We followed the guards through a winding street of stone paths and glowing reef lanterns. Eventually, we stopped in front of a tall structure built from dark, polished slabs.
It didn't look like any sea home I'd seen. More like one of those skyscraper buildings back home — clean, angular, too sharp for the sea. The entrance was made from black stone and a clear note written on the wall that guests weren't meant to wander.
Two guards stood by the door — serious types, not the kind you could strike up a chat with. One gave a nod and tapped a panel embedded in the wall.
The door slid open with a click.
Inside, the floor wasn't sand or stone — it was glass. It wasn't fragile but felt solid under my feet, and it lit up when I stepped on it. Soft white-blue, like light under the waves.
The furniture was carved wood, dark and polished, with golden patterns etched into it. Maybe imported from the elves through trade. It wasn't overly fancy — just clean, strong, expensive-looking. Kaelen hopped onto a low shelf with padded lining and claimed it for his own.
The ceiling had these hanging vines made of glass, and little glowing flowers blooming along them.
My room had a big window facing the sea, made of real glass. It followed my thoughts like magic — turned dark when I wanted privacy. The bed looked like it had been stolen from a noble's house. Floating frame, soft fabric sheets that looked waterproof and shimmered when the light hit them.
There was even a corner set up with books — actual scrolls, sealed pagefins, and some kind of orb on a pedestal. Kaelen told me it was a communicator, only used in emergencies. At least it didn't smell like seaweed. Already better than the inn.
I sat on the bed and stared at the window.
It stayed dim, like it knew I didn't want to see the outside. I could still feel the cold grip of the water from earlier… the blood. The screams.
The Hadalborn.
That was what Kaelen called them. Creatures twisted by something unnatural. I didn't know if they were born that way or turned into it. I didn't even want to know.
I ran a hand down my arm, trying to stop the shaking.
The room was quiet. The guard stayed outside this little house and hadn't moved in over an hour.
Safe or not, it still felt like something could snap at any second.
The image of that woman — what was left of her — flashed in my head again. Her hand, still open like it was reaching for help.
I swallowed and leaned back against the pillows.
What if I hadn't made it? What if Kaelen hadn't—
I looked up at the ceiling, fighting the shake in my arms.
I used to train like hell back home. Boxing classes, drills, footwork, breathing techniques — I had the routine pinned to my wall like gospel.
Mondays, circuits. Wednesdays, speed bag. Fridays, hell-sparring with my coach. My knuckles used to sting for days.
Ha... what was the point of all that? I still died anyway. And now I'm stuck in a sea world full of magic and monsters.
My punches wouldn't even land before something claws through me. Magic here is faster, unforgiving. It can burn, freeze, or twist your body inside out before you can even blink. What use was a left hook against a creature born in the dark?
I'm not strong here.
Just lucky.
And luck is already running thin.
Kaelen lay still, his eyes half closed but still awake.
"Kaelen," I said quietly. "Those creatures… you called them Hadalborn?"
He nodded once. "Deepspawn. They are twisted things, not natural. They weren't supposed to come this close."
"What… made them like that?"
He hesitated. "Some say they were created. Others say they used to be something else — corrupted. Dragged too deep and… changed."
That didn't help.
"And the merman? With the runes?"
Kaelen looked away. "Not sure. But… he wasn't just a soldier."
"Do you know his name?"
"No. But I think we'll hear it soon enough."
That merman hadn't even given his name. Just showed up, tore through those monsters like it was routine, and left like nothing had happened.
But those runes on his tail… the way the guards obeyed without question…
He wasn't just some soldier.
And I had a feeling I'd be seeing him again.
While Elara tried to sleep, deep beneath the coral court, another conversation was already unfolding...
✧𓂃⋆༶⋆𓂃✧
Far from the guest housing, the royal family held a late session. Two figures waited inside. The Queen sat upright, a thin circlet resting just above her brows. Beside her, the King leaned slightly forward, hands clasped and eyes sharp.
The merman with the runes arrived without ceremony. Two guards let him in and stayed by the entrance. He swam forward, until he reached the raised platform with the two thrones.
"You're later than expected, son," the Queen said, tone clipped.
He gave a shallow bow. His armour was scuffed, and blood on one of his vambraces — some of it not his.
"We were delayed. There was a Hadalborn attack — near the lower sector."
The King's expression darkened. "That close?"
"They broke the outer ward line. Civilians were caught off guard, so I intervened. There were casualties…" He hesitated. "Several. A woman was torn apart before I reached her. The girl from the surface and her pet were also there but luckily they survived. I assigned guards to protect them and brought them to the safer district. They're in one of the newer buildings."
"That's good that you made that move. The court is still unsure if she can be useful for us or will bring disaster. We need to keep her close until it's confirmed if she is a Niraya and if her sigils really contain all powers or not," the King replied.
The Queen's tone darkened. "And the Forest?"
"Veland'ir shadows struck a village near the border. The elves sent a message for help, so we answered. Our squad held the line with them. A few were equipped with Aqualith bands, so they managed to hold their form on land for nearly six hours."
"Only a few?" the Queen asked.
"That's all we could spare. Last batch was weak. The harvest caves haven't produced much lately."
"Has the blessing been renewed?" the King asked.
"No," Dravion said. "Seers say the magic's fading. Since the last time the Tidefather sent a guardian to bless the caves, the growth has barely shifted."
The Queen let out a sharp breath. "Then we'll need alternatives. We can't afford to pull back our presence from the surface."
The room quieted.
Dravion gave a short nod. "That's the full report."
"You've done enough tonight," the King said. "Go get some rest."
Dravion gave a quiet, "Yes, Father," and turned to leave. The guards let him pass without a word.
He didn't head to his chambers immediately. Instead, he stopped by a window, looking out into the dim blue stretch of water.
He exhaled slowly.
"I've seen war. I've seen death. But why… why did seeing her feel like something I forgot to grieve?" He took a deep breath. "And those eyes… why'd they look like the most beautiful damn pearls in the sea?"
He shut his eyes. Just for a second. Like he wanted to forget he'd felt anything at all. He ran a hand through his hair and muttered, barely a whisper. "Get a grip. She's just a surface girl."
Then he disappeared into the corridor, leaving the thought behind — at least for now.
✧𓂃⋆༶⋆𓂃✧✧𓂃⋆༶⋆𓂃✧✧𓂃⋆༶⋆𓂃✧