"Oh no! Nia!" The urgency in Kael's voice was palpable as he watched in dread.
The Eifriet, a menacing creature driven by its malicious intent, lunged with startling swiftness towards Niamh, who stood frozen in a mixture of shock and fear.
Her body seemed to lock in place, every muscle tensed.
Time appeared to slow down before Kael's eyes, each passing moment stretching into an eternity. His heart pounded in his chest, and a wave of helplessness washed over him as he watched the unfolding scene, his eyes widening in a mix of horror and desperation.
The Eifriet's attack was brutal and swift, slamming Niamh onto the rocky ground with an unforgiving force. The impact was followed by a spray of blood that tainted the surroundings in a horrifying display.
As the shocking scene played out before Kael's eyes, an overwhelming mixture of emotions surged within him. Anguish, anger, and a sense of helplessness all converged, causing his heart to race and his thoughts to blur.
In a frenzy of determination and adrenaline, Kael's scream of frustration and rage echoed through the air. He charged forward with a fierce urgency, intent on confronting the creature that had inflicted such harm upon Niamh. Yet, just as he closed in on the Eifriet, a strange twist of fate unfolded – the menacing creature abruptly ceased its movements, freezing in place as if caught in a surreal moment of stillness.
It was already dead, its predatory attack halted abruptly.
Amidst the storm of emotions raging within him, Kael's grip tightened on the lifeless creature. A guttural scream tore from his throat, a primal release of the anger, grief, and helplessness that had been building within him.
"K-Kael? is that you?"
"What!?" Kael's head snapped around, his eyes widening as he took in the sight of Niamh, battered and wounded but unmistakably alive. A surge of emotions surged within him, a mixture of relief, disbelief, and a burning need for answers.
The world around Kael seemed to waver, reality warping as he struggled to make sense of the impossible. His gaze locked onto Niamh, her presence defying the grisly fate he had just witnessed.
With a mixture of astonishment and concern, Kael rushed towards her, his actions almost instinctual. He threw the lifeless Eifriet on the ground,
his focus now solely on the injured Nia before him.
His hands found her shoulders, his grip gentle yet urgent. "Nia,...are you okay?" Kael's voice trembled with a cocktail of emotions—relief, bewilderment, and an overwhelming need for answers.
Niamh's voice wavered as she responded, her words tinged with an unsettling mix of resilience and vulnerability. "I wasn't hurt that much..." Her appearance, however, betrayed the true extent of her ordeal, as a sickly pallor seemed to cast a shadow over her.
Relief surged through Kael, accompanied by a soft smile that he couldn't quite suppress. "I am so glad you're okay," he admitted, his eyes reflecting the sincerity of his emotions.
In a moment that seemed to bridge the gap between their shared turmoil and the newfound solace, Kael's arms enveloped Niamh in an embrace born from pure relief. The suddenness of his hug caught her off-guard, and a faint blush spread across her cheeks in response to the unexpected closeness.
"I'm so glad you're safe, princess," Kael's voice was a warm embrace of relief, his concern palpable.
Niamh's stomach protested with a growl, making its own presence known.
A soft chuckle escaped Kael's lips. "you must be hungry"
Niamh's subsequent embarrassment only added to the lightheartedness of the situation.
"You're not going to feed me seaweed, are you?" Niamh's face twisted in disgust at the mere thought.
Kael chuckled, trying to defend his choice of food. "It's really not that bad—"
However, his words were abruptly cut off as Niamh's attention shifted to the remains of the Eifriet.
"What are you doing?" Kael questioned, intrigued and slightly puzzled by her sudden interest in the creature's body.
"Well...this must have some meat on it, right?" Niamh giggled with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Kael's expression shifted from surprise to mild disgust as he watched her take a bite from the Eifriet's remains without any hesitation.
"Perhaps you should rethink—" Kael began, his words trailing off as he contemplated the situation, unsure whether he should discourage her or let her satisfy her peculiar curiosity.
"Oh my, it doesn't taste that bad," Niamh said with an oddly satisfied smile.
Kael couldn't help but think, *the hunger seems to have gotten the best of her,* his disgust deepening as he observed her nonchalant reaction to the gruesome meal.
Eventually, they made their way into the cave, finding a more secure spot to discuss their situation in detail.
"Why did you leave the safety of the cave and venture outside, Nia? You know how perilous the waters can be," Kael inquired with genuine concern.
Between bites of Eifriet, Niamh answered, "I... I was searching for you. Where did you vanish to?"
Kael's eyes softened, touched by her words. "I didn't realize you held me in such high regard, Princess."
Niamh blushed, her cheeks turning a subtle shade of pink.
"I don't!" Niamh retorted, a touch of annoyance in her voice. "It's just that we're the only two people in this forsaken place."
Kael's eyes widened in playful realization. "Ah, yes, Princess. We're indeed the only ones here," he grinned, his gaze locked with hers, a silent understanding passing between them.
He gazed into her deep gray eyes, a smile tugging at his lips. "I don't really fancy the way you talk," Niamh said, embarrassment coloring her cheeks as she looked away.
"Apologies, Princess," he responded with a smile, "I didn't mean to embarrass you. However, I'm curious, how did you manage to defeat that creature?"
"Considering you have such minor injuries, I was genuinely concerned when I saw the blood. Did you employ magic or perhaps an artifact to fend off that creature?" Kael inquired curiously.
Niamh blushed slightly, shaking her head. "No, I didn't use any magical aid. Well, if you really want to know, I grabbed its mouth and tore its tongue out as it tried to push me onto the rocky ground. The blood you saw was from the Eifriet," she explained while smiling
Kael's astonishment was evident on his face, his eyes widening in disbelief at the unexpected revelation. "Ah... I trained a lot whenever I'd get the chance because that was the only thing I was good at," Niamh admitted with a nervous laugh, her voice tinged with a hint of self-deprecation.
Kael's shock gradually gave way to a warm smile, a mixture of admiration and amusement in his eyes. "Well, it seems that all that training has definitely paid off. You've certainly proven your capabilities today, Niamh."
Niamh's cheeks turned a light shade of pink as she glanced away, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and gratitude for his praise. "Thank you, Kael. I guess it just goes to show that sometimes you have to rely on the skills you've honed, even if they might seem unconventional."
Kael's smile persisted, his eyes reflecting a genuine concern as he continued, "Are you sure you want to eat that? Would you like me to cook it for you?"
Niamh considered his offer
she handed over the Eifriet parts. "Oh, sure,"
Kael's magic enveloped the meat, a warm glow radiating from his hands as he skillfully used his abilities to heat it up. The savory scent of cooked meat filled the surrounding, mingling with the natural aroma of the cave. With a gentle smile, he handed the prepared food over to Niamh, the warmth of his gesture evident in his eyes.
Niamh's lips curled into a grateful smile as she accepted the cooked meat.
Her mouth watered as the aroma of the cooked meat reached her senses. "Gosh! Thank you," she exclaimed with genuine gratitude, her excitement evident in her eyes.
As she savored each bite, a comfortable silence settled between them.
After savoring the last delicious bite, a contented sigh escaped Niamh's lips. However, as the warmth of the meal spread through her body, a sense of drowsiness followed suit. Her eyelids grew heavy, and her head began to nod involuntarily.
Kael noticed the change in her demeanor "Princess, you should rest," he gently suggested, concern evident in his voice.
Niamh's eyes blinked slowly as she tried to fight off the growing fatigue. "I think... you're right," she murmured, her words beginning to slur.
With a tender smile, Kael helped her settle into a comfortable position, making sure she was safe and well-supported within the cave's shelter. As the flickering light from the moonlight algae cast gentle shadows on her peaceful face, Niamh's breathing gradually deepened, and she succumbed to the embrace of sleep, her body finally finding respite from the day's trials.
As Niamh's eyes fluttered open, the initial confusion gave way to a surge of shock. The dimly lit cave had been replaced by an unfamiliar expanse of water. Panic seized her heart, and her instincts propelled her to swim, but her movements were abruptly halted by a sensation of resistance. A heavy weight seemed to anchor her tail, and as her fingers instinctively reached down, they brushed against the cold, unyielding metal of a chain.
Horror etched across her features, Niamh's breath quickened as she realized the gravity of her situation. She was no longer in the cave.
Confusion and alarm gripped her as she took in her new environment—a dimly lit, rustic room. The sparse illumination cast eerie shadows on the walls, deepening her sense of unease. With a racing heart, she turned her attention to finding Kael, hoping for some explanation or familiarity. Yet, her search revealed his absence, intensifying her anxiety.
"Oh no, what's all this now?" Her voice trembled with a mixture of fear and frustration. Panic threatened to overwhelm her as questions surged through her mind. What had happened? Where was she? And why was she chained here?
As panic bubbled within her, the sound of someone approaching the room's entrance caught her attention. Niamh's gaze darted toward the source of the sound, her eyes wide and filled with trepidation. Every nerve in her body was on edge, unsure of what new challenge or threat awaited her in this mysterious place.