Running out of air

Unusual contracts were aplenty these days. Who would have imagined that good old Leila would be looking for a treasure underneath the water's surface? She certainly wouldn't, but when she saw the contract itself, she was unable to refuse. After all, the sea was always alluring to her. Wanting to know how it looked down there, she was just incapable of refusing this job. And at least it was in the category of things that Golden Phoenix usually did, although she was not to keep the treasure she had to find. Still, it was a treasure hunt alright. Already prepared on the beach, she would meet with one of the scientists that made a camp not too far from this spot. Apparently his name was Geoss or something like that. "And you just swallow it! Once that is done, bam! An air bubble around you, no problems breathing at all!" He was just explaining to her how that lacrima of theirs worked. It seemed a bit unreal, but there was no other option other than believing. Nodding to the gentleman, she took the pill-like lacrima into her hand and approached the beach. Unfortunately, it would not keep her safe forever. There was a time limit to her breathing down there, so she had to find everything as fast as she possibly could. Taking in a deep breath, she swallowed the lacrima and jumped into the warm waters.

---

Status
HP: 200
MP: 100%

Word count: 237

Once completely submerged, Leila started to regret the fact that she was still in her usual outfit instead of some kind of swimsuit. The cloth got immediately soaked from the all present water, making it a bit heavier and slowing down her movements somewhat. It wasn't that much of a problem, but it was a bit unpleasant. Especially once she would get out of the water, all her clothes will stick to her fair skin unpleasantly. But not much she could do about it now, what was done was indeed done. Since she was still at the beach, she had to move more towards the deeper parts of this sea too. She knew the general location of the artifact she was looking for, but some searching would still be required. Small fishes started swimming around her body, examining the young mage who was alien in this crystal-clear world. The lacrima was functioning fine too, making an air bubble around Leila's head, allowing her to breathe free for now. Though the words of the researcher ringed through her head, reminding her not to dally. Having her oxygen taken away in this depth would be more than just problematic, and dying in place like this didn't sound very appealing. Not that water was her only enemy, the artifact was apparently making all kinds of life aggressive too. And it wouldn't take long before she encounters her first enemies.

---

Status
HP: 200
MP: 100%

Word count: 236

The member 'VindStot' has done the following action : Dice Rolls

---

'Monster Dice' :

Just as she predicted, once her feet touched the deeper part of this place, four big shadows started moving about, drawing her attention. Looking up to see what manner of creature was blocking the sunlight that just barely penetrated the water, she would see four rays. It wasn't her first time seeing such a creature, but they were never aggressive. Rather, they ran the moment someone got close to them, creating a mysterious and shy air about themselves. It was rather unfortunate that she had to harm them now, otherwise they would no doubt harm her in return without a second thought. That was simply the nature of this artifact while it was this deep underwater. Even the most peaceful creatures were somehow compelled to attack everything in sight. And soon, the rays would start charging at full speed at Leila. At least the water gave her much bigger flexibility than air would, allowing for dodges that could remind some of slowed motion. Examining the dots all over their bodies and how they were structured, it was probably correct to judge that they weren't the most sturdy of foes. Getting a good idea how to disperse them all at once, she was doing her best to dodge and wait for the best moment. Once they all charged towards her at once, she would summon four wooden columns from the sandstone earth, creating a barrier designed to freeze anything in place. Of course, the creatures were incapable of understanding magic and thus did nothing to avoid her invisible barrier. Soon, they were all stuck just few centimeters from Leila's body, and from each other. Swimming few meter higher, she would show a fruit bomb that she summoned while the rays were trying to attack her. With that single attack, an underwater explosion occurred, damaging all of the enemies and making them withdraw. That was first encounter resolved reasonably swiftly. But time was still running, slowing down was absolutely unacceptable.

---

Status
HP: 200
MP: 70%

Word count: 328

The member 'VindStot' has done the following action : Dice Rolls

---

'Monster Dice' :

Trying to swim further into the sea and closer to her goal, family members of those poor guys from before came for a revenge. Another pair of spotted rays made their way towards Leila rather unexpectedly, one of them managing to ram her pretty good and when she wasn't quite expecting it. At least they weren't the most damaging fishes ever. But if the number of these guys weren't decreasing, it meant problems for her. Of course, she had a way of evening out the number on this battlefield. However, she had no idea if it would work, given that they were underneath the water's surface. Still, she had to at least try it, if nothing else. Extending her hand forward, she would speak inside of her little air bubble, not heard by anyone else. "Hold it together, birds of a feather, Nothing but lies and crooked wings. Oh. Fly over me evil angel. Open your wings evil angel." And with the incantation, a briliant purple light appeared, and from it, her dark angel. There was no use denying the fact that she was dumbfounded by this whole situation. The poor thing was summoned underwater! But the fact that she was an immortal angel probably meant something, as she didn't really need to breath. Though her wings were a bit useless still. One of the rays didn't loose any time and rammed right into Xiolan's stomach too. A fatal mistake, as he now was in the range of her fists. Without any mercy, she pummeled the poor thing as if he was nothing but meat pillow. She delivered enough strikes for the bugger to loose interest and swim off. Worse it was with the second one. As he was swimming by Leila, she managed to stuck her wooden claws into it, letting it drag her along. She also got a bit of control over the ray this way, and directed him into Xiolan where he met similar fate...

---

Status
HP: 160
MP: 70%
Xiolan's HP: 60

Word count: 328

The member 'VindStot' has done the following action : Dice Rolls

---

'Monster Dice' :

Apparently there was something weird going on in this sea today. Maybe a ray family reunion?  Or perhaps the rays committed genocide in the sea and where the only living species still living underwater. With how many of them she met already, there would be no surprise if that answer was actually the truth, as four more spotted rays started heading towards the duo from the distance. Fighting the same enemy over and over and over again was starting to be kinda boring too. They were always doing the same thing, loosing on the same terms, it was honestly... disappointing. As weird as that sounded, in this situation, she Leila could maybe even wish for the rays to win. Of course, that was impossible, since they were just fish, and they were going against a mage and fallen angel. Chance of them winning was simply zero. In fact, Leila was so bored from of these guys that she just stood on the sea's floor, letting Xiolan guide those two into a trap. She divided the rays in a manner where they would swim one above  the other. Once that single condition was met, and once they were swimming close enough, the female mage simply summoned a wooden spike from the sandy earth, impaling both rays at once. It was enough damage for them to start retreating and hoping that they don't bleed out soon. Highfiving Xiolan emotionlessly, they moved closer to the underwater temple.

---

Status
HP: 160
MP: 55%

Word count: 244

As the both of them were finally in front of the temple where the artifact apparently rested, Leila started noticing just how much it was covered by green mosses and underwater growth. Just from that alone, not even seeing the crumbled parts of this temple, it was safe to assume that this place was ancient. Quite the surprise that it remained unnoticed for so long, especially since it was this close to an island that was always filled with people on their vacation. But there was not much point in trying to figure that out. Her goal was clear, and it was close. Just past the entrance gate and a little bit further inside. Gesturing to her summon, they both started swimming then. Once they were past that very gate, darkness enveloped them, as the rays from sun weren't capable of penetrating the temple's walls. And just few more meters inside, a strange, red glow illuminated the room. Red crystal torches shone inside the water, lighting up the room they were in. In it's center, a giant pedestal with the artifact! And on top of the artifact, a giant squid! Well... she asked for something different than the rays and she got it. Of course, she instantly started having weird fantasies about those big, juice tentacles...  but at least Xiolan still had her mind, showing her master away as one of those tentacles tried slamming her into the ground. That way, they both managed to dodge... thank goodness too, it looked rather painful.

---

Status
HP: 160
MP: 55%
Xiolan's HP: 60

Word count: 253

Not wanting to give the mage and her summon any time to recover, the giant octopus started to spray pitch black ink everywhere, soon filling the entire room. It really harmed both Leila's and Xiolan's vision, but the enemy was still making a whole lot of noise, as it moved it's tentacles about. That made it quite obvious where it was, even with this great camouflage! And the fact that this disgraceful octopus wasn't using it's long and slippery limbs for... off pleasures made Leila quite angry for some unknown reason. Her body quickly transforming into more bestial form and starting to spew out flames, it was quite the show under the water's surface. Thankfully, the flames were very magical and not put out by the water everywhere. That also made the underwater creature quite weak to them, dealing even more bonus damage. As the mage's feet landed on the room's floor, she would touch it with her hands, sending out several flaming roots that traveled up the pedestal and started crushing the octopus' tentacles. While restrained like that, Xiolan would start making it into her punching bag as well, delivering large number of heavy punches to it, truly showcasing her great abilities in melee combat! And finally, Leila would throw a flaming fruit bomb at the thing, making it explode rather spectacularly. Even several tentacles fell off after that attack. Not giving it any break, she summoned her claws and swam close, tearing it's oddly textured skin apart. The thing wailed in pain and finally started swimming back to the surface. But not before it delivered one last slamming strike to the two with it's remaining tentacles. It was a painful farewell, but it marked the end of the battle. Shamefully, Xiolan had to return into her own realm to heal after that one. And feeling her own oxygen slowly going away, Leila nabbed the artifact and started swimming straight up, towards the water's surface. Once there, it was no problem swimming back to the beach and claiming her prize for the recovered treasure.

---

Status
HP: 80
MP: 30%

Word count: 345

---