The Abyss Within

The abyss still called to him.

Daniel floated in the darkened waters, his gills slowly expanding and contracting in a steady rhythm as if attuned to a pulse deep below. The eerie glow of the abyssal rift pulsed like a hidden heartbeat, sending silent tremors through the surrounding water. That faint, seductive whisper from the void clawed at the edges of his consciousness, promising secrets and transformation—but it also reminded him of the battle he had just fought within himself.

Beside him, Mira swam with quiet determination. Her vibrant scales glimmered faintly, lit by the subtle bioluminescence of the ocean's currents, while her golden eyes remained ever vigilant. "You almost lost yourself back there," she said softly, her tone calm yet edged with concern. Her form, outlined by dancing lights, conveyed both solace and urgency.