Chapter 53

~Ryuu~

Ryuu shakes his hair as he returns from the sea with another shell in hand. He still went out to collect them for Calea. Even though his pride told him not to go near Paldania, he couldn't help himself. The waters were connected to both places. He noticed Calea had kept the shells he had given her and put them on a shelf in her room. His little minnow pretended not to like many things, but he saw through it.

Ryuu observed everything Calea did, as he would at sea when he ambushed his prey. Ryuu flopped down, sitting on the sand and inspecting the shell. His chest suddenly ached, and he found it hard to breathe. He started coughing and coughed up water. His breath came back, but his body trembled.

Then he hears Calea's voice, but it's in his head. Ryuu stands erect. "Calea!" Was he going crazy? What was happening? Suddenly, an image of a hand reaching for the water's surface flashes into his head.

"Calea!"