The inky blackness of the Mariana Trench is thicker than imagined. When Team Rebellion's submersible "Starry Abyss" descends to 10,000 meters, the seawater outside solidifies into pitch-black ink, only searchlight beams revealing floating particles of luminescence—"abyssal (plankton spirits)" activated by spiritual energy, each like a speck of phosphorescent stardust.
"Depth: 10,300 meters," the pilot's voice crackles over comms, distorted by electronics. "Anomalous spiritual energy detected ahead, coordinates locked on the floor of the Challenger Deep."
Lin Ye grips the control stick, his spiritual pattern core warming. Fused with Sea Spirit Patterns, it resonates sharply with the deep sea—this isn't ordinary energy. Sealed Abyss Spiritual Patterns surge from the earth, weaving a dark purple light net across the trench floor.
"Prepare for descent," he locks the submersible's hatch. "Xiaotao, activate Starmoon's deep-sea mode; Ajiu, switch Shadow Ravens to 'Eclipse' form; Sakura, ready Sakura Patterns for 'Dark Breach'."
"Understood." The trio replies in unison. Xiaotao's Starmoon bracelet glows faint blue, water ripples forming on its surface; Ajiu's Shadow Ravens burst from her hair, feather edges oozing dark purple mist; Sakura's Sakura Patterns condense into a pink light sphere in her palm, as if to (rend) the darkness.
The moment the submersible touches the seafloor, the entire trench trembles. A fissure splits the seabed, black mist pouring out like a living thing to wrap the Starry Abyss. Lin Ye's core shudders—he senses consciousness within the mist: Abyss Guards corrupted by Abyss Patterns, now locking the submersible with spiritual energy.
"Warning! Abnormal external pressure!" the pilot panics. "Hull cracks forming, oxygen remaining—"
"Shut up." Ajiu's Shadow Raven slams into the porthole, dark purple mist corroding the mist's seal. Her Shadow patterns etch claw marks into the glass. "We didn't come to be trapped."
Lin Ye's core blazes with golden flames across the submersible's hull. The flames hiss on contact with the mist—Abyss Patterns differ from Stellar Orbit or Sea Spirit; they fear light but are (countered) by purer Life Spiritual Patterns.
"Xiaotao, stabilize spiritual energy with Starmoon!" he yells. "Ajiu, tear a mist breach! Sakura, awaken the Guards' consciousness with Sakura!"
Xiaotao's bracelet blazes, blue energy flooding the mist to form a stable light cocoon. Ajiu's Ravens become dark purple blades, slashing through the mist to reveal a crouching figure: a tall man in black scales, left face covered in coral-like scars, right face blooming with the same pink as Sakura's Patterns, wrist core pulsing with the abyss.
"The Abyss User!" Sakura's Patterns dim. "The seafloor guardian sealed eight hundred years ago—their core manipulates abyss energy, but went berserk from over-extracting veins."
The man raises a hand, black slime oozing from between scales and scars, condensing into a spear that stabs the submersible. Lin Ye meets it with a flaming fist, Burning Heaven Flames hissing on contact with the slime—Abyss Patterns both consume light and (corrode) life.
"His core is absorbing our attacks!" Lin Ye's pupils contract. He senses the core expanding, its spirals matching the trench's— the final fragment of the Star Beast, restoring power by (devouring) abyss energy.
"Team Rebellion, coordinate!" he roars. "Xiaotao, freeze the energy core with Starmoon; Ajiu, sever negative links with Shadows; Sakura, awaken his mind with Sakura!"
Xiaotao's bracelet glows blue, Starmoon energy forming an ice barrier within the man's core. Ajiu's Ravens become a dark purple mist, shredding twisted pattern links in the core. Sakura's Patterns bloom into cherry trees on the seafloor, pink petals revealing human contours beneath the man's scale-covered face.
"You... Why... not destroy me?" his voice trembles.
Lin Ye's core flies out, clashing with his. Golden flames wrap pink Sakura, blue Starmoon, and purple Shadow energy, surging into the abyss core like a dragon. Black scales peel back, revealing pale skin—eight-hundred-year-old Abyss Users, cores shattered, consciousnesses finally freed from abyss shells.
"Finally... free..." the Abyss User murmurs, his tail fin (lower body once covered in scales) dissolving into stardust, merging into the seafloor's light net. "Abyss Patterns... should have been... balancers..."
When the last User dissolves, the trench returns to silence. Lin Ye's wrist core warms, purple-blue patterns like coral appearing—marks of Abyss Pattern resonance.
"So this is..." Sakura's eyes redden. "Abyss Patterns' mission is to guard the ocean's depths."
The pilot peeks from the console, voice trembling with relief: "Hull cracks repaired... Oxygen restored. What exactly did you—"
"We are Rebellion," Lin Ye stares at the searchlight outside, where glowing abyssal plankton dance. "Partners who protect each other."
As the submersible ascends, sunlight filters through the water, casting dappled light on the hull. Xiaotao's bracelet still glows blue, Ajiu's Ravens circle the submersible, and Sakura's Patterns bloom as tiny flowers on her fingertips.
"Where to next?" Ajiu strokes her Raven's feathers. "Heard there are Aurora Spiritual Patterns in the Arctic, making rainbows bloom in snow."
"I'll pack extra hot cocoa!" Xiaotao waves her Starmoon bracelet. "Deep sea is cold, Arctic colder."
Sakura smiles, Sakura Patterns forming ice crystals on her glasses: "I'll warm everyone's hands with cherry blossoms."
Lin Ye gazes at his Rebellion core, sensing global pattern vibrations—like countless heartbeats resonating in clouds. He touches the core, murmuring: "Pattern meaning has never resided in temples or deserts."
"Then where?" Xiaotao tilts her head.
Lin Ye looks to the brightening horizon, where sunlight pierces the sea, sprinkling golden spots on the surface.
"Wherever life blooms."
As the submersible breaches the surface, the Mariana sunrise dyes the ocean gold-red. Team Rebellion's patterns shine in the sun, weaving with coral purple-blue, ocean indigo, and abyss dark purple into a new totem—a star trail unfurling toward the Pacific horizon.