The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a silver glow over the school grounds. Alice couldn't shake the unease that had settled in her chest since Aliyah told her about the existence of mermaids and the dark rumors surrounding them. Her mind swirled with questions she couldn't answer, and her curiosity burned brighter than her fear.
Unable to sleep, Alice slipped out of her dorm, her black cloak blending into the shadows as she made her way through the woods. Her feet instinctively guided her to the coastline, to the place Aliyah had whispered about in hushed tones—the mermaid caves.
The entrance to the cave was hidden behind a waterfall, its roar masking any sound from the outside world. Alice pushed through the curtain of water, her heart pounding as she stepped into the hollow.
The cave was eerily quiet, illuminated by the faint glow of bioluminescent moss. A shallow pool of water lay in the center, its surface shimmering under the moonlight. Alice stepped closer, her reflection rippling in the water.
"Is this it?" she muttered to herself, disappointment creeping in. "Just an empty cave?"
She turned to leave, but a sudden splash caught her attention. Whirling around, she froze as a figure emerged from the water.
A breathtakingly beautiful woman rose from the pool, her rainbow-colored hair cascading over her shoulders. Her tail shimmered with every color of the spectrum, and her eyes seemed to pierce through Alice's very soul.
"Who...who are you?" Alice stammered, her stubborn bravery momentarily shaken.
The woman smiled, her voice melodic as she spoke. "You don't know who you are, do you?"
Alice frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"You're stronger than you think," the mermaid said cryptically. "Stronger than anyone realizes. You're destined for more, Alice."
"How do you know my name?" Alice demanded, her confusion giving way to frustration.
The mermaid didn't answer. Instead, she tilted her head, her expression suddenly serious. "We don't have much time. Someone is coming. You need to leave."
"No!" Alice stepped closer. "Tell me what's going on. What do you mean I'm stronger than I think?"
Before the mermaid could respond, she tensed, her gaze darting toward the entrance of the cave. Without another word, she dove back into the pool, disappearing beneath the surface.
"Wait!" Alice shouted, but it was too late.
The air in the cave grew heavy, a dark presence filling the space. Alice turned toward the entrance, her breath catching as a man stepped through the waterfall.
He was tall and imposing, dressed in black adorned with skull motifs. His jet-black hair framed a face that was both handsome and terrifying, and his piercing eyes glowed with a sinister light. A black aura surrounded him, suffocating and cold.
Despite his intimidating presence, Alice's stubborn nature refused to waver.
"Who are you?" she demanded, crossing her arms.
The man's lips curled into a dangerous smirk. "You're bold for someone so small." His voice was deep and commanding, laced with menace.
Alice raised an eyebrow. "And you're arrogant for someone who just barged into a place uninvited."
Kael's smirk faltered, replaced by a flicker of amusement. "Leave now, girl. Or I'll eat you alive."
Alice burst out laughing, her defiance surprising even herself. "Eat me? Really? What are you, some kind of demon?"
Kael stepped closer, his aura pressing down on her like a physical weight. "You don't know who you're dealing with."
Alice stood her ground, though her heart raced. "And you don't scare me."
For a moment, Kael stared at her, his expression unreadable. Then, something shifted in his gaze—a softness, almost imperceptible, but it was there.
"What's your name?" he asked, his tone strangely gentle.
Alice hesitated, sensing the sudden change in his demeanor. "Alice."
Kael repeated the name under his breath, as if testing its weight.
"I don't have time for this," Alice said, glancing at her watch. It was past midnight. "I'm leaving."
Kael watched her as she turned to go, a strange sense of protectiveness stirring within him.
As Alice disappeared into the night, Kael remained in the cave, his mind racing. There was something about her—something familiar.
He approached the pool of water, his reflection staring back at him. The memory of his lover, frozen in time, resurfaced in his mind.
"Could she be...?" he murmured.
Determined to find answers, Kael made a decision. He would go to Northerncrooks, to the witch who had taken in the last of the mermaids. She would have the answers he sought.
As soon as Alice left the cave, another presence appeared. The air grew colder, and the light of the moss dimmed as Lucifer stepped into the space. His fiery eyes scanned the area, his lips curling into a wicked smile.
"She was here," he said to himself, his voice dripping with malice.
He turned to the shadows, where Lyanna emerged, her expression one of cautious curiosity.
"You were right," Lucifer said. "The last mermaid lives."
Lyanna's eyes widened, a mixture of shock and triumph flashing across her face.
"What do we do?" she asked.
Lucifer's smile widened. "We finish what we started a thousand years ago."