I let out a contented hum, and to my surprise, a similar sound resonated from his chest. Meanwhile, Titus climbed the rocks and disappeared into the opening within the mountain.
Before long, he returned, having transformed into his humanoid form, a broad grin lighting up his face. "Come on in! Sam really knows how to uncover the good stuff."
Oliver whisked me into the mountain's embrace, and in an instant, we were enveloped by a cave shimmering with radiant mana-infused stones that pulsed with a cozy warmth. As we ventured further, a hot spring came into view, its surface dancing with the energy of mana-rich stones nestled below, sending delightful ripples of vitality spiraling upward. Above, a delicate fissure released wisps of steam, casting an enchanting aura throughout the space. The pond, impressively expansive, reigned at the heart of this secret haven, which featured a grand main chamber and a quaint little nook tucked away in the back. The ceilings soared high, their jagged formations barely visible in the soft glow. Underfoot, a lush carpet of moss cradled the ground, sprinkled with tiny dark pink blossoms that glimmered softly in the twilight. Silvery tendrils of glowing mana stones wove through the cave, and at the entrance, a tall, slender slab hinted at its past life as a door. I took in the scene, a delightful mix of awe and exhilaration bubbling up inside me. Lately, I had been feeling restless, my skin prickling and peeling—a clear signal that I was in dire need of a refreshing dip, yet life seemed determined to throw hurdles in my path.
Oliver's breath caught in his throat, his eyes sparkling with astonishment as he took in this unexpected treasure. He was already concocting a playful yet pointed conversation with Sam, determined to express his surprise at being kept in the dark about such a delightful spot until now.
It was undeniably enchanting; the mana hung thick in the air, and I felt an irresistible pull toward the water. Oliver gently set me down near the spring, knowing it was the warmest spot and clearly seeing my fascination. Meanwhile, he and Tutus busied themselves with their backpacks, arranging items closer to the wall to create a cozy nest of blankets on the soft moss. Little did Oliver know, my fascination had morphed into an obsession, and the only thing that could keep me from diving into that inviting water would be a swift knockout!
While the two of them were lost in their own little world, I found myself irresistibly drawn toward the shimmering water, my thoughts completely blank, overtaken by an overwhelming desire to dive in. It was as if every fiber of my being was pleading for the cool embrace of the waves; the mere idea of not plunging in felt like a slow, agonizing torture. So, without a moment's hesitation, I crawled forward and joyfully slid into the water, sending up a delightful little splash that danced over the mana rocks.
As I submerged, a wave of pure relief enveloped me. It was as if my skin, parched and yearning, had finally been treated to a luxurious layer of soothing lotion after a week of neglect. The discomfort that had clung to me began to fade away, and I was utterly convinced that I could remain in this state of bliss forever. Who would have thought that simply plunging beneath the water could bring such an exhilarating rush of joy?
I plunged further into the depths, my heart racing and breath held tight, when out of nowhere, a searing pain pierced the sides of my neck. Startled, I instinctively brought my hand to the source, bracing for the worst-case scenario. But to my astonishment, my fingers found no blood; instead, I felt two narrow, slit-like marks etched into my skin. As I gasped in disbelief beneath the water's surface, a wave of realization washed over me—I could breathe with ease.
I couldn't help but reach out once more, completely blown away by the revelation that had just come to me. Just seconds after diving into the water, I noticed something incredible—I had grown gills! As I gracefully swam toward the surface, I took a deep breath, utterly amazed at how easily I could inhale air while being completely underwater. It was a surreal experience that left me in awe of my newfound abilities.
Out of nowhere, a thrilling jolt surged through my stomach, chest, and legs, igniting a wild dance of sensations. I glanced down, utterly captivated by the sight of shimmering green and purple scales blossoming before my very eyes. My legs, as if enchanted by some magnetic force, began to draw together against my will, and I was powerless to resist. With a sudden snap, they fused, and more scales erupted forth, weaving together to form a breathtaking mermaid tail, complete with an elegant fin that seemed to sway with a life of its own. I stood there, awestruck—was I truly becoming a mermaid?
A brilliant surge of emerald energy wrapped around me, a second wave crashing in right after, sending ripples of power through the water. The mana from the abyss flowed into my being, igniting a breathtaking transformation that coursed through every fiber of my existence, infusing me with vitality and amplifying my essence. A deep green radiance pulsed around me, casting a spellbinding glow that lit up the entire hot spring pond, creating a scene that was nothing short of enchanting.
Out of nowhere, an odd tingling sensation enveloped me, a peculiar caress dancing along the very tip of my tailfin. Surely, this was a trick of my imagination! I must be imagining things, right? Perhaps I was just a tad too attuned to my surroundings; it was likely nothing more than the playful currents of water swirling around, teasing my sensitive fin.
It happened once more, that tantalizing touch, a whisper of movement beneath the surface. Just ripples, I reassured myself, trying to shake off the creeping unease. But then, without warning, I felt the unmistakable grip of something coiling around my fin, a sensation that sent a jolt of panic through my veins. I couldn't help but let out a startled shriek, the sound echoing in the water, just as that mysterious force yanked me down into the abyss.
Bubbles danced from my lips, but the boys were completely unaware, lost in their own world of unpacking gear and establishing our campsite. They hadn't even caught on to the fact that I was morphing into a mermaid, much less that something sinister was pulling me down into the depths of the abyss.
Whatever it was, it was pulling me down at a terrifying speed. Thank goodness for my gills! But what was its intention? Was this creature planning to make me its next meal? I struggled to break free and get a glimpse of my captor, but the darkness enveloped me, and my eyes were still adjusting to my new mermaid form.
I struggled to break free, flailing my arms in a futile attempt to escape, but instead, I found myself sinking deeper into the depths. Suddenly, an underwater current seized me, yanking me upward with such force that a sharp pain shot through my body. I was being dragged against the current, pulled toward the edge of the pond and into uncharted waters. Desperate for help, I opened my mouth to scream, but all that emerged were bubbles and a series of enchanting, melodic sounds—like a symphony of underwater music. It was mesmerizing, but utterly useless in that moment.
Then, out of nowhere, a loud crack echoed through the water, and the current shifted, propelling me upward with incredible force. I burst through the surface, soaring high above the water. My newly formed mermaid tail shimmered in the glow of the mana gems scattered throughout the cave, casting a dazzling display of green and purple light that captivated everyone around. They turned in astonishment, their eyes wide with disbelief at my transformation. Honestly, I hadn't envisioned becoming a mermaid since childhood, yet here I was.
In that brief moment, I saw a whirlwind of emotions dance across their faces—shock, disbelief, and a hint of fear, all swirling together like a storm ready to break.
With a splash, I dove beneath the surface, scanning the depths for whatever had just yanked me down. I desperately wished it was merely a tangle of seaweed or something equally harmless. Truth be told, I was deep in denial, not ready to confront the whirlwind of emotions reflected in their eyes just moments before. It was all a bit overwhelming, especially since this was my first time shifting; I was already juggling enough without adding more chaos. They wouldn't grasp that I had always been human, and this experience was so far beyond my comfort zone that it felt like stepping into an entirely different universe. They simply wouldn't understand, and that meant my emotional turmoil would go unnoticed while they focused on shoving their own emotions on me.
Coming Next Time: Unexpected Encounter