, "Your... magic, it's incredible."

On the other hand, Sylphi watched the spectacle unfold from the corner of her eyes. As much as she loathed Lazarus, she couldn't deny the impressive display of his 'magic'. A subtle frown tugged at her lips, a token of her disappointment as her secret wish for Lazarus to drown was thwarted by his resourcefulness. Her gaze flickered with reluctant admiration and a hint of begrudging respect. Yet, there was no denying the frustration that lingered. Her pride as an elf was bruised, watching a human exhibit such extraordinary capabilities. She then turned her attention to the gushing water and took a deep breath, her cheeks puffed up with air.

Slowly, Lazarus and Leo ascended within the protective bubble of the forcefield, the blue light from the geometric patterns serving as their only beacon in the oppressive darkness of the deep sea. Sylphi swam agilely beside them.

As they ascended, Lazarus couldn't help but notice how Sylphi managed to swim upwards with such ease, her form shimmering slightly in the glow of his forcefield. A thought occurred to him: Could she be using a mana barrier to resist the extreme water pressure? His understanding of magic in this world was limited, but the hypothesis seemed plausible.

"It should have been dawn by now," he mused, distracted by the enveloping darkness of the sea around them. The pervading blackness contradicted his internal sense of time. But amidst the enigmatic depths, their immediate concern was survival. Getting to the surface was only the first step. The true struggle would begin once they found themselves stranded amidst the open sea.

—------

Sylphi’s POV:

A dim, elusive light flickered tantalizingly above, the promise of survival dancing just out of reach. How long has she been swimming upwards anyway? It was already quite a while, and I could feel a stark discomfort from my chest.

-’Just a little more.’- I thought to myself.

For a moment, I glanced briefly at the strange mana barrier that the thief was able to erect. Never had I thought he was skilled enough to do something like this, in any case, both the thief and Leo the captain were gazing up and conversing.

-’What could they be talking about?’- I couldn’t help but wonder as I continued to kick and propel myself upwards.

As time passed, the light began to become brighter and brighter; however, I could also feel a stark discomfort in my chest.

How long has it been since they emerged from the belly of the beasts? I dismissed the thought. I need to focus.

I continued to kick, but I could feel a numbness from my body. My lungs were starting to grow desperate.

-’Am I reaching my limit?’-

Maybe I could signal for help?

I glanced at the water above, and could feel that it was just a few minutes away before we surfaced. I could see the light from above.

Just a little more.

Bubbles escaped my mouth. I kicked harder. I clawed.

Help!! I wanted to say, but only more bubbles escaped my mouth. Dread filled my heart and I trashed as water entered my nostrils and gulped a mouthful. I kicked and kicked. I–

Help…please..

They couldn’t hear me. Their eyes were glued to the surface and I-.. I was descending. My vision was tunneling and I could feel hot tears streaming from my eyes as a cool sensation filled my lungs.

I should have set my pride aside and just–

Then…everything went dark.

—--------

"Finally, the surface!" Leo's voice echoed, euphoria woven into every syllable. The tumultuous ocean was behind us, replaced with a calm sea and cloudless sky. The sun hung high in the sky, indicating mid-afternoon. "Hey, where’s Sylphi? She needs to call her bird friends and be useful for once," Lazarus said, looking around.

There was a palpable silence as Leo and Lazarus scanned the sea, only to find no trace of the elf. Slowly, Lazarus' mouth curved into a wicked grin as realization dawned on Leo's face. "She...she couldn't have..." Leo stammered. "Elves can hold their breath for up to 20 or 30 minutes at best... How long were we ascending?"

"About 46 minutes," Lazarus answered, shrugging nonchalantly. "Guess she wasn't cut out for it."

"YOU HAVE TO HELP HER!" Leo screamed, a look of pure panic etched onto his face. "She can help us find land!" he added.

Lazarus scowled. He didn’t really mind letting her die. Yet, as he glanced at his rapidly depleting forcefield, now only at 8%, he knew he was quickly running out of choices. Saving Sylphi, despite the clear threat she posed, could very well be his only chance at survival. Just as he thought that, he felt resolved and it was the easiest answer he could think of despite his mind telling him not to.

He briefly looked at Leo and seeing his desperate look made him feel a little guilty.

"Haa-...god damnit." With a deep, resigned sigh, he dived back into the inky depths, swimming as quickly as he could towards the faint figure far below. She was still descending deeper. Lazarus furrowed his brows, kicking faster. A part of him was already regretting this decision, but at the same time their was a bit of relief he felt that he couldn't exactly pinpoint why.

Upon reaching Sylphi's form, still stubbornly sinking deeper into the abyss, Lazarus extended his hand, making contact with her icy, limp body. As his fingers grazed her skin, the in-built A.I. lodged within his consciousness sprung into action, delivering a flood of data. The readings were grave - Sylphi was teetering on the brink of a catastrophic shutdown. Hesitation was a luxury he couldn’t afford; he clamped his arms around her and initiated their ascent.

Now what?

His mind whirled, rapidly sifting through a myriad of potential solutions, his remaining resources precariously low. Lazarus, in a gambit of desperation, contracted his protective forcefield until it was a tight cocoon, ensnaring only the two of them. As he did so, the energy reserves within him plummeted alarmingly, trickling down to a mere 1%. The severity of their predicament was becoming all too clear

In the grim gloom of their surroundings, Lazarus summoned a small, ominous object - a grenade. It was an extreme measure, one fraught with danger, but it was the only remaining viable option. Sylphi was too frail, her constitution unable to withstand the impending blast. With this in mind, Lazarus positioned himself as a living barrier between the explosive and the unconscious elf, manipulating his dwindling forcefield to wrap around her protectively.

The grenade detonated in a muffled roar, a torrent of force erupting from its epicenter. Agonizing pain seared through Lazarus as he bore the brunt of the explosion. The shockwave reverberated through his body, resonating with a sickening crunch. His forcefield splintered into a thousand shattered fragments, the remnants of his protection flickering and dying. The merciless sea seemed to roar in triumph as his last defense crumbled.

The powerful, destructive force had served its purpose. They were thrust upwards, the light above rapidly growing larger and brighter

—-----------------------------

Leo, wore an expression of expectant impatience. The moments stretched on, each one thicker with tension than the last as he waited. His gaze, locked on the ocean water and filled with anticipation.

Abruptly, a violent shockwave surged upwards from the depths, jolting Leo's body and disrupting the calm waters around him. An ascending plume of frenzied bubbles followed this jarring tremor.

Then, like a meteor bolting towards the heavens, Lazarus erupted from the dark depths with the elf being held between his arms. But–

Leo's gasp echoed as he saw the blood streaming down Lazarus's mouth. "What happened!?" he yelled, his eyes wide with terror. Lazarus winced, managing to utter, "I'm okay. We need to help this damned elf."

"But you're bleeding!" Leo protested, panic audible in his voice.

Lazarus handed the unconscious Sylphi over to him. "Don’t panic and listen to me. We need to help her first and worry about me later!"

As Lazarus began administering CPR to the lifeless Sylphi, the severity of the situation was not lost on him. After several futile attempts at chest compressions, he made a quick, decisive move. He positioned his palm over her chest, his cybernetic forearm, where organic bones used to be, whirred quietly and then clicked into place. Instantly, his palm released a controlled bolt of electricity, delivering a precise shock to her system.

Suddenly, Sylphi coughed, spitting out water. As she slowly regained consciousness, she squirmed, her eyes growing wide at the sight of Lazarus's mouth letting out streams of blood.

However, contrary to her concerns the man was snickering.

Lazarus couldn't help but think that the body modifications he had received from the old man were proving useful in such a critical moment was almost comical.

Ignoring her questions, Lazarus gritted his teeth against the pain, snapping, "You damn elf, go and get some birds already!"

Every breath was a struggle, his vision beginning to blur, the superhuman serum barely keeping up with the damage. It was a bitter reality to accept, but at this point, survival was his only goal.

"What happened? Why are you bleeding!? Hey, answer me!!" Sylphi began bombarding him with questions. Her tone was insistent, demanding answers from him despite the calm and open sea.