chapter 14: dolphins

The ocean stretched out before her, a mesmerizing expanse of shifting blues and greens. Shafts of sunlight filtered through the water's surface above, dancing like liquid gold across the seabed. It illuminated the vibrant coral reefs that formed her home, a labyrinthine tapestry of colors and textures teeming with life. The coral heads were alive with movement-schools of angelfish and butterflyfish flitted about in a kaleidoscope of colors, while cleaner shrimp meticulously tended to their clients, picking off parasites with delicate precision.Xena floated motionless for a moment, her golden eyes scanning the scene. Her irises shimmered like molten metal, their brilliance so striking that even the most stoic creatures paused to take notice of her. Her long, silken hair, a cascade of iridescent silver-blue, billowed around her like a halo, reflecting the light in soft hues of aqua and lavender. Her skin, pale and almost translucent, glimmered faintly under the refracted sunlight, a celestial contrast to the darker world she inhabited.The mermaid's beauty was unearthly-ethereal and captivating. Her slender, almost fragile frame moved with fluid grace, her emerald-scaled tail shimmering like a constellation of stars beneath her. Yet her delicate appearance belied the quiet power within her, a predator hidden beneath layers of otherworldly charm.As she swam, her surroundings shifted. The vibrant reef was alive with the chatter of small creatures-clicks and whistles from dolphins in the distance, the faint crunch of parrotfish nibbling on coral, and the muted swish of fins cutting through the water. She caught the scent of the ocean, salty and sharp, mixed with the earthy tang of algae clinging to rocks. It was a scent that reminded her of home, of safety-but she was leaving that behind now.Xena's fingers brushed the cool surface of the coral as she passed, feeling its rough, uneven texture. She moved cautiously, her movements as quiet as a shadow. Her golden eyes narrowed as she spotted a small group of crabs and lobsters huddled in the crevices of the reef. The crustaceans, oblivious to her approach, continued scavenging for food, their claws clicking against the rocks.They were insignificant, barely worth her attention. Yet hunger gnawed at her. With a flick of her wrist, she activated Devour, a skill that shrouded the crabs in an otherworldly mist. The mist engulfed them, and their struggling forms disintegrated into shimmering motes of light, absorbed into her being."+13 EXP," floated in her vision, the numbers a faint, glowing reminder of her progress.She watched as more messages flashed:"+13 EXP"

"+9 EXP"

"+13 EXP"

"+5 EXP."

Xena sighed softly, her lips forming a slight pout. The experience gained was meager, barely enough to satiate her hunger, let alone push her closer to leveling up. Worse yet, her Devour skill drained her mana-each use costing 0.5 MP. At this rate, she was wasting energy on creatures that offered little in return. Her delicate fingers clenched slightly around the invisible pouch strapped to her waist, the storage bubble holding her tools.Her trembling hand retrieved the snake fang dagger. The weapon was crude but effective, its blade a shimmering fang infused with faint traces of venom. The handle felt rough against her smooth skin, its texture grounding her in the reality of the hunt ahead.She scanned her surroundings, her golden eyes sharp and calculating. Ahead, she noticed a rock-strewn outcrop, darker and more foreboding than the coral gardens she called home. There, partially hidden among the shadows, was an octopus. Its sleek, mottled body blended seamlessly into the rocky background, its bulbous head bobbing gently with the currents.Xena's heart quickened. She recognized it as a Level 9 octopus-cunning, strong, and dangerous. It was leagues above the crabs she had just devoured, but she relished the challenge. Activating her Eye of Truth, she confirmed its stats. The octopus shifted slightly, its texture changing from the mottled gray of stone to a vibrant red.The ocean around her seemed to still. The usual chatter of the reef faded into a muted hum, the world narrowing down to just her and her prey. Her tail flicked once, twice, propelling her forward with precision. The octopus noticed her approach, its tentacles unfurling like ribbons, ready to strike.But Xena was faster. She activated Hydro Boost, her body surging forward in a blur of speed. The water around her hissed softly as she cut through it, leaving a trail of disturbed currents in her wake. The octopus lashed out, its tentacles whipping toward her with deadly accuracy.With a flicker of movement, Xena activated Blur Current, leaving behind an afterimage. The octopus struck the illusion, its tentacles colliding with nothingness. In that split second, she moved to its side, her dagger poised.The octopus shrieked-a high-pitched, eerie sound that sent a shiver down her spine. Its body turned a deep crimson, a warning sign of its aggression. It lashed out again, its tentacles curling and twisting like living whips. Xena dove, her body twisting gracefully as she evaded its attacks.The fight was brutal but brief. With a swift motion, she unleashed Aqua Slash, the high-pressure water blade cutting cleanly through one of the creature's tentacles. Dark ink clouded the water as the octopus tried to retreat, but Xena wasn't finished.Activating Electric Pulse, she sent a shockwave through the water. The octopus convulsed, its muscles locking as the current paralyzed it. Wasting no time, Xena darted forward, her snake fang dagger plunging into its exposed underside. The creature thrashed violently, but her aim was true.With one final motion, she struck its vital point. The octopus stilled, its life force dissipating into the water."+35 EXP," flashed in her vision, a testament to her victory.Xena exhaled shakily, her body trembling slightly from the effort. She activated Devour, absorbing the essence of the octopus. The energy filled her, dulling the ache in her muscles and replenishing some of her strength.But it wasn't enough. She needed more.The distant sound of dolphin whistles broke her thoughts, and her heart skipped a beat. Dolphins. The very thought made her skin crawl. "The jerks of the sea," she muttered under her breath. She knew too well of their violent tendencies, their tendency to attack and kill not for food, but seemingly for sport.Her grip on the dagger tightened as she turned away, swimming swiftly from the reef. She cast one last glance at her home, the familiar coral and its vibrant life fading behind her as she ventured into the unknown.The ocean was vast, mysterious, and dangerous, but it was her world now. And she was determined to conquer it.