Nereus woke with the sunlight filtering softly through the curtains of his new room. He stretched, feeling the smooth sheets beneath him, still foreign compared to the flowing currents of the ocean.
The silence was strange, almost unnatural—no bubbling of water, no distant whale songs. Just the soft hum of the city in the distance and the rustle of the leaves outside the window.He pushed the covers aside and sat up, staring down at his legs.
Though he had become accustomed to walking on land, the memory of his shimmering tail haunted him. He missed the freedom of the ocean, the weightlessness, the feeling of belonging. Now, here on land, everything felt heavy and strange. Even the air was thick, not like the crispness of the water.
With a sigh, Nereus stood and dressed in the simple clothes Victor had provided for him—soft cotton that clung to his frame in a way that felt different from the sleek movement of his scales underwater. He missed his old form, missed the way he could glide effortlessly through the depths.But he had made a promise to himself: he would trust Victor. And if this was the life he had to live for now, he would try to understand it.
Learn its ways. Even if it meant he would never see his underwater home again.As Nereus wandered down the long, quiet halls of Victor's mansion, he heard the muffled sound of voices. Following the sound, he approached a partially open door.
From within, he heard Victor's low, commanding voice and another man's, one he didn't recognize."You're certain they've stopped looking for us?" Victor's voice was steady, but there was a hint of tension beneath the calm surface.
"For now," the other man replied. "But Cassini, you know as well as I do that they won't stop. Not with the kind of power we're talking about. They're relentless."There was a pause, then Victor's voice, colder now. "I know. That's why we need to stay ahead of them. Keep Nereus hidden. If they find out what he is…""They'll come for him."Nereus's heart sank at the realization that he was still very much in danger.
He stepped away from the door, not wanting to overhear more than he should. He was beginning to understand that Victor's world was full of secrets, and he wasn't sure if he would ever truly be safe here.As he wandered back toward the main hall, lost in thought, he nearly bumped into Luca, who was carrying a tray of food. Luca stopped, raising an eyebrow.
"Hungry?"Nereus blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. "I… yes."Luca motioned toward a nearby dining room. "Eat. You'll need your strength."The room was grand and imposing, but the food—simple bread, fruit, and cheese—was comforting.
Nereus sat down at the large table and picked at his meal, his mind still racing with questions. What had Victor meant by keeping him hidden? Who were these people chasing them, and what did they want?Just as he was finishing his meal, Victor entered the room. He looked as composed as ever, though his sharp eyes softened when they landed on Nereus.
"How are you settling in?" Victor asked, taking a seat across from him.Nereus hesitated, unsure of how to voice the confusion swirling in his mind. "I… don't understand this world. Your world. Why are people chasing us? Why do they want me?"Victor's expression darkened, and for a moment, Nereus saw the weight of the responsibility Victor carried.
"The people after us are dangerous. They seek control, power, and you… you're something they've never seen before. Something they think they can use.""Use me?" Nereus frowned, feeling the unfamiliar sting of fear in his chest.Victor leaned forward, his gaze intense.
"You're not like them, Nereus. You're… different. They'd see you as a prize, a tool to expand their control. That's why I need to protect you."Nereus met his gaze, sensing the unspoken truth behind his words. Victor wasn't just protecting him out of duty—there was something deeper, something unspoken.
He could feel it in the way Victor's voice softened when he spoke to him, in the way his eyes lingered just a little too long."Will I ever go back?" Nereus asked quietly, his voice almost a whisper. "To the sea?"Victor's jaw tightened, and for a moment, the hardened mafia lord seemed lost for words. Finally, he spoke, his tone gentle but firm.
"One day, maybe. But not now. It's too dangerous. They're still out there, looking for us. For you."Nereus nodded slowly, trying to push away the ache in his chest. He had always dreamed of the human world, but now that he was here, it wasn't what he had imagined. It was full of shadows, danger, and secrets.
And yet… there was Victor. Despite the darkness surrounding him, there was something about him that made Nereus feel safe, protected.Victor stood up, his gaze still fixed on Nereus.
"There's something I need to show you. Come with me."Curious, Nereus followed Victor through the mansion, down several winding hallways until they reached a locked door at the far end of the estate. Victor pulled a key from his pocket and unlocked the door, pushing it open to reveal a small, dimly lit room.
Inside, Nereus saw shelves lined with books and strange artifacts—maps, trinkets, and bottles filled with mysterious liquids.Victor walked over to a large table in the center of the room and placed a hand on a large, ancient-looking book.
"This," he said, "is the only record I've found that mentions creatures like you. Mermen. It's ancient, and most people don't even believe it's real."Nereus stepped forward, peering at the book with wide eyes. The pages were worn and yellowed with age, the ink faded but still legible.
There were drawings—illustrations of sea creatures, including figures that resembled his own kind. He traced his fingers over the delicate lines, his heart pounding with awe and fear."This is… me," Nereus whispered, almost in disbelief.Victor nodded.
"You're part of something ancient, something powerful. That's why they want you. But you're also more than that, Nereus. You're not just a symbol of power—they see you as a key to something they want. Something hidden beneath the surface of the ocean."Nereus's mind raced as he stared at the book.
There were secrets here, secrets about his world that even he didn't understand. And now, they had drawn him into a world of danger and intrigue, a world where his very existence was a threat.
As Nereus closed the book and looked up at Victor, he realized just how much was at stake. He wasn't just a curious merman exploring the human world anymore.
He was caught in a web of forces far beyond his control, and the only person he could trust was the man standing before him.Victor watched him carefully, his expression unreadable.
"I don't know what they're after yet," he said quietly.
"But I promise you this—I won't let them take you. Whatever happens, I'll protect you."Nereus held his gaze, feeling the weight of those words. He nodded slowly, knowing that whatever dangers lay ahead, he wouldn't face them alone.
Together, they would unravel the mysteries that bound them—and face the dark forces rising from the depths.