“Could be nymphs,” Revelin says as he squints at the still water, “the kind that don’t take kindly to strangers disturbing their springs.”
Dezi runs a hand through his hair, a frown creasing his brow as he glances uneasily at the pool. “Not exactly ideal for vampires, either,” he mutters. “Deep water and dead bodies don’t mix.”
“Monsters or not, we need to figure this out,” Tiernan says, shooting Dezi a sympathetic look that quickly shifts to Revelin. “Any insights?”
Revelin strokes his chin thoughtfully, his gaze fixed on the still water. “This place could house many Fae creatures, or worse, something conjured by the ruin’s creator for protection.” He sighs, the weight of our quest momentarily bowing his shoulders. “But we won’t find answers standing here.”
We exchange wary glances, each of us aware that the next step involves plunging into the unknown. Fear may give us pause, but it’s the thrill of the hunt, the promise of discovery, that propels us forward.
The stagnant air of the ruins feels charged with my impatience as I stomp my way to the edge of the pool, the artifacts’ whispers fading behind me. “Oi, come out and face us, you finned fuckers!” My voice echoes off the stone walls, a challenge thrown into the depths.
I’m done with guessing games.
Khol’s chuckle cuts short, and Dezi’s dark eyes widen. Tiernan’s hand twitches towards his holster while Revelin raises an eyebrow. They’re all them frozen in place, waiting to see what my brash challenge brings forth.
A ripple disturbs the mirror-like surface of the water, and then, rising like a specter from my wildest imaginings, is a creature of myth. The water serpent’s scales shimmer with the iridescence of a peacock's feather, casting prismatic light across the room. It towers over us, ancient and majestic, the embodiment of the legends that have haunted our kind for centuries.
My heart races, but I can’t suppress a wild grin. “Who the fuck brought goddamn Nessie down here?!”
Of course, it’s not actually Nessie, but this thing could be a stunt double.
We brace for battle, muscles coiled tight. Dezi steps back into the shadows, unable to help if the battle is aqueous. Khol’s eyes gleam with the prospect of combat, and I grin as he lets his fangs descend. Tiernan’s stance is solid, watching the beast like a soldier tracking a target. But there’s no immediate lunge from the serpent, no rush ofwater to signal our end. Instead, it watches us, intelligence gleaming behind those sea-glass eyes—a silent acknowledgment of equals, or maybe just a predator sizing up its prey.
It’s Rev who breaks the standoff, stepping forward with a calmness that belies the tension webbing through the rest of us. His words are melodic, strange syllables flowing in an ancient Fae dialect I don’t comprehend. The serpent’s head tilts, listening, responding not with violence but with a low, resonating sound that vibrates through my bones.
Be still my ovaries, my sirenic Prince is also some kind of monster tamer.
I lower my daggers just a fraction, a mix of wariness and wonder settling in my chest. This creature isn’t some mindless beast—it’s part of the puzzle, another secret keeper in these ruins that test not just our might, but our minds and our mettle. As Revelin converses with the sentinel of the deep, I hope we prove ourselves worthy of its knowledge.
“State your purpose, land walkers,” the serpent’s voice rumbles like an underwater quake, each word pressing against my chest.
If it can speak English, why the fuck didn’t it do so in the first place?
Revelin turns to me, winking as he whispers, “Magic, lass. Don’t think so damn hard.”
Huffing, I roll my eyes and look at the serpent. “We seek the lost artifacts. Legends say they’re key to a greater mystery we’re trying to solve.”
The beast’s eyes narrow, and for a moment, I fear we’ve failed some unspoken test. But then it nods, sending ripples across the pool’s surface. “Prove your worth. Retrieve the Trident of Tides from my domain—without resorting to your sorcery.”
“I knew it!” I whirl around, stabbing my finger at them all. “I told you we’d find yet another damn task in this room.”
Dezi steps forward, clearing his throat. “I’ll... remain here. Obviously, this… quest… is not one I can assist with.”
“I’m not excited about splitting up, even for a short time. So stay safe, or I’ll stake you myself,” I growl as I look at him. Dezi merely nods, retreating into the shadowed edges of the chamber.
Revelin’s hand brushes mine—a fleeting touch—before he dives gracefully into the chilling embrace of the pool. Khol follows, a fierce determination in his eyes. Tiernan plunges in after, his broad shoulders cutting through the water. With a deep breath, I join them, the cold seeping into my bones.
I’m definitely going to punch whoever set this up in the balls. If they’re still alive, that is.
Below the surface, the world transforms. Light dances through the water, casting eerie shadows. We navigate through tight, jagged corridors, our movements deliberate. I can’t help but feel the weight of the unknown pressing in on us from all sides.
Khol signals to a narrow opening ahead, barely wide enough to slip through. My heart hammers as I squeeze myself between the rocks, praying I don’t get stuck in this underwater grave.
A flicker of movement catches my eye, and I see them—shadowy figures darting just out of sight. Are they mere fish, or something more sinister? I try to keep my imagination from running wild, focusing instead on the rhythmic motions of swimming, the bubbles trailing up from my lips, and the steady beat of my heart.
Finally, we enter a vast cavern, and there it is, nestled among age-old treasures that glitter and beckon: a gleaming golden object that has to be the Trident of Tides. It glows softly with magical energy, and for a moment, I’m transfixed.
Bet this thing is worth the GDP of a small country.
