Ashore in a New World

The night was a blur of chaos—gunfire, shouts, and the thundering of waves. Nereus clung to Victor as they escaped the ship in the dead of night, the mafia lord's men fending off their attackers.

In the confusion, Victor had made a split-second decision, ordering his most trusted bodyguard to prepare a small boat and get Nereus to safety.Now, as dawn broke over the horizon, they approached land.The boat cut through the water with precision, its motor humming softly against the crash of distant waves.

Nereus sat at the stern, his legs—human legs—still feeling foreign. The transformation had been painful but brief, the effect of the sea's magic gradually wearing off as they neared the shore.

His tail had receded into two slender legs, covered in a thin layer of saltwater, and though Victor had dressed him in spare clothes from the ship, he still felt out of place.Victor, seated beside him, hadn't said much since they left the ship. His usual calm demeanor was intact, but Nereus could see the tension in his clenched jaw and the way his eyes flicked over the horizon, scanning for threats.

The battle they had left behind was far from over, and Victor knew his enemies would not stop until they found him. But for now, they were safe.As the boat approached the shoreline, the first thing Nereus noticed was the sheer vastness of the land. Sand stretched out in every direction, soft and golden under the rising sun.

Beyond the beach, trees swayed gently in the morning breeze, and the sounds of unfamiliar creatures echoed through the air. It was nothing like the ocean depths, and for a moment, Nereus felt overwhelmed.Victor guided the boat to shore, jumping out first and offering Nereus a steady hand as he clumsily stood.

His legs were shaky, unsteady, and every step felt foreign. He had never walked before—not like this."Easy," Victor said, his voice low and reassuring. "Take it slow."Nereus looked at him, grateful for the help but frustrated by his own awkwardness.

"I… not used to this."Victor's lips quirked in the faintest of smiles. "You're doing fine."Together, they waded through the shallow waters onto the beach. Nereus stumbled once or twice, unused to the uneven terrain, but Victor was always there to catch him. His strong hands, once capable of destruction, now provided the support Nereus needed to stand tall in this new world.

They reached the edge of the beach, where a black SUV was waiting, hidden beneath the shade of palm trees. One of Victor's men, a sharp-eyed, silent figure named Luca, stood by the vehicle. He nodded respectfully at Victor and opened the door, ushering them inside without a word.

As Nereus settled into the seat beside Victor, he looked out the window, wide-eyed. The world outside the vehicle seemed strange and vast.

Tall buildings rose in the distance, their shapes sharp and alien compared to the natural beauty of the ocean. Cars zoomed past on a nearby highway, their loud engines startling Nereus.Victor, noticing his unease, placed a hand on his shoulder.

"It'll take some getting used to," he said softly, his voice oddly gentle in contrast to the man Nereus had seen on the ship.

"But you're safe with me."Nereus looked at him, his bright blue eyes filled with trust. He didn't understand much about this new world, but he knew Victor had kept his word. The mafia lord had protected him, even when the world around them had descended into violence.

"Where are we going?" Nereus asked, his voice still halting with the unfamiliar language.Victor's expression remained guarded.

"Somewhere safe, for now. I have properties inland, far from the coast. No one will find us there."The journey inland was long, winding through forests, then highways, until they reached the outskirts of a city.

Tall, imposing buildings loomed in the distance, and the air was filled with the sounds of honking horns and the chatter of people walking the streets. Everything about it felt overwhelming to Nereus—so fast, so loud, so different from the quiet hum of the ocean.

As they passed through the crowded streets, Nereus pressed his face to the glass, watching people go about their lives.

Humans.

He had always been curious about them, but now, seeing them up close, they seemed even more complex than he had imagined.

Some walked in pairs, laughing and talking. Others moved with purpose, their faces set in stern lines. He tried to read their expressions, their movements, but it all felt like a puzzle with too many pieces.Victor's voice broke through his thoughts.

"You'll need to stay hidden. Out here, among people, you're vulnerable."Nereus frowned, turning to him.

"Vulnerable? Why?"Victor's eyes were hard as steel.

"Because people fear what they don't understand. They'd want to use you, just like my enemies do. We can't let that happen."Nereus nodded, though his heart felt heavy. He had always longed to know more about the human world, but now that he was here, it seemed filled with as much danger as the deep sea.

The SUV eventually pulled up to a gated estate on the outskirts of the city.

The towering iron gates creaked open, revealing a sprawling mansion hidden behind tall trees and manicured gardens. It was a fortress in its own right, secluded and secure. Luca parked the car, stepping out to open the door for Victor and Nereus.Victor led the way inside, the grand foyer of the mansion looming around them.

The floors gleamed underfoot, and chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting soft light over the polished surfaces. Nereus felt out of place, his feet awkward on the smooth floor, but Victor's presence beside him kept him grounded.

"You'll be safe here," Victor said, his voice low but reassuring. "No one knows about this place, and my men will guard the perimeter. You'll have time to adjust."Nereus nodded slowly, though his mind was still racing with all he had seen. He followed Victor up a grand staircase, taking in the sights with wide eyes.

They passed room after room, each more luxurious than the last, until they reached a quiet, private wing of the house.Victor opened the door to a bedroom, motioning for Nereus to step inside. The room was large, with a massive bed, floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the garden, and soft, plush carpets that felt strange under his bare feet.

"This will be yours," Victor said, standing in the doorway.Nereus looked around, his heart pounding. It was beautiful, but it wasn't home. The ocean still called to him, even from here. He turned to Victor, his voice soft but filled with determination.

"I… miss the sea."

Victor's gaze softened, though his expression remained guarded.

"I know. But for now, this is where you need to be."

Nereus nodded, knowing Victor was right. For now, the sea was out of reach. But he couldn't help but wonder if he would ever return to it, or if this new world—this dangerous, complicated world—would become his home.As the door clicked shut behind Victor, Nereus stood by the window, gazing out at the unfamiliar landscape.

He could hear the distant hum of the city, the occasional cry of birds in the trees, but it was all so different from the songs of the ocean.And yet, in this strange, unfamiliar place, he felt a flicker of hope.

Victor was with him, and in his presence, Nereus had found something he hadn't expected: not just protection, but companionship. A bond that ran deeper than words.

For now, that would be enough.