The portal closes behind Echo and Li Wei with a soft splash, and they find themselves standing on the deck of a ship made of driftwood and seashells. The "Tidal Rhythm" dimension is a world where the ocean and music are one—waves crash in perfect time, seagulls sing in harmonic chords, and the very tides follow a celestial melody that hangs in the air.Nova's avatar flickers into view, her form rippling like water. "Fascinating," she says. "The gravitational pull here is controlled by sound waves. The moon's orbit, the tides, even the weather—everything dances to the rhythm of the 'Oceanic Overture'."Chen Jiuzhang's hologram materializes beside her, his expression grim as he stares out at the horizon. "But that overture is being corrupted," he says. "The 'Abyssal Tuner' has arrived. It's a being from the deepest trenches, and it's using a 'Drowning Dirge' to rewrite the ocean's rhythm. If it succeeds, the tides will rise indefinitely, flooding not just this dimension, but every coastal world across the multiverse."Echo leans over the ship's railing, watching as a school of fish swims by, their movements creating ripples that form musical notes on the water's surface. "How do we stop it?" she asks."By finding the 'Conch of Currents'," Chen says. "It's a ancient artifact that controls the Oceanic Overture. If we can play the correct melody on it, we can counter the Drowning Dirge and restore the natural rhythm."Li Wei's charge pulses with a purple glow, and he points toward a distant island. "Then let's get moving," he says. "The longer we wait, the higher the water rises."They set sail across the ocean, the ship gliding smoothly over the waves. The Tidal Rhythm dimension is a beautiful place, but there's an undercurrent of unease. The waves are growing larger, the sky darkening, and the once-harmonious ocean sounds are starting to sound discordant.As they approach the island, they see signs of the Abyssal Tuner's handiwork: beaches where the sand has been replaced by sharp, black coral, palm trees that droop under the weight of dark, murky water, and a thick, foggy mist that hangs over everything.When they reach the shore, they're greeted by a group of merfolk—creatures with the upper bodies of humans and the tails of fish. Their scales are dull and lifeless, their eyes filled with fear."The Abyssal Tuner is in the 'Cave of Tidal Echoes'," one of the merfolk says, her voice trembling. "It's been there for days, playing its terrible dirge. Our home is being destroyed, and there's nothing we can do to stop it."Echo places a hand on the merfolk's shoulder. "We'll stop it," she says, her voice steady. "We just need to find the Conch of Currents."The merfolk nods. "It's in the cave, too. But be careful—the Tuner has summoned sea monsters to guard it. They're drawn to the dirge, and they'll attack anything that tries to interfere."Echo and Li Wei thank the merfolk, then make their way through the fog toward the Cave of Tidal Echoes. The cave is a massive structure, its entrance shaped like a giant seashell, and from within, they can hear the Drowning Dirge—a low, mournful melody that makes their hearts heavy.As they enter the cave, they're immediately set upon by sea monsters—giant octopuses with tentacles that crackle with dark energy, sharks with teeth like knives, and eels that shoot bolts of electricity from their mouths.Echo raises her peace drum and starts to play, her rhythm matching the natural flow of the tides. The sea monsters hesitate, confused by the harmonious sound, and Li Wei takes advantage of the moment, sending blasts of energy that drive them back.They fight their way through the cave, the Drowning Dirge growing louder and more intense with each step. Finally, they reach the inner chamber, where the Abyssal Tuner awaits.It's a terrifying creature, its body a mass of writhing tentacles, its eyes glowing with a dark, malevolent light. In its hand, it holds a black, twisted shell—the source of the Drowning Dirge. And on a pedestal in the center of the chamber, sits the Conch of Currents—a large, pink shell that shimmers with a soft, golden light."You're too late," the Abyssal Tuner says, its voice a gurgling, underwater sound. "The Drowning Dirge is already taking hold. Soon, the entire multiverse will be underwater, and I will rule over all."Echo shakes her head. "Not if we can help it," she says. She starts to play a melody on her drum, a tune that weaves together the rhythms of the dimensions they've saved—the steady beat of the Mechanical Melody, the ethereal notes of the Stardust Fugue, the harmonious hum of the Crystal Resonance.The Abyssal Tuner roars, and the sea monsters surge forward. Li Wei fires blasts of energy, keeping them at bay, while Echo makes a dash for the Conch of Currents. She grabs it, and as she brings it to her lips, she feels the power of the Oceanic Overture flowing through her.She blows into the conch, and a melody fills the cave—a beautiful, uplifting tune that clashes with the Drowning Dirge. The sea monsters freeze, then start to swim away, repelled by the harmonious sound. The Abyssal Tuner shrieks, its body convulsing as the melody washes over it."You can't win," it snarls. It redoubles its efforts, playing the Drowning Dirge louder than ever. The cave shakes, and water starts to pour in from the ceiling.Echo doesn't back down. She plays the conch louder, pouring all her strength into the melody. Li Wei joins in, his charge emitting a purple light that intertwines with the conch's golden sound. Together, they create a harmony that overpowers the Drowning Dirge, pushing it back, silencing it.The Abyssal Tuner lets out a final, 绝望的 scream, then dissolves into a cloud of dark water. The sea monsters disappear, the cave stops shaking, and the water stops rising.Echo and Li Wei collapse onto the ground, exhausted but victorious. The Conch of Currents glows brightly in Echo's hand, and the Oceanic Overture fills the cave—a beautiful, harmonious melody that signals the return of peace to the Tidal Rhythm dimension.They make their way back to the shore, where the merfolk are waiting. When they see the conch, they let out a cheer, their scales regaining their color, their eyes filled with hope."Thank you," the merfolk leader says. "You've saved our home."Echo and Li Wei smile, but their attention is drawn to the horizon, where a faint, green glow has appeared—a sign that another dimension is in trouble.Li Wei stands, his charge in hand. "Ready to go?" he asks.Echo nods, tucking the Conch of Currents into her bag. "Always," she says.They step through the portal Nova opens, leaving the Tidal Rhythm dimension behind. The next adventure is calling, and they're ready to answer.
Chapter 214 - Chapter 215: The Tidal Rhythm
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