We arrived at the beach, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore a soothing contrast to the bustling city we had left behind. The parking lot was deserted, the only light coming from the flickering street lamps.
We stepped out of the SUV, a cool breeze ruffling our hair as we walked towards the shoreline. The vast expanse of sand and sea stretched out before us, the moon casting a silvery glow on the water.
Everyone took a deep breath, the salty air filling their lungs. I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the beauty of the scene, the power of nature on full display.
I followed the others, my heart pounding with anticipation. What was going to happen tonight?
Dove glanced at her watch. "Ratu," she said, her voice barely audible above the crashing waves, "start singing in 20 minutes, okay?"
Ratu nodded silently, her gaze fixed on the horizon.
"What song is she going to sing?" I whispered to Dove.
Ratu remained silent, her expression unreadable.
But Dove answered for her, her voice filled with reverence. "It's an ancient Javanese song," she explained. "A song passed down through generations, said to have the power to summon Nyi Roro Kidul herself."
I nodded, a shiver of anticipation running down my spine.
Yolan settled down on the sand, her eyes scanning the waves. "I can't sense anything yet," she said, her voice barely audible above the crashing surf.
Whistle~
A sharp, piercing whistle cut through the air. I turned to see Aca standing apart from the group, her fingers pressed to her lips.
Must be cool to have the power to call upon animals like that, I thought, a pang of envy hitting me.
Vill approached me, her voice a hushed whisper in the darkness. "I see the future," she said, her eyes fixed on the waves. "Xian, you need to stand near the water."
"Now?" I asked, surprised by the suddenness of her request.
"Yes, go," she urged, her voice firm.
I nodded, a shiver of anticipation running down my spine. The night was dark and the waves were rough, but I couldn't deny Vill's vision. I stepped into the shallow water, my shoes sinking into the wet sand. I stood facing the sea, the cool spray of the waves washing over my ankles.
I shouldn't be scared, I told myself, taking a deep breath. I can handle ghosts, and whatever else might be lurking in the darkness.
I glanced at my watch. Only ten minutes until midnight. The air crackled with an electric tension, the promise of something unknown and powerful.
Ratu walked to the edge of the water, her silhouette stark against the moonlight reflecting off the waves. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and began to sing.
Her voice, clear and ethereal, rose above the crashing waves, filling the night air with an ancient melody.
Oh, Queen of the Southern Sea, ruler of the depthsWe come with pure hearts, seeking your blessings Open the gates of the unseen, show us the way We are ready to unveil the secrets, to embrace our destiny
The song resonated across the beach, the haunting melody weaving through the crashing waves like an ancient spell. As Ratu sang, the air grew thick with a palpable energy, a sense of anticipation building with each verse.
The moon reached its zenith, casting a silvery glow upon the scene. The waves seemed to respond to Ratu's call, their crests rising and falling in a hypnotic rhythm.
Suddenly, a surge of water rushed towards me, its icy tendrils wrapping around my ankles. I stumbled, caught off guard by the unexpected force.
"H-Help!" I cried out, my voice barely audible above the roar of the ocean.
The Unveiled girls reacted instantly, rushing towards me with outstretched arms.
But it was too late. The water tightened its grip, dragging me deeper into the sea. I struggled against the relentless current, my lungs burning as I gasped for air. The world around me blurred, the sounds of my family's panicked cries fading into the distance.
The last thing I saw before the darkness consumed me was the full moon, its silvery light shimmering on the surface of the water, a silent witness to my descent into the unknown.
"Unique humans..."
The voice, soft and ethereal, echoed through the underwater darkness. It was a woman's voice, melodic and soothing, yet tinged with an otherworldly power.
I gasped for air, my lungs burning as I struggled to stay afloat. The ocean water was cold and murky, and I could barely make out my surroundings. But then, a faint light flickered in the distance, growing brighter with each passing moment.
I swam towards the light, my limbs heavy and my vision blurring. As I drew closer, the light coalesced into a figure, a woman of unearthly beauty. She was adorned in flowing green garments, her long hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of moonlight. Her eyes, the color of the deepest ocean, sparkled with a wisdom that transcended time.
"Welcome, Xian Ying," she said, her voice a gentle caress. "I have been expecting you."
I opened my mouth to speak, but a rush of water filled my lungs, cutting off my words.
Gah!
I choked, desperately trying to surface. But as I struggled, a pair of soft lips pressed against mine, and I felt a powerful suction drawing the water out of my lungs.
Huh?!
My eyes widened in shock as I realized that the goddess herself, Nyi Roro Kidul, was kissing me. I could feel the water being pulled from my body, replaced by a warm, comforting energy that flowed through my veins.
She broke the kiss, her eyes locking with mine. "This is for you," she said, her voice a gentle whisper. "So that you may breathe underwater."
Cough! Cough!
I sputtered, my eyes wide with wonder as I took in my surroundings. I was no longer in the ocean, but inside a magnificent underwater palace, its walls adorned with shimmering pearls and coral formations.
"What is this... Atlantis?" I asked, my voice echoing in the vast, watery chamber.
Nyi Roro Kidul chuckled, her laughter like the tinkling of wind chimes. "That is an old tale," she said, her voice a melodic hum. "This is my kingdom. And I have heard much about you, young Xian Ying... You are quite unique."
Am I really that unique? I wondered, a sense of self-doubt creeping in.
"Come inside my chamber," she beckoned, her voice a siren's call. "Do not be afraid of the sea."
< Chapter 074 > Fin.