ECHOES FROM THE ABYSS

ightened and nerves on edge. The air in the confined cabin was thick with tension, punctuated only by the persistent low hum of the echoes that had taken on

k glass viewport to the rapidly shifting readouts on the control panel. The familiar hum of the engines no longer felt comfort

vy SEAL had prepared him for hostile environments, but the crushing depths of the A

t nearly impossible to get a clear reading. Lines of data streamed across the screen, breaking and fracturing like shattered glass. "It's like we're in the middle of some sort of

rkness outside, which seemed to have come alive, twisting and undulating as if the shadows themselves were breathing. The rhythmic drumming had grown louder

louder this time, echoing through the confined space. It was as though something massive was circling the submersible, testing the strength

n his gut. He toggled the communication switch, his fingers steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him. "Elena,

onse. For a moment, Marcus thought he caught Elena's voice, faint and distort

yss. Marcus swore under his breath, frustration and fear boiling together. He knew that whatever ha

he reality of their isolation pressing down on him like the ocean itself. "Marcus, I can't get a clear read," he s

forced metal straining against the external force. Marcus tightened his grip on the controls, struggling to keep Neptune's Eye sta

surrounding abyss, moving with purpose. It wasn't the aimless drift of a sea creature o

n you hear me? There's something huge circling the subm

wn voice replying back before vanishing into the void. Samir's eyes widened, his finger

thstand extreme pressure and minor collisions, but it wasn't built to fend off an attack from somethin

ied their own dangers, but staying put seemed even more perilous. He had to keep them alive long enough for El

with fear and anticipation. "Are we really going to lea

houlders. "We hold out as long as we can," he said, hi

rief, terrifying darkness. The shadows outside seemed to pulse and shift, and the rhythmic drumming grew deafening, vib

cold air. Marcus exchanged a worried glance with Samir. "What the hell..." Marcus

gging across metal. Samir's eyes filled with terror as the realization set in: whatever

his voice breaking. "We nee

had gripped it. He grabbed the controls, trying to steady the craft, but the force was too powerfu

e. "We're being pulled-something's got us!" The last flicker of calm he h

e, to shift and bend around the submersible. The

that whatever lay within the abyss h