[@Wick][h1][color=teal][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/NJFs3b8.jpg[/img]
Wayne[/center][/color][/h1][hr]
Wayne watched with a small smirk as Alexis dispelled the magical defenses on the pearls. Spellcasters were so incredibly rare, and they were almost entirely devoted to the Hexenbiest order. To have one on his side... That opened up an entire new host of possibilities.

[color=teal]"Well done."[/color] Wayne took the pearls from her and eyed the woman up and down. Compliments weren't his forte, and if Sophie were to hear that he had given one to someone he had met that day, well, she just might have a stroke.

As far as Wayne could tell, the pearls were enchanted, however, they weren't setting off any alarms. Once they had returned to Johann's cave, Wayne motioned for Alexis to remain outside before entering the room, striding to the second platform in the room, careful not to approach the central stone ring on the bridge.

Without his enhanced vision, the Wesen wouldn't have been able to discern anything in the darkness. Johann's presence was... Absent. In previous encounters, Wayne had always been able to detect the Tintenfische's mind poking at his own, subtly intruding on his thoughts. Yet this time, the cavern was devoid of any life.

Frowning, Wayne cleared his throat. [color=teal]"Johann? Are you there?"[/color]

Silence greeted his question, echoing faintly on the stone walls of the cistern. The mystery tugged at the edges of his mind, pushing him to take a hesitant step forward. If Johann wasn't here, he might finally have a chance to look down into the cistern and see the Johann's lair.

Taking a deep breath, Wayne quickly strode forward, closing the gap between himself and the edge of the bridge. When he came to the end of it, he was standing directly above the center of the water, gazing down into the black abyss beneath him. Even with his glowing eyes, Wayne's gaze was unable to pierce the depths.

Frowning once more, Wayne turned to return to Alexis, but instead of seeing the exit, he was met with a looming wall of water before him. In his curiosity, he had neglected to hear the soft sounds of running water as the liquid surged upward from the cistern and blocked his escape path. Before he could even shout to Alexis' for help, the water surged forward, pushing him off of his feet.

Landing back first on the bridge, Wayne sputtered water out of his mouth before inhaling deeply, coughing out the water he had inhaled. Struggling to his feet, Wayne looked around the room, his heart dropping into his chest when he realized the water had climbed the walls and ceiling, surrounding the entire the room in a bubble of water.

In eerie unison, the water shifted forwards and threw forth aquatic tentacles from every angle, seizing Wayne and hoisting him into the air.

Through the haze, Wayne saw Alexis' struggling to get in, but the water filled the passageway and repulsed her, magically preventing entrance to the cistern.

An unearthly wail echoed from the water around him as the tentacles snaked forwards, attempting to seize the pearls from Wayne's grasp. Fighting desperately against the liquid, Wayne fully Woged and screeched at the water, causing a visible ripple to run through the liquid as his magical cry repulsed the ocean's grasp.

The water released his form and dropped him onto the bridge, knocking the wind from his lungs. Shifting around their injured prey, the aquatic tentacles began to prepare for a second attack. The instant before they reached the Wesen, a deep, powerful blue light filled the room, banishing the ocean's spell in an instant. The water surged back into the cistern, wailing as it went.

Silence filled the room as Wayne struggled to breathe, leaving him alone in the soft lighting. Wayne looked to the exit to locate Alexis, but a gentle voice interrupted him.

[h3][color=deepskyblue][i]"Give me the pearls, Wayne."[/i][/color][/h3]

For the first time, Wayne witnessed part of Johann's body as an enormous, black tentacle snaked upwards out of the water and pulled Wayne to his feet, leaving itself open to receive the pearls.

Shuddering, Wayne gently placed the pearls onto the flesh of the titan. [color=teal]"W-what was that?"[/color]

After receiving the pearls, Johann retracted his tentacle into the water, taking with it the sense of impending danger.

[h3][color=deepskyblue]"The pearls belong to the sea, and they have been separated for many years. They were anxious to be reunited."[/color][/h3]

Instead of the typical prowess and prestige that Johann possessed, Wayne detected a sympathetic, gentle tone, as if the larger Wesen was grateful and caring. Shaking his head, Wayne looked over his shoulder, searching for the woman. [color-teal]"Alexis?"