There are odd constructions around, almost like a subterranean city. There are buildings carved in stone and swallowed by water, the darkness of the rock a contrast to the crystalline blue water. The windows of the buildings are wide open, as if something had shattered the glass until only the frames remain. Intricate ornaments embellish the facades of the buildings, making them seem aristocratic, even regal in appearance.

There are vines climbing all over the rocky edifices, curling around the open orifices and hugging them in an elegant embrace. This must have been someone's residence at some point in time.

The buildings continue down a narrow, darkened lane, and I catch sight of statues depicting all sorts of foreign creatures. Some are still standing, somehow still rooted to the spot, but some have fallen, faces and bodies broken and battered by the currents.

I'm struck by the beauty and the tragedy of it. Unfortunately, I'm not able to enjoy it seeing as my oxygen supply is nearly depleted. My lungs are nearing their capacity, and it takes everything in me to stop myself from gasping for air.

Still, there's no sight of Ze.

Although I do my best to keep calm, my impending doom as well as Ze's uncertain fate have my heart racing to the maximum. My eyes become sluggish the more I'm deprived of oxygen, so much so that I think I start seeing things. Otherwise, how would I explain the jelly-like translucent being that Ze is currently wrestling in the narrow tunnel?

I blink once.

Twice.

Bubbles erupt from my mouth as I slap my hand over it to keep myself from accidentally ingesting water.

Ze's head turns to the side, noticing me. His features are tightly drawn together as he turns sharply toward the jelly-being. It's almost as if the water is not affecting him in any way, able to both breathe and move freely as if he were on land.

His hands grasp onto two tentacles, purple energy emanating from his palms and spreading to the jelly-being. From the point of contact, the energy permeates the entirety of his opponent, like an eternal flame that can survive anywhere—even in the depths of the ocean.

A blink of an eye. That's how long it takes for the jelly-being to disintegrate, leaving behind only some purple sparks that now float into the water.

Ze turns his attention to me, swimming toward me. It takes him a few strokes to reach my side. I do my best to motion to him that I can't swim upward—that the water is somehow caging me and dragging me down.

He frowns.

Frustration gnaws at me as precious seconds trickle by. Pointing to my mouth, I attempt to tell him that I'm moments away from running out of breath and that we need to go back up.