Millenium : The Awakening of Heroes

Ikku turned his head, startled by the warning. He frowned, trying to understand.

"What do you mean? They're just... dolphins, right?"

Kenny shook his head frantically, scanning the water around them.

"No, not these ones... They're 'Rammer Dolphins.' They're vicious and sadistic!"

Ikku's heart raced. He had never heard of such creatures before. Suddenly, he realized he could no longer see the dolphins around them. The water, which had been churning moments ago, was now eerily still.

A dreadful feeling crept over him. Taking a deep breath, he submerged his head beneath the surface for a better look. In the depths, a dark shape hurtled toward him at breakneck speed.

Damn it! Ikku thought, panic gripping him. There's no way to dodge this in time!

He had only seconds to react. Instinctively, he crossed his arms over his chest and curled his legs tightly, bracing himself for the inevitable impact. The Rammer Dolphin, with its massive skull, slammed into Ikku with full force.

The blow was so powerful that Ikku was launched out of the water, his body flung more than two meters into the air. For a fleeting moment, suspended above the ocean, he felt searing pain radiating through his trembling limbs.

If Kenny hadn't warned me, my ribs would've been crushed, Ikku thought, still reeling from the shock.

He crashed back into the sea, a wave crashing over him. Saltwater flooded his mouth and lungs as he struggled to catch his breath. Around him, chaos reigned. Other candidates were also under attack by the Rammer Dolphins. Some tried to swim faster, while others floated motionless, unconscious or worse, their bodies bobbing like lifeless debris.

A few meters away, Kenny had stopped swimming. He floated on the surface, wide-eyed and tense.

"Damn it! We're completely outmatched here in the open sea!" Kenny shouted in frustration. "These monsters are way too fast!"

The violent attacks continued unabated. Candidates screamed, thrashing in desperation to stay afloat. Even the strongest among them were beginning to falter, unable to endure the relentless onslaught of these merciless creatures.

I have to stay focused, Ikku thought. If I lose control, it's over.

He knew he couldn't take much more. Drawing a deep breath, he submerged himself again. Below the surface, he spotted another dolphin charging at him. This time, he anticipated the attack, twisting his body at the last second to avoid a direct hit. He managed to evade most of the blow, but the glancing impact still sent him spinning a few meters away.

Ikku broke through the surface, gasping for air. He turned his head and spotted Yumé, also struggling to evade the dolphins' relentless attacks. His eyes met Kenny's, and they shared the same desperate expression.

"Kenny! We need to come up with something, or we're done for!" Ikku shouted.

Kenny nodded, wiping water from his face.

"Tch! I've got nothing," Kenny growled, slapping the surface of the water in frustration.

As Ikku swam, searching for a safe path through the treacherous waters, he felt a sudden, violent tug on his leg. Before he could process what was happening, a dolphin had latched onto him and was dragging him underwater. The creature dove deeper, spinning him in tight circles with terrifying agility.

Panic set in as Ikku struggled against the dolphin's grip, but it was far too fast. Air was running out, and dread consumed him.

I can't break free. I can't even move. It's too strong... he thought, his vision starting to blur as darkness enveloped him.

Above, Yumé noticed Ikku's dire situation.

"Kenny! Ikku's in trouble! A dolphin's got him!" he yelled, his face pale with fear.

Kenny, overwhelmed by the chaos, stammered, "What do we do?"

But before he could finish, Yumé had already dived into the water, vanishing beneath the surface.

Underwater, Ikku was fighting with all his might, but his strength was fading. The dolphin showed no signs of letting go.

It's no use... I'm out of air. My strength is gone... Is this really how it ends?

As he teetered on the edge of unconsciousness, a glowing figure appeared in the murky depths. A shimmering light radiated from the figure's eyes. It was Yumé. But this time, his eyes gleamed with a golden hue, pulsating with an otherworldly energy.

The dolphin, distracted by the glow, paused its assault. Yumé's right hand began to radiate a warm, luminous light. He approached the dolphin and, with a sudden, powerful strike, landed a devastating blow on the creature. The impact was so intense that Ikku felt the shockwave reverberate through the water. The dolphin was flung several meters away, rendered unconscious.

Yumé resurfaced, pulling Ikku up by the arm. Ikku took a deep, gasping breath.

"Thank you... Yumé," he murmured, his voice trembling. "I thought that was the end for me. I couldn't have made it without you."

"It's what friends are for," Yumé replied with a small smile.

"Yumé..." Ikku started, curiosity in his eyes. "Your..."

"We'll talk about it later," Yumé interrupted. "The other dolphins are still here."

As he struggled to keep his head above water, Ikku desperately searched his mind for a strategy to escape the dolphins before his strength gave out. A memory surfaced one of his training sessions with Jack.

He recalled his frustration during training. Jack had stood still, effortlessly dodging every one of Ikku's attacks without moving an inch.

"This isn't fair! How are you doing this? You're cheating!" Ikku had shouted, pouting.

"Wahaha! It's simple," Jack had replied with a sly grin. "Most people dodge by moving away. Sure, it's safe, but it makes counterattacks harder. The best way is to pivot your body at the last second. Not only can you dodge, but you can strike back immediately."

Ikku had nodded, though he remained skeptical. "But it's risky!"

"Life is like a fight," Jack had said. "Only by taking risks can you move forward and win."

The advice echoed in Ikku's mind, reigniting his resolve.

That's it! I've got it! he thought, his determination rekindled.